Guru Day Retreat

On Saturday our spiritual community gathered together to honor and commune with each guru in our line of masters. We are incredibly lucky to have not only one guru—blessing beyond measure in itself—but five, who illustrate spiritual qualities in different ways through their varied lives and legacies. Asha spoke in front of each shrine, helping us attune to each particular expression of the Divine. We chanted and meditated with each guru, and placed votive candles around them, offering the little lights that are in us into the blazing light of Infinity.

Jesus and Babaji, with their garlands and lights of devotion.

A beautiful new addition this year was a gazebo for Lahiri Mahasaya. We’ve had his statue for years, but it hasn’t had a permanent home, so this year’s Sadhaka training class has taken up the task of creating this shrine. There’s still painting and roofing to be done, and we’ll share a lot more about the project when it’s finished, but we had enough to decorate it up beautifully for the celebration. We also held a small ceremony, anointing the statue with Ganges water and rose petals, to welcome Lahiri into the space. 

Lahiri Mahasaya in his new gazebo.

That leaves Sri Yukteswar as the only guru without a permanent shrine at the residential community (a project for future Sadhaka classes, perhaps?). But one can imagine him responding unconcernedly to the prospect saying, as he did to Master in Autobiography of a Yogi, “Do so if it pleases you.” And there’s always a certain charm to his hanging lanterns in the open air, glowing like the light of wisdom around his portrait, floating detached from “the vast world, interested only in externals.”

Swami Sri Yukteswar, and Paramhansa Yogananda.

We concluded the evening in front of Paramhansa Yogananda, whose shrine was accompanied by a photo of his disciple, Swami Kriyananda. These two great souls were the channels for bringing the teachings of all our masters to us, and for that we are eternally grateful. 

Friend and guide, Swami Kriyananda.

[More beautiful photos here, courtesy of Rani.]