Ashram Newsletter - May, 2021

April 30, 2021  |  by Ramloti

Dear Friends,

I am writing this letter on Hanuman Jayanti. It may not get published for a few days, but it feels timely in my heart and soul to write this now. When I was in Haidakhan, India with Shri Babaji in the early 80’s, Hanuman was a major presence for me. As you walk through the gate entering the main part of the Ashram, Hanuman is guarding either side.

Babaji encouraged us to be like Hanuman by repeating the name of God constantly and being of humble service to all. Babaji would sometimes have people dress like Hanuman and dance at aarati, and the Ramayana singers would always sing at the Navratri celebration.

As I thought on this, I realized even my name “Ramloti”, which means “vessel of Ram” refers to Hanuman, as He is the ultimate vessel or carrier of Lord Ram. Babaji named many people with the name of Ram: Ram Dass (servant of Ram), Ram Bhrosi (broom of Ram), Ram Prasad (blessed by Ram), Ram Chandra (the moon of Ram), Rampyari (darling of Ram), Ram Prakash (light of Ram), Ram Nath (Lord Ram) and names of Hanuman like Raghuvir.

When I returned to the United States and we voted to build the Ashram here in Crestone, Colordao in 1986, it was not always so easy. Translating an Indian Ashram into American culture brought up many divergent opinions from people around the world. Even the three of us founders, Radhe Shyam, Sheila Devi, and I were not always on the same page. So in addition to morning and evening aarati, fire ceremony, and lots of japa to Shri Babaji, I turned to Hanuman for additional support. I would sing the Hanuman Chalisa daily and on Tuesday I would sing eleven Hanuman Chalisas and fast to honor Him.

After a particularly hard day, Hanuman came to me in that middle state between waking and sleeping in the wee hours of the morning. He was as clear as can be and to this day, I can still see His face. He had a warm loving smile on His face and a flower in His hand that He was extending to me.

I was in bliss when I woke up. When I saw Sheila Devi, I told her about the vision and she told me that a deity handing you a flower was symbolic of Him offering you a boon or a favor. Instantly I asked Hanuman to help with the building and guidance of this Ashram. And so the Ashram has grown in a beautiful way (not without its bumps of course) and to this day, I thank Hanuman daily for His help in all of this and more. Early on, I also became aware that Hanuman’s Temple at the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram was only about 3 hours from our Ashram in Crestone. I went to visit Hanuman there and loved that connection. I found it significant that half way around the world in Kenchi, India, Neem Karoli Baba has one of His main Ashrams. It was about a 3-hour drive from Haidakhan Babaji’s main Ashram in Haidakhan. Traveling from Babaji’s Ashram in Haidakhan to His other Ashram outside of Ranikhet (Chilianaula) we always stopped for darshan of Hanuman in Kenchi.

In a similar way, many, many people make a similar pilgrimage to this Ashram in Crestone and then on to Neem Karoli Baba’s Hanuman Ashram in Taos, New Mexico. Half way around the world, the same journey!

I also just received this post from a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba.

Bhole Baba ki jai!
Raam Raam!

Today I found Neem Karoli Baba’s words from Mahendra Maharaj scripture on Haidakhan Baba. (Mahendra is the saint that searched all over India for Haidakhan Babaji after Babaji appeard to Him as a child.)

“Neem Karoli Baba told us that Haidakhan Baba literature which include His story, prayers, and teaching are beneficial for mankind we have to spread it to society to do good. We have to not only share it with devotees/disciple but we share it with everyone as said by Neem Karoli Baba.

Neem Karoli Baba (Hanuman ji) and Haidakhan Baba (Shiv ji) both of them are same they are mirror image of each other. Hanuman ji and Shiv ji both chant Raam Raam in their heart, both of them teach us love.

Haidakhan Baba teaching TRUTH SIMPLICITY LOVE
Neem Kroli Baba teaching LOVE FEED SERVE ALL “

From a Bhakti of Neem karoli Baba.

On Hanuman Jayanti, we had a warm and loving Fire Ceremony, Chanting and Puja to Hanumanji. If you would missed it and would like to watch it, go to:
https://youtu.be/I6rqPC85H-s Jai Hanuman! Bhole Baba Ki Jai!

Ramloti for the Ashram

Upcoming Events

Saturday, May 1 – 10am MDT
(6pm Central Europe, 9:30pm India)
Zoom Satsang with Sita Rami and Morgan Bates

Zoom Satsang with Sita Rami (whom Babaji married to Radhe Shyam) and Morgan Bates whom Babaji endearingly called Motu. Both of these devoted ladies lived in Haidakhan for many years with Shri Babaji and their insights and experiences will touch your heart.

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, May 8 – 10am MDT
(6pm Central Europe, 9:30pm India)
Zoom Satsang with with Pujari from Russia and Hiroman from Washington

Zoom Satsang with Pujari from Russia and Hiroman from Washington facilitating “Diving Deeper into Babaji’s Teachings and Practices”. These two devotees have shared richly about their life-changing experiences with Shri Babaji. We will hear more of these stories but this satsang is particularly set up for each of you to ask your questions about your practice. It is an opportunity to understand more deeply the meaning of puja, japa, havan, and other practices.

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

Tuesday, May 11 – 11am MDT
Live-stream New-Moon Fire Ceremony and Chanting

Live-stream New-Moon Fire Ceremony and Chanting on the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Facebook Page.

Wednesday, May 26 – 11am MDT
Live-stream Full-Moon Fire Ceremony and Chanting

Live-stream Full-Moon Fire Ceremony and Chanting on the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Facebook Page.

On-Going Events

Daily 20 Minute Silent Meditations and Discourses on the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, which are available on YouTube at the Ramloti Wood Channel and posted on the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Facebook Page.

Live-Stream New-Moon and Full-Moon Fire Ceremonies and Chanting, Evening Aarati one night each weekend, and small Daily fire Ceremonies a few days a week. These are announced and live-streamed on Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Facebook Page and posted on YouTube at the Ramloti Wood Channel by the next day.

Karma Yoga at the Ashram

Karma Yoga at the Ashram goes on. A good part of the month was spent with the final preparations and observance of Spring Navratri and Hanuman’s Birthday. We also had a Kumari gift giving and Chai and Muffin at the Bottom of the driveway the Sunday after Navratri. You can read about those below. As spring arrives, it is also time to deal with the water system. This is a wonderful gravity feed system that provides all of our water from the blessed Spanish Creek. But like all of our sustainable, off-the-grid systems, it takes constant vigilance and maintenance by Premanand and Bill. Once the water arrives at the various buildings, it is purified by a UV filter. This also requires Premanand’s constant monitoring and carefulness to replace the huge bulbs on a regular basis.

Our Shop is being restocked as we are finally able to get supplies from India. With the situation there now with the devastating Pandemic, we are not sure if this will be closed down again. We are grateful for what we have gotten however and our Shop website has been updated.

The cleaning and pujari work continues to keep everything clean and flowing at the Ashram.

And our kitty cat, Meowie Kitty, gets plenty of love and attention.

The office work goes on as well with bookkeeping, responding to emails, writing updates and newsletters. Probably the biggest, most time-consuming, and newest aspect of this work is the videoing, editing, uploading, and posting all of our live-stream and zoom activities.

Recent Events

Spring Navratri

Navratri was Magnificent with our resplendent Mother in many new saris, beautiful daily Devi Pujas to Maha Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, and daily Fire Ceremonies in all sorts of weather.

Honoring our Children with Gifts and Chai, Muffins, and Small Gifts at the Bottom of our Driveway!

Hanuman’s Birthday

A tender and loving time to bathe, dress, honor, and sing to our beloved Hanumanji.

Prayers Please

Our dear friend and long-time devotee, Rosalyn Southard, passed away on the second morning of Navratri from a huge tear in her aorta. We remember her as a loving friend, supporter of the Ashram, and a regular at the fire ceremonies and satsangs. We will miss her dearly. She was 77 years old and leaves behind 2 children and 5 grandchildren. Here is a photo of her from last month with her 10 year-old grandson Zadin, whom she would often bring to the Ashram. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Hargovind Baba, whom many of you know through his devoted service in the Dhuni and his amazing bhajans, left his body this morning. Fifteen years ago, Hargovind had been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer. With the grace of Babaji for many years afterwards he was able to continue his life without major health issues. Fortunately last year Hargovind and his wife Marcella travelled to Haidakhan to take part in Spring Navratri and arrived there just before all airports were closed due to the corona pandemic. These weeks in Haidakhan were a very special time for Hargovind. His joy and happiness to be in Haidakhan once again were apparent. Hargovind had to leave India because of an infection and from then on he was in and out of hospitals in Europe and Brazil. His body became weaker and weaker. This morning he returned home to Babaji, the love of his life. Please keep him and his wife Marcella, who has been continually by his side, and his three sons, and the rest of his family in your prayers. Here he is with Shri Muniraj.

Alok Banerjee, we are happy to announce has recovered from the Corona Virus and is at home again in good health. Thank you for all of your prayers.

India, Brazil, and many other countries that are having huge resurgences of the Corona Virus are in need of any support that we can give them as well as all of our prayers. This is a time of great need and focus on the Divine for help. May Shri Babaji bless each person that is suffering at this time.

Calendar of Events

May 11, Jun 10, Jul 9	New Moon Fire Ceremony
May 26, Jun 24, Jul 23	Full Moon Fire Ceremony

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, May 1 - 10am MDT	Sita Rami and Morgan Bates
Saturday, May 8 - 10am MDT	Pujari from Russia and Hiroman from Washington

Gratitude and Maha Lakshmi Shop

Once again, thank you to all who have been donating to the Ashram and purchasing from the Maha Lakshmi Shop. Both are a big help in keeping everything going at the Ashram. We are happy to announce that we reached our GoFundMe Goal to buy the new batteries needed for the dormitory. They have been ordered. Thank you to all who donated. Please know that we always remember you in the Temple at Baba’s and Mother’s feet and at our Fire Ceremonies.

We continue to have folks reach out to us about sending a donation to keep the Ashram going during this time. Perhaps the easiest place to get information about donations and to make one is at the Ashram Donate Page. And to see our Maha Lakshmi Shop catalogue of devotional items and to purchase on line, go to Maha Lakshmi Online Shop. Call or email us anytime with questions, feedback, or requests at info@babajiashram.org or 719-256-4108. We love to hear from you.

Bhole Baba Ki Jai! Jai Ma!