Ashram Newsletter - June 2025

June 1, 2025 | Ramloti

Dear Friends,

In the last month or so, we have had so many groups come to the Ashram. It is wonderful to see how many people, from different walks of life, respond to the love and presence of Shri Babaji and the Divine Mother. Way back in June of 1982 Shri Babaji said, “Make ashrams. As there are islands in the sea, you should make ashrams in the ocean of the material world. Do not make small ashrams, like individual huts, but big, central ashrams, where many people can gather and learn to work together.”

I thought it would be valuable for our readers to learn about several of these groups and hear from them what it means to come to the Ashram.

7th Grade Students of Mountain Song Community School

Colorado Springs, CO

by Ieeda Banach

Sunday, April 27, 2025, the day of the New Moon and the fire ceremony at The Haidakhandi Universal Ashram in Crestone, my students and I had the honor of visiting HUA. This day was a long time in the making for my 7th grade students and me.

2 years ago, as part of our 5th grade curriculum included the great stories of India. We studied and illustrated the great story of creation, The Vedas, The Ramayana, The Mahabharata, and many more. We learned a number of chants, mantras and songs together and even performed The Ramayana as our class play that year. I had hoped during that time we could visit HUA and attend a fire ceremony, but it was post COVID time and we were not yet having in-person events.

Fast forward two years, and my students still love to sing kirtan songs and we were planning our end of the year trip. We had an opportunity to come to Crestone for our trip and so I planned the dates in order to attend the new moon fire ceremony in April.

We arrived on the grounds of HUA on a beautiful sunny morning and were so graciously welcomed. The grounds, the buildings, the view and the temple are so breathtaking, and my students and I were tickled and delighted to enjoy chai tea in this amazing space before the ceremony.

They were present and eager to be part of the entirety of the ceremony, making offerings, ringing the bells, holding the aarti lamp, and eating prasad. They were most especially excited when our class favorite kirtan was sung, "Shiva Shambo". The students, our chaperones and I are so appreciative of the warm welcome we received from all, the bountiful and delicious food and the opportunity to experience such a blessed ceremony.

As a final gift, Ramloti and friends of the ashram decked all of the students and I in fine, Indian clothing. We donned our gracious gifts of clothing at a fancy dinner together later that evening. This was an everlasting experience that touched us all. Our love and many thanks to all our new friends at HUA! Blessings on HUA, and every sweet soul we encountered. Thank you all for your joy, warmth and grace. We truly felt the presence and love of the divine mother!

Shumei International Institute

Crestone, CO

by Amulya and Friends

One of the neighboring spiritual centers that regularly visits the Ashram is the Shumei International Institute (SII), also known simply as Shumei. Members of Shumei travel from Japan to their Sacred Earth Center in Crestone, Colorado, and often visit local spiritual communities as part of their broader Crestone experience—an expression of their commitment to global citizenship.

Shumei International Institute’s mission is: “Inspired by the philosophy of Mokichi Okada, Meishusama, Shumei International Institute helps people of the world realize that they are world citizens able to act for the common good.”

In addition to fostering friendship with our global neighbors, we’ve discovered that the Ashram and Shumei share meaningful philosophical common ground. Both communities engage in Karma Yoga—known as hoshi at Shumei—as a path of selfless service and spiritual realization. While the Ashram chants Om Namah Shivaya during Karma Yoga, Shumei practitioners focus their intention on visualizing world peace during their service.

Babaji taught the guiding principles of Truth, Simplicity, and Love. Shumei similarly embraces core values that deeply resonate with these teachings:

● Love for Others: Treating all beings with compassion

● Gratitude: Appreciating the gifts life offers

● Makoto: Living with honesty and integrity

Despite the differences in our cultures, our values and visions for a harmonious world are remarkably aligned. Here are a few quotes from Shumei visitors expressing gratitude for the Ashram experience:

"Thank you to the kind, tall chef (Bill) who always prepares healthy, delicious, and authentic Indian lunches for us. The chai and banana bread were so delicious. We truly appreciate it!"

"Ms. Ramloti, your warm smile and gentle presence—and even your marathon chanting of divine names—make every visit to the ashram worthwhile. Thank you! Wishing you everlasting health."

"The staff at the ashram always welcome us with open arms, even when we visit in small groups. It’s such a welcoming place. Thank you!"

"The new moon ceremony singing, accompanied by Ms. Ramloti’s lively harmonium, always fills the air with joy. The atmosphere is so uplifting, it makes me want to dance! Thank you for these precious moments."

"We’re so grateful for your open-hearted hospitality. Thank you for always making us feel at home."

"Thank you for allowing outsiders like me to participate in sacred rituals like the Fire Ceremony. It’s an incredibly rare and meaningful experience."

"Even though we’re in the USA, this place gives us a true taste of India—its spirituality, food, culture, and warmth. I’m deeply grateful for this cross-cultural connection."

Visiting Australian Group Meets Comes to the Haidakhandi Ashram

by Burt Wadman

Recently I accompanied a group of spiritual practitioners from Australia to the Haidakhandi Ashram for a visit. During their brief stay in Crestone, we chose to visit the Ashram because of the opportunity to meet and speak with Ramloti, and for them to experience an active and vibrant Hindu Ashram in the wider spiritual community. Exposure to the heart of the holy life, I felt, would be of inestimable benefit to anyone’s spiritual path, and particularly those open to the universality of the Divine.

All in the group of 11 were highly receptive, having learned a little beforehand, and as we entered the Temple, they were keen to absorb the meaning of the objects around them. Ramloti had generously agreed to meet with the group and she had us sit in a close semi-circle with her, before Babaji’s altar.

As we came to rest, the space filled with a peace, and reclining slightly to the side, Ramloti began to speak quietly of her experience long ago, of going to India, of finding Babaji, and of the effect on her of their meeting. In this atmosphere of silent rapt attention, her timeless journey unfolded itself before us as a powerful lived experience. It was that rare moment in beginningless time where a few find themselves in the intimate presence of that which can only be described as Devotion’s pure emanation. The western-conditioned mind succumbed helplessly to the heartfelt presence of the Ineffable.

Ramloti responded to a few questions and then gave the group a tour of the temple and the shrine room of the Divine Mother, the story of whom elicited great interest. She answered many more questions, and it was a beautiful and very special experience for those present.

We were then invited us to the Earth Ship for chai and apple crumble, and a visit to the Maha Lakshmi Gift Shop, where the senses were greeted by the sight and smell of ancient memories.

On behalf of the group, heartfelt thanks to the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram. Thank you Babaji and Thank you Divine Mother.

Pyramid Spiritual Society Movement

by Madhavi Makam

On May 11, 2025, Day of Budha Purnima, we had the opportunity to visit the Mahalakshmi Temple and take part in the outdoor Havan ceremony. We sang bhajans, offered reverence to the divine mother and had sacrament/prasad. It was a beautiful experience amidst the magnificent mountains of Crestone. It felt like the divine mother was able to witness the devotion we felt. Thereafter, we moved inside the temple, offered our prayers and sang more bhajans/japa. After touring the temple, we were able to sit comfortably and meditate. The majestic mountains and the serene temple environment offered us to have a high energy meditative experience. We visited the gift shop and had a nice satvik lunch that included rice, dal, salad, cabbage curry, chai and sweets. It was nice to spend time with temple staff and other devotees to learn about the temple's history and architecture. We were also able to tour the temple grounds and observe how they grow vegetables on the premises. It was a positive experience for us, and we look forward to our future visit.

PSSM has a mission to educate and inspire all humans everywhere to live with greater health, wellbeing and compassion. Events and mindful collaborations, guided by the principles of PSSM, serve to nurture a global transformation from separateness to holistic, integrated living.

Western Colorado University

Greetings Ramloti. Please pass along my gratitude to everyone at the ashram for hosting my students from Western Colorado University last month. We appreciate your collective generosity and guidance.

Our experience there was powerful and moving, one that will remain a precious memory for all of us. Here is a short slide show of our time in Crestone:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBGMKX8Rpis

Sri Aurobindo and Mother Group

by Neha

As a devotee of Sri Aurobindo and Mother, I came for a retreat at Crestone. So thankful for that they took our group to Haidakhan Baba’s Ashram, and I got to experience the divinity this place has to offer.

While sitting in the temple, I experienced my subtle body. The silence grew deeper, and the the sense of time was dissolved. While meditating, could feel profound energy in the heart chakra. Light and agni was established. There were images of sun in the center. I could feel the statue of Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati, Mahadurga inside me! Slowly I could feel the awareness move to 3rd eye and crown chakra. As the experience grew deeper, I could discover the lotus 🪷 at the center of head, topped with immense white light. I felt free, pure and joy. When I came out of this timeless experience, as the temple was closing, I observed the beautiful divine feminine statue was standing over lotus too, which I had missed to note before. Everything felt connected and complete.

In truth and love,
Ramloti for the Ashram

Upcoming Events

Saturday, June 7 - Sacred Fire Ceremony in Parker, CO - 11am MT

Sacred Fire Ceremony (11am) at the home of Surendra and Seema Deora in Parker near Main street and Jordan. Please call 631-418-6367 to confirm and get directions.

Wednesday, June 11 - Full Moon Fire Ceremony and Chanting followed by lunch - 10am MT

Live-streamed at Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Facebook Page.

Wednesday, June 25 – New Moon Fire Ceremony and Pitru Puja for our Ancestors followed by chanting and lunch - 10am MT

Live-streamed at Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Facebook Page.

July 4 – July 13 - Annual Online Summer Auction

People have been asking when our auction will be. We are trying a new date and preparing many new items. The site is not quite ready yet, but we will post it when it is. If you have something you would like to donate, please call us at 719-256-4108 or email us at info@babajiashram.org. You all make a difference, thank you. Here are some items we just made for the auction from the Divine Mother’s saris, malas, and nightgown.

Daily Events at the Ashram

We have daily Aarati and Chanting at 7am and 6pm, which last about an hour. We also have a daily Small Fire Ceremony when we do not have the larger one. Please call the Ashram at 719-256-4108 for exact timing for these. The daily fire ceremonies are live-streamed at Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Facebook Page.

Recent Events

Shumei International Institute 23rd Anniversary Celebration

Besides hosting many of the Shumei’s groups at the Ashram, we have been good neighbors since their beginning, 23 years ago. We always attend their anniversary celebration. On Saturday we attended their Taiko drumming performance, it is always invigorating and inspiring.

On Sunday morning we attended their Anniversary Sampai Service and speech by their President who had come from Japan. Here are a few photos.

Hanne Strong is always one of the presenters and we treasure seeing her at the event as well as all of our friends from Shumei.

Ashram Sewing Parties

Preparing for our upcoming On-line auction, some folks brought their sewing machines (or used the Ashram’s) to make gift items from retired Divine Mother Saris. Quilts, prayer flags, purses, eye pillows, sacred book bags, pillows, and wall hangings were some of the lovely items made. We meant the last two Tuesdays, and the next one will be Tuesday, June 10 from 10am -3pm. All are welcome to join in the fun.

Maha Lakshmi Shop

One of the ways that the Ashram is supported is through the sales at the Maha Lakshmi Shop.

We have some great products for you to look at.

Metal Ganesha Wall Hanging - $40

Metal Lord Ganesha Wall Hanging measures 11'X 10.5"
https://www.ebay.com/itm/405446879300

Silver Om Namah Shivaya bracelet - $108

3/8" width silver "OM Namah Shivaya" ("I bow to the God within") Bracelet size large
https://www.ebay.com/itm/405741291040

Babaji Mahavatar: The Descent of Eternity Into Time - $35

Collection of photographs of Shri Bhagwan Babaji.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/405445624778

The Maha Lakshmi Shop makes up a large part of the Ashram budget, and is open daily from 10am until 4pm. Thank you for your support.

Bhole Baba Ki Jai! Jai Ma!

Other Ways to Support the Ashram

First and foremost is to pray, pray, pray for all the disturbances amongst people and life all over the earth. This is a time of great challenge, and Babaji spoke over and over again about the power of prayer, the mantra, havan, puja, and seeing all as children of one Divine Mother Earth.

You may also support financially by going to …

• GoFundMe Campaign
• Venmo (@babajiashram)
• Donate Page (this page has links to Paypal and GoFundMe)

Calendar of Events

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

Visitors to the Ashram

Now with the warm weather, we have lots of visitors. We love them all and many return over and over again. Here is a short note from one first time visitor.

Wow, what a special visit to the Ashram yesterday, my first time. By Joel from Durango

It was magic to be received at the Ashram so warmly and generously and be able to play a role in the Fire Ceremony as well. Although a new orientation to the Divine for me personally, the love, openness, acceptance that you all gave resonated so clearly within me as the Divine itself in action. It allowed me to participate in the ceremony in a full-hearted way myself. Getting to know the essence of Babaji and the Divine Mother was a deepening of my own unique spiritual journey and a lovely window to the generous community that surrounds the faith. I will wear your amethyst mala in sacred consideration of the love you put into blessing it in Haidakhan and in the waters. Let it protect me and help me grow in my connection to my own gifts. May we all continue sharing our light and thank you for amplifying mine ☀️ Thank you for a very special visit and I wish you continued health, wholeness, and peace. Om namah shivaya.

Karma Yoga

We continue to appreciate all of the help that comes to the Ashram. The garden is beginning to grow, lilacs are abundant, the greenhouse has been providing us with lots of vegetables and flowers, and plenty of food cooked for all our visitors. Even the children coming to the Ashram pitch in and help as they can. It is Shri Babaji’s way, Karma Yoga.