The Profoundness of the Guru’s Teachings

As I reflect on all I have received since I first met Gurumayi as a seven-year-old boy, I experience her grace threading through each event of my life. Gurumayi has taught me, and continually unveils, the mystery and magnificence of reality and the importance of becoming a true human being—one who knows and is established in the all-pervading Self.
Over the years, I have often marveled at Gurumayi's subtlety as a teacher and her tireless commitment to finding new ways to communicate the truths and living experiences of the Siddha Yoga path. Listening to Gurumayi tell a funny story about Sheik Nasruddin, becoming absorbed in the sound of her singing an abhanga of the poet-saints, reading and rereading her books, hearing her cite and expound scriptural verses with clarity and authority, and watching her spontaneous interactions with devotees have left valuable impressions of the nobility and depth of the Siddha Yoga tradition in my mind and heart.
I will never forget one birthday celebration for Gurumayi at Shree Muktananda Ashram, in 2001, when I was 24 years old. At the conclusion of the Shri Guru Gita recitation, the host, a young adult, graciously thanked everyone for attending and invited us to go to breakfast. Something in his manner of extending the invitation sparked giggles in a few people. The host, completely unaware of the effects of his delivery, continued to speak in the same manner. This caused Gurumayi herself to begin laughing. As soon as we heard the first sound of Gurumayi’s laughter, the entire hall erupted into peals of laughter, which seemed to continue for eons. I remember watching Gurumayi laugh, and being in the ocean of laughter. There was total freedom in Gurumayi’s laughter and I experienced that freedom spreading throughout the hall. As I reflected on the source of Gurumayi’s unbounded laughter, I remembered Baba’s teaching from the Indian scriptures, “The bliss of the Self is ever new.” In that moment, every facet of my world became unimaginably beautiful and the meditation hall itself was transformed into a theater of light and blessedness.
One of the reasons Gurumayi's words, music, and gestures have had such a powerful impact on my life is because they convey a first-person experience of her teachings, beyond the horizon of a purely intellectual acquisition of knowledge. It is extraordinary how listening to Gurumayi give a simple meditation instruction or speaking to her—even in a dream—can suddenly reveal the pricelessness and mountain-like steadiness of my inner Self. The science of this transmission of knowledge is not something we can appreciate or fully conceptualize in the framework of our modern lives. And yet, this is exactly the type of learning that I received from Gurumayi during a stay at Shree Muktananda Ashram in the summer of 2003.
At the culmination of a week-long retreat, during which the participants were immersed in an extended period of spiritual practice, our retreat teacher announced that we would be having satsang with Gurumayi. During the satsang, while Gurumayi looked around the room, her eyes found mine for a few moments. How can I put into words the integrity of the penetrating glance of a Sadguru?
As Gurumayi looked at me, I immediately became aware of all the places in my life where I was playing a role or putting on a show. It was suddenly clear to me how this “act” was serving as a barrier between myself and others, blocking a more natural and genuine channel of communication. This series of insights unfolded instantaneously in the form of a “mini-life-review,” along with the realization that this manner of being was not a sporadic event, but rather a consistent feature of almost all of my interactions. As this was all dawning on me, Gurumayi—still gazing directly into my eyes—slowly nodded with a gentle smile.
Through that one brief glance, Gurumayi served as a spotless mirror, granting me an entirely new level of self-awareness. Moreover, Gurumayi's glance was more than a simple exposé of my conditioning: by seeing this pattern in an unfiltered fashion, in the light of her glance, I no longer identified with it. Although Gurumayi's look was devoid of judgment, it was not uncaring or indifferent. Gurumayi's nod and her smile were full of understanding. As I became aware of all the work I now had to do, I was also suddenly in touch with a much deeper part of myself that was already perfectly present, awake, and totally steadfast.
I had received a first-hand experience that even the seemingly casual gestures of a great being, such as a passing glance, are full of power. The way Gurumayi calls me, with uncompromising candor and lightness of being, to embrace a life of purpose, instilling in me the strength to face whatever obstacles impede me from recognizing my own divinity, stills my mind and evokes love and gratitude.
I am grateful to Gurumayi for this pivotal moment in my sadhana, for being a rare exemplar of the art of teaching, and for showing me, through her embodiment of the miraculous freedom, compassion, and total spontaneity of the supreme Self, that there is infinitely more to live for than I ever could have imagined.
I offer pranams to Shri Gurumayi, again and again.

As I reflect on all I have received since I first met Gurumayi as a seven-year-old boy, I experience her grace threading through each event of my life. Gurumayi has taught me, and continually unveils, the mystery and magnificence of reality and the importance of becoming a true human being—one who knows and is established in the all-pervading Self.
Over the years, I have often marveled at Gurumayi's subtlety as a teacher and her tireless commitment to finding new ways to communicate the truths and living experiences of the Siddha Yoga path. Listening to Gurumayi tell a funny story about Sheik Nasruddin, becoming absorbed in the sound of her singing an abhanga of the poet-saints, reading and rereading her books, hearing her cite and expound scriptural verses with clarity and authority, and watching her spontaneous interactions with devotees have left valuable impressions of the nobility and depth of the Siddha Yoga tradition in my mind and heart.
I will never forget one birthday celebration for Gurumayi at Shree Muktananda Ashram, in 2001, when I was 24 years old. At the conclusion of the Shri Guru Gita recitation, the host, a young adult, graciously thanked everyone for attending and invited us to go to breakfast. Something in his manner of extending the invitation sparked giggles in a few people. The host, completely unaware of the effects of his delivery, continued to speak in the same manner. This caused Gurumayi herself to begin laughing. As soon as we heard the first sound of Gurumayi’s laughter, the entire hall erupted into peals of laughter, which seemed to continue for eons. I remember watching Gurumayi laugh, and being in the ocean of laughter. There was total freedom in Gurumayi’s laughter and I experienced that freedom spreading throughout the hall. As I reflected on the source of Gurumayi’s unbounded laughter, I remembered Baba’s teaching from the Indian scriptures, “The bliss of the Self is ever new.” In that moment, every facet of my world became unimaginably beautiful and the meditation hall itself was transformed into a theater of light and blessedness.
One of the reasons Gurumayi's words, music, and gestures have had such a powerful impact on my life is because they convey a first-person experience of her teachings, beyond the horizon of a purely intellectual acquisition of knowledge. It is extraordinary how listening to Gurumayi give a simple meditation instruction or speaking to her—even in a dream—can suddenly reveal the pricelessness and mountain-like steadiness of my inner Self. The science of this transmission of knowledge is not something we can appreciate or fully conceptualize in the framework of our modern lives. And yet, this is exactly the type of learning that I received from Gurumayi during a stay at Shree Muktananda Ashram in the summer of 2003.
At the culmination of a week-long retreat, during which the participants were immersed in an extended period of spiritual practice, our retreat teacher announced that we would be having satsang with Gurumayi. During the satsang, while Gurumayi looked around the room, her eyes found mine for a few moments. How can I put into words the integrity of the penetrating glance of a Sadguru?
As Gurumayi looked at me, I immediately became aware of all the places in my life where I was playing a role or putting on a show. It was suddenly clear to me how this “act” was serving as a barrier between myself and others, blocking a more natural and genuine channel of communication. This series of insights unfolded instantaneously in the form of a “mini-life-review,” along with the realization that this manner of being was not a sporadic event, but rather a consistent feature of almost all of my interactions. As this was all dawning on me, Gurumayi—still gazing directly into my eyes—slowly nodded with a gentle smile.
Through that one brief glance, Gurumayi served as a spotless mirror, granting me an entirely new level of self-awareness. Moreover, Gurumayi's glance was more than a simple exposé of my conditioning: by seeing this pattern in an unfiltered fashion, in the light of her glance, I no longer identified with it. Although Gurumayi's look was devoid of judgment, it was not uncaring or indifferent. Gurumayi's nod and her smile were full of understanding. As I became aware of all the work I now had to do, I was also suddenly in touch with a much deeper part of myself that was already perfectly present, awake, and totally steadfast.
I had received a first-hand experience that even the seemingly casual gestures of a great being, such as a passing glance, are full of power. The way Gurumayi calls me, with uncompromising candor and lightness of being, to embrace a life of purpose, instilling in me the strength to face whatever obstacles impede me from recognizing my own divinity, stills my mind and evokes love and gratitude.
I am grateful to Gurumayi for this pivotal moment in my sadhana, for being a rare exemplar of the art of teaching, and for showing me, through her embodiment of the miraculous freedom, compassion, and total spontaneity of the supreme Self, that there is infinitely more to live for than I ever could have imagined.
I offer pranams to Shri Gurumayi, again and again.

Quand je réfléchis à tout ce que j’ai reçu depuis ma première rencontre avec Gurumayi, alors que j’étais un petit garçon de sept ans, j’éprouve la présence de sa grâce dans chaque événement de ma vie. Gurumayi m’a enseigné, et me révèle en permanence, le mystère et la magnificence de la réalité ainsi que l’importance de devenir un véritable être humain, qui connaît le Soi omniprésent et demeure établi en lui.
Au cours des années, j’ai souvent été émerveillé par la subtilité avec laquelle Gurumayi enseigne et par son infatigable engagement dans la recherche de nouvelles manières de communiquer les vérités et les expériences vivantes de la voie du Siddha Yoga. Écouter Gurumayi raconter une histoire drôle sur Sheik Nasruddin, s’absorber dans le son de sa voix qui chante un abhanga des saints poètes, lire et relire ses livres, l’écouter citer et commenter des versets des écritures avec clarté et autorité, et observer ses échanges spontanés avec des disciples, ont imprimé dans mon esprit et mon cœur de précieuses marques de la noblesse et de la profondeur de la tradition du Siddha Yoga.
Je n’oublierai jamais une célébration de l’anniversaire de Gurumayi à Shree Muktananda Ashram, en 2001, quand j’avais vingt-quatre ans. À la fin de la récitation de Shri Guru Gita, le présentateur, un jeune adulte, a gentiment remercié chacun pour sa participation et nous a invités à prendre le petit-déjeuner. Quelque chose dans sa manière de lancer l’invitation a fait pouffer de rire quelques personnes. Le présentateur, complètement inconscient de l’effet produit par son invitation, a continué à parler de la même manière. Ceci a déclenché le rire de Gurumayi elle-même. Dès que nous avons entendu le premier son du rire de Gurumayi, la salle toute entière a éclaté de rire, un rire qui semblait parti pour durer une éternité. Je me rappelle avoir regardé rire Gurumayi et m’être senti dans un océan de rire. Il y avait une liberté totale dans le rire de Gurumayi et j’ai senti cette liberté se répandre dans toute la salle. Comme je réfléchissais à la source du rire totalement libre de Gurumayi, je me suis rappelé l’enseignement de Baba extrait des écritures indiennes : « La félicité du Soi est toujours nouvelle ». Instantanément, chaque facette de mon monde est devenue d’une inimaginable beauté et la salle de méditation elle-même s’est transformée en un théâtre de lumière et de félicité.
Une des raisons pour lesquelles les paroles, la musique et les gestes de Gurumayi ont eu sur ma vie un impact si puissant, c’est qu’elles transmettent une expérience personnellement vécue de ses enseignements, au-delà d’un horizon d’acquisition purement intellectuelle de la connaissance. C’est extraordinaire comme écouter Gurumayi donner une simple instruction de méditation ou encore lui parler — même en rêve — peut soudain me révéler la valeur inestimable et la constance inébranlable de mon Soi. Cette science de la transmission de connaissance n’est pas une chose que nous pouvons apprécier ni conceptualiser complètement dans le cadre de nos vies modernes. Et pourtant, c’est exactement le type d’enseignement que j’ai reçu de Gurumayi pendant un séjour à Shree Muktananda Ashram pendant l’été 2003.
À la fin d’une semaine de retraite au cours de laquelle les participants s’étaient plongés dans une longue période de pratique spirituelle, notre enseignant de la retraite a annoncé que nous allions avoir un satsang avec Gurumayi. Pendant le satsang, alors que Gurumayi faisait des yeux le tour de la salle, son regard a accroché le mien pendant quelques instants. Comment décrire avec des mots l’intégrité du regard pénétrant d’un sadguru?
Quand Gurumayi m’a regardé, j’ai instantanément pris conscience de tous les instants de ma vie où je jouais un rôle ou m’offrais en spectacle. Soudain, j’ai vu clairement que ce « jeu » servait de barrière entre moi-même et les autres, empêchant une communication plus naturelle et authentique. Toutes ces révélations se sont instantanément déployées sous la forme d’une « mini-revue de vie », me faisant réaliser que cette manière d’être ne constituait pas un événement sporadique, mais plutôt un élément constitutif de presque toutes mes interactions. Alors que tout cela m’était révélé, Gurumayi — qui me regardait toujours dans les yeux — a doucement hoché la tête avec un gentil sourire.
Par ce bref regard, Gurumayi a joué le rôle d’un miroir sans tache, me donnant accès à un niveau entièrement nouveau de conscience de moi-même. En outre, le regard de Gurumayi était plus qu’un simple exposé de mon conditionnement : ayant vu ce schéma comportemental sans aucun filtre, à la lumière de son regard, je ne m’identifiais plus à lui. Bien que le regard de Gurumayi ait été exempt de jugement, il n’était pas insensible ou indifférent. Le hochement de tête et le sourire de Gurumayi étaient pleins de compréhension. Tout en prenant conscience de tout le travail que j’avais alors à faire, je me suis trouvé en même temps relié à une partie de moi beaucoup plus profonde qui était déjà parfaitement présente, éveillée et totalement résolue.
J’avais reçu directement l’expérience que même les gestes apparemment anodins d’un grand être, comme un regard furtif, sont pleins de pouvoir. Quand Gurumayi m’invite, avec une franchise sans concession et dans un état de légèreté, à donner un sens à ma vie, me communiquant la force de faire face à tous les obstacles qui m’empêchent de reconnaître ma divinité, cela calme mon esprit et m’inspire amour et gratitude.
Je suis reconnaissant à Gurumayi de ce tournant dans ma sadhana, d’être un exemple unique de l’art d’enseigner, et de me montrer, en incarnant la liberté miraculeuse, la compassion et la spontanéité totale du Soi suprême, qu’il y a bien plus de sens à la vie que je n’aurais jamais pu imaginer.
J’offre des pranam à Shri Gurumayi.

Wenn ich darüber nachdenke, was ich erhalten habe, seit ich als 17-jähriger Junge Gurumayi begegnete, und wie sich ihre Gnade spürbar durch all die Ereignisse meines Lebens zieht, verneige ich mich immer wieder im pranam vor Shri Guru. Gurumayi lehrt und offenbart mir das Mysterium und die Großartigkeit der Wirklichkeit immer wieder aufs Neue, und auch die Wichtigkeit dessen, ein wahrer Mensch zu werden – einer, der das alldurchdringende Selbst kennt und in ihm verankert ist.
In all den Jahren habe ich oft Gurumayis Feinsinnigkeit als Lehrerin und ihre unermüdliche Hingabe bewundert, mit der sie neue Wege findet, um die Wahrheiten und lebendigen Erfahrungen des Siddha Yoga Weges zu vermitteln. Gurumayi eine lustige Geschichte über Sheik Nasruddin erzählen zu hören, im Klang ihrer Stimme beim Singen des abhanga eines Dichterheiligen zu versinken, immer wieder ihre Bücher zu lesen, zu hören, wie sie überlieferte heilige Verse mit Klarheit und Autorität zitiert und auslegt, und ihre spontanen Interaktionen mit Anhängern zu beobachten, all das hat wertvolle Eindrücke von der Großherzigkeit und Tiefe der Siddha Yoga Tradition in meinen Gedanken und meinem Herzen hinterlassen
Ich werde nie die Feier zu Gurumayis Geburtstag vergessen, die 2001 im Shree Muktananda Ashram stattfand, als ich 24 Jahre alt war. Am Ende der Shri Guru Gita Rezitation dankte der Gastgeber, ein junger Erwachsener, uns allen liebenswürdig für das Mitsingen und lud uns ein, nun zum Frühstück zu gehen. Etwas an seiner Art, die Einladung auszusprechen, löste bei einigen Leuten ein Kichern aus. Der Gastgeber, der sich der Wirkung seiner Worte in keiner Weise bewusst war, sprach auf dieselbe Art weiter. Daraufhin begann Gurumayi selbst zu lachen. Sobald wir die ersten Töne von Gurumayis Lachen hörten, brach der ganze Saal in schallendes Gelächter aus, das endlos anzudauern schien. Ich erinnere mich an Gurumayis Lachen und das Meer an Lachen, in dem ich mich befand. In Gurumayis Lachen lag vollkommene Freiheit, und ich erlebte, wie sich diese Freiheit im ganzen Saal ausbreitete. Als ich über die Quelle von Gurumayis uneingeschränktem Lachen nachdachte, fiel mir Babas Lehre aus den heiligen indischen Schriften ein: „Die Glückseligkeit des Selbst ist immer neu.” In diesem Augenblick wurde jede Facette meiner Welt unvorstellbar schön, und der Meditationssaal selbst verwandelte sich in ein Theater aus Licht und Segen.
Einer der Gründe dafür, dass Gurumayis Worte, Musik und Gesten solch einen tiefen Eindruck in meinem Leben hinterlassen haben, liegt darin, dass sie eine Erfahrung der Lehren aus erster Hand vermitteln, jenseits des Horizonts eines rein intellektuellen Wissenserwerbs. Gurumayi während einer einfachen Meditationsanweisung zuzuhören, oder mit ihr zu sprechen – und sei es in einem Traum – kann mir auf erstaunliche Weise und mit einem Schlag die Unschätzbarkeit und unerschütterliche Beständigkeit meines inneren Selbst offenbaren. Die Wissenschaft dieser Wissensübertragung ist nichts, was wir im Rahmen unserer modernen Welt angemessen würdigen oder begrifflich fassen können. Und doch ist das genau die Art von Bildung, die ich durch Gurumayi während eines Aufenthalts im Shree Muktananda Ashram im Sommer 2003 empfangen habe.
Auf dem Höhepunkt eines einwöchigen Retreats, während dessen die Teilnehmer für längere Zeit in spirituelle Übungen versenkt waren, kündigte unser Retreat-Lehrer an, dass wir satsang mit Gurumayi haben würden. Als Gurumayi während des satsangs im Raum umherschaute, trafen sich unsere Blicke für einen kurzen Augenblick. Wie kann ich die Integrität des durchdringenden Blicks eines Sadgurus in Worte fassen?
Als Gurumayi mich ansah, wurde ich mir sofort all der Orte in meinem Leben bewusst, an denen ich in eine bestimmte Rolle verfiel oder eine Schau abzog. Mir wurde plötzlich klar, wie dieses „Spielen” als Barriere zwischen mir und den anderen diente und einen natürlicheren und ursprünglicheren Kanal der Kommunikation blockierte. Diese Abfolge von Einsichten entfaltete sich unmittelbar in Form eines „Mini-Lebensrückblicks“, zusammen mit der Erkenntnis, dass diese Verhaltensweise nicht nur sporadisch auftrat, sondern eher ein ständiges Merkmal fast all meiner Interaktionen war. Als mir all das dämmerte, nickte Gurumayi, die mir immer noch direkt in die Augen sah, langsam mit einem sanften Lächeln.
Durch diesen einen kurzen Blick diente Gurumayi als kristallklarer Spiegel und gewährte mir so eine vollkommen neue Ebene der Selbst-Wahrnehmung. Und mehr noch: Gurumayis Blick war mehr als eine einfache Enthüllung meiner Konditionierung: Weil ich dieses Muster ungefiltert, im Licht ihres Blickes sah, identifizierte ich mich nicht mehr damit. Obwohl Gurumayis Blick kein Urteil enthielt, war er nicht gefühllos oder gleichgültig. Gurumayis Nicken und ihr Lächeln waren voller Verständnis. Als mir klar wurde, wieviel Arbeit ich nun zu tun hatte, kam ich plötzlich auch mit einem sehr viel tieferen Teil meiner selbst in Verbindung, einem Teil, der bereits vollkommen gegenwärtig, wach und ganz und gar unerschütterlich war.
Ich hatte aus erster Hand erfahren, dass sogar die scheinbar zufälligen Gesten eines großen Wesens, wie ein beiläufiger Blick, große Kraft enthalten. Die Art, wie Gurumayi mich mit kompromissloser Offenheit und Leichtigkeit dazu aufruft, ein Leben zu führen, das einem Ziel gewidmet ist, und wie sie mir die Stärke gibt, jedem möglichen Hindernis auf dem Weg zur Erkenntnis meiner eigenen Göttlichkeit ins Auge zu sehen, bringt meinen Geist zur Ruhe und ruft Liebe und Dankbarkeit hervor.
Ich bin Gurumayi dankbar für diesen Wendepunkt in meiner sadhana, dafür, dass sie auf so einzigartige Weise die Kunst des Lehrens vorlebt, und dafür, dass sie mir durch ihre Verkörperung der wunderbaren Freiheit, des Mitgefühls und der totalen Spontaneität des Selbst gezeigt hat, dass es unendlich viel mehr Sinn im Leben gibt, als ich mir je hätte vorstellen können.
Ich verneige mich immer wieder im pranam vor Shri Gurumayi.

Al reflexionar en lo que he recibido desde que conocí a Gurumayi cuando yo tenía siete años, y en cómo experimento su gracia hilvanando cada acontecimiento de mi vida. Gurumayi me ha enseñado, y constantemente me revela, el misterio y la magnificencia de la realidad y la importancia de llegar a ser un verdadero ser humano, que conozca y se encuentre establecido en el Ser omnipresente.
A través de los años, con frecuencia me he maravillado ante la sutileza de Gurumayi como maestra y su incansable compromiso para encontrar nuevas formas de comunicar las verdades y experiencias vivas del sendero de Siddha Yoga. Escuchar a Gurumayi contar una historia graciosa de Sheik Násruddin, quedar absorto en el sonido de su canto de un abhanga de los santos poetas, leer y releer sus libros, escucharla citar y exponer versos de las escrituras con claridad y autoridad, y ver sus interacciones espontáneas con los devotos, han dejado en mi mente y en mi corazón valiosas impresiones de la nobleza y profundidad de la tradición de Siddha Yoga.
Nunca olvidaré una celebración del cumpleaños de Gurumayi en el Shree Muktananda Ashram, en 2001, cuando yo tenía 24 años. Al terminar la recitación de la Shri Guru Gita, el anfitrión, un joven, agradeció amablemente a todos por asistir y nos invitó a pasar al desayuno. Algo en la manera en que extendió la invitación provocó risitas en alguna gente. El anfitrión, por completo inconsciente de los efectos de su estilo, siguió hablando de la misma manera. Esto provocó que Gurumayi misma se empezara a reír. Tan pronto como escuchamos el sonido de la risa de Gurumayi, la sala entera estalló en carcajadas, lo que pareció durar siglos. Recuerdo observar reír a Gurumayi, y estar en el océano de la risa. Había una libertad total en la risa de Gurumayi y yo sentí esa libertad extenderse por toda la sala. Al reflexionar en la fuente de esa risa tan desenvuelta de Gurumayi, recordé la enseñanza de Baba, que viene de las escrituras de la India: “La dicha del Ser es siempre nueva”. En ese momento, cada faceta de mi mundo se volvió inimaginablemente bella y la sala de meditación misma se transformó en un escenario de luz y beatitud.
Una de las razones por las que las palabras, la música y los movimientos de Gurumayi tienen un impacto tan poderoso en mi vida es porque transmiten una experiencia en primera persona de las enseñanzas, más allá del horizonte de una pura adquisición intelectual de conocimiento. Es extraordinaria la forma en que escuchar a Gurumayi dar una simple instrucción de meditación o hablar con ella—aun en un sueño—puede de pronto revelar la invaluable firmeza, como de una montaña, de mi Ser interior. La ciencia de esta transmisión de conocimiento no es algo que podamos apreciar o conceptualizar totalmente en el marco de nuestras vidas modernas. Y sin embargo, este es exactamente el tipo de aprendizaje que recibí de Gurumayi durante una estancia en el Shree Muktananda Ashram, en el verano de 2003.
En la culminación de un retiro de una semana, en que los participantes se sumergen en prácticas espirituales durante un período extenso, nuestro profesor del retiro anunció que íbamos a tener satsang con Gurumayi. Durante el satsang, mientras Gurumayi miraba alrededor de la sala, sus ojos se encontraron con los míos por unos momentos. ¿Cómo puedo poner en palabras la integridad de la mirada penetrante de un Sadguru?
Mientras Gurumayi me miraba, de inmediato tomé conciencia de todos los momentos de mi vida donde estaba yo representando un papel o montando un show. De pronto me quedó claro que este “actuar” servía de barrera entre yo y los demás, obstaculizando un canal de comunicación más natural y genuino. Esta serie de introspecciones se revelaron instantáneamente en la forma de una “mini revisión de mi vida”, y también me di cuenta de que esta forma de ser no era algo esporádico, sino un rasgo consistente en casi todas mis interacciones. Mientras todo esto se me estaba mostrando, Gurumayi, todavía viéndome directamente a los ojos, asintió lentamente con una suave sonrisa.
A través de esa breve mirada, Gurumayi sirvió como un espejo sin mancha, confiriéndome un nivel totalmente nuevo de autoconciencia. Más aún, la mirada de Gurumayi hizo más que sacar a la luz mi condicionamiento: al observar ese patrón libre de filtros, a la luz de su mirada, ya no me identifiqué con él. Aunque la mirada de Gurumayi estaba desprovista de juicio, no carecía de cuidado ni era indiferente. El asentimiento de Gurumayi y su sonrisa estaban llenos de comprensión. Al tomar conciencia de todo el trabajo que ahora tenía que hacer, de pronto entré en contacto con una parte mucho más profunda de mí mismo, que ya estaba perfectamente presente, despierta, y totalmente firme.
Había recibido una experiencia de primera mano de que incluso los gestos aparentemente casuales de un gran ser, como una mirada pasajera, están llenos de poder. Le da quietud a mi mente, y evoca amor y agradecimiento, la forma en que Gurumayi me llama, con una inocencia y una ligereza de ser sin concesiones, a abrazar una vida de propósitos, instilando en mí la fuerza para enfrentar cualquier obstáculo que me impida reconocer mi propia divinidad.
Estoy agradecido con Gurumayi por ese momento crucial en mi sádhana, por ser un raro ejemplo del arte de enseñar, y por mostrarme, al personificar la libertad milagrosa, la compasión y espontaneidad total del Ser supremo, que hay infinitamente más cosas por las cuales vivir de lo que yo nunca hubiera podido imaginar.
Ofrezco pranams a Shri Gurumayi, una y otra vez.

Quando rifletto su quanto ho ricevuto fin dal momento in cui, quand'ero un bimbetto di sette anni, ho incontrato Gurumayi per la prima volta, percepisco la sua grazia farsi strada attraverso tutti gli accadimenti della mia vita. Gurumayi mi ha insegnato, e continuamente mi rivela, il mistero e la magnificenza della realtà e l’importanza di imparare a essere un vero essere umano, uno che conosce ed è stabilizzato nel Sé onnipervadente.
Nel corso degli anni, il modo sottile in cui Gurumayi ci insegna e il suo instancabile impegno nel trovare maniere sempre nuove per trasmettere le verità e le esperienze profonde del sentiero Siddha Yoga, mi hanno spesso lasciato stupefatto. Ascoltare Gurumayi che racconta una storia buffa sullo sceicco Nasruddin, lasciarmi scivolare completamente nel suo canto degli abhanga dei santi poeti, leggere e rileggere i suoi libri, sentirla citare ed esporre con chiarezza e autorevolezza i versi tratti dalle scritture, e osservare la sua spontanea interazione con i devoti, ha lasciato nella mia mente e nel mio cuore tracce preziose della nobiltà e della profondità della tradizione del Siddha Yoga.
Non dimenticherò mai la celebrazione di un compleanno di Gurumayi allo Shree Muktananda Ashram, nel 2001, quando avevo 24 anni. Al termine della recitazione della Shri Guru Gita, il giovane presentatore ringraziò gentilmente tutti i partecipanti e ci invitò ad andare a fare colazione. Qualcosa nel suo modo di porgere l'invito provocò l'ilarità di alcune persone presenti. Il presentatore, assolutamente ignaro degli effetti provocati dal suo modo di esprimersi, continuò a parlare nella stessa maniera e questo fece sì che anche Gurumayi cominciò a ridere. Non appena udimmo le prime risa di Gurumayi, tutta la sala scoppiò in una fragorosa risata, che sembrava potesse continuare all'infinito. Ricordo che vedendo Gurumayi ridere, sprofondai in quell'oceano di risa. C’era una totale libertà in quel ridere, che subito si propagò per tutta la sala. Riflettendo sull'origine di quella risata che sembrava non finire mai, mi sono ricordato dell’insegnamento di Baba tratto dalle sacre scritture: “La beatitudine del Sé è sempre nuova”. Ogni sfaccettatura del mio mondo è diventata in quel momento di una bellezza oltre ogni immaginazione, e la sala di meditazione si è trasformata in un teatro di luce e benedizione.
Una delle ragioni per cui le parole, la musica e i gesti di Gurumayi hanno avuto un effetto così poderoso sulla mia vita, è perché essi portano con sé l'esperienza, fatta in prima persona, degli insegnamenti, oltre l’orizzonte di una pura acquisizione intellettuale della conoscenza. È straordinario come ascoltare Gurumayi che dà delle semplici istruzioni di meditazione o parlare con lei – persino in sogno – possa di colpo rivelare la stabilità senza prezzo del mio intimo Sé, che si erge come una montagna. La sapienza di questa trasmissione di conoscenza è qualcosa che noi non possiamo pienamente valutare o concettualizzare nel quadro della nostra esistenza moderna. Tuttavia, questo è esattamente il tipo di insegnamento che ho ricevuto da Gurumayi nell’estate del 2002, durante un soggiorno allo Shree Muktananda Ashram.
Al culmine di un ritiro di una settimana, durante il quale noi partecipanti eravamo immersi nelle pratiche spirituali per un lungo periodo di tempo, il nostro insegnante ci ha annunciato che avremmo avuto un satsang con Gurumayi. Durante il satsang, mentre Gurumayi si guardava intorno nella sala, i suoi occhi hanno incontrato i miei per pochi istanti. Come trovare le parole per descrivere l’integrità dello sguardo penetrante di un Sadguru?
Quando Gurumayi mi ha guardato, sono diventato immediatamente consapevole di tutti quegli ambiti della mia vita in cui avevo recitato un ruolo o fatto la commedia. Di colpo mi è stato chiaro che questo “recitare” era servito per creare una barriera fra me e gli altri, ostruendo in tal modo un canale più naturale e autentico di comunicazione. Questa serie di intuizioni si è rivelata spontaneamente in una sorta di “mini-esame-di vita”, accompagnato dalla comprensione che questo mio modo di vivere non si limitava a qualche episodio sporadico, bensì costituiva un tratto consistente di quasi tutte le mie interazioni. Mentre tutto ciò si faceva chiaro nella mia mente, Gurumayi, sempre continuando a guardarmi dritto negli occhi, ha lentamente annuito con un dolce sorriso.
Attraverso quell’unico rapido sguardo, Gurumayi è stata uno specchio immacolato che mi ha regalato un livello interamente nuovo di coscienza di me. Di più, lo sguardo di Gurumayi è stato più di una semplice esposizione dei miei condizionamenti: vedendo direttamente questi miei meccanismi ripetitivi, senza filtri, nella luce del suo sguardo, io ho smesso di identificarmi con essi. Sebbene lo sguardo di Gurumayi fosse privo di giudizio, non era affatto insensibile o indifferente. L'annuire di Gurumayi e il suo sorriso erano pieni di comprensione. Quando mi sono reso conto di tutto il lavoro che mi stava davanti, ho anche improvvisamente sentito di essere entrato in contatto con una parte molto più profonda di me, che era già perfettamente presente, sveglia e totalmente stabile.
Ho così fatto personalmente l’esperienza di come anche i gesti apparentemente più casuali di un grande essere, come uno sguardo passeggero, sono pieni di potere. La maniera in cui Gurumayi, con inflessibile candore e levità di spirito, mi richiama ad abbracciare una vita significativa, infondendo in me la forza per affrontare qualsiasi ostacolo mi impedisca di riconoscere in me stesso la divinità, rende silenziosa la mia mente ed evoca amore e gratitudine.
Io sono grato a Gurumayi per questo momento cruciale nella mia sadhana, per essere un raro esempio dell’arte dell’insegnamento, e per avermi mostrato, attraverso il suo incarnare il miracolo di libertà, compassione e totale spontaneità del Sé supremo, che c’è infinitamente di più per cui vivere di quanto io avessi mai potuto immaginare.
Offro pranam a Shri Gurumayi, ancora e ancora.

Quando reflito sobre o que recebi desde que conheci Gurumayi aos sete anos de idade e sobre como experimento sua graça, tecendo todos os eventos da minha vida, eu ofereço, repetidamente, pranams para Shri Guru. Gurumayi me ensinou e continuamente desvela o mistério e magnificência da realidade e a importância de tornar-se um verdadeiro ser humano, aquele que conhece e está estabelecido no Ser onipresente.
Ao longo dos anos, frequentemente maravilhei-me com a sutileza de Gurumayi como professora e com seu incansável compromisso em encontrar novas maneiras de comunicar as verdades e experiências vivas do caminho de Siddha Yoga. Ouvir Gurumayi contar uma estória engraçada sobre o xeique Nasrudin, absorver-me no som do seu canto de uma abhanga de santos-poetas, ler e reler seus livros, ouvi-la citar e explicar trechos de escrituras com clareza e autoridade e observar suas interações espontâneas com devotos, tudo isso deixou, na minha mente e no meu coração, valiosas impressões da nobreza e profundidade da tradição de Siddha Yoga.
Nunca esquecerei uma celebração de aniversário de Gurumayi no Shree Muktananda Ashram, em 2001, quando eu tinha 24 anos. Ao final da recitação da Shri Guru Gita, o anfitrião, um jovem adulto, graciosamente agradeceu a todos por participarem e nos convidou para tomar o café da manhã. Alguma coisa na maneira como ele falou fez com que algumas pessoas começassem a rir. O anfitrião, totalmente sem perceber, continuou a falar da mesma maneira. Isso fez com que a própria Gurumayi começasse a rir. Tão logo ouvimos o primeiro som da risada de Gurumayi, a sala inteira irrompeu em gargalhadas, que pareceram durar por eras. Lembro-me de ver Gurumayi rir e de estar no oceano do riso. Havia total liberdade no riso de Gurumayi e eu experimentei a liberdade espalhar-se por toda a sala. Refletindo sobre a fonte de seu riso infinito, lembrei-me de um ensinamento de Baba, das escrituras indianas: “O êxtase do Ser é sempre novo.” Naquele momento, cada faceta do meu mundo ficou inimaginavelmente bela e o próprio salão de meditação se transformou num teatro de luz e bem-aventurança.
Uma das razões pelas quais as palavras, a música e os gestos de Gurumayi têm um impacto tão poderoso na minha vida é porque transmitem uma experiência pessoal dos ensinamentos, para além do horizonte da aquisição de conhecimento puramente intelectual. É extraordinário como ouvir Gurumayi dar uma simples instrução de meditação ou como falar com ela, mesmo num sonho, pode subitamente revelar a inestimável estabilidade de uma montanha que meu Ser interior possui. A ciência dessa transmissão de conhecimento não é algo que possamos apreciar ou conceituar plenamente no quadro da nossa vida moderna. No entanto, foi exatamente esse o tipo de aprendizado que recebi de Gurumayi na minha estada no Shree Muktananda Ashram no verão de 2003.
Ao final de um retiro de uma semana, no qual os participantes ficaram imersos num período estendido de prática espiritual, nosso professor anunciou que teríamos satsang com Gurumayi. Durante o satsang, enquanto Gurumayi olhava pela sala, seus olhos encontraram os meus por alguns momentos. Como colocar em palavras a integridade do olhar penetrante de um Sadguru?
Quando Gurumayi me olhou, fiquei imediatamente consciente de todas as situações da minha vida nas quais eu desempenhava papéis ou simulava. Ficou subitamente claro para mim como esse “representar” servia como barreira entre eu e os outros, bloqueando um canal de comunicação mais natural e genuíno. Aquela série de insights se desenvolveu instantaneamente, sob forma de uma “mini-revisão-de vida”, juntamente com a percepção de que aquele modo de ser não era um evento esporádico, mas uma característica consistente de quase todas as minhas interações. Enquanto tudo aquilo despertava em mim, Gurumayi, ainda olhando diretamente nos meus olhos, lentamente aquiesceu com um sorriso gentil.
Com aquele único e breve olhar, Gurumayi serviu como um espelho límpido, concedendo-me um nível inteiramente novo de autoconsciência. Além disso, o olhar de Gurumayi era mais do que uma simples revelação do meu condicionamento: ao ver sem filtros, à luz do seu olhar, aquele padrão, eu não mais me identifiquei com ele. Embora o olhar de Gurumayi fosse livre de julgamento, não era descuidado ou indiferente. A aquiescência e sorriso dela eram cheios de compreensão. Ao mesmo tempo em que me conscientizava de todo o trabalho que teria pela frente, eu também entrei em contato com uma parte muito mais profunda de mim mesmo, a qual já era perfeitamente presente, desperta e inabalável.
Eu tinha tido a experiência de primeira mão de que, mesmo gestos aparentemente casuais de um grande ser, tais como um olhar rápido, são cheios de poder. O modo como Gurumayi me chama, com absoluta sinceridade e leveza de ser, para abraçar uma vida com propósito, instilando em mim a força para enfrentar quaisquer obstáculos que me impeçam de reconhecer minha própria divindade, aquieta minha mente e evoca amor e gratidão.
Sou grato a Gurumayi por aquele momento essencial na minha sadhana, por ser um exemplo raro da arte de ensinar e por me mostrar, por meio da sua personificação da milagrosa liberdade, compaixão e total espontaneidade do Ser supremo, que existe infinitamente mais para se viver do que eu jamais teria imaginado.
Ofereço, repetidamente, pranams para Shri Gurumayi.




Sydney, Australia
I suddenly became very alert and cautious. Gurumayi’s look felt like a strong course correction. When the Guru gives so much, and has granted us access to such immeasurable inner treasures, why go on with this habit of feeling inadequate?
Now, twenty-five years later, the memory of Gurumayi’s look helps me get back on track each time I find that I am yielding to harsh self-judgment. Her benevolent and powerful gaze empowers me to find refuge in the presence of the Guru within and to move forward with ever more determination. There is no end to the love I have received from our beloved Guru.
Thane, India
Hong Kong
I suddenly was immersed in a most unusual experience: while Gurumayi chanted, I was reminded of myself. Not my usual, everyday persona, but a much older, primordial, original Self—the one I had always known was in me as a child, but had forgotten about. I saw Gurumayi and was reminded of my true nature, a nature I share with her and everyone around me.
I am thankful for this Reflection on the author’s beautiful experience, as it inspired me to revisit a turning point in my sadhana.
Beirut, Lebanon
I remember one dream in particular, during which another Siddha Yogi and I both had interactions with Gurumayi. In my waking state, I was temporarily in conflict with this person; in my dream, she asked a question of Gurumayi, and Gurumayi’s answer became a teaching for both of us. As I related this dream to my friend (for she was and is my friend), she said to me, “This is bigger than both of us!” To me, this meant that whatever conflict I might feel with her or she with me, the Guru could see way beyond it—and then show me how to transcend the conflict.
Wisconsin, United States
I particularly love the powerful phrase, “The science of this transmission of knowledge is not something we can appreciate or fully conceptualize in the framework of our modern lives.” And the equally powerful phrase, “…by seeing this pattern in an unfiltered fashion, in the light of her glance, I no longer identified with it.” Such is the sacred and mystical power of the Guru’s unending grace and compassion in the relationship between Guru and disciple.
Massachusetts, United States
Every day I thank Gurumayi not only for shedding light on what keeps me from the unbroken experience of the Heart, but also for revealing the infinite source of strength and enthusiasm within me to which I can turn to deal with such tendencies. My beloved Guru reveals the goal—and guides me step by step to attain that goal. And, along the way, in the company of such a Siddha, this path to the Heart is filled with exquisite glimpses of her state, which I now understand is my own true nature.
Belo Horizonte, Brazil