I have been thinking about darshan a lot since the satsang in honor of Mahashivaratri because of this delightful story that Gurumayi told. Where I live, it is easy to walk everywhere, so I spend a lot of time walking. Lately, I have been thinking of my walks as an opportunity to take a walk with Gurumayi, and this awareness of darshan has uplifted my experience of walking to one of “magnified auspiciousness.” I realized that I can invite Gurumayi to be with me at any time, in any moment, and while doing anything, and that, when I do this, I will feel a palpable shift in my awareness and a lightness of being. All I need to do is remember to “book” that experience.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

I truly love the story of the little girl who wanted to “book darshan” with Gurumayi. Young children are such beautiful teachers. Recently I have “booked darshan” with Gurumayi first thing every morning by writing and reading and repeating her Message for 2026. Memorizing is always a challenge for me, but because of my daily darshan with Gurumayi, it is becoming easier for me to remember the words of the Message. And now I experience how alive and active the Message is in my everyday life.

The little girl was right. “Booking darshan” is a necessity in sadhana.

California, United States

I am grateful for this wonderful conversation of discovery on the Siddha Yoga path website, inspired by Gurumayi’s teachings on Mahashivaratri regarding the incredible practice of the Guru’s darshan. My daily practice of darshan changed dramatically when my family was blessed with a murti of Bhagavan Nityananda. Offering Bade Baba food, flowers, lights, and fragrant baths is so very sweet and nurturing for me. It has brought our meditation room alive with grace. At times it feels like a portal has opened into the Bhagavan Nityananda Temple in Shree Muktananda Ashram—Bade Baba and Gurumayi’s love, wisdom, guidance, and blessings flow so freely. We are truly blessed.

California, United States

When I am with my fellow Siddha Yogis, I often hear intriguing stories about Gurumayi. It seems that most of the people I know who practice Siddha Yoga have been with Gurumayi in person at one point or other, and I have not. At first, I felt deprived of this divine experience. However, soon I realized that, as I listen with rapt attention to the experiences of my fellow Siddha Yogis, I am able see their experiences unfold in minute detail, as if these events were taking place before my very eyes. And that is when I realized that I am receiving the Guru’s blessed darshan. I feel that Gurumayi heard my deep wish and is giving me darshan through these stories.

I also experience that I am receiving Gurumayi’s darshan through her teachings and through seeing the different ways she relates to people and circumstances. I am grateful for Gurumayi’s benevolence in giving me darshan in different ways.

Indore, India

For many years my husband and I have developed the practice of pausing on the landing of our stairs, where a very large photo of Baba is mounted in a golden frame. We gaze into Baba’s very alive eyes, let go of everything as we chant Om, and listen to the vibration. I feel Baba’s power throughout my being and feel that my state becomes one with his. My mind is “reset” and I experience a feeling that I’ve come home once again. This practice is delicious and intoxicating for me! Over time, various locations in our home have become dedicated “reset” locations. My dream is to hold this state every minute of the day and night!

After reading Eesha’s lovely commentary, I realized that, yes, I’ve been “booking darshan”!

Washington, United States

Throughout every day and into each night, I am aware of Gurumayi’s presence. I love to silently converse with her—thanking her, pointing out a beautiful moment in nature, or repeating the mantra.

I was curious about the concept of “booking darshan.” How would that be different for me? I decided to choose a time for this when, for a short while, I am usually alone. This morning, I had my first darshan appointment. It did feel different. I entered a space where Gurumayi was seated. We were surrounded by light, and the feelings I experienced were love and clarity. It seemed to be a timeless space, and it filled my heart. I emerged energized and happy. I am looking forward to tomorrow’s “booking.”

Hampton, Australia

I too felt touched by the innocence and purity reflected in the story of the seven-year-old girl who asked her parents whether darshan had already been “booked,” and by Gurumayi’s intriguing question, “Why not?”

After reading Eesha’s exposition on it, I realized that in a very specific way, I have been receiving Gurumayi’s darshan every day. I have even “booked” it on my calendar. Each morning at 7:00 a.m., my calendar entry reads: “Kundalini Stavaha.” At that time, I play and recite the beautiful recording of this sacred text, which is available through the Siddha Yoga Bookstore and as a digital recording. There are four tracks: first, Gurumayi sings the exquisite invocation and exaltation of Shri Kundalini; then an audio translation; then an accompaniment track with piano and flute when it is my turn to chant; and finally, an assimilation track for silent self-reflection.

Through this daily practice of studying, chanting, and reflecting on the experience provided by Kundalini Stavaha, I plan for and have darshan of the Guru’s unwavering presence in my heart, and her blessings, every day.

New York, United States

I recently had an experience of making a conscious effort to “magnify auspiciousness,” which led to an experience of darshan of the Lord. My husband and I hiked to the top of a beautiful hill upon which stood a majestic, old oak tree. We spent some time enjoying the sweeping views and then were planning to hike back down.

But I felt a longing to experience something more. So I suggested we pause and connect more deeply. I nestled myself in the fold of some low branches of the oak tree. The sun was setting, and we began to recite the Surya Gayatri mantra. As we recited, I truly felt I was having darshan of the Lord. It seemed like there was a beam of light from the sun shining directly onto me.

I realized that because I had paused and made this effort to have darshan, God’s presence had become so palpable, as though it were directly reaching toward me and I was experiencing it within my being. As I reflected on the experience, I felt “This is ‘magnifying auspiciousness’!”

California, United States

My “appointment” for darshan comes each morning as I enter meditation. I mentally ask Gurumayi what my focus for meditation should be for that day, and I hear Gurumayi’s voice inwardly guiding me to a particular focus. As I follow Gurumayi’s guidance and begin to focus on the mantra, the breath, the inner column of light, or another focus, I begin to feel that I am merging with Gurumayi, that we are one loving consciousness. Often, I am so filled with gratitude that I mentally place my head at the Guru’s feet. It feels like I am having Gurumayi’s physical darshan.

Massachusetts, United States

For me, darshan is to be in the presence of the divine and to experience the divinity, love, grace, and compassion of my Shri Gurumayi.

It is so beautiful to schedule darshan every day and have personal time with my sweet Guru. I can offer her garlands, delicious meals, fruits, sweets, dakshina. I can also offer puja and arati, offer pranam and sit at her feet, and listen to what she wants to tell me for the day.

After receiving her blessings, I can carry on my day with joy and happiness, approaching what is presented before me with enthusiasm and fresh energy. At the end of the day, expressing my heartfelt gratitude and wishing Gurumayi a good night bring a smile to my being.

Oakville, Canada

Like that seven-year-old girl, I too have never had Gurumayi ji’s physical darshan; I only heard stories about it from my father. For a long time, I believed that having the physical presence of the Guru in one’s life was very important. Because of that belief, a thought often arose within me: Why am I unable to receive the darshan of Gurumayi?

This question had been swirling in my mind for a few days. Then today when I opened the website, I read “Meditation on Gurumayi’s Words: Booking Darshan,” and somehow it felt as if Gurumayi ji knew exactly what I had been thinking and what was going on in my mind—and she answered my question.

I had never imagined looking at darshan from this perspective: to find the Guru’s presence within the heart. At that moment, something within me opened to a new dimension. I realized that this very darshan, which I once believed could only mean the physical presence of the Guru, can also be experienced within the heart at every moment.

Wardha, India

For a long time now, I have made it a habit to think of God and the Guru before falling asleep in the warm, dark silence of my bedroom. It is my intention and my goal to feel and experience the presence of my Guru and God. In the broadest sense, I could say that I “book” a regular appointment.

I often begin by expressing my gratitude. Sometimes I begin by offering flowers, or I simply remember a moment when I met Gurumayi in person. But I always open my heart and let it breathe. It is a very sacred time for me, which I look forward to every evening and prepare for through prior meditation to purify and calm my mind.

Konolfingen, Switzerland

Eesha’s invitation to contemplate “booking darshan” connects me to my deepest longings. I came to my first Shaktipat Intensive with one wish, “To see the beauty of my own soul.” I have no idea where this phrase arose from, but even as I write it now, tears spring to my eyes.

I arrived at Shree Muktananda Ashram late at night and, after registering, I went outside to catch the shuttle, all the while repeating inwardly, “I just want to see the beauty of my own soul.”

The August air was humid and warm as I stepped out into the night, and right then, Gurumayi rounded the corner driving a golf cart and looked right at me. Her gaze pierced me, and that was all I needed.

Off she sped, and I stood there, tears streaming down my cheeks, full of my own beauty, full of God, full of the Guru. With that one glance, everything happened. I was home. When I consider it now, the tears of recognition are the same—darshan in my own heart.

Massachusetts, United States

I loved this piece about “booking darshan” and its questions at the end. On reflection, I realized I sometimes “book darshan” unconsciously. This happened recently as I kept dipping into Gurumayi’s books, searching for a teaching to bring into the satsang on her Message for 2026 that we are planning to hold in the Siddha Yoga meditation center. The search kept me reading more and more deeply, saturating myself in the Guru’s words.

That night I had a dream in which I was experiencing darshan with Gurumayi. I was sitting in a grassy place in her presence. We were still, and I felt bathed in her love and a feeling of acceptance.

A dream like this is a rare gift, and a great blessing. Suddenly I realized I had “booked” it through my immersion in Gurumayi’s teachings. This enabled me to answer the question about what darshan means to me—it is coming so close to my Guru that I become one with her. This was the gift of my offering of seva, and it brought a feeling of deep peace and contentment.

Auckland, New Zealand

Listening to Eesha’s words, I found myself feeling open and tender as I recognized the truth in what she was speaking about.

Over the past nine months, my experience of darshan has changed since it was pointed out to me that we come before the Guru to “receive” the Guru’s darshan. There was something about the word receive that opened me to a whole new experience of darshan.

I now go before my puja altar, or Gurumayi’s chair in the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Sydney, with no expectation other than an unwavering knowing that I am receiving Gurumayi’s darshan in my heart. My experience has been that I am filled with qualities such as peace, light, divine confidence, love, warmth, or bliss. I have noticed that the gift of darshan blesses my day as I am able to share my state with others as I go about my day.

I look forward to setting aside additional times during the day to receive the Guru’s darshan. Reading and listening to “Booking Darshan” has kindled my longing to deepen my practice of receiving darshan.

Sydney, Australia

When Gurumayi told this story, I remembered an experience from the first time I visited Gurudev Siddha Peeth in 1983. At this time, you could actually “book” a darshan with Gurumayi! There was a little notebook in the office where you could write your name under a particular day.

I waited at the back of Baba’s house after lunch with five other people. One by one we were called in to Baba’s house to have darshan with Gurumayi. I was so nervous, but Gurumayi showered me with love.

She asked me, “Do you love yourself?” I said, “Sometimes, Gurumayi.” She said “Love yourself all the time… and don’t worry.” I gazed into her eyes—they seemed to go on into infinity, and I felt the same space expand within me. I felt so full.

Whenever I recall this darshan, I receive the experience of it again. It feels like part of me. So, when I think of “booking darshan” with Gurumayi, I know that my longing will be heard and answered.

Leichhardt, Australia

I experienced a feeling of melting into Gurumayi’s heart-presence while listening to this loving “Meditation on Gurumayi’s Words” tonight. In this melting, there seemed to be one powerful and loving inner awareness—and the magic of darshan was able to manifest.

I also absolutely love the freedom to “book” darshan and make darshan a practice! What a great freedom this is, and I plan to explore it!

Florida, United States

The child inquiring about a darshan booking was very sweet, and I, like others, laughed. Later it occurred to me that we all had a booking to be in the presence of beloved Gurumayi in the Siddha Yoga Universal Hall, and we have another wonderful booking coming in April. “Why not?” indeed!

Woollamia, Australia

Knowing I can “book” darshan with Gurumayi any time I go within, I wish to embrace this knowledge by making time for meditation, and to approach all the Siddha Yoga practices with the exuberance and innocence of the seven-year-old girl whom Eesha writes of in her “Meditation on Gurumayi’s Words.”

Warrnambool, Australia