I read “Veneration of Shri Guru” each morning to begin my svadhyaya practice. When I read “Shri Guru’s prasad,” the first thing that came to my mind was food as prasad. At that moment I shared my thoughts with my mother, who was also sitting in the puja room. My mother responded that, yes, prasad can be in the form of food, but it can also be in other forms as well.

That evening I asked myself, “What is ‘Shri Guru’s prasad’ for me?” The answer arose naturally. Being born in a Siddha Yoga family, coming across the Siddha Yoga teachings, and being able to practice them in my day-to-day life is the great prasad I have received from my Shri Guru.

I am deeply grateful to have received this mahaprasad.

Rajsamand, India

There was a moment with Baba in 1979 where we were in the small courtyard and Baba was handing out prasad he had just cooked. Everyone was eagerly reaching for it. I didn’t want to look “needy,” so I allowed myself to be pushed forward by the crowd and held up one hand to receive the prasad. Baba passed over my hand and gave me a fierce look. The man standing next to me said, “Put up two hands!“ When I did so, Baba plopped the prasad into my hands, saying, “Only people with weak hearts ask for prasad with one hand.”

That moment galvanized my sadhana, as I realized that if I wanted God, if I wanted what the Guru had to offer, I would have to be fully in—a hundred percent—and not hold back at all. I treasure this teaching and have been following it ever since.

New York, United States

Ever since I received the blessing of shaktipat-diksha from Shri Gurumayi, my entire life has been transformed. Every event, whether big or small, has begun to reveal its own deeper meaning. In every situation, seemingly good or bad, I now find its own beauty and its own lesson. I receive both joy and sorrow with reverence, with the understanding that something sacred lies hidden within each. In this way, my whole life has blossomed into “Shri Guru’s prasad.”

My heart is filled with gratitude.

Thane, India

One day, in Shree Muktananda Ashram, I was accompanying Baba through a small hallway that had been recently painted. I was walking right behind Baba when he suddenly stopped and slowly turned around to have a good look at me. He then turned back toward the wall and asked, “Paint?”

With great enthusiasm, I answered, “Yes, Baba. Fresh paint. Fresh paint.”

His question was unexpected since this coating had been completed at Baba’s request.

Until then, I had always perceived Baba as a fatherly Guru figure. But for just that short moment, I felt like we were two good friends chatting together. This was so amazing to experience!

Then, Baba extended one of his fingers toward the wall and lightly touched it. As I was closely observing the tip of his finger, my mind suddenly became totally focused, and the world surrounding me disappeared from my awareness.

When Baba finally entered a room off the hallway, I was left all by myself, basking in the Guru’s love. This was such incredible prasad from Baba!

Laval, Canada

As I reflect on “Shri Guru’s prasad,” I thank my soul for choosing to take birth in a family of Siddha Yoga devotees.

A few months after my birth, a Siddha Yoga meditation center opened in our home. As a child, I had the great fortune to witness Baba’s laughter, which I still remember as his prasad. At Gurudev Siddha Peeth, there was a separate darshan line for children, and Baba would give us chocolates when we came forward.

For me, “Shri Guru’s prasad” is having a friendship with my own mind, focusing on uplifting thoughts, and nourishing my heart with chanting.

Gurumayi’s Message at the beginning of every year is also prasad for me, and I try my best to practice it during the year. I love that the satsang in which Gurumayi gives her Message is called Sweet Surprise—to me, sweet prasad—and it is up to me to honor the sweetness of the Message.

I am grateful to Gurumayi, by whose grace I feel that my entire life is her divine prasad.

Dombivli, India