For me,
Love in Action 2020 represents the journey on the path to enter the Heart. I discover these beautiful gifts that are scattered around me and not separate from me. As I turn inward, I shine the rays of love like a fountain. I feel I have been given everything I need to be the fountain of love. I feel that
Love in Action calls for me to shine my truth and share it with every one that I meet, by being in my Truth and doing what is needed.
California, United States
This beautiful creation by Gurumayi evoked deep tenderness in my heart. Each image, word, and quotation brought my attention to my heart and to the love that is always present in it.
And I resonated with Lilavati’s introduction, in which she shares her experience of the Guru’s love so openly; I felt it described my experience too.
North Carolina, United States
Finding myself in this glorious and exquisite scene of God’s creation, I feel the sparkling vibration of my heart pulsating in rhythm with the great heart of Nature.
Words from the Introduction by Lilavati Stewart float into my mind, “In this beautiful, animated, narrative painting, the earth is being soothed—and then restored, regenerated, and brought into balance and harmony.”
I feel that this blessing for the Earth and for humanity invokes the divinity that will nurture and protect us for generations to come.
Maryland, United States
Last December, after offering
seva in Shree Muktananda Ashram, I had the chance to visit the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Oakland. Filled up with so many deep experiences, I traveled on to Oahu, Hawaii.
I was so impressed by the beauty of nature, the sea, and the wildlife—and simultaneously felt so connected with Gurumayi and the Siddhas. One day someone explained the complex meaning of
Aloha to me. I could feel the union between life, nature, and God expressed by
Aloha.
On Valentine’s Day, I discovered
Love in Action. When I clicked on the multicolored heart,
Aloha appeared, reminding me of the connectedness I experienced during my travels. I then realized I can always open up to the beauty of nature and the presence of Guru’s grace in my life. The meaning of
Aloha is now in my heart. I have brought it home to Germany and it is up to me to live it, to experience the beauty in life, and to give my love to the people around me.
Gottmadingen, Germany
I’m so grateful that the timing of this stunning nature painting coincides with an environmental advocacy project I’m working on. The Guru’s prayers fill me with courage to advocate for our precious planet, the blue jewel that nourishes us.
May all beings experience God’s profound presence in nature as embodied in this painting: our living Earth pulsating with love, humming with the primordial sound of
Om, and showering us with God’s love.
Illinois, United States
As I read the Introduction to
Love in Action, I remember with gratitude how, during my walks in nature, I connect inside to the subtle presence of Consciousness, which exists within me and within the exquisite beauty and delight of my surroundings. As I imagine my hands lovingly touching the moist soil, I am filled with a sweet love and a longing to nurture this living planet—to respect and to care for it. And, in return, I receive deeply the gifts of the earth’s beauty, sustenance, and strength.
Maryland, United States
The exquisite picture, the quotations, and the shares allowed me to experience such a heightened sense of divinity. My spirits were uplifted, and my resolution strengthened toward working with others to protect and preserve our sacred path and environment.
Massachusetts, United States
What a magical gift Gurumayi has shared with us—allowing us to experience this pulsating paradise through the eyes of love. When I open my heart, I see more clearly the magnificent abundance of gifts that come to me simply through being alive.
There are so many hidden treasures in here, and the curiosity to look for them leads me forward to discover my own sense of peace. Entering this paradise, I have the feeling that we cannot have peace without love, and it is very hard to have love without peace. What a profound invitation to further explore Gurumayi’s Message for this year and to embrace my own true essence—pure love!
Arizona, United States
Beholding Gurumayi’s beautiful creation, I felt as though I was looking into the Guru's heart. My own heart leaped in delight at this wonder! Every object my eyes fell upon pulsed its light back at me in a glorious exchange of heartfelt love.
I am ever thankful for the Guru’s endless, expansive, unconditional love.
California, United States
Love in Action 2020 is incredible!
As I engage with the visuals, I become calm and more deeply aware of the rhythm of my breath. With each inhalation and each exhalation I can feel the love in the different elements.
Pardi, India
With each movement of the palm leaf,
I feel the inhalation and exhalation of my breath.
Gazing at the shimmering waterfall
fills my heart with the radiance of God's love.
The pulsating moon is my companion
as I walk the lighted path to the great sanctuary of love.
How blessed I am that Gurumayi is in my life!
San Felipe, Mexico
The verse on the Ganges by Adi Shankaracharya inspired me greatly. I practiced it by reciting
Shri Guru Gita and imagining my heart as a golden heart. I envisioned the recitation coming out of the heart in the form of rays of white light filled with
Om and hearts. This light then rains back down onto everyone.
I pictured a student who I know will benefit from receiving the blessings of the Ganges. The light rained down on him, on others, on me in the form of bliss. I also pictured this light-filled, beneficial rain reaching areas of drought, helping to nourish people in need of food.
Washington, United States
Your teachings are a beacon of light,
Holding me constantly upright.
You teach me how to love myself first,
Loving my world follows next.
Love and respect and more of it,
Is what I learn from you—profound and perfect.
Your constant guidance is the pearl most precious,
Your sweet remembrance is the best jewel with us.
You teach us what love truly is.
You allow us to embrace life learnings so nothing goes amiss.
I am fortunate to have you as my Guru, I am so blessed.
For me you are and will always be love personified.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Gurumayi!
Mumbai, India
This morning I meditated on the amazing waterfall in this picture. As I was sitting for meditation, my physical existence disappeared; I felt like a hollow pipe. The luminous, powerful stream of Consciousness poured right through me. Sometimes a drop of water was touched by light and a thought flashed forth, but the steady powerful pull and flow of Consciousness swept everything along.
This deep meditation left me filled with light, refreshed, and at peace. What a wonderful, mysterious gift this
Love in Action is!
Bern, Switzerland
Just as the raindrops appear before the beautiful
Love in Action gift, rain fell here in Melbourne all afternoon, all evening, all night and all day today.
I sat to meditate last night, holding the form of Bhagavan Nityananda and his words in my consciousness, listening to the rain. And yes, I truly did find myself roaming in a pure, fresh, blissful, and joy-filled space—my heart!
Thornbury, Australia
I was on my way back home from Gurudev Siddha Peeth when I discovered
Love in Action, while waiting for my last flight in the airport. The magnificence and harmony of this exquisite design reminded me of Gurudev Siddha Peeth!
During my long trip home, I have practiced repetition of the mantra
Om Namah Shivaya on the in-breath and the out-breath, maintaining a
bhava of love to the inner light in my Heart, and repeating
Guru Om each time I touched the Guru's bead on my
japa mala.
Despite travel delays and lack of sleep, I do feel my mind is resting “on the leaf of peace.” I do feel my gaze is resting “upon the flower of love.” I do feel my Guru's love is with me.
Annency-le-Vieux, France
I loved how at first glance the serenity of the picture drew me in. Then I noticed everything coming to life and pulsating, drawing me to look closer and experience the hidden words. Then, on my own, I kept looking for more treasures and found them in almost hidden symbols. It felt like a magical place, created by the love of Gurumayi.
Love in Action reminds me to always look for the treasure of love. It's everywhere, in everything; this love pulses all around me. Spending time with
Love in Action was a delightful experience.
Florida, United States
Gurumayi ji dipped her peacock feather in the ink of love and printed in my heart the Guru’s blessing. This delicate picture, pulsating in every detail, brought me into a heavenly atmosphere and invited me to look at the world through the lens of my heart.
It is through this openness of my heart that I enjoy spreading the love of my inner Self around me.
Rodez, France
I really love the idea that love is so beneficially expressed through action. I learned this best through offering
seva.
Years ago, I was a full-time teacher, a wife, and a mother. Then I began offering
seva at the local Siddha Yoga meditation center. There I found that the simplest task was joyful, fulfilling, and engaging. What was even more rewarding was that this fulfillment carried over into my home and career.
At home, while cooking and cleaning, I would spontaneously burst into chanting. Chores I had disliked became easier, more creative, and organized. At work, I engaged more joyfully with the students as I shared my love and care for them, and they responded in kind.
Seva became a vehicle for teaching me not only how to work well but also how to expand and express my love—through action.
Georgia, United States
Gurumayi’s power is so special that it gives me an immediate connection with my heart. Now, after viewing
Love in Action, I feel full of life.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Interacting with and reading this exquisite gift reminded me of my recent experience of love in the most unexpected circumstances.
Ten days ago, I fell off my bike, broke my hip, and had a total hip replacement! It sounds like a dreadful experience, but it became an expression of divine love. From the moment I landed on the ground, I knew I was being looked after. Some kind strangers stayed with me and called the ambulance. The paramedics and hospital staff were kind, gentle, and clear, and I experienced them as embodiments of love. Through the entire experience, I felt Gurumayi’s love in my heart and I couldn't stop saying "Thank you."
It feels like
Love in Action 2020 expresses that same reality—the ever-present grace in the form of love, pouring through everyone and everything. It leaves me wanting to courageously embrace every experience that life has to offer, knowing its innate perfection. This divine grace calls forth never-ending gratitude from my heart.
Clifton Hill, Australia
Ohhhh, it is so much fun to click on the blue heart and the
Om symbol fast, one right after the other! Then, when it is raining
Om and the hearts pop up and out and they all mix together in the middle of the picture, I experience divine joy, happiness, fun, delight, elation, and contentment.
Thun, Switzerland
Seeing this beautiful heart awoke in my own heart the love of my Guru. For a few moments my eyes gazed into the depth of the heart on the screen, and I became still, touched with the same inner calmness I feel in meditation. I felt pure love within me. Then suddenly, I received the gift of Gurumayi ji's
darshan, as I experienced her loving presence within my heart.
New Delhi, India
This is the best Valentine I have ever received—streams of love and deep peace.
Massachusetts, United States
As we settled into the meditation hall in the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Melbourne on February 14, 1997, Gurumayi told us, "Welcome and Happy Love's Day!" The hall was filled with red hearts, dangling on gold ribbons from the ceiling and the walls. One fell onto me, so I picked it up and replaced it on the wall. As I did this, Gurumayi said, "If a heart falls on you, it is yours."
As I explored the painting in
Love in Action 2020, wondering what might be revealed, what my heart felt was the love and energy of its creation. And it was the same love and energy that I felt when I walked into the Ashram hall back in 1997, grateful for the effort and love of the Siddha Yogis who had made the hearts and decorated the hall on Love's Day—and grateful for the one heart that fell on me.
Happy Love's Day!
Canberra, Australia
Enter into the misty, drizzle- bound mirror
and see your home, a perfect Paradise fit for the Sadguru.
Become the light
which illumines all delights within,
and grants the permission to travel
between these two experiences of existence.
Shine with exuberant joy!
Massachusetts, United States
After reading such beautiful expressions of love, viewing such delicate art, and having the experience of the Guru's presence inside, what else can I say but “Thank you!”
Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico
The second gem I clicked on opened a blue heart containing the words “Ensconced in God's heart.” I quickly looked up
ensconced in my dictionary and found the following definition: "Established or settled in a comfortable, safe, or secret place."
My own heart overflowed with love as these words, a gift from Gurumayi, reminded me that God is indeed seated “in a comfortable, safe, and secret” home in my heart. And, by following the Siddha Yoga path, the secretness of God abiding there, so close, is now mine to know and guide me through my day-to-day life.
Missouri, United States
Since the rising of the dawn, I have been contemplating Gurumayi and
Love in Action. When I first saw
Love in Action on the Siddha Yoga path website, my heart recognized that viewing it is itself “love in action.” Each glowing particle of the wide canvas is an invitation to approach, learn, smile, and love. With each click I was feeling Gurumayi’s love and her Message for 2020.
When I read Gurumayi ji’s words, “Thoughts of you render my world anew,” I was thrilled and felt so loved.
Dehu, India
This gift of Gurumayi is more precious than the purest gold and more touching than a thousand words of love. It fills my heart with deep contentment.
Annecy, France
I love how Gurumayi reawakens and invites my inner child to come out and play with this sweet, evocative, and playful means of interacting with the teachings. Who doesn't feel excited about visiting a magical land? And that is exactly what happens as I commit to the Siddha Yoga practices—the world becomes more and more magical!
Florida, United States
After viewing
Love in Action, and reading the quotations in different languages, I felt so connected with my own soul. I also felt so much love for everyone in the world. As
Love in Action shows, language barriers can’t stop us from feeling loved and connected with everyone.
Midstream, South Africa
When I saw the
aloha heart, I felt as if Gurumayi had sent the card just for me, although I know she sent it for everyone. It was that connection of the heart between my Guru and me that is instanteous, all-encompassing, and everlasting. It was reassuring and affirming.
What beautiful gifts our Guru bestows upon us! We are so blessed.
Hawaii, United States
So much joy, so much love! My heart is full—and yet I still feel it pining for even more of the scintillating vision of this awe-inspiring art and accompanying text. Such instant delight!
I am so grateful to Gurumayi for this grace-filled experience.
Baulkham Hills, Australia