Ashram Newsletter - January-February, 2020

February 9, 2020  |  by Ramloti

Dear Friends,

On January 17, Raghuvir posted photos and an article about Vinodh Acharya (our Shastriji from India) coming to Kamalya in Thailand to celebrate Makar Sankrant and the 9 years anniversary of the temple in Kamalaya. He also made two new home blessing puja’s and inaugurated a new Havankund.

This was during the time that Premanand and I were in Treasure Island, Florida celebrating Makar Sankrant there for the 14th year. On the other side of Florida in Delray Beach, we were performing havan, where we had trained folks over 20 years ago to do havan and they have been doing them monthly ever since. We also led a memorial for the husband of a long-time devotee there.

It struck me at the time just how fortunate and blessed we are to be able to go to different places around the world and share knowledge, lead, join in, and come together in Shri Babaji's name. It takes time, energy, organization, and money to travel to these places but it also makes a world of difference to the people that host and gather for these occasions. Baba's energy is so strong and the inspiration is felt by all. I also feel it uplifts the whole area, but that would be more difficult to pinpoint.

Here is what the hostess from Florida wrote:

"I want to let you know there is so much light and energy in the Temple, it is sparkling and dancing. It feels so light in there, like magic. I started dancing with Ganesh. I love you both." This reminded me of Shri Babaji's words from His teachings:

"There is a Sanskrit proverb which says that in the Kali Yuga there is power only through organized groups. We must be of firm determination to progress. Then only success is certain."

Coming together and working together, that is what it is all about. Through the consistent work of many people, we have created a degree of organization in different strongholds around the world. Most of these are not huge but they do make a difference and I believe that in focusing on what we do have and what has been accomplished in Shri Babaji's name, we can continue to develop these and even new ones are being created.

There is a beautiful, newly built temple for Babaji, which will be inaugurated on February 25 and 26. It is in Bandequi, India (in between Agra and Jaipur) where Shri Babaji visited several times in the 70's. All are invited to this grand opening, and Shri Babaji's padukas will be brought there from Haidakhan. If you would like to know more, you can contact Vaidh Mahendra Sharma at whatsapp# 9587020011.

We have also had a transition in leadership of the Haidakhan Samaj in India. Alok Banerjee lovingly and dutifully served as Chairman of the Samaj for many years after Shri Muniraji passed it on to him. Due to increasing age and decreasing health, he has stepped down. The Samaj is now under the capable leadership of Dr. Arvind Lal who has been very active in various Samaj projects over the years and has been a devotee of Baba's since the 70's. I feel confident in his devotion and abilities to fill this large position very well.

In a few weeks there will be a large celebration in Wape, Gujarat, India for Maha Shivaratri. Babaji's padukas and many devotees will travel there from Haidakhan, other parts of India, and around the world. There will be similar celebrations at all of Baba's Ashrams around the world.

I will be traveling to India shortly after our Shivaratri celebration with a young couple, Sadie and Anthony, who have lived and served at the Ashram here in Crestone for the last six months. We will travel to Haidakhan for the main part of the trip. While in Delhi we will also be able to attend the weekly havan at Dr. Arvind Lal's home and spend some time with him. This will all be a lovely introduction to the Haidakhan tradition, India-style for them. We will then travel back home to prepare for Spring Navratri in Crestone, which many people will attend from all parts of the United States.

Of course, there will also be a huge celebration in Haidakhan, India for Spring Navratri from March 25-Aptil 2, as there will be at all of Baba's Ashrams around the world. We are so fortunate to be able to travel to places near and far to us to come together in community to celebrate.

As Baba said, there is power in groups. Even family is powerful. I have been with my family this last week celebrating my birthday, my son's birthday, and my sister's birthday. (They all fall within two weeks of each other.) It is a blessing to be together. I have been speaking to my family about a big trip to Haidakhan in about 5 years, when the youngest of my grandchildren will be 13. They all seem excited about this and have all been to the Ashram in Crestone many times so they know a bit of what to expect. My sons have not been there since they were 10 and 12 years old and were able to spend two summers with Shri Babaji in 1981 and 1982. While at my family's in San Diego, I did small fire ceremonies and puja to the murtis they have in their home. I keep all of the items required for a fire ceremony and puja there, so it is easy to have one. Even though the children and parents were all at school and work, it was still very powerful. My sister, Susie, who has been several times to Haidakhan with me, always accompanies me. I know that the two of us, our families, their homes, and the surrounding area are all blessed by the ceremony.

It has been fun to be with a family that plays and laughs together. I think this unity is expressed in larger ways when they go out to the world. As Baba said further in His speech:

"You must know that by living together in a united way, anything may be achieved in this world.

They also work together cleaning up after dinner, cleaning the house on Saturdays, and other daily chores. The three oldest were at the Ashram a couple of weeks ago and they washed dishes and folded blankets there. (You can see their photos in the karma yoga section.) It feels healthy and Baba's words once again echo:

"Train your children in Karma Yoga, that they may become people of good and strong character."

I am deeply grateful for all of my families: my biological family, my Babaji family, my Ashram family, my family of loving friends and acquaintances, the family of humankind, and all of Mother Earth.

In deep deep gratitude and love to you all,

Ramloti

Ceremonies and Schedule

The new-moon fire ceremony is on Sunday, February 23 and the next full-moon fire ceremony is on Monday, March 9. All fire ceremonies begin at 10am followed by a meal. 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.

Our evening aarati is at 6pm, morning aarati at 7am, and the daily small fire ceremony is at 6:20am. We do not have the small fire ceremony when we have our large fire ceremony on new and full moons. The Maha Lakshmi Shop is open every day from 9am 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.

The Night of Lord Shiva, Shivaratri Friday, February 21

A special and inspirational night that we do pujas and chanting to Lord Shiva will be on a Friday night this year, Feb 21. We will begin with aarati at 6pm followed by our first of four lingam pujas at 7pm. We will continue chanting through the night and complete the evening with the fourth lingam puja at 1am. We hope that you can join us for this beautiful night together.
Om Namah Shivaya

Nine Nights of the Mother, Spring Navratri Wednesday March 25 - Thursday, April 2

Each Spring and Fall we set aside nine days and nights to honor our beloved Divine Mother. This year the spring dates are March 25 through April 2. This only gives us one weekend and the dormitory is already booked for the Saturday night. We do still have availability the other nights, so we hope you will join us.

The nine days are full of special pujas, readings of the Sapta Sati, fire ceremonies, discourses on the Divine Mother, feasts, and karma yoga to prepare for the next day. We will honor our children on Sunday, March 29. It is a special and wonderful time to remember Mother and give thanks for all She provides for us.

Please call with questions and to reserve rooms at 719-256-4108 or email us at info@babajiashram.org.

The Next Long-Time Resident Hermitage is Moving along!

The hermitage is still moving along. It is definitely a more challenging time of year with all the snow and delays. We have gotten the bathroom tub in and the plumbing inspection for that part of the job has been completed the other day. This will allow Bill and crew to finish the drywall in the bathroom and other parts of the hermitage where vents and pipes needed to be exposed until the inspection. The solar work is also coming along. Luke, our solar contractor, now has the inverter, controller, vents, tubing, and on demand water heater installed.

We can still use your support of this project. Please donate as you are able so that we can build the whole hermitage this year. Click here to go to our donate link. You can pay with a credit card or paypal, or you can send a check to HUA at P.O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131. Thank you again.

Karma Yoga at the Ashram

More snow and snow removal. It has been quite a year keeping our driveway, parking lots, walkways, and solar panels cleared. Particularly with the hermitage project, we need good and safe access for trucks to deliver supplies. There has also been consistent karma yoga on the hermitage. We decided to clear branches from trees that were blocking the sun on the driveway, creating dangerous ice patches for drivers and walkers coming to the Ashram. We have been cooking and cleaning up, particularly for our big events and keeping the dorm and kitchen clean. We are getting some of the sewing done for Spring Navratri. We are also beginning to think of summer and mitigating the lower branches on any trees around buildings and on wind corridors that would add to fire fuel if one were to come through the Ashram. It is great to have good help.

We really could not get everything done without you. You are all one of the reasons this Ashram is what it is. Thank you deeply from our hearts.

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!

THE AMERICAN HAIDAKHAN SAMAJ

The American Haidakhan Samaj (AHS) is a service organization which was created at the request of Haidakhan Baba in 1983. The Samaj is a non-profit membership organization which provides education, publications, and support to the American Babaji community and maintains relationships with the Indian Samaj and international Babaji community.

Currently our projects are Love Our Earth, and we host quarterly Babaji Community meetings which are open to everyone. Love Our Earth is an environmental minded group who has several ongoing projects including tree planting and supporting the Wild Animal Sanctuary in the Denver area.

The Babaji Community Zoom meetings are designed to connect people who are interested in the Haidakhan spiritual path. The meetings are open to all for inspiration, spiritual support and to discuss ideas and projects. The next Community Zoom meeting is in January. We also get together annually at the Ashram every July or August. We hope you can join us.

For more information visit the Samaj website: www.babajisamaj.us Our Facebook pages are Babaji American Samaj and Sri Haidakhan Babaji Center News. To get in touch with us you may email samaj108@yahoo.com

Recent Events

In Loving Memory

Kali Maie Passes Away by Shamboo

Om Namah Shivaya. It is with great sadness that we inform the global Herakhan community of the recent transition of Kali Maie Thompson into the Spirit World. Kali made her transition late Wednesday evening, January 29 at her home in Sedona, Arizona.

Kali was initiated in 1983 by Herakhan Babaji and given the name Kali Maie, or "one who is given to the Goddess Kali". She is written about in The Teachings of Babaji, on the entry from 23 September 1983, when Babaji presided over the marriage between her and her husband Kalbhairav. Kali lived an extraordinary life of purpose, service, adventure and fierce devotion to her spiritual path. Through her business, Gold Light Wholistics (formerly Thompson Wholistic), she offered a variety of spiritual purification tools to a wide-reaching clientele for four decades. Kali impacted and enriched the lives of so many and will be deeply missed. Jai Kali Maie Ki Jai! Bhole Baba Ki Jai! Jai Maha Maya Ki Jai!

Holiday Season at the Ashram

It is always a festive and joyful time at the Ashram when we gather together decorate the Christmas tree, sing Christmas carols, share a meal, and give the children small gifts. We love to see our families growing and sharing their love.

Florida January 12- 19

What a treat to be together in ceremony, song, satsang, and karma yoga in the warm arms of Florida, both east coast and west coast. Since we have been going there for so many years, the friendships run very deep. This year several of the participants who have never been to the Ashram in Crestone are talking about coming to visit this summer. It will be fun to host them and let them experience Shri Babaji's and the Divine Mother's home here in the beautiful Rockies of Colorado.

Our dip in the Gulf in front of Sharda and Jeffrey's home on Makar Sankrant was the warmest ever!

Recent Visitors

Here are some photos of the many people who have been here. Folks really want and need the love they feel from the Divine Mother and Shri Babaji and they are often guided in unusual ways here. In the last newsletter I wrote about Natasha and Anton from Russia. Here is a recent email from them giving us more information about the Ashram in Siberia.

More from Natasha and Anton from Russia

Dear and beautiful people from Haidakhandi Ashram,

These are Natasha and Anton who visited you by magical coincidence a few weeks ago and told you a lot of different stories about the Babaji Ashram in Okunevo, Russia.

Here are the geo position of this far place: Okunevo, Omsk Oblast, 646447
https://goo.gl/maps/ttLceJ4kh7aSLFMJ9

It’s very interesting that the biggest city and the capital city of this region is Omsk (you see OM-sk). It is about 5-6 hours road trip from Okunevo to Omsk. The road is bad so once you there in Okunevo it clearly feels like you are somewhere deep in Siberia. It is very beautiful and peaceful there. They have a river there named Tara (again just like the Buddhism Goddess Tara).

So the story says that in the time of Mahabharata this was the place of Hanuman Residency. There were a lot of beautiful and huge castles, temples and gardens. That is why Babaji decided that there should be the Ashram in this sacred place. So he sent his Latvian student Radzhni (originally Rasma Rosita) to Russia pointing out the region and said she could find it. In 1992 she came to Russia and started her journey. As she camped near Okunevo she had some visions so she decided to found the Ashram here and was right. That’s the story of how the Ashram of Babaji was created. Now it is a place of power if I can say so. The Ashram keeper Seva is the most devoted person I know and you feel it when you are there around him. This place has a beautiful energy and I wish you could see it with your own eyes. Anyway, it was a present of this year - the chance to meet you and find your wonderful place. We are so grateful for this and consider it as a blessing from Babaji and the Universe. I’m sure we’ll meet again. Let’s keep in touch! Love you and hug you all♥️

Your friends, Natasha and Anton

Here are photos of the Ashram in Okunevo.

Info about the Omkar Shiva Dham Ashram, Okunevo, Siberia
Websites in Russian: http://babaji.ru/ | http://www.omkar-okunevo.narod.ru/ (use Chrome to translate)
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/225867837534547/

An interview with Gaurav from Denver

Tell us about your story and your journey. How you came to the Ashram for the first time? How did you hear about it? What brought you here?

I live in Denver, CO. I've been living there for the past 4 years. A friend of mine happened to buy a new car and said he went on a spiritual journey to a few places. He spoke highly about the Ashram. I am into sight seeing, going places over the weekend, and my intent was to just explore places.

I came here for the first time in February 2017. I had no clue about what this place is about, neither did I know that this place is entirely off-grid. I came here at the peak of winter. The first impression we had of the place was that wow...this place seems to be unique. The first person we met was Jonathan, who was working outside. We then went to the earthship and did puja in the temple. There was another person who was staying there, named Sita. We also talked to her about this place quite a bit. To be honest, having come from India, I was a bit prejudiced. What is the big deal, it's just a temple. Sita was sharing about her personal experiences in connection with Babaji, and how he guides and takes care of her. I thought yeah, maybe she feels like that, I didn't pay much attention. What a refreshing feeling we got when we woke up the next morning. We took the darshan, and it was a good spiritual, calm experience for a first visit. And then we went on with our usual business after getting back home.

As I was going through these daily routines of life, while working, while talking to friends, just being around...the images flash. Images of the beautiful place (Crestone), images of the temple. And those kept flashing for a while. It's like going to a nice National Park, you know you had a good time. We as an Indian community, and that's how I feel and it's my opinion, we are sort of cut off from our homeland. We kind of yearn for the sense of our roots, sense of culture, spiritual being, nature. And all of a sudden one night I had a dream that we had been driving to the Ashram and there was one big ridge between the temple and where we came from. We were so desperate to get across the ridge to come to the temple. The vibe of the dream was the same as when I had left my hometown for the first time. I used to get such dreams about my hometown, which I missed a lot, for a decade. It's kind of a strange feeling, when you leave something behind. Until that time, this place was just another place for me where I went for sight seeing, but then I realized maybe there is something unique about this place. Perhaps I should dig deep into this. To be honest, I didn't really think about why I got this dream, but the overall feeling is that this place is calling, it's kind of your home, kind of your place where you had been for a while. Somewhere deep inside you yearn for it. We then came back again in May 2019. The next time I came here, the overall experience simply doubled. The spiritual index was twice as before. The place being off-grid, we had some apprehensions of the cold, but everytime it has been a very cozy place. As I talk, a few things pop-up...a person of my age, and I believe most people at my age with similar background have these questions. After spending three and a half to four decades of life, a person begins to wonder, what's next. And kind of sees himself in the past as well. How he has spent his lifetime, etc. As I was going through this internal dialogue, my mind is filled with mixed emotions, as everybody else I suppose, maybe with a sense of apprehension about the future, needing a sense of security, a sense of being, feeling left alone, not knowing what you would really want to achieve in life. And as I was going through this internal dialogue, I could hear myself asking some questions, and then few things arise in my memory from my visit here. And that includes the first words Sita read from The Teachings of Babaji, where Babaji talks about the mountains and how soldiers should not be intimidated. It is the duty of the mountains to stand big and intimidate, and it's the duty of the soldier to walk across. When you align this thought process to some of the challenges you face, those challenges really dissolve. It is the duty of those challenges to pose themselves, and it is your duty to pass them with ease. This really gave a therapeutic meaning to the fears I had about certain aspects about my life.

Recently we went to Sante Fe, NM. The whole idea was to relive experiences when we went there a couple of years back. It's a great place, great artistic town, with very interesting galleries and things like that. The difference between these places and places like the Ashram is that these places don't have any spiritual connections. It follows what they call the law of diminishing returns. Every time you visit, you experience and enjoy less and less, it reaches a point that any more effort to enjoy it will make you not enjoy it. To me that's mainly because of the capital and commercial aspect of the place. If they make it more commercialized, you tend to disassociate yourself with that. As opposed to here at the Ashram, every time you come, your experiences are doubled. The thing about the Ashram is that any interaction between people doesn't really have any ulterior motives, it's just a human interaction without any attachment, no nothing, it's just plain human experience of seva, that makes the experience of coming here amplified every time, as opposed to any other commercial place.

Coming back to my visit to Sante Fe...as we were driving back home from Santa Fe, and we were passing the exit which leads to Crestone, I saw the beautiful mountains through the corner of my eyes. As I was driving along, I could see in my thoughts that these mountains are again calling you. Here's a place where you have to come again. I couldn't resist the idea to take the exit but I thought maybe I should plan better. And this was two weeks back. Again, it was this place calling me, I don't know if it is Babaji or Mataji, I don't know. Regardless, that was the reason which made me came here again. Everytime we come here, the route, the journey, it just sticks to your soul. It kind of fulfills your idea of living your life, it amplifies the experience of a human being.

Here is an article from Melody (Malti) who attended Fall Navratri at the Ashram:

In October I attended Fall Navaratri at the ashram for the first time. Luckily, I arrived in time to participate in the New Moon Fire Ceremony. It was a very enlivening fire, and Baba’s presence was like a breath of fresh air. It is refreshing to connect with Baba and see ashram friends again.

The daily schedule is full during the 9 days beginning at 6 am to 7 pm. The schedule effortlessly flowed from one activity to another under the experienced guidance of Ramloti, and the new pujaris Anthony and Sadie.

The day begins at 6 am with Paduka (sandals) Puja in Baba’s kutir. It is a sweet time with short pujas and chanting while the sun comes up. Afterward we head to the temple for chanting and then aarati beginning at 7 am. There is also daily reading of the Haidakhan Sapta Sati followed by a fire ceremony. After the fire, we return to the temple and someone presents a discourse on the stories of the Divine Mother from the ancient book called Devi Bhagavatam.

I signed up to prepare 2 discourses. Students from the local school and college attended one discourse which was about the plight of the Earth who was distressed by the wicked rulers on our planet. Does this sound familiar? It is a problem throughout the history of mankind. In that chapter, the devas go to the Divine Mother to ask for help.

During Navaratri, the daily spiritual activities enliven the silence within oneself and provides space for deep reflection. Due to this uninterrupted focus on the Divine, one is renewed. I highly recommend attending Navaratri at the ashram, whether it’s for 9 days, or at least 3 days. It’s a wonderful way to recharge and reconnect with Babaji and your innermost self. Navaratri requires many hours and prep work to set up and manage. I am grateful for the selfless service and hard work of Ramloti, Prem, Jonathan, Anthony, Sadie, Annie Pace and many others who assisted with and was present for Navaratri. Thanks to all of you for engendering the Haidakhandi bhava at HUA.

And here are some photos of some of our other visitors. We are so rich with the love you all bring to the Ashram. Thank you.

Don't forget we now have the beautiful YouTube video of the Divine Mother photos with the Sapta Sati recording in English. Click here to view. We also have many other videos of devotees telling their stories on YouTube at the Ramloti Wood Channel.

Calendar of Events for 2020

Maha Shivaratri - Friday night February 21

Spring Navratri - March 25 - April 2

New Moon Fire Ceremonies - February 23, March 24, April 22, May 22, June 21

Full Moon Fire Ceremonies - March 9, April 7, May 7, June 5

Please go to our Calendar of Events page for all events.

Maha Lakshmi Shop Report

The Shop continues to receive many wonderful murtis, and other great items. You can purchase some of them on line at our website at mahalakshmishop.wazala.com

Many items, however, are too unique to put on one so you are always welcome to call and order at 719-256-4108. You can ask to have photos sent of our items, 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 or drop ship items to your loved ones around the country. We take Visa, MasterCard or Discover.

The shop is open daily from 9am until 5pm daily. The Shop is a major supporter of the Ashram. We deeply appreciate your patronage.

Maha Lakshmi Mata Ki Jai!