Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Newsletter

www.babajiashram.org

Dear Friends,

What a very full and inspiring month March has been. The first few days were in India, and I wrote about them in the last newsletter. I sent that in Hong Kong on my way to Thailand, oh the wonders of technology! I did include the interview I did with the Chairman of the Indian Haidakhan Samaj, Alok Banerjee, in this newsletter further down. His stories of Babaji are inspiring.

For many years, Kharku and Jamuna and the Kamalya family have been donating a week at their healing sanctuary in Koi Sumei to our annual on-line auction and for many years they have been inviting me to come there as well. Each year I would look at the photos of the place and dream of going, this year that dream came to reality.

What a special time it was. The grounds were amazing with a sacred cave, shrines, Buddha statues, ponds, waterfalls, swimming pools, beach, ocean, natural rocks and enchanting plants and landscape. The staff was so kind and greeted you constantly with the equivalent of Namaste in Thai. The healthy food was hugely abundant and delicious, the accommodations were superb, and all the healing opportunities were almost mind-boggling. I would highly recommend it to anyone that has the opportunity to go to Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary, you will be happy you did.

But what I really want to speak to is the faith in Shri Babaji that this magical place took on the part of Kharku and Jamuna to build. Jamuna is a doctor of oriental medicine and Kharku an Asian art collector. Putting her desire to provide an ultimate place of healing and his love of exquisite art and beauty, their dream manifested here in Koh Samui.

The stories that were shared about trust in Baba first in buying the land, then designing the space, then finding the outrageous amount of funding for the project, touched my heart. At every step, miraculous things intervened to guide them and make this vision a reality. At several moments, I was reminded of the merciful intersession of Shri Babaji in the building and maintaining of this Ashram here in Crestone.

For me, the beauty, peace, outdoors, beach, wonderful food, and deep rest were healing to my body but what really enlivened my soul was the small temple to Shri Babaji near the top of their land, where morning and evening aarati is performed daily. The story and ramifications of having an enlivened murti of Shri Babaji at the healing sanctuary was once again inspiring. Kharku, was with Babaji until He left His body in 1984. Kharku then became Shri Muniraji’s personal attendant and lived with him in Haldwani for many years. Once Kharku and Jamuna married and built Kamalaya, they would bring Shri Muniraji there for the month of January (a very cold month in Haldwani) each year for healing and rest. Shri Muniraji guided them to build the temple, enlivened the murti, and also had them make a havan kund there.

The commitment of an enlivened murti is immense. To see both Kharku and Raghuvir, both extremely busy businessmen, doing the early morning puja and aarati each day I was there, touched me deeply. I could feel their devotion for puja and how it connected them back to our incredible experience of being with Babaji. My yoga teacher defines puja as “touching love”. I can vouch for that and I think they would resonate with that definition as well.

I was fortunate to spend almost a full day and evening sharing Babaji experiences with Jamuna, Kharku, and Raghuvir. The time flew by as we delved into our hearts pouring out loving stories about our time with our Lord. I could see in our faces how enlivened we all were by this satsang. Raghuvir said this inspired him to write his book about his experiences of living with Shri Babaji. Some of this time was videoed and I hope that it makes it way to all of you at some point so that you too can share in the divine mystery that was to live with Shri Babaji. I am once again so grateful.

In Truth, Simplicity, and Love,

Ramloti

Ceremonies and Schedule

The full-moon fire ceremony this month is on Saturday, April 4 (Hanuman’s birthday complete with special pujas to Him) and the new-moon fire ceremony is on Saturday, April 18. The fire ceremonies begin at 10am and are followed by a meal. Please arrive a few 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, nuts, veggies and tea or coffee are fine to eat before. Also, if you have a dietary need for something more hearty before our meal at 11:30 or so, please partake.

Our evening aarati is at 6pm and morning aarati is at 7am, with a paduka puja in Shri Babaji’s kutir at 6:30am. Lunch is served at about 12:30pm, and we invite you to join us. (Call if you are a group or have special dietary needs.) The Maha Lakshmi Shop is open every day from 10am until 5pm.

If you would like to participate by sponsoring a fire ceremony or a bhandara (feast), we would like to send you a blessed item from the fire ceremony if you request. They are:

$27 sponsorship - Copper, brass, nickel Om Namah Shivaya bracelet

$54 sponsorship - Rudraksha, Rosewood, or Tulsi Mala

$108 sponsorship - Rose Quartz Mala or a copper, silver, brass Om Haidakhandi 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.

Paduka Pujas in Denver Area and Ft. Collins - April 17, 18, & 19

Each year we like to join with as many devotees as possible with Shri Babaji’s padukas for puja and chanting . We so hope that many of you can make it so that we can be together joined in prayer and celebration. Here is the schedule.

April 17 - 7pm - 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.

April 18 - 6pm - 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.

April 19 - 11am - Paduka Puja and Chanting - Babaji’s padukas will grace the home of Mohan in Ft. Collins followed by a potluck luncheon at 6215 Carmichael St, Ft. Collins, CO 80528. For information call: 970-207-0764

The Amazing 7th Annual On-Line Auction - April 24 to May 3!

For the last six years the Ashram has raised a large amount of its yearly operating budget through this amazing on-line auction. We are tremendously grateful for all who have donated items, became sponsors, and bid on the items. Each person has been a part of the great success. It is such a fun way to support the Ashram.

The auction is set up and ready for viewing. The actual bidding begins on Friday, April 24 at 1:08pm EST. This year we have put a buy now price on most items for those of you who do not want to play the bidding game. The nearly 108 items range from the wonderful to the sublime so do take a look at www.BiddingforGood.com/babajiashram to see all the amazing and new items. There is a place on the website above for others to donate auction items or you can call Ramloti or Jessica at the Ashram at 719-256-4108. Every item makes a difference. You can also sign up to be one of the sponsors for the auction and your photo, logo, and link to your website will be on the auction page. Once again, you can also call us to do this.

When we work together, magical things happen. By Baba and Mother’s grace and all of your support we have consistently raised about $12,000 each year. Let’s see if we can work together again and perhaps we can even do better this year. Maha Lakshmi Mata Ki Jai!

Pictured are some of the new, exciting items on this year’s auction.

This enchanting original multimedia painting by Rita Berault of the Divine Mother, Tulsi.

(She received full puja during Navratri and Her chuni and mala can be a part of your purchase if you like).

A large collection of sacred malas and Om Namah Shivaya bracelets blessed in Haidakhand.

And an 11-day stay for two at the enchanting Kamalaya Healing Sanctuary written about above (in past years it was only 7 days).

Meet our Board Member, Vesper Gers

“I am honored to have served as secretary on the Ashram board for many moons now. I really enjoy lending support behind the scenes here. Previously I served in the kitchen and the Maha Lakshmi shop: feeding Mother and all the devotees who surround her day to day, cooking and cleaning surfaces with mantra and water and soap. I arrived in the summer of 2003 after the man who is now my life partner handed me a mala of dried marigolds left over from a fire ceremony. At that moment I knew I would come to live in Crestone. Drawn by a mysterious force, here I find myself in 2015, absorbed in the karma yoga of family life, a surrendered pranam at the feet of Ma and Babaji and the Sangre de Cristo mountains.

“Previous to this story, I was living in Seattle, occupied with art and dance and teaching yoga classes all over the city. It was there that I was graced with the recollection of yoga in this life. My mom had practiced throughout my childhood so I wasn't a stranger to yoga but it was at this point in my life that I really heard the call. At Samadhi yoga studio, I was exposed to the spiritual nature, the science and Sanskrit of yoga as well as yoga asana. Inspired to devote myself to the practice, I dove head first into the scriptures, the texts, teachers training program and met my Sanskrit teacher. He was a powerfully knowledgeable scholar with the living language to call in the Divine by means of sacred Sanskrit mantra. A deep resource and key doorway in my life that opened me to core practices I will use all throughout this life and beyond.

“Here at the Ashram I feel a deep sense of home. I resonate with the Ashram’s dedication to respectful stewardship of Mother Earth as one of our most important purposes here. I feel blessed to be part of this beautiful sanga and temple, blessed with the opportunity to gather together to make offerings at the fire, blessed by the lifting of our voices and hearts in prayer, regularly immersed in the vibrational medicine of Sanskrit. I also feel blessed by the way my children are embraced by the Ashram and community, breathing in Baba's teachings on truth, simplicity and love.”

Namaste.

Vesper

Karma Yoga at the Ashram

This last month’s karma yoga has been mostly final preparations for Navratri, Navratir itself and putting everything back together after Navratri. We are so grateful to all of those who can come help at the Ashram and particularly those who come early and stay late around the big celebrations, there is always tons to do. We also want to thank all of you that help make these projects possible by your financial donations. We ask each of you to look into your hearts and see what this Ashram means to you and to please donate as you are able. You may go to our website and donate through PayPal . (You can even set up a monthly tithe.) You can also send a check (made out to HUA) to P.O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131; or you can call us at 719-256-4108 with a credit card number. We want to thank you for your support, love and prayers.

Recent Events

Interview - Alok Banerjee, Chairman of the Indian Haidakhan Samaj

I had the good fortune to spend a day with Alok Banerjee traveling to the beautiful Babaji temple outside of Etawah, UP in India. I recorded some of his wonderful stories, I hope you are inspired by them as I was.

“It was way back in 1978 when I first heard off Babaji from my cousin and his wife who had met Babaji and then taken him to their home in Allahabad. They had very high praise for Him as they shared their experiences with my wife and I but really speaking, at the time I was not at all impressed. At the time I was really into my business abroad like any other business man would do and I was really not into any kind of spiritual thing. But my wife was very, very keen on going to Haidakhan and meeting Babaji. Every time my wife brought it up I said I would not go along with her but after she kept insisting I eventually agreed to the trip. It was not easy, you had to walk through the river bed for nearly three hours and my wife said I must carry this prasad for Babaji and no no no you cannot give it to any of these porters you have to carry it on your head. So I was walking through the river with all this stuff on my head and by the time we reached Haidakhan it was afternoon which is actually rest time for Babaji. The people there said before you go up the stairs you must bathe and prepare then you can meet Babaji. So we reached the river and we were just having our bath when suddenly a woman on the stairs said those that have come from Allahabad, Babaji is waiting for you and wants to see you. At the time, of course, we didn’t know who this lady was but we would later find out she was Muniraji’s mother, a very elderly lady. So we go up the stairs and we could see the garden, Babaji was sitting in one corner so we went and made our pranams to Babaji. You know even when I saw Him nothing really struck in my heart but my wife and my cousin were all very much into this so I made my pranam. He said first of all you go have something to eat. We were very hungry, absolutely starved. and so we raced to the kitchen and we had kitchari that Baba had made for us.

“It was almost time for Babaji to go for his evening bath in the river. So Babaji said to come with Him for this bath. It was our first time so we didn’t know what we were to do but we went along with Babaji. All this time with Babaji nothing really impressed me. But that evening when we went for aarati and Babaji came and sat on His assan He called me and gave me this chimpta and told me to play this. I told Babaji I did not even know how to hold it, He said no no no you go and play, and so I sat there. That’s when it really hit me, it was as if I felt like He was somebody whom I had known for years, like He was my father, my friend my whatever, and suddenly I just felt tears coming down from my eyes. The next day I came to Him and it was only only only emotions coming there from my heart, I can not express what it was. I could remember Babaji saying yes come come come home like it was my father. So that was my first experience I had with Him. Since 1978 I have had many times with Him. We would travel with Him and He would come to our place where we live in Allahabad, and we had many wonderful experiences with Babaji.

“Here is another story this was in 1984. For about a year before that Babaji was telling us we must build a temple at our home that we all grew up at. My cousin and his family were living there and we were next door. So Babaji told me to go to Benaras and get two set of three specific murtis made; Kali Ma, Bhairu Baba, and Ganeshji. I said ok Babaji, and He gave me all the details; the size, the metals, and everything. Then he said you have to make this temple in your cousin’s home dedicated to Ma. So in 1984 Babaji came to Allahabad and still the temple was not ready but the murtis were already there. He asked my cousin if it was okay for Him to install the murtis now and my cousin said oh Babaji but the temple is not ready. So Babaji kept telling me Alok you have to please tell them they have to get this done otherwise it will never be done. So I kept telling them please please you just be ready. Babaji will help us to do it and whatever He wants has to get done. Then 26th of january the installation of the temple was finished it was a 3 day program and Babaji was there and he gave life to the sets of two Kali Mas and Ganeshjis and Bhairujis. One set was for the temple there and one was for the Manda Ashram in Gujarat. So after the installation of the temple was done Babaji left on 27th of January he left and went back to Haidakhan. Just before leaving He said, “Okay I’m very happy you could do this now be happy, be happy, be happy.” Who would know that a couple of weeks later on the 14th of february He would leave His body. So we got this news early in the morning of the 14th and we rushed to Haidakhan and saw His body and it was really a shock. We felt that a part of our heart was gone He was always so loving, so close. Even today when we are in Haidakhan we feel a very very strong presence and in our life it is like He has been guiding us through all the activities I’m still doing for Him.

“The first time

I met Shri Muniraji was when we went to meet Babaji in 1978, because when we arrived in Haldwani we had to go to the shop of Muniraji and we were guided by Shri Muniraji to Haidakhan. Babaji made the Indian Samaj in the year 1982 or 1983 but Babaji never became chairman of the Samaj he made Muniraji the chairman of the Samaj. In 1984 after Babaji left his body I became the secretary of the Samaj and since then I worked with Shri Muniraji until 2012 when he passed away. He was like a friend like an elder brother, and I have learned many of the things I know through Muniraji. He was a guide, we were lucky to have him with us for all these years. He was a man of very few words but always always would pull you up or pat on your shoulder if you had done something well. It was such a pleasure to be with Shri Muniraji and I learned much about the spiritual path through him, and I feel very fortunate to have work with him for such a long time. Especially the last few years I was very close with him, by about 2011 his health was really going down at that time, so he gave me his responsibility and during that time he made me the chairman of the Samaj. Fortunately I was with him as he passed away in August of 2012. Since then of course the responsibility has come and for the last two years now I have been trying to keep things together, and follow what Shri Muniraji showed us. I very strongly feel that since then Shri Babaji and Shri Muniraji have been helping me, guiding me. The group of people with which we have been associated with for so so many years, like you for instance Ramloti, we have worked together, travelled together, that is what has given me the inspiration to keep going.

“Before Muniraji passed away we could feel his body was becoming weak, he would not be with us for a long time, but you always have the expectation he will be with us for some more time. But then when the end actually comes that really shocks you, I could feel that a great shelter above my head was gone. He was like that, he would speak very little but he would always try to help you in whatever thing you wanted to get done, I mean he would guide you. So when he passed away it was like a vacuum kind of a thing, he did give me the responsibility earlier you know but then you know I always knew that yes I am the chairman but I always knew Muniraji was there to help me and guide me, then suddenly that physical presence was not there.

“But I still consider myself nothing more than a very humble devotee to Shri Babaji. I feel very strongly, without Babaji’s presence without His guidance I would not be able to serve the way I am trying to. There have been many ups and downs during this period, it is a very short period about two and a half years now, but deeply inside I really try to invoke Babaji, especially during times like Navratri. I’m also waiting for the moment when Babaji comes back in his own body again.

Bhole Baba Ki Jai!”

Spring Navratri - Saturday, March 21 through Sunday, March 29

Spring Navratri was very early this year but you would not have known it by the weather, definitely the warmest Navratri ever, with most days in the very comfortable 60’s and low 70’s. It was equally blissful and harmonious as all joined together to honor our resplendent Mother, Haidakhandewsari. Here are some photos of Her in full array with our beloved Shri Babaji next to her.

“I arrived at the Ashram the night before the beginning of Navratri only expecting to drop off my friend and leave sometime the next day. I had little expectations and an open heart. Upon arriving I was immediately welcomed by everyone there and felt right at home. The energy that is held in the container of this ashram along with the energy that permeates the land pulled me in to where I felt certain that I had to make arrangements to stay another day. On the heels of what has been an unprecedentedly powerful and transformational several weeks, being here and participating in the honoring of the Mother was nourishing to the core of my soul……deeply healing and inspiring too……I left the Ashram not only feeling this way, but also with the intention of making arrangements to stay the entire 9 days when the next Navratri cycles around. Forever now, I hold this special place in my heart.” Kris from Boulder

“It was a blissful trip to Crestone Ashram and Maha Lakshmi Temple during Spring Navaratri with family and friends.” Love, Sabina and Ajay Pradam

“Thank you Ashram! As always our visit was blessed J Thanks for your love…” Tannu and Praveen Khanna and family

Aabriti Shrestha's creation....video clips that she took on our trip to the Haidakhand Universal Ashram for Navratri. Very talented young high school girl, our own Amrit N Rajshree Shrestha's daughter. Click here to view her 2 minute video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6pkesUh5fY

Visitors to the Ashram

Spring weather, Spring Breaks, and Spring Navratri all add up to lots of people here. Only a few photos with so many from Navratri but we love having you come here. Here is a short note from one young man who came for aarati and ended up staying most a week.

“This week has been an amazing time for insight, focus, and cosmic expansion. I hope to bring this awareness of joy I gained here to the world. Karma Yoga!!! Baba 4 Life!” - Ryan recently from New York on his way to CA.

Many of you remember Noura who came for Diwali and stayed on for three months. She is now in South America and here is part of her latest email.

“I have been living in a small farm in the mountains of Colombia, where a young family is putting all of their energy to create a place for people to connect with the earth and learn... It has been amazing to see how much I have to share there from what I have learned at the Ashram. I find myself acting as a mediator more and more, not purposefully, but just interacting with others in a way that is honest and with complete truth, allowing them to do the same. I find myself involved in political discussions or discussions about humanity, society, spirituality etc and find that the only thing that comes to me, that I really want to share are the teachings of Babaji... I have been sharing mantras with others and singing bahjans and kirtan.

“I will be heading to Peru soon to help a friend get to the capital, not sure what the divine has in store there... But I feel deep peace with what is happening.” Noura, world citizen

Calendar for Events at the Ashram in 2015

April 4 - Full-moon fire ceremony at 10am followed by pujas to Hanuman on His birthday, followed by a bhandara (Indian feast).

April 24 - Annual On-line Auction Fundraiser begins at 1:08pm EST. Go to www.BiddingforGood.com/babajiashram

May 3 - Annual On-line Auction Fundraiser ends at 8:01pm EST. Go to www.BiddingforGood.com/babajiashram

July 18 & 19, 2015 - Annual American Haidakhan Samaj Weekend and Meeting. Their new web address is www.babajisamaj.us

July 21 - 24, 2015 - Annual Family Week w/ concurrent Sofia Diaz Workshop.

July 31, 2015 - Guru Purnima Day with fire ceremony at 10am followed by a meal.

October 13 - 21, 2015 - Fall Navratri - Divine Mother Festival with daily fire ceremonies, pujas, discourses, reading, chanting and other ceremonies.

November 11, 2015 - Diwali, Festival of Lights.

Maha Lakshmi Shop Report

Many new items of India, some not even on the website yet. But we do once again have in stock our beautiful silver Om Namah Shivaya bracelet in the regular 1/2’ width. With the increase in silver prices, the cost has gone up to $195 but it is still an amazing investment.

We also have a new 1/2’ width silver, copper, brass Om Namah Shivaya bracelet. This is smaller in size, for a small woman’s wrist or a child’s wrist. This bracelet is priced for $35.

We also have our wonderful Shivarangani Incense hand carried from India back in stock. The 40 gram boxes cost $4.50. If you love this incense you should buy plenty soon as it will be next year before we get more.

We also received new magnets ($3), lovely altar cloths ($9), traveling cosmetic bags ($12), and wonderful sarongs from Thailand ($9). All of these would require a call to the shop as they are not on the website.

The Maha Lakshmi Shop is open every day. We can bless an item at Mother’s feet for you if you ask. We are also happy to drop ship items for you to your loved ones. You may call the Ashram at 719-256-4108 and place your orders over the phone (every day from 10am until 5pm Mountain Time). We are happy to answer any questions. It is really nice to connect in this way. We take Visa, Mastercard or Discover.

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

Maha Lakshmi Mata Ki Jai!

April, 2015

Message from the President