Toward Love…
~ Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Listen to the teaching
Read by Eesha Sardesai
Music to accompany the teaching:
Pan flute played by Derek Jivan Jones
When I initially contemplated Gurumayi’s third teaching in the “Toward Love…” series, I thought of the sky, which can be clearly seen, yet is intangible. I also thought of music, which can move me to tears, though sound itself is invisible.
As I continued to contemplate this teaching, I could feel my intellect pushing against its limits and screeching to a halt. A flame of longing ignited in my heart. My mind became still. I felt shakti enveloping my entire being. I felt I was having Gurumayi’s darshan.
As I continued to contemplate this teaching, I could feel my intellect pushing against its limits and screeching to a halt. A flame of longing ignited in my heart. My mind became still. I felt shakti enveloping my entire being. I felt I was having Gurumayi’s darshan.
Pennsylvania, United States
I especially loved this teaching in which Shri Gurumayi describes the breath and love—how they are both powerful, but mostly hidden from view. As I contemplated this, I discovered how often I forget to focus on these two mighty forces. This inspired me to renew my focus on the virtue of love and make it a central pillar of my life and my sadhana. In order to achieve this, I believe that I need to make the effort to recognize and focus on the love that is inherent in even the simplest of my day-to-day actions. I also will try to find ways to tangibly express my love toward everyone and everything.
I am so thankful to Gurumayi ji for awakening in me, again and again, the power of love.
a Gurukula student in Gurudev Siddha Peeth
This morning, after studying Gurumayi’s third teaching in ”Toward Love …,” I lay in a relaxed pose and focused on my breathing. I became aware of my breath filling my whole being with vitality, and a feeling arose that, with each inhalation, I was breathing in love. With each exhalation, I felt I was affirming this love to the world. Focusing on my breath in this way, I felt suffused with love.
Later I reflected on Gurumayi’s teaching in the light of this beautiful experience of the power of the prana and the presence of love. I treasure such experiences and know they can also completely elude me; I can’t yet find them “at will.” Yet the very elusiveness of these experiences serves to motivate me deeply in my sadhana and my life in general. It is like a game of hide-and-seek that intensifies my longing to seek the Truth.
Later I reflected on Gurumayi’s teaching in the light of this beautiful experience of the power of the prana and the presence of love. I treasure such experiences and know they can also completely elude me; I can’t yet find them “at will.” Yet the very elusiveness of these experiences serves to motivate me deeply in my sadhana and my life in general. It is like a game of hide-and-seek that intensifies my longing to seek the Truth.
Havant, United Kingdom
I notice that reading this third teaching sets up a subtle vibration inside. I recognize this as the vibration that arises when I try to hold the supreme Truth within, when I try to capture with my mind the ineffable—the breath, love, the Self.
I ask myself, “What is the purpose or effect of this vibration?” From deep within arises the intuition that this is the vibration of paradox, and it generates heat for sadhana. I experience that this subtle heat creates more room inside, and while doing this, it creates ecstasy.
I ask myself, “What is the purpose or effect of this vibration?” From deep within arises the intuition that this is the vibration of paradox, and it generates heat for sadhana. I experience that this subtle heat creates more room inside, and while doing this, it creates ecstasy.
Langwarrin, Australia
This morning, after meditating with the third “Toward Love…” teaching, I was about to recite Shri Guru Gita, when I was confronted with a situation that generated anxiety in me. Nevertheless, I returned to my original plan for svadhyaya.
At the start of the recitation, I became aware of my chest tightening, followed by the breath gradually being released, and memories of a very, very old situation running through my mind—which gave meaning to the morning’s situation. As I let these thoughts float in my mind, I remained aware of the breath within me, aware of the love “camouflaged” beneath the worry. Breathing in deep, breathing out long, neck long, chin down, I could feel the flow of love in my breath.
Little by little, breath and love became one. I breathed love in. I breathed love out. My body relaxed. My mind relaxed. My whole being became nourished by peace, tranquility, confidence, and a dignity filled with tenderness.At the start of the recitation, I became aware of my chest tightening, followed by the breath gradually being released, and memories of a very, very old situation running through my mind—which gave meaning to the morning’s situation. As I let these thoughts float in my mind, I remained aware of the breath within me, aware of the love “camouflaged” beneath the worry. Breathing in deep, breathing out long, neck long, chin down, I could feel the flow of love in my breath.
Plougonvelin, France
After reading Gurumayi’s teaching, I started meditating by focusing on the breath with the Hamsa mantra. During meditation I recognized that we are born of love, we live in love, and we die in love; the prana that gives life is love; and everything has been, and is, created by love and for love.
I am very grateful to Gurumayi because it is through her love that these realizations are possible.
I am very grateful to Gurumayi because it is through her love that these realizations are possible.
Varese, Italy
Inspired by the third teaching on “Toward Love…,” I meditated focusing on the breath. Afterwards I continued to reflect on the first part of the teaching about the breath. As I was writing my reflections on the ways “this mighty prana eludes all,” my breath became slower and slower, gently rocking into a peaceful, still joy. What a surprising and delightful way for the breath to “elude” me and then come gently back!
With gratitude and bright energy, I am coming back again and again to try to understand and experience this sacred teaching.
With gratitude and bright energy, I am coming back again and again to try to understand and experience this sacred teaching.
North Carolina, United States
As I was contemplating Gurumayi’s words, I came to understand that love, as “the most potent power,” is the origin of life and therefore the origin of breath.
I had experienced this omnipresent love after my very first meditation session ever. When I opened my eyes, amazed, I saw love everywhere around me. Years later, my breath was cut off in a skiing accident and, when my breath returned fortunately soon after, I also saw love everywhere.
So I now understand that love, like a pearl hidden in an oyster, is camouflaged within the breath and, to open the breath, through meditation, I must dive deeply into the spaces between inspiration and exhalation.
I had experienced this omnipresent love after my very first meditation session ever. When I opened my eyes, amazed, I saw love everywhere around me. Years later, my breath was cut off in a skiing accident and, when my breath returned fortunately soon after, I also saw love everywhere.
So I now understand that love, like a pearl hidden in an oyster, is camouflaged within the breath and, to open the breath, through meditation, I must dive deeply into the spaces between inspiration and exhalation.
Rodez, France
After savoring this profound teaching, I closed my eyes, and saw an archival image emerge—Bhagavan Nityananda strolling on the plains of Ganeshpuri, trailed by young village boys and girls. My heart exclaimed, “Ahh! That’s ‘marching toward love!’”
On the Siddha Yoga path, the Siddha Guru has often been seen walking with their students. In my childhood, I received the precious gift of walking with Gurumayi. Even today, after many years, I feel as if I am “marching toward love” with Gurumayi. Through life’s ups and downs, I have undeniably felt Gurumayi’s unwavering love. It serves as a boat destined to ferry me across the ocean of samsara.
Gurumayi’s love is certainly “the most potent power” in my life.
On the Siddha Yoga path, the Siddha Guru has often been seen walking with their students. In my childhood, I received the precious gift of walking with Gurumayi. Even today, after many years, I feel as if I am “marching toward love” with Gurumayi. Through life’s ups and downs, I have undeniably felt Gurumayi’s unwavering love. It serves as a boat destined to ferry me across the ocean of samsara.
Gurumayi’s love is certainly “the most potent power” in my life.
Sydney, Australia
With Gurumayi’s grace, the breath that has been there since my birth is unfolding as Hamsa; the love that I once searched for on the outside now resides within; grappling with “these paradoxes” allows me to delight in the bliss within and then to experience its play in the world around me.
I am filled with humility and gratitude as I increasingly realize that within this very human body God resides.
I am filled with humility and gratitude as I increasingly realize that within this very human body God resides.
California, United States
Although breath is inherent to life and to death, I often forget it; I often let it circulate without being aware of it.
Although love is the essence of my very being, I often dress it up in various disguises, such as anxiety, advice, frustration, jealousy, worry, or recommendations.
Inspired by this teaching of Gurumayi, I’m going to learn to dress it up instead with confidence, contentment, blessings, visualizations, life. I will practice watching the breath convey love in every moment.
Although love is the essence of my very being, I often dress it up in various disguises, such as anxiety, advice, frustration, jealousy, worry, or recommendations.
Inspired by this teaching of Gurumayi, I’m going to learn to dress it up instead with confidence, contentment, blessings, visualizations, life. I will practice watching the breath convey love in every moment.
Plougonvelin, France