On the Siddha Yoga path, we acknowledge the presence of the Divine in all of creation—and this divinity is revealed in myriad forms in the natural world. The beauty and wonder we find in nature can inspire us, as seekers, to recognize the beauty within us and everywhere around us.
The Nature Gallery contains photographs taken in the wondrous environs of Shree Muktananda Ashram, where Gurumayi currently resides. The Ashram is located in upstate New York, surrounded by expansive forests and rolling hills, brimming with wildlife. Take your time as you view the gallery. Allow the images to transport you to the serene stillness of the Guru’s abode, and let nature’s splendor connect you to the splendor of your own great heart.
Opening Nature Gallery III this morning, my attention was drawn to the vast variety of textures to be seen in the photos, each one connecting me to a different aspect of Nature’s creativity. The photos were so vivid that I could practically feel the different objects brush against my fingertips: the softness of a blue jay’s feather or the flickering ears of the sweet deer, the rustic feel of the wooden bench by Lake Nityananda or the bumpy bark of a tree trunk, the delicacy of the spiders’ webs as well as the wisps of clouds in the deep blue sky.
This experience not only gave me a deeper appreciation of Nature’s creativity, but also reminded me that my days too bring with them different textures. I realized that it would be wise for me if, instead of favoring some over others, I learned to appreciate all of them as part of God’s creativity in crafting my life—and the lessons I am to learn from it.
Illinois, United States
These photo galleries are exquisite!
The depth and beauty expressed in each image connects me to Gurumayi and to Shree Muktananda Ashram, as if I were behind the lens myself. Each image captures nature at her most pristine and draws me deeply inside, allowing me to experience my own true nature.
Maine, United States
These eloquent photos teach me how to find great beauty and delight in the smallest details of nature—from a diamond-like drop of water at the tip of a leaf to the velvety markings of an orchid’s petals. And they invite me to look for unexpected lessons in geometry, too, as in the multifaceted structure of a single luscious berry and the sunburst of light radiating through the canopy of tree branches. Once again, this gallery has opened my eyes to a deeper appreciation of nature’s bounty.
