September
For years now, I have been in awe of the monthly “Siddha Yoga Namasankirtana” webpage. In the years before audio clips were available, I would be so happy if I had a recording of the chant to listen to, and sing, on that particular day. And now, whenever I visit the page and can listen to the music directly, I think, “What a gift! What a glorious gift from our beloved Sadguru!”
This page is such a boon, such a blessing! The grace in these recordings is palpable. I love the melodies Gurumayi has written for these namasankirtanas. I feel my heart’s response to each melody so deeply. Whether the melody is joyful, haunting, sweet, mellow, or very energetic, I am always moved.
New Jersey, United States
When I opened the Siddha Yoga path website yesterday morning and saw the namasankirtana of the day, Jay Jay Vitthala, I did not yet know that chanting it all day would fill me with such vigor and strength.
I had a busy day ahead of me, working on thoroughly cleaning the ceilings in my house. As I worked, I kept wondering where all the inexhaustible strength I felt was coming from. It wasn’t just my own; there was something greater in what was happening to me. Then I realized that chanting Jay Jay Vitthala and remembering its meaning was what sustained me until the evening.
When I looked at my house and all that I had accomplished, I felt a sense of great contentment and gratitude. Today, as I recall this experience, it brings back the enthusiasm I felt, and it shows me that, whenever I connect with the namasankirtana of the day, it is extremely powerful.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
Today started out in a very challenging way. I asked myself how I could overcome all the obstacles I was facing and find the joy and bliss within me.
I’m soon to turn seventy-eight-years old, and small challenges sometimes seem so large to me. Knowing that it was up to me to shift my experience and see the beauty in all things and situations, I went to the Siddha Yoga path website to chant the namasankirtana for today. I chanted until I felt a sense of calmness starting to fill me.
Then, I decided to listen to the mantra Om Namah Shivaya. So, I began to select every Om Namah Shivaya namasankirtana available for this month. As I listened, each version and raga resounded differently in my body and on my mood. I was bathed in Om Namah Shivaya.
I am full of gratitude for this path.
Texas, United States
Recently, when I opened the Siddha Yoga path website to the calendar with the daily namasankirtanas, I was delighted to find that the day’s chant was the mantra Om Namah Shivaya in the Shuddha Bilaval raga. I always really want to chant the mantra, which I do at various times throughout the day. On that day, as I chanted along with the recording, the sweet, profound melody warmed my heart and protected me from any negative thoughts clouding my mind.
Later that day, I picked up Gurumayi’s book The Yoga of Discipline and randomly opened to a page where Gurumayi spoke about how mantra repetition is a powerful tool “to purify the mind, speech, and actions.”
It was wonderful for me to see the synchronicity between my experience of chanting the mantra and reading Gurumayi’s words.
Naples, Italy
As I listen to and chant along with each namasankirtana, I feel the melodies, rhythms, and words weave into my being as the Guru’s grace expands into my heart. It is an experience of purifying energy.
Pennsylvania, United States
Another great day of chanting namasankirtanas! Playing and chanting Narayana, I feel Gurumayi’s grace as it carries me on waves of ecstasy and happiness.
Cancun, Mexico
How wonderful when May comes: the month of Baba, the joy of Baba, the namasankirtanas dedicated to Baba. Chanting Mere Baba Muktananda today, I feel my dear Baba even closer, as if he were welcoming me into his month. I honor Baba in his birthday month, and I feel my heart is so open to receive his love. How sweet it all is.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
It’s always been my favorite practice to participate in chants on a daily basis. Since yesterday was Shri Hanuman’s Jayanti, the joy was multiplied as my whole family enjoyed chanting Shriram Jay Ram in the Malkauns raga. We discussed our expectation that Shri Hanuman would surely come to our home on his birthday as he loves to listen to Lord Rama’s name chanted with devotion and love.
So, with full bliss we chanted together. The chant went on and on, the speed gradually increasing, and I felt Gurumayi’s profound presence with us during our chanting. After a silent pause, we sang the Shiva Arati. It was so blissful to make a sacred offering of a raw mango drink.
It was heartwarming to see my sixteen-year-old daughter chanting with so much joy, and my husband as he too chanted and clapped. Later I asked my daughter if she felt Shri Hanuman’s coming to our home, and she enthusiastically responded with a big “Yes!”
Dombivli, India
I wasn’t familiar with this raga and wanted to know its qualities so I went to the search box on the website and entered “Revati raga.” I was excited to find an explanation of the raga, contained within an introduction to a beautiful bhajan by Surdas called Vrikshana se Mati Le, or “Take Wisdom from the Trees.” It gave me some beautiful teachings about trees as well as about the qualities of the Revati raga.
The Siddha Yoga path website is a gem. I experience it as a portal of grace. Whenever I open the website, grace flows out to me!
North Carolina, United States
Now, thirty-one years later, this chant, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, never leaves my mind or my heart under any circumstances, even in the face of mental and material difficulties.
Miguel Pereira, Brazil
Today I chanted along with the recording and experienced some minutes of total bliss! I intend to connect to this bliss every single day by chanting the namasankirtanas posted here throughout the upcoming year.
Today for a moment while I was chanting, I could feel that everything around me is nothing but Lord Shiva, paratpara, the supreme Shiva, supporting me in all ways.
Dombivli, India
Experiencing this light of God immediately dissolves everything that weighs me down. Although I cannot physically touch this light of God with my body, I can nevertheless experience it through my body. To be always in this light of God represents both my deepest wish and my highest fulfillment. It is pure bliss and utmost joy.
Konolfingen, Switzerland
The chant Om Guru Jaya Guru holds a special place in my heart, for it illustrates to me the essence of Siddha Yoga philosophy. When I chant it, I am honoring Bade Baba, Baba ji, and Gurumayi and invoking their shakti and grace. In this way, I experience my own true nature, which is sat-chit-ananda—being, Consciousness, and bliss. Knowing my true nature leads me to having more ecstasy and joy in my life.
I am deeply grateful for this melodious and meaningful chant.
Lucknow, India
Through these namasankirtanas, I feel that we are receiving the compassion of Karunakara, one of the aspects of Lord Shiva to whom we sing in this chant.
North Carolina, United States
This memory takes me back to the Ashram and how many happy moments I experienced that summer. I will forever be grateful to Gurumayi for our first meeting, so full of gifts and riches.
Naples, Italy
When I came out of meditation, I felt privileged to have all this happiness and fulfillment in my life.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
Quebec, Canada
Chanting Om Namo Bhagavate Muktanandaya in the Mand raga takes me to the very core of my heart. In particular, it reminds me of a time when I chanted it in Gurudev Siddha Peeth with Gurumayi. It was in Guru Chowk during the Brahma muhurta, the sweet early hours of the morning. Thinking of that experience now still fills my being with shakti and a sense of great joy.
Lucknow, India
I was fascinated to learn about the different ragas and the moods they each invoke, and about setting an intention before I chant. With this guidance, after chanting for a time, I feel I become the chant. I feel the great Lord shine through me, and I become his essence and glory.
Now, I am especially excited that audio recordings of namasankirtanas with Gurumayi are available online for streaming and download. This is huge for me!
Colorado, United States
A thirteen-year-old from Gandhinagar, India
a ten-year-old from Mumbai, India
I am always so grateful for the wonderful namasankirtanas schedule and for the many ways we may honor Lord Shiva!
Rhode Island, United States
It was still early in the morning, dark outside, and very quiet. When I opened the namasankirtana page and saw that today’s chant was Om Namah Shivaya in the Shuddha Bilaval raga , I began to feel comforted. It was the mantra, in this raga, that I chanted in the very first Siddha Yoga satsang I participated in decades ago.
As the mantra began to quietly fill the space around me, my sadness started to dissipate. Once the chant ended, I was drawn into meditation. I offered the fruits of my practice to my friend. Afterward I sent her a text, sharing my feelings of empathy and love with her. I continued to play the mantra in this raga all day. I trust its power.
California, United States
Whenever and wherever I have chanted the golden namasankirtana Rama Krishna Hari in the Bhupali raga, I have experienced that my heart has become filled with the honeyed balm of love and contentment. For me, it is like flying into the very heart of God.
St. Laurent, Canada
Pune, India
Florida, United States
New Delhi, India
Utah, United States
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Konolfingen, Switzerland
As I chant some of these namasankirtanas, memories of special experiences associated with them come back to me. I also learn to chant new namasankirtanas and familiar namasankirtanas in new ragas. I enjoy them and pay attention to the feelings they evoke.
I am grateful for these namasankirtanas, which attune me each day to the experience of the Self.
Udaipur, India
a ten-year-old from Mumbai, India
Calling to God by different ragas and mantras evokes different feelings in me. For example, when I chant Om Gurudev in the Darbari Kanada raga, I recall my Shri Guru, and my eyes become moist with tears of compassion. When I chant the mantra Om Namah Shivaya in the Bhimpalasi raga and then meditate, I am drawn inward into ultimate peace.
Chanting the Name brings such deep meaning to my life.
Ahmedabad, India
Melbourne, Australia
Many of the namasankirtanas remind me of earlier times in my life when I chanted them. They are like a magic thread bringing a sense of continuity to my life. I recognize the changes in myself and in the world that have occurred since I started following the Siddha Yoga path nearly forty years ago. I also think of the Siddha Yogis around the planet who might be listening to the very same namasankirtana at exactly the same moment and may be contemplating similar insights and memories.
California, United States
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
A nine-year-old from Mumbai, India
Thane, India
My summer stay at Shree Muktananda Ashram immediately came to mind. In a large hall, women and men formed several circles and began to dance a delightful saptah. Gurumayi was watching.
As the chant progressed, we followed its accelerating rhythm. We looked at each other; we were in a circle of love. I remember at one point saying out loud: This is happiness! I’m living it, and it’s right now.
Even now I can feel the beauty and perfection of those moments. It is so delicious!
Naples, Italy
I began to perceive the uniqueness of the Siddha Yoga chants. I understood them on a deep level, and each one has touched my heart. When the chant is about protection, I can believe in it. When it is about yearning for God, I feel it.
When I read that Gurumayi composed many of these chants, I felt it is her infinite empathy that has entered the music. This recognition has turned my loving appreciation of Siddha Yoga music to awe.
During this month dedicated to Shiva, I want to chant with the thankful awareness that the Guru—with her unique expression and familiar voice—will be conveying enchanting love into my heart.
Hindelang, Germany
This morning, Om Namah Shivaya in the Mand raga captivated me. I felt that the mantra, enlivened by Gurumayi’s grace, reveals love, wisdom, and Truth.
New Jersey, United States
I felt how much I love Baba, and for a moment I wished I had met him in person. But right away I realized that’s not essential because I always carry him in my heart.
Often when I hear Gurumayi talk about Baba with great devotion, I realize that if I want to be in his presence, all I have to do is connect to my heart, and Baba is there!
Naples, Italy
In the large hall of the hotel that housed the retreat, as soon as we began to chant Om Namah Shivaya in the Bhairavi raga , an inner peace enveloped me. It was a balm that reconciled me with life.
On returning to my hotel, I was sad to be in that dark, unfriendly room. But as soon as I went to bed, Om Namah Shivaya in the Bhairavi raga spontaneously arose in me and accompanied me all night.
Since then, this chant in this raga has been the mantra of rebirth for me.
Naples, Italy
Bangalore, India
Texas, United States
For a few years now, I have been listening to and chanting along with the recording of each day’s namasankirtana on the Siddha Yoga path website. I experience that these sacred mantras and ragas open my body and mind to stillness, remembrance, and relaxation into the Self.
North Carolina, United States
Surat, India
London, United Kingdom
This month, I have found great refuge, resilience, and rejuvenation in chanting the daily namasankirtanas. This is because in the satsang called “Choose, Respect, Sustain,” Gurumayi instructed us to chant Om Namah Shivaya at least five minutes a day leading up to Mahashivaratri. As I immersed myself in the many different ragas of Om Namah Shivaya, with their haunting, mysterious, and powerful melodies composed by Gurumayi, I felt the goddess Shakti moving and spiraling throughout my entire being. So I found these namasankirtanas to be a glorious way to honor Lord Shiva as Mahashivaratri approaches.
New Jersey, United States
Noida, India
Florida, United States
Washington, United States
Maryland, United States
As I joined in the chant this morning, my state shifted in seconds. I moved from feeling stiff, sore, and out of sorts from yesterday’s gardening to feeling fluid and joyful. I am now ready for the day ahead to unfold.
Camberwell, Australia
When listening to the ensemble, my mind whispers, “I hear God.”
Mexico City, Mexico
Then I opened the calendar of namasankirtanas and discovered that today’s chant was Mere Baba Muktananda—my favorite of all those dedicated to Baba. With a loud voice I began to sing “O my Baba, O my Baba, O my Baba Muktananda,” and I felt my state change immediately—I no longer felt the absence, but the presence of my parents.
Just like Baba, who is always alive in my heart, I strongly felt the protection of my parents, because I carry and I will carry them in my soul.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne, Australia
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
I am so grateful to Gurumayi for making this namasankirtana treasure available on the Siddha Yoga path website. To me this website is an abode of shakti.
Bhandara, India
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Then I discovered the daily namasankirtanas on the Siddha Yoga path website. I have been chanting them every day. And I have discovered the bliss of listening to the chant along with my regular tai chi practice after meditation. This helps me bring inner silence into my everyday movement.
I love the way chanting fills my home, heart, and life with gratitude for the love and grace of the Guru.
North Carolina, United States
Florida, United States
That year was my first visit to Shree Muktananda Ashram. I was full of joy, enthusiasm, expectations, and also some strong emotions, but the desire to chant with Gurumayi overcame all other sensations. One evening I was sitting in the hall, waiting for Gurumayi to enter and for the satsang to begin. Suddenly, a hall monitor invited me to get up and he brought me forward to a place that was almost in front of Gurumayi. I was scared and excited at the same time. The chant that evening was Kali Durge, which for me is a chant that evokes strength and courage. My dream was coming true!
I will never forget the grace I received—I was singing with and for Gurumayi.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
Thornbury, Australia
I am grateful to Gurumayi for composing this sublime chant.
Sydney, Australia
As I began to chant, I felt as if Gurumayi, a group of devotees, and I were standing with open arms in front of a puja to Baba Muktananda. It seemed to me that as we chanted, we were invoking grace and peace. This made my heart fill with even more joy. I felt so lucky to have God in my life.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
During that ecstatic call-and-response chant, the understanding arose within me that I was born on this planet just to experience God’s melody playing in the core of my being, because everything is given to us by means of the mantra. Through the practice of chanting the name of God, I learn how to receive God’s love and make an offering to that love in return. Through the repetition of the divine name, I experience the all-pervasive presence of Shiva dwelling in me as me.
Rennes, France
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
Every day the daily namasankirtana fills me with new enthusiasm and nourishes my practice of chanting.
Vadodara, India
This calendar has become a wonderful tool, encouraging me to chant more at home and play more too! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Pennsylvania, United States
I am deeply grateful to Gurumayi for the myriad creative ways in which she teaches us and guides us in exploring and engaging with the Siddha Yoga teachings.
A sevite in Shree Muktananda Ashram
Singapore, Singapore
Großkarolinenfeld, Germany