Swami Muktananda’s Divya Diksha

Each time I read in his autobiograpy the chapter describing Baba's divya diksha, I feel his experience within my own self, and I feel Baba's presence within.
 
Thank you so much, Baba!

Jalgaon, India

Listening to Baba’s words describing the moment when Bade Baba spread the holy blue shawl over him brought tears to my eyes.
 
I remembered an experience I had of darshan with Gurumayi in which she placed upon my shoulders a beautiful deep blue meditation shawl.
 
I feel that in the “Be in the Temple” satsangs, each and every one of us is being lovingly wrapped in the shawl of the Guru’s protection.
 

London, United Kingdom

Listening to Baba’s experience with Bade Baba, I was reminded of my own shaktipat experience with Gurumayi. In October 1992, on the first day of my first visit to Shree Muktananda Ashram, I saw Gurumayi. I was very near her, and she turned and looked into my eyes. I saw a ray of light coming from her eyes to my eyes. Since then, my life has been totally transformed, and I have the conviction that this is my true path.
 

Eastbourne, East Sussex, United Kingdom

What a glorious blessing—Baba’s Divya Diksha Day! The soft shower that gently fell on Baba that day has become a river of blessings that has flowed down to us in a magnificent waterfall, cascading abundantly into our hearts!
 
During meditation I found myself in a circle with my Gurus—Bhagavan Nityananda, Baba Muktananda, and Gurumayi Chidvilasananda. We were sitting on the floor in a circle in lotus posture, all holding hands. In the center of the circle was a candle and Bade Baba’s padukas with a flower on them. I was expressing my gratitude to my Gurus and sharing some of my concerns for my family and the world. They listened and let me know I could always return there to be with them and share my thoughts and aspirations. I felt so supported and uplifted!
 

Georgia, United States

Baba’s Divya Diksha Day is my favorite day. I first visited Gurudev Siddha Peeth on this day in 1997. Each year, I often serve as a visiting sevite at Gurudev Siddha Peeth around this time, but this year I was not able to do so.

I longed to be there so, in my heart, I traveled to Gurudev Siddha Peeth. I awoke early and followed the Ashram Daily Schedule in my home in Pune. I sang the Morning Arati, imagining myself in the Bade Baba Temple. Then I meditated, visualizing myself in Baba’s Samadhi Shrine. As I meditated, I saw Bade Baba with a huge cobra. I experienced a little fear, but I remembered that Bade Baba was with me, and fearlessness arose.

Thank you, Gurumayi, Baba, and Bade Baba, for your grace and abundance in my life.
 

Pune, India

I usually silently read Baba’s account of his initiation every year on August 15. This year, instead of reading it myself, I listened to Swami Akhandananda’s reading on the website. I was amazed to find that there was a quality in listening that I’d not experienced by reading.

As I listened to Swami ji, I felt myself becoming quieter, more serene and focused. The effect was soothing and meditative.
 

New York, USA

Montreal, Canada

This excerpt describing Baba's initiation is a great blessing for me whenever I can read or listen to it.
 
I received Baba's grace through one of his photos, and the impact on me was unbelievable at that time. I felt one with him, and also with everything around me. I felt I understood everything as one perfect creation. Thank you so much for offering us this priceless account that connects me again with my shaktipat experience 34 years ago.
 

Les Trois Ilets, Martinique

As I read Swami ji's delightful exposition, I was especially moved by Baba's experience: "I had an intuition of the One in the many, and I lost the ordinary mind that differentiates between the inner and the outer world..." 
 
Each day as I meditate, chant, and contemplate my experiences and the Siddha Yoga teachings, glimpses of this experience arise. I understand the greatness of divya diksha, divine initiation.
 

New Jersey, USA

For decades, I have held the account of Baba’s divya diksha in my heart as a most precious treasure.  Each time I read it, I am filled with love for Baba.  

When I read this account, I feel transported in time and space. I remember Baba vividly, and his presence fills my heart.
 

Ohio, USA

This morning upon waking I was drawn outdoors. A breeze wafted gently, and the air was dense with the refreshing scent of a steady, generous rain. Baba’s words spontaneously arose in me:”…the most auspicious of all auspicious days.” Gratitude welled up from deep inside, and I went to my puja to offer dakshina and incense.
 
As I drove to school with my daughter, she read her favorite paragraph from Play of Consciousness. I could feel Baba’s shakti and grace, his leonine strength, his unwavering delight, and his vast love. I could see my daughter’s face shining radiantly with Baba’s love.
 
Today again, as if for the first time, I’m in awe reading Baba’s account of receiving shaktipat diksha from Bhagavan Nityananda. Each moment of Baba’s account is so full that I need to pause and contemplate to apprehend just a fraction of its profound meaning and its significance for my sadhana.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, Baba, and Bade Baba for the priceless gift of the Siddha Yoga path.
 

Geelong West, Australia

As I read this passage, I have a vivid image of this sacred scene. The beautiful old photographs evoke the atmosphere of the time on the small spot of earth where this wondrous event happened.
 
Today I offered a special puja, and I was overflowing with gratitude to Bhagavan Nityananda for Baba's divya diksha, because this made possible my own shaktipat diksha from Baba. I felt such warmth in my heart towards Baba for granting me the incomparable blessing of shaktipat. The initiation that Baba bestowed on me felt like the beginning of a new life, a spiritual awakening from darkness.
 
I pranam again and again before our Gurus with the greatest love and thankfulness.
 

Kilsby, United Kingdom

It is always joyful to read this excerpt from Play of Consciousness. As I read, I remember and experience Baba appearing to me in my first Siddha Yoga meditation session.
 
Through the years Baba's teachings have been my solace and my support. When I read Baba’s words, I feel uplifted and blessed. His teachings fill me with a strength and confidence that enhance my every action.
 
Always and ever I am grateful and blessed to pranam at the feet of the Guru.
 

Modiin, Israel

Very early this morning I was awakened from a half slumber by what sounded like a loud knock. I knew no one was at my door, and that the sound was significant — a call to action of some kind. I remembered the date, and the word freedom immediately sprang to mind. I felt a sense of profound gratitude to Gurumayi, Baba, and Bade Baba. I would not be who I am or where I am but for their divine grace.
 
When I read Baba’s account of his divya diksha, his words evoked a powerful inner experience, and I felt so much joy.
 

Beccles, United Kingdom

I love reading Baba's account of how he received Bade Baba's sandals, and about his bhav of total humility and discipleship. As I read, I remembered a practice I have developed which inspires similar feelings in me.
 
With deep reverence, I offer a manasa puja, a mental worship, to Baba. I imagine that I am entering Baba's Samadhi Shrine. Then, after walking around the Samadhi Shrine repeating Baba's name, I see myself sitting for meditation. By offering this manasa puja, I experience a lot of stillness in my heart and deep joy.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi. Thank you, Baba. Thank you Bade Baba. Thank you for awakening in me this loving expression of deep devotion for you. It is because of your grace that I have become aware and alive with these wonderful feelings.
 

Pune, India