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Today, while chanting the mantra Om Namah Shiva in the Shuddha Bilaval raga, I perceived the music as generous waves of a joyful river, its flow guided by Gurumayi’s voice. These waters were running over the earth, carrying their blessings and graciously leaving behind some most-needed healing, regeneration, and joy. At the end of this wonderful chant, I felt very grateful and at peace because I knew that these blessings upon our Mother Earth are real and have a deep and beneficial impact on our world.
Quebec, Canada
This morning as I chanted this chant with Gurumayi, I heard these words from within: “There is no separation. We are always together.”
California, United States
Tonight I chanted the mantra with Gurumayi as I made dinner, and memories of offering seva in the kitchen at the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Boston floated up, filling my heart with so much sweetness. Enjoying a cup of tea, I looked out my top floor apartment window and felt my heart expand as I chanted to the trees, and then to the Boston skyline and the airplanes flying out of Logan Airport with their blinking lights. I chanted to a lost love who lives nearby, I chanted until I felt it was all a part of me and I was a part of it. I felt so grateful for all of it, for my life, my Guru, losses, gains, the company of trees near my window, and the sounds of cars going by. It was all alive with love, and even though I live alone, in that moment I didn’t feel alone. I offered the chant to all of it, and all of it loved me back.
I am grateful to Gurumayi for opening me to the one love that is in everything.
I am grateful to Gurumayi for opening me to the one love that is in everything.
Massachusetts, United States
I often listen to the Om Namah Shivaya mantra in this raga before going to bed. I experience so much calm and peace, and afterwards I have the most restful sleep. When I wake up, the chant is still playing within me.
This raga instantly connects me to my inner stillness! It is also my best companion during my walks in nature.
This raga instantly connects me to my inner stillness! It is also my best companion during my walks in nature.
Mumbai, India
As I listened to the Om Namah Shivaya mantra in this raga, I was transported to a universe that exists in the depth of my own self.
I felt the syllables of the mantra were assuming different shapes as they vibrated in my heart. I felt the mantra, which has been repeated countless times by our Siddha Gurus, was manifesting its power within me.
At that moment I had the awareness that I should never feel alone, because my Guru is always with me in the form of the mantra.
I felt the syllables of the mantra were assuming different shapes as they vibrated in my heart. I felt the mantra, which has been repeated countless times by our Siddha Gurus, was manifesting its power within me.
At that moment I had the awareness that I should never feel alone, because my Guru is always with me in the form of the mantra.
Macerata, Italy
Today, although I am not participating physically in the Shaktipat Intensive 2023, I chanted Om Namah Shivaya. As I chanted, I held the intention of chanting with deep honor to the God who “dwells within me as me,” and infused it into the sound that I created while chanting. I envisioned it as a sacred offering within myself.
This was an incredible experience. I felt awe and deep respect for the powerful, palpable presence I became aware of within me. Yet moments of anxiety and fear also arose in different parts of my body. All I could do was keep chanting while holding my intention and enfolding the anxiety in my love. That turned out to be a good choice as this quelled the sensation of anxiety.
Now as I write this share while listening to the chant, the powerful presence remains with me, embodying the truth of Baba’s teaching: “God dwells within you as you.”
This was an incredible experience. I felt awe and deep respect for the powerful, palpable presence I became aware of within me. Yet moments of anxiety and fear also arose in different parts of my body. All I could do was keep chanting while holding my intention and enfolding the anxiety in my love. That turned out to be a good choice as this quelled the sensation of anxiety.
Now as I write this share while listening to the chant, the powerful presence remains with me, embodying the truth of Baba’s teaching: “God dwells within you as you.”
Texas, United States
I first heard the mantra Om Namah Shivaya in the Shuddha Bilaval raga at my first Siddha Yoga satsang nearly four decades ago. It opened up a new path before me, and I took my first step onto it.
Today in meditation, I listened to the mantra in this raga and then continued to repeat it silently to myself. Suddenly the image of a path cutting through a forest with dense trees emerged in my mind’s eye. I experienced the dense trees as the fluctuations of my mind and the mantra as the path that cuts through them, leading to the Self.
Contemplating this experience, I realize that the mantra opens up a new path in my mind and in my life when I give myself to it fully, whether in listening, chanting, or repeating it inwardly. That’s how powerful an effect Om Namah Shivaya in the Shuddha Bilaval raga can have on me. That’s why I love it so much and pledge to be even more conscious in my attunement to this sacred friend.
Today in meditation, I listened to the mantra in this raga and then continued to repeat it silently to myself. Suddenly the image of a path cutting through a forest with dense trees emerged in my mind’s eye. I experienced the dense trees as the fluctuations of my mind and the mantra as the path that cuts through them, leading to the Self.
Contemplating this experience, I realize that the mantra opens up a new path in my mind and in my life when I give myself to it fully, whether in listening, chanting, or repeating it inwardly. That’s how powerful an effect Om Namah Shivaya in the Shuddha Bilaval raga can have on me. That’s why I love it so much and pledge to be even more conscious in my attunement to this sacred friend.
California, United States
Tonight I chanted the mantra Om Namah Shivaya in this sweet and tender raga for forty-five minutes. I was surprised at how quickly the time went by. It was as if I had entered a stillness beyond time, where my inner being felt deeply nourished. Afterward, I felt rejuvenated and full of love.
I am grateful for the gift of this enlivened mantra, which awakens me. I am grateful for this simple yet powerful means to worship and enter the Heart.
I am grateful for the gift of this enlivened mantra, which awakens me. I am grateful for this simple yet powerful means to worship and enter the Heart.
Warrnambool, Australia
As I listened to the Om Namah Shivaya mantra in this raga, I was transported to a universe that exists in the depth of my own self.
I felt the syllables of the mantra were assuming different shapes as they vibrated in my heart. I felt the mantra, which has been repeated countless times by our Siddha Gurus, was manifesting its power within me.
At that moment I had the awareness that I should never feel alone, because my Guru is always with me in the form of the mantra.
I felt the syllables of the mantra were assuming different shapes as they vibrated in my heart. I felt the mantra, which has been repeated countless times by our Siddha Gurus, was manifesting its power within me.
At that moment I had the awareness that I should never feel alone, because my Guru is always with me in the form of the mantra.
Macerata, Italy
Being able to chant the mantra Om Namah Shivaya, and in the Shuddha Bilaval raga, allows me to enter the most sacred sanctum sanctorum. I am forever grateful for this blessing from Bade Baba, Baba, and Gurumayi.
Mexico City, Mexico