By Rosemary (Rudrani) Nogue, Yogaratna

Swami Sunday and Wednesday Satsang are magnificent Guru gifts. I am thankful that both satsangs are easily accessible online. I live far from the Ashram (like many of you). From the first 2020 online Swami Sunday to today, I’ve cherished these lifelines to Guru’s Grace.

Recently, I travelled to Downingtown and participated in person in two Swami Sundays and two Wednesday Satsangs at Lokananda. There were similarities between online and in person.  Gurudevi’s inspiring talks always resonate and offer what I need to hear (again). I always feel that each talk is the best talk ever!  Gurudevi helps me slide into easy, deep meditations whether I’m online or in person.

Still, there were wonderful upgrades to being with my Guru in person. Arriving early at the meditation hall gave me the opportunity to prepare myself to receive more.   I settled into the undeniable energy and repeated mantra.

Upon Gurudevi’s arrival, I bowed with my hands together in front of my heart (Anjali Mudra). I felt seen. Group chanting immersed me in a delicious surround-sound. During darshan I rested my head on Gurudevi’s feet. Upon sitting up, Guru and Self were One. 

Gurudevi answered a personal question and blessed my sacred object. Prasad was sweet. During the gathering in Lokananda’s café area, I shared, listened, and learned from others’ experiences of Swami Sunday. Another of Gurudevi’s brilliant offerings! 

Being with Gurudevi gave me an openhearted experience of being “here” within.  My Grace receiving capacity expanded while my reverence for Gurudevi and Self deepened.

I look forward to returning soon. Gurudevi always offers more when I am ready.

By Amanda (Purna) Schmidt

Guru Sandals jewelry is now available! The Guru’s sandals are traditionally venerated as a potent source of Grace. These pieces were designed after Gurudevi’s own sandals. Choose from a pendant or earrings.

The earrings feature one sandal for each ear, while the pendant is a pair of sandals together. The jewelry is in stock in silver, or can be custom ordered in gold.

Adorn yourself with this powerful symbol of Grace, and feel Gurudevi’s guidance wherever you are.

by Heidi (Hamsaa) Flannery

Interviewed by Lori (Priya) Kenney

Having a Guru seemed like a fairytale before meeting Gurudevi Nirmalananda. I met her at Swami Sunday in May 2022. It felt familiar and I knew, “I’m where I’m supposed to be.” I’ve loved Gurudevi’s Swami Sunday programs from the beginning. Every discourse brings me what I need to know that week.

I am reading a lot of books, including Gurudevi’s A Yogic Lifestyle. Two years ago, I decided to pick a word for my New Year’s resolution: humility. The next Swami Sunday, Gurudevi asked what our resolutions were. I raised my hand when no one else did. When I told her my word, she asked if she could change it. I nodded. She looked at me fiercely and said, “Warrior!”

In reflection, it felt like she placed it into my heart. At home I put warrior pictures and phrases all over the house. I was in the middle of a divorce and my ex wasn’t being generous financially. Gurudevi told me I needed to hire a lawyer — for my children. It was both practical and spiritual advice. I did what she told me to do. That whole year, I did warrior poses to help me stand up for my girls. I owe it all to Gurudevi. I needed her to point me in the right direction.

Every other Sunday when my girls are with me, I do Swami Sunday online. Gurudevi told me to keep doing it for my daughters, even though my own attention is divided. My girls smile at Gurudevi, touch the screen and call out to her. They chant “Jyota se Jyota” with us or while playing. I’m so grateful they have access to Gurudevi.

I never dreamed I would meet my forever teacher. Nor that I would announce it to the world and myself. The moment Gurudevi walks in the room, I don’t want to take my eyes from her. I love the devotional part of being there, honoring her, bowing to her, loving her. Yoga used to be a hobby or a class. Now it’s my whole life.

La Jolla ‘02

Feel the vibe, the shakti of all the teachers chanting with Gurudevi in 2002.

Back then, she was Rama, leading the first Svaroopa^® Yoga Teachers Conference. Some yogi musicians joined her, with sitar and drum, leading to an ecstatic evening!

• Shree Ma
• Jaya Shiva Shankara
• Mt. Kailasa OM Namah Shivaya

Get singles or buy the whole album. Chant along to experience the bliss of Consciousness or play it in your headphones. People will ask why your smile is so bright.

By Sue (Shuchi) Cilley

I anchor my week in Swami Sunday.  I anchor my days in Meditation Club — every day of the week. 

It’s amazing how often Sunday comes around again.  Every Sunday, Gurudevi makes time in her schedule.  She invites me (and everyone else) to Lokananda for Satsang.  I come on Zoom.  Others, who live closer, come in person. 

I make it a priority in my week.  A monthly subscription makes it easy. Occasionally I can’t attend, but it’s rare. I care.

Baba says if you want enlightenment, go to one who’s got it.  I am so grateful to be able to spend this time with Gurudevi.  

What’s so great about Swami Sunday?  Technically it’s called Satsang. It’s an opportunity to experience Truth (sat), your own inherent Divinity, in the company of others (sangha). What’s a better use of time? 

Swami Sunday has a formal structure to it.  Using ancient practices invokes the inner arising of your own inherent Divinity.  It’s totally reliable.  So many practices.  We chant at several different times, we listen to stories and Gurudevi’s illumined teachings.  Can you keep your eyes open while she’s speaking?  

We use a candle flame ceremony to invoke the power of revelation. She gives meditation instructions; we repeat the lineage mantra and meditate.  She’s endlessly creative, always giving the gift of Self-Knowingness.  If you want to know, go to one who knows and can give it to you.

And now the Sunday subscription includes the Wednesday evening programs as well!  What a bonus that is!  

It’s a less formal evening, but no less powerful.  Each evening Gurudevi unpacks the nuances of the language from a multi-line quote from Baba’s writings.  Somehow each of them is magnifying the clarity of each other, invoking Grace.  She’s enlivening the teachings.  

Her words are profound and easy to understand.  I dive in deeper and deeper.  Then we do a longer chant and a longer meditation.  It couldn’t be any more perfect.  I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to be there.  Her invitation is open to everyone. 

Now Wednesdays are becoming a commitment, too.  All my inner and outer obstacles to attending have melted away.  I’m more securely aligned with the Grace which flows into every aspect of my life.  

If you want to know, go to one who knows and can give it to you.  I want to know and I keep showing up, sitting at the feet of my Guru – via Zoom.  Jai Gurudevi!