Greet the Self
Siddha Yoga Satsang
in Honor of Baba Muktananda’s Mahasamadhi

October 13, 2021

Dear reader,

Namaste.

Many centuries ago in India, the abstruse truths of the universe and of God were accessible only to those who were learned or members of elite Brahmin families. This was because it was only they who understood Sanskrit, one of the oldest languages in the world and the language in which most scriptures were written.

In time, however, there came to be a remarkable emergence of saints and Siddhas who, out of their great compassion and generosity, imparted the incomparable wisdom of the scriptures in the common vernacular—in the languages that all the laypeople of India spoke and understood. In this way, everyone was now able to comprehend the wisdom of the scriptures, obtain the means to experience God, and learn how to better live a meaningful life. The medium that the saints and Siddhas drew upon to impart these teachings was satsang.

One of the great Siddhas of our own time, who transformed thousands of lives through his satsangs, was Baba Muktananda. It was Baba who made shaktipat known and available all across the world, and who, in the 1970s, made the most wonderful spiritual gathering—called satsangs—familiar to the Western world.

The month of October is an extraordinary time of year for Siddha Yogis and new seekers, because this is when we observe the anniversary of Baba Muktananda’s mahasamadhi, the merging of his physical form into universal Consciousness.

In India when a great being leaves their body, the occasion is not regarded as having the finality of death. While they are living, a great being will often, and very naturally, go into a state of deep meditation, which is also called samadhi. When they ultimately leave their physical body, it is therefore called mahasamadhi, “the great samadhi.”

For most people, birth brings joy and death causes sorrow. However, the great beings—the saints and the Siddhas—are not caught in these pairs of opposites. The natural course of life, from birth to death, is a movement from joy to greater joy, from light to ever more incandescence.

Honoring a great being on any day is uplifting. I am reminded of one of Baba’s favorite sayings: “You are what you think.” When you think of a great being, naturally your own greatness flows forth within you, lapping the shores of your mind.

If honoring a great being on any day reaps such benefit, then honoring them on the occasion of their mahasamadhi is even more uplifting! On the full moon of Wednesday, October 20, 2021, we will commemorate the 39th lunar anniversary of Baba Muktananda’s mahasamadhi. And the way we will honor Baba and experience our own greatness is by participating in what he made so well known throughout the world: satsang.

Having attended hundreds upon hundreds of satsangs with Baba, both in Gurudev Siddha Peeth in India and during Baba’s travels throughout the West, I can assure you that attending this satsang in honor of Baba Muktananda’s mahasamadhi will be exactly like attending satsangwith Baba. Thinking about Baba, seeing his image, finding him in my heart, meeting him in my dreams, reading his books, studying his teachings, attending satsang on the Siddha Yoga path website—in all of these things, I feel I am with Baba, and he is with me.

Baba never missed an opportunity to speak about atman, the Self—to teach about the Self, to expound on the Self, and to make sure that Siddha Yoga students study the Self and understand what the Self is. And I can certainly attest: Baba imparted the experience of the Self.

I therefore find it absolutely fitting that the title of the satsang in honor of Baba Muktananda’s Mahasamadhi is:

Greet the Self

This satsang will be available on the Siddha Yoga path website beginning the evening of Saturday, October 16 (USA eastern daylight time), and it will be available until the end of October. The satsang will include:

  • The hymn Jyota se Jyota Jagao
  • A share about a teaching from Baba
  • A video talk by Baba Muktananda titled “Wherever You Are, Attain the Self”
  • Chanting the Siddha Yoga namasankirtanaOm Namo Bhagavate Muktanandaya
  • Meditation

I look forward to joining you all as we honor Baba and invoke his presence and his grace by participating in Siddha Yoga satsang.

With warm regards,

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Sindhu Porter

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    There is a line in the sweet invitation to “Greet the Self” that touched my heart so deeply. It says: “I can assure you that attending this satsang in honor of Baba Muktananda’s mahasamadhi will be exactly like attending satsang with Baba."
     
    Reading this, I cried for joy because I knew in my heart this would be just so. I love Baba so much, and always in October I feel his presence ever so strongly.

    San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy

    This invitation brings back some early, wonderful memories. I had become familiar with the Siddha Yoga path less than a month before Baba took mahasamadhi. I had no doubt I had found my spiritual path, even though having a Guru didn’t yet make sense to me. But I easily merged into doing the Siddha Yoga practices, and started offering seva at the very first satsang in which I participated.

    A few months later, in December 1982, a satsang was held around Christmas. At the end, mantra cards with Baba’s photo on them were distributed. I walked up to the person handing out the cards, received mine, and then looked back to thank him. But in his place, it was Baba Muktananda standing there—with a big smile of pure love.

    Since then I have come to know that Baba is always on my side, and on the side of all his devotees. I offer my thanks to my beloved Guru for his eternal presence.

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Today I had a pleasant surprise when I saw the title of the Satsang in Honor of Baba’s Mahasamadhi: “Greet the Self.” The title made me contemplate more just how I greet my own Self. It came as a surprise to me to realize that although I find it easy to greet or honor someone else on the outside, I was taking myself for granted.

    So the title came as a timely reminder that greeting myself is as important as greeting others as my own Self. The title has also kindled within me the desire to engage with the satsang and imbibe Baba’s message of “Greet the Self.” I am now very eager to take part in the satsang and receive my Guru’s guidance.

    Hosur, India

    Contemplating the words “Greet the Self,” I feel a sense of calm—really, a combination of stillness and joy. The words are so simple yet so profound. For me, they are an instant and powerful reminder of Guru’s grace and love.
     

    Washington, United States

    I always expect grace to be present when it comes to dearest Baba and his shakti. After seeing the words pop up in my mind for months now, I’ve been telling myself, “You are my very Self forever.” And now this invitation comes to “Greet the Self.” Such love is here for us all!
     

    Florida, United States

    Reading the text of this invitation, I found myself drawn within. I saw the compassion of Baba as I gazed at his image while sitting in front of my puja. My heart was bubbling over with profound gratitude.
     

    Kolkata, India

    This invitation is such a wonderful gift. The thought of satsang fills my heart to overflowing. To be with Baba and our Siddha Yoga global sangham is always my favorite space in which to exist. I am very grateful!

    Pennsylvania, United States

    Just by the title, "Greet the Self," I was drawn to click on the button for this invitation. I felt Baba jumping out of the page as I read Sindhu’s words.

    At this time of the year—Baba’s time—there is always a special excitement in the air for me. And this year, I am feeling the Guru’s grace more than ever.

    I am so excited at the prospect of participating in the “Greet the Self” satsang in honor of Baba Muktananda’s Mahasamadhi.

    Ubud, Indonesia