Ashram Newsletter - February, 2021

February 3, 2021  |  by Ramloti

“Oh Mother, if we constantly remember Your Image in the lotus of our hearts, we will achieve pure understanding and our minds will always be composed without greed or deception.”
Taken from the Haidakhandeswari Sapta Sati by Vishnu Datt Shastri

Dear Friends,

The above quote has certainly proved accurate for me but the question remains: “How do we always do this?” It is relatively easy when I do my pujas; dress and bathe Mother, Shri Babaji and the other Murtis to constantly remember the Divine Image. Reading the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, there are many different weapons enumerated in the battles between the Devas and the Asuras. In the Chandi Path by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, he explains these battles as the ones that go on within us that keep us separate from the Divine, such as when we choose to engage in idle gossip instead of japa. He also explains some of the weapons, which are our tools to win the battle against the energies (Asuras) that keep us from our Divine connection. A few of these are the sword of worship, the club of articulation, the rosary of letters, the bow of determination, the pike of concentration, the iron bar of restraint, the conch of vibrations, the thunderbolt of illumination, the shield of faith, staff of discipline, the water pot of purification, the bell of continuous tone, the discus of revolving time, and the net of unity.

Some of these translate to remembering the Divine, the repetition of the mantra, doing our spiritual practices, focusing on what is true, deciding to refrain from activities that we know do not lead to our peace and centeredness, listening to the sound of the truth, having faith in the teachings, following our schedule, using water as a purifier, understanding that sometimes it takes time, patience, and looking at the bigger picture of the situation. Understanding that we are not alone, we have support, first from the Divine and then from other aspirants on the spiritual path.

This would definitely include “Satsang”. Satsang is a Sanskrit term derived from two roots: "sat" meaning true and “sangha” meaning community, company or association. It can be translated as “being in the company of truth," and refers to the act of gathering with like-minded, uplifting people, especially those on a spiritual path. This helps to create an environment that is conducive for experiencing the presence of God.

We have begun having regular satsangs with devotees from around the world. The experience and the response have been inspiring. They last for about an hour and a half and are at our Satsang and Chanting Zoom Meeting (it will be the same for all of them) at:
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84820406020?pwd=RXRKYnJYSDFKYmhxYVMrNXBOVGo4UT09
Meeting ID: 848 2040 6020
Passcode: 474473
One tap mobile: +16699006833,,84820406020#,,,,*474473# (US)

Chanting together is also a way to create an environment to experience the Divine. We have those about once a month.

Here is the upcoming schedule for Satsang and Chanting:

• Saturday, February 6 at 11am MST – Ramlota from Italy and Ramloti from America
• Saturday, February 13 at 7pm MST – Mahasamadi Paduka Puja and Chanting hosted by the Ashram with Ajay and Sabina Pradhan
• Sunday, February 21 at 11am MST – Sondra Ray and Lok Nath from America
• Sunday, February 28 at 11am MST – Sundar Singh and Jai Anand from Switzerland
• Saturday, March 6 at 7pm MST – Jamuna and Kharku Anand from Thailand
• Thursday, March 11 at 6:30pm MST – Shivaratri Chanting hosted by the Ashram with Anup and Urvashi Bhatt

This time together has been a real boon for many of us. We just heard the following from a devotee in Europe this morning, “Thank you for this, it is always the best part of my week to connect to you all and hear your stories, BBKJ!

I hope you can join in with us as often as possible. Also know that if you are not able to attend at the appointed time, the recordings are posted on YouTube at the Ramloti Wood Channel. Just select the Satsang and Devotees playlist to view the video. We also have other playlists like Fire Ceremonies, Chanting, Discourses, etc. for convenience in finding our different videos.

In truth and love,

Ramloti for the Ashram

Ceremony Schedule

Join us on Live-Stream for the New Moon Fire Ceremony and Chanting on Thursday, February 11 and for the Full Moon Fire Ceremony and Chanting on Saturday, February 27. Both are at 11am MST and on Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Facebook Page and the recording is available an hour or so later on YouTube at the Ramloti Wood Channel. We will have a Zoom Paduka Puja and Chanting for Mahasamadhi on Saturday, February 13 at 7pm MST. We have brought Shri Babaji’s padukas to Ajay and Sabina Pradhan’s home over the years, so we will simulate this on Zoom that evening. To facilitate all of their family in Nepal joining in as well, we will have it the evening before Maha Samadhi. Shri Babaji visited their family’s home in Nepal in 1976 and gave them this prayer shawl with Om Haidakhandi imprinted on it. It was gifted to the temple here in Crestone in 2010. Here's the link.
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84820406020?pwd=RXRKYnJYSDFKYmhxYVMrNXBOVGo4UT09
Meeting ID: 848 2040 6020
Passcode: 474473
One tap mobile: +16699006833,,84820406020#,,,,*474473# (US)

Grateful for Your Support

We are truly grateful for the support that all of you have been giving to the Ashram as we are still closed to visitors. We have tried to setup several modalities for you to donate through, where you can use Paypal or a credit card and even set up a monthly tithe. There is still the long-time way of sending a check to HUA at P.O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131, or call us with a credit card at 719-256-4108. Some folks have set up monthly donations through their work or banks.

Here are some of the online links:

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

Karma Yoga

Not so many karma yoga photos because it is the same cast of characters but there is still plenty going on. We have had a lot of snow clearing this last month, for which we are grateful for the moisture. The daily pujas to Mother, Baba and all the murtis continues with all of the other ceremonial preparation, cleaning of all the buildings, some upgrades on solar heating panels, and food preparation.

More information on the Satsangs

February 6 at 11am MST

Ramlota met Babaji in 1976 and has many wonderful stories. He lives in Italy with his wife and has been involved with the Samaj and Ashram there. Ramloti met Babaji in 1981, lives at the Ashram in Crestone since 1986 and has some great stories too.

February 21 at 11am MST

Lok Nath and Sondra Ray. Lok lives in Tacoma, WA and met Babaji in 1979 and lived with Him for many years. Since that time he has been involved with the Samaj, Jai Ho and the Ashram. He has many great experiences to tell. Sondra Ray met Babaji in the late 70’s following a mysterious letter that arrived at the Rebirthing office she was running in San Francisco. She describes life as “before Babaji and after meeting Babaji”. You will not want to miss this one.

February 28 at 11am MST

Sundar Singh and Jai Anand from Switzerland. Sundar met Babaji in 1979 and went there many times. Here is a photo of him with his daughter and Babaji and others traveling. Directed by Babaji, he founded an ashram and center called Schweibenalp and has been involved with that for the last 41 years. He has much to share. Jai Anand met Babaji in 1976 and also has many stories and has been involved with Jai Ho, the Samaj, and Ashrams in Italy.

March 6 at 7pm MST

Kharku and Jamuna from Thailand. Kharku met Babaji in the late 70’s after being guided there earlier in a dream about Mahendra Maharaj. He lived most of the time with Babaji until His Samadhi in 1984. Jamuna met Baba in the early 80’s and also has deep and profound stories. After their marriage, they undertook the dream to build a healing center and sanctuary in Thailand. Kamalaya is the results of this vision and is incredible. It is also a strong center for Shri Babaji. Their stories then and now will touch your soul.

Calendar of Events

Feb 11, Mar 13, Apr 11	New Moon Fire Ceremony
Feb 27, Mar 28, Apr 26	Full Moon Fire Ceremony
Feb 14	Shri Babaji's Mahasamadhi (observed)
Mar 11	Maha Shivaratri
Apr 12 - 20	Spring Navratri

Please go to our Calendar of Events page for all events.

Satsangs on Zoom

Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84820406020?pwd=RXRKYnJYSDFKYmhxYVMrNXBOVGo4UT09
Meeting ID: 848 2040 6020
Passcode: 474473
One tap mobile: +16699006833,,84820406020#,,,,*474473# (US)

Saturday, February 6 at 11am MST	Ramlota from Italy and Ramloti from America
Saturday, February 13 at 7pm MST	Mahasamadi Paduka Puja and Chanting hosted by the Ashram with Ajay and Sabina Pradhan
Sunday, February 21 at 11am MST	Sondra Ray and Lok Nath from America
Sunday, February 28 at 11am MST	Sundar Singh and Jai Anand from Switzerland
Saturday, March 6 at 7pm MST	Jamuna and Kharku Anand from Thailand
Thursday, March 11 at 6:30pm MST	Shivaratri Chanting hosted by the Ashram with Anup and Urvashi Bhatt

Maha Lakshmi Shop Report

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!