When I discovered this sublime gift from Gurumayi, I felt overwhelmed by her generosity. How would I ever hold in mind, let alone practice, these teachings? The inner answer was immediate: “Begin with one or two that speak to you.” I chose the steady “blue flame” in the heart as my focus point. This remembrance became my companion time and again. 

Five days later, as I was standing in line at a pharmacy, the woman in front of me seemed to have nothing but questions. As she fidgeted with her packages and with her clothes, I felt my body become tense. Realizing that I was vibrating with impatience and judgmental thoughts, I called on the steadiness of the Deepavali light in my heart. 

At once, the chant Jaya Jaya Shiva Shambho arose within me and infused my entire being. My body became as still as a statue, yet it was vibrant with waves of love. I cherish this gift more than anything else in my life. I am filled with faith, practice, gratitude, and grace.

California, United States

Seeing the artwork with the stars and the lotus above and beneath “The Flame of Auspicious Intention” poem was so powerful for me. I experienced Gurumayi’s sankalpa for us to know ourselves as iterations of the divine flame, blazing with the “auspicious intention” to illumine ourselves and the world around us with God’s love. And I tasted that reality. 

I am grateful to Gurumayi for this beautiful teaching and for the tender prayer ending the poem.

Canberra, Australia

I was deeply moved by Gurumayi’s Deepavali poem and artwork. Reading Gurumayi’s words about “darkness and light,” I visualized a lantern whose glass had grown dim with soot. This image reminded me that through sadhana, I can lovingly clean this lantern so the flame of the Self may shine brightly and constantly.

The many blessings expressed in Gurumayi’s prayer lifted my spirit and filled me with a new breath of inspiration, as did the magnificent artwork, which I perceive as filled with symbolism. To me, the crystal lotus represents the transparent and luminous space of the heart, the diamonds beneath the lotus at the end of the poem symbolize virtues that sustain inner radiance, and the infinite loop of moon phases represents the changing cycles of time and the moments of joy between transitions. Beneath it all, I see the Earth glowing with Shri Guru’s grace, illuminating the moment of newness.

Sydney, Australia

The artwork displayed above the poem is so delightful! As I gaze at the shooting stars and the rhythmically flowing light of the infinity sign, I become mesmerized and full of wonder. I perceive each shooting star streaking across the heavens in a flame of light as heralding God’s presence and blessings.

Over the days of this exhilarating Deepavali celebration, I have come to feel that each blessing Gurumayi invokes for us in her prayer at the end of the poem is being granted to me on a subtle level. 

This celebration is indeed a time of “auspicious intentions” when my life can become “a true testimony to God’s light.”

Washington, United States

The words of Gurumayi’s beautiful poem are beams of light illuminating the path I am on. This poem is a “living torch,” deepening my understanding and transforming me.

Yenishir, Turkey

I have been reading and rereading Gurumayi’s poem, and I am filled with so much gratitude for the inner reflections it evokes in me. 

I feel embraced by the essence of the poem, as if by a shawl woven of love, support, and positivity. Gurumayi’s poem contains in its entirety answers to a letter I had written and placed under the Guru’s sandals on my puja table several weeks ago—asking for Gurumayi’s guidance and support in my understanding and in my sadhana during these difficult times. 

Inspired by this poem, I am lighting many lamps! I feel so blessed.

New Mexico, United States

This inspiring poem resonates so deeply within me that it takes me far beyond my ordinary actions. My Guru´s prayer connects me once more with my “inner flame.” Every verse reminds me that the path is within, and I must meditate continuously on the flame of the heart.

Caracas, Venezuela

Gurumayi’s poem gives me solace. When the question arises, “What is the right thing to do?” I can remember the “inner flame” and let it guide me. Rather than being swayed by external troubles, I can rely on my inner strength. I can focus on the beauty and joy in this world and cultivate that. I’m grateful for Gurumayi’s prayer as a focus for meditation during this auspicious time.

New York, United States

My auspicious intention for Deepavali is to continue fashioning a temple of God’s light within myself. And Gurumayi’s Deepavali poem inspires me to distill my auspicious intention down to its essence—which is “to be the light.” For me, this phrase evokes a clearing away of the dross, of everything that dims the truth in me. I experience it as surrendering; letting go and allowing truth to shine.

As I quietly access the inner knowing by taking the Guru’s hand within and being that light that she directs me to be, I truly “let these tribulations be transformed.” Gurumayi makes clear that “a beautiful life” can continue to miraculously unfold. As I look around my meditation space, I see that in my own way my life is becoming “a true testimony to God’s light,” as Gurumayi says.

Every morning of Deepavali I have been taking to heart the prayer concluding Gurumayi’s poem, and every morning I experience my inner temple lighting up with the living flame of God. This gives me great faith “during this time of churning energies in the world.”

Washington, United States

There is so much to love and learn from in Gurumayi’s Deepavali poem, “The Flame of Auspicious Intention.” I was immediately drawn to the extraordinary artwork that accompanies this poem. I love the fact that parts of the artwork are moving, the way life itself does, and that it seems to show “trillions” of lights in the night sky. In the opening artwork, there is one strong, steady light that seems as if it might have risen up out of a lotus—such a symbol for sadhana!—that is itself made of light and that rests on a symbol of infinity, also in light.

With the final piece of artwork, we seem to have come to the dawn. The lotus is still resting on a symbol of infinity, but now that symbol has become the phases of the moon and underneath is a view of Mother Earth. This appears to me to be an open invitation to take “The Flame of Auspicious Intention” into my life, minute by minute.

California, United States

What a reviving and glorious blessing Gurumayi has given me in her Deepavali poem! I embrace the prayer at the end of this poem. I will bring my mind and heart again and again to focus on Gurumayi’s words, which I experience as the answer to a call from deep within me. I recognize that I need this guidance now, during this time of momentous change in the world and in my own life.

Gurumayi’s poem offers me precious solace through this contemplation about “darkness and light.” I will write Gurumayi’s poem out, place it on my wall, and say it out loud. And I will make the effort today, and every day, to reconnect to the eternal flame of light residing deep in my heart—the flame that the Guru kindled in my heart from her flame, so many years ago, when she bestowed shaktipat upon me.

Ohio, United States

I love so much about this wondrous, astonishing poem. I was drawn immediately to the prayer—specifically, the way Gurumayi describes the Deepavali flame in this prayer. As I read each successive line, I found myself picturing not just literal flames, but people. The flames became representative of the light of God in each individual person. I thought, “What if we all really did perceive each person to hold the Deepavali flame within them? How would that change the way we interact with others? How would that shift our approach to life in this world?”

The visualizations in this prayer give us such a concrete way to practice our Gurus’ teachings to see God in ourselves and in one another. For this, and for all the other priceless teachings in this poem, I am so grateful to Gurumayi.

New York, United States

Gurumayi’s beautiful poem “The Flame of Auspicious Intention” is like a heartfelt conversation initiated by my Guru’s compassionate heart. For me, it is brimming with Gurumayi’s intention, inspiration, guidance, love, and blessings. When I read this poem for the first time, I made an intention of coming back to it again and again during this festive time of Deepavali—and beyond. As I continue engaging with different elements of this prasad from Gurumayi, I feel blessed and connected to my heart.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

I awoke this morning at 3:00 a.m. and felt called to the Siddha Yoga path website, where I selected the link for Deepavali 2025 and read Gurumayi’s poem “The Flame of Auspicious Intention.” This poem brought me hope and comfort. It removed my fear of darkness and left in its place the warm embrace of light. It brought me to the present moment in all its beauty. I shall read and reread Gurumayi’s teachings, studying them and planting them in my heart. 

I am uplifted.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful for Gurumayi’s words, which encourage me not to panic when faced with life’s challenges. This enlightening poem reminds me that I have the dignity and inner strength to transform challenges into “row after row of gleaming lamps.”

This image will accompany me from now on when I sit down to meditate, so that during the day my mind will be able to find the “brilliant sparks” of light within my thoughts.

Leipzig, Germany

Gurumayi’s poem resonates deeply, inviting me to explore my heart’s depths. Her words describing “the golden flame entering my being” awaken my soul, reminding me of the eternal struggle between light and darkness. For me, the flame’s purifying touch symbolizes transformation, urging me to transcend ego-driven conditioning. 

I see the poem as a mirror, reflecting my journey toward spiritual growth and self-realization. As I ponder its meaning, I’m reminded to trust the inner flame’s wisdom, and to let go of fear and doubt while cultivating qualities like compassion and self-awareness. 

Filled with gratitude, I embody the light that I seek, embracing love, peace, and devotion. The flame’s radiance illuminates my path, guiding me toward inner transformation and growth.

Ratlam, India

Upon reading Shri Gurumayi’s words at the very end of this poem—“May my life to be a true testimony to God’s light”—I felt empowered to be the “true me.” I was inspired to be the best I can be and to see the best in others.

I feel that Shri Gurumayi has unlocked a special door in my heart, so I can see and experience the world as God’s divine white light!

St. Laurent, Canada

When I read the title of Gurumayi’s poem, “The Flame of Auspicious Intention,” I was touched by the word “intention.” And as I read further, where Gurumayi ji says, ” Light each lamp with your resolute intention,” it touched me a lot! Each year we light so many lamps for Deepavali, and Gurumayi’s words inspire me to light them mindfully. For sure, on this Deepavali, I will light each and every lamp with an intention and will meditate on the prayer given by Shri Gurumayi. 

Shubh Deepavali to all the Siddha Yogis around the world.

Bengaluru, India

I am extremely grateful to Gurumayi ji for giving me strength and inspiration through this beautiful poem. I feel that Gurumayi’s words and intention in this poem are guiding me toward a new direction in life through the power of light and prayer. I am also grateful for Gurumayi’s design concept; I visualized the lotus from this poem during my meditation.

Farrukhabad, India

Gurumayi’s poem empowers me to remember that no matter how deep or influential the forces of darkness are, I am free to choose my own path, my own state, and to follow the grace and guidance of my beloved Gurumayi. May the light I carry in my heart continue to shine brighter and brighter. May all my words, thoughts, and actions be filled with the light of grace.

West Vancouver, Canada

I am very grateful to Gurumayi for giving us this liberating poem and the blessings it contains.

I will take the time to read “The Flame of Auspicious Intention” again and again, to absorb Gurumayi’s uplifting words into my being and immerse myself in what I think of as “the world of light.”

This world of light transcends the duality of good and bad and bestows true peace. I feel that this world of light is my true home and the destination of my aspirations.

Konolfingen, Switzerland

I have always been drawn to the seva of waving the arati tray in worship of Shri Guru and the divine light within. As I contemplate this poem and prayer by Gurumayi, I am mindful of the sacredness of that light. 

It is this sacredness that I will call forth again and again as I carry out my daily intention to honor this prayer and allow my light to shine.

Virginia, United States

One of the most exquisite parts of the poem for me is the prayer. This statement stood out in particular—

“May my speech reflect the sheetalata, the soothing coolness, of my auspicious intentions.”

Being a native Hindi speaker, I know how rich in meaning the word sheetalata is, and I was inspired to discover its many facets. Sheetalata is the feeling of coolness we seek in the intense summer’s heat in India—be it under a shady tree or in cool spaces indoors. And what comes with this outward feeling of sheetalata is the feeling of calm and restfulness within. Sheetalata is a quality that evokes kindness, gentleness, and sweetness. A sheetal or cool mind allows one to be discerning in every situation, instead of giving in to the heated emotions of the moment. A person who embodies sheetalata is steady, always exercises agency, and takes responsibility.

I realized that I must be constantly vigilant about my thoughts and my words, so they reflect the quality of sheetalata, so that my speech is kind and soothing to others. With this expanded understanding of sheetalata, I meditated specifically on this part of the prayer. As I did, I experienced a deep stillness inside, and a feeling of contentment permeated my being. Gratitude to Gurumayi ji welled up inside me for this blessing.

California, United States