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UK Haidakhandi Journa

Winter 2007

On Ashrams 1

Shri Babaji Teachings Pages 3 Welcome from the Editors 4-5 Appeal from Shri Muniraj 6-7 Muniraji Interview Autumn 2007 8-9 Main Feature: On Ashrams Shri Babaji on ashram life 10

Letters, Interviews and Articles from around the world 11-27 Shri Ramana Maharshi’s ashram stories 28

Letters, Articles and Information from India Letter from Raghuvir on Sadhana at Haidakhan 29 Pearls of Wisdom II – Shastriji -

on Pujas, Love and Discipline 30-32 Lord Hanuman mantra 33 Working for Babaji In the UK Letter to the Samaj from Kalika 34 Events in the UK 35-36 New General International website and international email addesses 37 Haidakhandi Samaj (UK) committee and Shop 38 Editorial Information 39 New Lord Hanuman statue outside Chilianaula temple Back page

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“If you are at peace, I am at peace. If you are troubled, I am troubled. If you have problems, I have problems. There will always be hills and mountains to overcome on the way to God. Do not be disturbed by the mountain falling down. It is the duty of the mountain to fall down. It is the duty of the soldiers to move the mountain. You should seek harmony in everything you do. I am harmony. Thank you for your love.”

12th April 1980 “Don’t worry that you are working alone. Don’t worry about anything. See the ant: how small is the ant, yet how big a load she carries ? You should not be dejected or disheartened. If we want, we can blow the whole of this mountain, if we all want, if we have will. Don’t lose your hearts in this small work. When you lose your heart, when you loose courage - this is death. Don’t loose courage. You can move the mountain. Yoga is to be courageous. To get dejected or to lose courage is not yoga. You must understand what Bhole Baba says.”

14th March 1980 3

Bhole Baba Ki Jai !

Welcome to our Winter Solstice 2007 Journal Editorial The theme for this winter edition is Ashrams. From our search of the internet the following are definitions of an Ashram: A monastery, hermitage, place of retreat. usually secluded residence of a religious community and its guru. From the Sanskrit: aśramah = toil, penance, austerity (from śramati, he toils, practices austerity). Today, the term ashram is used to refer to an intentional community formed primarily for spiritual upliftment of its members, often headed by a religious leader or mystic. The Ashram is defined in certain ancient texts as a place where the doors are never closed.

A world-weary emperor going to this guru's ashram, and finding solace and tranquility, is a recurring motif in many folktales and legends of ancient India. In the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna in his youth, goes to the ashram of Sage Sandiipanii to gain knowledge of both intellectual and spiritual matters.

In the tradition of Shri Babaji the ashram centres around the twice daily rituals of aarti puja (the offering of fire to the image of the Divine) and the enactment of ancient Vedic fire ceremonies. Everyone who stays at an ashram commits to attending these rituals and maintaining the disciplines such as daily Karma Yoga.

The English Ashram Considering that this is the UK Journal, you might wonder why hardly anyone has written about the UK ashram. The reason for this might be that for years folk have heard too many opinions on the ashram and fatigue has set in. In addition our new collective vision is still to be crystallised. Our next Committee meeting on 8th December is directed to address the new vision. Alternatively we have few contributions from the UK because no one wants to burn their fingers. Since the purchase of Blaengors Sanatan Dharma ashram in remote Wales some years ago, there has been an ongoing dispute over the way it was purchased, it’s distant location and the way it has been managed, all of which has resulted in some battle and division. Maybe no one has been able to really write about this. Like a hot iron that couldn’t be touched without one getting further burnt. Just as in the Mahabarata, all of us who have participated in the UK story, have been players in this mayaic battle, with our personal biases, agendas, blindness and noble intentions. In the process, many have got to know themselves and their fellow human beings better, albeit through the pain, but also through love and the value of true friendship. Others have stepped out, as the battle got too emotive. Some are still in recovery. At worst the demons of

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doubt, mistrust, self-righteousness and power are still being fought within and outside ourselves. Babaji’s teachings and leelas are being lived in real life, through our Sangha. We the editors see this all as our ashram in the UK: it’s as if the process has served all those who have been able to stay with it, who have been able to bear the knocks and the bruises to their egos, motivated by a yearning for community and a hunger for liberation, a spiritual longing for that ancient truth that we are nothing but THAT, the realisation of Babaji within our own hearts. On the next two pages is an appeal by Shri Muniraji on behalf of the proposed Ayurvedic Hospital new building. This is followed by Muniraji’s annual Navaratri interview with the Germans on universal themes that should be of interest to all. On pages 10 to 28 is our main feature On Ashrams made up of a series of 12 letters, interviews and articles. We hope you will enjoy the colourful variety of contributions given by people many of whom have been instrumental in the creation of their respective Haidakhandi ashrams in Europe, the US, Russia and India. There follows the second instalment of ‘Pearls of Wisdom’ by Shri Vishnu Dutt Shastri (our beloved Shastriji). Finally we include UK letters, events news, and contact details. It has been a joy to dedicate this edition to Lord Hanuman. We hope that this journal will provide food for thought over the Christmas holidays and sow seeds - particularly in the UK soil. We have faith in the cycles of nature and trust the process of germination that comes from the winter. May Babaji’s Blessings be upon us all and may we all continue to benefit from his never-ending leelas. Wishing you all, and all our Ashrams, a prosperous and happy 2008 Gaby Hock & Rob Waygood

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APPEAL FROM SHRI MUNIRAJ

TO ALL DEVOTEES – FOREIGN AND INDIAN It gives me great pleasure that devotees from far off lands have come to celebrate the festival of Navratras here at Chiliyanoula. We are aware that we are unable to offer you total comfort for your stay in the ashram, and many facilities are lacking, but even then we do try our best to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Added to this, we also experience the unpredictable weather conditions now being experienced all over the world. But as you are already aware, this is what ashram life is all about. It is a learning experience from every direction. With everyone's personal and general support, I am glad to inform you that both the Charitable Allopathic Hospital and the Ayurveda Hospital are doing well and are progressing positively. Of course, the overall Grace is that of Babaji who has made me and all of you the mediums to carry out His work. It was His great desire to not only make the charitable hospital which would serve the needy in this backward area, but also to establish a well run Ayurveda Hospital and Research Centre, which as the entire world is now accepting, is the need of the hour. To further carry Babaji's wishes in perfecting the Ayurveda Unit, we have now planned to expand the existing facilities and make this unit into a state of the art organization. For this, a new project has already been developed and which has been shared with several of you during Shri Alok Banerjee's recent visit to Holland. Let me stress here that this project is for the public at large and the earnings from the project would be only for charity in different forms. It is my earnest appeal to all of you that the way you all have supported the Haidakhan hospital establishments in the past, you should now again give your full and whole hearted support to the new project. As you are all aware, I am now in the evening of my earthly existence, and time is certainly running out. I would therefore be genuinely happy to see this project completed during my lifetime. Also, given Babaji's strong wish, the completion of this project would go a long way in making both the Haidakhan Samaj and the local population happy. Once again, I give my blessings and love to all of you present here and those who are not here for a happy, peaceful and contented life. BHOLE BABA KI JAI.

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The Ayurvedic Hospital

Our Ayurvedic Hospital is becoming a success. The number of patients are increasing steadily year by year. So far the whole operation is housed in one part of the main Charitable hospital building, but success pushes us to new horizons. We wish to become more professional and expand beyond our Bhole Baba family, to do this we need to create quality facilities and accommodations which can house patients so they can pass through their treatment and process in peace and comfort. So far our Ashram style housing is not up to standard. Shri Muniraj has launched a plan to build a large Ayurvedic hospital/ resort where many more patients will be able to stay in comfort and receive a larger variety of treatments special designed treatment rooms. Preliminary plans have been drawn up but still need a lot of fine tuning by a board of active Samaj members from India and abroad. To create this larger facility where quality and comfort are highlighted a significant sum of money will need to be raised and efforts of all members and Babaji supporters is humbly requested. While the project plans are being finalized over the next several months Shri Muniraj is encouraging us to move ahead with the collection of the funds to make this wonderful project a reality. Please understand that this is not a charitable hospital project but a for profit venture with the possibility of some charitable services. We are increasingly offering Ayurveda to the local population. We believe that this Ayurvedic hospital will generate funds to support itself and a portion of the long term needs of the Bhole Baba Charitable and Research hospital as well. We therefore request you to think with us and share ideas for both immediate and long term fundraising.

We have been requested by Shri Muniraj to work together and come up with a plan that works, that serves and that inspires. When we work together we can do great things in Shri Babaji's name and do good for the deprived people in the area by creating this ayurvedic sustainable health system. We humbly request your participation.

Donations can be sent to : SHREE BABA HAIDAKHAN CHARITABLE & RESEARCH HOSPITAL BANK OF BARODA, NAVEEN MANDI BRANCH HALDWANI- 401202 ( DIST. NAINITAL). UTTARANCHAL, INDIA.

A/C NO. 1849-0200-0000-96 SWIFT CODE NO: BARBINBBMOR

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Muniraji interview with the Germans Autumn Navaratri, Chilianaula. Wednesday 10th October 2007 (translated from Hindi into German into English)

Muniraji: “It is wonderful that all of you have come for Navaratri – it is good to meet.” Q: The topic of self love. What is self love? Muktananda speaks of this. Muniraji: Before you can love yourself, you have to know yourself. Observe and understand yourself. Q: About trust. I have 3 minutes trust and then 3 years nothing. Muniraji: Everyone has their unique nature. Regarding trust, some find it easier than others. That’s why spiritual practice is so important. Through it grows trust and faith. Trust is the greatest thing - no trust, no connection. Q: Are there any specific exercises for trust? Muniraji: Concentrate on one thing, not on many. This deepens trust and allows it to grow. Remembering the dead. Muniraji talked about our duty towards our parents. He recommended a once yearly ceremony, the form can be according to our own taste, in remembrance for our parents,

grandparents and great grand parents, i.e. three generations. In India they call this Shrad puja. ‘As an integral part of Shrad Puja one should donate 10 % of ones yearly income for a charitable purpose or to someone who is poor. “It is important to be generous with money – to keep it flowing” Q: When there is a problem in the family or with relatives, should we do a puja? Muniraji: For every illness there is a puja, for every problem, there is a puja. Q: Family puja? Muniraji: Yes. There are specific pujas and yagyas for specific problems, situations and goals. The main effect is peace of mind and this is what we take home. Q: I thought that at a yagja we should only give and not ask for anything? Muniraji: Our mind should be focused on one point only. It does not matter who we pray to during a Yagna, who we feed with our love. A Yagna is a big thing. Everything can be achieved through it. About Guru Purnima Muniraji says that festivals such as Guru Purnima are events where all come together; and the purpose for such feasts is that all come together in a spirit of love. Q: Mahayana Buddhism says that liberation is only possible when everybody is liberated. Is this also the case here? Muniraji: For most people it is beyond their reach to have the

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vision of liberation for all mankind. Like a fruit that is given, it is only possible through grace from the cosmos and requires high spiritual development. For most, the highest is to achieve liberation for oneself. One can think a lot, but to put it into action is different. Q: In the West we have a problem. I concentrate on myself and less on others. In my little room I just concentrate on myself and cut myself off from the rest. Muniraji: That way you can’t achieve anything as you become a burden to others. In this yuga we can only achieve with action and karma yoga because it includes others. I cannot imagine how anyone can achieve anything by encapsulating themselves like that. The best is Karma Yoga and family life. Through family life all desires and joys can be achieved. It is a playground for spiritual joys and worldly joys – it’s a complete programme. To be a Sanyasin or a monastic recluse during the Kali yuga is not appropriate. The reason for this is that often a lot of desires remain unfulfilled and then become expressed through dependencies. These people are as much in maya as everyone else. During the Kali Yuga it is very easy to slide into the abyss, at the same time it is also possible to attain spiritual liberation and wealth in a very short time span. Both is possible. Q: Apparently the Kali Yuga finished in 1870. Would it therefore be not be better to concentrate on the Tretya Yuga?

Muniraji: Within the the Kali Yuga is contained a period of Satja Yuga Question: Apparently the Kranti is supposed to be over within 18 minutes!? Muniraji: Carry on with your life. This is not in your power. Q: Is global warming in our hands? Muniraji: We should try and diminish it. Ultimately it is all in the name of God – the weather, the whole situation, we can’t change, but with the name of God we can protect ourselves. The shield is the name of God. Try to keep your spirit happy. Q: Are we going to see Babaji before the Kranti? Muniraji: He will definitely come. We don’t know when…………… (and then later): Global warming is already happening. This is the first time that we’re having such cold weather in October here in India. Q: Coming to India means flying with airplanes, which means increasing CO2 emissions which cause global warming. Should we therefore come here less often? Muniraji: How else are you going to get here ?! Then someone mentioned teleportation during the satja yuga. Someone else remarked that Babaji once said: You have a very big job to do: Be happy and stay happy. Muniraji ends by saying: I am happy you come here.

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Main Feature: On Ashrams

Teachings of Babaji: “When a person comes to Haidakhan, his mind grows steady and peaceful. In the last three years Babaji has built nine temples, a big garden, and two houses, out of what used to be a hillside. Formally, there were no stairs on which to climb and no buildings above; this was a forest. It was difficult even to get cement brought here. But now see how many buildings there are, see how many constructions there have been done. Everyone must be constructive like this. Shree Babaji has come into the world to show us the right path. He is doing it for everyone while sitting here. There are ashrams devoted to Babaji in many foreign countries and He directs them from here. This is a divine leela of Babaji that within 11 years of His coming He has made many ashrams and temples. Even the greatest of kings cannot accomplish these things without a penny in hand.”

4th April 1982 “Ashram regulation: everybody who comes to the ashram must look after the ashram property. Do not let it lie around; take care of it and preserve it. Everyone who comes to the ashram is ashram property. They come with My blessings. If anyone is lying about or is sick, take care of them. Everybody must take care of everybody. You must preserve, maintain and beautify the ashram. This is your most important duty.”

25th June 1980

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Devotees come if they are made to feel welcome in the Ashram - by Alok Bannerjee

Babaji's ashrams are as relevant and important as they were during His time, if not more. This is because, to my mind, ashrams are meant to be the hub of all activities around which any Babaji organisation functions whatever the country. Devotees look forward to coming to Baba's ashrams to recharge their batteries. This helps them continue on their spiritual paths and keep them focussed on Babaji when they again return to their mundane activities of daily life. I think one of the reasons for low attendance in some ashrams could be the way these ashrams are being managed, in addition to the normal reasons of convenience and accessibility. If there is low energy in the ashrams, in terms of regular Babaji functions and activities to attract devotees, naturally people will keep away. Above all, devotees look forward to come if they are made to feel welcome in the ashram. In Babaji’s words: “Make ashrams. As there are islands in the sea, you should make ashrams in the ocean of

the material world. Do not make small ashrams, like individual huts, but big central ashrams, where many people can gather and learn to work together.” 25th June 1982 To the HS(UK) my advice would be to act cautiously at this juncture of transition. HS(UK) may think of creating and running a really active centre with regular Babaji service as a first step. When you find that it has the support of the majority of members you may then think in terms of enlarging it by adding more facilities leading the way to an ashram in the future. Sambasadashiva Dham Ashram in Sweden by Bo. Bo is the founder of the Swedish ashram and together with his family he lives in a house not far from the ashram on its 7 acre plot. As time goes on, he envisages more and more devotees building their private little houses near the ashram forming a growing community. We asked Bo: ‘do you run workshops or seminars in your ashram ?’ He replied: ‘Our ashram is for ceremonies and for family. It’s not a treatment centre and not for seminars or workshops. If people are unwell they can go to a nearby treatment centre. The ashram is solely for worship. People who come here and stay at the ashram have to function.’

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On 17 years in Haidakhan – by Mary

1. An ashram is a spiritual retreat, and Babaji’s ashram as well as being a spiritual retreat, is a place where everyone who lives in it or visits it, is expected to do Babaji’s program: the program he has ordained for us. And how is it in reality ? What is your experience of living in Haidakhan for so long ? During all this time I have been following Babaji’s routine, which is completely focussed on spiritual practice and karma yoga. When I’m there it takes over my entire being, it becomes everything there is. The concentration required to do Baba’s program requires all my faculties, there is no part that is detached and watching me do this. I’m finding that it is becoming a complete experience and the longer I stay there the more I take it away with me when I leave. In the beginning in the first few years I used to pick it up and put it down but that doesn’t happen any more. Then I find when I’m outside the ashram, that it gives me a certain detachment, because that discipline of Baba’s has made me quiet inside most of the time. It’s very difficult to evaluate what’s actually happened and what’s changed except that

everything has got very, very much easier. Life most of time is quite sweet and things flow very easily for me. Being in the ashram, sometimes it’s ecstatic and other times it’s hell. Ideas like: “where’s the door - I’ve got to get out of here - I can’t do this any more !”, happen quite often, but they pass more and more quickly. The ups aren’t so much up, the downs aren’t so much down, what goes up has to come down. I’m on a more even keel, more on a level. Isn’t that also more boring? No. The idea that this would be boring is because one imagines that nothing is happening and that ones is not creating it all. The actual challenge of being in that place is exciting in itself. All the time it’s working one has the sensation of joy. Joy is preferable to momentary ups and downs. I think most of the time I’m now happy and the things that disturb me do so far less than they used to. They are momentary and they pass. I am never bored, ashram life is never boring. If it is boring then there is something wrong: either one isn’t trying or one isn’t making the effort. Someone said in the last UK Haidakhandi Journal that you won’t achieve anything without making an effort; you have to make an effort. I think that is why it is not boring. Ashram life discourages one from self-indulgence, from ‘I feel this’ and ‘I feel that’ and of course the minute one says ‘I am happy’: that’s when judgement comes in and then you’ve lost it !

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The most important thing is the actual essence of doing it. It’s a very, very difficult thing to express. I can tell you very little about the mythology of Hinduism. I never met Baba so I can’t tell you stories about Him. I never remember the ‘why’s and ‘wherefores’ of what we are doing and why we are supposed to be doing it. Because important as those things are, somehow they seem peripheral to that inner being of actually doing it. One actually has to do it. Thinking means nothing. The words are nothing. The gift of expression is nothing but it’s the inner essence that counts. Somehow one has to take oneself intensely seriously but always remain very light. That is the paradox. For me at this moment that is the great paradox of what’s actually happening. “Make an ashram for Babaji in Holland” said Muniraji - Pujari’s story.

Babaji inspired us to follow the Dharma and through that become human. He gave us many tools and rules to use and play with and they are like computer programs: we only find out their benefit if we are willing to use them. To keep our

body’s clean, to sit in prayer or meditation, the use of mantra, the coming together for fire ceremony or to sing bhajans and to do service or Karma Yoga: These are all tools and ways to come to peace, to come back to who we are, and through this we can experience the connectedness and oneness of everything and lose our sense of separation and unhappiness. It is to clean up our ignorance so the Truth can reveal itself Pujari you have founded the Dutch ashram. How many years ago was that? In 1991 We bought the first property. Right, and you’ve been the leader of this place, or what would you call it, the chairman? Chairman yes. It was more my assignment. I remember already in Babaji’s time I was appointed as a leader for the Dutch and Babaji gave me a sweater with red, white and blue and it had a meaning. At that time I was innocent and didn’t know how deep Babaji looked into our future and how everything had a deep meaning. It all went very playful – down in the garden Babaji would line up the people of the different countries and every country had to choose a leader. I was there myself and so was Patsy, but fortunately we were not asked to choose… At one point it was someone else, Otto, and then it became me. From there Muniraj followed that up when He sent me back to Holland in 1985. I was reluctant to go back to Holland and do business again but

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he said “no, you will do good in any business that you do. make an ashram for Babaji in Holland”. So that was already an assignment. And some years later when he came on tour he said again “now you have to make an ashram for Babaji”. At that time I had my business going, money was coming in and then from there I was inspired to lead this venture. We kept coming together for Havan and Aaratis. From Amsterdam we went to Drente and from there to my place in Den Haag and we started putting money together. First we thought we would get some old monastery or building for a few euros but it took some years of saving and collecting and looking for a place until in 1991 we finally found this place which was perfect because of it’s location, quiet, in nature, a bus-stop close by and it’s location is pretty much in the centre of Holland. Paramananda came to my home with the newspaper advertisement and photo. It looked perfect. After a visit with some devotees I wrote it to Muniraj about it and he sent me back a telegram: “buy the property immediately,” and we did. I had to put all my financial means together, private and business to make it possible, but we managed. From the beginning of the ashram until now there probably were lots of ups and downs. What would you say has been the most meaningful learning experience for you as the leader of this ashram? In the beginning it was a constant overflow of love and devotion.

Giving all my life, love, efforts and money was easy and natural. Everything that I had was Babaji’s. I felt no separation between my private life, the ashram life or the rest of life. I lived like everything was from Baba and for Baba. I wasn’t even aware of being a leader, it all felt so natural. I pulled the cart somehow, out of my intoxication with Baba. I felt no jealousy or competition towards me. That all came later when we had to rebuild the Ashram after the fire in 1995 . There was a lot of positive energy but also a few people started to project onto me and fight with me as if I personally was deciding and doing everything. I just felt in the flow and connected with the whole thing and was feeling that we were doing it all together. There was a strong community feeling. I learnt many lessons about detachment, honesty and surrender, and the difference between controlling and caring. I can say that the first 10 years of leadership were easy and the last 5 years were more and more difficult for me. I felt hurt by the projections, and by people accusing me falsely. I saw how painful mechanisms were playing unconsciously in myself and in others and there was nothing I could do about it. I saw people coming from jealousy, competition, inner pain and frustration, and I saw how subtle emotional patterns were still playing in me: like wanting to be loved, appreciated or acknowledged.

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At the same time there was also a lot of good happening in the Ashram and from some people I felt great support and understanding. Something in me said: I have done enough and it is time to slowly step out of this whole projection process, give the authority to the whole group and get out of the way. It is really Babaji’s Ashram. It also meant that it gave over a sense of responsibility to everybody. You mean delegation? Well it is inspiring for people to take more responsibility. It has to come from inside the devotees to wish to participate and find their service, duty or Karma Yoga for Babaji or the Ashram. Then it shows how many people can only talk and do not see what needs to be done in the moment, or how some have authority issues, or cannot carry responsibility and at the same time stay in touch with the whole. It is a slow process in our kind of group where we meet so irregularly. We are such a colourful group, each learning completely different lessons. So it is different from delegation in a business type situation. I’m wondering how the democratic process happens: do you have group meetings and then you make decisions on different jobs which get delegated to different people? Is this how it works now ? We’ve always had meetings but sometimes there were only 3 a year because there was not so much to discuss, the practical stuff was easy.

Now we have more regular meetings, six or seven a year. More things get handled now. It developed into a way to handle the different topics or issues. It is also a sharing of how things are going and where we are heading, and we discuss the obstacles that we meet. We hear news from the people who live in the ashram; what is going on with the groups that are coming; we have discussions about how we can make things better, such as building plans, garden plans maintenance plans. We have a financial chapter and a practical to do chapter These chapters are now automatically on the agenda. We are about 12 people on the Board with their different functions or tasks and the meetings are open to devotees. So what have you learnt personally from this? How has it changed you, this process ? Maybe it’s made me more aware of human dynamics, the personality dramas. In the beginning I was probably pretty naïve and just intoxicated. The learning for me was just to melt away more and more of the personality. Where in the beginning the personality was not experienced as an obstacle, then slowly through all the projections, ego stuff started to bubble up in me and I got pulled in and had to move through many difficult feelings and phases and it made the personality-me become very present again at times. That probably was the greatest teaching, seeing the illusion, and the biggest gift was being in a leadership position where it looks like there is really somebody there: I

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had a lot of attention and a lot of projection, but ultimately I was forced to go in so deep to find out that there was nobody there. It is all a play of personalities and unconscious habits. Are you saying you have to go into the ego before you can transcend it? Yes. By being in a leadership position you for sure meet the ego in a very fierce way. And there’s no way round it because it’s all the time in your face, any direction you go triggers reaction. But luckily I had Muniraji’s guidance and that was of course very supportive. He often said: “you only look “ or “just do your work.” Karma yoga is work or action while you are aware, (or come to the awareness) that you are not the doer. It just happens like the growing of a tree. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? Well Shastriji told me I would create 2 or 3 ashrams for Babaji so that’s a bit my next focus, to continue a similar devotional life in an even more simple environment. My duty for Holland was to create Sada Shiva Dham with Babaji’s devotees, for Him and His devotees and now I feel I have to move on, maybe Russia. Whenever I have been there, I have had strong signs, visions and dreams, so it would be beautiful to move in that direction. But only He knows, the world is changing so fast. It’s sure that I will be serving Babaji somewhere, somehow.

Bhole Baba ki jai !

When you turn to face Babaji, He turns to face you - Kalika on Ashrams

An ashram or hermitage was originally a place where those interested in the Divine could withdraw from the world and live focussed entirely on their spiritual life. This is the mundane view at least, or the opinion of an “outsider” looking in. For those of us who have experienced the “inside” view however, an ashram has a mystical quality, where anything can, and will, happen. When we decide to go to an ashram, or on any pilgrimage for that matter, we ‘set our intent’ on giving this time over to the Divine. This decision is the catalyst that starts the leela and as many devotees will confirm, miracles begin to happen. All events contained within the Yatra form part of the teaching and often need to be ‘digested’ long after the devotee has returned home. Babaji teaches us that this is the famous Kurukshetra, the field of spiritual practice and an ashram is precisely that. This is the place to experience the grace of the Divine and also happens to be the perfect

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spot to face your worst nightmare. A wonderful place to be with people whom you adore and a very useful place to be with those you find challenging. Significantly, the devotee never needs to create these opportunities for growth as Babaji makes all the arrangements……… And that leads me to the most important aspect of visiting a Babaji ashram, which is when you turn to face Babaji, He turns to face you. U.S Ashram Crestone Colorado - by Saradambe

To say something about the ashram in Crestone Colorado, I first have to describe the incredibly beautiful landscape and powerful energy field that it is situated in. The ashram is built on the slope of the14,000-foot snow-capped peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. You have majestic views from there, overlooking one of the largest high valleys of this world, reminiscent of the Himalayas. (About 5000 square miles with an altitude of about 8000 feet). Often you can see different weather patterns at the same time: rainstorms to the east, sunshine to the west, rainbows, black skies and blue skies in one divine display. Nature itself is like a limitless cathedral: the view, the quietude, the mountains, the wilderness with its animals (like the black bears and

eagles), you feel dwarfed by its magnitude and beauty, yet your spirit can soar freely.

The ashram is located in the ‘Baca’, a housing area surrounded by thousands of acres of wilderness and hidden behind pine trees, aspen trees and high desert plants. This beautiful and sacred land is the home of about twenty two spiritual organizations, ashrams, shrines, stupas, monasteries and retreat centres These are not only living next to each other but also supporting and interconnecting with each other in a way that is quite unique in this world.

Often on Sundays the representatives of the different spiritual centres meet and play soft- ball together. They also visit each other’s ceremonies: Zen Roshis, Native American representatives and many others, have attended our fire ceremonies and aaratis. At the inauguration of the new kirtan hall all the representatives of the different spiritual centres that are located in the Baca came and performed rituals of their traditions in front of Baba’s asana. It was a very touching, heart opening and mind expanding experience. Hopefully this is how it will be in the world one day .

The buildings of the ashram all reflect the beauty of the land and are built in an environmentally friendly way, maintaining harmony among people, the community and nature. The kitchen and ashram shop are located in an earthship and

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the other buildings and the new Kirtan Hall are made out of straw bale.

The whole ashram is cantered around the very beautiful Divine Mother Murti, and She attracts all the visitors to this remote location - when I saw Her first I just had to cry for a long time, so powerful is Her presence. She is always dressed and cared for in the most exquisite way with many flowers, beautiful silk saris and jewels.

Everything about this ashram feels generous. As a visitor I always feel welcomed in this spirit of generosity, which shows in small gestures like the display of mosquito repellent, hydrating creams and drinking water for the guests in every bathroom, (it’s a high desert climate). If you have forgotten to bring something you will be helped immediately.

What astonishes me is how well visited this Babaji centre is. During all the many festivities throughout the year you find large numbers of guests in spite of the huge distances many have to overcome in order to get here. I have to drive four hours from Denver in addition to the two hours flight time from San Francisco. Next to devotees from around the world, school groups visit and in addition large Indian families come from Denver to cook festive lunches for events, as their Karma Yoga for the Divine Mother. It is always such a beautiful experience filled with a lot of laughter and generosity.

The recipe of the ashrams obvious success? Well, I think that Ram Loti does an incredible job as Baba's/Divine Mother's hostess and outreach person. She is supported by the wonderful team of Prem and Jonathan and the many Karma Yogis of the region. Ram Loti travels a lot, giving talks, slide shows, fundraising events, etc. to the Indian communities in Denver, and many other groups. She and Nirmal our president, travel to the different centres in the middle of the country, the East Coast and the West Coast, sometimes with Babaji’s padukhas; performing fire ceremonies, again giving talks and slide shows to connect, teaching about the Sanatana Dharma and informing about Babaji.

The Board of the American Haidakhan Samaj and the Haidakhan Universal Ashram Board are two different groups. You can imagine that actual meetings of the Samaj board would be difficult to arrange on a regular basis as America is a vast continent, much bigger than Europe, with large distances between the two coasts and the board members living all over the country. So the Samaj solved this problem with monthly telephone conference calls for one hour exactly. Those calls are very business like, we discuss the various issues and find solutions fast. The professional attitude towards problem solving and the limited time we have, are great supervisors. We prepare those calls, the schedule, issues, etc. via email in advance.

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Because we felt the importance and need to connect and exchange even more, and on a regular basis, as a spiritual family we also created monthly Satsang conference calls. Nirmal Sharma our Samaj president guides us beautifully through the various points of the Sanatana Dharma by reading the new Shastriji’s small book about it, and then speaking freely to the different topics and giving room for discussion. We are also thinking about refining/learning more about the right pronunciation of all the mantras in our tradition, and we have many other topics we want to discuss/learn about to deepen our knowledge of this path.

The Little Red Flag - by Sarasvati, founder of the German Ashram. In India ‘ashram’ means any place that welcomes people that want to talk about God. This can be anywhere, it doesn’t require a building, just a place where people can come together. All you have to do is stick a little red flag in the sand near the river Ganga and people know that this means there is an ashram, where they can go and talk about God.

Angela speaks on 12 years living in Bhole Baba Ashram, Rieferath, Germany

What for you is the essence of a Haidakhandi Ashram, Angela ? My experience of Babaji’s ashram in Rieferath is that it is a school, for 12 years I have been in a school. If I pose a precise question to Babaji inside, then he creates lilas, games, situations through which I receive answers to my question. Ashram for me means a school. Living in the ashram also ensures the learning of discipline; for example, it means washing my hands and my mouth before I go to fire ceremony or into the temple. All of these things, these little disciplines, Babaji gave to us and they all carry a deeper meaning. If I sincerely ask the question: ‘What is the meaning of these disciplines ?’ then after a while I find there is always a deep reason behind them. The disciplines which Babaji gave us have less to do with morale or virtue, actually it has nothing to do with these: there is something else really deeply behind it. For example if you wash your hands and clean out your mouth you get much more sensitive to energies. So if you get more sensitive to energies you get more sensitive towards the guests who are coming, and the groups and

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everything else. If you are really singing in Aarti instead of meditating, suddenly, after a while, you really get a feeling for the group, it unifies you with others. So there are many reasons for these little disciplines that Babaji gave and if I say inside to Him: “OK, Babaji I will do this until I know what it is all about,” then he gives me the chance to find everything out. This takes patience. My continuous experience is that Babaji put all his teachings on a little chip like a computer chip, so if you have enough patience to follow the teachings, he opens this chip more and more. If you do just what he says you will get everything: not only feelings and awareness, but real knowledge. So in summary what have been the principle learning experiences for you during your 12 years in Rieferath? This is difficult to answer, as it has been many things. Patience is the thing which most comes to mind. Babaji said he will fulfil all our wishes but only if you learn to be a human being. So every day is an experience about this, what does it mean to be really human. It’s not only to learn patience but to see what people need. To be attentive and aware of other people’s needs. Even if I don’t feel good I can’t run away. If I have to cook for 20 people and I feel really pissed off or I feel sick or angry I can’t run away. Mostly Babaji is doing this, pushing our buttons like this. This is very useful, because when I am unable to run away he can really transform a part

inside me. The most important thing is to keep the commitment, otherwise Babaji cannot change me. How would you say these 12 years have changed you? Who were you when you arrived and who are you now? I came to Babaji in 1993. At that time I was not so interested in God. I thought that holy persons were very boring! I was in Haidakhan and Babaji worked for two or three days on my attitude about God which was not really very positive. My education was Catholic. Babaji showed me that God is love. If I am in a situation where I don’t know what to do anymore but I know God is love, this is very beautiful. At least I know where I can go. To Babaji or to God. For me it’s the same, to know there is always love. For me the most important thing is to know this, not to just believe it but to know it. To believe this or know this are very different things. Babaji helped me to see the difference. This has made me much more patient. I know God is something very positive. This is very important for me. And I’ve got much older in the ashram! But you would have got much older anyway! One of the first things Babaji said to Gopal Hari from Goma: “One day with me is like 12 years.” That’s true. If you count 12 years in the ashram I got really old. We all want the same thing and that is love, we all want to be by Babaji. So although we are different we

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have similar problems and the same wish. And maybe the same solution? Yes, Babaji is our solution, God is our solution. Yes, Babaji has always a solution! Mostly it is not the one I might like. But to be quite honest, His solution is of course ideal, because it always works; sooner or later you realise that His solution is the best for everyone concerned. Divine solutions are always for the benefit of all (and not for the personal ego). They require patience, commitment, action, while renouncing any kind of philosophy and personal opinion or judgement. Yes, we all have the same solution.

www.bhole-baba-ashram.de

Ashrams: “It’s the process of searching for harmony, rather than building the perfect ashram” - An Interview with Settimo on the Italian ashrams.

How long ago was Asti Ashram founded - I remember we attended its inauguration with Muniraji in the early 90’s ? It first began with an association: The Spiritual Centre of Peace Herakhandi. The Association was born of Muniraji’s will, with the aim to make an ashram. What has it been like and what’s it like now? The ashram has had very different periods in it’s story. What happens now is that every weekend there is an activity going on. Between 15 and 40 people come every weekend. We have a monthly yagna, and a weekend each month is for re-birthing. On other weekends there are classes on spiritual practice. This is for all comers. What has been covered so far are practices such as on chakras, hatha yoga and Eastern disciplines, etc. Is this separate from the Haidakhandi programme ? On weekends when they have these activities there is still aarti in the

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morning and evening. Anyone who wants to participate can, and this is so for Yagyas or any other holy activities. Do you have a permanent pujari who goes there every weekend or do you change the pujaris? Who is in charge of the Haidakhandi program? In 17 years there has only been a few months when there hasn’t been a pujari. There is always a pujari, but different people share this responsibility. Who makes the decisions ? In the Association there is a ‘directorate’ - this group makes the decisions. Usually it’s made up of 9 people who make decisions together. And do you take turns for the pujari function? No, usually something magical happens! Somebody turns up and asks to stay and spontaneously takes up this function and the group decides if it is appropriate. In what way is Asti different from Cisternino? These are two different stories at the moment. Cisternino has also a group that makes decisions. It used to be Lisetta in the beginning. All decisions were made by her and by the people that she chose. Do people live permanently in Asti or do they gather only at weekends? The ashram is open all the time but at weekends there are activities and more things going on. At this moment there is an interesting

situation going on because it’s been a year and a half now that a couple have lived next to the ashram and one of them was a founder of it. They are in charge of the ashram and go there every day but at night they have their own life. They are in charge of practical things like food and accommodation What payments do visitors make ? During the weekends the people who are leading the activities ask for something from the people who attend. Part of this money goes to the ashram. How do you see the future for Asti ? I think there will be more residents. They want to build little houses for people who want to live there or for those who want to retire there. They want to build a big hall outside where they can have more activities going on and bigger kirtans and a temple. So it will function as a place giving Babaji devotees a chance to practice in a place that is safe, a place which gives you serenity just by being there. I hear that in Cisternino people have bought houses locally but very rarely go to the ashram or meet as a group? At Asti we have thought of building some little houses inside the ashram that people may use to live, but which belong to the ashram. When they are not there then other people can use them. With this arrangement we won’t have a problem because people will be living at the ashram. The Cisternino experience will show in the future. It takes a long

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time before people can imagine, before the situation will work, because it’s completely new. What is new is the fact that people that are on the spiritual path buy a house near a temple and combine their spiritual life with every-day life, as if it was a village. It’s a fascinating experiment, this one, that Babaji has begun! It seems to be very difficult making ashrams for a new humanity, it’s been hard work; what is your personal idea of an ashram? It’s where there is Babaji’s presence but also the opportunity to do his leelas and his work. To do that, there must not be any lobbies of power. Thank you, that’s very clear. And of course, power issues always arise. The leader has to realise that he has to leave the power to Babaji and also give it to others, the way Babaji has always did. He was always giving power to others, making other people responsible for things. It is important to give the responsibility to the people when you can see they can handle it. We can all make mistakes. An average decision made by a group of people is greater than a perfect decision made by one person, is that what you’re saying? Yes. A leader has to work on himself because it’s a leela for him, it’s not because he’s the best person there; he has an ego and he has to work on it. Do you mean a leaders automatically has a big ego?

Yes, he has to work for others. He has to be available for others and give others space; help others to do their duties. The important thing is that there is not a person who wants to teach in place of Babaji, who wants to become the spiritual teacher. Do you have a leader now in Asti or is it run by a group? Are you the leader? Yes, I’m the leader, but in truth there is a group for decision making. In Asti we have never had a formal meeting to decide what to do next because things just happen. There is a good friendship between the people there. Who does what karma yoga etc., naturally happens. When there is a difficult decision to be made, do you go by majority vote or consensus? We talk until a consensus has been reached. I can’t remember any occasion when we had to go by a majority vote because on every occasion we have all ended up agreeing on the decision. In Cisternino it is much more complicated because people live there. In Asti people come, they feed off the ashram, they have an experience, then go back to their own houses. But there are some residents? Ok, but the majority come and go, it’s much more simple. In Cisternino people have made the choice to live their, but they don’t know what it means to live near the ashram. They are finding out the meaning of this, but it can be very difficult because it’s not an ashram, it’s more like a village. All that can be said is

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it’s work in progress, but this is what Babaji actually wanted that people live near the ashram. When did he say that? He said that in the 80’s. There will always different opinions how to do things but in the ashram there must be harmony. There can be diversity but there must be harmony. A leela can be the search for harmony, it’s not to have the perfect ashram. Babaji used to make people move stones from one part of the river to the other and then the next day from the other part back to where they were. It’s the process of searching for harmony rather than building the perfect ashram. I asked Muniraji if I can leave as the leader and Muniraji said he wants me to stay. He said that before I leave I have to teach everyone about my experience, what I have learnt as a leader. We don’t have a president in our organisation. The most important job is that of the secretary. The president is Muniraji. But we don’t ask him too much when we have problems, only in very important decisions do we ask his guidance and blessing. We make decisions and then ask for his blessing but we don’t call him every 5 minutes.

Om Namaha Shivaya (We suggest you have a look at their great websites on: www.bholebaba.org - for Cisternino www.csph.net - for Asti Ed.).

‘Thank God, it’s so great to be here’ - Penny from Oxford

In your short experience of ashram life, having been to Haidakhan this year for the first time, what is your understanding of what a Haidakhandi ashram is about? I’ve been to three ashrams now. This one here in Holland is the third one and I went to Blaengors a couple of weeks ago. Haidakhan is the first ashram I’d ever been to. I think before I went I was expecting an establishment where you could stay and have some spiritual practice with other people, and maybe general instruction just through speaking to people about their experiences. I went expecting something along those lines. I found that at Haidakhan certainly, having everybody together, worshipping together. But it was more than that, for me it was a place of God at work. When I went to Blaengors I wasn’t sure what to expect there. I think I just thought I was going to a building where there might not be anybody else and I could just stay there and maybe try and connect with Babaji. Then it was about the experiences with the people I met there at the UK Sanatan Dharma Ashram, being able to sing bhajans and do aarti with them….but it was

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more, it was an experience with Babaji … Through community? Even though there were only a few people there? Yes, definitely. It was particularly special as there were only four of us there, and some of the things that I got from the mantras and through aarti, through singing with people I’d not met before, really helped me move on with what aarti was about for me. I took a step further forward. I am learning that this is an important part of ashram life. It helps you, through the experience with other people, to move on in your relationship with Babaji. Coming here to Gurupurnima in Holland has been another dimension: when I arrived I thought ‘Thank God, it’s so great to be here’. It’s so supportive and I hadn’t realised how much I needed that support. After Haidakhan, which is such a strong place, and with such strong things going on in your life, I came back into my normal life, back into the world. Some months later with lots of things changing and moving, the world is beginning to shake. It’s difficult to make sense of it all on your own and particularly because Babaji stuff is really strong. What do you mean by that? It feels like He doesn’t mess around. He gets right to the nitty gritty of things in your life and actually can shake that quite strongly. It’s confrontational, and to the limit, to the edge stuff, about core things in your life, your home and your key relationships. That can be quite scary, it’s not gentle stuff it’s like

maybe you are going to have to change completely here. You need support with that to make sense of it. Coming here I can be with people who know Babaji, who understand the way He works and can help me interpret and make sense of some of the things that have been happening in my life. It enables me to go with it, rather than freak out and think “Oh no this is too scary I can’t cope”. The first night I was here I just longed with all my heart to have some supportive institution like this closer to my home in England so I could go at weekends, do aarti with other people, and touch where you need to touch with other people. A Plea for Ashrams to cater for Retreat as well as Community.

- by Ramachandra (UK) Some people who lived at Haidakhan were on a silent retreat: they would attend or conduct the pujas, but remained in silence or retreat. Babaji occasionally instructed others that they should not attend the ceremonies and pujas, but instead to go into isolation in their room, sometimes for many weeks at a time. He would even instruct certain devotees to leave the ashram to go on a total hermit-like retreat in another place to practice meditation, Gaura Devi being one. The root of the term ‘hermit’ is the same root of the word ‘hermetic’ which is associated with the esoteric spiritual traditions. Shri Babaji’s ashrams naturally follow His

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‘esoteric’ spiritual tradition, which includes mandatory attendance of the pujas and doing Karma Yoga. However the community aspect that happens at celebrations such as Navaratri or Gurupurnima which includes not only chai shop chats but bhajan singing and satsang, are more of an ‘exoteric’ path, in the sense of being ‘popular’. Some devotees have a greater yearning for retreat than for community, being naturally more hermit than coenobite. An ashram in the name of Shri Babaji needs to be able to cater for both wings of this spiritual bird: it needs to be both a place for the community to come together in communal devotion, meetings and satsang, as well as a place for some people to be able to go it alone. It would be a mistake if those guided to be on retreat might be made to feel that they are not so welcome or are wrongly avoiding community interaction. I’d really like a debate on this issue in the UK (and beyond). My First visit to Navaratri - Excerpts from an anonymous Chilianaula Ashram diary (2007). Day 1 - We are going to be sleeping on mats on the floor with about 12 inches between each other. The dormitory looks like a 2nd world war soldiers sleeping quarters (except that our dormitory has bras and knickers hanging up to dry and incense and pictures of Babaji propped up on the window sills). When I arrived someone pointed to a door and said “the showers are in there” but when I looked in all I

could see was a small tap halfway up the wall, which when I turned it on let out a feeble dribble of cold water. Just found out that we only get one meal a day. However there is a café round the corner from the ashram that does delicious food so I won’t go hungry. Maybe I should have a better attitude and commitment to spiritual work and not think about my comfort the whole time. Day 2 - I was really looking forward to the Havan because I hadn’t attended a fire ceremony like that before but I’m ashamed to admit I feel disappointed. I felt so tired it was difficult to keep my eyes open, I didn’t understand any of the words, and once I got over the novelty of seeing people offering to the fire I just felt bored and restless and hoped it would be over soon. I didn’t feel any special energy and have to resign myself to the fact that I’m completely insensitive to spiritual energies. Day 3 - One woman in my room has started criticising me, she hardly speaks any English but somehow she seems to be creatively using all her scanty knowledge of the language, along with gestures and expressive looks, to convey to me everything I am doing wrong. So far she has managed to inform me that I speak too loudly, too fast, I left a light on in the bathroom and the photo I had a of Babaji by my bed had to be moved because it was very disrespectful to have a picture of Babaji on the floor. She gestured I should put it on the window sill where I can’t actually see it.

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Day 4 - I’ve got eczema and I prayed into a coconut about it a few days ago but it’s worse than ever. Maybe you aren’t supposed to ask for things for yourself. That woman admonished me again, this time for sitting in an undignified way and eating chocolate greedily. (She had to do an unflattering impression of that as she couldn’t find the language to express her disapproval). I thanked her for telling me and decided it was Babaji’s lesson on humility. Day 5 - I thought it was about time I started doing karma yoga. I had good intentions of doing something after lunch but then didn’t feel in the mood. I asked God to remind me tomorrow. Day 6 - I tried to keep my mind focused on saying Om Namaha Shivay and on doing the work to the best of my ability without having any attachment to results. There was something wrong with the toilet and it took me a while to figure out how to fix it but all the time I thought I don’t mind if I achieve it or not, and I was able to work in a relaxed, focussed manner. It seems like a subtle difference not to be goal-oriented. Then a woman came up and asked if I would help her at 4pm to prepare some leaves on Muniraji’s terrace to offer to Shiva (Shiva apparently only likes 3 perfect leaves on a branch so any branches with imperfect leaves or less than 3 have to be discarded). I felt really good after doing Karma Yoga and I realised it was a blessing to be able to do it. It was liked grace had come back into my life. A strange

thing was that although I looked forward to the afternoon job I found the cleaning much more satisfying. The leaf job hurt my hands and was so utterly tedious I began to feel a bit resentful that Shiva could get offended by being offered the wrong sort of leaves. I began to doubt whether He really cared one way or another and wondered whether these relentless rules and rituals have anything to do with enlightenment. Day 7 - Some girls from one country have joined us, and I don’t know what they are talking about to each other but it sounds like they are constantly whining, unless that’s just the way they talk. I’m so judgemental. Day 9 - I went to Havan and went to sit in my usual place which was at the back of the under-cover bit but someone said I couldn’t sit there because there wasn’t room. I tried sitting somewhere else and another person said I couldn’t sit there either. Then I got a bit resentful and, instead of just quietly sitting in the outside area where 100 other people were, I thought “I don’t even want to be here, if I can’t sit where I usually sit I’m not going to bother” and went off in a bit of a sulk to have a pizza at Raju’s chai shop! So I missed the last Havan. So that was Navaratri and I know I didn’t have a great attitude most of the time and could have got more out of it in some ways, but I hope that there was some transformation even if I’m not aware of it yet. (Thank you – you’ve brightened our day ! Ed.)

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Stories of life in the ashram of Shri Ramana Maharshi - one of the greatest Indian sages of modern times (1879-1950). One of the local sadhus was jealous of him and so wrote a defamatory book about Sri Ramana. Ramana's devotees were very upset indeed and wanted to find all the books and burn them. Ramana said it would be better if they should obtain all the books and let those people who wanted to read it, get a copy at the front gate of the Ashram (Sri Ramanasramam). That way, he said, it will keep out the fools and only those who were truly serious about the spiritual path would come and visit him. In another historical account, Sri Mahadevan wrote in 'Reminiscences of Sri Ramana': "It was not all good people that went to the Ashram. Sometimes bad ones turned up also - even bad sadhus. Twice in the year 1924 thieves broke into the Asrama in quest of loot. On the second of these occasions they even beat the Maharshi, finding that there was very little for them to take. When one of the devotees sought the sage's permission to punish the thieves, the sage forbade him, saying: 'They have their dharma, we have ours. It is for us to bear and forbear. Let us not interfere with them.' When one of the thieves gave him a blow on the left thigh, he told him, 'If you are not satisfied you can strike the other leg also.'"

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Letters, Articles and Information from India. In response to our last Journal on Sadhana, Raghuvir wrote the following:

About my personal Sadhana: it took me a while to see the need for it as I was not much of a spiritual seeker when I arrived at Herakhan. But I listened to others and I noticed that Babaji was giving ‘it’ actually sparingly. In those days the full program at Herakhan was the only basis for my sadhana, but of course getting up at 3.30am and doing a busy day is already a reasonable sadhana. Sometime in 1982 Babaji initiated Hargovind and Lok Nath as Yogi’s. I was present one day when Babaji gave a special Sadhana to Lok Nath: apart from this full on program and being dressed only in Langoti, he was instructed to get up at midnight and do Japa until two o’clock and then sleep again until 3.30 or 4 o’clock. I thought ‘I will also do that,’ curious to see what that would do to me. My first night was wonderful and to do the japa I went close to Baba’s kutir. Time flew and I even stayed longer, slept a few hours and started my day. After the morning Darshan I went to do some work in the shop but after a few minutes Babaji appeared and told me to lock up and go with him. I spent all morning with Him around in the village, which was always a great treat. That night I followed the same schedule: I had a wonderful time doing Japa in two great locations in Herakhan, and I was all charged up by the Divine union I experienced. The next morning the same story went on, where Babaji came by the shop and told me to come along. It became a regular thing. Some nights I got carried away by this eternal bliss, such that I only realized what time it was when I saw other devotees going for their bath in the morning. During the rest of the day I was also rather busy, and so even though I was young, after about a week I became really tired. I decided to take a night off. I rested well. The next day Babaji did not come to get me; but actually I never made that link (if there was any). I went on again with the night Sadhana for another two days and Babaji did come to get me, but for some inexplicable reason I stopped there and never did that program again. I only later put things together, and I came to the conclusion that even when your life is full and busy, if you do make the EXTRA effort of going beyond your tiredness and usual patterns, He will be so close to you, He will take you by your hand and walk with you.

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Aum Anjaneyaye Vidmahe Mahabalaye Dheemahi

Tanno Hanumat Prachodayat

“Hanuman’s reverence represents his attitude of surrender, love and friendship”

(Mata Amritananda ayi)

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Working for Babaji in the UK An update on the Haidakhandi Samaj (UK) ….. Aum Namah Shivay I would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody a very Happy Christmas and Babaji’s blessings on us all for the new year. I’d also like to thank all the members who have worked so tirelessly throughout the last year, developing the Samaj into the success story that we can now all benefit from. Letters, emails and telephone calls have been flooding in from both UK and abroad to congratulate us on our recent work, and in the words of the Chair of the International Samaj: “Finally the UK is beginning to shine”. The current state of play finds us poised on the brink of a new day; we have more members now than at any other time and a full committee of active devotees. The questionnaire results showed us that 80% of us agree on something, and that in itself is a huge relief after the disagreements of recent years. Our website and membership communication are looking fantastic, thanks to Atmaram, and the shop is under development and will be on-line soon. The Journal (and Newssheets) have developed into a very interesting and inspiring read – I know that many of us like to write, here is our opportunity to be published ! We are holding monthly meetings around the country and in the coming weeks will be discussing the new ashram, it’s location and the vision that inspires that. This is the moment when precedents will be established and the next phase of HS(UK) will begin, so I strongly advise any devotee who feels inspired to be part of that process, to come to meetings. Sending letters doesn’t really work for anybody, you need to represent your views in the group so that we can discuss them openly. Turning up also neatly sidesteps the plethora of misinformation so popular “on the grapevine”. I feel deeply inspired and excited by this new beginning and also grateful to Babaji for his continuing guidance and (often miraculous) support. Bhole Baba ki Jai Kalika

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Chair HS(UK)

GOMA CONCERTS

Saturday 1 December 8pm - Special Yoga Centre, The Tay Building, 2a Wrentham

Ave, London NW10 Contact : 0208 - 968 1900

* Monday 7 January 2008 7pm - Alternatives, St. James Church, 197 Piccadilly,

London W1J 9LL Contact : 0207 - 287 6711

_______________________________________________________

MINI ASHRAM WEEKEND In Oxford

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th January

Please come and enjoy a mini-ashram weekend and community satsang at Rob & Gaby’s home: 59 Warwick Street, Oxford OX4 1SZ. Tel: 01865-247-851. Saturday 19th January 2008

o 9am to 9.30am - arrivals o 10 o’clock Padukha Puja followed by Havan o 1pm Lunch (please bring and share) o 2 – 3.30pm Committee Meeting o 4pm – 5pm Spiritual reading followed by Satsang o 6pm Aarati o 8pm Evening meal o

Sunday 20th January 2008 o 9am Paduka Puja and Arati o 11am Havan o 1 o’clock Lunch o 3pm Closing

R.S.V.P. – and contact us regarding places to stay on the Saturday night. There are a limited number of spaces at our home.

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Bhole Baba Ki Jai.

Regular Aaratis and Havan in UK DEVON New moon fire ceremonies in Crediton, Atmaram: Telephone 01363 773096 Aarati every Tuesday in Crediton at 7.30pm. Telephone 01363 773096. Aarati every Friday in Tiverton at 7.00pm - all are welcome but phone before you come, as occasionally we cancel it. Contact: Durga Das & Harisudha 01884 259 454. LONDON Aarati every Thursday in London at 7pm at:19B Fairbridge Road, London N19 3EW. Contact Kalika on any of the above to confirm you’re coming or just to enquire 020-7272-6509 satyasjames@hotmail.com ASHRAM WALES At present the Ashram is not open to the public as we await an electrical safety certificate. For further information call Kalika or Atmaram.

Major Festival Dates 2008

(see page 39 for UK Dates) Babaji Maha samadhi Diwas February 19th 2008 Shivaratri March 6th Holi March 22nd Spring Chaitra Navaratri April 5th to 13th

Wesak Buddha’s birthday May 19th 2008 Gurupurnima (International Gathering at Bhole Baba Ashram, Rieferath, Germany) July 17/18th Autumn Navaratri starts Sept 30th Diwali Oct 27th

Babaji at Holi festival

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HaidakhandiSamaj.org

New General International Website www.haidakhandisamaj.org Ireland: Haidakhan Bhole Baba Centre ambaireland@circom.net Germany: Bhole Baba Ashram bholebaba.ashram@t-online.de Switzerland: Centre of Unity (Schweibenalp) info@schweibenalp.ch

Sundar Singh sundar@web.de Austria: Khagoti khagoti@rediffmail.com France: Munkundi and Purnananda mukandi@free.fr and

purnananda@free.fr Croatia: Vanja (Vishnu Datt) vanjacigler@yahoo.com

Maria Spitzer mariaspitzer21@yahoo.com Belgium: Mother Colette ashram-wel@ashram-wel.be Italy: Ashram Bhole Baba, Cisternino www.bholebaba.org

Haidakhandi Love Center, Umbria www.babajicenter.net Asti Ashram www.csph.net Turin ashram Holland: The Dutch website is www.babaji.nl Martin Baba is on

martin@babaji.nl & others are: bhaskar@babaji.nl and maheshanand@babaji.nl & pujari@babaji.nl

Latvia estere@latnet.Iv Estonia: Ave oit ave@loodusijoud.ee Poland: Radha and Paramanand om@babaji.pl Russia: Andrei Maikapar (Mahaprabuji Ashram) kumali@vmail.ru Sweden: Sambasadashiva Dham intuition.bw@swipnet.se Bulgaria: vihris@yahoo.com mkoleva@astern.et Slovenia: kriyacenter@SriBabaji.org USA: Ramloti info@babajiashram.org

Lok Nath msmithlok@prodigy.net Peggy Thompson peg@efn.org

Canada: Pritam (Piotr) prajski@telus.net Thailand: Kharku (John Stewart) John@kamalaya.com Bali: Andi and Jane Fischer ajf@indo.net.id Japan: babaji@mv.0038.net Australia: jayanti108@usa.net New Zealand: Nagini dreamsnake@xtra.co.nz South Africa: laina@futurenet.co.za For 12 page list of most ashrams and websites visit www.bholebaba.org and follow link to ‘Ashrams nel mondo’

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Haidakhandi Samaj (UK) Registered Charity No 1052150

www.ombabaji.org.uk UK Samaj committee members contact list: Chairperson: Kalika James 0207- 272-6509 E: satyasjames@hotmail.com Secretary: Atmaram 01363-773-096 E: administrator@ombabaji.org.uk Treasurer: Enoch 07984 403834 E: wayne.rodriguez@ntlworld.com Journal/ Newssheet: Rob Waygood & Gaby Hock 01865-247851 E: gaby@oxford-transpersonal.co.uk & rob@oxford-transpersonal.co.uk C’teeMembers: Gayatri 01392-680031 E: g.simons@exeter.ac.uk Hari Sudha 01884-259454 E: durgadas@tiscali.co.uk

Kanchan 01363-773096 E: kanchancst@tiscali.co.uk Martin 01837-82001 E: mih@ic24.net

Sangita Squires 01453-765 736 E: bringtolight@clara.co.uk Co-opted Jamuna 01489-784551 E: jamunauk@yahoo.com Gaby (as above under ‘Journal’)

SHOP (and On-Line Shopping coming soon !) I AM HARMONY – A Book about Babaji - by Radhe Shyam -New Edition with stunning photos included (originally printed 1989 but quickly sold out) £12.50 (£15 incl p&p) BABAJI MAHAVATAR the descent of eternity into time – large format, photos of Babaji mainly in colour on virtually every page, plus short selected texts. £15 (£17.50 incl p&p)

FIRE OF TRANSFORMATION – my life with Babaji by Gaura Devi – twelve years with Babaji, his teachings/historical information, 36 b/w photos. £10.95 (£12.50 incl p&p) HAIDAKHAN BHAJANS – words of bhajans and chants, Hanuman Chalisa and Mother Aarati, with English translation, some photographs, 84 pages. £5 (£6 incl p&p)

KIRTAN KARO – aarati, mantras, bhajans all with musical notation £16.50 (£19 incl p&p) SELECTION OF CD’S - Aarati £8/£11, Lacchu Maharaj tabla £9.50, Mother Bhajans/ Om Namah Shivaya/ Ganesh, ‘Gloria’ DVD of Babaji - all £11 incl p&p. ALTAR CLOTHS – various colours, embroidered with Om namah Shivaya – £6/£4.50 MALAS- Rudraksha £10, Rudraksha wrist £4, Crystal £9, Sandalwood £5 Om Namah Shivaya bracelets (five metals) from Haidakhan £19 photos and postcards of Babaji, tape cassettes, and much more. For more details and orders please contact:: Martin, Venn Farm, West Leigh, Crediton, Devon EX17 6BL. 01837 82001 or email: mih@ic24.net

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UK Diary Dates

Saturday 8th December – HS(UK) Committee meeting at Kalika’s house in London at 19b Fairbridge Rd., Archway, London N19 3EW. Lunch at 12.30pm for and meeting at 1.30pm. Please call Kalika on 020-7272-6509 if coming. Mon 7th January 2008 - Goma in London (see page 35 ). Sat/Sun 19-20th January Mini Ashram Weekend - at Rob and Gaby’s in Oxford - all welcome - See page 35 for details. RSVP to 01865-247-851 if coming. Shri Babaji’s Mahasamadhi - Tuesday 19th February 2008 Mahasivaratri - Thursday March 6th Chaitra Navaratri - Saturday 5th to Sunday 13th April

Editorial Information & Subscriptions

The UK Haidakhandi Journal is published twice a year in printed form (mid-summer and mid-winter). The UK Haidakhandi Newssheet is distributed 3 to 4 times a year via the monthly HS(UK) Update emailed by administrator@ombabaji.org.uk. Please let Atmaram or Rob know if you do not have email and want to be sent a newssheet in the post.

o Membership subscription is still only £15 ! (Euros 25 or $ 35). Payment by cheque or cash or via our online subscription page at www.ombabaji.org.uk This is a very convenient way to pay, and reduces the charity's administration costs. The Membership Secretary is administrator@ombabaji.org.uk Atmaram’s telephone number is 01363-773-096. The Treasurers address for cheques is given below.

o Sponsoring an Edition: If anyone would like to be a sponsor for the Summer 2008 Journal, we would love to hear from you.

o Donations – Via on line at: www.ombabaji.org.uk/donation.htm or send to HS(UK), c/o Enoch Rodrigues, 92 Riverside Rd, St Albans Hertfordshire AL1 1SE, UK.

Next Publication Dates: Newssheet deadline for your latest news is: Shivaratri 5th March 2008 The Summer 2008 Journal Copy by 15th May 2008 please.

The journal is published by The Haidakhandi Samaj (UK) www.ombabaji.org.uk

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New Hanuman statue outside Chilianaula temple.

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