Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Newsletter
 
 

Dear Friends,


This month I spent a week away from the Ashram.  Most of the time was in San Diego with my three grandsons, son, daughter-in-law, sisters, nephews and nieces.  I am always so grateful for my family and the innocent freedom and love of my grandchildren is so nurturing to me.  Just before flying out, I did an evening of chanting in Albuquerque.  The program was well-attended and very high, I also appreciate this family of devotees and kindred spirits that gather in these different places.


Returning home to the Ashram was a good feeling too as I knew there was a whole other family waiting there along with many children that are so dear to me.  Perhaps I am using the term family a bit loosely but for me family means folks who care about one another and would do practically anything to help each other out.  Family means people who will listen, console, support, play and be there for you.  Babaji spoke about the family of humankind and said that we all came from the same Divine Father.  This makes us one big family and this is what we experienced so often with Him.


Life has been full at the Ashram with many successful events this last month and more to come as the summer  arrives.  Please read on for more details and to see some photos of the events.  We are hoping to see many of you for the Annual American Samaj Weekend and dedication of Babaji’s new kutir (room) on July 24 and 25.  Several families have already booked for the Annual Family Week and the concurrent workshop with Sofia Diaz on “Shakti” (July 26-30).  That week promises to be incredible again.  Please call the Ashram at 719-256-4108 for more information and to make reservations.


In truth and love, 

Ramloti




This Month’s Fire Ceremonies and Schedule


Our fire ceremonies in June are on Saturday, June 12 (new-moon) and Saturday, June 26 (full-moon). The fire ceremonies begin at 10:08am and are followed by a meal.


Our evening aarati is at 6pm and morning aarati is at 7am. Lunch is served at about 1pm. The Maha Lakshmi Shop is open every day from 9am until 5pm.


If you would like to participate by sponsoring a fire ceremony, we would like to send you a blessed item from the fire ceremony. They are:


$27 sponsorship - Copper, brass, nickel Om Namah Shivaya bracelet

$54 sponsorship - Rose Quartz, Rosewood, Garnet or Tulsi Mala

$108 sponsorship - Rudraksha/Crystal Mala or Crystal Mala


You can make the donation online by just clicking here or call 719-256-4108 or e-mail the Ashram at info@BabajiAshram.org or send us a check to: P.O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131.


We are continually grateful for all of your support.



Bal Gokulam - Saturday, June 19


Our next children’s program, Bal Gokulam, will be on Saturday, June 19 from 10am until noon.  This will be  followed by a potluck lunch.


Each session Cindy Cleary and Vesper Gers choose a deity to focus on and teach some chants, tell a story while the children color the deity and do a puja to it.  The children also learn some simple yoga.


It is a very fun time for both the parents and children and is followed by a potluck lunch.  A parent is required to be on premise the entire time.


For more information please call Cindy at 719-256-5007 or Vesper at 719-256-4569.


We love all the families that come to the Ashram and appreciate Cindy and Vesper so much for facilitating this very fun and informational morning.




Guru Purnima, Inauguration of Babaji’s Kutir

and Annual Samaj Meeting Weekend – July 24 & 25


When we come together in Shri Babaji’s name lots of wonderful energy gets generated.  Our yearly meeting of the American Haidakhan Samaj, the organization that helps spread Babaji’s message throughout America, is always an inspiring affair.  Add to that the fact that this year it falls on the auspicious weekend of Guru Purnima, the full-moon in July on which you honor your guru, it is bound to be super.


The annual meeting will begin at 9am on Saturday and will be followed by lunch.  In the afternoon we will inaugurate Shri Babaji’s new kutir (room) amidst chanting and many stories from devotees that spent time with Babaji.


On Sunday morning, we will have our first chandan (application of sandalwood paste to the forehead) in Babaji’s room followed by aarati and then a large fire ceremony.  This is going to be one weekend you will not want to miss. 


Call (719-256-4108) or email the Ashram at info@babajiashram.org as soon as possible to reserve space for this busy time or for more information.  See you there.




Shakti Workshop with Sofia Diaz – July 26 – 30


The day after Guru Purnima will be the amazing workshop on “Shakti” led by Sofia Diaz.   Last year’s workshop with Sofia was a strong experience for the participants, some described it as deeply
transformational for them.  The topic this year, “Shakti” will be extremely insightful to people as we delve into the mystery of energy, both the mundane and the celestial.  It is interesting to contemplate on the fact that the force that is allowing this computer to write this newsletter is the same energy that moves through our bodies enabling life to happen.


We have different names for these energies, electricity and shakti, but intrinsically they are the same.  If we interfere with either one, it is shocking to the system, if we let them flow they are amazing. 


We are so fortunate to have Sofia at the Ashram during this week to conduct this workshop.  Sofia Diaz offers a unique approach to Hatha Yoga, sacred movement and feminine spiritual practice, deriving her style of teaching and body philosophy from the South Indian temple arts. She lectures at Naropa University and teaches throughout North America. To find out more about her go to www/SofiaYoga.com


The workshop will run from Monday through Thursday (July 26 – 29) from 10am until 1pm followed by lunch.  On Friday, there will be an optional trip to the Sand Dunes for fun and play with all of the families that have gathered at the Ashram for Family Week.  The suggested donation for the workshop is $135 for non-Samaj members and $108 for Samaj members.  There is also a concurrent children’s program each day for children 3 years and older.  There is no charge for the children’s program but registration is important so that we know how many groups and counselors to arrange to accommodate all of the children.  Please call the Ashram at 719-256-4108 or email at info@babajiashram.org for registration forms for the workshop and for the children’s programs.




Annual Family Week – July 26 – 30


Some families have been coming to family week for the last 10 years, why, because they love it!  Family Week is a great time for the family to have an Ashram experience, attend programs for both kids and adults and also have a memorable vacation.  The day begins with aarati, breakfast and a group meeting.
We then break into groups, the children according to ages and the adults go to the concurrent workshop (read above) or to karma yoga.


The groups go from 10am until 1pm and then we have lunch and cleanup.  By about 2pm the families are organizing field trips to the Hot Springs swimming pool, horseback riding, hiking or other activity.  We all gather back in the temple at 6pm for aarati followed by dinner.  On the last day we pack lunches in the morning and all head for a fun day to the Great Sand Dunes National Park (less then an hour away).  It is always hard to say good by to everyone after such a special week but we know that we will all meet again next year. 


It is a great week and everyone seems to love it but the rooms are already filling up fast in the dormitory. Please call the Ashram at 719-256-4108 or email at info@babajiashram.org as soon as possible to reserve space.  The suggested donation for an adult to stay at the Ashram for a week is $135, there is no charge for children.  Hope to see you.




Maintaining Baba’s and Mother’s Home


A great deal of work got accomplished this month due to lots of karma yogis and the generally conducive weather.  Babaji’s kutir has received the final color coat of stucco, all the trim has been painted, the floor oiled and it is just waiting for the furnishing to be complet
e.
 


The damaged polycarbonate panels on the greenhouse roof and windows have been replaced.  Additional railroad tie stairs have been put in from the temple to the earthship.  The garden already has the potatoes planted and the beds are ready for more plants as soon as the weather warms a bit.  The trees on the western slope behind the temple have been well trimmed up to help prevent a forest fire from spreading up to the main part of the Ashram.  (See lots of these photos under our Karma Yoga Morning.)


All of these repairs take funds so we ask you to please donate as you are able. You may go to our website and donate through PayPal (you can even set up a monthly tithe). You can also send a check to the Ashram at P.O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131 or you can call us at 719-256-4108 with a credit card number. We want to thank you in advance for you support, love, and prayers.  




Recent Events


Karma Yoga Morning and Bal Gokulam


Karma Yoga morning was a huge success this year with about 30 people involved.  We ran our children’s program, Bal Gokulam, at the same time which made it easy for the whole family to participate and very fun for the children.  We had two families from Denver attend and they added both some great help and also made a sumptuous Indian feast for everyone to enjoy afterwards.  Thank you to everyone that participated, a lot of the repairs noted above were accomplished on this day.


If you were not able to attend but would like to help, please call the Ashram at 719-256-4108 and set up another time to come and share your skills, they are always appreciated.






An Evening Chanting in Albuquerque


It was an inspiring and uplifting evening for all of us as we joined together at the Unity Spiritual Center in Albuquerque for chanting and images of India.  About 40 people attended, many new folks and some of the Ashram’s long-time friends.  The two ministers there are Ross and Judy Campbell who attended Family Week last year for the first time with their lovely daughter, Sofia.  It was a joy to reunite and chant together.  Thank you to Jenya, Jesse, and Vishante for joining the band and making the evening so successful.





A Fun Day Bowling


Even though the numbers were a bit smaller, it was still a fun day at the bowling ally.  Jade and Kailou were celebrating the beginning of summer vacation and actually were some of the high scorers on this otherwise pretty poor scoring day.


As the weather turns warmer it is obvious that it is time to hang up the bowling shoes and start practicing for the softball season. We do not have any games planned yet but hopefully soon.  We normally play on Sunday afternoons, so if you are planning a visit to the Ashram, let us know if you are a softball player and we will try to schedule a game.





Ashram Karm
a Yoga


Everyone helps at the Ashram and somehow it is often around the dishwashing area as there are always plenty of dishes to wash. 


Our local children love to do the dishes and below Babina, Darshan, Azelia, Ananya and Devansi are also working on the dishes with huge smiles and having  lots of fun.




Children and Families


The children and families in Crestone are celebrating a new Charter School facility that will be built with money from a grant they recently received.  The Ashram was asked to be one of five spiritual groups to do a blessing on the beautiful land where the new school will be built. We are were happy to participate because of our love for all the children.

We love our Ashram families and children that live near and far!














Visitors


May has been such a busy month particularly right now at the end with Memorial Day weekend.  There must have been over 200 people visiting the Ashram this weekend alone.  I began taking a few photos of the non-stop lunchtimes on Saturday and Sunday but ran out of steam after the second table full (and it was only Saturday with two days to go)!


Here are a few comments from some our our recent visitors to the Ashram.


Being a devotee of Babaji and the Divine Mother and having already had the great blessing of darshan at Haidakhan Vishwa Mahadam, I thought it was high time I visited Babaji’s Ashram in my native country.  At the Haidkahandi Universal Ashram I was greeted by the beauty of the high desert and the mountains (reminiscent of the Himalayas), the warm hospitality of the community here, and the peace and blessings of Haidakhandewsari Ma. 


Some highlights of my stay include:

    Hushed sunrises with a herd of deer grazing just outside the temple door.

    Ramloti’s famous raw food smoothies and pates.

    Spending two hours washing leaves on the potted fig tree inside the temple on Karma Yoga morning.  It turns out there are a lot of leaves on a fig tree... one mantra for each leaf!

    Strange, beautiful multicolored boulders strewn across a mountain path.

    Watching little children decorate Hanuman with chandan and flowers during the children’s program.

    The bliss and unity of singing aarati and kirtan in the temple.

    Ramloti’s motherliness, Jonathan’s playfulness and Premanand’s prem...thank you for creating such a welcoming atmosphere and for tending Mother so devotedly.

    A great mystery is unveiled:  it turns out the world has two kinds of people - those that peel a banana from the stem end and those that peel from the base.  The exact metaphysical significance of this is yet to be ascertained by this writer, but perhaps it is that whatever path you are on, it is the right one for you, and all paths lead to the Big Banana (O Bigadi Banane Vale)

    Babaji’s blessings and lilas are still alive and all-pervasive.

Bhole Baba Ki Jai! Lalita


I am one of those people that believes things happen and become omens.  I was in South Florida in January 2010. A long time friend I was visiting suggested we go to a chanting at her sister's place. Ramloti and friends were going to do their music and chanting.  Normally my body has a lot of movement.  For the 1.5 hour  presentation, I sat motionless, while my mind had an out of body feeling.  My friend said to me afterward, she thought I had died.  She had never seen me like that.  A few weeks later, my friend said that was a good omen and I should go visit the Ashram. I agreed and came to Crestone. It was good. I had a wonderful experience with the people, the dorm, doing Karma Yoga and the great outdoors of the Rockies.  I think I will be back. Thanks to all,  Ramloti, Jonathan, Prem, Todd, Roberta and Gretchen.  Namaste,   Rich




I
am now sitting down and reflecting a bit about what my recent visit to the Ashram has meant to me and my dear friend Scott.  Meeting and working with you all was inspirational.  I am at a point once again where I have gotten the brief glimpse that no matter the role we play and the so called choices which we make its true only that we are at the whims of a Divine Mother. Our visit was transformational on many levels,(more is sure to be revealed in the future).


I just wanted to thank you all who participated in the Panchamrit blessing of my new Shiva murti at the Fire Ceremony and the powerful bhajans did wonders to wake up the Mighty Shankarji.  Keep up the the positive atmosphere I hope to see you all soon. Thanks for everything. This Murti was destined to be mine and I thank you sincerely.  Om Namah Shivaya!  Spencer





Calendar for 2010


June 12 - New-moon fire ceremony at 10am followed by a meal


June 19 - Bal Gokulam, Children’s Program from 10am until noon followed by a potluck


June 26 - Full-moon fire ceremony at 10am followed by a meal


July 24 - 25 - Annual American Samaj Weekend


July 25 - Guru Purnima Day


July 26 - 30 - Annual Family Week and Concurrent Workshop on "Shakti" by Sofia Diaz


October 7 - 15 - Fall Navratri, the Divine Mother Festival.


November 5 - Diwali, Festival of Lights. Fire ceremony at 10am. Chanting at 7pm.




Maha Lakshmi Shop Report


The Shop is receiving the new shipment of murtis, harmonioums, dollaks and other treasures from India in the next week or two.  Call for the latest update.


We also had calls from folks who could not locate the new DVD on Shastriji on our website.  Just click here “Shastriji, the Voice of Babaji.”  This inspiring CD is a great tribute to a remarkable being that lived amongst us for 97 years.  You will want to watch this over and over again. This 30 minute documentary is a great treasure and can now be purchased from the Shop for only $18.



The Maha Laksshmi Shop is open everyday from 9am until 5pm.  You may view and order the majority of the items online at www.shop.babajiashram.org/  You may also call us at 719-256-4108 with questions or to place an order.  We accept visa, mastercard or discover.  The Shop is a major support of the Ashram, so we deeply appreciate your patronage.


 

June, 2010