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After eating lunch, I quietly read the essay on “Assimilation” and felt the energy in my body change. I exhaled and felt myself slow down. I had been intending to go straight on to my next assignment, but instead I gazed out of the window at the trees.
Feeling calm and receptive, I took a leisurely walk outside to enjoy looking at the ice-covered trees while the sun warmed my face. I had only walked a few steps when I became awestruck by the beauty of the ice all around me: the trees were refracting light into rainbow-colored prisms of light. I felt myself smile, then grin, then beam. I marveled at the magical, glittering phenomenon. Joy and wonder swelled inside me. By the time I had gazed up at the third or fourth tree, I was positively overflowing with bliss! I felt myself glowing and expanding, full of light.
I am grateful to have had this opportunity to slow down, reflect, experience the light of the Self, and assimilate Gurumayi’s teachings.
A sevite in Shree Muktananda Ashram, New York, United States
Gurumayi’s teaching to take a pause between our daily tasks stood out for me. I try to do this between my dental patients. Repeating the mantra during this brief pause calms me and centers me.
Ville St. Laurent, Canada
I took some time to assimilate the
satsang “Choose, Respect, Sustain.” I realized that, for many years, I have been choosing, respecting, and sustaining the teaching “Everything happens for the best.”
Since meeting Gurumayi in 1995, my life has changed exponentially. I feel like a flower that continues to blossom. And, yes, there are many instances where I struggle to differentiate between the real and the unreal, but I keep reminding myself that the Guru is there to protect me. I have never questioned my choice of this living spiritual master as my teacher, and I intend to continue embracing this path until my transition. I have always had the deepest respect for the teachings and the Guru’s grace, and I expect that to only deepen with time.
Delaware, United States
Whenever assimilation actually takes place within me is such an extraordinary moment! It is a pure note streaming forth from the instrument of my mind, triggered by the hand of the heart. It is a sweet communion. It is as beautiful as seeing a full rainbow unobstructed on the horizon.
Recalling an experience of the Truth and letting it speak in the light of Shri Guru's teachings brings to life in me the recognition that so many great gifts are continually and generously being given to me, and that it is my duty to honor and explore them. Letting their meanings unfold, reading new perspectives, and savoring this beautiful alchemy of assimilation are all for me additional gems of the Guru's grace .
Milan, Italy
I revisited this “Assimilation” essay after the most recent satsang with Gurumayi, “Choose, Respect, Sustain.” With this reading I went deeper into the essay and I yearned to imbibe this offering into my very being.
Playing the music and applying some heena fragrance, I decided to just let go into reminiscing within my Siddha Yoga cornucopia. As Eesha advised, I let the music cascade over me, soothing my mind as a gentle flow of peace washed through me. In my mind’s eye I saw and felt Gurumayi so relaxed, so full, so at peace in the power of her state. I felt her gentle energy envelop me. I relaxed into her presence, letting it take hold of my awareness. Then there was only the sweet void of peacefulness in all its majestic simplicity.
Contemplating this experience, I realized that, of all my Siddha Yoga experiences and study, it is Gurumayi’s presence that is my favorite memory, my favorite teaching. And through her grace she lives right inside of me and is accessible at any time.
Oregon, United States
I express my gratitude to my beloved Guru for showering her continuous guidance in our life through different means. When I read these lines, they remind me just how much the practice of assimilation broadens my understanding about the Siddha Yoga practices and teachings. Every time I get a new insight about, or understanding of, one of the practices, assimilation helps me to incorporate every new learning with the previous ones. In contrast, without assimilation sometimes a very deep insight remains momentary and then fades away.
Delhi, India
I took time this morning to look inside, to practice assimilation. I find that music deeply nourishes me. Even when I experience difficulties, I know it is the Siddha Yoga teachings that sustain me.
Florida, United States
I am grateful for this clear exposition and the benefits it can bring to my sadhana. It helps me understand that my being needs a time, a space, and a proper attitude to absorb the teachings.
My intention is to take care to be aware of this process of assimilation.
Valladolid, Spain
Reading this essay on the practice of assimilation while listening to the beautiful music from Remembrance was like a balm for my whole being. I have been engaging quite intensely in scriptural study recently, receiving insight after insight from the sacred texts. At times I have been quite literally leaning over the text, rushing to avidly load my plate up with the next paragraph, so hungrily has my mind wanted to grasp it.
I see that it is time now to soften, settle into my posture, take smaller portions onto my plate, and—assimilate! I'm very grateful for this beautiful reminder.
Castlemaine, Australia
I am grateful for the clarity of this in-depth explanation of the process of assimilation that Gurumayi emphasizes in her teaching. I certainly feel that the drop-by-drop approach to assimilation works best for me, as I sometimes feel overwhelmed with how much I need to learn and grow in my sadhana. It gives me great comfort knowing I just need to continue to work on knowing my Self slowly but surely, knowing all the while that my Guru is the constant in my life now and forever.
Versoix, Switzerland
What enchanting music from “Remembrance” to listen to as I read this commentary on “Assimilation.” It helps me close my eyes and focus within. Then the words and my breath seem to lead to my heart.
It's so sweet, so lovely for me to learn to assimilate the Siddha Yoga teachings in this way.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
This piece of music accompanying “Assimilation” has been one of my favorites for years. So beautiful, so sublime. And exactly what I needed to hear at this moment!
It washed over me like a soothing balm, enveloping me in its comfort, penetrating my core. I felt it remove any discomfort and agitation that was there. Truly a healing experience! I am forever grateful for music—it is my medicine.
Winnipeg, Canada
As I read “Assimilation” I remembered learning in college about the importance of understanding the meaning of each word in a text in order to be able to assimilate the content. I found it challenging to pause my reading to look up meanings of words I didn’t know, but it turned out to be well worth the effort each time.
I am grateful to reflect on the small efforts I can make each day to assimilate the teachings. Gurumayi’s teachings are always foremost in my mind. I am ever so grateful to receive them.
California, United States
Seeing the impact that the Siddha Yoga practices and teachings have had on my life has enabled me to recognize their value. My deepening appreciation of the Siddhas’ teachings helps me to continue on my spiritual path. It strengthens my dedication to
sadhana and to my determination to one day realize its goal.
Unterlangenegg, Switzerland
For me the best time to give my full attention to the practice of assimilation to Gurumayi's teachings is when I am on vacation. I am relaxed, and have no deadlines to meet, no phone calls to make or answer. The early morning time is mine alone and this is when I give my full attention and self to reading and studying Gurumayi's teachings.
I find that the words of each teaching unfold deep within as I repeat them slowly again and again, allowing them to anchor themselves into each cell of my being. And then—I am in total bliss!
Surprisingly, the words sometimes surface on their own during the time I am having fun with my family. Then I inwardly smile, thanking Gurumayi for this practical way to remain connected to the knowledge of light.
Nairobi, Kenya
I have learned so much from reading “Assimilation,” realizing first and foremost how this practice has been missing from my
sadhana.
I reflected on how often I race from one activity to another and in the process lose the essence and true joy I could experience if I only took a moment to pause in between.
This essay on assimilation reminds me to stay with my breath and repeat the mantra inwardly as I move through my day.
Florida, United States
What a loving and tender experience I had while reading about the precious practice of assimilation as it relates to our
sadhana.
I put on one of my favorite fragrances and let the music from
Remembrance enter my being as I read. I closed my eyes and was transported to different locations—the places I had been when I first discovered the Siddha Yoga teachings and practices we received this year. Transported back to those moments, I returned to the wonder and appreciation of the new experiences.
On my walks now, I have been reflecting on Gurumayi's teachings and noticing the scent of jasmine, citrus blossoms, and salty air. I feel grateful, grounded, and free.
South Melbourne, Australia
I often hear my inner voice telling me “You’re not doing it right” or “You’re not as disciplined as you should be.” In reading “Assimilation,” I became more relaxed and began to notice all the Siddha Yoga practices I had performed and all of Gurumayi’s teachings I had digested.
With this realization, my inner voice changed and is now telling me: “You’re doing okay!” And I gave myself a little pat on the back.
I am grateful for “Assimilation,” for it has allowed me to pause and reflect on my life and my inner growth.
Eastbourne, United Kingdom
As I reflected, I realized that I seem to have been "cramming," so to speak, for some spiritual exam. There have been so many gems on the Siddha Yoga path website, and I have found myself rushing through them to make sure that I don't miss the next one! Thanks to this beautiful essay, I now realize that I have not taken the time to really breathe and absorb the stories, bhajans, and other gifts that the website has been offering on a daily basis.
Fortunately, I have taken time to journal and in doing so, have had some profound reflections this year. Now my intention is to take more of my time for the practice of assimilation, so that I can allow future website gifts to seep more deeply into my being—like the gentle process of “drip irrigation” that Gurumayi has spoken of.
Delaware, United States
Lately, my mind's been galloping in all different directions. Last night, it occurred to me that it's been a while since I've journaled. So I decided I would return to my sadhana notebook, and revisit "Gurumayi's Guidance" to help me slow down through contemplating. Then this morning, I find this essay called "Assimilation." A coincidence? Hardly!
First I listened to the soothing musical offering, resting my head on what felt like a soft, silky pillow of sound. Then I read the exquisite essay. I understood that a subtle, yet rigorous, effort is necessary in order to assimilate Gurumayi’s teachings. I recognized that, when I rush to try to take in too much at once, I am bypassing that essential effort.
So this reminder of Gurumayi’s guidance about the value of pausing, returning my attention to my breath, and employing scent and sound will certainly help me in slowing down, anchoring myself, focusing my attention—in order to fully assimilate the teachings and to grow more deeply in understanding.
Colorado, United States
I love how the melodic phrases from Siddha Yoga chants are “assimilated” into the improvisational piano tunes from the CD Remembrance, like fine strips of lace sewn on a velvet fabric.
Listening to this music helps me assimilate the powerful experiences I had just last month, when I participated in the dharana for Bhagavan Nityananda’s Solar Punyatithi and in the Dhyana Saptah in Honor of Baba Muktananda’s Divya Diksha. What a sweet and gentle passage from summer to fall this melody is for me!
California, United States
This is a beautiful essay about the process and practice of assimilation. Its synthesis of this process is both lyrical and deep, and a great reminder for me of the many ways that Gurumayi has infused assimilation into our practices. I intend to reread, reabsorb, and firmly assimilate the teachings in this essay.
I am grateful to Gurumayi for weaving our practices together with pauses, melodies, the fragance of heena oil, and her divine teachings and love.
Oregon, United States
I have savored every single word in this inspiring discussion of assimilation. At each step of the way all I wonder is, “How come the deepest longings of my soul always get addressed so simply and profoundly?”
I am delighted at this opportunity to review all that I have learned from Gurumayi's guidance throughout the year. I have a very long way to go, but I am on my way! I am now inspired to carry out the “drip irrigation” technique in my learning and in my sadhana. I know the Siddhas are watching over me, guiding me, supporting me, and shining the light on the path so all I need to do is keep moving forward.
I have just moved from one home and one country to another, and this essay is so perfect for me at this point in my life.
Lisbon, Portugal
The teachings in “Assimilation” are so beautiful and full of wisdom. For a while, reading it took me very far back in time—to 1984, when I began the Siddha Yoga practices. This came soon after I met my beloved Gurumayi and received shaktipat initiation in my first Siddha Yoga Shaktipat Intensive.
I am very grateful for the lovely present of Eesha’s writing about assimilation.
Yautepec, Mexico