समय के समक्ष
In the Presence of Time
~ Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
I am so happy to see Gurumayi’s teaching today, just after I spent time praying to Surya Devata. I feel that the sun—Surya Devata—showering us with brilliance and light over many, many, centuries is a prime representation of Gurumayi’s Message.
The sun’s position in the sky throughout the day reminds me to manage my time. I am grateful for this teaching and pray to Gurumayi and to Surya Devata to support me in practicing and applying Gurumayi’s Message in my daily life.
The sun’s position in the sky throughout the day reminds me to manage my time. I am grateful for this teaching and pray to Gurumayi and to Surya Devata to support me in practicing and applying Gurumayi’s Message in my daily life.
North Carolina, United States
When contemplating the words of teaching 1, I feel as though the sun’s all-encompassing warmth and love are blazing within and without me. I feel a sense of timelessness. I can see that, with each trip around the sun, my physical body is changing. Yet the sun’s brilliance, warmth, and radiant love only increase and remain eternally within me.
New Jersey, United States
Gurumayi’s teaching 1 speaks to my soul. I am not surprised that it is the first one in this series that is helping us to comprehend Gurumayi’s Message for 2025.
Our understanding of time is often linked to the movement of the stars and planets. The sun is the star in the center of our solar system. It provides light and heat, illuminating all the planets and stars orbiting around it, including our own planet Earth. I have always paid attention to light. I am amazed anew every day, for example, at the light coming in through the windows of my apartment and how it alters the colors and atmosphere around me throughout the course of the day. The sun creates patterns and shapes on my carpet and walls that change by the minute, indicating the passage of time. Each of these experiences is a magical moment and draws me into my heart.
Our understanding of time is often linked to the movement of the stars and planets. The sun is the star in the center of our solar system. It provides light and heat, illuminating all the planets and stars orbiting around it, including our own planet Earth. I have always paid attention to light. I am amazed anew every day, for example, at the light coming in through the windows of my apartment and how it alters the colors and atmosphere around me throughout the course of the day. The sun creates patterns and shapes on my carpet and walls that change by the minute, indicating the passage of time. Each of these experiences is a magical moment and draws me into my heart.
California, United States
As a teenager, my mother taught me the ritual of offering water to the sun early in the morning. As I grew up, I continued this practice and felt extremely blessed by the blazing sun.
Six months ago, my husband and I moved into a new apartment where we couldn’t see the morning sun. This led me to drop my morning practice of offering water to the sun. When this year started, I thought to myself that I wanted to restart this practice. And with that intention, I thought of a way. Now, I stand facing the east wall of my balcony every morning and, with my eyes closed, I visualize the sun shining and then offer water to the sun.
This practice has brought me back to my experience of watching the sun every morning and receiving its blessings. I feel connected to the sun within, to its light and brilliance in my heart and in my life. It is like the driving force that keeps me energized throughout the day.
Six months ago, my husband and I moved into a new apartment where we couldn’t see the morning sun. This led me to drop my morning practice of offering water to the sun. When this year started, I thought to myself that I wanted to restart this practice. And with that intention, I thought of a way. Now, I stand facing the east wall of my balcony every morning and, with my eyes closed, I visualize the sun shining and then offer water to the sun.
This practice has brought me back to my experience of watching the sun every morning and receiving its blessings. I feel connected to the sun within, to its light and brilliance in my heart and in my life. It is like the driving force that keeps me energized throughout the day.
Bangalore, India
When I read this first teaching of Gurumayi’s, I paused for a moment. Then questions began to arise. I wondered at the meaning of this teaching and pondered how the sun was related to time. My understanding took time to unfold.
Then, like a flash, it dawned on me that most places on this planet mark time by the sun. My moment to moment existence is measured by time, defined by hours, days, months, and years. In many cases, how society measures time is related to the sun. It’s so simple, yet so profound, this pivotal relationship I have with the movement of this precious planet around the sun. Yet, I had completely missed it until I read Gurumayi’s teaching.
I feel so grateful and excited by the opportunity to engage and unpack Gurumayi’s Message for 2025 through contemplating her daily “In the Presence of Time” teachings. This first one has already utterly redefined my understanding of the profound relationship between the sun and my experience of time, which in turn affects how I experience my life.
Then, like a flash, it dawned on me that most places on this planet mark time by the sun. My moment to moment existence is measured by time, defined by hours, days, months, and years. In many cases, how society measures time is related to the sun. It’s so simple, yet so profound, this pivotal relationship I have with the movement of this precious planet around the sun. Yet, I had completely missed it until I read Gurumayi’s teaching.
I feel so grateful and excited by the opportunity to engage and unpack Gurumayi’s Message for 2025 through contemplating her daily “In the Presence of Time” teachings. This first one has already utterly redefined my understanding of the profound relationship between the sun and my experience of time, which in turn affects how I experience my life.
California, United States
This morning I was experiencing “the brilliance of the sun,” which was making the frost that covers the silent landscape sparkle. Then, a cloud came and covered the sun like a curtain. I know that a wood fire in a cozy home is appreciated when it’s dark outside. And so, I turned to the fire of my heart, which still was alight with the embers of my morning meditation.
I like to remember that, as the moon reflects the light of the sun, so the sun reflects the light of the Self. Yet, when the sun disappears, the sun of the Self is still there. It is always there.
When I stay aware of the uninterrupted cycle of my breath and the sound of the mantra, I’m basking in the sun of my heart.
I like to remember that, as the moon reflects the light of the sun, so the sun reflects the light of the Self. Yet, when the sun disappears, the sun of the Self is still there. It is always there.
When I stay aware of the uninterrupted cycle of my breath and the sound of the mantra, I’m basking in the sun of my heart.
Rodez, France
The moment that I saw the words of teaching 1, I felt an incredible response inside. I experienced that a golden light was rising from my heart and spreading through my torso and outwards to my limbs. It was as if the sun was rising inside me. It was such a beautiful example of the power of the Guru’s words, which shine with “the brilliance of the sun.” Whenever I remember this experience, I become absorbed again in this warm light of bliss and happiness in my heart.
Ludlow, United Kingdom
The first of Gurumayi’s pearls of wisdom is “the brilliance of the sun.” I consciously perceive this brilliance, sense it, see it, feel it, paint it, and honor it. As long as I am here on this earth, I can experience it, discover it within myself, and admire it in the sky. Gurumayi’s guidance helps me to honor my time and consciously experience the beauty and fascination of life. Through these teachings, the Guru brings my focus to those things that are worth recognizing, experiencing, and investing my time in.
Konolfingen, Switzerland
In recent months, I have been going through some health issues. I am healing, but it is a process. This morning as I stood by my bathroom sink, I paused in the rays of beautiful sunlight that poured through the window blinds. I took my time to bathe in their healing power.
I was so delighted to then come to the Siddha Yoga path website and see this beautiful teaching from Gurumayi. I was able to go back to that moment and bathe again in the power of the sun and of my Guru’s words. I don’t know if I would have immediately understood the connection between her words and time had I not just experienced it for myself. It was in taking my time, allowing myself the time, that I could experience “the brilliance of the sun.”
Montana, United States
What a beautiful and relevant teaching for Makara Sankranti. I feel that Gurumayi is reminding us here of the most ancient way of telling time, which is by looking to the sun. I am so intrigued by this, and so grateful for the reminder that all throughout history, people’s lives have been shaped by time.
New York, United States
I recently had the very good fortune of spending time in Gurudev Siddha Peeth. From day one, I was in awe and appreciation of the life-giving sun rising and setting each day over Dakshin Kashi. I was struck by how the sun marches on like clockwork, regardless of what is happening—whether we have inner turmoil or peace, are happy or sad, tired or energized. The sun’s constancy, generosity, and steadfastness were inspiring and instructive. Watching the brilliant sun and reflecting on it have made me determined to cultivate both more discipline and balance in my sadhana and life.
Vancouver, Canada
Morning Meditation
I cultivate and nourish the hope
that the sun rises within me each morning.
My whole being listens in silence
echoing the sound of the mantra
bestowed by my Guru.
My heart opens, spreading
the fragrance of her love and my gratitude.
This stills my mind to witness my own light.
I cultivate and nourish the hope
that the sun rises within me each morning.
My whole being listens in silence
echoing the sound of the mantra
bestowed by my Guru.
My heart opens, spreading
the fragrance of her love and my gratitude.
This stills my mind to witness my own light.
Valladolid, Spain
Yesterday, toward the end of my meditation, the sun streamed through a window, piercing a narrow opening between the trees and the buildings, and shone right on my face. I felt its glow, its warmth, and the joy it brought inside. I felt there was also a sun inside that was responding to the sun outside. And then this morning, there was the beautiful message about the sun on the website!
Paris, France