Recently, I have been contemplating my sense of my own self-worth. I have set myself the intention of staying aware of my own divinity, and repeating Gurumayi’s Message for 2020.
This morning, I dreamt I was at Shree Muktananda Ashram. As I walked to the recitation of
Shri Guru Gita, I encountered Gurumayi just entering the hall. I ended up sitting next to her. Before the recitation began, Gurumayi handed a beautiful necklace with a big red heart on a gold chain to an assistant, who put it around my neck. I said, "Oh, there must be a mistake; this could not possibly be for me!" I didn’t feel worthy of such a beautiful gift from the Guru. But I was assured, "There is no mistake!"
After contemplating this dream, I opened the website to find a minisite where I could share this lovely experience. When "Meditation on the Heart" appeared on the homepage, once again I understood how deeply connected I am with my Guru, and how very deeply loved and guided I am.
Pennsylvania, United States
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
I have meditated with this
dharana the past two mornings, and already two transformations have occurred for me. My meditation time increased from thirty to forty minutes very easefully. And focusing on the white light in the center of the lotus in my heart region has helped me open my heart to feel compassion and understanding for several people currently involved in a challenging family situation.
New Mexico, United States
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
Each time I practice this
dharana with a one-pointed mind, I feel I am receiving a gift of profound awareness of the spiritual depth of my heart. I feel intensely connected with my inner Self. Then I am able to focus on the space between my breaths, where a nectar-like silence embraces me with love and compassion.
Bedford Gardens, South Africa
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
This powerful
dharana instantly led my mind to my heart. Then I had a flash of understanding that the heart is the gateway to all knowledge and creativity.
St. Laurent, Canada
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
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