With my first glance of the image accompanying the "Meditation on the Heart," my heart started opening like fresh lotus petals opening to the sun's soft rays. In the white light at the center of the lotus, I saw Gurumayi. Whenever I meditate, I have Gurumayi's
darshan in my heart, and here I was having Gurumayi's
darshan in the center of the lotus!
Two days after this experience, I am still able to maintain a renewed sense of equipoise and bliss. This evening, after working ten long hours, I sat in my car for a few minutes before driving home, and I recalled the image of the lotus to bring myself back to a quiet mind.
Gurumayi ji, thank you very much for this very powerful image of the lotus, for the
dharana, and for continuously giving me your
darshan in my heart.
California, USA
This morning, I used this
dharana as I meditated, envisioning the heart-lotus and focusing my attention there. My meditation was immediately filled with a honey-like, subtly vibratory energy that I experienced in the region of my heart. I was filled with love—love that I now want to carry with me into my day and my world.
Maryland, USA
Yesterday I read this
dharana. Today, every time the image of the space of the heart came to my mind during my activities, I took a moment to breathe consciously, remembering Gurumayi's Message and picturing the lotus heart. Each time, an inner peace came over me immediately. This experience brought me to the awareness of how easy it is to practice in a regular way the gift that our Guru gave to us.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this tangible experience.
Mexico City, Mexico
At first my conscious mind tried to remember the words of the
dharana, but then I let go and allowed my awareness to surrender to the space it evoked. In an effortless way I found myself serenely floating in silence, emptiness, and fullness.
As I practice this again and again, my conscious mind is becoming accustomed to experiencing this state of tranquility.
Iowa, USA
This is an incredibly powerful
dharana for me in the way it takes me directly to the heart. It certainly holds a high promise at the end!
I understand from the swami’s share, and my own experience, that entering into the middle of the heart lotus symbolizes the unification of knowledge and the object of knowledge—as one, as the
madhya. The
dharana is bringing me to the center of my heart immediately when I sit for meditation.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this opportunity to stay in the center of my being and feel connected with the Self throughout the day—during all my activities and relations with others!
Zuthen, Netherlands
This
dharana always leads me to the timeless space of the Heart. From this space I can see that everything is precisely as it should be. I become absorbed in the joyous vibration that connects me with all beings, all things.
Adelaide, Australia
The sages of Kashmir Shaivism explain that the heart-lotus is shaped like two bowls, one above the other. The upper half represents the power of knowing and the lower half represents the object of knowing. The Knower is in the heart,
hṛdaya, at the center between these two halves of the heart-lotus. By visualizing this lotus in the midst of our chest and focusing on its center, we can enter the space of the heart, which is the Knower, our own Self. When I practice this approach, I experience entering a conscious space of tranquility, goodness, and sweetness—a space of blessedness.
a Siddha Yoga Swami