Ashram Newsletter - December, 2020

December 14, 2020  |  by Ramloti

Dear Friends,

The last couple of days were dark, cold, snowy, and since we live on solar; all our buildings were scarce on electricity and warmth. I definitely find it harder to be energetic and blissful on these sorts of days. And then poof! This morning was beyond spectacular with the sun on the fresh snow, trees all smiling with the beautiful topping of snow and moisture going into their too-dry roots, and deer prancing through the snow. I felt like dancing and singing and my energy seemed boundless!

It reminded me of being with Shri Babaji and the vast changes I felt inside just by His presence and manner in the moment. Sometimes He was very inward, quiet, and serious. I would often become afraid at these times, thinking that I must have done something wrong or afraid that He would reprimand someone or all of us. And then poof, like this morning, He would be smiling, playful, inviting, and joyful; and my energy would shift. I would feel open, free, like dancing, and singing. What happened this morning? It was the same place, same temperature, same me, and actually, other than clouds blocking the sun, the same scene.

What happened with Babaji? It was the same place, same Baba, same me, and actually, other than my clouds of thought and interpretations blocking that ever-present sun, Shri Babaji; it was the same scene.

This morning gave me some food for thought and a good example of how influenced I am by the things outside of myself. I felt Shri Babaji was teaching us to go inside where peace and wisdom always abound. When I was in His presence, I rarely asked Him any questions, being content to just sit with Him. I do remember asking one question and He said nothing in response with His voice. But He was responding and teaching me deep in my heart and I heard throughout my being; “Go within, go within; that is where the true Guru, the true knowledge resides.” Obviously, like most of His teachings, I am still learning.

We are in a deep time of many difficult, ugly, frightening, uncertain, and unfamiliar things happening outside of ourselves. It seems to be a continual test to see how often we can focus on our internal Guru (which translates as that which brings us from darkness to light) and find the peace, inspiration, and love. For me, the practices that Shri Babaji gave to us are paramount in reminding and helping me stay in His presence. Singing aarati, daily fire ceremony, reciting the Sapta Sati, doing puja to the Mother, Babaji, and all the other murtis, karma yoga, meditation, and constantly repeating “Om Namah Shivaya” are the tools that are so amazingly helpful. I am so deeply grateful that by God’s blessings, I found Shri Babaji.

In truth and love,

Ramloti

The Sacred Fire Ceremony

"Shri Mahaprabhuji renewed the Fire Ceremony (yagna) which prevailed in ancient times. He demonstrated how to perform it and gave it to us in a very simple form, since it had disappeared with the passage of time.

Before the Creation of this Universe, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara (Shiva) used to Perform Yagnas to the Divine Mother. The Divine Mother was pleased by this and gave them each a boon: Brahma was to create the Universe, Vishnu was to preserve it and Shiva to destroy it. That is why it is said that the Fire Ceremony is like support to the Earth.

How could Shri Mahaprabhuji give a boon to the world without Performing Yajna? This is why He showed us how to do it. The Fire Ceremony, or Yajna, is based on scientific principles. In the Fire Ceremony, when you Give an Offering to a Particular Deity, it reaches that Particular Deity in its Totality".

Shri Shastriji Vishnu Datt Mišra's words at Siddhashram Schweibenalp, Switzerland 1985

Shri Babaji performed a sacred fire each day when He was in Haidakhan and large ones with sometimes thousands of people when He traveled around India. We feel very strongly about the importance of the fire ceremony at the Ashram here. We have been live-streaming our daily one quite often at 8am MT and of course the New and Full Moon fire ceremonies, now at 11am MT during the winter. (December 14 and December 29 this month.) With the way below freezing temperatures that can happen here in Colorado in the winter, many ceremonies will be inside, but the intention and intensity is the same. We invite you to join us as well as consider learning to do a simple one on your own. We have all the instructions on our website at the Fire Ceremony Page.

The New Website

We are so excited to announce our new beautiful website graciously designed by Jeewat and his brother Sachin, as a gift to the Ashram. As usual, you will go to the same location at www.babajiashram.org and you will be directed to the new, entrancing site. We will still be adding more content, as time permits, and we welcome any feedback from you on what you would like to see. A huge thank you to Sachin and Jeewat. The many weeks spent on it are deeply appreciated, and may the blessings of Divine Mother and Babaji shine upon them.

You can provide your feedback and suggestions in the Facebook Comments section at the bottom of this newsletter, or email it to us at info@babajiashram.org. We would love to hear from you as to how we could improve the website further.

The Ashram Holiday Fundraiser Auction

The auction that just completed one week ago was a great success. We had set an optimistic goal of $8001, and with a resounding rally the last day, we made it and even went beyond to $8,127! We wish to deeply thank all of the generous people who donated, bid, and spread the word about the auction. With the grace of Shri Babaji and the Divine Mother, you all made it happen and are keeping Mother and Baba’s home going.

The GoFundMe Campaign and Other Fundraising Tools

We continue to be supported by many of you through different fundraising modalities. Thank you to you all. It is so important during this time. Here are the links below. We are aware that many do not have the funds to donate at this time and please know that we appreciate your prayers and loving support as well.

• GoFundMe Campaign
• Amazon Smile
• Donate Page (this page has links to Paypal, Amazon Smile, and GoFundMe)

Giving Tuesday

What a surprise to wake up on Tuesday, December 1 and read emails alerting the Ashram that not one but two Fundraisers had been set up for us by devotees for the Giving Tuesday program. They were very successful and it was extremely touching to see how many people donated. Between Sabina and Srinidi they raised almost $4000! We cannot express our gratitude to these two devotees who took the initiative to do this and involve all of their friends. We pray for Baba and Mother to bless them and their families. Bhole Baba Ki Jai!

The Karma Yoga Goes On

Lots of different work but this is most engaging in the last couple of days.

Maha Lakshmi Shop Report

The Maha Lakshmi Shop, a major support of the Ashram, is happy to have the stunning 2021 “Visions of the Divine Mother of Crestone” calendar. It has beautiful quotes each month from the Haidakhandewari Sapta Sati (700 verses in praise of the Divine Mother), all of the moon fire ceremonies, and other festivals.

This elegant 11x11” color calendar sells for only $10 plus shipping. You will find it on the Maha Lakshmi Online Shop. You can also email or call us to place your order. We have a great supply of puja and havan items. You can purchase some of them online at our website under devotional items at the Maha Lakshmi Online Shop. Many items, however, are too unique to put online, so you are always welcome to call and order at 719-256-4108. You can ask to have photos sent of our items; it is really nice to connect in this way. You may also email us at shop@babajiashram.org. We are happy to bless an item at Baba's and Mother's feet for you or drop ship items to your loved ones around the country. We take Visa, MasterCard or Discover.

The Shop is a major supporter of the Ashram. We deeply appreciate your patronage.

Maha Lakshmi Mata Ki Jai!