श्रीगुरु-उपासना
Veneration of Shri Guru
Audio recording by Ami Bansal
In this month of Gurupurnima, I have been noticing the flame of the “lamp” in my heart; it appears to be sometimes soft, sometimes bright, sometimes searing, sometimes steady, sometimes flickering—whether in sadness or in joy, in confusion or in clarity.
This morning the dawn broke here with great beauty and joy, but soon the sky clouded over and the breeze blew the candle at my bedside out. But mostly what I see so far about this month of Gurupurnima is an inner, ever-mounting flame. I am becoming ecstatic in the “veneration of Shri Guru,” in the celebration of Gurupurnima. As I walk in this sacred time of Gurupurnima, I remember that Gurumayi lit the lamp of my heart in the sacred moment of shaktipat initiation.
Kentucky, United States
As I reflected on “Initiation by Shri Guru,” I recalled the deepest hope I carried with me, thirty years ago now—that in meeting Gurumayi, I would experience feeling OK in myself for the first time in my life.
When I experienced the bestowal of shri guru diksha, I felt a veil of separation from the world around me lift—and a joy and sense of freedom that I can only describe as pure delight at being alive. I also experienced a thirst for knowledge and guidance from Shri Guru, and so I have greatly appreciated the abundance of teachings from Gurumayi available in so many forms, including her books, Message Talks, poems, satsangs, and Shaktipat Intensives—and in other forms on the Siddha Yoga path website.
Sydney, Australia
For me, shri guru diksha evokes the sacred occasion on which Shri Guru accepted me as her disciple and poured her grace upon me through the Guru’s mantra. Having received this diksha, I bear the responsibility of fully committing myself to my Guru’s teachings and instructions, applying sincere and dedicated effort.
Thane, India
Contemplating shri guru diksha after chanting today and going into meditation, I felt very still and quiet. I turned inward and had a vision of a vast mountain, radiating both power and joy. Then the mountain became a storm of enormous magnitude—dark, towering, and full of thunder and lightning; I felt awe and trepidation. I heard the mantra Om resounding. As I continued to observe this massive presence within, I experienced my Guru’s joy and laughter filling this storm. I became very calm and experienced an inner knowing that everything about this force is pure benevolence, that it is sending blessings and great joy in all directions—from the smallest particle to the greatest expanse. I understood this to be the divine power within me, awakened by the Guru.
Watson, Australia
These simple and powerful words are so deeply impactful for me, especially when pronounced by Ami’s soothing voice. Shri guru diksha guided me into meditation and repeated by itself as a mantra throughout the length of my meditation. After that, I felt refreshed; my soul was soothed. It was a very sweet experience.
Roma, Italy
Shri guru diksha! In my language—Spanish—the word diksha sounds to me almost the same as “bliss.” And in my experience, when I received shaktipat diksha, at a very difficult time in my life, I inexplicably felt great bliss! Now, in each Siddha Yoga Shaktipat Intensive, I joyfully advance in my sadhana.
Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz, Argentina
“Shri guru upasana”: Ahhhh, what a breath of fresh air I experienced as I listened to these words! What love and compassion from the Guru! What gratitude I feel for the one who gave me shaktipat-diksha! How many beneficial transformations have her teachings and unconditional love brought about in me!
I express my immense gratitude by humbly offering dakshina before the infinite ocean of love and mercy of my beloved.
Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz, Argentina