On the Siddha Yoga path, we love to repeat the mantra Om Namah Shivaya. Isn’t that true? And as soon as we received the invitation to participate in the Siddha Yoga satsang titled “Magnify Auspiciousness, Celebrate Mahashivaratri,” we began repeating the mantra with even more vigor.
The satsang was held on Mahashivaratri—February 15, 2026—in the Siddha Yoga Universal Hall. It was live video streamed from the Bhagavan Nityananda Temple in Shree Muktananda Ashram. Since Mahashivaratri is traditionally a nighttime vigil, this was an evening satsang, by New York time. I heard that people in more than a few countries were overjoyed by this timing, because it meant that they could participate with their eyes wide open and their minds alert. You know who you are!
During the satsang, Julian Elfer, a Siddha Yogi who works as an actor and audiobook narrator in New York City, served as the host. Many of you later shared with me how you found Julian’s hosting of the satsang to be so clear and so personable. Julian spoke about the significance of Mahashivaratri and the special potency that chanting the mantra of the Siddha Yoga lineage, Om Namah Shivaya, carries on this night.
After Julian’s crystal-clear introduction, we listened to Gurumayi speak. She told us that before we begin chanting the mantra, Robyn Jensen would tell us about the sacred bilva leaf—one of the classic offerings made to Lord Shiva, especially on this night.
Robyn is a Siddha Yogi who lives in California, and she spoke eloquently about the meaning that the bilva leaf holds. She also informed us that we would be listening to the Bilvashtakam, a hymn written by the great sage Adi Shankaracharya. Robyn explained that Gurumayi had composed the melody in which the hymn would be sung, and she invited us to join the Siddha Yoga music ensemble in singing the phrase that occurs at the end of each verse: eka bilvam shivarpanam. “I offer a sacred bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.” (We had come prepared to sing these words, as we had been advised to memorize them in the invitation to the satsang.)
Gurumayi sang the Bilvashtakam. At the conclusion of each verse, the conductor, Krishna Haddad, led us in singing the words eka bilvam shivarpanam with the music ensemble. I was in a seva meeting with someone a few days later, and we of course had to take a couple minutes to revisit our favorite moments from the satsang. This person shared with me how privileged they felt to be right there with Gurumayi as she sang the Bilvashtakam and offered puja to Lord Shiva. This Siddha Yogi felt the unity that exists between God, the Guru, and the Self. It was one voice that pervaded the Universal Hall. The divine connection was palpable.
We immersed ourselves further in sacred sound during the satsang, drenched as we already were in the beauty and sanctity of the Bilvashtakam. We chanted the mantra with Gurumayi—the diksha mantra, Om Namah Shivaya, in the Bhupali raga.
What followed our chanting of the mantra was a very deep, very profound meditation. And when we emerged from meditation, we rose to our feet and offered arati to our Gurus. In meditation, our eyes were closed, and we perceived light. During the arati, our eyes were open, and we beheld the arati flame.
We took our seats, our hearts brimming with gratitude. For a few seconds we simply sat there, beneath the scintillating blue dome of the Universal Hall. Our eyes rested upon Gurumayi’s form, no words needed to express our gratitude to be in satsang with her, especially on this evening, on Mahashivaratri. Something in the atmosphere seemed to shift, to sharpen, to grow even brighter. Our ears perked up. Certainly mine did. For me, this is the most thrilling moment of satsang—when Gurumayi is about to impart her teachings. As a Siddha Yogi, I am eager to put my mind, my intellect, my heart to work. As a writer, I relish the opportunity to then use my skills to articulate what I have received and understood.
I am sure that you, like me, felt that Gurumayi was speaking to you directly. That her words were for you, for this time in your life, applicable to everything you’d been thinking about and going through.
Gurumayi gave many teachings in the satsang, and she gave these teachings in many ways. In my last “Meditation on Gurumayi’s Words,” about the satsang held in honor of Makara Sankranti, I wrote about how, in whatever Gurumayi says and does, she is teaching. I also wrote in depth about the importance of reflecting, individually and together as a group, on Gurumayi’s words. Our progress in sadhana relies to a great extent on our ability to unpack and understand what the Guru is teaching. As Baba Muktananda often said, “A seeker experiences the unfoldment of the shakti according to their own effort.”
It warmed my heart to hear that many of you appreciated reading and listening to my contemplations on Gurumayi’s teachings from Makara Sankranti. One person, for example, said that if it wasn’t for “Meditation on Gurumayi’s Words,” they might not have thought to explore these topics in the ways I had done in my writings. They felt that they were given a new perspective to consider. This is the power of sharing—and that’s why I love sharing. We learn to approach the Guru’s teachings from many different angles.
At Gurumayi’s request, and with her encouragement, I once again have the beautiful seva of sharing my contemplations with you—this time about Gurumayi’s teachings from the satsang on Mahashivaratri. As I did last month, I have selected a few highlights from the satsang to focus on. My explorations of these teachings from Gurumayi will be featured in installments throughout March on the Siddha Yoga path website.
I want to let you know that I have read every one of your comments in response to what I wrote about the satsang on Makara Sankranti. I was touched by your enthusiasm, by your earnest engagement with Gurumayi’s teachings. If you feel so inspired, I’d urge you to do the same with this newest set of “Meditation on Gurumayi’s Words.” Share your own contemplations on Gurumayi’s teachings. Share your thoughts about my contemplations on these teachings. I have come to think of this as a kind of “digital Sadhana Circle,” where we convene after satsang with Gurumayi and discuss what we learned, what we have questions about, what we would like to explore further. This is how we support one another in walking the Siddha Yoga path. This is also how we make space for new seekers to voice their own thoughts and feelings about all they are experiencing as they encounter this wondrous path.
With every reading of a new posting, my heart fills with gratitude. While I was reading Eesha’s Introduction, the Mahashivaratri satsang was recreated before me, and I felt so happy remembering each sensation on that early morning of darshan with my Guru, and chanting the mantra with her on that auspicious day. With an overflowing heart, I feel that Gurumayi has not only blessed me with her teachings, she is also guiding me on how I must contemplate, study, and understand her golden words.
Cuttack, India
I love satsang, the Siddha Yoga sangham in my community, and the Sadhana Circle that I participate in. With Eesha’s crystal-clear words, the “digital Sadhana Circle” has expanded my understanding and experience in the satsang that took place in the Siddha Yoga Universal Hall during Mahashivaratri. “Auspiciousness” is indeed “magnified”!
I will relish the “digital Sadhana Circles” to come!
Dunedin, New Zealand
I am very much looking forward to Eesha’s next installment about my beloved Gurumayi’s words from the Mahashivaratri satsang. Since that satsang, and a few days before, I have experienced an indescribable energy animating me—a column of light. This has inspired and increased my practices of chanting the mantra, reciting Shri Guru Gita, meditating, being kind to others, and focusing on the meaning of Gurumayi’s sacred words. I am filled with immense gratitude.
Paris, France
Being with Gurumayi in satsang is such a heartwarming experience—all my senses long to absorb everything.
My eyes long to behold the beloved form of my Guru. My ears wish to receive every single word she speaks. Chanting and meditating with Gurumayi feels as though lifetimes of karmas are being dissolved and I am being drawn ever closer to the Self. Each moment feels like the fruit of merits accumulated over many lifetimes.
I always wish for satsang with Gurumayi to never end. And when I read about Gurumayi’s teachings and Eesha’s reflections, it does feel that the satsang is continuing.
I am grateful for this beautiful format of post-satsang reflections! Through it, I feel I am able to remain in Gurumayi’s presence a little longer. Through it, I feel Gurumayi’s wish for me to stay in her presence a little longer. Both of these feelings fill my heart with warmth and love.
Thane West, India
I resonate with the idea that we are nurturing a “digital Sadhana Circle.”
Each time I see a new post with reflections on Gurumayi’s teachings, I feel excitement, gratitude, and remembrance. My heart-space softens and opens, my posture straightens, my mind leans in with curiosity, and, at the same time, I settle and relax inside. I know I am in the best company: the wisdom of the saints and the contemplations of true seekers.
In turn, this reminds me of who I am, calls forth my knowing, and inspires me to share my lived experience with those on the Siddha Yoga path and in my daily life. Inevitably, the nuggets and nourishment I connect with in our “digital Sadhana Circle” weave into my day as I interact with my son, support a client, or design an event.
In this way, I experience that I can be a conduit for the Guru’s grace in our world. What a blessing and what an honor!
Connecticut, United States
In the image of Mount Kailas accompanying Eesha’s Introduction, I saw a small mala at the base of the mountain. I am in a situation where I know that extra mantra repetition would help me. So the precious japa ring that I’ve been inexplicably saving is now on my finger! And I am so grateful.
Massachusetts, United States
I am grateful for Eesha’s Introduction. Her words sparked a lovely idea for our group of six Siddha Yogis from Santa Fe who meet to discuss our contemplations of Gurumayi’s teachings.
Inspired by Eesha’s idea of a “digital Sadhana Circle,” I’ll suggest we read the installments from her “Meditation on Gurumayi’s Words” and share our experiences on the Siddha Yoga path website! We could also read shares by other Siddha Yogis from around the world, using this platform to more fully integrate and understand Gurumayi’s teachings.
Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz, Argentina
Baba’s teaching, “A seeker experiences the unfoldment of the shakti according to their own effort,” has motivated me on the Siddha Yoga path. It reminds me that progress requires consistent effort both in sadhana and in life.
I felt excited reading Eesha’s Introduction and discovering that we would once again get to reflect on her insights, this time concerning Gurumayi’s teachings from the Mahashivaratri satsang. Last month, her insightful questions encouraged me to explore how I could more deeply absorb Gurumayi’s teachings in the Makara Sankranti satsang and incorporate them into my everyday life.
Throughout my sadhana journey, I have dedicated myself to studying the Siddha Yoga path website and the teachings of my Gurus and consistently to applying these principles in my interactions with others. This commitment has required steady discipline, waking early for daily practice, setting aside time each day for study and contemplation, and making a conscious effort to bring awareness, patience, and compassion into my relationships. It means choosing to reflect on my actions and realigning with the teachings.
Missouri, United States
What a majestic image for this “Meditation on Gurumayi’s Words”! Mount Kailas, with its deep blue color and canvas-like texture, immediately gives my mind solid support to stay steadfast in the practice of repeating the mantra Om Namah Shivaya. I feel as though there is ground beneath my feet, as if the Guru is supporting me from within. It fills me with a sense of profound peace and protection.
Thane West, India
As I opened the Siddha Yoga path website today, I read this beautiful introduction and was delighted to learn that together we are going to explore more about Gurumayi’s teachings from the Mahashivaratri satsang. I have been experiencing divine energy flowing from the recent satsangs with Gurumayi, the teachings during the satsangs, and now the deeper exploration of the teachings. Indeed, it is great sadhana; shakti is continuing to pour upon me.
Vapi, India
The loving and clear way Eesha shares her understanding helps me to go a bit deeper each time in my experience of Gurumayi’s teachings.
Uzes, France
Studying Eesha’s “Meditations on Gurumayi’s Words” is a great support for me. I am currently in the midst of some unpleasant mundane situations and, at times like these, it can be challenging for me to do some of the other Siddha Yoga practices.
Eesha’s reflections resonate within my whole being, especially when I listen to them. I feel that her voice vibrates with liveliness and captivating verve. Rather than imparted doctrine or instruction, I hear her words as an invitation.
I look forward to the discoveries we will make together in March.
Geneva, Switzerland
Days after the Mahashivaratri satsang with Gurumayi, I was overcome by a growing sense of longing to be with the outer form of the Guru, and I imagined how wonderful it must be to be in Gurumayi’s physical presence.
Today, after reciting Shri Guru Gita, I was walking through the forest when suddenly the question arose: “Where do you worship the Guru?” I realized that when I think of Gurumayi, I always imagine her in Shree Muktananda Ashram or Gurudev Siddha Peeth. Right in that moment, I realized that Gurumayi dwells in my heart—in unity with God and my own highest Self. There is no way she could be closer to me than this!
As I continued to walk, I began to place white gardenias on my heart, and I then became filled with a feeling of great freedom and lightness.
