Toward Love…
~ Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Listen to the teaching
Read by Eesha Sardesai
Music to accompany the teaching:
Pan flute played by Derek Jivan Jones
I took some time to immerse myself in rereading and rediscovering Gurumayi’s teachings on love from the beginning of the year. I am grateful to Gurumayi for these amazing teachings, which I am still feeling in my heart as I write. There is a deep warmth in my chest, and it is spreading to my throat.
I am thrilled to notice how much more I understand of these exquisite words today than only a year ago when I first received them, and that is due to a year saturated with Gurumayi’s guidance and teachings and love. I am grateful to Gurumayi for describing the complexity of the journey and revealing how simple it can be if I keep my focus on love.
I am thrilled to notice how much more I understand of these exquisite words today than only a year ago when I first received them, and that is due to a year saturated with Gurumayi’s guidance and teachings and love. I am grateful to Gurumayi for describing the complexity of the journey and revealing how simple it can be if I keep my focus on love.
New York, United States
It is amazing to me that Gurumayi seems to express the very essence of love in every letter of these teachings. As I repeatedly read and listen to the “Toward Love…” series, I feel I am witnessing my own expression of love blossoming in unexpected circumstances, and even manifesting toward people I previously avoided.
I am so grateful for Gurumayi’s teachings. They have always been and always will be the guiding light for me as I follow the path of my inner transformation.
Chitradurga, India
When I gaze at this diamond-faceted, crystal heart, it appears to rotate in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, depending upon my angle of perception. For me, this heart represents pure Consciousness. It seems to contain the entire cosmos within its different facets and reflect its light and beauty in all directions in the form of pure love.
Viewing the heart has led me to remember and contemplate the teachings of Shri Guru on the topic of Chiti Shakti, the great power of creation. I have also been inspired to meditate on this crystal heart. Doing so often brings me new perceptions from within, enhances my happiness, and increases my love for Shri Guru and for all beings.
I am grateful to Shri Gurumayi for the precious teachings in this “Toward Love …” series. I intend to visit it often in order to gain more insights and fill my life with the rasa of love.
Udaipur, India
I am mesmerized by this beautiful heart. I feel as if I can keep looking at it endlessly. I am drawn to its perfect facets, the sparkles of color it radiates, and its crystalline quality. Meditating on this heart, I remember the descriptions I’ve read of the Blue Pearl. Gazing at this heart, I am drawn into the experience of the pool of love in my heart, into the depths of the ocean of serenity.
New Delhi, India
My experience of each one of the teachings in this beautiful “Toward Love…” series is that—like the sparkling, crystalline heart—they have revealed facets of magical insight and captivated my attention in one way, then another. And yet I feel there is no end to their depths, meanings, and treasures.
I have returned to this fourteenth teaching many times since it was first posted. Today I took the opportunity to journal about it. I wrote about how Gurumayi’s words in “Toward Love…” have evoked a sweet stream of love in my own being. I have experienced the truth of Gurumayi’s words, “Only love can make you realize that nothing is greater than the power of love.” I have had sadhana experiences when I have connected with God so deeply that I have felt totally fulfilled; there was nothing else needed.
I have returned to this fourteenth teaching many times since it was first posted. Today I took the opportunity to journal about it. I wrote about how Gurumayi’s words in “Toward Love…” have evoked a sweet stream of love in my own being. I have experienced the truth of Gurumayi’s words, “Only love can make you realize that nothing is greater than the power of love.” I have had sadhana experiences when I have connected with God so deeply that I have felt totally fulfilled; there was nothing else needed.
Guildford, United Kingdom
On February 11, I had an incredible experience in the Bhagavan Nityananda Temple at the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Oakland. I had completed offering seva there and turned to say goodbye to Bade Baba. When I did, I couldn’t believe it—the sun was shining brilliantly on Bade Baba’s right earlobe, and it looked like a sparkling diamond earring. I was mesmerized. I thought to myself, “This must be a message.” For the next few days, I looked for the meaning, but nothing came to me. And then on February 14, I opened the Siddha Yoga path website and saw a brilliant diamond dancing before my eyes. I was speechless! I felt that Bade Baba had been giving me a hint about Gurumayi’s Valentine’s Day gift.
California, United States
As I contemplate the crystal heart turning and turning, directing its facets all around, I see the image of a lighthouse spreading its light.
To build my own lighthouse, I must be centered in my heart and light up my mind with the mantra. Then the pure light of the Self will illuminate the world around me and reveal the beauty of the universe.
To build my own lighthouse, I must be centered in my heart and light up my mind with the mantra. Then the pure light of the Self will illuminate the world around me and reveal the beauty of the universe.
Rodez, France
The endless reflections in this flawless diamond heart made me think of God’s infinite love. The play of light reminded me of the dance of Shri Kundalini Shakti, who shows her beauty in a thousand ways. Only love can be as free as she is!
These thoughts arose: for me, love has no desires because love is the fulfilment of all my desires. Love is woven into everything that is. Love is the foundation of God’s creation. As I continued to reflect on love in this way, I realized that my mind cannot grasp the dimensions of love.
So I put down my pen. I placed my hands on my heart to experience my Guru’s gift of love that is indescribable.
These thoughts arose: for me, love has no desires because love is the fulfilment of all my desires. Love is woven into everything that is. Love is the foundation of God’s creation. As I continued to reflect on love in this way, I realized that my mind cannot grasp the dimensions of love.
So I put down my pen. I placed my hands on my heart to experience my Guru’s gift of love that is indescribable.
Konolfingen, Switzerland
On Valentine’s Day I opened the Siddha Yoga path website and discovered the diamond heart. After viewing it for a while, I closed my eyes and was drawn into meditation. My heart opened and warmth filled my chest. I was calm, connected to the sahasrara at the top of my head, and I went very deep, into a beautiful space inside myself.
All through the day, the diamond heart and my meditation experience stayed with me. I reflected on the teachings “Toward Love…” that Gurumayi had given us. I read them again and contemplated how to integrate and practice them in my daily life and in my sadhana.
It was a beautiful day, so full of abundance and love.
All through the day, the diamond heart and my meditation experience stayed with me. I reflected on the teachings “Toward Love…” that Gurumayi had given us. I read them again and contemplated how to integrate and practice them in my daily life and in my sadhana.
It was a beautiful day, so full of abundance and love.
Gottmadingen, Germany
The beautiful crystal heart from Gurumayi reminded me of a vivid dream I had some time ago.
In the dream, I was walking toward God’s house. Every element on the narrow path I was on was made of pure and enchanting crystal. I was clothed in white, and everything was bathed in a soft, sweet breeze.
When I saw this crystal heart on the Siddha Yoga path website, I felt that my dream was real. I realized that with every experience in my sadhana, I am on my path, walking toward God’s house.
This realization assures me that everything happens in its own time. The Guru is always with me. What I have to do is follow her teachings, guiding my path “Toward Love…”
In the dream, I was walking toward God’s house. Every element on the narrow path I was on was made of pure and enchanting crystal. I was clothed in white, and everything was bathed in a soft, sweet breeze.
When I saw this crystal heart on the Siddha Yoga path website, I felt that my dream was real. I realized that with every experience in my sadhana, I am on my path, walking toward God’s house.
This realization assures me that everything happens in its own time. The Guru is always with me. What I have to do is follow her teachings, guiding my path “Toward Love…”
Milan, Italy
The image of the crystal heart is mesmerizing and inspiring. As it turns and the myriad facets are revealed, I am amazed at how clear it is. This is what a pure heart looks like. I long for this purity of heart.
Recently as I was meditating, a deep ache arose. I realized this was not something wrong, but rather an opportunity to offer an old sadness to Shri Kundalini Shakti. And so, during the meditation, I allowed myself to simply be with the heartache, while holding the understanding that the samskara that created that ache was being purified.
When the ache dissipated, I felt lighter.
I have become more patient in allowing such a process of purification to unfold. I see how over the years of sadhana, I have become so much clearer.
The image of the pure crystal heart inspires me to continue my sadhana with a firm commitment to attain a pure heart.
Recently as I was meditating, a deep ache arose. I realized this was not something wrong, but rather an opportunity to offer an old sadness to Shri Kundalini Shakti. And so, during the meditation, I allowed myself to simply be with the heartache, while holding the understanding that the samskara that created that ache was being purified.
When the ache dissipated, I felt lighter.
I have become more patient in allowing such a process of purification to unfold. I see how over the years of sadhana, I have become so much clearer.
The image of the pure crystal heart inspires me to continue my sadhana with a firm commitment to attain a pure heart.
Michigan, United States
Since childhood I have always adored glistening, shimmering, shining objects of all sorts and sizes. My mind enters their sacred space and pauses there in amazement, in wonder, and in feeling truly alive. Faceted crystals that hang in a window are one of my favorites among these objects. I even found a little machine that turns the crystal slowly, scattering myriad dancing, magical rainbows everywhere on my white walls.
So this surprise crystal from Gurumayi on Valentine’s Day “takes the cake” for me! It emanates the “crème de la crème" experience of graceful love beckoning me home. Like many of my fellow sadhakas have shared, I am transported watching it. It seems to say, “Greetings from love’s light in action! Be mesmerized, be tantalized, be revitalized!”
So this surprise crystal from Gurumayi on Valentine’s Day “takes the cake” for me! It emanates the “crème de la crème" experience of graceful love beckoning me home. Like many of my fellow sadhakas have shared, I am transported watching it. It seems to say, “Greetings from love’s light in action! Be mesmerized, be tantalized, be revitalized!”
Washington, United States
During these last two weeks, which have been challenging at work, I felt like I had Gurumayi’s support and guidance through these teachings for “Toward Love…,” which are also teachings on life. They helped me adjust my attitude and I will continue to contemplate them to reveal their hidden gems.
When I saw the crystal heart, I was shocked—because I have an image in my room of just that kind of crystal heart beside a picture of Gurumayi. I feel like Gurumayi is with me truly, and that she holds my heart. Her diamond-like perfect love teaches me that our hearts are one.
I am so humbled by this and beyond grateful to have such an amazing Guru and to be following this magnificent Siddha Yoga path.
When I saw the crystal heart, I was shocked—because I have an image in my room of just that kind of crystal heart beside a picture of Gurumayi. I feel like Gurumayi is with me truly, and that she holds my heart. Her diamond-like perfect love teaches me that our hearts are one.
I am so humbled by this and beyond grateful to have such an amazing Guru and to be following this magnificent Siddha Yoga path.
Victoriaville, Canada
I love engaging with this heart! It is so soothing and nurturing just to be with the heart and to meditate on it.
I watch the play of light enter the heart, dance within, refract and shimmer, and then see how the light shines outward through each facet. It seems that the different facets give the light more opportunity to exhibit its beauty, to shine outward in more directions.
As I grow in Siddha Yoga sadhana, I experience people in my everyday life shining with exquisite unique beauty, like the facets on this heart. This heart reminds me to honor the fact that I too can be that beauty, that light for others. Gurumayi’s loving teachings fill me with reassurance and gratitude.
I watch the play of light enter the heart, dance within, refract and shimmer, and then see how the light shines outward through each facet. It seems that the different facets give the light more opportunity to exhibit its beauty, to shine outward in more directions.
As I grow in Siddha Yoga sadhana, I experience people in my everyday life shining with exquisite unique beauty, like the facets on this heart. This heart reminds me to honor the fact that I too can be that beauty, that light for others. Gurumayi’s loving teachings fill me with reassurance and gratitude.
New York, United States
Every few hours it gets lighter, it gets brighter
has more colors and more rays,
it is spinning deep within,
it finds its ways
into my eyes, my mind, my heart.
This kind of divine love must be the art
of life.
“Love is love” with its own drive—
it makes me dance and whirl within
around God’s sacred hub
makes me fall
in love
and bliss.
Every few hours I get lighter, I get brighter…
has more colors and more rays,
it is spinning deep within,
it finds its ways
into my eyes, my mind, my heart.
This kind of divine love must be the art
of life.
“Love is love” with its own drive—
it makes me dance and whirl within
around God’s sacred hub
makes me fall
in love
and bliss.
Every few hours I get lighter, I get brighter…
Hindelang, Germany
What a splendid gift from Gurumayi! It took my breath away when I saw it. When I first came to the Siddha Yoga path, I would often think of God as a diamond with infinite facets. And I still see each of us as a facet of the diamond of God’s own heart.
Washington, United States
I have gazed and gazed at this pure crystal heart. The serene play of the myriad forms, lights, and colors is fascinating and calming to me.
While I watching the crystal heart’s rotations, Baba’s longtime disciple Venkappa Anna came to my mind. When he used to come for darshan in the Bhagavan Nityananda Temple or in Baba’s Samadhi Shrine in Gurudev Siddha Peeth, he would turn three times around himself. I asked him why he does that. He told me it’s pradakshina—the traditional, sacred ritual of circumambulation—around his inner Self. At home I imitated his ritual, and it felt really good to be aware of my own divine center in this way.
I want to keep this amazing crystal heart in my mind. This vivid image is so alive and filled with the sweetest love.
While I watching the crystal heart’s rotations, Baba’s longtime disciple Venkappa Anna came to my mind. When he used to come for darshan in the Bhagavan Nityananda Temple or in Baba’s Samadhi Shrine in Gurudev Siddha Peeth, he would turn three times around himself. I asked him why he does that. He told me it’s pradakshina—the traditional, sacred ritual of circumambulation—around his inner Self. At home I imitated his ritual, and it felt really good to be aware of my own divine center in this way.
I want to keep this amazing crystal heart in my mind. This vivid image is so alive and filled with the sweetest love.
Hindelang, Germany
Opening the Siddha Yoga path website in the early hours this morning, I found a massive, vibrant diamond on a white background, turning slowly and deliberately, catching and creating every kind of light and reflecting it outwards. It seemed cool and perfect, uncompromising in its clarity and purity—a mesmerizing picture of the light of Consciousness overflowing with cosmic intensity, power, and potential.
Looking at it again this afternoon, I received a vivid surprise—I felt my own heart vibrating with sparkling, crystalline movements of light deep inside. I suddenly feel Gurumayi’s heart in my own heart very powerfully. My heart is pulsating with love and gratitude. The light and crystalline movements of the cosmic heart feel like the shimmering chimes and bells at the end of meditation.
I am so grateful for these beautiful teachings on love.
Looking at it again this afternoon, I received a vivid surprise—I felt my own heart vibrating with sparkling, crystalline movements of light deep inside. I suddenly feel Gurumayi’s heart in my own heart very powerfully. My heart is pulsating with love and gratitude. The light and crystalline movements of the cosmic heart feel like the shimmering chimes and bells at the end of meditation.
I am so grateful for these beautiful teachings on love.
Ludlow, United Kingdom
As I read Gurumayi’s words, my mouth whispers, “Guru Om, Guru Om, Guru Om.” Love reverberates in my heart, like a delicate twist of the diamond that I have received when turning to the Siddha Yoga path website—a gift of divine love from my beloved Gurumayi.
Since the beginning of the month “Toward Love…” has taken me into contemplation day by day, more and more deeply, and has led me to discover in myself different facets of love.
Today, Gurumayi shows me the culmination of love, and my heart bows in reverence before her teachings. Bringing my hands before my heart, I join in the prayer with which she concludes this fourteenth teaching.
Since the beginning of the month “Toward Love…” has taken me into contemplation day by day, more and more deeply, and has led me to discover in myself different facets of love.
Today, Gurumayi shows me the culmination of love, and my heart bows in reverence before her teachings. Bringing my hands before my heart, I join in the prayer with which she concludes this fourteenth teaching.
Mexico City, Mexico
Listening to Gurumayi’s valentine to all of us as it is read out loud opens the door wide for me to bask in Gurumayi’s love with innocence and recognition. What a precious gift!
The prayer in the last paragraph of Gurumayi’s teaching inspires me with valor to treat this world as a treasured gift that has been entrusted to me. May my thoughts, words, and deeds hold this pure vibration and spread Gurumayi’s light to all so that it may “restore this world.” As I often hear people say, “Together we can!”
The prayer in the last paragraph of Gurumayi’s teaching inspires me with valor to treat this world as a treasured gift that has been entrusted to me. May my thoughts, words, and deeds hold this pure vibration and spread Gurumayi’s light to all so that it may “restore this world.” As I often hear people say, “Together we can!”
Washington, United States
Many years ago I was in Gurudev Siddha Peeth and it was my birthday. I wanted to offer a gift to Gurumayi but I thought I had nothing valuable for her. Then I remembered I had a small crystal heart in my suitcase. When I handed it to Gurumayi, I felt somewhat uneasy, thinking it was such a little gift and not as worthwhile a gift for my Guru as I would have liked.
This morning when I looked at this beautiful crystal heart as a gift of love from Gurumayi, I was moved to tears. My own heart is overflowing with gratitude to see how the Guru can beautify and magnify a heart and make it shine with a thousand lights. Just as Gurumayi put her own infinite love into this crystal heart, I pray to never forget how precious is my own loving heart.
This morning when I looked at this beautiful crystal heart as a gift of love from Gurumayi, I was moved to tears. My own heart is overflowing with gratitude to see how the Guru can beautify and magnify a heart and make it shine with a thousand lights. Just as Gurumayi put her own infinite love into this crystal heart, I pray to never forget how precious is my own loving heart.
Joliette, Canada
What power of love was shown to me in great synchronicity today—on Valentine’s Day, this last day of Gurumayi’s sublime teachings on love, which have been her gift to us all for two long beautiful weeks!
I am one of three Siddha Yoga sadhakas bridging countries and languages in a new Sadhana Circle that was meeting for the second time today. The focus for our study has been Gurumayi’s teachings in “Toward Love….” As we explored the multitude of significant and magnificent treasures, we approached the end of our assigned time. In that very moment, we discovered a rose on the Siddha Yoga path website on the fifteenth day of the teachings, and lo and behold, we could gaze upon the most exquisite images of Gurumayi and Bade Baba, both dressed in bright red, and reveling in love for each other. The sweetest moment ever—love in action.
I am one of three Siddha Yoga sadhakas bridging countries and languages in a new Sadhana Circle that was meeting for the second time today. The focus for our study has been Gurumayi’s teachings in “Toward Love….” As we explored the multitude of significant and magnificent treasures, we approached the end of our assigned time. In that very moment, we discovered a rose on the Siddha Yoga path website on the fifteenth day of the teachings, and lo and behold, we could gaze upon the most exquisite images of Gurumayi and Bade Baba, both dressed in bright red, and reveling in love for each other. The sweetest moment ever—love in action.
Oslo, Norway
When Baba touched the top of my head during a Shaktipat Intensive, my body filled with light and love. Before that, I had felt love had to come from the outside. At that moment I knew that love and God existed within me. Even though I’d had light and love within me before, I was unaware of them. Through Baba’s grace in bestowing shaktipat on me, he awakened me to the presence of this love.
This makes very real to me what Gurumayi teaches us here. For me, Baba and Gurumayi are this omnipotent, omnipresent, eternal love. My experience has been that the Siddha Yoga teachings and practices remove inner impediments, allowing more and more space for this love to shine through me and in turn touch the hearts and lives of others. For me Siddha Yoga is a path where my self-effort and love are met abundantly with the Gurus’ love and grace. I am grateful to be on this path of love and devotion.California, United States
It seems that Gurumayi’s teachings on love have imprinted my soul.
This morning, I was buying vegetables at a market stall. At one point, some people who, like me, were buying vegetables had some kind of disagreement, to which I spontaneously responded by saying, “What matters is the heart.” A lady standing beside me turned to me with sparkling eyes and a slight smile on her lips. Silent love had revealed our scintillating crystal hearts.
This morning, I was buying vegetables at a market stall. At one point, some people who, like me, were buying vegetables had some kind of disagreement, to which I spontaneously responded by saying, “What matters is the heart.” A lady standing beside me turned to me with sparkling eyes and a slight smile on her lips. Silent love had revealed our scintillating crystal hearts.
Rodez, France
Tears rolled forth as I saw the dazzling crystal heart on the Siddha Yoga path website. I felt that it was talking to me and reminding me that my heart was beautiful and dazzling with virtues. Slowly I found myself repeating my own virtues one by one. I knew that I too had a beautiful heart that keeps shining when I am connected to my virtues.
I had experienced the power of an inanimate object—the crystal heart—and I was reminded of the teaching of the day in “Toward Love….”
I had experienced the power of an inanimate object—the crystal heart—and I was reminded of the teaching of the day in “Toward Love….”
Delhi, India
In the early hours of the morning, I discovered the image of the diamond heart turning on itself. Fascinated, I spent a long time savoring each of its rotations. Absorbed in the hollow of its perpetual movement, penetrated by the enchantment of its coruscating colors, amazed by the gentle vibration that responded in my chest, I felt my heart overflowing with infinite gratitude for this wondrous, mesmerizing gift.
Plougonvelin, France