श्रीगुरु-उपासना
Veneration of Shri Guru

In my recent meditations, I have been experiencing the image of Shri Guru’s face. Since contemplating shri guru devata, I have begun to experience the image of Shri Guru shifting into the face of a family member, a friend, or other people in my life. Some of these faces are easy to recognize as manifestations of shri guru devata. Yet, many of them have been of people with whom I have had difficulty in our relationships. However, in these meditations, they appear to be glowing with light and joy in the form of Shri Guru.

Through this experience, I am learning to remember that—whatever may seem to be happening or not happening in my relationships with people in my life—from the point of view of my own heart and of grace, every person is a form of God. I am grateful for such a powerful experience of Baba Muktananda’s teaching: “See God in each other.”

Canberra, Australia

For me, shri guru devata deserves the absolute first place in my life—none other. As I awake, the first thing I do is remember my Guru and offer silent pranam, a practice I repeat before going to sleep. In my mind’s eye, I visit the sacred samadhi shrines of Bade Baba and Baba. I then pray to Gurumayi, the living Guru, who manifests the universe’s most holy power. Whenever I dream, my immediate instinct is to share it with her. At home, I taste no sweet before I offer it as naivedya to Gurumayi.

Throughout the day, I remain vigilant in my actions, knowing my shri guru devata resides within me, witnessing everything. I feel deeply fortunate to have Gurumayi, a living Siddha Guru, on this planet during my lifetime.

Dombivli, India

I met Gurumayi in the early 1990s when she was touring in California. I had already made some friends who were longtime Siddha Yogis and had begun offering seva—my favorite Siddha Yoga practice—and taking any Siddha Yoga course I could. The first one was on how to meditate.

By the time I knew that Gurumayi was going to visit the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Oakland, I was quite convinced she was God. One day, I was driving home from the Ashram, and singing to the hills, “God is coming! God is coming!” with chills running throughout my body and tears coming to my eyes.

My belief in “Shri Guru as the deity” has only deepened over time and shown itself to me in the many experiences I have had. I have always considered it my great good fortune to have been given shaktipat by Shri Gurumayi and to live, although not literally, in her golden house of love.

California, United States

Before I began following the Siddha Yoga path, I used to visit temples often, making a real effort to have darshan of the deities there. But after receiving shaktipat from Shri Gurumayi and immersing myself in the Siddha Yoga teachings and practices, that urge to visit temples gradually faded away.

One day more than two decades ago, I asked myself, “Why has this pull, once so strong, become so quiet?” This answer came to me: I now see all deities within my Guru. When I meditate and do the practices, I experience the same peace and happiness in my heart that I once sought in the temples. Also, I have become more able to move beyond fear and act with real confidence and clarity. I understand that this is why my need to seek out darshan of deities at temples naturally lessened.

That is how and why I consider Shri Guru as the deity.

Thane, India

The most meaningful moment for me in every satsang at the Siddha Yoga meditation center I attend is when the time for darshan and dakshina arrives. It is during darshan that I feel the divine presence of Shri Guru in my heart. It is then that I understand that this deity arises from within myself and that, by divine grace, I am in communion with the Guru! In that moment I feel inspired to expand this deity into all my thoughts, words, and actions. And immediately afterward, when I offer dakshina, I experience that the financial offering I make only acquires true value when I return it to its source.

Shri Guru is my chosen deity!

Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz, Argentina