Each morning this month, I begin with a simple but potent rhythm that has transformed my inner landscape. I start by contemplating the divine virtue of the day. I reflect on its meaning, study its qualities, and write about how it shows up, or longs to show up, in my life. Then, like lighting a candle with devotion, I make the wish that I may come to know that virtue as a lived, embodied truth. With that wish quietly blooming in my heart, I sit for meditation.

What’s emerged for me is a powerful sense of alignment with Birthday Bliss, celebrating our beloved Gurumayi. Through these practices, the current of Kundalini Shakti awakens in response to my sincere attention and longing, and each meditation becomes a meeting place for the Guru’s grace, the virtue’s essence, and my own highest Self.

These practices have become a sacred doorway into daily bliss, grounding me in both purpose and presence.

New York, United States

Every morning of this month of Birthday Bliss, while walking my son to the school bus stop, we check the Siddha Yoga path website together and discuss our understanding of the virtue of the day. This practice of diving into the “splendor of virtues” at the beginning of each day enables us to try to achieve greater awareness and understanding of them. Throughout the rest of the day, we make a conscious effort to nurture the virtue in one way or the other.

I am grateful to Gurumayi for connecting my son and me to the experience of the Heart through the exploration of the virtues.

Vadodara, India

This year, I have developed a new approach to studying and engaging with each virtue throughout the month of June. My practice is that when I read the virtue for the day—for example, kindness or joyfulness—I then silently say to myself, “I am grateful for the virtue of _____ that is within me.” By saying this to myself, I acknowledge that this virtue is present within me, and I pause to connect with, and savor, my experience of that virtue.

I recognize that if I truly understand the teaching of the Siddha Yoga Gurus, “God dwells within you,” then I also understand that all the virtues exist within me as well. I pay homage to God by honoring the virtues that also dwell within.

New York, United States

Reading the shares submitted by my fellow Siddha Yoga students is a very important part of my study of the virtues. It helps me to see aspects that I had not previously considered and to discover new perspectives that expand my own.

I am grateful to Gurumayi for making it possible for Siddha Yoga students to help each other in this way. 

Oregon, United States

I love contemplating the virtues during the month of Birthday Bliss in this year in which we are focusing on how we use our time. I feel that I can consciously enrich my precious time with reflection on and practice of a virtue every day.

What a wonderful experience it is to be given a new gift each day! I feel as though my time is like a crystal vessel, and the virtues are the golden liquid that fills the vessel.

Konolfingen, Switzerland

Inspired by Eesha’s invitation, in her letter for June, to “come up with a novel way of practicing the virtues,” I realized that I want to study and practice the virtues by contemplating how they have manifested in my blessedly long life. I also want to explore how my experiences of them have changed over time. This has already led me to some fruitful self-inquiry and valuable discoveries about the virtues.

For example, in contemplating two dimensions of abundance—financial abundance and mothering abundance—I saw how dramatically my life circumstances had changed since my difficult childhood, and especially after I started to follow the Siddha Yoga path.

Having made this encouraging start, I am very much looking forward to making more exciting and illuminating discoveries as I continue this new approach to studying and practicing the virtues.

Illinois, United States

After reading the rich and beautiful letter for June, I have decided to take Eesha’s suggestion to heart and engage with the virtues in a new way—while following her example in reminding myself that I am already a good person. So, I’m going to write a brief prayer or affirmation for each virtue , allowing myself to be free and creative. For example, here’s my prayer for Devotion:

May we all enjoy the state of devotion daily,

Devoting ourselves to keeping

Our hearts open to ourselves,

To others,

And

To the miracle of life.

New York, United States