Ashram Newsletter - June, 2018

June 19, 2018  |  by Ramloti

Dear Friends,

When I think of my time with Shri Babaji when He was in physical form, I think of people all wanting to be near Him. When I think of Him and the Ashram now, I also think about people, all wanting to be in His Divine Presence. When I take His Sacred Padukas (sandals that He wore that still carry His Divine Energy) to different homes, I think of people, all wanting to touch, honor, and feel His Divine Blessings. I hear over and over again how people feel a sacredness and quiet even as they come up the driveway to the Ashram. This is what people are longing for, the peace and wholeness of Divine Love. I saw how several generations of families would come together to see Shri Babaji at His ashram in India. I continue to meet many young people that had the good fortune to have been brought by their parents for Babaji's darshan when they were children. I am struck by the amount of families of grandparents, parents, and children (even a few great-grandparents) that attend the paduka pujas and come to the Ashram. Passing this knowledge of acquiring wisdom and love from generation to generation is a great service. Today's world seems to always be moving so fast, and there is often not time to connect deeply to the Divine, to ourselves, and to one another. It is important to have time set aside, ideally each day, to pray, meditate, do puja, and lovingly connect with our family and friends. This is first taught in the home by example and consistency.

I am grateful that we still have these family traditions here in our busy Western lives and also grateful that the Ashram can facilitate this. Here are a few photos of generations of families participating at the paduka pujas.

In Truth and Love,

Ramloti

Ceremonies and Schedule

The next full-moon ceremony will be on Wednesday, June 27, and the next new-moon fire ceremony will be on Thursday, July 12. All fire ceremonies begin at 10am followed by a meal. Until the fire ban is lifted we will have smaller fire ceremonies indoors. Please arrive ten minutes early, freshly bathed, in a long skirt or pants with shoulders covered, and having fasted from grains, cereals, meat, eggs, garlic and onions. Fruit, yogurt, unsalted nuts, veggies and tea or coffee are fine to eat before. If you have a dietary need for something more hearty before our meal at 11:30 or so, please partake. Because of the fire ban we are having indoor fire ceremonies, but we hope the rain will come soon and that we can move the fire ceremonies outdoors again.

Our evening aarati is at 6pm, morning aarati at 7am, and the small fire ceremony is at 8:00am. We do not have the small fire ceremony when we have our large fire ceremony on new and full moons and during Navratri. The Maha Lakshmi Shop is open every day from 10am until 5pm. We love to see you. If you would like to participate by sponsoring a fire ceremony or a bhandara (feast) we would be happy 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
$108 sponsorship - Rose Quartz Mala or a copper, silver, brass Om Haidakhandi bracelet

You can make the donation online by going to our Donate Page, or by calling us at 719-256-4108, or by emailing the Ashram at info@babajiashram.org. You may also send us a check made to HUA at: P.O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131. We are continually grateful for all your support of the Ashram.

Supporting the Ashram

We have been receiving donations regularly from Amazon Smile. It is an easy way to donate, just sign up at https://smile.amazon.com/ch/74-2482773 and each time you go to purchase on Amazon, a tab comes up for you to use Amazon Smiles and a portion of your purchase goes to the Ashram. We appreciate all who have done it so far and encourage others to do the same. Every bit helps keep the Ashram in great repair for Babaji, the Divine Mother, and all of the devotees that visit. Bhole Baba Ki Jai!

Karma Yoga at the Ashram

We had lots of helpers at the Ashram this month including a class from a Montessori School in Evergreen, Colorado. They helped with wood collecting, cooking, gardening, flower decorating, helping in the Shop, and cleaning. So much generous help at all of the programs in the Front Range with delicious preparation of food for all of the events and all the other preparation.

We are always grateful for all of the folks that come to the Ashram and help us with all the jobs that are necessary to make this place run smoothly and receive our hundreds of visitors. We really could not get everything done without you, you are all one of the reasons this Ashram is what it is. Thank you.

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 Donate Page 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. Bhole Baba Ki Jai!

American Haidakhan Samaj Annual Gathering in Crestone - August 17- 19

Plans are still going on to make this a very special weekend for all. Coming together as Babaji's devotees is always a special time and inspirational and informative as well. Here is what is planned so for for this year. This is the 33rd Anniversary year of our first Babaji World Peace Celebration in Crestone. The peace Pole we planted is still standing and the Ashram we dreamed about is growing and thriving. What will the next years look like? Who have we become? What do we choose to be? What can we offer the communities where we live? These questions and more await us as we gather for renewal, conversation and celebration, including our annual Samaj meeting, fire ceremonies, book studies and more. Please come and join your Babaji family. A team of people are drafting plans and events for this unique reunion. If you have suggestions or wish to join the team, please contact: Loknath at msmithlok@yahoo.com or call 253-389-4589.

For reserve lodging contact the Ashram at info@babajiashram.org. For the latest updates you may also go to www.Babajisamaj.us.

Guru Purnima and Next Generation Gathering in Swiebenalp, Switzerland

Each year there is an enthusiastic and well-attended gathering in Europe over Guru Purnima Day (July 27). It will extend on through the weekend and this year will be in Schweibenalp, Switzerland. Prior to that is the Next Generation Gathering for younger folks which will be from 20th to 24th July 2018 in Schweibenalp. It is Sponsored by Jai HO to learn skills for daily living and wellbeing, address personal life challenges in a supportive environment, explore new ideas and interests for your future, and deepen your understanding and experience of Babaji. Suggested age range - 18 to 36 years. Here is the flyer in case you or someone else is interested.

Havan Training and Bhakti Fest in Sada Shiva Dham, Holland - August 21 - 24

Fire has been a very important part of human evolution and started many thousands of years back. The old Rishis knew this very well and have developed a powerful system with fire where ingredients offered to the fire are transformed in energy that nurtures nature, of which we are part, on different levels. Feeding the Gods (Our higher nature) that will in turn feed us.

Babaji was advocating practicing Yagna by being a great example Himself. It is important that we do it with the right intension and follow the correct procedures. Pujari and Maarten Baba are proposing a course on how to do this according the Haidakhandi system. Learn how to practice puja and havan in a 4-day training with basic mantra's and instructions according to the Haidiyakhandi system. Puja and havan sets and books will be available at the ashram. Food and lodging at the ashram for 4 days is 100 Euro and the training there is a suggested donation of 108 Euro. There is a maximum of 20 participants so book early. It will start right after the Bhakti Festival. For more information go to: www.babaji.nl To sign up email: sadashivadham@babaji.nl.

Recent Events

Shri Babaji's Padukas Travel to the Front Range

While Shri Babaji was in physical form He would travel from His Ashram in the remote foothills of the Himalayas to devotees' homes around India. Well, Shri Babaji's spirit was certainly felt as His silver padukas traveled from His home here in Crestone to bless the homes of devotees in the Front Range. Nearly 500 people turned out at the functions and the devotion, chanting, generosity, and love were felt deeply. Here are photos and a few quotes from hosts of the events.

"Thank you very much Ramloti ji, We are blessed to have had an opportunity to host the auspicious evening with lots of devotion and love." - Dipen

"Thank you everyone for coming for Haidakhandi Baba’s Paduka Puja and making it successful. It sure was very Powerful. When we chanted the name of the Lord in unison with pure heart and full concentration it definitely became very powerful. We Pradhan’s would like to give our special thanks to Ramloti for making this happen as an annual event at our place and for all your love, and to all our family and friends who made it possible." - Sabina and Ajay Pradhan

"Thank you for visiting us yesterday with BABAJI and making our day blissful. Thank you for making Rohan’s 16th Birthday memorable with your blessings (photo below). It was great spiritual retreat with BABAJI’s blessings. Thank you again and see you soon." - Anoushka, Rohan, Ashwini & Rahul

Two Great Souls Meet

Srbislav Brasovan, M.D. originally from Serbia (read his story below) arrived at the Ashram one day when James O'Dea was having lunch with us. James, author, activist, and former director of the Washington DC office of Amnesty International has been suffering with Parkinson Disease for several years now. When they met at the Ashram they had an immediate bond. James had worked in his area earlier with Amnesty International, and Srba was both a medical and alternative medicine doctor.

Before Srba left the Ashram, he felt a great calling to meet with James one more time. I took him there and felt privileged to witness this sharing of two great souls both of whom had done so much for humanity. Srba gave James his special amulet bracelet that has seemed to help his Parkinson. I always feel so blessed to live at the Ashram that seems to attract such great humanitarians.

School Groups Come to the Ashram

This last month, two groups of students came to the Ashram for a talk, tour, meal, and karma yoga. One was a grammar school from Carbondale and the other was a middle school from Evergreen, both were receptive and joyful to host. We love the openness of young folks, and we often see them come back later in their lives, remembering the welcome they felt on their initial visits. Many schools have made this an annual visit.

Visitors at the Ashram

We continue to welcome new visitors to the Ashram. It is a joy to get to know as many as possible when we are not too busy preparing, serving, or cleaning up after meals. It seems that more and more people find their way here from all parts of the world. We also love that our long-time devotees come back year after year, many since the inception of the Ashram in 1986. I wrote briefly about Srbislav Brasovan, M.D. above, who returned to the Ashram after visiting first in 1995. Here is his story of this visit. "I really do not know what made me came back here to Crestone. Something compelled me to revisit this place. It all started here 23 years ago to crystalize itself into what I know is a journey of my life. My only past visit at Babaji’s ashram was with my brother Alex and dear friend Ivan Bakic. Ivan was totally immersed devotee of Babaji, headed a group of Babaji’s devotees in Zagreb, Croatia. Ivan initiated me to the Reiki Master and introduced me to Babaji’s teaching of Truth, Love and Simplicity, that I accepted unconditionally. I am totally grateful to Ivan for all the teachings and the time he devoted to me. Both Alex, and shortly thereafter him Ivan, have passed to the other side. Probably that was the reason that I did not remember the ashram’s name until two months ago when I developed a sudden urge to go there again. It was like somebody was constantly whispering into my ear: “Find it and go”. So I logged in to Google, found it in Crestone, Colorado and arrived here this morning. I drove here in a small car 1200 miles. What a trip…

"Why am I here? The place is in the God’s country, at 7800 feet elevation, built part in the mountain, completely self-sustainable. They grow their own food in a large garden and green house, produce solar electrical power and solar hot water. The water supply, fed by gravity, comes from the local creek. It has the Maha Lakshmi (Hindu) Temple, gift shop and small six room dormitory. The Universal Ashram (Hindu version of monastery) recognizes all religions. To come here from Crestone is fifteen minute drive on the gravel or better way to say boulder road that my GPS calls a “highway”. I thought that I left my muffler on the road twice. The Ashram has three permanent residents. Everybody here is extremely pleasant and radiate with divine positive energy. They are between age 50 and 60. There are several more members that live in town, that belong to the same age group. They are here often doing Karma Yoga.

"I am 82 years old now, that is a stage of life is known in India as Bramacharia. Bramacharia has no needs or wants. I stopped meditating about 8 years ago. I have been actively practicing medicine since 1968. In early part of 2015 I developed chest pain while exercising. I had angiogram and I had occlusion and blockage of my coronary artery 90%. I decided that I had a great life, have a great family, succeeded in my life up to my expectations and that is time to say goodbye to the present and transit to the other side. I was totally at peace with it. Next week I went on a business trip accompanied with my friend Milorad Ravasi, and while having a dinner at the restaurant I told him my plan. He looked at me “ You are the most selfish person I ever met” came from his mouth to my astonishment “ you do not know how many people emotionally depend on you, your wife, your children, grandchildren, and not to mention your friends and patients. You have condition that is fixable fairly simply by open-heart surgery, so have it done. You can give to them many happy years to come”.

"I drove home and next day totally confused, I stopped to visit another friend, who just returned from Mayo Clinic, where he had a cardiac pacemaker implanted. After an hour of chit chat and after visiting him without telling him my plan he handed me a business card: “This is the Chief Cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, he just did my procedure, you may need his phone number”. My mouth dropped. I went home not confused any more. There was a divine intervention, I was certain. I called that number and 3 days later I had open-heart surgery at Mayo Clinic. After small additional “tune up” 1 year later I have no chest pain and I am free of any heart medication, feeling great. Somebody is looking after me. (Thank you Babaji) I am grateful. I am back in my medical office on daily basis, shorter time and no weekends. My surgical schedule is full. I truly enjoy my family, friends and work. I feel totally immersed and connected. My work is my meditation and my exercise, it is my karma yoga.

"Today on May 20, 2018 at 2PM, I am sitting in a small dorm room in the Babaji’s Ashram in Crestone, Colorado, I am in silence for 48hour and I will not talk and I will eat as little as possible during this time. That brings a ton of emotions and cleansing. I am not wandering anymore while I am here. I took a walk this morning and approximately one mile uphill (with no chest pain) I came to a brook next to Lakshmi statue, with a beautiful falls and crystal clear water. The sound of falling waters was in rhythm and created most enchanted symphony while the trees, grass, rocks and the sand, being all participating instruments. Sitting on the old fallen log my body expanded to the point that I had none. I was engulfed in mystical beauty of it all, and then another wow moment. I was a player of that symphony by decoding the experience with my senses, but composer and producer was every single atom that surrounded me, the atoms within the water, the trees, the grass, the rocks, the sand and all of the Universe, that was all within me, we were all ONE. The one and only Universal Intelligence. I was in reality with no dimension, no time, I was in Samadhi." "And yes I thank you Babaji for whispering to my ear to come back to your ashram. That one moment was worthy of 2400 mile trip and all the years of my life."
Jai, Babaji
Srba, At Babaji’s Ashram

Srbislav Brasovan, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. is board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist. He graduated from University of Belgrade Medical School, Belgrade, Serbia in 1961 and obtained a diploma from Ayurveda Academy Visharada, Pune, India in 1997. He has been in active private clinical practice for over 50 years in the USA. Dr Brasovan is a charter member of American Holistic Medical Association and served as Clinical Assistant Professor and Clinical Faculty at Indiana University NW Medical School for 20 years.

Calendar of Events for 2018

July 27 - Guru Purnima.

August 17-19 - American Haidakhan Samaj Haidakhandi Reunion Weekend. For more information go to www.Babajisamajus.com.

October 9-17 - Fall Navratri.

November 7 - Diwali.

Maha Lakshmi Shop Report

The Maha Lakshmi Shop just received a new book, entitled "Enlightenment Town, Finding Spiritual Awakening in a Most Improbable Place" by Jeffery Paine. This New York Times writer was taken with Crestone, and its diverse population, beauty, and abundant spiritual paths. It has 5 pages about the Ashram. I have not read the whole book, but it looks engaging and informational. It sales in the Shop for $15.95. You can buy it from our website by clicking here. We also received an order of puja items, sacred boxes, rudraksha malas, murti stands, stone lingams, and much more.

We have many other wonderful items on our Maha Lakshmi Online Shop. You are always welcome to call and ask to have photos sent of some of our other new items and to place your order over the telephone at 719-256-4108. It is really nice to connect in this way. You may also email us at shop@babajiashram.org. We are happy to bless an item at Baba's and Mother's feet for you. 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!