“Time to Dream with Nature” is a collection of stories about Gurumayi Chidvilasananda. These stories give us a glimpse into Gurumayi’s way of being in nature, and how nature responds to Gurumayi’s presence. They are firsthand accounts from people who either happened to be present or who heard the story from Gurumayi and other people who were with Gurumayi at the time.
These accounts represent a tiny fraction of such stories about Gurumayi. The truth is, every day there is and forever has been some serendipitous, playful, respectful, mysterious, and mystical interaction happening between Gurumayi and the plants and animals around her, wherever she may be in the world. Gurumayi responds to the spontaneity of nature and nature responds to Gurumayi’s spontaneity.
At the same time, when it comes to being in the presence of Shri Guru, there is always more than meets the eye.
The bond of love between the robins and Gurumayi touched my heart.
After reading about it, I noticed that many times I can be very unaware of nature. Through this story, I learned that if I can pay a little more attention, then I too can connect with nature.
The day after reading the story of Mamaroo and Paparoo, an amazing thing happened. I was returning to my room after the morning practice of svadhyaya. The story was still resonating in my mind. As I walked, I was chanting Om Namah Shivaya to myself. I soon noticed that a small bird was flying from tree to tree along my path. I could hear his sweet chirping throughout my walk and my chanting.
My room is on the third floor. As I climbed the staircase, I couldn’t see the bird anymore. I thought he must have left. Yet, lo and behold, as I entered the third-floor corridor, I saw that he was sitting on the parapet wall, just outside my room. He looked at me very sweetly, whistled, and then flew away. I was extremely moved. My heart recognized that something deep had happened, something which I recognized as the Guru’s grace.
a Gurukula studen in Gurudev Siddha Peeth
When I read in this introduction, “…when it comes to being in the presence of Shri Guru, there is always more than meets the eye,” I was reminded of my experience some years ago in Gurudev Siddha Peeth.
During a recitation of Shri Guru Gita, Gurumayi caught my wandering eyes. I was directed to sit behind the pillar for Shri Guru Gita from that day to the end of my visit! At the time it looked and felt to me like a reprimand. Little did I know just how much that direction would support me in my life and sadhana.
Some years after that visit to Gurudev Siddha Peeth, I developed an untreatable eye condition that required greater focus and use of my peripheral vision. Although this was a difficult time for me, the compassion and benevolence I had experienced in Gurumayi’s direction all those years ago had prepared me to handle this life-changing condition.
Farnborough, United Kingdom
Just before reading “Time to Dream with Nature,” I had completed reciting Shri Guru Gita . I had offered my recitation to the healing and protection of one of my horses who had recently injured herself. Afterward, in meditation, I had a realization that Gurumayi protects me and my animals. I felt that the animals in my care and nature in my part of the world all rejoice on Gurumayi’s birthday!
