Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Newsletter
 
 




Dear Friends,





This Month’s Fire Ceremonies and Schedule


T
he new-moon fire ceremony this month is on Wednesday, February 2 and the full-moon fire ceremony is on Friday, February 18. The fire ceremonies begin at 10:08 am and are followed by a meal.  Our evening aarati is at 6pm and morning aarati is at 8am for the winter with a paduka puja in Shri Babaji’s kutir each morning at 7:40am.  Lunch is served at about 1pm. The Maha Lakshmi Shop is open every day from 10am 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 Mala or Crystal Mala or Copper, silver, brass bracelet


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 of the Ashram.




Mahasamadhi Fire Ceremony in El Sobrante, CA - Sunday, Feb. 13


M
ahasamadhi is the day that we commemorate the conscious leaving of the body by Shri Babaji.  As we await His return, we continue the practices that He gave to us, primarily: karma yoga, aarati, japa chanting and the fire ceremony.  Ramloti will be joining Saradambe and Dharma Devi for a fire ceremony, aarati, chanting and potluck (and of course there is always some karma yoga!) on Sunday, February 13 at 10am.  The address is 4669 Elmwood Road, El Sobrante, CA. 94803.  Please RSVP at 510-758-7725 if you plan to attend and to get directions.  All are welcome.




Chanting and Fundraisers with Ramloti in Thornton, CO (February 26) and in Colorado Springs (February 27)


All of the recent chanting evenings and fundraisers have been so blissful, we hope you can attend one of these in Colorado.


The first one is at Smita and Prabohd Telang’s home on Saturday, February 26 There will be chanting, images of the hermitage project and a potluck.  Their address is 3068 143rd Ave, Thornton (sometimes it comes up as Brighton), CO 80602.  You may call them at 720-250-6325 or 303-920-7245 for more specifics and directions.


The following day we will gather at Monika and Sumit Celly’s home on Sunday, February 27 at 12 noon followed by a meal.  Their address is 2840 Helnsdale Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80920.  You may call them at 719-533-1579 for more information and directions.


We are grateful to both of these families who have been coming to the Ashram for years now.  Their support to help build small hermitages for the three full-time residents at the Ashram is deeply appreciated.




Join us for Maha Shivaratri 

All-night Chanting on Friday, March 4 and Fire Ceremony on Saturday, March 5


It is always amazing how the energy keeps us chanting, playing music, dancing and honoring Lord Shiva all night.  It often flies by on Shivaratri.   We will begin our all-night chanting on Friday night at 10pm and continue until 4am.  We will then take a break until aarati at 7am, fire ceremony at 10am and a feast at about 11am.


Shivaratri is said to be the night that Lord Shiva’s energy is most present on the earth.  Join with many other folks on this auspicious occasion to praise Lord Shiva.


For more information or to make a reservation email us at info@babajiashram.org.  Om Namah Shivaya!




Spring Navratri - Sunday, April 3 - Monday, April 11


We have already had reservations from as far away as New Zealand and who would not want to attend these magical and powerful nine days in honor of the Divine Mother.  Just gazing in Her eyes says enough of the splendor and miracle that we can be here and sing Her praises together.  The days are full of chanting, aarati, fire ceremony, readings, discourses and karma yoga.  Email soon if you would like us to reserve you a room at info@babajiashram.org.




Annual On-Line Maha Lakshmi Auction Hermitage Fundraiser - Saturday, April 8 Through Sunday, April 17


We have decided to begin the annual on-line auction this year on the 6th day of Spring Navratri (which honors Maha Lakshmi) and complete it on Hanuman’s birthday.  That puts the beginning date at Friday, April 8 and it will end on Sunday, April 17.  We deeply appreciate all those who have already responded with auction items and sponsor support.  If you have not done so yet, you can view the auction at http://www.biddingforgood.com/babajiashram and maybe get some ideas of what you might donate or other ways to participate in the fun.  You can call Ramloti at 719-480-5514 or email her at info@babajiashram.org and she can help you upload your item.  Thank you for all your support.  All money raised will support the hermitage building. 


Here are a few of the over 140 items already donated.  All of these items happen to be precious relics from Mother or Shri Babaji.  The First is an elaborately beaded velvet chuni worn by the Divine Mother.  The second is an altar cloths and small murti wrap made from a sari given to Ramloti by Babaji in 1981.  The third is a rudraksha bead from a mala of Shri Babaji and finally a silver amulet filled with vibhuti (sacred ash) from Babaji’s sacred fire ceremony.








The Hermitages for Jonathan, Ramloti and Premanand


Three little hermitages (275 sq. feeti) on a lovely bluff to the west of the parking lot is what we are wanting to build for the three-long time residents who have been sharing space or living without electricity and plumbing for 15 to 20 years.  Thank you to all who have donated thus far.  We hope to begin building in Spring.


We ask each of you to look into your hearts and see what this Ashram means to you and 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 made out to HUA but designated for the hermitages 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 your support, love and prayers.  Together, with Baba’s grace, we can make this happen! 



Karma Yoga and Maintenance at the Ashram


We continue to appreciate all the work that is getting done at the Ashram by our karma yogis.  Along with all of the continued wood cutting and splitting, we have also stocked up on our baked goodies since on the colder days we love to bake in the oven to keep the earth ship warm. 


Also preparing, serving and cleaning up after our full and new moon bhandaras is a big job.  Seems like no matter how could it is, we still have 50 people or so.


Here is a couple of paragraphs from some of our karma yogis who have been here for one and two months.


Lifting and moving boulders, carrying huge logs ¼ of a mile…who would have thought that karma yoga is so transformative? Being at the Ashram has shifted my perspective permanently—being open, being loving, being and learning about love and beauty. The Ashram is the place to be. Gratitude, simplicity, truth, love! Ramloti, Prem and Jonathan are beyond words amazing. I’m so thankful!  Bhole Baba Ki—Jai!

Love, Will from Utah


I love this wonderful experience I’m having at the ashram. I ended up here completely on a whim, and I am eternally grateful for trusting my hunch to come. I deeply love the long-term residents here, and I have made relationships to last lifetimes. The beautiful grounds and facilities and amazing food have made my experience even better, but are really just bonuses. It is the warm, loving energy that will keep me coming back. I have only spent two weeks here,but I feel completely at home. I look forward to my remaining weeks here, as my world is getting brighter each day. Blessings and eternal thanks to all who come here and all who have been. I will hold this place in my heart always.

Love, Katie from New York




Recent Events


Kindergarten and First Graders Attend Fire Ceremony


Despite very cold temperatures the children from the Charter School attended the new-moon fire ceremony this month along with about 50 other folks including babies.  The children are always so well behaved and know exactly how to offer and seem to enjoy the ceremony a great deal.  Of course many have been coming with their parents since they were very little.  Their teacher, Clancy, brings them up a couple of times a year.  Crestone is such a rich place!

Once inside the kirtan hall, the children joined in the chanting and some of the children danced ecstatically to the Divine Mother.






Georgia and Florida!






Our Children, Families and Visitors


It seems that the Ashram is very important to folks and everyone is important to us too!








Calendar for 2011


February 13 - Maha Samadhi Fire Ceremony at 4669 Elmwood Road, El Sobrante, CA.94803.  Please RSVP at 510-758-7725.


February 26 - Chanting with Ramloti in Thornton (Brighton), CO.  Call 720-250-6325.


February 27 - Chanting with Ramloti in Colorado Springs.  Call 719-533-1579.  


March 4 - Maha Shivaratri with all-night chanting.


April 3 - 11 - Spring Navratri, the Divine Mother Festival.


July 14 - Guru Purnima Day


July 23 - 24 - Annual American Samaj Weekend.


July 26 - 29 - Annual Family Week and Concurrent Workshop.


September 27 - October 5 - Fall Navratri, the Divine Mother Festival.


October 26 - Diwali, Festival of Lights. Fire ceremony at 10am. Chanting at 7pm.




Maha Lakshmi Shop Report



Winter always seems like a great time for reading.  Here is a new addition to our website as well as a newly revised edition of a great selling  book to our webite.


Anupam Kripa (The Grace of the Guru) is an inspiring book by Shri Mahendra Maharaj about his relationship and searching for Shri Babaji.  This little 78 page book is full of wonderful stoies.  The translation is a little bit rough from Hindi but the grace comes through.  It sales fore only $5.


Green For Life after being translated into over 15 languages has been revised to include even more life giving information.  Green smoothies, of which it speaks, are the easiest way imaginable to bring more health and energy into your life.  This sales for $16.95.


You may view and purchase both books and most of our other items at www.shop.babajiashram.org/  You may also call us at 719-256-4108 with questions or to place an order.  We love to talk with you.  We accept visa, mastercard or discover.  The Maha Lakshmi Shop is open everyday from 10am until 5pm.


The Shop is a major support of the Ashram, so we deeply appreciate your patronage.


Maha Lakshmi Mata Ki Jai!

 

February, 2011