Posted in Celebrate Today, Celebrating Life, Lotuses at His Holy Feet, Love and Blessings, Spiritual Reflections, Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, Sri Swamiji's Teachings

Because the Guru Walks Among Us

A Guru Purnima Reflection

On this sacred Guru Purnima, I bow with deepest gratitude at the lotus feet of Parama Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji—our beloved Pujya Dattaji—and with reverence to Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji (Bala Swamiji), the living continuation of this sacred Guru Parampara.

There are moments in life when words seem too small to express what the heart knows. Today is one of those moments.

Guru Purnima is far more than a festival. It is a sacred reminder of the immeasurable blessing of having a Guru. It is a day to pause, reflect and offer heartfelt gratitude to every Guru who has shaped our lives—our parents, teachers, mentors and all those who have guided us with wisdom, compassion and love. Each has left an imprint on our journey and helped us become who we are today.

Yet among all these blessings stands the Sadguru.

A Guru does not simply teach.

A Guru transforms.

He sees the light within us long before we are able to see it ourselves. Through boundless compassion, unwavering patience and infinite grace, He gently guides us from fear to faith, from restlessness to peace and from darkness to light.

Photo credit: Puttu Gam

For countless devotees across the world, Pujya Dattaji has been a beacon of hope. Through His divine music, timeless wisdom, selfless service and unconditional love, He has touched lives in ways that cannot always be measured but are deeply felt. Hearts have been healed, minds have found calm, families have discovered strength and souls have been awakened through His blessings.

What inspires me most is that His service has never ceased. Through His travels across the world, His healing concerts, His teachings, His humanitarian work, temples, publications, technology and every new initiative, He continues to find new ways to reach humanity. His mission has always remained the same—to uplift, to heal and to awaken.

How blessed we are to also witness that sacred mission continuing through Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji (Bala Swamiji). With humility, devotion and unwavering dedication, He carries forward the timeless values of the Guru, reminding us that the light of the Guru Parampara continues to shine brightly for generations to come.

To walk this path under the guidance of such Masters is a privilege beyond words. Every teaching, every bhajan, every darshan, every blessing and every act of compassion remind us that spirituality is not merely something to practise—it is something to live.

Today was, in every sense, a Guru Purnima.

I spent the day immersed in the lives and teachings of both Pujya Dattaji and Bala Swamiji, watching today’s live broadcasts that reminded me once again of Their extraordinary compassion, humility and tireless service. I listened to the healing vibrations of Sacred Flute Meditation, allowing each note to quiet the mind and nourish the soul. Behind the scenes, I worked on posts, reels and messages, hoping in some small way to help share the Guru’s light with others and inspire more people to experience the peace, healing and grace that They so selflessly offer.

One of the greatest blessings of the day was watching my children embrace Guru Purnima with such innocence, reverence and joy. Seeing them watch the live broadcasts, listen attentively to the music and naturally participate in these sacred moments filled my heart with hope and gratitude. It reminded me that the Guru’s grace does not end with one generation. It quietly continues, touching young hearts, shaping young minds and planting seeds of faith that will blossom throughout their lives.

I worked despite my limitations.

Yet, through it all, my heart remained filled not with exhaustion, but with gratitude.

Gratitude for every blessing received.

Gratitude for every lesson learned.

Gratitude for every challenge that has strengthened my faith.

Gratitude for the privilege of raising my children under the guidance of the Guru.

Gratitude for the opportunity to serve, however small that service may seem.

Gratitude for the immeasurable grace of the Guru that continues to guide, protect and uplift me each day.

Life without Pujya Dattaji is, for me, truly unthinkable.

How do you thank someone who has given you a completely different way of seeing the world?

How do you measure the value of a blessing that has become woven into the very fabric of your life?

The greatest blessing is not simply that we know our Guru.

It is that He knows us.

That He patiently guides us.

That He believes in us.

That He loves us, even while He continues to shape us into the people He knows we can become.

On this Guru Purnima, I offer my heartfelt pranams and endless gratitude to every Guru who has blessed my life, and especially to my beloved Gurus, Parama Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji and Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji.

May I honour Them not only through my prayers today, but through the kindness I show, the truth I uphold, the gratitude I cultivate and the love I share with every living being.

With folded hands and a grateful heart, I pray:

May Your divine blessings continue to illuminate our lives. May we always remain worthy instruments of Your compassion. May we walk the path You have shown us with faith, humility and unwavering devotion. May Your message of peace, love and selfless service continue to reach every corner of the world, bringing hope, healing and light to all. May we always cherish the blessing of the Guru and strive to live lives that reflect Your teachings.

Happy Guru Purnima to everyone who has been blessed by the guidance of a Guru.

Jaya Guru Datta.

Photo courtesy: SGS Posts
Posted in Guru Purnima 2018, Uncategorized

Celebrating Guru Purnima 2018 in the Divine Presence of Sri Swamiji (our Appaji, our Sadguru) & sharing His Message!

Jaya Guru Datta!

Om Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Sadguru Bhyo Namaha!

Today July 27, 2018 marks the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima! It is indeed a blessed occasion for all Datta Devotees in Trinidad as we have been quite fortunate to be blessed with the Divine Presence of His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji at Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre in Carapichaima.
37855343_1988643881165922_970841021837475840_nMore so we have been blessed with the presence of Datta devotees from around the world (Australia, USA, India, Canada to name a few) who have come to Trinidad to celebrate Guru Purnima and Trinidadians living abroad who have returned home especially for this event and to be in Sadguru’s presence!

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During these past ten (10) days Appaji has done so much and we can all agree that no other can do it like His Holiness does.  Allow me to share some of the many blessings we have received:

·         Appaji blessed us with the Datta Ganga Raga Sagara Music for Meditation and Healing Concert at SAPA on July 20th 

·         Appaji inaugurated the Hanuman Shrine at the Sri Sachchidananda Yoga Ashram and He inaugurated Annapoorna  Mandiram on Tuesday 24th July. He also performed Sri Chakra Puja.

·         Appaji also blessed the devotees at the Datta Shiva Ram Mandir in Princes Town

·         On Tuesday 24th July Appaji visited the Lakshminarayana Pranava Temple in Beaucarro Village Carapichaima and inaugurated the canteen facilities of the schools run by the Temple Appaji

·         Appaji performed Guru Mantra Upadesha for hundreds of devotees on the morning of 26th July

·         Appaji announced plans for Maha Rudra Yagna and for the sacred Guru Purnima Festival His Holiness gave the Mantra ‘Shivaaya Rudraaya Namaha’ to be chanted as many times as possible in the spiritual build up for this event to be held in 2020

·         Appaji blessed us all immensely in an abundance of ways

·         Appaji urged us to embrace all that we have and to understand who we are- to understand ourselves

·         Appaji recognised the contribution of two (2) pundits who have contributed immensely to Sanatan Dharma in Trinidad and Tobago

  • Appaji shared a full page message for Guru Purnima in today’s Express Newspaperappajis message.jpg

With Appaji there is continuous growth, there is deeper meaning and there is greater fulfilment.  Like the well which channels water and channels energy to sustain life, so does Sadguru! He gives us the opportunity to experience the elixir of life as received and gives us the opportunity to know oneself.

 In closing this evening’s programme there was a cake cutting ceremony for Appaji which featured a well that provides water like the Ganges and cakes in the form of Appaji’s Padukas.

 

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Like the well which flows to provide water to many we are reminded of Sadguru, our Appaji who provides an immense outpouring of love, extends His reach at all times to all humanity and does so with purity, without fear, without favour and without discrimination. All is within His reach and none can do what He does or profess to do so! He protects humanity and looks after all devotees.  From His life and His actions we can attest to His omnipotence and His omniscience.  Like water, He is the giver of Life! He is the Sustainer of Life and the Preserver of Life! He is Sadguru and He is the Avadhoota!

We can all attest to the fact that time and time again many ask how we can thank Appaji?

Here are some ways in which you can do so:

·         Practise Sadhana

·         Understand who you are

·         Accept that we are one family

·         Keep your focus and serve

·         Embrace Appaji’s Daily Messages

·         Download Free Apps from SGS Posts, Path, Nadi Shuddi Yoga, Hanuman Chalisa for Parayana, Bhakti Mala English and Livestream  and invest in Apps for Purchase like Bhajan Mala, SGS Bhagavad Gita, Divine Darshan,  Kavacha Manjari and Vishnu Sahasranamam from Google Playstore for Android Devices and Apple Store for iOS devices

·         Develop Your Spirituality

·         Ensure that you utilize the services of the bookstores in the Ashrams by purchasing Appaji’s books and cds. This was mentioned in this evening’s discourse. Read Appaji’s books, absorb the information in them and put them to daily use. As Appaji says, “Be good, Do Good”. Listen to the music on the cds, learn the bhajans, sing them and glorify the name of God

·         Download the free Kindle App for iOS devices, Android devices and Mac or PC,  purchase Appaji’s books that are available in Kindle Edition or get samples of them and add them to a Wishlist so that you can purchase them when you can afford them (Re: https://rachaelathomasj.com/2018/07/17/celebrating-the-availability-of-appajis-books-for-all-datta-devotees-via-kindle-apps)

·         Give food and clothing to the less fortunate

·         Practise Sattvic living

·         Support Shuka Vana

·         Meditate

·         Use food, music and positive lifestyle changes to uplift yourself

·         Learn Bhagavad Gita and Guru Gita

Appaji, we are happy that You are our Sadguru! We are eternally thankful for all that You have done for us and for all that You continue to do for us! Humble Pranams to Your Lotus Feet!

Happy Guru Purnima Appaji!

 

Thank you for Blessing us always!

Thank you for Blessing Trinidad devotees and for blessing devotees the world over! We love you Appaji! On behalf of all devotees in Trinidad I can surely say that we look forward to having You with us again soon! 

In closing I leave this invitation to provide further information with you for the download of apps and to get more information on what was shared in this post.  Please leave a comment here or email me at signaturewritingstyles@gmail.com . Do not let the negatives of life pull you down! Always strive to be the best you can be!