Dear Friends,
Here is a sweet example of the above. I had already planned a very full schedule in Denver for last weekend. Four events in three days is quite a bit! I emailed a reminder of all the events to devotees the Thursday before. A few hours later I received a call from the Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Denver saying that they noticed I had no program for Sunday evening and could we bring Shri Babaji’s padukas to the temple, speak about the Ashram, and lead some chanting there. Well I had planned to drive home that evening as I had an early appointment Monday morning with my naturopath who is usually booked a month or two in advance. Since I was heading for India the next week (yes tomorrow!) I thought it wise to see him before I left. But, there was so much love in the invitation, how could I say no? I figured I would just drive at 5am in the morning to make the appointment.
As it turned out, it was a tremendous evening. The padukas and all of us were greeted and treated with so much love, I knew the minute we arrived that it was the right decision. And wouldn’t you know that just after I called the naturopath about a possible later appointment, someone called and cancelled their appointment which was two hours later. So we did not have to leave until 7am. Oh the grace of Baba!
So it has been a very full time since I am turning around one week later to leave for India. And having an all-night chant, fire ceremony, bhandara, on-line auction to set up, Navratri preparations, lots of visitors, a Spiritual Alliance Meeting, and a Board meeting all nestled in the week I could certainly have gotten overwhelmed, except for the mantra and asking myself that simple question of what would be more loving. Actually the morning of Shivaratri I was very tired and feeling like this newsletter would never get out on time (guess what, it didn’t and probably I am the only one that ever notices). I thought that I would skip aarati and go straight to work on it. Then I asked my question and I heard, “How could you miss going to temple and singing aarati to the manifested Lord Shiva on Shivaratri?” The answer was quite self evident, I went to aarati.
As I pranamed to Shri Babaji that night in the strong bliss of all-night chanting, I was struck with the deep realization of the good fortune and karma to have been with Shri Sambasada Shiva three different times in 1981 and 1982 while He was manifest in human form. Oh the wonders of the Lord!
With deep love,
Ramloti
Ceremonies and Schedule
The full-moon fire ceremony this month is on Sunday, March 16 and the new-moon fire ceremony is on Sunday, March 30. They will both be at 10am and are followed by a meal. Please arrive freshly bathed, in a long skirt or pants with shoulders covered, and having fasted from grains, cereals, meat, eggs, garlic and onions. Fruit, yogurt, nuts, veggies and tea or coffee are fine to eat before. Also, if you have a dietary need for something more hearty before our meal at 11:30 or so, please partake.
Our evening aarati is at 6pm and morning aarati is at 7am, with a paduka puja in Shri Babaji’s kutir at 6:30am. Lunch is served at about 12:30pm, and we invite you to join us. (Call if you are a group or have special dietary needs.) The Maha Lakshmi Shop is open every day from 10am until 5pm.
If you would like to participate by sponsoring a fire ceremony or a bhandara (feast), we would like to send you a blessed item from the fire ceremony if you request. They are:
$27 sponsorship - Copper, brass, nickel Om Namah Shivaya bracelet
$54 sponsorship - Rudraksha, Rosewood, or Tulsi Mala
You can make the donation online by just clicking here or by calling 719-256-4108, or by emailing the Ashram at info@BabajiAshram.org. You may also send us a check made to HUA to: P.O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131. We are continually grateful for all of your support of the Ashram.
Spring Navratri is just around the corner. Already people are planning on attending from Canada, Washington, and Denver.
What lovelier way to welcome the nourishing time of rebirth and Spring then by honoring the Divine Mother, the giver of all life, for nine days. We are fortunate that this year the celebration will stretch over two weekends giving more opportunity for our out-of-town visitors to attend.
Each day is full of special pujas to the different aspects of the Divine Mother, fire ceremonies, chanting, discourses, and aaratis. We so hope that you can join us for this special time.
As usual, the dormitory rooms fill up quickly at this time, so call at 719-256-4108 or email us as soon as possible at info@babajiashram.org for more information or to make a reservation.
Haidakhandeswari Mata Ki Jai!
Annual Ashram On-line Auction – May 2 -11
The auction site is up and already there are over 85 items and 8 sponsors with more being added daily. It is always so heart-warming to see how many people donate wonderful items for this event. Even though the date is still a few months off for the auction, we are asking to hear from you now so that we can get as many items on the site and people can begin viewing it. Those who donated last year can simply just give us a call at 719-256-4108 or email us info@babajiashram.org and let us know that you would like to donate again along with any information that might have changed. Those that have a new item to donate can either email us the information or go to our auction page at www.biddingforgood.com/babajiashram and follow the instructions. We also invite folks to become sponsors of the auction. This will put your business logo (and link to your website) or family photo and name on the auction home page of the auction and many of the emails that are sent out about the auction. You may go to the auction site and apply on line or call the Ashram.
This is such an important part of the Ashram yearly budget that we want to both encourage everyone to consider how you can participate and thank everyone that has either donated or made bids on items in the past. It is also a very fun way to get services, items, and get-a-ways at great prices and support your Ashram at the same time. Bhole Baba Ki Jai! Here are a couple of the items already on the site.
Guru Purnima in Switzerland and Crestone
Guru Purnima will be celebrated here at the Ashram in Crestone on Saturday, July 12 with a paduka puja at 9:30am and fire ceremony at 10am followed by a meal. For more information please call 719-256-4108.
Annual American Haidakhan Samaj Weekend
The Annual American Haidakhan Samaj Weekend will be celebrated at the Ashram from Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20. There will be gatherings to share ideas and stories, chanting, aarati, daily small fire ceremonies and lots of great time together. We so hope you can attend. To learn more about the Samaj please go to www.babajisamaj.us and to reserve space in the dorm, please go to www.babajiashram.org. We hope to see you all there. Bhole Baba Ki Jai!
Ashram Annual Family Week - Wednesday, July 23 through Saturday July 26
We have already had many reservations for Family Week which will run this year from Wednesday, July 23 through Saturday, July 26. We are excited that Sarah and Amil Wood will travel here once again from San Diego, CA to run the camp. Their four boys loved the last two years and look forward to seeing the friends they made over the years. There is still one room available in the dormitory, some camping space, and room in the yurt. It is always such a special time for us all to be together, so call or email soon if you plan to come. The suggested donation for an adult to stay at the Ashram is $135 per week. Children attend the camp and stay at the Ashram free of charge, they are a gift to the Ashram!
Email the Ashram at info@babajiashram.org or call at 719-256-4108 with questions or to reserve a space.
Workshop with Sofia Diaz - Wed. through Sat. July 23 - 26
The workshops facilitated by Sofia are totally amazing and this year the topic will be “The Inner and Outer Fire” and will end with a big new-moon fire ceremony. The workshop runs each day from 10am - 1pm which is concurrent with the children’s programs above, making it easy for parents to take the workshop too. It is always a true gift to give to yourself, so do not miss it. The suggested donation is $108 with partial scholarships available. For more information about Sofia Diaz and her work around the world go to www.sofiayoga.com.
Email the Ashram at info@babajiashram.org or call at 719-256-4108 with questions or to reserve a space.
Karma Yoga at the Ashram
We are so grateful to all of the those who can come and help at the Ashram and to all of you that help make these projects possible by your financial donations. 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) to 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 for your support, love and prayers.
Recent Events
Southern California Fire Ceremony
From Randi of Corona - “Last month I had the joyous honor of hosting a remarkable fire ceremony at my family home here in Corona, CA. For many years I have dreamed of having a Havan Kund at my home and being able to share the beauty of this ancient ritual with my family and my local community. Each step of preparation for the ceremony felt very precise and very Holy. I loved building, painting and decorating the Havan Kund with a little help from my six year-old twins. I felt very Blessed to have my dear friend and Samaj treasurer Richard Cahall, fly in from Seattle to be our Agni-fire-tender. Ramloti did her usual exquisite work explaining and presiding over the sacred ritual. A real highlight was the rare opportunity for each of us to put on Baba's Taj (turban) for a few moments while we chanted. This day felt like a new level of initiation from Baba to me and I am truly grateful for that and for all the blessings the day brought. Bhole Baba Ki Jai!”
From Danny of Santa Barbara - “I am a fortunate person today because I had a new experience: Fire Ceremony with Ramloti. Long pause.....seriously...just read it out load...Fire Ceremony with Ramolti. Exhale. Inhale. Grin. Every syllable is really exotic code for: Come as you are to Remember, Grieve and Celebrate Everything Everything. I relished the overall relaxed intricacy and group participation. I am reminded to never underestimate the power of vibrant colors, ancient ritual, explosive scents and the exquisite sound of real humans singing. I believe that Ramloti is a walking lighthouse (wearing a sari) and her authentic joy, humor and generosity weighs more than gold.”
A Very Special Birthday!
Turning 65 for some may seem a bit old or scary. For me it was just a continuation of a blessed life adding even more bliss to my experience. It began with a weekend with my yoga teacher and mentor, Sofia Diaz and 25 other amazing women from around the world. I could not have given myself a nicer gift. The morning after the weekend retreat was my birthday. We began with meditation and a two-hour yoga practice. I then had the honor and pleasure of leading a fire ceremony on the roof of the Women’s House of Integral Practice with many of my dear sisters that I had spent the weekend with. For many it was their first fire ceremony and they felt the love and power of it. We then had a birthday breakfast, later lunch and then proceeded to a birthday kirtan in Boulder that my friends Soma Maharaj and Soma Devi had arranged. This was attended by Maakan Burt and his kirtan band, Karbir who teaches Indian devotional singing at Naropa, and many of my beloved friends. It was an amazing night and the perfect finish to a birthday written in heaven. When I arrived back home the next day, they had a sweet birthday lunch for me too. Thank you to all who shared this time with me. I love you.
Denver Area Programs
Wow! What shakti, joy, and devotion was expressed at each of the five events in the Denver area last weekend. So much honor was given to Shri Babaji’s padukas. It was a lot to do in three days, but the energy flowed easily with much love. I am so grateful to all or our hosts and hostesses for putting a huge amount of care into making these all such a success. Some of the events had a hundred people or so. Now that is a lot of cooking in preparation! Here are photos from each place. I could not begin to write how incredible every venue was, hopefully you can see it in the photos. Bhole Baba Ki Jai!
Smita and Prabhod Telang’s
Bijay and Sony Yerra’s
Ajay and Sabina Pradam’s
Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of the Rockies
Maha Shivaratri
Another amazing Shivaratri at the Ashram. About 100 people chanted all or some of the night of Shivaratri adding their love and energy to a powerful night. We had inspiring musicians leading us through the night. The four lingam pujas, led by Vikay Sharma from Denver, were meaningful and deep. Mother was resplendent! The next morning’s fire ceremony, with Bipin Agarwal from Denver reciting the mantras, was a was very well attended despite some rain and wind.
Here are a couple of articles from participants who flew in for the occasion.
So many people commented to me last night about how much the ashram feels like a spiritual home to them, and that whenever they come here they get filled with love and joy. In the four years that I've been coming to the ashram I've never witnessed the kind of collective energy and devotion that I did last night. People were literally bouncing off the floor as we danced and sang our hearts out! A friend of mine who rarely comes to the ashram sent me a text message a few hours ago asking me to let her know if there was going to be any more chanting any time soon. She said that she enjoyed the experience so much that she didn't want it to end. I told her that we sing to Shri Babaji and The Divine every morning starting at 7am and then again in the evening at 6pm with our regular Aarti service, and that she should consider coming up for that. Yes, this year's Shivaratri may be over, but the limitless love and grace of Lord Shiva continues to pour down upon us all here in Crestone. Jai Mahadev! “
“Devotees gathered to worship and chant the name of the Lord together! The Ashram blossomed as devotees poured in from near and far to celebrate with an all night chant to Shiva and a sacred fire ceremony the next morning. Under Colorado mountain skies, the name of Shiva was sung from many diverse perspectives; traditional chants to contemporary melodic bhajans, blues and jazz rose spontaneously from the hearts of the devotees. The sacred songs allowed our hearts to break open and pour out into the world.
“Unbelievably, the intensity of love increases and peaks with the morning meeting of devotees around the fire pit on the edge of the Ashram, a culminating blessing of Holy Company making offerings into the fire with sacred guidance.
“How can I name the blessings of Shivarathri, of this time of love and emotional outpouring? Our hearts have expanded to the infinite size of this awe inspiring landscape here in Crestone, cradled in the blessed container of these beautifully appointed buildings of the Ashram and the constant worship of Divine Mother and Babaji. Now, our hearts newly connected, we take these blessings back into the world with us having made many plans to meet and sing again soon!”
Calendar for Events at the Ashram in 2014
March 30 - April 7 - Spring Navratri - Divine Mother Festival with daily fire ceremonies, pujas, discourses, reading, chanting and other ceremonies.
July 12 - Guru Purnima
July 19 & 20- Annual American Haidakhan Samaj Weekend and Meeting. Their new web address is www.babajisamaj.us
July 23 - 26 - Annual Family Week w/ concurrent Sofia Diaz Workshop.
September 23 - October 1, 2014 - Fall Navratri - Divine Mother Festival with daily fire ceremonies, pujas, discourses, reading, chanting and other ceremonies.
October 23, 2014 - Diwali, Festival of Lights.
Maha Lakshmi Shop Report
We continue to receive wonderful new items for the Shop. One of our new items is a lovely brass om plate with sides (known as a parat). It is 13 inches in diameter and sells for $27. We will also be receiving a large supply of silk, cotton, and viscose stoles and scarves in the next week or so. You may come by or call about these. Also, I will be bringing home from India many new items and items that may have been out of stock for a while. I will be home in a few weeks.
We have redone the Maha Lakshmi Shop website making it more easy for you to navigate. Please take a look at www.mahalakshmishop.wazala.com and give us some feedback.
The Maha Lakshmi Shop is well stocked. We can bless an item at Mother’s feet for you you ask. Many of our Shop items are on line, but some are not. You may still call the Ashram at 719-256-4108 and place your orders over the phone (every day from 10am until 5pm Mountain Time). We are happy to answer any questions. It is really nice to connect in this way. We take Visa, Mastercard or Discover.
The Shop is a major supporter of the Ashram, so we deeply appreciate your patronage.
Maha Lakshmi Mata Ki Jai!
