श्रीगुरु-उपासना
Veneration of Shri Guru

A few weeks ago, I was offering seva as a pujari for Arati Karun after the recitation of Shri Guru Gita. Due to running a little late and minor challenges putting on my sari after so many years, as I walked up the aisle, my heart felt contracted. I prayed to Gurumayi to unlock my heart. Right away, memories arose of meeting Baba and Gurumayi forty-five years ago, my heart eased, and joy began to enter.

Then I heard Gurumayi’s voice inside, loud and crystal clear: “Be confident!” My posture lifted, and the joy turned to bliss. My whole being was moving in harmony with Arati Karun. Listening to all the beautiful voices singing behind me, my entire being was suffused with energy.

Since receiving that inner gift of guidance from Gurumayi, my confidence in myself has grown deeper.

California, United States

Seva is the practice that makes me feel most at one with the Guru. In my experience, the Guru is the great giver, the one who is totally dedicated to uplifting and enlightening all seekers. When I offer seva—whether I am welcoming people or supporting a Siddha Yoga teaching and learning event—I sense I am helping to support the sadhana of many.

As my interest and investment move from my own sadhana to the sadhana of many, I feel that I experience not just the love between the Guru and me, but the love between the Guru and many seekers! It’s like the arms of my heart open and embrace the Guru and the whole hall full of people. My whole being expands, and I experience an ocean of love. In this heart-expanding experience of offering seva, I feel most united with my Guru.

California, United States

I have been writing down the daily phrases honoring Shri Guru in my journal. Reading them, listening to them, writing them, and then reading them again, I have been experiencing a feeling of deep reverence, deep respect arising within me for the Guru’s state of oneness with the Absolute.

With each day’s veneration, I feel I am coming to better know the greatness and the universality of the Guru. I feel that learning about my Shri Guru in this way is deepening the bhava of discipleship within me.

Bangalore, India

When I first read the words from today’s “Veneration of Shri Guru,” and especially the word oneness, I felt a great longing arise from my heart. I recognized that this was what I yearned for: “the state of oneness with the Guru.”

Shortly afterwards, memories arose of occasions when I had experienced this—times, for example, when I heard Gurumayi’s laugh in my own laughter, or sensed it was Baba stirring the cooking pot through me.

As my recollections subsided, a deeper experience emerged: a profound awareness of a deeper sense of “me” that felt totally familiar and natural as it merged with my beloved Shri Gurus—Gurumayi, Baba, and Bade Baba. This experience brought me great steadiness, love, and joy.

I am deeply moved by the potency of these words, that they could prompt such a profound experience of oneness within my heart, for which I will always be grateful.

Havant, United Kingdom

I experience “the state of oneness with the Guru” when I see the light within—the tiny stars that shine brightly in my awareness after I have prayed fervently or meditated with a special dharana. When I perceive this light, I do indeed feel oneness with the Guru. It is this oneness that I long for so deeply, especially when I miss the physical Guru. I also understand that cultivating the inner relationship leads to the “the state of oneness with the Guru” and the goal of sadhana.

Vermont, United States

Today, gazing at Baba’s photo, I was drawn into a profound silence—his stillness naturally reflected within me. I understand this silence as a form of guru bhava. This image remained in my mind’s eye throughout the day.

Recently, I experienced guru bhava vividly at Gurudev Siddha Peeth after chanting the Shiva Arati. A powerful feeling washed over me that God, out of absolute love, has manifested as everything. I felt his protective presence everywhere.

When I was a teenager, I meditated after the Kundalini Stavaha with total trust in its blessing that says “one becomes a Siddha.” Anchored in guru bhava, I used to experience the thought-free state, losing awareness of time and my physical surroundings.

By recalling these experiences, I feel completely renewed and deeply inspired. I realize that sadhana leads me to “oneness with the Guru.” This is such a pure feeling of loving belongingness.

Dombivli, India

This morning, words came to me spontaneously for a poem to a friend who soon will have a birthday. The poem was about striving for oneness with God. Later, I went to the Siddha Yoga path website and heard the words guru bhava. I was puzzled by the translation, “the state of oneness with the Guru.”

I had always thought of bhava as a prayer or devotion, but today I saw that the state of oneness is even more—it is reaching the goal of devotion, which was my wish for the birthday friend. Joy welled up in me, because I felt in tune with this understanding.

In recent weeks, I have felt a longing to see Gurumayi, and I asked: “Where are you? How are you doing?” Now, contemplating guru bhava, I feel that Gurumayi is in each of those Sanskrit words. She is so present. I also feel her presence in the deep and reassuring voice of Ami.

Hindelang, Germany

“The state of oneness with the Guru” is the blessed journey I am on—the longing to reach there, to merge in that auspicious oneness, to attain the ultimate destination with my Guru’s grace and guidance. I will continue to make an effort through guru upasana, “veneration of Shri Guru.”

New York, United States

For me, the experience of oneness with Shri Guru is the experience of stillness of mind, emotional balance, freedom from desire, a heart full of love—and wanting to share that love from the depth of my being.

Konolfingen, Switzerland

One day in meditation I felt a strong presence within me, and I heard these words arise inside: “There exists within me an invincible and fearless being.” Immediately, I perceived Shiva’s form behind me, seated in the lotus posture.

After this, during my participation in a Blue Pearl Course, the eyes of Shiva appeared in my inner vision, his large arched eyebrows defined with a slim black line. His form was made of a pale blue light, and I spontaneously felt that I was one with him. This experience was so powerful that tears started rolling down my cheeks.

Immediately after this, as I was watching Gurumayi chanting Om Namah Shivaya on a video, I also felt that I was one with her.

Through these successive experiences, I came to realize that the Guru, Shiva, and I are one and the same.

Laval, Canada