After only one week in Ganeshpuri India, from Calgary Canada, I wrote, “What an amazing experience so far.”

I had many opportunities to explore and experience my own spirituality, from abhishek at 4:30 each morning to honor Nityananda, contemplations and meditations, asana  practices, satsangs and just walking the streets and shops, observing the friendly people that live here and respecting their culture and beliefs.

As a newer Svaroopi in the group, I still have much to learn. There has been so much support within our community and each person has helped me with processing the ”process” of finding and honoring the Blissful Source within myself.

One of the things I’ve learned in Ganeshpuri is that  “anything is possible; even the impossible,” a sort of mantra I heard from our wise and hospitable tour manager, named Iqbal.

To be able to attain a sense of peace and a glimpse of enlightenment seemed impossible to me only a few years ago, but now I am learning how to access the Grace and Consciousness that is within each of us, facilitated by traditions and rituals such as the yaj~na fire ceremony, and chanting the Guru Gita.

Chanting the Guru Gita at Gurudev Siddha Peeth seemed surreal. The Ashram had such a peaceful environment; it was so beautiful to see all the people gathered together for the same purpose — reciting the sacred text to honor the One Guru, The Self — the Source, That which resides in each of us.

The lights were dimly lit, casting a glowing radiance in the hall. I took a breath and waited in silent anticipation for the chanting to begin. Within a few moments, I heard the serene melody of a flute followed by the rhythmic beat of a drum and the hum of the harmonium preparing all of us for the spiritual practice of chanting the Guru Gita.

The vibrations in my heart supported me in my own chanting, as I sensed the energy of Ganeshpuri coursing through my body, yet grounding me at the same time. I saluted the Guru—the embodiment of being, consciousness and bliss. Hearing the men and women rhythmically and melodiously chanting took me inside myself to feel and experience the love, the bliss, and Grace of the Guru within myself…inside and outside.  I feel full. I feel grateful.  I feel the power and Grace imbibed in Ganeshpuri within myself. Anything is possible….

Early in our retreat, Swamiji advised, “Pauses are built into life, the divine space between the two.” This pause is more conscious for me as the days pass. The pause between inhale and exhale, an opportunity to increase awareness. The pause between sides, an opportunity to reflect on the impact of a pose.

Being conscious of “pause” melted into another one from Swamiji, “Do more listening than talking.” I feel this is more than listening with ears. It’s listening with heart, listening to myself.

There are the daily walks along the road from Rosie’s, my temporary home here: to and from the temple in the morning, to and from the meditation tent for the sweetness of chanting the Guru Gita followed by yoga class, to and from the tent again in the afternoon for satsang. The same road back and forth each day, time for pause and listening.

There is a special sweetness at 4 am. It’s dark and cool. With a caressing breeze. It’s quiet with only a few indications of others starting to rise. Just a little traffic on the dusty road. A little pause before the business of the day. It’s a good time for prayer and centering intentions for the rest of the day, a chance to go a bit deeper.

Returning home from temple around 6:30 am, it is still dark. Shop keepers are sweeping their entrances, cooking fires are being kindled.

There’s more vehicle traffic. Roosters crow, crows caw. The rising sun reflects warm glows of pink and purple in the early morning smoke and dust. Tops of trees fringe the eastern sky like lace. The chanting from the temple rests easy within me and nourishes me as I use this pause to reflect and listen to the wisdom of Swamiji’s words.

On the road again just before 8 am. The sun is higher but it’s still cool. Breakfast stands are opening and wonderful aromas tempt. I see and hear more when I’m not talking or allowing myself to be distracted from the moment. Talking can cheat me out of a pause.

The road after lunch is longer and hotter. No shade. Light dust and smoke float in the still, hot air. I walk even slower to conserve energy. After the afternoon recess the road has blessings of shade and the promise that soon the heat will abate.

I am filled with bubbles of joy. The pauses have been a gift to deepen my reflections and build devotion to the Guru. Listening with my heart grows greater devotion to the Guru.

There is a solid community of us back in Calgary. Ganeshpuri, however, provides a wider perspective on the rootedness of the chants and principle of the Guru in ancient times. The Grace is more solid.

Om Namah Shivaya

Swami says “Do more Yoga.”  In our Ganeshpuri retreat, we are deeply immersed in all the practices. Starting our day at the Nityananda temple at 4:20 am and ending with dinner around 6:00 pm, the day is filled with chanting, meditation, asana, satsang and darshan.  Some days we have vichara or a fire ceremony and always an abundance of food, even some shopping and even more meditation, Plus we get Ujjayi & naps in between classes. We are truly fortunate to have this concentrated time in this most auspicious and sacred space.

Valentine’s Day, I was blessed with two opportunities to chant Shree Guru Gita.  First I went to Gurudev Siddha Peeth Ashram; stepping over the threshold into the Ashram there is peace that passeth understanding.   Then again with Swami; we did the English translation.  Have you ever really taken time to read the translations? Join us…

Click here for the Ashram’s website posting of Swamiji’s Guru Gita pronunciation lessons. Pick one, any of them, and read the English translation, practice the Sanskrit verse, and read the English verse again.  Allow it to unfold within you.  Swami makes it so easy and accessible.

If you’d like to take this a step further, purchase The Nectar of Chanting and deepen your practice with the chant.  Swami also has a CD, Honored Guru Gita available in the bookstore. For a short daily practice, in less than 10 minutes you can get thru the introductory mantras, verses 1 – 10 and the closing mantras.

It was delightful to experience the full chant at the Ashram, stepping & steeping in the lineage and experiencing the decades of devotion so many have shared.  May your own practice one day lead you here, to the fullness of your own experience.

Multiple times since arriving in Ganeshpuri I have melted. Tears have poured from my eyes and I have felt a deep sorrow. It has not lasted long and I do not know where it came from nor the reason. I have also felt great joy and love of life.

While journaling yesterday, it hit me that from sorrow comes joy. Swami Nirmalananda told us that Grace could be like acid, burning away old etchings. Perhaps the sorrow is being burned away to expose the joy underneath.

This morning I was reminded of “namo namah” — again and again I bow — which we chant in the last part of “OM svaroopa svasvabhava namo namah”.  The Temple arati (flame ceremony) comes after Bhagavan has been woken up, bathed, dressed in the finest silks, adorned with pearls and rudraksha beads and decorated with gratitude by many bright beautiful flower garlands offered by those in attendance. Then comes a long pause, 30 minutes or more, so we can soak it all in before the arati begins.

The arati starts with the Brahmin priest waving a tray with 7 flames with so much love and grace to Bhagavan. In the back of the temple, a huge kettle drum is played that vibrates your whole body and a large bell is rung so loud that you can’t hear anything else. The priest then honors Bhagavan’s padukas (sandals) with the flames. The priest sets down the tray. Bhagavan has been honored… but it does not end there.

Bhagavan is honored again, this time with 9 flames on the tray. The priest takes the same time and care to honor Bhagavan and his padukas this second time. He sets down the tray. Again and again — Bhagavan and his padukas have been honored, not with just 7 flames but also 9 flames. And of course, it does not end there.

Now he picks up an arati tray with 11 flames, then later a tray with multiple layers of flames. Each time, taking so much care and love to honor Bhagavan. The arati ends with a final tray with offerings of flames, flowers, money, rice and spices while the temple-full of devotees and disciples chant along with Nityananda’s Arati. Now Bhagavan has been honored again and again, and again, and again and again.

This beautiful, graceful, repetitive honoring of Bhagavan Nityananda in the arati reminds me of “namo namah” – again and again I bow. Again and again I honor Bhagavan. I am grateful for the multiplicity of forms that Shiva has taken on so that there can appear to be two, a Guru and a disciple, so that the disciple can honor the Guru. It also reminds me of the practice that we are doing:  again and again remembering the knowing of our own true Self. This practice of remembering is filled with joy and love for me. Again and again I can repeat mantra and know my own true Self – what a blessing and what a beautiful play!

Kendra Lemmon is stepping up to a new position as our Acting Programs Manager.  Congratulations, Kendra, and thank you!  Kendra has been serving as an Administrative Assistant, handling many diverse task   s, including getting our expanded staff and office spaces functional with phones, computers and reliable electrical service.  She will now oversee and support our Enrollment Advisors, as well as sevites and staff in Guest Services and our Enrollment System, plus she will soon move into coordinating with hosts for the programs we bring to your home town.

Jessica Kreil, in Guest Services, is also stepping up to a new level.  She is working with Sharada Macdonald to design our expanded shop area, planned for our move to Lokananda (when it is ready), as part of her overseeing product sales both in-house and online.  She continues to work with The Desmond Hotel to provide for your housing and meals, as well as provide airport shuttle service when you need it.  In addition, she is now managing the programs at Downingtown Yoga & Meditation Center, which will keep her in close connection with all the yogis who make the Ashram part of their life, whether they live locally or are in town for a yogic experience.  We are grateful for your loving touch, Jessica.

Welcome to Mangala (Cayla) Allen, who is now serving as Rukmini Abbruzzi’s administrative assistant.  She’s working in our academic records, which includes processing new teacher and therapist certificates as well as sending course-related emails. She will also be managing our phone courses, helping with administration for DTS and working with our ever-expanding program calendar.  Thank you Mangala!

Sharada Macdonald continues to support us behind the scenes, most recently helping in the recruitment of many of our newer staff members.  She is now assisting Swami Nirmalananda with several year-end projects that will expand our ability to serve you.  Thank you to Sharada as well as to all our sevites and staff, who make the Ashram able to bring you the high quality of programs we are known for.

The fluffy flakes drift down outside my window, as I delight in our second snowfall of the season.  After a big staff event yesterday, full of joy and gratitude for who they are and all they do, I marvel at the contrasts in life.

Today – snow.  Two days ago it was 72-degrees outside!

Yesterday, gratitude; tomorrow, gratitude. Yet grief plays, like a mournful cello, a theme weaving through these family holidays.  In my heart I am sitting with a yogi in her mourning for a beloved family member who died suddenly.

The philosopher in me knows the all-pervasiveness of death.  The mystic in me lives on the threshold of life and death.  In the inner realms, I know and feel the constant throb of birth and death happening in every moment in the entire universe.  But my heart steps into the chasm of grief with anyone who is propelled there by such a surprise – not a happy surprise for anyone involved.

Many in our community have asked, “What can I do to help?”  Of course, if you lived nearby, you could go over and sit with the family.  You could bring food.  You could clean, cry with them, share stories from the past, and more – but what can you do when you live miles away, even hundreds or thousands of miles away?

Send a card?  yes.  Send flowers? or a donation to an organization that would be meaningful to the family?  yes.  Email?  go on FaceBook and see the photos, and add your own love and support?  yes.

But that’s all over in about 10 minutes.  Can’t you do more?  Yes.

You can do japa (mantra repetition) on behalf of the one who has died as well as those who are left behind.  You simply say, out loud, “I give all the benefits of this japa to (insert name).”  You can even say, “…to (name) and their family.”  You will be able to see or feel those benefits going to them.  It’s quite tangible.  It works with Shree Guru Gita too.

I recommend you do it daily for a while.  This kind of surprise is not handled in a few days, or even a few months.  Your love and support makes a difference – both in the tangible, personal and external connection as well as in the mystical spheres we all come from and in which we all abide.

And remember – grief is merely unexpressed gratitude.  IF this death brings up grief for you, then you have hidden levels of grief in you, which means you have hidden levels of gratitude in you.  This is the time to express your gratitude.  Write a letter to the one you must thank.  Don’t mail it.  Burn it.

The next day, write another letter.  Express only gratitude.  It will include many of the things that you said on the previous day, and there will be more.  Burn it.

Do one more, on the third day.  And when you burn it, you’ll be able to tell that you’ve finished something, something that you came here to do.  For you came her to love, you came here to grieve and you came here to express gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving.  May your heart feel…

With love & blessings,  Swami Nirmalananda

I have just returned from the sound studio, creating our Donor Gift for Blossoming Forth.  108 repetitions of the mantra to support your japa practice, which the Ashram is sending as a thank you to every new Monthly Donor and to those who increase their monthly donation.  Recording the mantra for you felt like I was sitting and doing japa with you.  Sweet!

Blossoming Forth is our fall fundraiser, celebrating the huge progress we’ve made with our consolidated organizations and our shifting of gears into a new phase of expansion and effectiveness. In an organization (which is made up of people), it works the same way that it works for you – you do the deep internal work and then it blossoms forth into your life.

Our Reawakening and Consolidation propelled us into deep inner work, designing new structures, moving to new locations, recruiting new staff, designing a new website and more.  Now we’re blossoming forth into a new building for local programs, newly expanded staff, new program titles for next year, consolidated Enrollment System and much more.  As an organization, we’ve done five years of work in two years – just like you do when you’re in a yogimmersion!

Your participation is what makes all this happen – it’s what inspires me to do my part, feeding you on multiple levels – whichever parts of the Svaroopa® sciences you enjoy.  In the last 6 weeks, our new website has had over 11,000 hits.  This means that lots of people want what we offer, so we keep offering it.

Your donations provide over 30% of our operating funds.  In other words, we couldn’t do it without your generosity.  While many of you donate a percentage of your income, we are also supported by those who donate the equivalent of a weekly latte.  It all adds up.  It all makes a difference.

With a special acknowledgement and thank you to our Monthly Donors.That is why we have a free weekend retreat next February for our Monthly Donors and members – Yatra to Downingtown, which happens right after I get back from our Ganeshpuri trip.  And that is why I was in the recording studio this morning.  So that your support is matched by the support I can offer you – the opening of your doorway inside.  Mantra is especially powerful for this! 

OM svaroopa svasvabhavah namo nama.h

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or call us at 610.644.7555.  Thank you!