Ashram Newsletter - March, 2021

March 5, 2021  |  by Ramloti

Dear Friends,

As we approach the celebration of Maha Shivaratri (March 11), it brings back memories of the one time I was with Shri Babaji around that time. It was my first trip to India and having just arrived in the little town of Wape, Gujarat, I did not have a clue of what was going on. Because I had given no notice of my arrival, meaning I did not write the usual letter to Babaji asking for permission to come, I and the friend I was traveling with, were fortunate to be given space on the living room floor in a small house where a half dozen other Westerners were staying. After a couple of days of adjusting to the schedule, I was starting to settle in. The morning routine consisted of getting up at 3:30am or so and getting a bucket of cold water from the faucet outside for my morning bath, and going to receive chandan from Shri Babaji at about 4am followed by morning aarati.

The next day, I began to see many people arriving and sleeping wherever there was space. When I got up for my bath the next morning, there were many people lined up for the water faucet. As I waited politely in line, people kept cutting in front of me so they could get their water and get to chandan on time. After almost 2 hours of this, I finally got my bath, dressed, and arrived for chandan, but alas, it was too late and Shri Babaji had already left! I was confused, overwhelmed, and was in tears as I headed for aarati. The day continued and more people arrived and even took up the space on the living room floor where I was sleeping.

That was it! I did not know what was going on, but I could not deal with sleeping with strangers all around me and waiting for two hours or more to get water for a bath. So I told my friend I wanted to go into town and find a hotel that would give some privacy and water for a bath. My friend agreed to accompany me and we took off for the town of Wape and found an okay room for the night. Returning the next morning, we were told that we had missed the biggest night of the year for Lord Shiva, Maha Shivaratri, and that Babaji allowed people to do puja to Him like a murti. We were also told that Shri Babaji had people searching the area around the compound for us in the night since we were not present.

This all came as a massive shock! How were we to know it was the biggest night of the year, Shivaratri and what was that all about anyways. Also, in a crowd of thousands, how were we even missed? It had felt like we were just two insignificant Westerners that had wondered onto the scene unexpected. But I believe that was one of the biggest lessons to learn in the leela.

As I grew in my understanding of Shri Babaji, I realized that He knew everything about me. So of course He knew I was safe in a hotel but He wanted to demonstrate His eternal, all-encompassing love and care for me. He also wanted to teach others that their duty is to care for others. Although I am pretty sure that all the Westerners were busy dealing with their own leelas from Babaji, no one took the time to explain what was going on to us. We even bumped into one of them in town and we told him that we were headed for a hotel, and he did not seemed surprised or anything.

As I listen to the weekly satsangs we have been hosting the last eight weeks, I hear similar themes through them all. I have a story I have not shared yet about taking responsibility for the things around you. I was working in the office and I was asked to go to Swamiji’s room and borrow his tape player for some work they were doing. So I went and got it and on the way back, I encountered Babaji and I pranamed to Him. He looked at the tape player, which had been on a dusty shelf for some time and said, “I no like, you take and clean this, all things should be kept clean.” I, of course, tried to explain that it was not my fault. But that was not the teaching. It was to be aware of what was needed around you, whether some cleaning or helping a confused visitor find his or her way around. Shri Babaji knows our every thought and desire, He also loves and cares for us beyond imagination. The story that Ramlota told on the Satsang on MahaSamadhi Day really spoke to that in my heart. He said (in my words)), “How did Babaji know that I was just asking that question of how He could know everything and why would He invite an Italian boy, me, to His bath for the first time when He was going to give the German man the silver star broach that I had seen Him receive a week or so ago and had such a tremendous effect on that devotee.” The story is about 10 minutes into this video at our YouTube Channel if you would like to watch it for yourself. We are so blessed to have Shri Babaji and the Divine Mother in our lives, holding us as we walk through this maze called life. Baba continues to teach us and show us that He is there guiding our steps, watching out for us, and leading the way. At times, when I get overwhelmed or anxious or wrapped in all kinds of thoughts, I call out to Mother and Baba and pray for them to wrap me in their arms of love. And you know what, often I can feel them and the peace and mantra are in my heart again.

In Deep Gratitude,

Ramloti for the Ashram

March Programs

All will be on Zoom (unless noted) and will be available on YouTube at the Ramloti Wood Channel by the next day.

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, March 6 – 7pm MST, Zoom Satsang

Kharku Anand and Jamuna will join us from Thailand. Kharku met Babaji in late 70’s and has amazing stories of his experiences. Jamuna met Baba in the early 80’s and her stories and learnings are profound. They built their dream of a beautiful Award-Winning Healing Spa in Koi Samui, Thailand, which is a gift to the world.

Sunday, March 7 – 7:30pm MST, Zoom Satsang

Munna and Dr. Vandana Lal will join us from Ranikhet, India. Munna, who met Shri Babaji with her mother, Kanta Mataji and her aunt, Vimla Lal Mataji, in the early 70’s, has been living and serving at the Ashram in Chilianaula for the last many years. Many of her stories appear in the book that she co-authored “Sansmaran and are deeply revealing and riveting. Dr. Vandana Lal is the wife of the Chairman of our Haidakhan Samaj, Dr. Arvind Lal. She has several wonderful stories to share as well as telling about her yatra to Mount Kailash and her charitable work with the girls of the Kumaon area.

Thursday, March 11 - 6:30pm MST, Zoom Shivaratri Puja and Kirtan

Join us for this special night as we bathe our Shiva Lingam with milk, yogurt, ghee and honey and sings song to our Lord Shiva. It is said that this is the night He is most present on the earth. Om Namah Shivaya!

Saturday, March 13 – 11am MST, Live-Stream New-Moon Fire Ceremony, Pitru Puja, and Chanting

At: Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Facebook Page

Sunday, March 14 – 11am MDT, Zoom Satsang

Hear many Devotees from around the world sharing their stories of how they came to Shri Babaji. Many did not meet Babaji in physical form and yet their experiences are deep and life-transforming.

Wednesday, March 17 – 7:30am MDT, Haidakhandi Conclave of Devotees

Live from India produced by the Haidakhan Samaj of India, meet devotees from around the world (link to be announced).

Sunday, March 21 – 11am MDT, Zoom Satsang

Join Gayatri Devi from Rhode Island and Nagini from Arizona. Gayatri met Shri Babaji in the early 80’s and stayed with Him until His Mahasamadhi. Her stories have rarely been shared and are deeply inspirational. Nagini came to Babaji in the mid 70’s and spent much of her time in the Sacred Dhuni with the Sacred Fire. She also learned Jara healing from Shri Babaji and has many deep and meaningful stories to share.

Saturday, March 27 – 10am MDT, Zoom Satsang

Join Neelam, Saradambe, and Others from the German Ashram in Reiferath and hear their inspiring stories. Neelam met Babaji in the late 70’s and her older sister, Saraswati was the one who founded this lovely Ashram.

Sunday, March 28 – 11am MDT, Live-Stream Full-Moon Fire Ceremony and Chanting

At: Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Facebook Page

Spring Navratri

Monday, April 12 - 20

Join us Live-Stream for Pujas, Discourses, Fire Ceremonies, and Chanting at Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Facebook Page. Special Note – All of the Babaji Ashrams in India will remain closed to all visitors throughout all of Navratri.

Karma Yoga

There is still plenty going on at the Ashram. As the weather begins to warm, we are looking toward Spring Navratri, which will be from April 12 – 20. We are preparing and washing the clothes for the Divine Mother and beginning the deep cleaning of the temple and other buildings. The buildings still need plenty of maintenance, particularly the solar systems. Here Jason and Premanand are working on the solar heat in Ramloti’s hermitage. The preparation, performance, and clean up of our daily ceremonies of aarati and fire ceremony are a part of our day. Preparing food, sending out Shop sales, and keeping everything clean and beautiful goes on continually.

Gratitude for all of 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)

Calendar of Events

Mar 13, Apr 11, May 11	New Moon Fire Ceremony
Mar 28, Apr 26, May 26	Full Moon Fire Ceremony
Mar 11	Maha Shivaratri
Mar 28	Holi
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, March 6 at 7pm MST	Jamuna and Kharku Anand from Thailand
Sunday, March 7 at 7:30pm MST	Munna and Dr. Vandana Lal from Ranikhet, India
Thursday, March 11 at 6:30pm MST	Shivaratri Puja and Kirtan hosted by the Ashram with Anup and Urvashi Bhatt
Sunday, March 14 at 11am MDT	Hear many Devotees from around the world share their stories
Sunday, March 21 at 11am MDT	Gayatri Devi from Rhode Island and Nagini from Arizona
Saturday, March 27 at 10am MDT	Neelam, Saradambe, and Others from the German Ashram in Reiferath

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!