Siddha Yoga Satsang in Honor of Gurupurnima Month
Siddha Yogis Share Their Experiences
I am very grateful to Gurumayi for the wonderful Gurupurnima satsang. Her teachings were especially meaningful to me, as they supported my recent sadhana experiences.
Earlier this year, after much scriptural study and regularly recitations of Shri Guru Gita, my sadhana took a dramatic shift. Suddenly, I yearned to meditate—a practice I rarely did any more. And when I dove into this practice, I heard from within that I needed “deep, deep rest.”
After the satsang, I read my journal from the time my sadhana took this shift. There I had noted:
When the noise and activity of life calm down,
listen to the Truth in the silence of pure calmness.
These experiences align so beautifully with Gurumayi’s first and third teachings in Shri Guru Vachan!
Earlier this year, after much scriptural study and regularly recitations of Shri Guru Gita, my sadhana took a dramatic shift. Suddenly, I yearned to meditate—a practice I rarely did any more. And when I dove into this practice, I heard from within that I needed “deep, deep rest.”
After the satsang, I read my journal from the time my sadhana took this shift. There I had noted:
When the noise and activity of life calm down,
listen to the Truth in the silence of pure calmness.
These experiences align so beautifully with Gurumayi’s first and third teachings in Shri Guru Vachan!
California, United States
Both before and after the satsang in honor of Gurupurnima month, I have been practicing in solitude, as if I were on retreat, so as to purify my mind. During the satsang and in the days after, I experienced an expansion into awareness that was new to me. With ease I could expand into space and enter a new state of silence. And as I was chanting a few mornings later, Bhagavan Nityananda appeared in my inner vision as he settled into my heart.
This state then faded as I had to go to out and talk to other people again, but every time I read Shri Guru Vachan, I feel that this is it—going inside and thereby stepping outside of time.
This state then faded as I had to go to out and talk to other people again, but every time I read Shri Guru Vachan, I feel that this is it—going inside and thereby stepping outside of time.
Hørsholm, Denmark
Many times over the past thirty-one years that I have been on the Siddha Yoga path, I felt certain that Gurumayi had given me everything. However, whenever I think there is nothing left for her to give, she gives more. And that “more” was powerfully evident to me during the satsang in honor of Gurupurnima.
As the satsang progressed, I could not help but marvel at the various messages and teachings that were presented and how each teaching was like an ascension ladder lifting me to greater and greater heights. I felt profoundly connected and attuned to the teachings.
Just the day before the Gurupurnima satsang, the thought came to me that I had no time to waste, that the teachings of Shri Guru had to be practiced and implemented in every moment. And here they were—Gurumayi’s distilled teachings—so clearly presented for me to practice and implement.
As the satsang progressed, I could not help but marvel at the various messages and teachings that were presented and how each teaching was like an ascension ladder lifting me to greater and greater heights. I felt profoundly connected and attuned to the teachings.
Just the day before the Gurupurnima satsang, the thought came to me that I had no time to waste, that the teachings of Shri Guru had to be practiced and implemented in every moment. And here they were—Gurumayi’s distilled teachings—so clearly presented for me to practice and implement.
New York, United States
I’m feeling extremely grateful to our beloved Gurumayi for the wisdom, grace, and love she bestowed on us during the satsang for Gurupurnima month. For me, this satsang offered two loving boons: the Guru’s darshan and Shri Guru Vachan.
While chanting with Gurumayi, I experienced an elixir of the Guru’s love. Although Gurumayi was looking at us via live video stream, I felt that she was focusing personally on me and that I was having a personal darshan with her. Whether I was offering a prayer, or inwardly asking a question about a life situation or about my sadhana, I felt that she was nodding as if she heard my prayer, and responding to my queries through her loving gestures throughout the chant. It felt like a unique communication from her heart to mine, as if we were the only ones present in the Siddha Yoga Universal Hall.
This experience reminds me of the raslila between Lord Krishna and the gopis, when each gopi felt that Lord Krishna was dancing with her and her alone.
While chanting with Gurumayi, I experienced an elixir of the Guru’s love. Although Gurumayi was looking at us via live video stream, I felt that she was focusing personally on me and that I was having a personal darshan with her. Whether I was offering a prayer, or inwardly asking a question about a life situation or about my sadhana, I felt that she was nodding as if she heard my prayer, and responding to my queries through her loving gestures throughout the chant. It felt like a unique communication from her heart to mine, as if we were the only ones present in the Siddha Yoga Universal Hall.
This experience reminds me of the raslila between Lord Krishna and the gopis, when each gopi felt that Lord Krishna was dancing with her and her alone.
Ahmedabad, India
At the start of the Siddha Yoga Satsang in Honor of Gurupurnima Month, my experience of watching images of the lotus bud blossom into a flower reminded me of the luminous, unfurling lilac-colored lotus in this year’s Gurupurnima invitation, in which Swami Indirananda sweetly invited us to once again partake in the practice of dakshina during this auspicious month.
As the satsang continued, and I listened to and received nine beautiful teachings from Gurumayi, I distinctly recognized the meaning of the invitation to practice guru-dakshina—this time, in gratitude for the gift of Shri Guru Vachan. I offered pranam and my forehead remained at my Guru’s feet.
I continue to experience waves of gratitude for the teachings received during this auspicious satsang via live video stream. As I start to implement the teachings into my daily schedule, I experience the feeling that my life and my being are, in the words of Swami ji’s invitation, “ever new.”
As the satsang continued, and I listened to and received nine beautiful teachings from Gurumayi, I distinctly recognized the meaning of the invitation to practice guru-dakshina—this time, in gratitude for the gift of Shri Guru Vachan. I offered pranam and my forehead remained at my Guru’s feet.
I continue to experience waves of gratitude for the teachings received during this auspicious satsang via live video stream. As I start to implement the teachings into my daily schedule, I experience the feeling that my life and my being are, in the words of Swami ji’s invitation, “ever new.”
Massachusetts, United States
On the day before the satsang in honor of Gurupurnima month, I had been contemplating the symbolism of the white lotus and, in particular, the way that some of the deities hold the lotus in their hands. Memories of friendships arose, and I wondered what this could mean.
So I was delighted to notice that there were many images of lotuses on the Siddha Yoga path website before the satsang began. Then we received Gurumayi’s teachings, which featured the words “Be your own best friend” many times over.
I now see how being “my own best friend” has been a feature of my life since beginning Siddha Yoga sadhana, and that when I am loving toward myself and my mind, I stay afloat in happiness just like the lotus.
So I was delighted to notice that there were many images of lotuses on the Siddha Yoga path website before the satsang began. Then we received Gurumayi’s teachings, which featured the words “Be your own best friend” many times over.
I now see how being “my own best friend” has been a feature of my life since beginning Siddha Yoga sadhana, and that when I am loving toward myself and my mind, I stay afloat in happiness just like the lotus.
Warrnambool, Australia
The satsang in honor of Gurupurnima month was an great experience for me, and being in Gurumayi ji’s presence was sublime. For me, being with Gurumayi ji in the satsang was like having the experience of being with Bade Baba: I had no wish, no desire, no expectations, but only the experience of oneness with my own Self within and with Gurumayi ji, who resides within me.
I am very grateful to Gurumayi ji, whose teachings always keep me connected within.
I am very grateful to Gurumayi ji, whose teachings always keep me connected within.
Nasik, India
Before the satsang began, as I watched the video montage of opening lotuses, the following poem arose within me:
In your light,
I grow towards you.
In your warmth unfurls
my very own beauty.
In your splendor,
my heart reveals its greatness.
In your exquisite love,
I become exquisite
praise.
Then, during the namasankirtana, as Gurumayi looked steadily and intently into the camera, I felt mesmerized by her gaze. My mind was (mostly) quiet. Suddenly there was a shift within me and I started to sing Om Guru, Om Guru, Om Gurudev—in worship of Shri Guru within me! It was a profound moment of totally embracing the Truth within, while also singing to my Beloved.
As I reflected afterwards, I realized that the last sentence of the poem, which was originally written from the perspective of the lotus, had come to life for me.
In your light,
I grow towards you.
In your warmth unfurls
my very own beauty.
In your splendor,
my heart reveals its greatness.
In your exquisite love,
I become exquisite
praise.
Then, during the namasankirtana, as Gurumayi looked steadily and intently into the camera, I felt mesmerized by her gaze. My mind was (mostly) quiet. Suddenly there was a shift within me and I started to sing Om Guru, Om Guru, Om Gurudev—in worship of Shri Guru within me! It was a profound moment of totally embracing the Truth within, while also singing to my Beloved.
As I reflected afterwards, I realized that the last sentence of the poem, which was originally written from the perspective of the lotus, had come to life for me.
Guildford, United Kingdom
The satsang for Gurupurnima month brought me various palpable experiences. The moment the satsang began, it started raining. I had not seen so much rain for quite some time. And a few days before the satsang, I had placed a pendant watch I’d received from Gurumayi many years ago and put it on my desk directly in front of me. I asked myself, “Why did Gurumayi give me this present?” In the emphasis on time throughout her teachings during the satsang, I received a clear answer.
During the satsang, even though Gurumayi did not say a word, I felt we had the most profound communication while she was chanting.
My heart is overflowing with gratitude.
During the satsang, even though Gurumayi did not say a word, I felt we had the most profound communication while she was chanting.
My heart is overflowing with gratitude.
Willemstad, Curaçao
This beautiful satsang filled my whole being with awe and gratitude. I felt seen, held, and uplifted in my body and my soul. It was as if my beloved Gurumayi supported me and lovingly pushed me into a much longed for, and much needed, “time for mindful quietude.”
I am profoundly grateful and feel deeply content.
I am profoundly grateful and feel deeply content.
Cologne, Germany
My whole family, including my spouse and two children, participated in today’s satsang for the month of Gurupurnima. Our small children were filled with happiness and laughter during the satsang. Their full participation was a gift for me. As we took part in the satsang, we were all brimming with love for our beloved Shri Guru.
For me, Shri Guru Vachan represents the need for deep self-inquiry to be able to meet my goals. These teachings will invigorate and inspire my meditation schedule and other Siddha Yoga practices. They will motivate me to put forth self-effort and embrace the Siddha Yoga practices in every moment.
I am very grateful to my beloved Gurumayi ji for the wonderful satsang and the precious gems of Shri Guru Vachan.
For me, Shri Guru Vachan represents the need for deep self-inquiry to be able to meet my goals. These teachings will invigorate and inspire my meditation schedule and other Siddha Yoga practices. They will motivate me to put forth self-effort and embrace the Siddha Yoga practices in every moment.
I am very grateful to my beloved Gurumayi ji for the wonderful satsang and the precious gems of Shri Guru Vachan.
Pune, India
Lately I have not been able to see the sacredness in myself. It was as if my mind was distant from Gurumayi. But when I attended the satsang for the month of Gurupurnima and spent time with Gurumayi, that feeling disappeared.
Instead, I remembered that I always have the Guru’s blessings. And I was reminded of the lyrics of Shri Guru Sarikha, which sing of the blessing of the Guru’s protection.
I am truly grateful to my Guru, who always gives me the same blessings and support, no matter what my mind is telling me.
Instead, I remembered that I always have the Guru’s blessings. And I was reminded of the lyrics of Shri Guru Sarikha, which sing of the blessing of the Guru’s protection.
I am truly grateful to my Guru, who always gives me the same blessings and support, no matter what my mind is telling me.
Tokyo, Japan
As we chanted Om Gurudev, I felt tears of love, gratitude, and devotion on my cheeks. I was so thankful to hear this exquisite melody and to see my Guru’s divine glance.
Following the sixth teaching we received today, I have taken care to ensconce my experiences of the Guru’s grace, the Guru’s love, and the Guru’s darshan “in the shrine of my heart” forever.
On this Guru Purnima, I want to express my infinite love, infinite gratitude, and infinite joy.
Following the sixth teaching we received today, I have taken care to ensconce my experiences of the Guru’s grace, the Guru’s love, and the Guru’s darshan “in the shrine of my heart” forever.
On this Guru Purnima, I want to express my infinite love, infinite gratitude, and infinite joy.
Russian Federation
When I saw Gurumayi and read her words, my mind became completely stable. Later in the satsang, when Gurumayi started chanting Om Gurudev, I cried tears of gratitude remembering my Gurus. And I remembered them so well that in meditation I experienced their divine darshan in my heart.
I am more than happy to hear that the Siddha Yoga Shaktipat Intensive will be held again in October. For this, I offer my gratitude to Gurumayi in this divine month of Gurupurnima.
I am more than happy to hear that the Siddha Yoga Shaktipat Intensive will be held again in October. For this, I offer my gratitude to Gurumayi in this divine month of Gurupurnima.
Ahmedabad, India