Assimilation

I experience sublime feelings of joy when listening to this music. The deeply moving and calming effects of the delicate and sweet sounds in the upper register, the cascading arpeggios, and the silence between notes—all this feels like a great gift.  
 

Pennsylvania, United States

I love the analogy that Eesha shares with us in her exposition: when Gurumayi explains assimilation to people, she gives the analogy of a drip irrigation system. I learned from reading this that assimilation needs time before a teaching or an experience can truly sink in. 
 
For example: I am grateful for a lot of things—but I am also often spending time rushing around, hurrying, and multitasking. I understand that to assimilate my gratitude, I have to pause from these activities and take time to contemplate that which I am grateful for and why. Only then will I deeply feel gratitude.
 

New York, United States

As I read this exposition on assimilation, my heart yearned to understand this subject better. For me, the process of trying to understand this teaching is in itself an exercise in assimilation. I am joyously drawn to engage with this teaching. Though I have practiced the Siddha Yoga teachings for many years now, I believe that I have still not truly and completely grasped all the aspects of assimilation. It will require me to do much more reading and practice more reflection to be able to fully understand what the essence of assimilation really is.

I am so thankful to Gurumayi for the loving guidance of this exposition. 
 

Bangalore, India

Illinois, United States

This beautiful piano improvisation moves me very deeply. While I listen to it, I see myself walking through my path of life, reliving different moments in my sadhana.
 
Images of friends on the spiritual path come to mind. Laughter and tears. Moments of joy with my physical and inner Guru. Reading, studying, meditating, offering seva. I picture my beautiful children and my loving husband. Tears of gratitude roll down as I continue to listen.
 
This special music evokes in me profound feelings and memorable sweet images.
 

Mexico City, Mexico

It’s fascinating to contemplate the relationship between assimilation and fragrance. The connection for me is in the breath. When I breathe in the extraordinary fragrance of jasmine or rose, my mind stops, and I feel elevated as I access the transcendental through the realm of the senses.
 

Maryland, United States

After reading this delightful exposition while listening to the music of the album Remembrance, I asked myself the question: “What is the goal of assimilation?’ This answer came into my mind: “Inner attainment—to rejoice in the heart.”
 
Assimilation for me is, for example, taking the time to savor good food by closing my eyes and turning my attention toward my heart. This sweetness of the heart is also what I have come to experience while chanting and listening to Siddha Yoga hymns and prayers, and while silently repeating the mantra. 
 
Through regular Siddha Yoga practices over the years, I have implemented “a system of drip irrigation” of the kind that Gurumayi has described as an analogy to assimilation, and that process of “drip irrigation” has borne delicious fruits for my sadhana.
 

Rodez, France

The teachings in this exposition on assimilation have given me the perfect way to study the commentary on samanubhuti. I find that each part of the commentary is overflowing with an abundance of wisdom. By dividing each part of the commentary into bite-size portions and pausing to study and understand each one, I am able to more easily assimilate them slowly, absorb their nectar, and then implement them in my life.
 

Maine, United States

Many years ago, as I practiced my sadhana, I often felt quite removed from the Siddha Yoga teachings. Although I wrote them down and studied them, still, I didn’t feel I could truly understand or immerse myself in them.

But gradually that impression changed as I continued to deepen my study of the teachings in various ways. In particular, I discovered the power of contemplation, which I believe is the most valuable tool in my sadhana. The Siddha Yoga Home Study Course, especially, has proven to be a vital element in my growing understanding of the teachings. Additionally, I have dedicated myself to writing in my journal.

Over time, as I have immersed myself more deeply in contemplation and study of the Self, I feel that I have established a close connection with the Siddha Yoga teachings. Now, as I listen to the improvisational piano tunes from Remembrance and recall the years I have spent in contemplation and assimilation of the teachings, I feel submerged in a sweet longing.
 

México City, Mexico

The past few years I have experienced many changes in my life. Some of these have required me to let go of aspects that I had long identified with. This process has brought me to a crossroads. I have been wondering what’s next for me.

After reading this exposition, I realize that at this point in my life, what’s next for me is to take a deep breath and focus on assimilating all that has happened in the last few years. This knowledge brings me a sense of peace because it reassures me that the direction of my sadhana will unfold with grace leading the way.
 

Florida, United States