Viewing the Nature Gallery has become a practice in itself. I sit down, relax, and focus. And, as with any practice, over time I’m making new discoveries. I feel as if I’m viewing the world with new eyes, a more refined, sensitive vision.
Now, no matter how busy I am at my desk, I also make time every day to go outside and be in nature. When I’m in the city, there are trees and lovely ferns. Even the weeds sparkle with life. Yesterday I was stopped in my tracks by three small, bright red trees in front of the parking lot of an industrial building. I am noticing beauty everywhere.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for the abundance of this website.
Massachusetts, USA
To see these pictures is like a meditation for me. As I watch these beautiful images, they automatically dissolve any unwanted images or thoughts I might have. They bring happiness and peace and a sense of inner glory to my mind.
Thank you very much.
Nasik, India
Starting my day in the office by looking at these beautiful pictures fills my day with beauty, lightheartedness, tenderness, a positive outlook, and thankfulness.
Cologne, Germany
The last photo reminds me of the gates of heaven.
a nine-year-old Siddha Yogi from California, USA
Sometimes I click through the pictures in the Nature Gallery rather quickly, trying to fit them into my busy day. However, yesterday, I just clicked the arrow to play the slideshow, became aware of my posture and breathing, softened my eyes, and settled in. I watched the pictures go by outside the bounds of time. Nice. Then I went back to work.
I awoke last night seeing the slideshow in my mind's eye, and the thought arose: "The Ashram is the body of the Guru."
I'd often read Baba's book,
Ashram Dharma, in which he writes, "There is no distinction between a holy place and its presiding saint." Now I understood these words in a fresh, less conceptual, more experiential way. In the Nature Gallery, seeing the Ashram clothed in autumnal saffron-to-orangey robes, I recognized the Guru's qualities of
shri: beauty and abundance, dignity and nobility. And through this twenty-first century web-supported form of
darshan, I recognized these qualities in myself as well. And then I went back to sleep, with a gentle
shri-like smile.
Massachusetts, USA
We have had beautiful sunny autumn days here in Zurich. As I look at the pictures of autumn taken at Shree Muktananda Ashram, the images I see on the website seem to merge with the images I see at home.
Contemplating further, I realize that I’ve been learning to see the world I live in with the reverence and admiration that arise within me when I look at the Nature Gallery. Being on the Siddha Yoga path is changing my perspective so that I can better see the beauty of this world!
Zurich, Switzerland
When I first looked at all of the pictures, I sort of just scanned through them. Now, as I look back at them, I actually know that there is a story for each and every picture, whether it is some leaves on the ground or a big majestic deer. For example, the beautiful autumn trees with all of their pretty colors represent how nature can create its own artwork, almost as if nature itself was painting. Or the picture of the squirrel, holding the nut in its tiny, adorable paws—that might represent how all animals really work hard in order to survive.
I am very glad to have noticed this, because even though I thought the pictures were pretty the first time I looked at them, I still wouldn’t have noticed their meaning.
a nine-year-old Siddha Yogi from New York, USA
I was beholding the parade of photos, brilliant and exhilarating with fall colors, when I was drawn to one in particular. Although I first saw the brilliantly colored trees on the right side of the picture, the less visible and lightly colored evergreen on the left side truly arrested my attention.
Something about that tree reminded me of myself. I tend to be a quiet person, and I feel I am often not noticed when I’m with more outgoing people. The evergreen in this photo reminded me that I am fine the way I am, like the tree.
Alaska, USA
Verse 71 of
Shri Guru Gita begins with these words: "Salutations to Shri Guru, who pervades this entire world…" And as I viewed the Mahasamadhi Nature Gallery, there was Baba, beautifully expressing himself in the trees, the colors, the reflections, the clouds, the exquisite flowers.
As each image appeared, my heart expanded more and more to embrace the perfection of Baba and this world. With Baba's grace and these photos, I could not miss how this amazing slideshow connected me to my own heart.
Thank you, Baba.Thank you, Gurumayi.
California, USA
Verse 71 of
Shri Guru Gita begins with these words: "Salutations to Shri Guru, who pervades this entire world…" And as I viewed the Mahasamadhi Nature Gallery, there was Baba, beautifully expressing himself in the trees, the colors, the reflections, the clouds, the exquisite flowers.
As each image appeared, my heart expanded more and more to embrace the perfection of Baba and this world. With Baba's grace and these photos, I could not miss how this amazing slideshow connected me to my own heart.
Thank you, Baba.Thank you, Gurumayi.
California, USA
Dazzling, astonishing, exquisite, playful—the best words are falling short now. They no longer capture my heart’s response to these photos.
I see Baba in each image—his colors, his delight, his breath-taking radiance. What a perfect celebration of Baba’s Mahasamadhi! In each photo, from the glory of a vast, colored panorama, to shining, tiny beads of dew on the lace of a spider’s web, I can feel Baba saying “I am here! I am with you!”
Melbourne, Australia
Living in New York City, I forget that these gorgeous colors are already blazing bright in Shree Muktananda Ashram! Each spectacular photo took me deeper into my heart until my tender longing for Baba drew tears.
Though I never met Baba in his physical form, Baba comes to me every day during meditation and my
japa walks with his laughter, love, and joyous inspiration for my
sadhana. Such blessings! Baba’s blessings.
New York, USA
Autumn leaves sing their colors, chanting Baba’s glory. They burn the brightest and most radiantly, even as they offer themselves to the earth’s cycle of ending and renewal—shining most beautifully as they, in their giving, let go.
New York, USA.
These images of the Mahasamadhi Nature Gallery are breathtaking! Each image is a meditation in itself. While watching it, I am taken into a space of utter silence and stillness, beauty, and grace.
Großkarolinenfeld, Germany
I did not meet Baba physically. I've always experienced Baba as the blazing, transformative energy of fire. Many pivotal meditation experiences in my
sadhana have involved Baba's love and the image of fire. I recall these experiences often to give me courage and strength to move ahead.
The photos in the Mahasamadhi Nature Gallery evoke these meditation experiences for me so profoundly. They give tangible form to my experiences.
California, USA
Thank you for sharing these shots of Lake Nityananda and the way autumn is unfolding there. The colors of the leaves, the reflections in the water, and the mystical mist on the surface of the lake as day breaks remind me to honor the beauty throughout nature and within my own being!
Pennsylvania, USA
I’m so grateful for the image of the rainbow as we begin Baba’s month. It symbolizes grace to me.
Recently, I was visiting my elderly mother who is moving into an independent living community after 35 years in her present home. I noticed myself adopting some of her worries about the transition. Later, when I sat to meditate, I saw a rainbow stretching from her current home to her new one. I felt that we were both supported by grace and that the transition would be a graceful one.
Thank you to those who capture these divine images and to those who post them for us.
Kentucky, USA
This is the most sublime sky! These pictures take me on a journey to love and freedom. They convey the immensity of God’s blessings.
Thank you, dear Gurumayi, for this gift that sets my heart on fire.
New York, USA
Each photo in this gallery reminds me of Baba Muktananda. I had
darshan of Baba in the colors, shades, serenity, beauty, vibrancy, and playfulness of each photo. I felt as if Baba embraced me with the saffron color in nature.
I experience love and gratitude to Baba and Gurumayi.
Thank you to all the sevites who sent this to all of us around the world so we can have
darshan of Baba!
Gurudev Siddha Peeth