Gurumayi’s Talk during the Mahashivaratri Satsang in
Shree Muktananda Ashram—March 10, 2013
Today, in the middle of April, it snowed again in Minneapolis—not just the typical spring snow that melts when it hits the ground, but inches and inches of snow. It slowed driving to a crawl. People here are fond of complaining about the weather, so nearly everyone is expressing how tired they are of the snow and the cold.
As I began my drive home from work, which was three times as long as normal, I remembered Gurumayi’s teaching, "Enjoy the moment." I settled into my seat, repeated the mantra, and thought "Enjoy this moment." It transformed my sense of difficulty into steadfast concentration with an inner smile. I marvel at how this one teaching has so much power to shift my life again and again, day after day.
Thank you, Gurumayi.
Minnesota, USA
Last night, as I was with a friend and my dad, we started making jokes. I found myself laughing and laughing, and I could not stop. I felt the breath so full, and filled with joy and serenity. And I remembered Gurumayi’s talk and knew that I was enjoying the moment—and my friend, too. And my dad, too. We were laughing a lot. It was so contagious. So we all enjoyed the moment together.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for your teachings.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for your teachings.
an eight-year-old Siddha Yogi from Rome, Italy
A few people (too old for children’s programs, but too young for the other ones) got together in our Siddha Yoga Meditation Center to read this talk. We were trying to load the chant and the computer was taking a long time to bring up the webpage. Standing around the computer, we were beginning to become impatient when my younger sister said, "Enjoy the moment!" That was when we realized what Gurumayi meant—to enjoy every moment and to take time to do so. At that point it was OK that the webpage took a while to load.
a fifteen-year-old Siddha Yogi from Washington, USA
In her talk, ”Enjoy the Moment—Laugh a Lot,” Gurumayi relates the word enjoy to many different types of situations. I began to wonder about the meaning of this word that I normally thought of as denoting simply taking pleasure in something.
I found several more definitions in a thesaurus. One of them is to appreciate. From this I understood that by teaching us to enjoy the moment, Gurumayi is showing us how to value and be grateful for all that a moment holds— whatever form it may take.
Thank you, Gurumayi.
Thank you, Gurumayi.
New York, USA
A few days after reading Gurumayi’s talk, “Enjoy the Moment—Laugh a Lot,” I was reciting Shri Guru Gita. It was early in the morning; and, as I tried to sing, I found that my throat was so tight, it hurt.
I remembered that Gurumayi said that laughter warms and strengthens the vocal folds. But since I was in a hall with other people, I thought it would be disruptive for me to laugh out loud. Then I recalled something I learned in the Siddha Yoga Home Study Course:If you are unable to physically perform hatha yoga postures, you can still receive beneficial results by doing them mentally.
I thought, if doing hatha yoga postures mentally works, why not laughing?
So then, I visualized myself laughing. I took time to relish the mental image. Then I began to recite the text—and it worked! My throat relaxed, there was no more pain, and the sound of my voice was very sweet, sweeter than usual.
Since then, when I’m at my job in a customer service department, speaking with a person who is complaining, in order not to get into the same mind set, I have been imagining myself laughing. Not only have I been able to remain in an amiable mood, but the other person also becomes more cheerful.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this teaching that not only makes me happier, but spreads to others as well.
New York, USA
When I heard Gurumayi’s teaching, “Enjoy the Moment—Laugh a Lot,” I connected it with Gurumayi’s Message for 2013: Mantra Japa.
In order to enjoy the moment, you need to be in the moment; you need to be present. This is what mantra repetition does for me. When I repeat the mantra, I stop thinking about what happened in the past or what will happen in the future. The mantra places me in the present moment. In my work, it helps me to concentrate on what I am doing at this moment; and it makes work easeful and enjoyable. And, of course, it doesn’t just apply to work. By placing us in the present moment, mantra repetition helps make every moment of life enjoyable.
New York, USA
There are so many lessons to be derived from Gurumayi’s talk! I took instruction from the way Gurumayi responded to the devotees’ discussion about the travel problems other devotees had instead of sharing about the satsang they had just attended.
I will carry Gurumayi’s example with me. When I am tempted to be disappointed at how other people are behaving, I intend to remember that sharing the Shakti that proceeds from Guru’s grace and my self-effort is always the highest choice to make.
Alaska, USA
When Gurumayi’s talk, "Enjoy the Moment—Laugh a Lot," first appeared on the website, I read it in a hurried manner, not savoring the teachings. I was in a looking ahead mode. I then went on with my life and my work for the week.
Usually, I scramble for something to read or do between patients. That week, however, something was different. I was present without needing external stimuli. I drank my tea in the kitchen and looked out the window at the beautiful panorama of the ocean and truly savored the moment. I now realize that Gurumayi’s grace allowed me these moments of presence, even though my efforts on first reading her words were hurried. Through her love, she allowed me to shift from rushing from moment to moment to full presence.
Thank you so much, Gurumayi.
Hawaii, USA
For many years I have tried to live in the present moment and keep my attention there. When I began to apply Gurumayi’s words from Bade Baba, "Enjoy the moment," I discovered that they give me a tangible way to stay present, and that is to actively explore each moment and situation and find where the joy lives. This explorer attitude enables me to enter deeply into my life and see and experience richer detail in the fabric of each situation.
When I find myself in a state that is a little flat or in which I don’t perceive any joy, I can gently prod myself—“Hey! Wake up, pay attention, find the joy in this moment"—and I do! Sometimes I catch sight of little wonders, like a cardinal (my state bird, reminding me of home) in the snow outside my office window.
Yesterday, I caught myself tightening up when someone started to offer me some feedback. I told myself, "Enjoy this moment, stay open to this moment, and just listen." With this I relaxed. I could take in what she was saying, and I could do it with ease.
New York, USA
Mahashivaratri is the time I received Shaktipat initiation in 1991. Since then, it’s always been an especially powerful and sacred time in my life. On Mahashivaratri this year I observed a fast, recited Shri Guru Gita, and tried to repeat the mantra Om Namah Shivaya as much as possible. Still my mind was heavy with concerns, particularly about the future, having recently lost my job due to recession in the industry where I work.
In the night, while gazing at the moon, I felt that I was in front of Shri Gurumayi, and she was just smiling on me. I started laughing and realized that I was connected to the Guru in my heart.
When I read Gurumayi’s talk, I realized how the Guru’s sankalpa is working for all the devotees around the world. No matter what situation we are facing in our life, the Guru’s grace and sankalpa guide us to enjoy the moment.
I’m really grateful to my Guru for such a beautiful understanding and blissful experience in a time which seems very hard to the physical eyes and mind.
Vadodara, India
I really love reading Gurumayi’s Mahashivaratri talk, and I read it again and again. Thank you, Gurumayi, for sharing it with us all.
I was contemplating the story of the interaction Gurumayi had with the two visiting sevites. The two sevites could stand for any one of us. Even if we do not always speak about the bad weather or potatoes, most of us still think about it in our minds. Probably our words and thoughts are not always as sublime as they could be.
What really moved me deeply was the way Gurumayi commented on this interaction. Her teachings were given with so much love and laughter that everybody was uplifted. This could be a model for everybody about how to give feedback in a very loving and compassionate way.
There is really so much to learn from this talk.
Großkarolinenfeld, Germany
I sat for meditation today across from my favorite picture of Gurumayi, repeating Om Namah Shivaya to bring me within. As my practice of mantra japa mingled with my breath, taking me to progressively subtler levels, I heard a triumphant sound.
A bird—a very confident and exultant bird—began to sing outside my open window. What an amazing repertoire he had! What a skillful and intricate array of sounds he displayed, one after the other; the trills and the echoing, the staccato notes and the pitch pipe phrasing, perfectly executed from his delicate throat. What variety and vibrancy and joy there were in his generous offering!
The details in his singing voice were so delightful that I couldn’t suppress a broad smile. I had never perceived such nuances in a bird’s singing, all the while feeling as if I were singing with him. Actually, at one point I merged with him so closely that I felt I was the bird singing!
Mantra, Nature, the delight of the moment, inner laughter: the Guru’s recent teachings reflected in a spring day’s meditation experience, all due to her subtle and far-reaching grace.
Thank you, Gurumayi, from the space of a delighted heart.
A bird—a very confident and exultant bird—began to sing outside my open window. What an amazing repertoire he had! What a skillful and intricate array of sounds he displayed, one after the other; the trills and the echoing, the staccato notes and the pitch pipe phrasing, perfectly executed from his delicate throat. What variety and vibrancy and joy there were in his generous offering!
The details in his singing voice were so delightful that I couldn’t suppress a broad smile. I had never perceived such nuances in a bird’s singing, all the while feeling as if I were singing with him. Actually, at one point I merged with him so closely that I felt I was the bird singing!
Mantra, Nature, the delight of the moment, inner laughter: the Guru’s recent teachings reflected in a spring day’s meditation experience, all due to her subtle and far-reaching grace.
Thank you, Gurumayi, from the space of a delighted heart.
California, USA
I woke up this morning feeling gloomy. I really wanted to experience laughing a lot, but it didn’t seem to be happening. So, I offered my recitation of Shri Guru Gita and proceeded with my day, now feeling much more grounded and present.
Later, a sadhana buddy phoned to ask about different bird calls in the springtime forest. My buddy asked me to imitate the regular and springtime calls of some of the birds, which I did, and within seconds we were both howling with laughter. It was hard to stop laughing.
In the future I can remember the gift of this experience and, if I’m gloomy, I can find a way to make the shift much sooner to light and laughter.
Thank you, Gurumayi.
Washington, USA
I’ve been revisiting Gurumayi’s talk several times a week. I’m noticing how doing that has been strongly influencing my daily experience, often in profound ways.
Yesterday, I was talking on the phone with my sister, who lives thousands of miles away. She was telling me about a sad situation in her life. Listening to her, I too felt sad. I was reaching for some way to comfort her.
After a moment, what came to my mind was the decision Gurumayi made when she met the visiting sevites on the night of Mahashivaratri. Right then, Gurumayi chose to follow Bade Baba’s guidance to enjoy the moment and to share the Shakti she herself was experiencing from being in the Temple.
So, while staying present with my sister, I also chose to become present with the energy of the mantra in my body. Gradually, the mood of the conversation shifted. It became filled with sweetness and heart’s ease—and even some moments of laughter about lighthearted memories we have shared in our lives.
Illinois, USA
It’s incredible how Gurumayi’s talk about laughing is working! Out of the blue, I start laughing for no apparent reason; and then I remember Gurumayi’s talk and laugh even more. Reading the other shares, I realize that the Guru’s Shakti is really working so that we can all follow Bade Baba’s guidance to “Enjoy the moment—laugh a lot”!
Thank you, Gurumayiji.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
As I was reading Shree Gurumayi’s talk, I realised that on Mahashivaratri I was looking at one of Bade Baba’s photos and what I saw was Bade Baba smiling beautifully. But in fact, that photo is not a smiling one. As I was looking at him, my heart filled with so much joy and I also started laughing.
Gurumayiji said, "Enjoy the moment—laugh a lot.” Really I enjoyed the moment, and now at this moment I am also enjoying and laughing.
Thank you so much, Gurumayiji. Your grace is amazing. I feel that I am always with you and you are always with me, in each moment and in each breath.
Virar, India
I had just returned from my birthday celebration with my family this evening. We were watching a TV show and laughing and laughing together. In the middle of the laughter I thought how rare and delightful that we were all belly-laughing together at the same time, and it seemed to go on and on, the kind of pure laughter that brings tears to your eyes, and I thought that that was the best birthday present for me—being in that moment in such pure delight.
Then I came home and decided to have "the icing on the cake" and visit the Siddha Yoga path website. I opened to Gurumayi’s Talk, “Enjoy the Moment – Laugh a Lot!"
Thank you Gurumayi for that wonderful birthday present! My heart is so full!
Massachusetts, USA
I recently returned from a holiday nearby a beautiful beach with huge Atlantic Ocean waves. I spent a lot of time watching the surfers waiting for the biggest wave to surf on.
Now that I am back home and reading the beautiful sharing everyone is sending in, it occurs to me that Mahashivaratri—and any Siddha Yoga celebration for that matter—is like a huge, perfect wave that we Siddha Yogis are waiting for again and again. And when it is there and we catch it with our practices, we are feeling oneness, rapture and pure delight. That is so great!
Thank you, Gurumayi, for teaching us how to live in delight.
And thank you so much, all you beautiful Siddha Yoga surfers.
Wortegem, Belgium
I was attending a job interview last Friday. While I was waiting nervously for the interviewers to show up, a thought occurred to me: Let’s see what’s on the Siddha Yoga path website. When I opened the website I read, "Enjoy the Moment—Laugh a Lot." My mind questioned how I was to enjoy and laugh during an interview when I was so nervous? I had no answer or time to mentally calm myself. I remembered the Guru and repeated silently Om Namah Shivaya.
The interviewers showed up. A wonder happened—an hour became a moment. Grace was there very clearly. We laughed a lot. We were in perfect harmony. The meeting was a pure joy. I did not care about its fruits; I was just enjoying meeting two beautiful people.
I don’t know if they will offer me the post or not. But whatever happens, I loved meeting them and laughing. I saw how that hour was transformed into a moment of grace.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for the experience of the mantra, for the experience of the moment, and for the laughter.
Stockholm, Sweden
Thank you, Gurumayi, for sharing the Mahashivaratri celebration with us!
For the last few days I have been laughing a lot. In fact, yesterday at work my boss said, "You have been laughing so much, and you don’t even drink."
I thought to myself, I drink the elixir of God’s name. Then on my way home from work, I started contemplating why I am laughing so much. Where is it coming from?
Last night when I read Gurumayi’s talk, I was very pleased to realize that my heart was following Bade Baba’s guidance "Enjoy the moment—laugh a lot."
Thank you, Gurumayi, for countless blessings and continuous guidance.
Michigan, USA
Last Sunday, March 10, 2013, I began to recite Shri Guru Gita at home around noontime. As I chanted, I noticed that I was starting to smile. And then I began to laugh and giggle. This was unusual for me, because when I recite Shri Guru Gita I am usually pretty serious and focused. At one point, I was laughing out loud and thought of a joke I wanted to tell Gurumayi. And then I started to laugh even more. I had a delight-filled, ecstatic experience of the Shakti!
Today, when I read Gurumayi’s talk from the Mahashivaratri satsang, I realized I had experienced Lord Shiva’s gift of Oneness as I recited Shri Guru Gita at home. I felt I was having the same experience as everyone in the Temple!
My gratitude to Gurumayi. My gratitude to this great path.
New York, USA
Gurumayi’s talks are always filled with all kinds of lessons. In this talk, by allowing us repeated glimpses into her own mind during her encounters with devotees, Gurumayi shows us that inner peace and joy derive from being able to make certain choices, moment by moment. A seemingly simple skill that is actually a huge attainment—and one in which I hope to become more proficient.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for your generosity and your wisdom.
California, USA
I am in a new situation in my life and looking for some answers. Sometimes I feel quite alone while looking for solutions.
On the day of Mahashivaratri, I prayed for some clarity in my mind. I was hoping for some serious guidance. Instead, I started to feel a sense of lightness in my heart and, for no apparent reason, waves of laughter. I became happy and was simply enjoying myself and seeing humor in everything. The insight came that even though I don’t know the solution for my situation yet, I can enjoy each moment and look for ways to laugh!
Later, as I read Gurumayi’s talk, I realized I was receiving Bade Baba’s teaching and I am not alone: we are always connected! As I am sharing this, I feel gratitude for the teaching about enjoying the moment and laughter! It’s so liberating, grounding, and sweet!
Thank you, Gurumayi, for enlivening this teaching in my heart again and for all your grace!
Warsaw, Poland
Shri Gurumayi, thank you for sharing with us the guidance that you received from Bade Baba. I’m always amazed by how simple and profound the Guru’s teachings are. "Enjoy the moment" is one of those simple and profound teachings.
As human beings we often make situations more complicated than they really are. When I find myself doing that, I will remember Bade Baba’s advice about enjoying the moment and laughing a lot.
London, UK
Thank you, Gurumayi, for sharing this beautiful talk. Joy welled up inside me when you described being with Bade Baba and catching his smile. It was a sweet reminder of the moments when I’ve had that same experience in the Temple. Bade Baba’s presence has always felt to me like profound stillness; sweet, sweet love; and uncontainable joy. Your share drew me into that wonderful feeling.
While struggling with a challenging work situation, I’ve been thinking about how to bring light and grace into my approach and interactions. “Enjoy the Moment” struck a chord for me. It feels like a gift, wrapped in your grace, that I can use to refine my perspective. Thank you.
Oregon, USA
Just reading Gurumayi’s words on the website makes me laugh and fills me with total wonder at the same time. How can there be so much love coming over the web? I am here in Cologne, Germany: no potatoes but cold weather, and I am feeling so connected with Gurumayi and all the devotees in Shree Muktananda Ashram.
There is so much joy in this moment as I write this! Bade Baba’s love and his will make us all one. One big Love!
Thank you, Gurumayi, for your generosity, your guidance, and your compassion.
Cologne, Germany
Thank you, Gurumayi! Reading this talk makes my heart full of joy and laughter. I am so grateful that technology can bring my Guru’s words to me. It is as if I had been in Bade Baba’s Temple for a while.
Annecy, France
When I read "Enjoy the Moment—Laugh a Lot," I experienced the sweetest joy move through my being. A simple and profound message. So often we forget that in each and every moment, God is with us, grace is with us, Gurumayi is with us.
Reading Gurumayi’s words and seeing the images from the Bhagavan Nityananda Temple, I feel connected to the temple of my heart.
New York, USA
How great to turn to the website and find this new talk from Gurumayi.
I was feeling frustrated and annoyed with something that had just happened. As I read Gurumayi’s words, these feelings just dropped away, and I felt energised and curious how I, too, could enjoy the moment. It brought a smile to my face and caused a paradigm shift inside. I decided, following Gurumayi’s guidance, that I, too, will enjoy the moment.
What practical teachings Gurumayi has shared with us all from Bade Baba. And it was so helpful to have Gurumayi share how she applied Bade Baba’s teachings in the moment and the following day. I want to find ways to laugh more! It was fascinating to read about the benefits of laughter and how much you need to laugh to stay strong.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for sharing your teachings from the Mahashivaratri Satsang that will guide and transform our lives.
Perth, Australia
I really related to Gurumayi’s description of wondering why the sevites she encountered were talking about something that seemed mundane rather than sharing their experiences of the Mahashivaratri program they had just attended. I also related to her decision to give them her full attention, thus sharing the vibration of the experience she had just had in the Temple.
As a mother, I spend most of my time in the midst of my own children and in the company of other parents and their children. Much of my role as a mother is on a level that sometimes seems mundane (ensuring children are doing their self-care, their chores, showing respect for themselves and others). In the midst of sibling disputes and fellow parents talking about all manner of topics, I sometimes wonder why our conversations are not more sublime in topic, but when I really enter into the moment, I do feel joy and see the sparkle of light in the eyes of those I’m relating to.
I also really appreciated Gurumayi’s description of engaging her intellect and of enjoying herself in those moments, too. She wonders why the person driving in the storm did not check the weather before leaving. Upon hearing about a sevite’s difficulty with digesting her meal, Gurumayi comes up with the idea of posting a sign to help everyone guide their food selection on fasting days. She models practicality and problem solving and the enjoyment of using our intellect.
I am really grateful for these teachings. Gurumayi reassures me that the life I have is a spiritual one when I make an effort to enjoy the moment when I’m with people, when I make an effort to enjoy myself as I engage my intellect, and when I make the effort (and it is often an effort for me) to laugh! I am grateful to have teachings that I can so readily apply without changing anything about the outer details of my life
Thank you, Gurumayi, for sharing this talk with us.
California, USA
What an honor to be gifted with Gurumayi’s Mahashivaratri talk. I began practicing Siddha Yoga in 2011 and have appreciated the feeling of accessibility the website offers. I feel a part of so many sevites around the world and feel as if I have experienced Gurumayi and Shree Muktananda Ashram in the videos, pictures, stories, and talks that are shared.
Thank you for using technology to share the teachings of Siddha Yoga with the world.
Missouri, USA
It was great to read the talk for Mahashivratri 2013 given by Gurumayiji. I felt that each and every word was guiding me and was meant for me. “Enjoy the Moment—Laugh a Lot.” I, too, enjoyed every moment while reading the talk.
Thank you, Gurumayiji, for this talk that shall help me in managing my daily life with a new outlook.
Tinsukia, India
Thank you, Gurumayi. By reading this talk I felt like I was there with you to celebrate Mahashivaratri. And I remembered being in Gurudev Siddha Peeth in the past for the Mahashivaratri celebration and thinking that it can’t get better than this: chanting the mantra, experiencing Shiva while offering my seva in the music group. And I also recollect the moments when I have caught Bade Baba’s smile.
We are enjoying each and every moment of our life, and we will laugh more. 🙂
Pune, India
In 1999, when I first started on the Siddha Yoga path, I would get many questions from friends about having a Guru. I remember describing my experience by saying, "My Guru has fun. When she gives talks she often laughs. It’s so real. I love it. It’s the perfect path for me."
I notice the lightness that laughter brings enables me to be open to take in the teaching of the moment. Thank you so much for sharing this reminder to "Enjoy the Moment – Laugh a Lot." I enjoy myself so much more when I remember this and so does everyone else.
Missouri, USA