April 16, 2019
Dear readers,
Gurumayi has dedicated the entire month of May as “Baba’s Month.” This is a time for Siddha Yogis and new seekers to remember her Guru, Baba Muktananda, and honor him by celebrating his birthday. It is with great delight that I tell you that this year during Baba’s Month, we’re marking a Golden Anniversary. On May 12, 2019, we will be celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the day when Baba began to write his spiritual autobiography, Play of Consciousness.
In the realm of spiritual writing, Play of Consciousness is unique. It is Baba’s candid and vivid account of the unfolding of his practice of meditation after he received shaktipat initiation from his Guru, Bhagavan Nityananda. Chapter by chapter, we are taken through an amazing journey that culminates in Baba’s attainment of the state of a Siddha. With wisdom and great love, Baba tells how he uncovered the hidden treasures of the inner world. He describes visions and sounds arising within him; he sees the pervasive light of Consciousness; he travels to different subtle worlds in the universe. He comes to understand the true nature of the mind, and he experiences his own Self as the Blue Pearl, the point of pure Consciousness that is the source of all powers of perception and action.
Baba draws on scriptural knowledge from the Indian tradition to confirm these revelations as direct experiences of the spiritual power, Kundalini Shakti. In turn, his direct experiences illuminate teachings from the scriptures.
Baba said that his book was the inspiration of chitshakti, the power of Consciousness; indeed, Chitshakti Vilas is the Hindi title that he gave to Play of Consciousness. Each word, each sentence carries the power of Baba’s grace, and is filled with his compassion for those longing to have the knowledge of God and to see divinity in the world around them.
Half a century after Baba wrote Play of Consciousness, it has been translated into eighteen languages and is read by seekers in all parts of the world. Chitshakti Vilas is a revered part of the legacy of Siddha Yoga teachings and practices.
With warm regards,
Swami Shantananda
Siddha Yoga Meditation Teacher
Baba’s
Play of Consciousness has been my guide in
sadhana. Recently, my seven-year-old son has also discovered this great gift from Baba! As we participated in the Siddha Yoga
satsang on May 12 in honor of Mother’s Day and the Golden Anniversary of the day when Baba began writing his spiritual autobiography, my son said: “Does this book really exist? Is it really so wonderful? I would like to read it!”
Since then, we have read a short excerpt from
Play of Consciousness together every evening before bedtime. Then we talk about what we just read, discuss the meaning of certain words and terms, listen to what arises inside us, and feel the energy flowing within. This ritual has become a wonderful conclusion of each day for my son and me. When he goes to bed, he puts the book under his pillow.
I’m so grateful to Baba for writing
Play of Consciousness.
Russian Federation
Many years ago, I wrote to Gurumayi and shared my longing to experience God more fully and personally. I received Gurumayi’s guidance to read
Play of Consciousness. I began reading it, and then, when I planned to participate in a Shaktipat Intensive, I read the remainder of the book on my flight to Shree Muktananda Ashram.
During the Shaktipat Intensive I was graced with amazing and intense experiences. Because I had read Baba’s loving gift in which he shared what happened to him, I was able to return again and again to an awareness that these experiences were ways that the divine Kundalini Shakti performs her transformation in a human being.
Whenever I see Baba’s face in photos, I feel tearful with overflowing gratitude for his great gift of compassion in sharing in intimate detail how this miraculous process can occur.
California, United States
I am one of those seekers for whom reading Baba’s
Play of Consciousness completely transformed my life. I had been “longing to have the knowledge of God” and had been searching for meaning in my life when Baba came into it through this book.
I received
shaktipat, spiritual initiation, in a dream right after I began reading
Play of Consciousness. I found that Baba’s book answered all the questions I was asking at the time, and I found fulfillment in those answers. His experiences and explanations of the workings of Kundalini Shakti left me longing to know more about the Siddha Yoga path. That was in 1979—forty years ago now.
Texas, United States
I first saw Baba Muktananda’s radiant face on the cover of his spiritual autobiography,
Play of Consciousness, as it greeted my amazed glance from across the room in a college bookstore. I went straight to that book, purchased it, and thus began my journey on the Siddha Yoga path.
The greatest boon of the book for me was Baba’s sharing how at first, misunderstanding his experience, he felt unworthy and ran away from his practice. But later, finding information that changed his understanding, he came back to his hut and his practice.
This type of thing has happened to me several times. But then I remember that it is my perspective that can sometimes create doubt, and I return to my practice. I am heartened by Baba’s book, and this incident in particular.
Ohio, United States
Although I was born and brought up in a Siddha Yoga family, it seems that the journey of my
sadhana truly began while reading this book as a teen. I still remember the divine month of October 1997 when I started the reading.
Before sitting for reading, I would begin by gazing at the photo of Baba in the book, and I would see shimmering light emanating from Baba. As I read, each word seemed alive and full of energy. I felt as though Baba himself was talking to me.
My meditation practice seemed to begin on its own. Every day at the same time I would be drawn into meditation. Over time, I had the experience that Baba is always with me.
I am so grateful for what Baba has given us by revealing his experiences in
Play of Consciousness, and I’m grateful to be celebrating this Golden Anniversary!
Dombivli, India
What I found especially helpful in Baba’s autobiography,
Play of Consciousness, is that he not only relates the many amazing sublime experiences of his
sadhana, but also candidly shares his experiences of doubt, confusion, and apprehension
. The episodes he recounts about turbulent times in his
sadhana give me the strength to persevere during my own periods of anxiety and frustration.
Baba’s amazing compassion is, for me, a very generous and momentous blessing.
New York, United States
Reading about Baba writing
Play of Consciousness fifty years ago this May filled me with deep appreciation for the invitation to celebrate this momentous occasion.
Play of Consciousness was the first book my husband-to-be read in order to understand the Siddha Yoga path and my connection with it. I was so moved when he couldn’t put the book down and said it connected him deeply to his heart. It was the beginning of my husband’s intentional journey to the Self, which he loved to share with anyone open to listening and which gave him great strength and peace.
South Yarra, Australia
Every time I read
Play of Consciousness, I see aspects of my own personal transformation in a new light.
Thank you, dear Baba, for your teachings. And thank you, dear Gurumayi, for the invitation to participate in this golden anniversary—a golden opportunity to dive deeper and deeper into the light of this precious book.
Mersin, Turkey
