I can’t say which is more captivating to me: the prayer or the shares about the prayer. As I read the share writers’ experiences, I feel a resonance with every one of them, the vibrations of longing plucking my heart like the strings of a tamboura. So often I feel singular in my yearning—so to read about the mystical connections so many have with this prayer, with Gurumayi, with memories held for years that fuel meditation and devotion, reminds me that we are a global community that is lighting up the world.
Rhode Island, United States
I love this prayer; it says it all in three short lines!
California, United States
This prayer, illustrated by a sunset landscape reflected in a lake, reveals to me the illusion of our transitory existence and the permanence of the divine presence. These words, which I can easily keep in my mind, are a prayer I can address to my Guru. They help me distance myself from the burdens of material existence and return me to the lightness of the heart. They protect me from stagnation and make me feel alive.
Rodez, France
For me, Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, brings about sweet remembrance of how Shri Gurumayi blessed my life with her light, love, and grace through
shaktipat.
From darkness to light!!
St. Laurent, Canada
Once, I had a dream in which I was walking with Gurumayi across some wild and rocky terrain, in a remote and beautiful wilderness. I was carrying a large book in my arms, the
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. The long Sanskrit title was unfamiliar to me, yet I remembered it clearly when I woke up.
For years I wondered, why
that Upanishad?
Reading this prayer now, I feel that my carrying the
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad in the dream symbolized the deepest longing of my heart, the deepest prayer. That I learned of this Upanishad in the dream, even before I came to know of it in the waking state, tells me that my heart already contains the answer to the prayer.
Arizona, United States
This morning, I was waiting at a stoplight when I noticed a deep longing arising in my heart. It was so strong that tears came to my eyes. “Dear Gurumayi,” I thought, “my heart longs to experience the love of which you speak.”
This prayer gives me words for the longing I feel. I am grateful being shown how to nurture my devotion with the practices and for being shown the way to my own heart. I offer gratitude on this auspicious day.
Florida, United States
In 1979, I was searching for a spiritual path. Even though I was not familiar with the Indian scriptures and had no clear idea of where my search would take me, I found this prayer during that period of searching. Something inside encouraged me to repeat it day after day for some time.
Soon, I met Baba. I had a strong feeling that my good fortune was connected to my repetition of this beautiful prayer.
New York, United States
Years ago, I heard Gurumayi recite this prayer in a talk. Since then, I've offered this prayer inwardly every morning. Finding it on the website, I feel Gurumayi's love, teachings, and protection spanning all those years.
New York, United States
When I read this prayer, I felt something very deep resonate within me. It brings me to a deeper meaning of the celebration of light. It gives me strength, and speaks to me about the divine power of transformation through which the light of grace illumines every aspect of myself and of my life.
This prayer expresses my longing to be deeply transformed by the light of the Self. When I read it, I also feel connected to all the seekers of all ages around the world.
Ramonville Saint Agne, France
This is such a beautiful prayer!
As I contemplated it, I realized that when my senses are focused outward, they are trying to find happiness outside, which is actually only a reflection of the Self. But this reflection is unreal, unstable, and mortal; even a small pebble can disturb it. The Guru guides me to focus within, where the Self is eternal, unwavering, and in the form of golden light.
This understanding fills me with self-confidence and joy that one day I will surely achieve the state of real, constant joy.
Thane, India
Reading the prayer, I remember that the Guru’s help is always with me. It is everywhere.
As I feel the words of the prayer with my heart, I can again see the light that has always existed in my life.
Naples, Italy
After reading the prayer, I realize that all the beautiful Siddha Yoga practices are a reflection of this beautiful prayer. Every time I chant, every time I recite
Shri Guru Gita, each moment I spend in meditation, every repetition of the mantra, each time I attend a Shaktipat Intensive, and every
pranam I make to my Guru is an expression of yearning from my heart, a prayer offered to Gurumayi that I may be led from the “unreal to the Real,” “from darkness to light,” and “from death to immortality.”
New York, United States