Commentary by Siddha Yoga Meditation Teacher Yawu Miller
The virtue of abundance calls to mind the earth’s bounty—the gifts of rain and sun, the multitude of plant and animal life on our planet, and the billions of stars and galaxies that illuminate the night sky.
A hymn from the Rig Veda, the ShriSuktam, praises this expansive divine energy. One of the verses says:
I seek refuge in Shri, Who manifests as the world’s abundance. I seek refuge in the one garlanded with lotuses, The one who manifests as the moon’s beautiful luminosity, The one celebrated by all of the gods. O Shri, send misfortune afar!1
In their worship of Shri, the Vedic seers recognized and honored the source of abundance in the universe.
Abundance, from the Latin abundantia, means fullness and plenty. In Sanskrit, abundance is represented by the word shri, which connotes sacredness, beauty, grace, and auspiciousness. Shri is also a name for Mahalakshmi, the goddess of abundance and an aspect of the divine energy that creates and pervades the universe.
In Gurumayi’s book Enthusiasm, she says:
When you allow your entire being to become still in its own subtle vibration, you can experience God’s power. It is shri. It is filled with auspiciousness, beauty, sacredness, abundance, nobility, dignity, and good fortune. Know that all this exists within yourself.2
The qualities of abundance associated with shri exist within our own being; truly, we can experience the expansiveness of the universe in our own heart. As we continue coming back to this experience and reminding ourselves that shri is inherent in our nature, we cultivate a more constant awareness of abundance in our lives.
One way of cultivating abundance that I find particularly effective is to simply acknowledge the many blessings I have received in my life: the life-transforming gift of shaktipat initiation, the guidance of the Siddha Yoga Gurus, my family and friends, good health, and the beauty of the natural world that surrounds me and everyone.
In Baba Muktananda’s spiritual autobiography, Play of Consciousness, Baba describes the abundance of the divine Self:
What are you running after to possess? There is nothing in the world but you. It is you who pervade the universe, who are the perfect and undying principle. There is no difference between you and the world. There is no duality. You fill the whole universe, without differentiation. You are the serene, imperishable, and pure Kundalini, the light of Consciousness.3
The abundance of the world with its innumerable forms reflects the light of Consciousness, which resides in the heart of every being. To truly grasp the immense abundance of the universe, we must turn within.
I seek refuge in Shri, Who manifests as the world’s abundance.4
1Hymn to Śrī (Śrī Suktam), 5; Constantina Rhodes, Invoking Lakshmi, The Goddess of Wealth in Song and Ceremony (Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 2010), pp. 121–22. 2Swami Chidvilasananda, Enthusiasm (S. Fallsburg, NY: SYDA Foundation, 1997), p. 12. 3Swami Muktananda, Play of Consciousness (S. Fallsburg, NY: SYDA Foundation, 2000), pp. 228–29. 4Hymn to Śrī (Śrī Suktam), 5; Constantina Rhodes, p. 121.
I am filled with gratitude this morning. I realized as I read this commentary that my awareness and comprehension of shri has deepened and expanded. I am experiencing the truth of what this commentary conveys of the blessed teachings. I am so grateful for having received shaktipat, the awakening to a new way of seeing, to a new life.
New Mexico
This commentary on abundance has so elegantly helped me to recognize that this virtue is already very present in my life. Prior to this, focusing on what I didn’t have prevented me from appreciating and feeling grateful for what I already do have in my life.
Counting my blessings, as the commentary suggests, is such a practical way for me to see and feel the abundance in my life. Surely, I will run out of fingers when trying to count my many blessings. As I celebrate the month of Birthday Bliss, I intend to practice this virtue of abundance in every moment that I can. In order to commit to this intention, I want to stay aware of my thoughts as I go through my day and train myself to keep my spirits high and focus on the abundance that already exists in my life.
Hosur, India
I love the words quoted in this commentary from Baba Muktananda’s spiritual autobiography Play of Consciousness. They are throwing light into a corner of my world that seems dark right now.
I am so grateful for the reminder that they give me of my own abundance, shri. I am thankful to be reminded that there is no lack. I am uplifted by the understanding that we are one, that I am a part of the totality of all that is, and that I am always supported by grace.
Melbourne, Australia
When I read Gurumayi’s words about shri, I was filled with immense joy, understanding that this shri—which is infused with beauty, sacredness, nobility, and many more qualities—resides within me. Knowing this gives me the certainty that I am not alone. I am with God and God is with me, always.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
A sense of calm often permeates my being when I hear the words of the ancient scriptures or read the Sanskrit words aloud. As I read or hear the Sanskrit syllables, it feels like I am coming home, being reconnected to a space that is both intimate and expansive. It feels like the dwelling place of divine love.
As I concluded my reflection on this commentary on abundance, one word remained with me like an intriguing invitation: shri. I closed my eyes and repeated it. I will continue to repeat the sacred sound shri all this month.
California, United States
In the morning, I left home with the virtue of abundance on my mind. I asked myself: “Abundance of what?”
Later, in the midst of the sunny and crowded atmosphere of the city, I found myself simply enjoying the prana as I breathed in and out. My mind was absorbed in repeating the mantra. It was as if I was drinking a cup of happiness.
Back home, I read the commentary on abundance and found that I had experienced shri, the wealth of my inner Self. I had drunk from the fountain of abundant, vibrant, inner energy arising from my own being.
Rodez, France
When I visit the Siddha Yoga path website, I can feel enthusiasm bubbling up from a deep place inside me. I can feel my heart overflowing with gratitude for the abundance in my life and in all of God’s creation.
One way I experience this abundance is through nature, where I can perceive God’s generosity. I admire the beauty of the nearby trees with squirrels scaling their branches. The ocean with its endless waves sits within a stone’s throw from my home. The chirping of birds speaks directly to my heart.
All this feels to me like the grace of the Siddhas filling my life.
Ormond Beach, Guyana
This morning as I was walking in the park, I beheld a beautiful blue sky above, with some white clouds gathering. I took in the aroma of wet earth. Both the moon, on one side of the sky, and the sun, on the other, seemed to be following me. I came across a flowing stream that filled me with joy as I listened to its sweet sound.
I felt so fortunate to be able to experience these elements of the universe. I couldn’t be more thankful to my beloved Guru for the blessings of so much abundance in my life.
Mexico City, Mexico
This commentary refreshed my understanding of the virtue of abundance. While I was residing thousands of miles away from Shri Gurumayi’s physical presence, she gave me shaktipat diksha through her sankalpa. Shaktipat diksha is a priceless gift from my beloved Shri Guru. I am abundantly grateful to her.
The Houghton, South Africa
I love this commentary on abundance because it teaches me how to recognize abundance in and around me, and it shows me that I can always enjoy abundance in my life.
Every day when I open the Siddha Yoga path website, I find abundance. When I think of Gurumayi, she embodies abundance to me. When I look at a field of trees, I see abundance. I have a lifetime’s worth of friends who love me and to whom I can give my love. My meditations are abundant in experiences of the Self.
It’s true, abundance is everywhere, and I was given it all when I received shaktipat.
Florida, United States
This commentary has beautifully expanded my understanding and awareness of abundance. I now see that abundance is not only something personal, for my own life, but something much greater too. It applies to all, and fills the universe.
I am grateful to Gurumayi for expanding my perspective again and again!
Montreal, Canada
I was delighted as I read this commentary on the virtue of abundance.
Though life so often gives me the experience of abundance, I sometimes forget to fully acknowledge and feel that. Now, seeing this virtue so beautifully posted on an auspicious peacock feather backdrop, my being is filled with gratitude. I am so grateful to Gurumayi and the Siddha Yoga path!
Bangalore, India
This commentary on abundance was the perfect thing for me to read to start the month of Gurumayi’s birthday.
Each day, I have been offering my thanks to Gurumayi, Baba, and Bade Baba before chanting and meditation. I give thanks for the abundance of grace, the abundance of wisdom and knowledge, and the abundance of compassion and blessings showered upon me in my life. I feel so well taken care of by God!
Reading this commentary allowed me to relax into my day with deep contentment.
Wisconsin, United States
Reading shares on the Siddha Yoga path website of people’s wondrous and amazing experiences and understandings reminds me of this virtue of abundance. I experience that there is so much grace all around—in my life and in so many people’s lives from all over the world. I am so grateful for the Siddha Yoga teachings, the Siddha Guru, and the Siddha Yoga sangham. If I choose to see it, abundance is everywhere—in each event, in each moment. From this vantage point I experience that there is nothing but abundance.
