MAY 2024
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Ascending the sacred: A Spiritual Pilgrimage with the Guru
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Journeying through the mountains in the month of May with Maashree transforms a simple trip into a profound spiritual pilgrimage. Each day blends physical ascent with inner growth, offering deeper insights into life and spirituality. At Rudraprayag, the serene confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers mirrors the merging of external and internal silence, while the climb itself symbolizes the spiritual struggle for self-awareness. During our stay, Maa made a poignant remark: "You are the stars, but you still like to be with family, attachments, and in bondage." Her words highlighted our limited progress in spiritual practice, or sadhana.

On Akshaya Tritiya, a significant day of auspicious beginnings, after Maa’s morning online session, we embarked on the journey to Bhavisya Badri. This sacred site, surrounded by majestic peaks, became a place of profound transformation. Maashree shared a mystical past encounter and performed a quiet ritual inside the existing temple that deepened our connection to the divine. The day was filled with reflections on life’s impermanence and the essential role of devotion (bhakti) in spiritual practice. As we descended from the mountains back to the plains, the majestic silence began to fade, replaced by the familiar sounds of everyday life. Yet, the spiritual lessons remained vivid. The journey back symbolized a return to the world with renewed purpose, clarity, and a deeper connection to the divine.

JUNE 2024

In the month of JUNE, the Aashram surroundings on Sahyadri’s are graced with a golden appearance due to the abundance of sunlight all over... In this raised climatic condition, the sadhana (spiritual practices) as guided by Shree Guru Maashree can also be felt intensely... This entire month remains ardently focused only on such practices. When the common mind does not appreciate the weather around due to the scorching heat, Shree Guru Maashree makes us experience the science behind and guides us the way to calm our body and mind.

In mid-June, our revered Shree Guru Maashree came to Kolkata. During that time, some of the devotees had the opportunity for close interaction with Guru. On June 23rd, there was a session at Jyotirmayi Hall, where a question-and-answer session was held, focusing on how to follow a spiritual path in daily life while living in the world. Our Guru discussed in detail how we can maintain a good and healthy life amidst our daily tasks, studies, and household responsibilities, and how to make it possible.Additionally, on International Yoga Day, various schools and corporate houses were guided by Uttarann to practice bhavasana, pranayama, and meditation.

JULY 2024

This year’s Guru Purnima at the Ashram was a deeply spiritual and memorable event, filled with profound experiences and heartfelt devotion. The day was not just a celebration of the Guru but an homage to the very essence of 'Guru,' honoring all those who embody this sacred role. The Yagna, followed by Jal Arpan, was a powerful ritual that made participants feel as if they were surrounded by countless suns, their spirits illuminated by the grace of Shee Guru Maashree. The event carried a unique significance, as Shree Guru was seen not only as the revered ‘worshipped’ but also as an ‘Acharya,’ guiding the participants through the intricate rituals of the Yagna. This guidance made them worthy of conducting the Guru Purnima Yagna, an honor that felt impossible without Sri Guru’s presence.

Adding to the day’s fulfillment was the opportunity to provide Bhog to school children, whose innocent smiles mirrored the joy in MAA’s sparkling eyes as She interacted with them. Students and parents were also offered seasonal essentials like umbrella. All of them, blessed with Shree Guru Maashree’s graces, sung GURU AUM together with delighted hearts.

Receiving the Rudraksha from MAA was a cherished moment that deepened the spiritual connection for the sadhaks. The entire celebration left everyone with a profound sense of gratitude, serenity, and inner fulfillment. These moments, though fleeting, will continue to inspire and remind all the importance of unwavering commitment and surrender to MAA.
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