Renewed by the Guru’s Light
A Dharana for Gurupurnima 2021
by Gauri Maurer
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Click here to read the words of the dharana.
I rediscovered this dharana more than a month ago and have been beginning my morning meditation with it as well as ending my day with it. Each time I have a greater experience of the expansiveness of light, the tenderness of the Guru’s love, and a deep gratitude for my life and the teachings of Gurumayi. When Gurumayi gave her Message for 2026, I realized this dharana incorporates two (if not more!) of the teachings in the Message: “renew” and “(en)light(en).” I have found so much joy in this practice and awe at how my experience and understanding of light and renewal continue to expand with each repetition. This dharana infuses my day with love and steadiness.
New York, United States
I am so grateful for this beautiful dharana and meditation, “Renewed by the Guru’s Light.” Shortly before this dharana was posted, I had a dream of Gurumayi. In the dream I had an opportunity to ask her a question. I told her I had been struggling with grief over the years. She paused, looked up at the sky, and said, “Pray to increase the light and decrease the details.”
These beautiful and instructive words from Gurumayi have been so powerful for me. As I experience this beautiful dharana and meditation over and again, I am reminded that I am light. I am renewed. I am “renewed by the Guru’s light.”
These beautiful and instructive words from Gurumayi have been so powerful for me. As I experience this beautiful dharana and meditation over and again, I am reminded that I am light. I am renewed. I am “renewed by the Guru’s light.”
Florida, United States
At the beginning of my morning meditation, I have recently been mentally repeating these beautiful words from the dharana:
I am great—I am grateful.
I am the Self—I am filled with wisdom.
I am light—I am renewed.
I am renewed by the Guru’s light.
As I do this, I feel a soft, warm, golden light enveloping my body—the “Guru’s light.” I feel I am entering the supreme peace and bliss of God’s infinite light. I would love to be in this light forever.
I am great—I am grateful.
I am the Self—I am filled with wisdom.
I am light—I am renewed.
I am renewed by the Guru’s light.
As I do this, I feel a soft, warm, golden light enveloping my body—the “Guru’s light.” I feel I am entering the supreme peace and bliss of God’s infinite light. I would love to be in this light forever.
Napoli, Italy
I am so thankful for this powerful dharana, “Renewed by the Guru’s Light.” I had a profound experience of feeling, rather than seeing, the light as it was described. Even beyond that, I had the feeling that I actually was this light.
I feel I have been truly renewed! The blessings keep coming this Gurupurnima in what feels to me like a cornucopia of the Guru’s grace.
I feel I have been truly renewed! The blessings keep coming this Gurupurnima in what feels to me like a cornucopia of the Guru’s grace.
Massachusetts, United States
It has been so renewing to dip into the experience of this dharana, as if I am sitting by the lake with Gurumayi, observing the setting sun and the rising Gurupurnima moon.
After listening to Gauri’s heartfelt reading a few times, I was drawn to read the words to myself, and then I asked my husband to read the words aloud for us. Each time the experience became more palpable, more luminous, more alive. The words have entered me and I have entered the words. I can feel Gurumayi beckoning me to enter a more fascinating life with ever-new wonderment. My being is melting into a pool of grace-filled light. What delight, beauty, and healing Gurumayi bestows on us. All gratitude to Shri Gurumayi!
After listening to Gauri’s heartfelt reading a few times, I was drawn to read the words to myself, and then I asked my husband to read the words aloud for us. Each time the experience became more palpable, more luminous, more alive. The words have entered me and I have entered the words. I can feel Gurumayi beckoning me to enter a more fascinating life with ever-new wonderment. My being is melting into a pool of grace-filled light. What delight, beauty, and healing Gurumayi bestows on us. All gratitude to Shri Gurumayi!
Oregon, United States
To be guided into the space of my heart through the delicate, sweet words of this dharana felt as if I was meditating in the Temple—in Gurumayi’s company. I felt great. I feel so grateful—my heart feels like it sparkles with a million sparkling lights that merge into the light of the Guru’s full moon.
The blessings within the dharana for being renewed are just what my soul needed on the journey I am on right now. My meditation connected me to the sense of soft velvet energy, of the Consciousness in everything around me. I feel washed with peace after this meditation.
The blessings within the dharana for being renewed are just what my soul needed on the journey I am on right now. My meditation connected me to the sense of soft velvet energy, of the Consciousness in everything around me. I feel washed with peace after this meditation.
Apollo Bay, Australia
My experience in watching and hearing the dharana “Renewed by the Guru’s Light” was full of a series of little experiences. I saw the lake open, leaving a large space in the center, and at the same time I felt my heart completely open to the Guru’s light, the rays of the moon, and all of nature. I perceived the Guru’s hands softly caressing my face and telling me strongly: "You are great, full of wisdom. You are the Self, never forget it." Hearing these words I began to cry with emotion, as I discovered that I can experience this wonderful state in every moment, especially in times of difficulty. The fullness of the words of the Guru gently led me into meditation.
I wish to thank Gurumayi with all my heart full of sweetness.
I wish to thank Gurumayi with all my heart full of sweetness.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
Drunk in love
Bathed in light
Embraced with care.
My Guru,
I feel like
A butterfly
Spreading its wings for the first time
After decades of living as a caterpillar.
Bathed in light
Embraced with care.
My Guru,
I feel like
A butterfly
Spreading its wings for the first time
After decades of living as a caterpillar.
Unterlangenegg, Switzerland
This dharana, beautifully poetic and grounded in truth, has indeed filled my waking mind and heart on this Gurupurnima. I am inspired to look for light in my environment, including in those I will meet wherever this blessed day takes me. The shining images carrying this light this morning are scintillating in my memory.
This experience renews my deep appreciation and gratitude for the Siddha Yoga path.
This experience renews my deep appreciation and gratitude for the Siddha Yoga path.
Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Canada
So sweet, so soft, so light—the words became a blur for me as I instantly fell into meditation. I intend to listen to this dharana again to absorb the words for reflection. For me this experience was all light.
Hørsholm, Denmark