Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Newsletter
 
 




Dear Friends,


We are getting very close to publishing the book, From Age to Age:  Stories of Haidakhan Babaji.  This special book was written in Hindi in the late 1950s by Shastriji’s younger brother, Giridhari Lal Mishra and beautifully describes the stories and leelas of the manifestation of Shri Babaji from the late 1800s to 1922.  It is on its third edition in Hindi but has not yet been published in English.  I was asked many years ago to do this by Shastriji and Giridhari Lal’s son BRK Mishra and finally it looks like it will be a reality through the support of the American Haidakhan Samaj editorial board.


Perhaps the greatest boon of working on this book is that I have proof read it several dozen times.  It is quite amazing, that each time I read it I have such strong experiences.  More then anything else, I am profoundly touched by Shri Babaji’s inexhaustible love for His devotees.  There are so many places in the book that say such things as:  “Wishing to appease the longing of His devotees for His presence....” or “Since Shri Babaji is the ocean of mercy....” or “Thus it was that His Holiness, wishing to fulfill the heart desire of His devotee....” “But since His Holiness is the supreme merciful and ardent benefactor of His devotees.”  


Over and over again, there are so many expressions of love, care and protection.  I have also just reread Gaura Devi’s journal of her life from 1971- 1984 with Shri Babaji entitled, Fire of Transformation.  The tenderness, patience and love that He showed to her, particularly toward the end of the book, brought tears to my eyes.  It also brought back many memories of His tenderness toward me and my children when we were with Him.  I relate here a story of our arrival on our first trip to Haidakhan.


It was the beginning of July, 1981 and my two sons and I had just hiked with porters through a fairly high and sparkling blue river for over two hours and we were pretty hot and thirsty.  As we approached the Ashram, someone came running up to tell the porters to bring us to the Gufa side (cave side) where Shri Babaji was waiting for us with Gaura Devi.  As He greeted us, He poured us each a glass of juice that He had mixed with His own hands and then as we drank it down quickly, served us more.  He was so warm and loving to us from the beginning, asking our names and where we were from.  I remember thinking that He was showing us so much private attention and caring, that perhaps He has us mixed up with someone important.  But I was soon to learn that Baba loved us all, no matter our status or life situation.


And that remains so to this day.  Over and over I see it in my life, the Ashram and those around me.  I just received a phone call from a man who had been praying to have a dream of Shri Babaji.  Well he was finally blessed with one and it was very detailed and profound, went on for a very long time, had Baba lovingly interacting with his young son and family and left him in deep bliss.  I reminded him that Babaji had said that we do not dream of Him, He comes to us in our dreams.  We are all so blessed to be touched by this Being of infinite love and grace. 


Bhole Baba Ki Jai!

Ramloti




Ceremonies and Schedule


The next fire ceremony is on the full-moon which is Wednesday, June 15.  The new-moon fire ceremony is on Friday, July 1. 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.




The Hermitages for Jonathan, Ramloti and Premanand


The stucco is now on the outside and inside of the hermitage and the interior painting has also begun.  It certainly won’t be long before Ramloti moves into this first hermitage.  We are so grateful to all who have made this possible until now.  


Due to some increase in prices for the solar heating and photovoltaic system, the cost of the hermitage has gone up about $3,000.  With this amount and the money still needed to raise we have 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! 




Annual Samaj Weekend & Vastu Puja for Ramloti’s New Home  July 23-24


The Annual weekend for the American Haidakhan Samaj will be on Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24.  It is so inspirational when old and new devotees gather for this weekend sharing their love, stories and thoughts about Shri Babaji and the focus of the Samaj.  Since the Samaj is the organization that helps spread Baba’s message here in America, your input and ideas are important.  For more information on the American Haidakhan Samaj please go to www.Babajisamaj.org.

The weekend will be full of chanting, satsang, aaratis, small fire ceremonies, paduka pujas and a Vastu Puja (home blessing) for Ramloti’s new little hermitage.  We hope you can attend.  To reserve space please call 719-256-4108 or email us at info@ info@babajiashram.org 




Family Week - Tuesday, July 26 - Friday, July 29


Family Week is always a time that folks look forward to each year.  There are teens who have been getting together every year now for the past ten years.  They come from Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee and other parts of the country.  One mother said that her daughter would be so disappointed if they were not able to come each year. 

We have daily programs for children and teens older then 3-years-old from 10am until 1pm followed by lunch.  This includes karma yoga, chanting, arts and crafts, projects, hikes and hatha yoga.  The afternoons are reserved for the families to organize field trips to the hot-springs swimming pool, horseback riding, Sand Dunes and other fun things.  For those staying at the Ashram, please plan to arrive by the afternoon on Monday, July 25.


To  reserve a room please call 719-256-4108 or email us at info@ info@babajiashram.org.  We suggest a donation of $135 per week for adults to stay at the Ashram, children stay free. The Children’s camp is a gift of the Ashram and American Haidakhan Samaj to our families.  This should be a very fun week together.




Concurrent Workshop with Sofia Diaz - July 26 - 29


Sofia is coming back to the Ashram and that always means a powerful four days together.  This year’s theme is the “Spectrum of the Colors of the Divine.”  It will be a valuable time to tune into the information we receive though our different senses that we rarely notice or pay attention to that are messages from the Divine.  This will include movement, discussion, group processes and chanting.


The workshop will be each morning from Tuesday, July 26 through Friday, July 29 from 10am until 1pm.  If you have children over three years-old, they are welcome to attend the children’s program (described above) while you participate in this one.  The suggested donation for Sofia’s workshop is $108 for Samaj members and $135 for non-Samaj members.  For information about joining and supporting the Samaj go to www.Babajisamaj.org.   Scholarships are available.


Please call the Ashram to reserve a room or space at 719-256-4108 or emailing us at info@ info@babajiashram.org    



Recent Events


Divyanka’s Arangetram


Rajiv and Trucmai Gupta, who have been coming to the Ashram for many years with their three children, invited the Ashram to participate in their oldest daughter’s, Divyanka, arangetram after ten years of study of the ancient dance of Bhartnatyam.  It was a lovely event as well as very inspiring to see such a young woman (she is just going on 15) with so much poise, discipline, grace and stamina.  Ramloti spoke during the intermission about the Ashram and all were asked to donate to the Ashram in lieu of presents.  We deeply appreciated their thoughtfulness and support of the Ashram.   Congratulations to Divyanka and much love to the whole family.

















Hermitage Fundraiser in Denver on Sunday, May 15 at 4pm


What an amazing event we had at Shashi and Bipin Agarwal’s home in the middle of last month. The chanting was so lovely and the fifty or more that were in attendance really opened their hearts and joined in.  We also had a surprise addition to the music when Pavin, a professional tablah player joined with Ramloti and Ajay to lead the bhajans.  What a beam of light he is and his playing is profound.


As if the energy was not high enough, we then had three short Bharatnatyam dances offered by Puja Allepalli.  The audience sat spell-bound as she presented dances to Lord Buddah, Lord Shiva and baby Lord Krishna.  This last one was particularly touching to any parent in the audience.


We then all enjoyed a sumptuous Indian feast made by Shashi and her 80 year-old mother, Ram Sakhi.  Thanks to all who helped, we were able to raise over $1300 for the hermitage project.  Special thanks go to Shashi and Bipin and Ram Sakhi who did most of the work.




Shumei International’s Anniversary and Interfaith Gathering


It is always a joy to be part of the Interfaith Gathering during the Shumei’s Anniversary Celebration.  Crestone is such a rich place with over 26 different spiritual groups.



The Ashram’s First Softball Game of the Summer


The summer is here and we had to have at least one softball game before Jonathan left for his two-week family vacation.  We will try to have another game this weekend without him.  It is in on Sunday, June 5 at 2pm at the Baca Park next to the fire station.



Visitors Galore!


We must have had nearly 200 visitors here over Memorial Day weekend alone. We also had groups of visiting students and lots of attendees at our new and full-moon fire ceremonies.  Here are photos of some of the folks.









Our Children and Families


Hardly a day goes by in this warm weather without seeing some family and some of our children, both local and from afar.







Calendar for 2011


July 14 - Guru Purnima Day


July 23 - 24 - Annual American Samaj Weekend and Vastu Puja for Ramloti’s hermitage.


July 26 - 29 - Annual Family Week and Concurrent Workshop with Sofia Diaz.


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


Many folks have asked for the wonderful recording of Om Namah Shivaya by Robbie Gass.  We are happy to announce that we now have it back in stock and the CD sell s for $18.


Our Shop Zencart is still having some difficulties sending items to certain places in the country. 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!

 

June, 2011