Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Newsletter
 
 




Dear Friends,


It has been a while since this has gone out primarily because our website was down the beginning of July and secondarily because we have been so full with visitors and amazing events.  The one that I would like to speak to here is seeing Shri Muniraji and over 400 devotees in Moscow, Russia for Guru Purnima (the full moon in July).  It was a big trip, almost as long as going to India and I stayed only five days there because of all the activities here, but it was deeply worth the effort.


Shri Muniraji, despite his advanced age, fragile health and a near death experience a few weeks before the trip, was radiant.  His love touched me to the core of my heart as it seemed to touch everyone.  I had not seen him for a year and a half and tears streamed down my face as I saw him have difficulty walking, seeing and holding his hand steady.  The tears were because I realized we may lose his physical guidance soon, that this trip to Russia was a total gift of love from him, and also seeing those around him (Ganga, Kharku, Alok, Raghu, Pujari, Phul Singh, Michealangelo...) taking such infinite care with his every step and movement.  It is almost as if he has become a divine child and allows these divine lovers to care for him like a mother and fathers.
 


I was told that Shri Muniraji made this herculean effort to travel to Russia because of the love and devotion of the Russian people who have been coming in greater and greater numbers to Haidakhan.  It was an amazing love fest there, particularly on his 83rd birthday, which was celebrated with so much attention.  Before I left, I sat with Shri Muniraji and I asked him if he had a message for the American people.  He told me to tell them that now the only thing left for us to do is constant repetition of Om Namah Shivaya or else something very big was going to happen.  I flew home that day pondering what he had told me and doing a lot of Om Namah Shivayas.


Arriving back to this blessed Ashram, several people had already arrived for the Samaj meeting and Family week, which were to begin in a few days.  All of these people we so full of love, generosity of spirit and devotion that it made a short transition easy for me, we even chanted much of the night on Saturday.  When I was with Haidakhandeswari, our Mother, dressing Her and singing to Her, I also realized, once again with tears streaming down my face, that it was Her love radiating to all of the cosmos that would change the hearts of mankind.  Infinite gratitude welled up in me that we had been gifted this beyond-beautiful female form of Shri Babaji and had been entrusted to care for Her, She who embodies the Motherly, compassionate love that Shri Babaji carries in His heart for us.


And so I have been meditating and thinking about these two aspects:  the constant repetition  of Om Namah Shivaya and the all embracing love of Ma.  I feel that for me, the Om Namah Shivaya repetition helps me stay in the moment and like Baba said, keeps all the negative stuff from infiltrating my mind, which then poisons the world.  Ma on the other hand represents supreme balance.  Shri Babaji said that She is the combination of Maha Lakshmi, Maha Durga, and Maha Saraswati.  Each of these Shaktis carries a predominance of one of the three gunas, all necessary for living in this relative creation.  Lakshmi shows us satvic goodness and preservation, Saraswati demonstrates the rajas quality that brings creation and Mother Durga uses Her tamasic nature to protect us and destroys in the proper rhythm of the cosmos.  These three energies are magnificently balanced and bundled in deep motherly love for each one of us that chooses to avail him or herself to it.  I am so grateful to be here and to see the numbers of people growing that come here to worship, love Her, sing to Her and meditate on Her.  May Mother’s love grace us all and our families.     



Bhole Baba Ki Jai!

Ramloti




Ceremonies and Schedule


The next fire ceremony is on the full-moon which is Saturday, August 13.  The new-moon fire ceremony is on Sunday, August 28. The fire ceremonies begin at 10:08 am and are followed by a meal.  Our evening aarati is at 6pm and morning aarati is at 7am with a paduka puja in Shri Babaji’s kutir each morning at 6:40am.  Lunch is served at about 12:30pm. The Maha Lakshmi Shop is open every day from 10am until 5pm.


If you would like to participate by sponsoring a fire ceremony, we would like to send you a blessed item from the fire ceremony. They are:


$27 sponsorship - Copper, brass, nickel Om Namah Shivaya bracelet

$54 sponsorship - Rose Quartz, Rosewood or Tulsi Mala

$108 sponsorship - Rudraksha Mala or Copper, silver, brass bracelet


You can make the donation online by just clicking here or call 719-256-4108 or e-mail the Ashram at info@BabajiAshram.org or send us a check to: P.O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131.

We are continually grateful for all of your support of the Ashram.




Vastu Puja for Hermitage #1 - Saturday, August 13 at 9:30am


Next Saturday, August 13 at 9:30am the long-awaited Vastu Puja for Ramloti’s hermitage will take place.  Although we announced it initially for last month, it turned out to be an inauspicious time for the ceremony and for moving into a new dwelling.  Shri Muniraji deemed the full-moon in August as an auspicious date and so this is when it will be performed.  The puja will be followed by the full-moon fire ceremony at 10am and then a delicious Indian f
east.  We invite everyone to attend and celebrate the completion of the first of the hermitages.  Here Rita and Ramloti are shown doing Lazure painting on the walls of the hermitage.


As mentioned last month, we had to take out a $15,000 short-term loan for the completion of the project.  We would like to pay this off as quickly as possible, so if you have ideas for fundraisers, please give us a call at 719-256-4108.


We ask each of you to look into your hearts and see what this Ashram and its staff means to you and to please donate as you are able. You may go to our website and donate through PayPal (you can even set up a monthly tithe). You can also send a check made out to HUA and designated for the hermitages at P.O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131 or you can call us at 719-256-4108 with a credit card number. We want to thank you in advance for your support, love and prayers.  Together, with Baba’s and Mother’s grace, we are making this happen! 




Fall Navratri - September 27 through October 5


The celebratory time to honor our Beloved Mother is coming soon!  Fall Navratri, nine days honoring Ma will begin on Tuesday, September 27 and continue though Wednesday, October 5.  Each day is full of chanting, pujas, readings, discourses, fire ceremony, aarati and bhandaras.  We so hope you are able to join us to say thank you to the Divine Mother for all She gives to us.  Booking space at this time in the dorm is highly advisable as there is always a crowd, particularly on the weekends.  Call us at 719-256-4108 or email us at info@babajiashram.org.




Recent Events


Good by to Loving Friends


Our dear friends, the Cleary family, left for Africa yesterday to teach their for the next two years.  They will be so missed but we are happy that they will spend a few months here in Crestone during the summer next year. 


Many blessings on their travels and new adventure.


Bhole Baba Ki Jai!




Fourth of July


Our generous families once again came from Denver and Monte Vista to make all the wonderful food and sell it at the Fourth of July Fair.  As usual, the lines were long and everyone was delighted.  We sold out by 2pm and raised $1008 for the Ashram.  Many thanks to these loyal folks who have been doing this for years now.



Guru Purnima in Moscow, Russia with Shri Muniraji


As I wrote above, the experience of being with over 400 devotees in Russia with Shri Muniraji was deeply inspirational and energizing.  It was beautiful to see the love that was present and I clearly understood why Muniraji decided to travel there after so many years of not traveling to Europe.  He was clearly called by the love.  Shashi and Bipin Agarwal made the trip with me and they were also deeply moved and very grateful that they made the very long trip there.  You can see by these photos that Muniraji’s birthday celebration was exceptional, the fire ceremonies very large and the preparations all carried out with perfection and love.  Shri Babaji’s love and presence was very available and felt by all.  Bhole Baba Ki Jai!







Annual Samaj Weekend

The Annual weekend for the American Haidakhan Samaj was inspiring and joyful.  Many wonderful stories of Shri Babaji were told as well as a heart touching song written in His honor.  As always, it was wonderful to see and share with devotees from around the country.  Many great ideas were discussed and hopefully you will see some of them come into fruition in the near future. For more information on the American Haidakhan Samaj please go to www.Babajisamaj.org.




Family Week


Family Week was once again a big success.  There were slightly fewer families this year which made the time more intimate and mellow.  Having Bobbi and Larry from Encinitas lead the children’s programs was a real boon and it seemed as if they and their children really loved their first Ashram experience.  Thank you to everyone who made it such a great week.




Workshop with Sofia Diaz

Sofia was again fantastic leading us through exercises, discussions, movement and processes to help us heighten our awareness of the spectrum of colors and vibrations of the Divine.  Each of the 24 or so participants were pleasantly surprised at the depth of their experiences and how it impacts their lives, often very dramatically.  We are so grateful that Sofia, now living in California, makes this a priority to basically gift this amazing week to the Ashram and those attending.




The Ashram Continues its Softball Games


We have continued to have our softball games a couple of Sundays a month.  It is always great fun and also a good way for us at the Ashram to relax during the otherwise very busy summer.  We will be having another one on this Sunday, July 14 at 2pm at the Baca Park next to the fire station.  The Ashram has all the equipment and even brings watermelon for the end of the game. 


Call with any questions at 719-256-4108 or just see you there!



We love all our Visitors!


Once again, hundreds of visitors have been gracing the Ashram with their presence, particularly on the weekends.  Many come to celebrate their birthdays and other important occasions.  It is a spectacular time of the year in the mountains here and Mother’s and Baba’s love awaits all that come.  We appreciate you all.


















Our Children and Families


We have had so many families that there is not enough room for all of their photos.  Just know we love you.  It is especially touching to see all the new borns that are often on their first outing to visit and receive the darshan of Ma in the temple.  May all of our families feel Her blessings in their lives.


















Calendar for 2011


August 13 - Vastu Puja for Ramloti’s hermitage at 9:30am followed by full-moon fire ceremony at 10am.  Bhandara at 11am.


September 27 - October 5 - Fall Navratri, the Divine Mother Festival.


October 26 - Diwali, Festival of Lights. Fire ceremony at 10am. Chanting at 7pm.




Maha Lakshmi Shop Report


Our new book, From Age to Age - Stories of Haidakhan Babaji is finally ready and available in the Maha Lakshmi Shop for $12.  This delightful 125 page book was written by Shastriji’s brother, Giridhari Lal Mishra, in the late 1960’s.   It has had several printings in Hindi but this is the first translation into English.  It relates many stories of the manifestation of Shri Babaji from the late 1980’s to 1920.  I was very involved in the editing and publishing of this book and must have proofed it over 40 times.  I truly found each reading to be a blessing and left me deeply inspired by the love and graciousness of my Lord, Shri Haidakhan Babaji to His devotees.  You can try to order it online through our Zencart but if you have any trouble please call us.


Although you can view most of our items on line at www.shop.babajiashram.org you may not be able to order them.  If you come up with this problem, just call us (every day from 10am until 5pm Mountain Time) at 719-256-4108 with your order, questions and a credit card number like in the olden days.  It is really nice to connect in this way, we love to talk to you.  We accept visa, mastercard or discover.


The Shop is a major support of the Ashram, so we deeply appreciate your patronage.


Maha Lakshmi Mata Ki Jai!

 

July and August, 2011