श्रीगुरु-उपासना
Veneration of Shri Guru

Hearing the word “ashirvada”—blessings—awakens for me the cherished memory of listening to Gurumayi’s talk, “Intention and Blessing.”

I love to listen to recordings of Gurumayi’s talks again and again, receiving the blessings from the sound of her voice, her intention, and the meaning of every spoken word.

Hørsholm, Denmark

I have learnt that “Shri Guru’s blessings” are countless, and I can receive them abundantly. This has become true for me and is my daily experience!

My life is full of blessings. I notice them, look out for them consciously, recognize them as blessings, and express my heartfelt gratitude for each one. The more I become aware of “Shri Guru’s blessings,” the more of them there seem to be!

“Shri Guru’s blessings” are the winds behind my sails—the support that inspires me to love myself and others and to make my life a fulfilling, happy, and beautiful one so that I can also be a blessing to others.

Konolfingen, Switzerland

I am blessed to have Shri Guru’s grace shape my life. I was born into a Siddha Yoga family, and a Siddha Yoga meditation center opened in our home just months after my birth. Because I grew up with my grandmother’s stories of Bhagavan Nityananda’s darshan, I received spiritual nurturing naturally.

I recall an experience from my teenage years: Once, while visiting the village of Ganeshpuri and walking near Bade Baba’s samadhi shrine, I felt a strong connection to this sacred place, as though I had visited it in a past lifetime. I remained wonderstruck with my eyes wide open for a long time.

In my understanding, “Shri Guru’s blessings” are ever-present, infinite, abundant, and shining like the sun. I notice that when I take one step toward the Guru, the Guru takes a thousand steps toward me.

During a phase of deep sorrow, I began to practice early dawn sadhana. This consistent effort invited Shri Guru’s ongoing grace, and I continue to awaken at dawn without an alarm. Gurumayi’s blessings grant me the strength to move toward my growth with zeal. My every day begins with gratitude, to acknowledge and magnify shri guru ashirvada.

Dombivli, India

I realize that when I consciously remember that I have “Shri Guru’s blessings”—even in the midst of life’s puzzles and pain or when I’m tired—I can actually bless myself and offer blessings to others.

Yesterday I held onto the awareness of shri guru ashirvada as a spiritual practice and had an opportunity to apply it. I bought a very heavy load of firewood from a store, and as I began to walk to my car, a stranger offered to carry it for me. As he did that, I spontaneously said to him, “God bless you!”

Warrnambool, Australia

Today, I spent a long time contemplating the word veneration in Sanskrit and listening repeatedly to the profound sounds of all the phrases in Sanskrit. I then focused on one phrase—shri guru ashirvada, “Shri Guru’s blessings.”

Throughout my years on the Siddha Yoga path, I have experienced blessings, in many forms. Today, I saw them embodied in Bhagavan Nityananda’s murti in the Temple in Shree Muktananda Ashram. As I gazed at an image on the Siddha Yoga path website of Bade Baba dressed in ceremonial attire, I felt a cascade of blessings washing over me. I vowed to never forget these blessings.

It’s important for me during this month to bask in the Sanskrit words and their meaning. I record them in my spiritual journal so I can revisit them.

I am thankful to Gurumayi, Baba, and Bade Baba for showering me with so much grace.

Naples, Italy