What We Leave at the Door

Gautam Baiji likes to say that when we enter the ashram, we need to "forget labels." 

Labels, meaning anything we attach to ourselves that gives shape to our identity that separates us from our True Self, our Divine Self.

Before God, we are not our profession, for instance, our any title or label we might attach to ourselves. 

There are other kinds of labels we should leave behind as well:

I remember reading years ago that when "We Are the World" was recorded with many great American musicians, the only requirement to participate was that they "must leave their egos at the door." 

Less distractions that way.

So there are things we can leave at the door - besides our shoes - that will enable the ashram to have the greatest effect. After all, that's why we came! 

The Ashrams in Nepal Welcome You With Open Arms

Update: the audio link has been fixed. You may now click the link and listen:

This Sunday, Nishma and her mother Tara returned from the ashrams in Nepal and shared their experiences there. Everyone in the room was fascinated.

(One person told me afterward they were so inspired by what Nishma said, they are going to plan a trip to the ashrams as well.)

You can listen HERE.

Gautam Baiji does satsang first, then at 19:58 Tara speaks, and then Nishma shares at 25:40. You won't regret it.

"It Keeps My Soul Happy" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram? 

Melina: The baijis are everything I want to be in terms of radiating love and warmth that all humanity should radiate. I love being around them because they remind me to stay humble, and I always feel uplifted when I visit. It keeps my soul happy. 

What Are You Doing With Your Life, The Crown of All Creation?

~ Gautam Baiji gave this satsang last week ~

One day a man saw his Mahatmaji, who asked him:

"Why are you not coming to ashram? You used to come all the time, but now not so much."

The man said, "I don't have time. I have to do everything for my family," and he told him all the things he has to do.

The Mahatma said, "I'm not saying you shouldn't do those things - you definitely should take care of your family. That is your duty. But what are you doing for yourself?"

The man said, "I don't have that time for myself. I'm too busy with my family. Plus I have to attend events with relatives all the time. But one day I will get a chance, and I will do it for sure."

Mahatmaji asked him, "Who told you you will get a chance later?" 

We say things like this a lot: "When I retire, then I will have time." But ask people who are already retired how much meditation they are doing, how much time they are spending on themselves..."

We think, "When everything is done, then I will do meditation."

Will that happen? No. One day your life will be over, but your work will continue.

So the man said, "Mahatmaji, you don't have a family, so you don't understand all that I have to do. I simply do not have the time."

Mahatmaji said, "You know, you are working for them day and night. Do you think they will help you with your karma?

"Why not? If I'm helping them, of course they would help me too."

"Let's put it to the test," and the Mahatma gave him a technique to use.

So the man went home and asked his wife to make rice pudding for him. She did this and served it to him.

Soon after, he started complaining of stomach pains. It got worse and worse. "I think I'm dying!" the man said. (He was pretending.)

After moaning in pain for a while, he said, "When I was a young boy, I would get this same pain and the only person who had the medicine was one Mahatmaji. Please call him." Then he stopped breathing and passed out.

The wife was scared, and she immediately called the whole family there and got her son to fetch the Mahatma. When he arrived, he said:

"It's true that I have the only medicine that can cure him, but it comes with one condition: I need someone to volunteer to drink the medicine for him. It will kill that person, but your Dada will live - that is the only way. Who is ready?"

The grandmother said, "If I do it, who will take care of my husband. He needs me, so I cannot to do it."

The wife said, "Mahatmaji, I could do that because I love my husband, but my kids are very young. If I die, who is going to take care of them? Because of them, I cannot die."

The Mahatmaji said, "Will any of the kids drink it?"

The mother said, "No, how can you say that?"

"Okay, so no one's ready for that, so let me drink it," the Mahatma said.

"Oh Mahatmaji, thank you so much," the wife said. "Mahatmas come into this world to help others. You already sacrificed your life once, and now if you sacrifice it again, that would be great."

"We even promise that if you drink the medicine to save him, when you die we will make a nice temple for you. We'll put a statue of you there, and we'll pray every day. Thank God you met us."

The man then opened his eyes and sat up, showing everyone he was not sick at all. He heard everything and realized that even though he did everything for his family, they were looking out for themselves, as people typically do.

"Do everything you can for your family, but take time for yourself. Sit alone, think about yourself, ask 'What is my life's goal?'"

Why do I have this beautiful life?

The saints say this human life is the crown of all creation. What are we doing with it?

"It's a Feel-Good Environment" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram? 

Serina: The ashram opens my mind, enhances my spiritual life and is such a feel-good environment with good, uplifting vibes which I take with me even when I leave. Everyone who comes to the ashram is so loving, it truly feels like home. 

"It's Like a Temple of Peace" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Kantu: "I started coming seven or eight years ago and was always drawn there by the baijis. Talking to them gives you peace. I go for the meditation, the yoga - it's like a temple of peace, which you feel as soon as you get there. It's like you're in a completely different place with a good vibration. Since retiring, I've only wanted to do public service, so I started teaching pranayama, yogic breathing exercises and om-meditation at the ashram, which gives me great satisfaction."  

It's a "Spiritual Battery Recharge Station" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Chaki: "Ashram (DAYC) is a home away from home and a spiritual battery recharge station where I have learned who I am and have grown spiritually. Mahatma Baijis have been true mentors for me, my family, and premis (devotees) in instilling spirituality and yogic characteristics. In addition to imparting Gyan (Knowledge), Baijis at Ashram provide food for the Soul and teach us the importance of balancing materialism and spirituality by means of satsang (religious discourses)." 

For "Their Unconditional Love and Acceptance" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Claudia: "After a long absence from the weekly pranayama breathing exercises I went back - having had to battle my tendency towards isolation and separation, or my ego - and immediately felt the warm welcome of the Baijis, their unconditional love and acceptance, and it felt like coming back home. The weekly meditation reminds me to come back to me, to stop everything and really listen to my inner self, or to watch it, and be okay with it. It energizes me and gives me a more positive outlook on my everyday activities. Thanks for all you do at the ashram!"

"The Ashram Gives Me Tranquility" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Pratap: "The principles and disciplines I studied in my youth, I see the same thing here. I listened to a lot of satsangs in India and I follow the same thing here. The ashram gives me peace of mind, tranquility, and a direction for me to lead my life. That way, whenever I'm in a confused state, if gives me good direction." 

The Ashram is "One of the Greatest Gifts" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Nishma: The goal of achieving spiritual or self-awareness can feel like climbing a mountain for many; but what I’ve learned throughout my years with the baijis is that it’s not the destination that matters, it’s the journey. As Buddha once said, “Each Morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most." If we make our goals simple and work on them daily; our goals become much more reachable and life becomes very fulfilling, that is true self-awareness. Baijis are living examples of this; each day they impart wisdom, spiritual skills and above all… love to all the patrons of the Ashram. It is their limitless love and guidance that has steered me through even the darkest times in my life. What makes the Ashram different than any other spiritual or religious place that I have experienced is that everything is focused on teaching you how to achieve bliss here and now. In a society that is ever changing and becoming more and more media and fear driven; self-awareness and true satisfaction are the most invaluable gifts we can give to our children. The Ashram gives kids a place to nurture these values and instills a sense of self within them from a young age. Life is full of trials and tributes; but I truly feel that having Baijis in my life and being able to appreciate all that they have to offer has been one of the greatest gifts that I have been offered in this lifetime.

"I Feel Enlightened" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Choudhuri: "I feel enlightened, number one. Number two: I get peace of mind. Number three: you help develop an institution that helps others, along with the baijis. Not for our self; for others. And even if I'm sick, if I don't get to play tabla (during satsang), I say 'Baiji, I have to come and play.' It's enlightening for me. When I play during the bhajans (devotional songs) I am wholly concentrated on it; I don't listen to anything else. I want to be totally engulfed in it, so the words they say in the bhajan... I want to realize them. And no matter how I feel, when Baiji smiles (from my playing) I feel really good." 

"I Have Known Such Peace Since Finding This Ashram" - Reasons People Come to DAYC

 

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Paula: "I have known such peace since finding this ashram. I'm just really happy to be here. It really helps me to be calm in my life. I'm dealing with something very stressful, and it's really helped me to see that I can't control the situation."

"You Become More Aware of Your Consciousness" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Manu: "To learn, to be with people, and share the common interests of bhajans (devotional songs) and satsang (spiritual discourse). This is a time you can reflect on your weekly affairs and identify how the satsangs relate to you personally. You also become more aware of your consciousness."

"My Focus is Better" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Xavier: "It's a way to offset the busy-ness during the week and pull myself together. There's the relaxation component, dealing with stress. I find that my focus is better, and I'm less distracted by the "noise" that we have in the big city. (Through yoga) my flexibility has improved, and I'm more focused on contributing to the things that make me happy."

One Year Anniversary of this Blog

One year ago, on April 12, 2015, I created this blog and wrote a short post about joining the ashram Divine Art of Yoga Center which is run by Mahatma Rammurti Baiji and Mahatma Gautum Baiji.

270 satsangs, stories, and memes later, here we are: wiser, more spiritual, and on the path.

This blog started as a place to explore and share my spiritual experience; I later realized it was much more interesting and beneficial to share the baijis' satsangs, for the world to experience (as well as other gurus' wisdom).

I'd like to thank the baijis for being my gurus, blessing me with their saintly company and their spiritual teachings.

I am also very grateful to the devotees here and around the world - they are a wonderful and giving community of people that I consider family.

I look forward to more contributions to the blog from devotees and to make it a repository of shared wisdom from everyone involved with the ashram to help us achieve lasting peace and move towards Samadhi and ultimately Moksha.

Jai Sat Chit Anand

(Some of the devotees)

Is Yoga for the Rich?

 

I was listening to the Yoga Talk podcast while they were reviewing an article called "Is Yoga for the Rich?"

The hosts discussed the cost of yoga, which can get fairly high in some cases (designer yoga wear, upscale studio costs, retreats, etc.).

They also pointed out that a yoga practice can "cost" valuable time.

Yogis (a person proficient in yoga) know that any time the spend doing yoga pays them back many times over - they have better health; they feel better throughout the day; major and minor physical tasks are easier to do, and so on.

Still, it would be helpful for many if there were less expensive ways to do yoga, and preferably close to home.

That's why non-profit yoga centers are so great. You pay what you can (donations) and there is probably one very close to your home that a google search would turn up.

You can also look for a non-profit ashram that accepts donations like the one I go to. They welcome everyone, spiritual and non-spiritual alike.

Once you've attended enough sessions, you can do it at home on your own (or with youtube videos) which is the easiest and cheapest way of all. Or get together your own little group of yogic friends in the biggest living room you can find and have a blast!

The bottom line is, it doesn't matter what you're wearing or how nice the yoga studio is - what's happening inside you is where the practice really pays off.

The Baijis - A Life of Giving, a Life of Service

   

For a good example of living in humble service to others, I look no further than the baijis (nuns) at the Ashram.

They receive visitors at all hours of the day, every day of the week, even on Tuesday, which is supposed to be their day of rest, chores, paperwork, catching up. But there is always a need.

People come for blessings or to get counsel. The baijis gladly oblige, frequently serving tea and snacks, even cooking meals for out of town visitors.

In fact, if someone with a need is walking up their driveway as they are driving out, they will stop, turn around, and change their plans (unless it was a firm commitment where they are expected). They put everyone else's needs above their own at all times.

Devotees travel from around the country to see the baijis. I met a couple from Florida (where the baijis used to be based) who told me how extremely lucky we were to have them here in La Habra. I met another family from the Midwest who planned their family vacation around visiting the baijis. Some people come from as far as India.

In addition to visiting with and ministering to their devotees, they lead yoga classes throughout the week, as well as meditation sessions and other devotions, culminating in their Sunday satsang service (full of parables, singing and prayer) followed by a delicious vegetarian meal (anyone is welcome for any part of the evening).

People call for them at all hours with news of births and deaths and everything in between. There are also earthquake updates from their sister Ashram in Katmandu, along with emailed photos of the area you won't see in the press.

And if someone is very ill, they go to them. Few things give as much elation to a sick devotee than a visit from the baijis.

Fund raising events for Nepal are attended, whether it’s at a Punjabi festival, a Sikh church or temple, or any event that will have them. People have been very generous.

The baijis know there is much to be gained in giving, and they open up the Ashram – their home – to anyone who wants to participate and reap the same benefits. In addition to their good deeds, they serve as an excellent example of a good way to live, for which I'm grateful. 

Guided Meditation

Someone at the Ashram heard me talking about a wonderful 10-minute guided meditation on Self-Compassion and was interested in it, so I thought I'd post the link here: Self-Compassion Guided Meditation

Get ready to love and accept yourself a whole lot more - in just 10 minutes!

We all know the benefits of silent meditation: besides greater mental and physical health, we experience higher levels of consciousness and achieve self-realization. One with God, one with Spirit, I AM.

Guided meditations can be a lot of fun. From Deepak Chopra: 

Meditation can remove stress and replace it with a dose of inner peace. It’s one of the best tools we have to balance our emotions, deal with physical and psychological distress, and promote the peace of the present moment. But it can be tough to meditate without a teacher or guide. Enter guided meditations. Meditating on your own requires some effort, while guided meditations literally walk you through a meditation and help you find a calm and peaceful state—one step at a time.

Here's the link to some of his meditations - enjoy. Deepak Chopra's Guided Meditations

What Do You Do Here?

Are you feeling called?

You know the place. It’s not too far from your home. You pass it all the time. You’ve always thought it looked… interesting. 

Whether it’s a special yoga studio, an Ashram, a temple, or whatever… 

You know you want to drop in.

But you feel embarrassed. 

You shouldn’t. 

They’re actually very nice and understanding inside. In fact, they might even be expecting you, in a way. Lots of people have found that same place in the same way, by listening to their intuition, the quiet voice inside them. By allowing themselves to be pulled into the place to ask what it’s all about.

 

If you’re being called, I recommend you answer it. A reward awaits you.

Putting the U in Community

One of the things I like best about our community at the Ashram is that people feel free to express whatever’s on their mind, and frequently what’s in their hearts.

You can get small talk anywhere. 

In many offices or social circles, it’s not customary to share about things that matter deeply to you, such as your concern over a sick relative, or perhaps your own ailment, or something that’s troubling you. 

When there's business to be done in a work environment, many people's hearts close up.

But in a truly supportive community, you'd never hear, "I'd complain, but who'd care?" They do care - that's the difference.

Or if you want to share some deep life lesson you just learned, or respond to someone’s query with your own extensive knowledge on the subject, you can do that in a nurturing community. In fact, your contribution is expected.

That's another thing a great community does - it gives back in the form of giving you a purpose, particularly if it has charitable endeavors. It reminds us that we all have something to give, and how good it feels to give it. You gain in the giving.

And when you have good news to share? It will be truly celebrated. Not with jealousy, but true appreciation.

I googled “what makes a good community” and found a great article where six community workers express their views on this topic, and it's too good not to share: What Makes a Good Community? They’re from Northern Ireland, which demonstrates the principles for a good community are universal – I recommend giving it a glance.

I learned that you can't have community without open hearts. Who wouldn't want to hang out in a place like that?