A LIFE FULL OF MEANING

LONG time back about 7 yrs back a day came in my life that is very difficult for me to forget… A day when I came to “GURUMAA ASHRAM”. I used to hear a lot about “ANANDMURTI GURUMAA” from my parents & my uncle…& I thought I would be very lucky if I just see a glimpse of “GURUMAAJI” & that day arrived. From that day onwards my life changed a lot, now it is just the opposite of what it was seven years back. After that I attended shivir, youth shivir ,in which I just love to go…& these shivirs I think I cant afford to miss them…

“GURUMAAJI” taught us meditation & after that my concentration power had increased a lot & the best thing is that through meditation I got to know that my body & my conscious are two different things. In meditation one keeps oneself away from his body. We are looking what is happening all around us & now things don’t matter a lot.to me, like I am taking my life as it comes & my mind is calm & relaxed & worries don’t bother me a lot..

I just keep “GURUMAAJI’S WORDS” in my mind as a student” STUDY WELL & DO YOUR WORK WITH FULL CONCENTRATION “ These words for me as a student help me to live my life happily & the meditation taught by “GURUMAAJI”

“TRATAK DHAYAN”-Its concentrating on a flame without blinking your eyes. It helps students a lot to increase their concentration power in studies. as it has helped me a lot.

With GURU in my life its life full of happiness that isn’t temporary but is permanent & A LIFE FULL OF MEANING.

Shikha

Rishikesh Meditation Retreat - A Journey to Heaven

Everything seems to be a dream, that life could be so meaningful & the world could be so nice. All this seemed to be realistic when I attended the Rishikesh Meditation Retreat by Anandmurti Gurumaaji.Rishikesh - the land of Lord Shiva, a land of sages.The shivir held in this place made it like living in heaven.. In the front of the ashram was the holy river Ganga flowing & at the back of ashram were mountains & all this happened by the blessings of Gurumaaji & to be with “Anandmurti gurumaaji” for 6 days seemed just like 6 mins which flewed, by not even knowing.These are the days that I lived in a dream….

Gurumaaji explained us each & every word & shloka of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 & 6.

Earlier, I didn’t use to understand. The shlokas in Gita - They seemed to be tough to me. I just read them once but was not able to understand the meaning of any shloka.

But gurumaaji explained us meaning of every shloka & how to apply it in different spheres of living life.

It brought a lot of change in my life. I got to know the way in which the life is to be lived. Life is so beautiful & its only the way one looks at it. One should try to enjoy each & every minute of life thinking that it’s the last minute of one’s life. One should do his/her work with not having a feeling of selfishness but with the feeling of “NishkaaM”, that means by doing just the work & not thinking of any rewards. Not expecting anything & just doing your duty..

Gurumaaji taught us Yoga Nidra, that relaxes one’s mind & soul & relieves away all tensions. In this modern era I think it’s a must for every individual. So one should do it regularly. It relieves away one’s mental tensions & makes one feel healthy.

Gurumaaji laid stress on health. That yoga is must for one’s life. One should get up early in the morning… That the time b/w 4:00am to 4:30am is the best time to get up… & if one gets up at this time & does yoga, then that person will remain healthy.

Health is important for life to live longer & if one is healthy than one will be able to do all his daily activities well & meditation is must in one’s life. One should meditate regularly. knowledge is important for life.

Only the diet that one requires should eat, food should be chewed 32 times, one should eat meditatively. Live life with full consciousness & be aware of the surroundings & do every work, whatever it may be, meditatively.

And soon all the days come to an end & it seemed like just few minutes before we have come here & now we are leaving that place. Still today, the fragrance of those days are fresh in my memory & I do follow what gurumaaji taught us.

I daily wake up at 4am & do yoga & meditation & sleep early at night. It has bought a lot of positive effect in my life. Now I always try to remain happy & free of tensions & just wish almighty if I could live those heavenly days of my life again.

–Shashank Aggarwal, B.Tech Student, Chandigarh.

My Journey with the Master/First Visit to Gurumaa Ashram

In November of the year 2003, I left my job at the Unit Trust of India after working there for 12 years. I had had two operations, one major and the other minor in the past 1 ½ years. My vitality was at a low ebb. At that point of time, there was only one thought in my mind, I must start meditation. I fervently prayed to God to send a Guru, who would guide me in my spiritual life, which I was yearning to start.

I was aware of Gurumaa’s talks on the TV and sometimes listened to these. It was also my practice to attend the programmes of saints visiting the city of Kolkata where I live, if possible, for atleast a day. In February of 2004, my future Guru, Anandmurti Gurumaa arrived in Kolkata to give her discourse for the first time. I attended her discourse for two days out of the 5 days she was there. My first live interaction with her was transforming. As Gurumaa said, those who were able to imbibe what she said would feel a tremble in their bodies, a softness in their hearts and tears in their eyes. Friends, this is what happened to me when I first saw and heard her live! When she got up to leave with her characteristic namaskar, I surged forward with thousands of others to catch a closer glimpse of her and also offer my pranams to this noble soul who had made a dent somewhere in my mind.

Unfortunately, I could not get deeksha during this visit of hers. However, I pledged that I would start doing seva for my Guru immediately. I requested the organizers to give me some work. I was given the task of making a list of the participants of the ‘Amrit Varsha’ satsang which had just concluded. I was offered money to do this ‘seva’, but politely declined, offering this seva at the feet of my Guru. I joined the group which started regular weekly meditation in Kolkata. To my surprise, I found myself going into deep meditation right from day one. Such was the grace of my Guru. Throughout the year, I continued meditation at home as well as at the Centre. During this time, I started working again as I got an assignment as an HR Consultant with an NGO, which had been my inner wish after leaving my full-time job.

 

As winter approached, we got the news that Gurumaa was gracing us with her presence yet again this year! With hearts full of happiness, we started preparations for our Guru’s coming. We visited and called up people, inviting them to the programme and accepting their contributions. I also gave my name for seva during the satsang. When the auspicious day arrived, I was given seva in the VIP Book Store. I cannot tell what joy and enthusiasm I experienced during this seva, along with my other co-devotees, even though our darshan and listening to her discourses was almost impossible since our stall was outside the pandal and we had to really concentrate to even listen to her voice!On the last day, deeksha was announced and I was among the privileged ones to be accorded initiation.

 

In June, our party proceeded to Gurumaa Ashram for the Eastern Region Dhyan Shivir. Each moment of ours passed with remembrance of our Guru and the wait seemed interminable till we reached the Ashram.

 

My first sight of the Ashram filled me with awe that such a vast and beautiful structure could have been built in the wilderness. I along with our group of devotees who had come to the Ashram for the first time, visited each part of the Ashram and interacted with the sevadaars with utmost humility and devotion. We could not wait for the Gurumandir to open so that we could have darshan there and kept standing there and offering our obeisance till we were asked to go to our rooms, take lunch and rest in the afternoon.

 

I loved the metal bed allotted to me along with the built-in cupboard under it to keep my belongings. I went around to all the buildings – Gyaaneshwar Aavas was where I was put up, Nanak Dhaam and all the buildings named after rivers and found the atmosphere serene and full of energy.

 

I appreciated the hard work done by Gurumaa and her devotees in building up the Ashram from scratch. As I entered the Sambuddh Sabhagar for the first time to attend the shivir, I felt detached from those who vied to get a seat closer to the platform. I just sat in a corner and gazed at my Guru and imbibed the knowledge that poured from her lips. After meditation, I felt myself not wanting to leave the hall. However, when she gave darshan at the Madhushala, I vied for her attention by raising my hand, moving forward just to have a word with her and was like ‘ tan man hoye nihaala’ when she smiled and reciprocated(merey sadguru deendayala). I also felt her affection through the friendliness and closeness of other devotees.

 

The morning and evening aartis were magical moments which left us entranced and we never felt like leaving the spot.

 

On the last day of the program, our group sang a Rabindra Sangeet for Gurumaa and we could feel her blessings in the way she looked at each one of us with her inward gaze and divine smile. I loved the way devotees put up their palms to receive the roti offered as Prasad in the Annapurna community kitchen.

 

Ofcourse, needless to say, this visit made a tremendous impact on my spiritual development and for days afterwards I felt like remaining in meditation day and night, feeling the presence of my Guru. We left the Ashram, vowing to come back soon and reveling in the grace and serenity flowing from this messenger from God – our Guru, and wondered how much more full of beauty and grace God would be. We felt as if we had got a glimpse of God himself!

 

Jai Gurudev!

Seema

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Retreat with Gurumaa

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita - This word was a spiritualistic jargon for me till 25-12-07. In my twenty-two years I had learnt the one line meaning of this phrase “ KARAM KARO FAL KI CHINTA MAT KARO”. This meaning was enough to make me feel proud of myself. My grandpa’s told me this and I could had nothing more to tell, until GOD pour her blessings on me and gave me an opportunity to be in her footsteps and inculcate in me the teachings and essence of the greatest philosophical and religious dialogue known to man.
It was the first time I realized that my knowledge was not even benchmarked to a speck of sand in the desert or to a drop of water in the ocean or to even a single cell in human body. I realized I was a recidivist with my own life and was passing it in shear darkness.
It is paranormal and completely illogical for me to tell what THE MASTER said but by Her permission I would like to give you a brief narration of my experience of the shiver held from 25-12-07 to 29-12-07 in Rishikesh.
A bright day and warm welcome (by the Sevadars) awaited all the disciples who came from all over the country. Within no time the pandal was filled, to welcome THE MYSTIC. The holy city was approaching to dawn but our hearts could feel the dusk and eagerly waited for the onset of the sun so as to absorb the perpetual rays of knowledge, joy, bliss, love, guidance and energy.
It was predestined that the discourse would be on the 5TH and 6th chapters of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.
Gurumaa told us how Karam Sanayas is in relation to Nishkam Karam Yog. How sense gratification is not good for us? She told us that renunciation is complete when it is in the knowledge that everything in existence belongs to God and one could not claim proprietorship over anything. One who is always in Krishna’s consciousness is always a renounce as he neither feels hatred nor desires for results of his own actions. She also told us that self-realization is ultimate goal of life and every entity is not part and parcel of this material world but of Supreme Sprit. The art of living a disciplined and healthy life was also explained. The zephyr of words and bhajans sung by THE MYSTIC brought the disciples in a lachrymal state and it was the first time many of us could see the agony and stresses deep with us. Gurumaa narrated the abstruse Sanskrit text with the easiest possible way for us to comprehend. The importance and benefits of Yoga and Yog Nidra were also disclosed.
Though I could understand only a minuscule of what the Mystic said due to its high standards but it is good enough to give me a start to a new beginning.
At last I would request all the disciples who attended the shiver including myself that it would be obnoxious if we don’t even try to follow the MYSTIC’S direction, who is working for us day and night. And for the people who did not attend the shiver, I request you that time is passing by the speed of light and you should act before it’s too late.

Gurumaa gave me the reason to Love and Celebrate

Guru literally means the complete & the one who spreads the sea of knowledge and love to shishyas (the disciples). And a true shishya is one who grasps and withstand to gospel of his guru. Nobody is inborn shishya and the same is the case with me. i.e. I came to know about the reality of life in this unreal world only when I encounterted the Great Master ‘Anandmurti Gurumaaji’.

Gurumaa gave me the reason to love and celebrate my life and feel the essence of love. The annual meditation retreat is the one & foremost way where I comfort her & recharge myself by her heart warming, mind-boggling and inspring words. Yoga Retreat enhances our lifestyle by making it disciplined but only if one follows the rules and regulations led by the Master.

The theme of this year’s winter meditation retreat was ‘Shreemad Bhagavad Gita‘. It created such a feeling that Gurumaa seemed like ‘Krishna’ & I, ‘the Parth’. Another thing was the Yoga Nidra which is very important to lead our life free of any fear or stress.

There were many steps taken up by Gurumaa out of which one was to improve our selflessness for what we perfomed many duties out there, which at the end of the day gave the inner satisfaction of being in the ashram.

Last but not the least we were made to know about various aspects of yoga & its importance in our life. Yoga not only helps us to develop ourselves physically but also mentally & spiritually. Atlast I would like to say that the rays of Gurumaa had such wavelength that penetrated into my inner soul and purified it, for which I would like to thank Her from the bottom of my heart.

–Monika Khaneja, Delhi.

 

Gurumaa is Energy

Gurumaa is energy, clairvoyant, authentic , cosmic power, light and love. Like a mother, sometimes she talks lovingly, and sometimes in hard words, an enlightened mystic Gurumaa is awaking us for meditation. Gurumaa is energy and she is awaking us saying, realize yourself that you are also energy, you are not body. This body is instrument and energy is the real power in you and all the work are done by this power.

But you are wasting energy in meaningless thoughts. So heal your mind by meditation.Your mind is not of yesterday, but of thousands of years old. There are so many blockages in your mind. See yourself if you can. Be able to see this. You can be free of all this. Your clarity of mind make you powerful.

When you meditate under the guidance of Gurumaa your kundalini can easily be awaken and you can feel energy in your body. With rise in your energy you get many experiences, you can see the energy colors in you, many emotions and vibrations happen in the body. In these emotions your clarity happen and by vibration your energy arise and you can understand where you are. It may be very clear to you that you are with an enlightened one.

Join your meditation with crystal gazing Gurumaa, in which Gurumaa is guiding you. The main thing you need when you present yourself in front of Gurumaa is that you have some practice of living in silence. This way when you join guided meditation techniques, you can find good results.

Meditation is a way to empower you, to make you realize of your true self. Your intentions and attentions make you so powerful that you can be involved in the welfare of mankind. You can try every guided meditation CD of Gurumaa for meditation. if you are not able to sit, then start with meditational music. Then start Gurumaa’s active meditation – Urja. This will be good preparation for meditation. If you prepare well, you can be meditative with Gurumaa’s spiritual songs and maybe by only seeing Gurumaa.

Veena Sikri

HOW TO REACH GURUMAA ASHRAM

Gurumaa Ashram is located on
GT Karnal Road
(NH-1) in Gannaur,
Dist. Sonepat, Haryana.
It is 65kms from New Delhi. If you are arriving by air at New Delhi airport, you have two options. Either take an autorickshaw to the ISBT(Inter-state Bus Stand), earlier known as Kashmiri Gate. From there, you will find Haryana Roadways as well as private buses leaving for different places in Haryana. Check with them if the bus will stop at Gannaur. If they say yes, board the bus either after booking your ticket at the counter or you can even buy your ticket enroute. Presently, the charge is around Rs.65/- per head. Be sure to tell the conductor and other co-passengers to intimate you where to get off. If you have less luggage, you can get off opposite the arch proclaiming ‘Gurumaa Ashram’ just before Gannaur Bus Stop, cross over and enter the arch. Gurumaa Ashram is around half a km from this spot. Otherwise, you could get off the bus at Gannaur Bus Stop and take an auto or a rickshaw to Gurumaa Ashram. The duration of the bus journey would be slightly over an hour, if you are not stuck in a traffic jam.

The second option is to take a taxi from the airport and tell him you want to go to Gannaur which is slightly ahead of Sonepat Town on National Highway-1.

Sonepat Town is slightly off NH-1 on the left. However, to reach Gannaur, you need not enter Sonepat Town. Just ignore the diversion on the left which has a signboard saying ‘Sonepat’. Go straight along the highway. After a little while, you can make out an arch on the right, saying ‘Gurumaa Ashram’. Turn right at the intersection at the Gannaur Bus Stop, U-turn and enter the arch. Gurumaa Ashram is around half a kilometer from this spot.You will see picturesque resorts and factory outlets for garments as well as green fields and other ashrams on NH-1. All major trains going towards and coming from Jammu and Punjab stop at Panipat and Sonepat stations.Gannaur comes between Sonepat and Panipat.Some trains also stop at Gannaur station. In that case, just take an auto or rickshaw from Gannaur Station and come to Gurumaa Ashram. Come and experience the positive energy of the Master which permeates every nook and corner of Gurumaa Ashram!

It is advisable to book accommodation in advance.Either call at the Ashram numbers or send an email to info@gurumaa.com.

Day Passes are also available at the office for spending the day at the ashram.you can meditate at madhushala, enjoy prasad at annapurna, have darshan at gurumandir and marvel at the beautifully kept lawns or sit beside the lake.