© 2021 SYDA Foundation®. All rights reserved.
The last two weeks at home have been challenging for me, as I had to take care of two quarantined patients, a school-age child, my office work, and the usual household responsibilities. It seemed like a tall order for me, and was in fact physically and mentally difficult. I often found myself complaining about missing my meditation time as well as time to just be.
Now, after seeing these videos, I have acquired a fresh perspective on how the Guru has given me a golden opportunity to do my own kind of “meditation in movement.” With that understanding, I remained amazingly fit during this time and despite so much work each day my energy held up. Staying in the moment helped a lot, just like these wonderful sevites did.
Mumbai, India
Focusing on the patterns of motion in these videos, I observed that they each have their own rhythm, tempo, and style. As I appreciated this insight, my attention stayed with the movement and my awareness turned toward my heart. I saw that the videos became visual poetry for me. This perspective allowed me to recognize the
shakti dancing in each form.
California, United States
Beyond the simplicity of these short videos, what stands out for me the most is the sound. When I listen to the videos with awareness, it opens doors inside me. The sound of the metal clanging, the sound of the truck, the sound of the shovel, the sound of the snow shoveled away, the little bird song—these sounds are so simple and also so full, so rich!
I am grateful for this teaching from Gurumayi that takes me straight to the depth of my heart through the simple actions in my life.
Kollam, India
When I watched these videos, I realized more clearly than I had before that meditation is not only that process in which I sit and close my eyes. It is also the process through which I can remain connected to my inner Self during my day-to-day activities with my eyes open.
I am so grateful to Gurumayi for this deeper understanding.
Indore, India
I love these little video vignettes! I could feel the sweet and yet strong focused attention in each movement of the Siddha Yoga students clearing the snow. Viewing these videos, I understood that meditation does not have to be practiced only in front of one's
puja— the whole world can be a meditation temple. I can see that focused
seva is a wonderful form of meditation.
Mexico City, Mexico
I found great inspiration for my
sadhana as I watched those offering
seva “liberate” the roads from the heavy snow. I thought of the ways spiritual practices can remove that which doesn’t serve me and can clean my inner pathways of obstacles to the Self.
Milan, Italy
As I watched the videos, I was laughing because I had just participated in the same “meditation in movement” yesterday with my daughter.
I appreciate the feeling of synchronicity with those offering
seva at the Ashram and of oneness with the Ashram itself.
Ohio, United States
These vignettes made me smile. I have been shoveling so much snow for the past two weeks at my house in the Hudson River Valley of New York. With another snowstorm coming tomorrow, I can now think of my shoveling as “meditation in movement.”
I’m grateful for this perspective!
New York, United States
These vignettes remind me of the obstacles and difficulties I find I have to move out of the way in my life. The focused and determined attitude of these staff members inspires me to stay focused on the present moment in my
sadhana, and at the same time to clear the way, shovel by shovel, in order eventually to reach my destination.
Unterlangenegg, Switzerland
I love watching these videos of staff members shoveling snow. It brings back my childhood memories of clearing the sidewalk with my dad in Colorado. It’s hard work!
I can almost hear the shovelers reciting the mantra to themselves as they work. This helps me see that every task, even shoveling snow, can be infused with devotion and divine love.
California, United States
As I watch these videos, I am filled with delight and memories of shoveling snow at Shree Muktananda Ashram. How I loved the silent snow at night. As I hear the scrape of the shovel, I still feel the weight of the full shovel in my shoulders. I am again filled with the ecstasy I felt standing on those sacred grounds.
Washington, United States
Viewing these video clips was fun and inspiring for me. Watching each person shoveling snow stilled my mind. I found myself repeating the mantra along with their movements.
I often try to do household chores, like washing dishes and sweeping, with an inward focus, becoming absorbed in the meditative quality this kind of work can evoke. I sensed this was a form of meditation in action, and the title of this video series confirms this for me.
Now when I do my own chores at home, I will feel a new sense of kinship with the staff members at Shree Muktananda Ashram as I perform "Meditation in Movement"!
California, United States
The video in front of the Temple has several levels for me. The perfect beauty of the background is like theater scenography and makes me feel I am watching a magical play. The “actor” clearing the snow, doing the exact same motion twice, is so dynamic, so focused, I could watch him again and again. At a certain point I feel as if everything in this scene is made of the same substance, only some elements move, others don’t move, and yet everything is filled with the same aliveness and stillness.
These "Meditation in Movement" videos are an inspiring gift for me.
New York, United States
Such a beautiful reminder that I can bring meditation into each action by being mindfully aware and fully present. I don't have any snow to shovel here in Florida, but I can offer all my actions to the Lord with a heart full of love.
Florida, United States
I love everything about these video clips! They are so sweet and funny. It made me happy to see men at work as a form of meditation. What a loving way to look at our daily chores in life. And seeing the Ashram grounds in the background connected me to my heart and the deep love I feel for the Guru. These delightful videos brought a spark of joy into my day. I will never experience shoveling snow the same way again.
New York, United States