Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Newsletter
 
 



                                                                                                                                                         www.babajiashram.org





Dear Friends,


Once again the shift of realities is prevalent in my mind.  I was in Denver this last weekend having done three programs there.  Each had its own charm and personality but all were done with care and deep devotion.  As I moved from place to place, what I noticed was the artful dance with maya that these people do with their jobs, their family responsibilities, and their commitment to their spiritual path.


I was so touched as I watched the busy families doing aarati and puja before any other activity, their priorities are evident.  That is one of the joys I always have going to India, seeing families, shop keepers, and business people first doing puja in their homes, offices, and their shops before any other activity.


As I sat doing puja with one family, Sony and Bijay Yerra, I was particularly struck with the deep knowledge about each of the strotams and suktams that they sang and recited.  I felt in my heart that it would be a good thing to have them share this with others in the Ashram family.  I mentioned this to them and they seemed willing.


As with all ideas that pop inside my heart, I sat on it for a while and prayed on it.  Well, yesterday we had a reading after aarati from the Teachings of Babaji that said the following:


“Rishis and maharishis have always recited and studied great scriptures in holy places, because they wanted the sound waves to reach through the seven heavens:  bhu (earth), bhuvah (atmosphere), svaha (heaven), maha (great heaven) jaha (heaven of knowledge), tapa (heaven of penance), sat (heaven of truth).  To direct sound through the seven heavens, it is necessary to have these studies taken up at such sacred sites.  When such studies are undertaken in sacred places it charges them with divine energy and, like the flow of the waters of the river Ganga, benefits the whole world.”


The reading goes on and on about the benefit of studying the scriptures in holy places.  That was enough for me to realize it was a direct answer to my question.  The Lakshmi Stotram (which means a mala of praises for Maha Lakshmi) was what came immediately to my mind, since I always wanted to learn the proper pronunciation and all of the nuances of the meaning so that I could recite it at the fire ceremonies.  And what better place to study it than in the Lakshmi Temple here at the Ashram with two devotees that not only teach Sanskrit but have also studied, recited and lived this for years.


The day chosen for the Lakshmi Stotram intensive is the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, November 30, as this will give everyone time to travel here and back.  It will be from 9am until 5pm with a break for lunch and a short rest.  Bijay says by the end of the day everyone will be able to recite it, pronouncing it correctly and understand it.  He feels that we can also begin to learn the Sri Suktam (15 “well-said” verses in praise of the Goddess) but that this will take longer than this one day.  You can read more about this wonderful event below and there is room at the Ashram for overnight guests.


I have also written about the January and February events coming up around the country.  It is such a wonderful time to connect with so many of you that stay in touch throughout the year through the newsletter.  May this time of light, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which occurs this weekend, be felt in all our hearts and souls and throughout the world!


With deep love,

Ramloti




Ceremonies and Schedule


The new-moon fire ceremony this month is on Sunday, November 3 (Diwali, the Festival of Lights - read more below) and the full-moon is on Sunday, November 17.  The fire ceremonies begin 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 each morning at 6:30am.  Lunch is served at about 12:30 pm, 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. 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 bracelet


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.




Diwali - Festival of Lights - Sunday, November 3


We have been preparing for this last week for Diwali, the big festival of lights which is tomorrow.  We have been totally redecorating the temple and even Mother has a spectacular new outfit to wear.  The big day falls on Sunday, November 3 and begins with our new-moon fire ceremony at 10am followed by a meal.  The rest of the day is dedicated to decorating the temple, earthship, and grounds with candles and making sumptuous goodies for dinner and dessert.


The name "Diwali" or "Divali" is derived from the word deepavali, which means a "row of lights, or lamps." Therefore, on Diwali, we celebrate by lighting lamps and placing them all around the house, yard, and temple. The spiritual significance of lighting the lamps is to remind us of the importance of sharing our own inner light.  We also pray for the "Light" of the higher intellect to dissolve our darkness. This is what is meant by the victory of good over evil.


The candles are all lit before aarati at 6pm and more and more people arrive as we come close to 7pm when we share songs of peace and light with the neighboring spiritual centers and other folks. There is a huge feast at 8pm with Indian families from Alamosa bringing puris, dahl, subjees, sweets, and rices.  We have made many delicious desserts (many of them gluten-free) and snack food.  It is always a spectacular evening.  We still have some room in the dorm if you are coming from out of town.  Please call us at 719-256-4108 or email us at info@babajiashram.org for reservations or for more information. 




Maha Lakshmi Stotram Intensive

Saturday, November 30


What good fortune we have to be able to study together and meditate on the glorious Lakshmi Stotram.  This is a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi by the great sage Agasti.  It is said to be a very fruitful prayer bringing all satviik or life-giving qualities.


Maha Lakshmi is the goddess of abundance of wealth, both material and spiritual and the wife of Lord Vishnu.  When Maha Lakishmi abides in your home and your heart, She is said to bring good luck and to protect Her devotees from all kinds of misery and money-related sorrows.  Recitation of the Lakshmi Stotram brings Her very close to us.


The day will begin at 9am and will continue until lunch followed by a short rest time.  We will then reconvene in the temple until about 5pm.  The day will be facilitated by Sony and Bijay Yerra, both are teachers of Sanskrit and have studied the sacred scriptures extensively.  We are so grateful that they are willing to come to the Ashram and share this time with us.


If you would like to stay at the Ashram, please call us at 719-256-4108 or email us at info@babajiashram.org.  We look forward to sharing the weekend of Thanksgiving with many of you giving thanks for all that we have.  Jai Maha Lakshmi!






Dutch Devotees Travel to the Ashram in December


As part of the Ashram’s commitment to supporting the other Babaji Ashram’s around the world, we contributed some items to the on-line auction of the Holland Ashram last year.  One of the items was a two-week stay for two at the Ashram in Crestone with pickup in Denver and some sightseeing in Denver and in Crestone.  Bhaskaranand and Maheshanand were the winners of this stay and they will be coming the last two weeks of December.  We asked them to write a little bit about themselves for the newsletter so that people that wish to meet them could either organize some time for them in Denver or come to the Ashram over the Christmas holidays, which is a very special time here.  


Bhaskaranand writes the following:

Already back in 1974 I read the book Autobiography of a Yogi of Yogananda with the chapter on Babaji. I was impressed and thought about Him as a Being far beyond. Later, my friends and I met a lady at a restaurant and noticed her bracelet with Om Namah Shivaya. We started to question here about it because we knew it was a mantra.  She told us about Babaji, Haidakhan, Om Namah Shivay and many things came together. She was the wife of Pujari, the president of the Dutch Samaj. One month later Munirajji came to their house in The Hague and we were invited to come, met Muniraj, and attended the aarati and fire ceremony for the first time. It inspired us to go to India soon and visit Chilianaula and Haidakhan.


During that same time we invited the Babaji devotees to use our little meditation center nearby for their Babaji meetings and functions every month. In one of those meetings there was a solid decision to create a Babaji ashram in Holland and an active search started. One year later the land and buildings for the ashram were bought in Loenen and this became Sada Shiva Dham.


So, in this way I learned to know about Babaji and His physical appearance in Haidakhan. It was a very energetic time with many changes and Babaji guided us. Soon I found myself at Sada Shiva Dham, together with 2 friends, and we were helping to set it up and make it ready to receive Muniraj and have the inauguration in 1992. Since that time I have almost continuously (except for a few years) been involved with Sada Shiva Dham until this moment.  Although I live at the ashram, I have also worked some outside the ashram.


From the beginning in 1990 the inner meeting with Babaji was like a recognition of a deep familiar energy.  I also had experiences of Him in meditations. This meeting with Babaji gave a new impulse to my life. I was impressed by the simplicity and directness of Babaji's teachings.  Babaji, as a divine Being, made everything simple and concise, human.


Except from being at Sada Shiva Dham, since 1996 I travel now and then to Poland and since 2003 visit the ashram Bhole Baba Seva Dham near Krakow regularly. One Dutch friend and his Polish wife are at the basis of this ashram and I am helping them from the beginning to develop and support it. The support is much needed there, but - although there are many obstacles on the way - the ashram is surviving and gradually the perspective becomes more promising: Babaji's work becoming visible.


Martin Maheshanand Gels


In the summer of 1984 it happened that I had some spare time before starting a new job. So I joined a workshop on rebirthing with Leonard Orr and Tukaram. We had a fire ceremony and began  singing Sanskrit songs. Starting with the fire ceremony and singing, I was flabbergasted immediately, hearing aarati for the first time in my life! After that singing we had a little chat and then Tukaram showed me the green photobook of Babaji. The next day in the workshop I was the lucky guy selected for a rebirthing session with Leonard Orr. In that session I became aware of Babaji, being the One who gave me my breath.


From that point my life changed dramatically.


In the summer of 2005 Babaji “called” me to come to the ashram Sada Shiva Dham. At the first sight only a few army tents and a caravan could be found on the premises. Two people, Bhaskaranda and Paramananda and the dog Kali were living there actually. There were actually two buildings in operation, a dhuni and a barn, temporarily used as kitchen and meeting room.

I had a chat with Paramananda (Bhaskaranand was not there on that moment) about the plans for a new Ashram building, needed after destruction of the original ashram by a fire in 1994. Being a construction engineer, I was highly interested in what he was saying.


Only after 17 years and a lot of buildings later, it became clear to me that with those “calls” He selected His “instruments” for realizing His divine plans; Babaji as a brilliant resource manager! So, at that time he needed me for helping erect the new building, and many years later to get all the permits and construction details needed for realizing a master plan including the Babaji temple and several other buildings.


Now I’m retired from work in the IT sector.  I have been secretary of the board of the Dutch Haidakhandi Samaj Foundation for the last 15 years. Besides karma yoga work in the the Dutch Samaj, I’m also webmaster of the Dutch www.babaji.nl website, and for the international www.HaidakhandiSamaj.org site too.


The Dutch Ashram is now thinking of a 10-year plan for growth, we are very much interested in the Crestone Ashram’s solutions.  We are looking forward to our visit to Crestone!!





January and February Tour Dates so Far!


With winter comes fewer visitors to the Ashram, so it is a good time to do some programs around the country.  We will be doing fire ceremonies, chanting evenings, fire ceremony workshops, slides, and satsang.  We hope you can attend one of these events.  Some areas are still being organized but the dates and contacts are given.  If you would like us to come to your home or area, give us a call at 719-256-4108 and we will see what can be arranged.


January 12 - Fire Ceremony workshop* - Tampa/St. Petersburg area -  Elaine at 561-277-8326

January 13 - Fire Ceremony (am) TBA - Tampa/St. Petersburg area - call Sharda at 727-363-0800

January 13 - 7pm Chanting & Slides - Sacred Lands / St. Petersburg - call Sharda at 727-363-0800

January 14 - Makar Sankrant** Celebration w/ fire ceremony, chanting, and a Makar Sankrant                                 plunge at Sharda and Jeffrey’s in Treasure Island, FL. - call Sharda at 727-363-0800.


January 16 - 7pm Chanting & Slides in Ft Lauderdale, FL - call Bob Walsh at 954-873-8083.

January 17 - 7pm Chanting & Slides in Jupiter, FL - call Elaine at 561-277-8326

January 18 - Fire Ceremony and Chanting in the am in Jupiter, FL - call Elaine at 561-277-8326

January 18 - 7pm Chanting & Slide at Transformational Studies in Jupiter, FL - call Jim at

561-371-2832.

January 19 - 11am Fire Ceremony & Aarati at Harmony House in Delray, FL. - call Sarena at                                                                                                                                       561-274-0883.


January 26 - Fire Ceremony & Chanting in Sebastopol, CA at James & Betsy’s - call 707-824-0342


February 7 - 7pm - Chanting & Stories of Babaji in LA, CA  (near LMU) at Sula and Darren’s - email   them at suladepaula@att.net to rsvp and for directions.

February 8 - Fire Ceremony workshop* in Pasadena, CA from 10am until 4pm.  Call Randi at            951-808-1010.

February 9 - Fire Ceremony, chanting, and pot luck lunch in Corona, CA at 10am followed by lunch.  Call Randi at 951-808-1010.


February 14 - 7pm - Mahasamadhi -  Paduka Puja and Chanting - Babaji’s padukas will grace the home of Smita and Prabohd Telang’s home at 3068 143rd Ave, Thornton, CO 80602.  Call them at 720-250-6325 to RSVP or for more information.


Feburay 15 - 7pm - Paduka Puja and Chanting - Babaji’s padukas will grace the home of Sabina and Ajay Pradham at 4834 S. Eagle Circle, Aurora, CO 80015.  Call them at 720-732-6141 to RSVP or for more information.


February 16 - 10am Paduka Puja, Fire Ceremony, and Chanting with Babaji’s Padukas followed by Lunch.  This will be Ramloti’s birthday celebration and will be held at Satya and Nidhi’s in Parker, CO.  All are invited.  Call them at 303-927-6895.


* The Fire Ceremony Workshop is an all-day immersion in the fire ceremony.  The day will begin at 11am with a fire ceremony and chanting.  We will then spend the rest of the day learning about the history and significance of the sacred fire, as well as learn each step to perform a simple fire ceremony of your own.  There are accommodations in the area for those who are flying in for the workshop.


**Makar Sankrant in India is said to be the day that the sun begins its upward journey, symbolizing the expansion and upliftment of our spiritual endeavors.  It is a time of great significance and marks the beginning of auspicious times. The beginning of the period, when the sun travels northwards, is considered highly favorable for auspicious activities. Shri Babaji said that on this day, no negative energies are present on the earth.  It is a day for a sacred fire and plunge, as shown below.



Our hosts and hostesses for the Denver programs.






Karma Yoga at the Ashram


Much of our karma yoga this month had to do with having a huge and wonderful Navratri.  It was a true experience of the selfless service that Shri Babaji taught us, the nine days and the preparation before and cleanup afterwards all flowed with joy and ease.  Much of the activity centered around cooking, serving, and cleaning up meals for hundreds of people.








With the full-moon fire ceremony on the heels of Navratri and than all the preparations for Diwali, we seemed to barely stop this last month.  We totally redecorated and of course cleaned the temple for Diwali.  Once again, Shri Babaji and Mother sent just the right people to help get everything done.



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.




Remembering our Friends


Some friends of the Ashram have passed away recently. We ask that you remember them in your prayers.


Raju Mamaletti was a great supporter of the Ashram.  Each year he and his wife would organize five or six families to come to the Ashram and cook for two days and sell their food at the Crestone 4th of July Fair to raise money for the Ashram.  Here is a photo of him and his wife of 49 years at the Ashram last year after he had been diagnosed with cancer. 

He passed away a few weeks ago at his daughter’s home in North Carolina surrounded by family.



Larissa Connet was the daughter of a loyal Babaji devotee, Donna Connet, in Maui.  In the early 80’s she would host regular Babaji aaratis and fire ceremonies in her home.  She and her daughter traveled to Haidakhan in the 90’s and were deeply touched by the experience.  Larissa passed away with no apparent cause of death last month.



We also have several friends of the Ashram who are need of prayers, here are a few of them.


Kevin Kidd, a long-time friend and karma yogi of the Ashram just underwent two major brain surgeries -- brain bypass and stent surgery in his vertebral artery.  He is doing much better but not 100% and recovering at his home in the LA area.


Tom and his wife Joli began coming to the Ashram a few y
ears ago after meeting and helping Shashi and Bipin who were running out of gas on their way home from the Ashram.  It was a serendipitous meeting as Tom and Joli were long-time devotees of Babaji and were thrilled to hear of His Ashram just an hour away from their home, which is outside of Villa Grove, CO  They have been regular attendees of Navartri and other functions at the Ashram since that time.  Just over a week ago, Tom, who had not been feeling well for the last couple of months, learned that he had a large inoperable malignant tumor in liver.   Please keep him and his family in your prayers.


         

Recent Events


Fall Navratri - October 3 - 12


Fall Navratri (the Divine Mother Festival) was magnificent!  Here is Mother in Her nine new Saris!










  






And all of Her children and Children’s Day and the Devi Pujas, oh what joy!







And all of the wonderful nine Navratri Fire Ceremonies!




Here are some comments from folks that attended. We miss everyone and send our love to them.


Navatri was such a very sweet time for me and it is so difficult to express the true feelings of my heart.  I can only say that I felt so nurtured by "Mother" energy through out.  The Ashram will always have my heart and support as it has given me more than I can even find the words for.

My love to all of you that give of yourselves to maintain a space for those who find their way to the Ashram.  Bhole Baba Ki Jai.  Jai Maha Maya Ki Jai.   Annee - Montrose, CO



I recently spent the first five days of Navaratri, the Divine Mother Festival, at the Haidakhan Universal Ashram in Crestone, Colorado.  I am one of the devotees who was fortunate to spend time with Haidakhan Baba in India in the fall of 1983 about six months befo
re he took Mahasamadhi.  It had been many years since I had been to the Colorado ashram and I was pleasantly surprised to feel the powerful shakti that pervades the grounds and buildings at this most holy site.  During the first day of celebration I kept getting visions of Baba as though He was alive and appearing before me...this became a mournful and tearful purification as so many memories arose of my first six weeks in India with the most profound and influential guru or spiritual teacher of my life.

Baba used to tell us to live a life of truth, simplicity and love....to take these three words to heart and live them as an example to others.  I was touched by how the permanent residents in the Colorado ashram maintain this purity of life.  There were fire ceremonies and daily offerings to the Divine Mother; silent communion around selfless service projects (seva), chanting, and many opportunities to relax deeply into states of surrender and bliss.  I am so grateful to all of you who keep these ancient spiritual practices and this beautiful ashram alive and open to all spiritual aspirants.  Bhole Baba Ki Jai!  Love, Nirmala - Seattle, WA



Here are my short & Sweet thoughts about my time at the Ashram, three days of Bliss at Fall Navaratri, 2013.  For me one highlight was receiving chandan from Ramloti after washing Baba's Padukas and later carrying them down to the fire ceremony.  Another was laying out Mother's clothes for the next day for the small puja, I so loved being a part of the Durga Puja and dressing Durga. Reading the Sapta Sapti every morning was so deeply profound. It took me back to the time I had spent with our dear Shastraji at his home in India, and reawakened those wonderful feelings. I was moved and uplifted by this time spent among beloved Babaji family. The outpouring of generosity and spirit I felt from Richard, our Samaj Treasurer was especially meaningful. I highly recommend this visit for anyone ready to reawaken their Bliss and heighten their spiritual practice. Om Namaha Shivaya!  In Truth, Simplicity & Love, Randi - Corona, CA



T
he fall Navaratri in Crestone was yet another incredible experience.  It was a period of devotion, meditation and celebration, which spontaneously arose for me. Especially now being home I notice what a deep impact it has had. The holy mountain environment of Crestone seems the ideal place for spiritual practices. This powerful area seems to instill peace and humility in me, as well as a process of purification. Many thanks to the residents, Ramloti, Jonathan and Premanand, who work hard to keep this ashram going. Gratitude also to Sri Babaji for his guidance that is so accessible to each one of us, even without direct physical contact. Bhole Baba Ki Jai!

Pranav - Santa Fe, NM



This was the first Navratri that my wife and I have celebrated at the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram in Crestone.  Since having a family, we have not been back to Haidakhan in India together.  We were very much looking forward to spending Navratri with other devotees.  The drive to Crestone took 3 days from our home in Canada and we covered 1500 miles during which we saw some amazing landscapes and entered into some lovely warm and sunny weather.  The final approach to Crestone is magnificent as the dry plains give way to the Sangre de Cristro mountain range that towers over the ashram.

The ashram itself is unbelievable, quiet and peaceful, mostly one can only hear the wind, perhaps some birds and if you listen to the silence itself you can tune into the beautiful Spanish Creek which runs and sings on the other side of the temple.  We arrived a few days before the new moon and hoped to help with the prep for Navratri.  There was of course plenty to do but Ramloti, Prem and Jonathan had been in preparation for a while so what was to be done was not stressed or rushed.  At Navratri our family fell into rhythm with Anita and I taking turns between children, aarati’s and karma yoga.  Our oldest son of 4 warmed up to
ashram life right away showing up almost every morning for Mother Puja and taking every opportunity to chat with anyone who would listen.  In general ashrams are not ideal places for children but the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram makes an honest and concerted effort to include all who arrive at the ashram in ceremonies and duties and in particular the wee ones.  For us this made our long awaited re-introduction to ashram life fruitful.  Having the whole family engaged in the Navratri allowed my wife and I to participate more fully in Navtratri.

There is none more beautiful than the Mother and never is she more radiant and lovely than at Navratri.  As each day of Navratri progressed, the murti in the temple gained beauty and love so that I was often awed and entranced by Her beauty.  She is a sight to behold and aarati becomes intoxicating in Her presences.

Each day of Navratri hit its apex with Fire Ceremonies held on a perch looking out over the San Luis valley.  Devotees pour in from all over to offer at the fire, bringing prayers, offerings and sweets for the divinity.  The mantras resound eloquently through the ashram punctuated by swahas as the offerings are given to the Mother and the whole area is shrouded in the ethereal fragrance of a fire ceremony. 

Since we fast before the morning fire ceremony, the bhandaras afterwards become more anticipated with every one eating the delicious food with great zest, using the time to socialize and talk between mouthfuls.  Although Navratri is a time of introspection and focus, it is on the flip side a time to be surrounded by and engaged by those souls who are attracted to the ashram and Babaji and to delight in their company.  For me I was very happy to have so many Indian devotees at the ashram.  The charm and comfortable personalities of the Indian people has been something that I have missed over the years. It allowed for an aspect of personality to emerge which is normally nourished while I am in India. 

The Haidakhandi Universal Ashram is a special place.  While luxurious on one hand, it still maintains the simplicity necessary so that it may serve as an ashram and fulfill its duty to all who come looking for peace and love in the Mother’s grace.  It is an ashram in the truest sense and existing in the west is even a great feat.  But to me at it’s heart, the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram is another beautiful form of Babaji who engages all devotees in His play whether we are aware or not and puts on a lila of love that for some, cannot be surpassed as far as things to do whilst passing time here on earth in a human body. 

Thanks to all of those who made this Navratri so special to myself and family,

Bhole Baba Ki Jai, Hairakhandeshvari Mata Ki Jai, Much love, Lambodara - Canada



I have just returned home from 9 amazing days at the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram. I have been many times for Navratri and each time is a completely different experience. When I arrived and entered the temple, I felt tears spring to my eyes and the main feeling was one of safety
and love. I knew that finally I could relax because I was ‘home.” During these days there is a structure which is very comforting. I loved seeing Mother in her different outfits every day. The daily Fire Ceremonies and reading of the Sapta Sapti were rich and deepened my connection to myself and to Babaji and Mother. I enjoyed watching the children's faces as they concentrated on dressing the small murtis and offered puja to them. It was such a gift seeing old friends and making new friends and I am always astounded at how easily the days flow and how everyone shares and contributes to the karma yoga.

On a personal note, for me the theme of this Navratri was one of 'letting go' and not worrying about anything except what was presented in the moment (which meant there wasn't time to worry!!).

When I asked Baba at one point what I needed to do, the answer that came to me was 'just show up and be present'. That was yet another affirmation to be aware of what is going on at all times and how I can participate.

 Since I have been home, I have noticed a shift in my energy and more willingness on my part to act spontaneously. I intend to try and live my life as I do at the Ashram, taking each moment at a time and not getting caught up with the stressors of life.  Love, Elaine - Jupiter, FL





Programs in Denver and Fort Collins


The three programs last weekend were magical, blissful, joyful, ecstatic.  There is no finer thing than coming together in the name of the Divine!  Thank you to all who hosted and made this possible.  Bhole Baba Ki Jai!



 





Colorado College Group Visit


A group of Colorado College Students came to the Ashram for aarati, discussion, and a tour.  We have several more college and high school groups coming this month. 


We love to share the Ashram with students and groups.






Visitors to the Ashram


It is hard to believe that it is already November with the warm sunny days and so many visitors.  We are grateful for the lovely weather and for all of you who come to fill the Ashram with your love and devotion.  Here are a few photos of some of our visitors, we have far too many to share them all with you but we trust that they all return home filled with the blessings of Ma and Babaji.  Jai Ma!






































Calendar for 2013


November 3 - Diwali, Festival of Lights.



Calendar for 2014


February 28 - Shivaratri -  All-night chanting followed by a fire ceremony at 10am on March 1.


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.


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 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 for Diwali and the upcoming holiday season.  We hope that you remember us if you are purchasing gifts for loved ones.  We can drop ship anything that you like with an Om Namah Shivaya card with your message.  Many of our Shop items are on line, but 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.  We take Visa, Mastercard or Discover.  It is really nice to connect in this way. We love to talk to you.  


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


Maha Lakshmi Mata Ki Jai!

 

November, 2013