Quite early this morning, my attention was drawn to the silvery moonlight streaming through the window. I experienced heartfelt gratitude to the moon. On a walk outside or when I am quietly reflecting, I often send thanks to a tree, to a bird passing overhead, or to the blue sky above.

Thanks to Gurumayi’s teachings over the years, I practice being truly present with others and listening with “elephant ears” when conversing with them. I understand that, for me, this is a way to acknowledge people. 

I have boundless gratitude for the miracle of my life following this path.

New Mexico, United States

I am so touched reading the shares from other Siddha Yogis. My own experience in the past had been that sometimes people acknowledged others out of self-interest. As a result, I thought that many people had learned to habitually reject acknowledgment because they had come to view it as a form of flattery or manipulation.

In my younger years, I knew a nun who I considered to be saintly. Every time I gave her acknowledgment, I was so amazed that she took it in deeply and completely, with great humility. Her reaction was new to me. It made me feel that acknowledgment is praise of God. I also remember that she often gave me acknowledgment. It felt natural, never boosted my ego, and opened my eyes to my innate goodness. I think it is a high practice to offer acknowledgment from the heart and to the heart. And it is very important for my sadhana to try to accept true acknowledgment deeply in the heart.

Hindelang, Germany

Following Gurumayi’s example and guidance, I have made a practice of acknowledging and thanking people for several years. This practice uplifts me; it is also wonderful to see the way someone’s face lights up when they feel seen and appreciated.

I love to thank people for what they do: for the seva they offer, the everyday tasks they do that make life smoother, or their random acts of kindness. I love to thank the young people in my life for being courageous or resilient and to thank my Sadhana Circle buddies for their wisdom and honesty. I thank my mother, who died twenty years ago, for her love and for making me feel loved. I even thank my body for holding my soul, for making it possible to practice sadhana in this lifetime.

I have come to understand that when I acknowledge another being, I am truly seeing them, recognizing the divinity within them, seeing God in them. For me, acknowledgement is a blessing that continues to unfold; it is the communication of one heart to another.

Llwynygroes, United Kingdom

Inspired by the Makara Sankranti satsang, I recalled the moment almost forty years ago when I arrived at the entrance to the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Oakland. A smiling, radiant fellow welcomed me with such enthusiasm and love that my heart melted. I felt seen in a way I had not experienced before.

Now it is a practice of mine to say hello to, or smile at, people I pass as I walk or to pause and speak to a flower, to a bird that may be perched on a pole, or to a dog that speaks with a wagging tail. The opportunities to notice, acknowledge, and share my awakened love are endless. Truly it is my favorite practice.

California, United States

I really appreciate Eesha’s sharing about being acknowledged by Gurumayi and how much it has meant to her. This has made me realize why I always have had a strong desire to acknowledge people in my life, especially strangers I meet in the park on my daily walks.

Due to a disability, these walks are my only outdoor exercise and my primary way to interact with people apart from my family. I get a warm glow in my heart with every opportunity to share smiles or a friendly greeting with others, including small children as they come into the park from nursery school. It makes me so happy to see them, acknowledge them, and share my delight in them. 

London, United Kingdom

A dear friend of mine is going through a challenging time—managing all the caregiving, household, and financial details for her aging mother. When my friend shared her latest update, I was drawn to say, slowly and from the depths of my heart, “You’re doing a really good job.”

She paused, exhaled, and sincerely said, “Thank you!” She later told me that this moment of acknowledgment and validation was so very important, and helped her stay present with the many tasks she’s accomplishing.

Arizona, United States

For me, acknowledgment is a sweet, two-sided blessing. I love looking for the best in the people around me, and then letting them know what I have seen. The moment of being seen and appreciated is so precious, and the joy that swells in the receiver engulfs me as well. It’s beautiful to recognize that I am surrounded by amazing people.

Queenstown, New Zealand

I have found thanking people to be a practice that leads me to my own heart. I like to acknowledge acts of kindness and thoughtfulness, large and small. Especially during these times, I feel that to acknowledge someone, to offer my appreciation for their effort, to be considerate of myself and others reinforces the goodness and light in the world.

New York, United States

I am grateful for this important reminder to be thankful to others as we go about our daily lives. Sometimes the smallest words of appreciation can make a huge difference to someone.

I live in senior housing, and our maintenance department cares not only for our apartments and daily needs but for sixteen other buildings. On Christmas and Valentine’s Day I create a bag of goodies along with a handmade thank you card for all the work they do to care for us, always putting forward their best. When I knock on their door to deliver it, whoever answers always responds with a surprised and delighted smile.

That fills my heart with delight. I can see that this small gesture made their day.

Massachusetts, United States

Many years ago, I had the task of ordering prints for publications. When the package of the first flyer I ordered was delivered, I admired and checked the completed work—it was perfect!

Immediately, I called the representative of the printing house to thank her for the work done. I told her that the flyer was wonderful. As if she had heard something unexpected, she replied, “Could you repeat?” Once again, I said that the flyer was wonderful. She then told me that usually customers called her back only when something had gone wrong.

Since that day, it seemed that the representative and I developed a connection. We continued to work together and even when there were challenges, we were able to produce work of great quality. From this experience I learned the power of acknowledgment.

Rodez, France

Eesha’s words, “Being grateful to others is a form of worship,” stood out for me.

When I acknowledge others with respect and sincerity—whether sending a heartfelt card or gift to a loved one, or thanking the grocery cashier—I am present in the moment, aware of the connection of our shared humanity.

In contemplating Gurumayi’s teaching, I understand that acknowledging others is a beautiful way of seeing God in each other.

California, United States

When Eesha described her experiences of receiving acknowledgment from Gurumayi, it reminded me of a time in 1991 when Gurumayi acknowledged me by saying, “She is a wonderful babysitter.” I quickly explained to the people who were present the context in which I was a babysitter. I didn’t really let Gurumayi’s acknowledgment sink in.

Now, many years later, I have young adult children of my own, and I love babysitting my three-year-old neighbor. Throughout these decades, I have gradually been increasing my ability to receive appreciation and acknowledgment and even to offer it to myself.

Just last week, Gurumayi’s words “She is a wonderful babysitter” came back to my mind. I repeated them to myself. “Wonderful” stood out to me. Gurumayi had used the word wonderful in reference to me! I paused and took that in. I see that, by doing sadhana over time, I am more and more able to acknowledge and believe in all that is wonderful about me.

I am so grateful that Gurumayi’s words of acknowledgment from more than three decades ago continue to transform my understanding of who I am.

California, United States

Some time ago, several Siddha Yoga friends in my community passed on, one after the other, in unrelated circumstances. It felt too fast for me to absorb, mourn, or reorient myself.

I made a vow to myself then that, regardless of any social convention, I would begin letting some individuals—even those a little outside of my own circle of friends—know that I loved and appreciated them, and why.

I shared with these individuals my experience of the qualities, talents, and virtues they have and what touched me about them. I didn’t want them to depart this world before I shared my experience of their greatness.

Each time I did this, I experienced a state of joyful expansion—as, I was told, did the recipients!

Massachusetts, United States

For me, one of the most powerful experiences I have of recognizing and thanking someone arises within me when I feel rejection or criticism toward them.

I resolve to shift my selfish perspective and begin to reflect on the lessons that person—just as they are—brings to my life. And as if by alchemy, I begin to feel friendship and gratitude toward them.

Many times I offer prayers of gratitude internally and ask for blessings for them, and at other times I talk to them and thank them personally.

As the years of my sadhana go by, I notice that it no longer requires so much effort to change my mind before making unwise decisions.

Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz, Argentina

In 2015, as a visiting sevite at Shree Muktananda Ashram, the seva I offered one morning was to help set up lunch for satsang participants. As I was arranging chairs and tables, I saw Gurumayi walking up the steps. In that moment I paused, and setting aside shyness, I greeted her with an open heart: “Good morning, Gurumayi ji—welcome!”

Gurumayi looked at me with a radiant, beaming smile and briefly asked about my stay and my family. Later that evening, I received prasad from her—a small pack of chocolates. At first, I wondered why I had received it. Then I realized it was an acknowledgment of my simple and heartfelt welcome earlier that day.

For me, darshan of Shri Guru is mahaprasad and with this tangible gift, I felt showered by Gurumayi’s love even more. I felt it in every part of my being.

I realized that, for me, receiving true acknowledgment has the power to open the heart, dissolve inner limitations, cultivate humility, and awaken a living sense of grace in my life. Such moments feel like blessings that continue to resonate forever.

Sydney, Australia

In the home seva that I offer, I interact with many people via email. I find that acknowledging someone’s effort in offering seva is a powerful way of showing my gratitude and respect for them and their contribution.

Acknowledgments help me to connect to each fellow sevite with love. Although I have not met any of these people in person, this gesture lets them know that I feel we are all important parts of each other’s lives.

When someone acknowledges me, it motivates me to offer seva in a more efficient way; it also enhances my skills and boosts my confidence. Over the years, I have found that a genuine acknowledgment not only brightens my day, but also inspires me.

Each time I hear Gurumayi ji welcome us with respect and love, it fills my whole being with her love and grace.

Pune, India

I really enjoy acknowledging people. Whenever friends or colleagues ask me to write them a letter of recommendation, I am always very excited to do it. When I describe people’s positive qualities, it fills me with happiness.

This year I wrote Thanksgiving cards for each of the people I work with; I described what I uniquely appreciated about each of them. I enjoyed it so much that I began writing more Thanksgiving cards to neighbors and friends!

I have given my coworkers similar heartfelt cards for their birthdays and holidays. When one coworker received my Thanksgiving card, she mentioned how much she appreciates these “love letters.” She told me that she keeps them in a special place and that she takes them out and rereads them when she needs a boost. I was deeply touched to hear how meaningful my acknowledgments are to her. And, truly, in telling me this, she was acknowledging me.

To me, giving and receiving acknowledgment infuses daily life with the Divine.

California, United States

I give a lot of acknowledgments every day: to my boyfriend, my colleague, my dog. I even acknowledge my car for taking me to work so reliably.

However, when I have received acknowledgments, I haven’t known what to do with them for fear that they might inflate my ego. So, I have immediately returned acknowledgment by acknowledging the person who acknowledged me.

As I contemplated this behavior, I realized that people are acknowledging God in me—God who “dwells in me as me.” This realization now helps me to open my heart to the acknowledgments I receive.

Bern, Switzerland

I used to hold back on sharing my love for people. Then I realized it’s completely crazy to hold back what’s already there. My wife has a naturally generous spirit that inspires me. Now, I acknowledge the earth before I eat. Before we go to sleep at night, my wife and I acknowledge the great things that have happened in the day and the challenges we managed to rise above. We also acknowledge our failures as well as the kindness of strangers. This teaching has reminded me that I can expand my generosity in expressing my gratitude to others.

London, United Kingdom