श्रीगुरु-उपासना
Veneration of Shri Guru

I am so grateful for these phrases under “Veneration of Shri Guru.” Spending just a few moments every morning to contemplate each one seems to open the way for the sweet, indescribable mystery of my Shri Guru’s grace to flood my day.

New Mexico, United States

As I was contemplating shri guru kripa, gratitude arose in my heart for the infinite grace of Gurumayi, and for all I have received and still receive every day—shaktipat-diksha, my many deep experiences of meditation, the blessings of offering seva, and, above all, the experience of who I really am. I have received Gurumayi’s teachings and her darshan so many times. I have chanted and meditated with her so many times—all for my spiritual evolution and for giving me the experience of my own Self.

I feel so blessed to walk on the Siddha Yoga path. This morning, after reciting Shri Guru Gita, I felt a deep silence within. I felt unity with everything; any feeling of duality dissolved. My breath became profound, and this experience stayed with me all day long, bringing a great inner joy. All of this was a gift of Gurumayi’s grace. My heart overflows with gratitude.

Le Bosc, France

Shri guru kripa is the very lifeline of my existence. I ask myself: “Is there anything I possess, anything I do, or even anything I think that exists apart from my Guru’s grace?”

I have learned from the Siddha Yoga teachings that for grace to unfold fully in my life, it calls for my wholehearted participation. Without my own effort, I cannot receive or hold that grace.

To be honest, I do make the effort. I try my best to receive, hold, and let this grace expand within me. And yet, I realize that, for me, even this longing to draw grace is nothing but grace. I feel so deeply fortunate to have Gurumayi in my life—and this too is grace.

I pray that my body and mind engage in the right way so that in this very lifetime, I may merge completely with my Guru’s grace.

Thane, India

One day, I contemplated how, whenever I had faced situations beyond my control and simply focused on Gurumayi and the Self, the unseen support of “Shri Guru’s grace” would miraculously appear. Almost instantly, those turbulent situations would become peaceful in the most extraordinary way.

As I reflected on every phase of my life, I realized how abundantly Gurumayi has bestowed her grace upon me. Yet, among all her blessings, one remains uniquely sacred to me—the gift of receiving shaktipat-diksha from Shri Guru in a dream while still a child. In my dream, I was seated alone in meditation when Baba appeared and gave me initiation by touch. Instantly, I experienced tremendous waves of energy flowing throughout my entire body. From that day of extraordinary shri guru kripa, my life began to transform. I naturally became quieter, more introspective, and increasingly drawn toward inner silence.

I am deeply grateful to Gurumayi and Baba for their boundless love, their infinite grace, and the priceless gift of their blessings. I bow to them with eternal gratitude.

Ahmedabad, India

Everything in my meditation journals and every spiritual practice I’ve performed since receiving shaktipat-diksha is an example of “Shri Guru’s grace.” Every boon and every perceived obstacle that made me grow spiritually were only possible due to the Guru’s grace.

During contemplation today, I realized that, at its core, Gurumayi’s grace was the flame that lit the fire of Kundalini Shakti during my spiritual initiation. It is that grace which enables me to use my mind to go beyond the mind, and experience the Self—the Guru within. How magnificent is this gift of grace! Shri Gurumayi taught me through her grace that the Guru is always present within my heart. The grace of the living Master shows me the path to the inner Guru, which is my true identity. How lucky I am to be a disciple of such a gracious being!

I am very grateful to my dearest Gurumayi for this wellspring of grace that never falters, that always flows.

New Jersey, United States

At the beginning of my Siddha Yoga journey, I learned the scriptural teaching “The Guru is the grace-bestowing power of God.” Since then, I have experienced the profound truth of this statement in so many moments of my life that I feel my life is entirely imbued with “Shri Guru’s grace.”

Whenever my own efforts have reached a point where it seemed I could go no further, my Guru’s grace has opened a door that previously had felt closed to me, given me energy when I had little left, or granted me insights into important questions to which I could find no answer on my own.

My Guru’s grace is the active energy that dissolves my limitations, allowing God’s energy to flow freely so that I can pursue with great love what I really want to do.

Konolfingen, Switzerland

Whenever anyone asks me, “How are you?” I always answer, “With Shri Guru’s grace, everything is fine.” It’s been my experience that whenever I surrender myself at Gurumayi ji’s feet, I feel the blessing of knowing I have “Shri Guru’s grace.” I feel her hand on my head, which makes me feel protected and peaceful.

Mumbai, India

For me the month of June glittered with the inner treasure of character and virtue with the sadguna vaibhava. And now the month of July is filled with the streams of nectar of “Veneration of Shri Guru.” These have become my two favorite back-to-back months! It feels as if the focus on developing the inner virtues in honor of Birthday Bliss has prepared my heart for the outpouring of devotion I express during Gurupurnima. With each daily phrase on Shri Guru, my being is awash with gratitude for the love and strength Gurumayi showers upon her devotees.

Each “Veneration of Shri Guru” is a gift for my sadhana. Through its lens, I am able to see the central tenets of this path, the extraordinary scope of its goal, and its endless blessings.

I experience a beautiful dance between Guru and disciple. As I make efforts, I experience ever-new waves of grace. It seems my worship can never outpace my Guru’s compassionate bounty.

I experience that Gurumayi has truly given me everything.

California, United States

Contemplation of the different qualities and aspects of the Guru immediately opens me to experience the presence of Gurumayi. I feel that I merge with, and dissolve into, Consciousness and I experience peacefulness and joy. Beyond all that, I sense that the Guru is within me and around me. These contemplations are reminding me that her grace and presence are available for me in every moment.

I also feel that the different Sanskrit syllables open up different energy centers in my body. So, as well as what I gain from contemplating the translation, I feel that the Sanskrit syllables also work on my being, taking me beyond an intellectual understanding to an experience of the Guru’s shakti, power, and grace.

I am very grateful to be able to study these words.

Nesoddtangen, Norway

I love that the image of the waveless lake in front of Mount Mandagni serves as the background for the “Veneration of Shri Guru” series. The words of each phrase may change, but that image remains eternally calm and pristine. As I scroll from one phrase to the next, it dawns on me that just as the lake doesn’t change, neither does the unchanging Self instilled in each word and approach to the “veneration of Shri Guru.”

Decades ago, when I was new to the Siddha Yoga path, I heard that through meditation, my mind could be as calm as a waveless lake. Back then, this was my profound wish—like that of a thirsty person longing for a single drop of water. Through the years, the fluctuations of my mind have truly subsided.

For me, this image represents “Shri Guru’s grace” reminding me to keep going, showing me that the mind can be completely still and completely calm like a clear mirror, no matter what.

California, United States