Ashram Newsletter - January, 2021

January 6, 2021  |  by Ramloti

Dear Friends,

As we step into a new year perhaps fraught with uncertainty, we may have already seen and will continue to see the opportunity to take on new ways of doing things. Sometimes we may feel like just rolling up in a ball and saying it is all too much for us, or on the other hand, it may be helpful to consider the topic of “choices”. Although our choices are highly influenced by the karma we bring into this world with us, as well as the play of Maha Maya, I still feel we have a role to play in them and even a responsibility. Let me share an experience of making choices in Haidakhan in 1981.

My three months with Shri Babaji was coming to an end. He suddenly said, “Everyone should go to Chilianaula to help prepare for Fall Navratri. “ (This is the Ashram that Shri Muniraji built for Baba just outside of Rannikhet.) Realizing that He was staying back in Haidakhan another 5 days before He left for Navratri and that I would have to leave just before Navratri to catch my plane, I made what seemed at the time, a difficult and perhaps, out of my normal way of just “following the crowd”, choice. I mustered all of my courage and told Him my plight and asked if I could spend these last few days with Him in Haidakhan. He just smiled at me and said, “Yes”. Wow that was amazingly easy!

The next day began a heavenly time with Shri Babaji, Gaura Devi, Deviji, and a few others that were allowed to stay behind. We mostly sat with Babaji and although I did not understand the language that was being spoken, I did understand that I was very fortunate and just soaked in His Divine Presence and bliss.

As it came time for us to hike out of Haidakhan through the Gautama Ganga River they began to organize horses for everyone to ride on. Having seen enough horses in India, I knew that it would be a long single file procession behind Babaji. Taking a little time and once again, mustering my courage, I asked Baba if I could hike out by foot through the river, right next to Him. Knowing the river could be slippery and a little high and fast flowing after monsoon, He smiled at me, once again, and said. “Yes”. I knew in that moment, that He would take care of me walking next to Him. And indeed He did take care of me and for that matter, has continued to take care of me for the rest of my life.

Assembling in the river bottom that morning, Baba appeared perfectly dressed for the event. I could not help but giggle as I took this photo of Him as I saw His vest and blue tennis shoes.

As we walked along, I had no feeling of being cold, although I was halfway submerged in the river much of the way. At one point I did slip on the rocks and Baba literally grabbed me by the collar and kept me from falling. I remember Him looking into my eyes and asking, “You okay?” Words failed to express just how beyond “okay” I was.

At dam site, we left the river, Babaji and the others went in the awaiting cars to Chilianaula and I had a taxi there to take me to Delhi to catch my plane. As I pranam'ed, He touched my head softly, and as I bade good-bye to Shri Babaji, I knew that He was in my heart forever, as He vividly showed me by an experience a few weeks before, but that is another story. Of course, I felt some sadness but it was so outweighed by bliss and fullness, I hardly noticed the 8 hour taxi ride to Delhi.

So what does that have to do with now? Each day there are choices to make, some easier than others, but all helping to sculpt our lives and our future karma. Whether it is the moment to moment daily decisions of waking up in time to do my meditation, yoga, and listen to the Sapta Sati before going to the temple to bathe and dress Baba and Ma; or taking a moment of prayer before I enter the earthship asking that I be always loving and understanding of the people I will interact with, it is all a choice.

And then there are larger choices, many for us are new since this time of the pandemic and the closing of the Ashram to visitors. It has necessitated that many things be done differently. It can be challenging to learn new technology and means to communicate, stay connected, and bring Shri Babaji’s and Mother’s love and teachings to people, but it is also exciting and wonderful to connect with the thousands of people around the world. And these choices continue for us at the Ashram and you can read about them below.

We continue to hold you and the whole world in our prayers and thoughts and know that many are in great suffering at this time. Please always let us know because we really do bring your prayer to Mother’s and Baba’s feet, remember you at the fire ceremony, and keep you in our hearts and prayers. You can call here at 719-256-4108 or email us at info@babajiashram.org anytime.

Sending deep love,

Ramloti for the Ashram

Our Virtual Programs

Each of our programs that we have instituted has come out of suggestions or requests from people missing the darshan of the temple. And so we have initiated:

• 20 Minute Silent Meditation by video
• Discourses on the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam by video with study group
• Live-streaming New and Full Moon Fire Ceremonies
• Live-streaming Evening aarati once a week
• Live-streaming daily fire ceremonies a few times a week

All of these are posted on YouTube at the Ramloti Wood Channel and live-streamed or posted on the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Facebook Page.

And Now - New On the Horizon

Because we are reaching more and more people around the world, many new folks are asking questions about Shri Babaji, the practices, and what it was to like and what we learned from being in His presence. In the past we would gather in the temple whenever we had a few devotees visiting to share their stories and have satsang. Now since that is not possible, for the first time, we will have Zoom satsangs beginning this Saturday.

We will begin this Saturday with Raghuvir, who lived with Babaji for several years. He also recently wrote a memoir of his experiences in “Autobiography of a Bhogi” and published a book of his speeches given before the Navratri fire ceremonies in India in the last 10 years called “Inspirations at Haidakhandi Havans“. Originally from Holland and now living in Thailand, his stories and application into his daily life are inspiring. The event will be this Saturday, January 9 at 5pm MT. It will begin promptly and last for 55 minutes so we can do it in the t emple. (We begin our evening aarati at 6pm.) The Zoom login is Satsang and Chanting Meetings at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84820406020?pwd=RXRKYnJYSDFKYmhxYVMrNXBOVGo4UT09
Meeting ID: 848 2040 6020
Passcode: 474473

Last week, at the request of a devotee in Colorado Springs, we had our first Zoom kirtan! It was wonderful, blissful, energizing, as if we were all together in the temple. So now we will have these more often beginning with a Zoom Paduka Puja and chanting on Sunday, January 18 at 2pm MT. It will be at the same link as above. Please know that there will be times that participants will be muted and other times that they will not be so that questions can be shared. This is to make sure that everyone is heard. The events will start promptly at the designated time but if you join in late, that will be fine. You will just be muted until the next public sharing time. We would love to know what else might serve you in your spiritual practice and inspiration. We will do our best to accommodate your request.

The GoFundMe Campaign and Other Fundraising Tools

We continue to be supported by many of you through different fundraising modalities. Thank you to 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)

Other Ways We Have been Connecting!

As we mentioned above, this is the time for the unusual and creative while still taking proper care to be responsible. We missed meeting everyone at the Ashram for the Navratri Children’s Program; Christmas Eve aarati, Christmas carols, dinner, and little gifts, and other get-togethers. So we set up tables at the bottom of the driveway with chai, bagged pumpkin muffins, and small gifts at all of these times. We did not publicize it extensively and kept it short and sweet, but it was wonderful to see many of our families, Board members, and other local supporters in person. We even get haircuts at the bottom of the driveway! We also continue to deliver items from the Shop at the bottom of the driveway. Some families did not feel safe even coming to an outside gathering so we met them at a later time with gifts for the children and family. Once again, we love seeing you. Here are a few photos but with social distancing in place, not easy to get great photos!

Karma Yoga

Behind the scenes, the karma yoga continues. Not many photos because the people are all the same five of us running the “ship” doing all of the maintenance, celebrations, ceremonies, housekeeping, gardens, greenhouse, and such. But we are a great team and each one of you with your support help make it happen, with of course the real captains of the team, Baba and Mother keeping it all together. Thank you!

Calendar of Events

Jan 12, Feb 11, Mar 13	New Moon Fire Ceremony
Jan 28, Feb 27, Mar 28	Full Moon Fire Ceremony
Jan 14	Makar Sankranti
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.

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!