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Haidakhandi International Journal

Spring 2016

Who or What is Babaji for you ?

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“I am nobody and nothing”

Welcome to the 13th Edition of this Journal, which is renamed the

Haidakhan International Journal and has its own lovely new website

designed by Mukundi from France on: www.hi-journal.com

CONTENTS

Theme: Who or What is Babaji for you ? 3-20

Experiences of Babaji 21-23

News from Around the World

Serbia 24

Gurupurnima 2016 - in Holland 25

Portugal 26

Bhakti Festivals - UK (April) and Germany (August) 27

USA – Reaching Out 28-29

Italy 30

Bulgaria 31

Australia 32

News from India

Chilianaula Navaratra October 2015 33-34

Shri Babaji’s Charitable Hospitals 35

Recent developments in the Indian Samaj 36

Hindu Festival Dates for 2016 38

Letters 39-41

New Book by Malti 42

Editorial 43

Next Generation Gathering – Holland July 2016 Back Page

(Front page Tanka painted by Paulo Polli and owned by Kharku)

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Theme for this 13th edition of the Journal:

Who or What is Babaji for You ?

It has been over thirty years since Babaji’s Maha Samadhi and

we wanted to ask how we have come to understand his

presence on this Earth in the meantime. So we posed this

question: Who or what is he for us today ? Is he outside or

inside or beyond ? And how have we distilled our experience

of him ? On the following pages are some enlightening and

profound answers from a broad range of contributors.

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- A help and a guide to access what I have always sought to reach,

- My flame of life and my reason for living,

- Beyond conventions, morals or religious precepts,

- A special atmosphere and presence that appears when people of

goodwill gather together, putting their ego aside, working and celebrating

the Divine.

- A fascinating mystery that I strive to study and understand….

friendly reminder to prostrate to selflessness. Not having met the guy, it is

hard to get past this essential sketch of Babaji. He's certainly not the only

one to have taught these things. But unlike the careers of Jesus or

Muhammad, etc., there are colour photos of my half naked father

standing sunburnt next to Babaji. So my feelings for him are a bit more

visceral than with most of the great spiritual teachers.

What Babaji is for me ? - by Mukundi from France:

This warm, sustaining and loving presence that I feel around

me. This space of pure love in my heart and mind. This

world of silence and peace superimposed on the mundane

agitation. A deep joy, and an energy that pushes me.

Tamayra – from Sydney, Australia

Babaji is so part of me that there is no separation and so I

think of him as my inner beloved, my inner partner. I cannot

project him out because he is not outside but on the inside,

an intrinsic part of me, part of my everyday life. I therefore

see no point in doing rituals to try and get high !

Isaac Smith (USA and Thailand): For me Babaji is an

icon, an image that connotes countless stories, teachings,

principles and experiences. But he is also the anti-icon in

many ways - a stand-in for the absence of ego and an often

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dispels the darkness inside us. He gave us the promise

the world. He gave us the Aarti, the Yagna and the Om Namah Shivaya so

as our mind can be purified and be filled by divine energies. He gave us

His name which dispels the darkness inside us. He gave us the promise

that He is responsible for our liberation. What more do we need to be

liberated from ego? A bit of faith and much work! He is my Father, my

Mother, my Protector and my Saviour. Babaji is within and without, He is

everywhere, He dwells always in my heart, Babaji & I are one. I don´t

want even to think how my life would be without Bhole Baba. Glory, glory

to Bhole Baba whose Love is infinite, whose light dispels our ignorance

and takes us from darkness to light

I walk around my flat reminiscing about some of the extraordinary

experiences I had when He was in His body; then I find myself asking Him

to help me not only write Christmas cards, but pay for them as well! When

someone I know is sick I always go to Baba for help, but don’t expect that

person to get well if it’s not in their karma. As I grow older, things I

expected to happen say 20 years ago (if I prayed to Babaji) have changed

considerably. It’s not so much a lack of faith, as a deeper understanding of

what is and is not possible. I’ve always believed that as long as a torch is

burning in England for Babaji, be it a Herakhan type Ashram, or something

simpler, that’s all that matters. The torch is what matters, the burning

flame. Nothing else. That flame burns in all His devotees. It gets turned up

and flares for a while and then it calms down and cools, but it never goes

out.

Atmaram from Greece: Haidakhan Bhole Baba gave us His

blessings. He gave us His protection (Abhaya Dhan). He gave

us a paradise (Haidakhan Viswa Mahadham) where one

month of practice is equivalent to many years of practice in

the world.

Patsy (UK):

“Who or What is Babaji to Me ?”

Well, that’s the 64,000 Dollar question !

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and then when we look back over our lives, it emerges clear as daylight.

All things can be surrendered to it, as it is the source of all things. The

way it works in my life is a mystery, but I do know its presence reveals

itself to me through several groups with whom I am involved, and I feel

privileged. One very moving presence happened to me in Bristol, I don't

know why, but it has guided and protected me in my little ways, to be

creative and understand many things, and is always there when I call out.

I am not ashamed to say that He is ALL for me: Mahadev, Mahaguru,

Father, Mother, Brother, Friend... He is unfathomable, and all our

conceptions are far beyond what He really might be. He is much more

than a Guru, since he is The Lord Himself. We cannot know Him through

the mind but only through a pure heart. I feel that Haidakhan Babaji

Mahavatar has been guiding me for many lifetimes. I can never be grateful

enough for all He has been doing for me. He is pure Divine Love and

Compassion. He is THE LIGHT of Lights, THE GURU of Gurus, THE KING of

Kings. The only reason of my life is to worship Him and to serve Him.

He is also in my heart. He is represented in me every time I open my heart.

Then he exists beyond me, blossoming as compassion throughout the

universe. That alone is Love and there is no other reality in existence.

Chandani, Haidiyakhandi (Portugal):

For me Shri Shri Babaji is GOD, Lord Shiva in human form. As a

Silent Watcher, taking a body from time to time upon His Will, He

is eternally guiding mankind, protecting, teaching and uplifting

everyone of us, whether we are conscious about that or not.

Charlotte Yonge (UK):

I am aware of the pure intent of love, Babaji is one of the

names for this, as it manifests in many varied forms

universally. This impulse can be hidden in our lives,

and

Rob – Ramachandra (England)

For me, Babaji is Teacher and Master

O Haidakhan vale, Sadguru hai nam tera

- You are the supreme Guru.

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He is what can be felt between the words of satsang, in the simple joys of

karma yoga and the loving exchanges between all who come here. He is

pure love, pure simplicity, and pure truth. We are sure his wish wasn’t for

us to blindly worship him as the One and Only, but to find the Divinity

within us, and assist others in finding theirs. It is clear to us, through the

interactions with people who come here, especially the younger

generations, that people nowadays are more cautious with regards to

religion: they don’t want always, or immediately, to attach a form to the

feeling they experience within. Babaji said, ‘I am your own self’, and he

meant it for each of us. He is in all beings, so we should start treating each

other with the same love, reverence and respect we would offer to Baba

himself.

In a soccer team the challenge is to all play together, to the best of each

person’s ability, for the common good of all. The key player is the goal

keeper and when the team has total trust in the goal keeper the team

plays with more confidence and is more united. So what is the goal

keeper’s role? They are the last line of defence, they keep disaster at arm’s

length, and they are the protector who allows the team to fulfil their

individual roles representing the team. But the goalkeeper can’t do the

job of the other individual players; each one must do their duty to their

utmost but they can do it knowing that each time they play, the

goalkeeper is there at the back protecting them. Babaji is my goalkeeper.

Roxi and Rai Dass (Bulgaria):

What Babaji means to us: Babaji to us is in the

face of every visitor, in every small act of

kindness, in every word of daily kirtan.

Martin Hodgson (Australia)

A perspective on Babaji in the family: For me a family,

whether it’s your blood family or the greater Babaji

family, is like a soccer team.

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I

know I can always ask for and rely on His support and protection, in absolutely everything. It is clear there are few

humans in this world who

I know I can always ask for and rely on His support and

protection, in absolutely everything. It is clear there are few o

It is clear there are few humans in this world that could fill this role in

one’s personal life. I am eternally grateful for this highest gift and boon:

having Babaji’s constant presence by my side in this way. Worship of

Babaji as Shiva Maha Avatar can be formalised into rituals and pujas,

images and teachings, centres and ashrams, all of which assist our

humanness to remain connected with Him and with each other, but I feel

He has no need for these forms in order to reach us. They are for our

benefit , not His.

I have realised from direct experience that he lives within me, as close as

ever, in my every breath, every second, regardless of the outer forms I

look to for His presence. The forms and practices that bring us closer to

Him and bring us closer together as devotees are very precious indeed;

but they are not what make a devotional life real. Now that Baba is no

longer in a physical body where we have easy human contact with Him,

His ongoing presence in spirit is drawing us all upward on the spiral of

spiritual evolution, to truly let go and simply live in divine oneness, from

our own true sense of authentic spiritual authority. He is teaching us how

to live with Him in our own form, without His physical form manifest. The

more I surrender to this reality, the more I know that the inner yoga of

devotion is all I need. Through this tantra, He becomes me and lives

through me, in every step I take in this world, no matter where I am, what I

do, or who I am with. In this way His energy can instantly transmit to other

people, heart to heart, without the barriers of religion and doctrine that an

established spiritual path can sometimes impose on others.

It is my intention to continue living into and manifesting these

understandings in physical form, on 33 hectares of majestic and abundant

land tucked away in the temperate climes of far north New Zealand. Here

Gomati Gilchrist (New Zealand):

Bhole Baba is my best friend, my spiritual mentor,

protector and my dearest love. He has always been and

will be. In my life Baba is always there smiling and

laughing, no matter how much of a fool I can be in

attempting to live this life, or how deeply into slumber I

choose to fall... I know I can always ask for and rely on

His support and protection.

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it is possible to live a healthier life, closer to nature and thus closer to God

~ Mother Earth and Father Sky. It is a place to live simply, care for the land

and co-create sacred space with love. A place where diverse types of

people can quietly retreat to share in Baba's blessing, to experience fire

ceremony, to contribute to community, to find inner healing and to

nurture a deeper divine connection; without feeling they are entering a

religiously righteous zone. Soon I know I will be sharing this place in the

same spirit with other souls; all smiling with Baba alive in our hearts.

Since then (1991) the service of these murtis has become part of my daily

life. Aarti and pujas at a specific time on a daily basis are also part of this

karma yoga. I learned a lot about attentiveness, discipline, and releasing

my thoughts, wishes and even desires. Ever since I met Babaji, 34 years

ago, the mantra "Om Namah Shivay" impacted on me every day of my life!

Over the years I have felt that through this “temple work” (sadhana) I am

deeply connected to the Divine, i.e. with Babaji. The energy in the temple

became more refined and so much stronger. During the day I make a

conscious effort to transform and implement the many inner impulses I

become aware of in my day-to-day-life. More and more I perceived

Babaji’s guidance through the inspirations and impulses. During our

weekly aarti singing and at our monthly havan with all friends, I feel

Babaji’s Presence, His Guidance, and His Blessings so very strongly ! A

number of times, especially during the winter, we were surprised by the

presence of a butterfly that appeared ‘out of nowhere’ and we took this as

a special present and sign from Babaji for our group. A long time ago I

realised that the "Birth of the DIVINE" must happen within.

Elisabeth (Germany)

During Navaratri (1991) in Chilianaula I received a big

"Haidakhandeshwari" murti for our temple in Berlin. Over

the years we received several murtis and in April 2012

Munirajji inaugurated the fifth murti.

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When I was meditating in the dhuni, and at my home, I sometimes identify

myself with his physical body. I feel like I am him and in that moment I can

feel how pure I am despite having a body. I see Babaji in some people

that I know and in the hearts of some of my spiritual brothers and sisters.

I see it even on a physical level, since Baba transformed his appearance so

much, as if he almost could be anybody and anything. I was fascinated

when 30 years ago I saw Babaji’s picture and heard stories about him

including the fact that it is possible to materialize one’s own body. The

combination of his outside beauty and what he represents felt like a

perfect example of a human ability to connect the material with the

spiritual.

In the beginning I meditated on Babaji’s picture for a year, but he seemed

to be too far away from me with his perfection. It took me years to be able

to come back to him purified enough to start feeling his presence. For

many years I was sure that he left me and that maybe he was just an

illusion I needed, as some kind of artificial mental support. When I was

going through my darkness and hardships I felt left alone. It took me many

years to realise that he was there all the time leading me through. I felt

him as a strong awakening force that doesn’t care for my pleasure or pain,

but leads me directly to myself. I realised what he meant when he said:

“I will teach you to be beyond pleasure and pain”. Babaji is always

teaching me about how to face darkness and light at the same time, being

aware of both but not attaching to any. This path is a combination of

discipline and play, following rules, but staying authentic, being serious in

a fight with ego, but also being able to be joyful and humorous and take it

all as a big play of universe.

Tara (Tatjana), Belgrade, Serbia:

Babaji is a pure Essence, my Inner True Self. He is what

remains when I do not identify with my body, emotions

and thoughts. He is protector, guide and inspirer. He is a

challenge and the obstacle, darkness and light and beyond.

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He is a powerful Wish Master. Everything I truly seek he will bring: I have

learned that I have to be careful what I wish for and many times it’s not

exactly how I imagined it would be.

Through Aarti I feel like I make connection with Babaji as a great force that

sets me free. Babaji for me is all the deities that are mentioned in the

Aarti and when I manage to stay out of the way, they solve impossible

situations in the simplest way. I see how the people around me can

change behaviour by this. I feel like all the deities are my true parents that

I’d longed for in my life. Babaji is my father and mother: strong, pure and

innocent at the same time. Sometimes I speak with him and tell him what

is in my heart; then I’m relieved of my burden and see things more clearly

and simply. It’s like I am speaking to my inner true self. When I was in

Haidakhan I felt so welcomed by him: his presence there in the kitchen

during lunch, it was like he was feeding me with love. When I leant my

cheek on the tree by his Kutir I felt like he really understood my soul, and

he is that tree. I saw him as two little monkeys playing and laughing on

this tree. Babaji is also for me a great mystery which I have yet to

experience and fully understand: the fact that all things we see and live,

whether good or bad are just an illusion. I look forward to having this

experience one day and I feel that Babaji will show me the way.

One night in a dream Babaji approached me with a group of young

people; he looked very serious, like pure consciousness. His energy

started to flow through me which made my body shake from that power.

He said: “I will come again when you die”. I woke up in shock and realised

how superficial and emotional this wish is, and how far away I am from

True Pureness, Simplicity and Love.

Jelena, Serbia:

I saw Babaji in photos and read what people who met him

wrote about him. So I have experienced Babaji through

these stories, and I started to feel happy about him coming

back to us again.

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That strange feeling and the sound of my heart which dances, that is You.

You lead me through Yourself with an inexplicable music of Godly notes.

As I listen to you in silence, knowing that it has sounds of its own, I feel

alive and joyful in a limitless unattainable space. Now, I am completely

sure that everything inside me has the strong echo of that wonderful and

so inexplicable, live Silence.

And that note which I am listening to…. each noise and tone is You.

And while I am listening, it caresses and leads my heart, and tells me how

wonderful it is to be free, alone and oneself.

Totally carefree

Because wherever I go

Wherever I am

I really Am There.

That limitless, inexplicable and miraculous feeling of you shows me the

way of the water, in a way that I need to see flowing within myself. Free

water, where there is no stopping, like a living stream.

Simply being

Simply loving

Simply living

Simply listening,

while I am totally surrendering to You in that divine silence within myself.

We understand perfectly everything without many words.

And we understand Divine sounds which make us unique in what we are,

Together with you Babaji.

Deva Lila- Svetlana, Serbia:

The Silence with which my heart is speaking

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is of a joyful friend, he is the one who smiles and offers encouragement.

Then there is the tester and teacher who forges my spirit in the fire of

experience, the protector and guardian with constant mantra, the

supporter with wisdom and love. Through meditation Babaji was

instrumental in bringing my husband and me together and later our

cherished daughter arrived for which we are so blessed and thankful.

“Who is Babaji” - speaks about his person, his Being, the divine manifest

as the maha-avatar, in human form, playing human lila; the one who was

historically present with us from 1970 to 1984 and ever before and since.

He comes as Shiva, as God manifest, as the aspects of an avatar needed at

this moment on Earth to re-establish the dharma, to help humanity to

grow and evolve collectively, and also he comes to support his/her

devotees. Oh! – But is he actually she? Or is she – him? If he is she then

he also answers and fulfils all my female projections. Yes she does.

To me, the divine-personality-Babaji appeared in my meetings with him in

body between 1979 and 1984, and since then in soul and spirit with the

divinity inside and outside. It involves our melting, our merging, our

meeting and my evolving in the past 36 years as Sundar. But I’m also a

divine manifestation in human form, and my journey involves my

purification, clearing, rising, and ever evolving in this communion and

communication with Babaji. He is Maha-Prabhuji, Babaji Shiva Avatara,

Babaji Father Mother Sister Brother Beloved. Through this meeting and

this devotional communion I received and receive all I can imagine and

Donna (UK)

It seems that Babaji has many faces for me or roles to

play, even when I am not aware he is there orchestrating

events, sometimes shadow, sometimes light. One image

Sundar (Schweibenalp, Switzerland):

For me, to say "Who is Babaji" or

"What is Babaji" is a big difference !

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more. My life, my creative work, my slow rising and evolving is, ever and

always, connected to he whom I call Babaji, my Gurudev with whom I am

One and who is my direct mediator and not separate from God-Goddess-

Absolute (Ed: see ‘What is Babaji’ below). I have an evolving relationship

through 36 years, from being his creature and devotee to being his

brother and co-creator of lila and life. Being One, Him being in me and me

being nothing but Him, and to me being the unity of Him and me. So

acting in the World has become very unified, has become very smooth,

very intuitive and guided knowing Babaji is with me. Babaji has become a

voice in me speaking to me at times in various situations and

circumstances. He has become a ‘voice’ answering my questions and

although he has never failed, I still don’t rely on him completely. I also

take full responsibility for myself.

So ‘Who is Babaji?’ – He is the one in the pictures and yet he is more and

different. He is the one in the temple, even more powerful and almost

overwhelming; almost physically present he is the one present in the Kutir

here in Schweibenalp. Here, often, He is one and unified with many other

divine beings and all aspects of the great collective Avatar community,

which combines so many aspects of Love, Light and all life.

"What is Babaji’. For me, I call it Purusha. Essence. Christ. The Christbody.

Purushotama Sat-chit-ananda. Yes, every attribute and every name given

to him is what he also is for me. My heart beats with all these attributes

and all these names of God that I know, in all traditions. Life and creation

are such a miracle and so multifaceted and multidimensional. Regarding

all this universal higher knowledge and understanding, I myself focus best

on it as His/Her Unity and Oneness.

Speaking and writing about you Babaji makes me drunk, crazy and

boundary-less. Can’t you stop it? Aren’t you exaggerating now?

As Jalaludin Rumi sings:

“All I hear is the Call of the Beloved.

All I feel is the Touch of the Beloved.

All I See is the Face of the Beloved. “

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weeks later I had my first chandan in Schweibenalp from Sundar: I was

standing in line expecting what I considered to be just yellow stripes; this

whole centre and ceremony seemed just folklore to me. I liked to be part

of it, but didn‘t have any idea of it‘s deeper meaning. While standing in

line, somebody talked to me and explained that you could ask Babaji to

take something away from you, something that troubles you, something

that you don‘t need anymore in your life. Oh that‘s an interesting thing I

thought, I can try that out. So suddenly waiting in line became a

contemplation about what I would want to get rid of, now having an

unexpected chance to do this. It came to my mind that I was often in

trouble because I did things differently to others. However this was never

my intention but it seemed to be because of something twisted in me.

That lead me to a certain focus on doing things right, in the sense of how I

was expected to do things, and so it led me straight to the life of a rebel.

That again caused a lot of fighting which prevented the loving energy from

flowing. I had done a lot of analysis on this already: it was a diagnosed

obstacle, a feeling of "being wrong" in general that was corrupting my

system like a virus.

So by now I was standing in front of Sundar and going down on my knees

and presenting my forehead to receive, what I considered to be, my

stripes. "The other way round!" I heard Sundar say. I realised that I had

put my head down "the wrong way". It was like a clap on my brain. I was

bursting out in laughter while I turned my head on the other side.

Chandan was cooooool and smelled so good. Then this red point

...KumKum and the rice. I received all blessings with that truth, that it is

really no big deal to be different. But if you don‘t know better you listen to

Harita Lynn (Köln, Germany):

I am looking back on 27 years with Babaji. His picture

struck me like lightening . I had found it in the library of a

Buddhist center during the lunch break of a seminar. Some

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others and cooperate. Be yourself and be kind to those who make

mistakes. Even to yourself. Go beyond wrong and right. So simple. So

true. So full of love. Nobody behind me in the line reacted as if something

special had happened. People seemed to be familiar with what they called

"Babaji Lilas". When I got up I looked differently at the world. I started to

see what it means to teach without words. What happend inside me could

not possibly be put into words. My cells KNEW. It was like an antibiotic,

the size of the sun, releasing that virus.

Of course it did not vanish from my life from one moment to the other.

But I learned to transform situations and fights Babaji created for me over

the years, and I found out that "doing things wrong" actually can lead to

the most amazing experiences with people, if I am able to let go of

judgement. In fact it has become a daily practice. I never met Babaji in his

body but I am ever so grateful that he blesses me with the presence-

present of his spirit, and he smiles at me even in my darkest moments. If I

can be the last of the pupils...I am still in the class. But it is not about

wrong or right. It is not about good or bad either. It‘s just about being in

his presence...it is there, where we receive the presents... :-)

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start this felt like I had been running my life on a 25 watt light bulb, but

now had entered a 1000 watt light bulb field. Consequently my six weeks

with him turned into a 24/7 light shower experience, which kept mirroring

and cleansing me of my negative mental debris, my nagging self doubt

and infused me with constant transformative surprise teachings. It turned

into the most enlivening and radical healing event of my life, incomparable

to anything I had experienced before (or after). After his Samadhi I kept

topping up the experience mainly by attending navaratri festivals in India

and more recently through the European Guru Purnima festivals, apart

from the various solo practices at home.

What helps the most is simply remembering. When I remember just his

name, it works like a cue word that logs me straight into him and the

mysterious reality of the present moment. Babaji is so sound. There are

many times when this doesn’t work, mainly because I have not tried to

remember or because I have lost faith. Faith is key. At this very moment I

am glad to say that my faith and therefore experience of the intangible

nature of Babaji comes more freely, it’s less of a struggle. It is like grace.

Ask me what was going on last week, I might tell a different story. But even

the difficult times I see as his grace now, a new lesson he wants to teach

me even though it may involve a lot of soul searching hard work and

discipline.

So meeting Haidakhan Babaji was the most mindblowing experience of a

lifetime. Back then, and for many years after his mahasamadhi, he was a

perfect blank canvas for my idealistic projections. Nowadays the photos

and the rituals have lessened in importance. What is left is a Feeling. A

Feeling which often comes through silence and stillness, in the absence of

photos, words and concepts. A Feeling I get through friendship, work and

nature, and it comes with an increasing sense of gratitude.

Gaby (UK):

In 1983 before I met Babaji I just had come through a

series of unpleasant and confidence shattering events

both on a personal and professional level. So

somewhat bankrupt, I met Babaji. Right from the very

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The time period was 1977-1978. I had already had a rather difficult long

haul getting to India, as we all did in those days. The physical journey

started in San Francisco. Eventually, through a laborious circuitous route,

the last plane arrived into New Delhi at the usual 4am. “Now let the Games

begin.” The assault to the senses included the very air itself, which had a

“peculiar to India” smell of smoke and body odours. Visually, the

atmosphere could only be described as a dense brown haze that tangibly

“hung there” letting the newly landed visitor or the returnee know that one

had truly “arrived” in India.

Off I went with a perfect stranger to Arvind Lal’s clinic, where Babaji had

told me, through letters, to go immediately upon arriving. Once there, a

funky, black Ambassador taxi cab, with a white turbaned driver, agreed to

take a few of the latest arriving devotees to Haldwani. Ten dusty hours

later, the taxi dropped us off in front of Muni Raj’s rather small storefront.

We sat inside on a long bench, while Muni Raj conducted business with

three gentlemen. He read the newspaper, smoked a cigarette, served tea,

and then arranged for us to be taken by bus to the Dam site. I seem to

remember a huge mound of unwashed potatoes in one dark corner.

Nobody ever talked to us directly, either. More hours drifted by. At the

Dam site, we walked across a suspension bridge stretching the width of

the river Ganga below. We had no guide. None of us knew each other, nor

had we ever been to Babaji’s ashram. On the other side of the swaying

bridge, we simply turned left and started walking. Because the river was

flooded in many areas, we had to wade across up to our chin in places, 11

different times, switching from side to side, until we could finally go uphill

to a jungle pass that took us the rest of the way. We never saw another

inhabitant or habitat for that matter. Yet it never crossed our minds to be

worried. We knew with a silent, unshaken belief, that we were in Babaji’s

territory, therefore, protected. We never even talked to each other the

whole trek. The scenery was spectacular, from the far mountains, the

Nagini Devi (USA and New Zealand):

“Getting to the top of the mountain” I will cut to the chase, to talk about the first of a zillion

“What Babaji means to me” stories.

19

green verdant terraced rice fields, and the huge blue sky that stretched

forever, to the meandering famous river below. One of the young men

from Southern India, coming to see Babaji for the first time, had a relapse

of malaria about four hours into the walk. I dosed him with the Bach

Rescue remedy so he was able to continue the rest of the day. He thought

it was a miracle. 13 hours after we came to Haldwani, we saw the ashram

buildings in the distance. That certainly felt like a miracle to all of us,

coming across Shangri-La.

My first “Live” encounter with Babaji, found me on my knees, nothing new

there, washing my face in the concrete trough, so hot and thirsty, drinking

the water right out of the spigot, without concern for the quality. I was so

thoroughly absorbed that when I did open my eyes, I was surprised to see

two plump brown feet balancing on the edge of the trough right in front of

me. I looked a bit higher, stunned by a flash of neon blue silk. Gazing

upward, my heart beginning to race, I saw a full on figure of the exact

Babaji I had already been seeing in my dreams and meditations for the

last year. I finally met His magnificent sparkling eyes, His drop dead

gorgeous handsome smiling face, and that ‘Cheshire cat’, all knowing,

obviously amused, GRIN! I screamed at the top of my lungs, falling

forward in a dead swoon. When I recovered he had vanished.

At Darshan that evening, I went forward in the cue, bowed full length, and

then turned to leave. He had Sheila Devi stop me. Babaji put a mala

around my neck and said through Sheila Devi:

“It has been exactly 108 years since you have been with me. Lord Lakulish,

all the gurus and the teachers you have studied with, have gotten you to

this moment. There is nothing more for you to do. You have reached the

Top of the Mountain.”

20

Paramanand (Poland):

Lately Babaji acts more as my Manager. Every day a meeting for five

minutes helps me find the right line of action. I was dissatisfied by the

poor abilities of my manager on the job and had to put the problem at

Babaji's feet. It helped a lot to get edgy solutions on controversial issues.

Also it helps me to get the right behavior towards the right persons. If all

companies would have Babaji as their manager, there would be much less

waste. Most of the people talk too much, do too much, but not the right

things. Five minutes every day with the manager of the universe with your

tiny little and big matters, makes a world of difference.

Shri Munirajji Maharaj

21

“I am only a mirror in which you can see yourself.”

Experiences of Babaji

First Christmas in Herakhan

In December & January 1981/82 my husband Ramananda and I visited

Shri Babaji in Herakhan. These three weeks were an unforgettable

highlight of my life right up to today. This is what I wish to share with you.

Herakhan was filled with Babaji’s divine presence. I was wrapped up in

this presence day and night when I was doing Karma Yoga and especially

in the temple. Babaji created many situations for me that shed a new

light of consciousness on several parts of my personality. Step by step I

was able to let go of things, and I was getting more and more familiar

with the mantra Om Namah Shivay.

Up to that point in my life I didn't know much about spiritual masters, and

the meaning of mantras, etc. I was learning something new every day.

Every time I made pranam in the temple I was getting more conscious

about the importance of letting go of all my secret thoughts and wishes.

In that very moment when I was bowing to Babaji he always ‘showed’ me

these secret wishes. One of the most important aspects of his teaching

was to show me – inside, without speaking to me – that I was welcome to

bow in front him, but at the same time I was being asked to connect with

the most High. It was as if he did not want any cult around his person.

Every time I wanted something from him for myself he simply ignored

me, but if I succeeded in connecting with the ‘Highest’ while doing

pranam, he smiled at me when he gave me prasad. Every morning and

evening, every pranam, he was a clear mirror. So he was giving me the

clearest of signs to connect to the ‘source of all creation’. This teaching

still has a very strong impact on my life today.

So my experiences in Herakhan are still with me today. I am deeply

grateful for these presents full of mercy!

By Elisabeth from Berlin (Haidakhandi Spiritual Unity Center, founded 1983).

22

Babaji in daily family life By Nan Singh from Australia

In 1977 I was living in Haidakhan with Shri Babaji. At the end of the year I

returned to London and later, in 1979, I met my wife who was from

Australia. I told her that I wanted to see Babaji again. She also wanted to

meet Baba: we felt that if we were to be together we should seek Baba’s

blessing on our union.

Once again I came into His presence, and we lived in Haidakhan for some

months. Having received His Blessings we came to Australia, but within

two months we discovered that Bhuri was pregnant with Twins! We had

little money and now a family on the way so all thoughts of a quick return

to India disappeared. When the twins were born I sent their photos to

Baba and asked “Would he please name them?” After sending the photos I

received a strong letter from my father in England saying that if I gave the

twins Indian names he would never forgive me. Duly the photos arrived

back from India, Baba gave the twin boys the names Herbert and Martin!

With no thought of being able to return soon to India we opened a small

whole food store. In the middle of the store was a big picture of Babaji

and our customers often asked who it was ? In 1984 the first meeting of

what would later become the Australian Samaj was held in our home in

Melbourne by which time we had a dedicated puja room in the house,

which people visited each week. In 1986 our third son was born (my

father had mellowed a little by then) so Shri Muniraji named him Govind.

When Govind was about 18 months old we awoke one night to find he had

disappeared - we found him sitting cross legged and upright in front of

Baba’s shrine where a light was kept burning 24 hours a day.

Eventually we moved to the countryside where we live today and where

Shri Munirajji visited in 1991. Now we have a temple in the forest on the

property (Shri Muniraj named this temple Shri Maha Deva Dham Mandir

and he activated our murtis here of Shri Maha Dev and Shri Batuk

Bhairav). Many people have come for darshan of the murtis and to attend

fire ceremonies at the dhuni. When I go to the houses of our sons I see

pictures of Shri Babaji, when I look at the wrists of not only my sons but

also my daughter-in-law, they wear Om Namaha Shivaya bracelets. My

23

sister-in-law and mother-in-law keep photos of Baba and talk to him.

Recently a friend of my mother-in-law was having the experience of

objects banging in the night and things moving around in the house. My

mother-in-law gave her a picture of Babaji and told her to put it in the

house. From that moment all the disturbances ceased.

In 2015 my brother and my sister from England visited us separately, both

expressed an interest in coming to the haven and both were deeply

touched. Govind now lives in London and before coming home for

Christmas said to me on Skype: “Dad can we make sure we do a havan

together when I’m home”. Our grandson regularly travels with me on car

journeys and every trip begins with a loud chorus in unison of “Bhole Baba

Ki Jai !” and, “Om Narayan !”

So if you have had the patience to read this far, what does all this mean

for our experience of Babaji in our daily life ? He is a part of our lives,

always somehow present, never too far away, frequently in our

conversations and the guiding light for the whole family. Does this mean

we don’t experience all the stresses, difficulties and sometimes frictions of

family and individual lives? Of course not. Our weaknesses, illusions,

desires, fears and frailties are as strong as anyone’s, but beyond that

when we care to look - there is this loving light burning in our midst

sometimes we experience it strong and clear, and other times it’s harder

for us to see, but it is always burning.

24

News from Around the World

Serbia by Tara

Two years ago in Babaji’s Haidakhan ashram I received the message that I

should open a Babaji centre in my homeland. Since I am international

traveller I wasn’t sure that I am the most suitable person for this and also I

was not sure in which place to do it. So I started with daily Aarti practice in

my home, unsure what to do with this task that was always in the back of

my mind. I then realized that I am the “Center” by myself, so maybe that’s

what it is all about. How to transfer this inner feeling to others? And I’m

also unsure as to how long I will live here. But then my friend Jelena

contacted me and we start feeling strong spiritual connection. I asked her

if she would join me for Aarti and she was very happy to do so and felt

herself totally in it. I realised that now two of us are the “Center.” So I

organised weekly Aarti in my modest home and call the centre Hejrakandi.

Recently a third friend Deva Lila (Svetlana) joined, and then another. Our

first group Aarti was on October 23rd

2015. This ‘Centre’ is really just a

small pioneer project. I perform a short Puja at the beginning of Aarti,

and printed out books (some in English and some I’ve found in Serbian

language) and photos of Babaji. I made a small donation box and started

sharing information on Facebook. Someone came with an Indian drum

and now I am searching for the best way to get a harmonium.

All the time I am meditating on this one message Babaji left us: to unite

around similarities instead of being focused on differences. I would

appreciate any suggestions about the best way to present Haidakhan Aarti

and its meaning to people. hejrakandi@gmail.com

Hejrakandi, Belgrade, Serbia

c/o Tara (Tatjana), Belgrade

hejrakandi@gmail.com

+38-1640-551-972

25

Gurupurnima – Holland - 16th – 19th July

Guru Purnima is the ‘birthday’ celebration of the inner and outer

Guru. This festival is dedicated to Mahavatar Haidakhan Babaji and

Shri Muniraj Maharaj, who are the inspiration and guiding force for

our ashram. The outer and inner Guru represents the Light that

dispels darkness. To book: www.babaji.nl/en/guru-purnima-2016/

26

Portugal – A New Babaji Samaj by Anandi

Portugal’s Babaji Samaj is located in Funchal the capital city of the

Autonomous Region of Madera, which is a Portuguese archipelago in the

Atlantic Ocean, 980 km southwest of Lisbon, 660 km west from the African

Coast (Morocco) and 400 km north of the Spanish Canary Islands.

Madera is 50 km long and 20 km wide. It is a territory of 747 Km2 with a

population of 254,000 - 40% of which is concentrated in Funchal.

Our Association ‘Light-to-Earth‘, which is our Babaji Samaj, is situated in

São Roque, the most rural parish of Funchal town, in a quiet housing area

with good accessibility and is 7km from city center. The Samaj has 14

associates, but there is a larger group of around 30 people who attend the

ceremonies (havan, aarti and paduka’s puja) and all are connected to

Sadguru Haidakhan Babaji. The foundation dates from 3rd of November

2013 (Diwali day). The President of the Samaj is: Anandi (Ana Isabel

Teixeira de Freitas). Address: Rua Dr. José Maria da Silva nº 26, 9020-415

Funchal, Madeira Island – Portugal Phone: Mobile 00/351/96 315 0414

(Anandi) Email: anaisabel.108mail.com Webpage: www.yogainjoy.com

Dear Anandi,

How nice to hear from you and to get this wonderful news that we now have

an official Babaji association in Portugal in the name " Light to Earth " My

heartiest congratulations to you and all your members for your dedicated

service to get this association registered. I wish you all success and may Shree

Babaji guide you to move forward in spreading His message and to do service

to humanity. In case you need my guidance or advice , I am there to serve

you. Bhole Baba Ki Jai ! With much love & good wishes. Alok

27

UK – Bhakti Gathering - 29th April to 2nd May

http://www.ukbhaktigatherings.co.uk/

Germany - Bhakti Soul Festival – 18th August to 21st August

We are so happy to announce the First Bhakti Soul Festival

from August 18th to 21st here in our ashram in Rieferath. Four

days of celebration, dance, poetry and satsang, embracing and

fostering the Bhakti Soul: the energy of love and devotion to

God that expresses itself in so many beautiful spiritual

traditions, and in their many different forms of divine music

and art. See: https://www.facebook.com/BhaktiSoulRieferath/?fref=ts

28

USA - Reaching Out – the purpose of an Ashram By Ramloti

I am so grateful to have been a part of this Ashram for over 25 years now.

Yes it is located in a unique place in the world where 26 spiritual groups

from around the world are gathered together in friendship and

cooperation. Yes it is located in one of the most beautiful places in the

world where the air, the water, and the land are still in its pristine state.

Yes, it is perched on the side of 14,000 foot mountains that have quartz

and gold in them and at an altitude of almost 3,000 meters bringing

amazing energy to the place. Yes, all of these make for a special place but

they all pale in comparison to what this Ashram decided many years ago

and continues to honour in its 30-year history. I remember many years

ago, after building the smaller part of the temple, huddling in front of the

wood burning stove in the one small building with no electricity or

plumbing. As we discussed why we were building this Ashram, we all

agreed it was to live lives of truth, simplicity, love, and service as Shri

Babaji had taught us. We talked a bit of how some communities give up

their vision and ideals to become big and profitable, and we decided at

that time that we would rather live in tents the rest of our lives and stay

true to our vision of Babaji than to compromise for growth or power.

I am grateful to say that we have stayed pretty true to that vision. I told the

Board of Directors that we were short handed and if we cannot be there

for the people to share with them about Shri Babaji and His teachings,

what are we here for? So all twelve Board members agreed and we hired

our first employee to help with the cooking. As we hired a few more

people for other jobs, there is less money for building, but we trust in

Babaji and so it has happened. Eventually there was money to expand the

temple to seat over 200 people. After sleeping on the crowded floor in the

yurt for nearly ten years, the beautiful solar, straw bale, five-bedroom

dormitory was built. In time, I imagine, as we cram 150 people for dinner

into our earthship kitchen overflowing it to sitting on the shop floor, we

will get a larger space, but there is joy in not having and a certain flexibility

and adventure in learning to deal with what is. We all learned this with Shri

Babaji. Really, who ever thought you could get 15 people into one car and

survive in the over 100 degree Fahrenheit (45C) weather of India! What a

29

master trainer He is! And now, as we have our weekly family meeting,

we often discuss the importance of being there for our visitors. On a

personal level, I feel that every meeting is an encounter with the Divine

whether it is a shop customer or a tourist coming to see the temple. All are

invited to share a meal, to have something to eat or drink, and to ask any

questions. I am often amazed at the satsang that happens in the Maha

Lakshmi Shop and how deep and lasting associations to the Ashram are

made from these seemingly random occasions. We also reach out by

going on tour with Shri Babaji’s padukas leading chanting and fire

ceremonies around the country. We do our best to honour requests to

come and bless new homes, babies, birthdays, and businesses. When

people call in any kind of pain, we offer to put their names or their family’s

name at the Divine Mother’s and Shri Babaji’s feet.

We also continually try to reach out to our Crestone community. I serve on

the Crestone Spiritual Alliance Executive Board, several of us are members

and train with the Crestone Mountain Fire Coalition (I look pretty funny in

my fire fighting outfit!). Just today, the director of Dharma Ocean Buddhist

Retreat Center came with a cake for us to thank us for cutting wood for

their large retreat that is going on, as they were running out. This morning

three of us at the Ashram attended the Karma Kagyu Buddhist Center as

they offered prayers and lamps at dawn for World Peace. Today’s New

Year’s lunch will be full with folks from all over the world and from the

many different spiritual traditions. I am so grateful to be part of this

Babaji Ashram in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

For more information go to: www.babajiashram.org

Reaching Out - to Florida in 2016

30

Italy

News about Villa San Secondo, Asti from Jai Anand and Daniela

We spent our New Year celebration in Villa San Secondo, the Babaji Centre

in Asti, North Italy. We were about 30 people, including many young

people. We are very pleased with these younger people, who increasingly

live in the Ashram feeling at home, taking more and more responsibility.

Now they are beginning to organise seminars, the first of which is in

March this year on the subject: ‘Communication’. They have invited a

professor from the University of Turin who will hold the seminar. Great !

We had a Havan on the first of January and it was really nice. We spent

four wonderful days in warmth, harmony and serenity. Thanks to Baba

everything goes well.

Bhole Baba Center Cisternino from Enzo

Since January 1, 2016 the Bhole Baba Center of Cisternino is managed by

the new Association Bhole Baba, created thanks to the joint efforts of the

Bhole Baba Foundation and the Italian Samaji. The Centre has stepped up

its activities and is hosting events and seminars that can be followed on

the website www.bholebaba.org And especially on the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Fondazione-Bhole-

Baba/848668171837989?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

The new association is made up of a group of devotees, both old and new,

and it is working profitably and with great understanding. They improved

both the welcome and the hospitality thanks to the contribution of new

energy. The intense Karma Yoga has allowed us to collect more than 300

kilograms of olive oil. The garden is still active and pujas are practiced

daily. Due to the blessings of our Master the centre remains alive and vital,

and we also thank those who support us with their financial aid and with

their affection.

31

Bulgaria - Sri Haidhakandi Surya Kiran Dham by Roxi & Rai Dass

We are in the 7th year since the Bulgarian ashram was born, completing

the first major cycle. It was marked by an extraordinarily high level of

materialisation. New spaces have been created or upgraded, and it’s clear

that filling this space with life will be the main focus of the next 7 years,

with more practices that serve truth, simplicity and love. As a first taste we

had the Heart Oracle seminar, which was very successful, leaving everyone

enriched and uplifted with a powerful new tool for intuitive insight.

This year we decided to put the ashram online for volunteers (e.g.

www.workaway.info). This has been a great new way of connecting with

people from all walks of life. Many different volunteers came, some

spiritual, some not, some became good friends. Most of them had never

even heard of Babaji before and it was a joy for them to learn new things

and experience the devotional energy of the ashram. Many found new

views on life and were inspired toward their inner growth. We also had

visits from the Haidakhandi family, and we hope that such visits will

increase in the years to come. Next year we will be constructing a new

multi-functional building that will serve as accommodation, as well as a

space for group events. We are holding the first Spring Navaratra hosted

in the ashram. It will take place at the end of this first cycle, to express the

gratitude for our experience of the last 7 years, and it will invoke the grace

for the future. We are very excited by these future developments and

wish & hope that many of you will come to experience the place with us.

Feel welcome to visit us any time. raidass888@hotmail.com

32

Australia - Babaji Centre at Tanja in Southern NSW by Nan Singh

As we wrote in December: The Australian Samaj has a major decision to be

addressed at the next AGM on 17th January 2016. The Samaj faces some

serious financial issues. The decision to be taken is about the future of

the centre.

Writing on 22nd January: Well we have now held the AGM and I am so

happy to report that it was probably one of the most productive meetings

the Australian Samaj has ever held with some devotees travelling

hundreds of kilometres to attend. The energy for the centre and the

Samaj was renewed, revitalised and re-energised with a strong

commitment from the members to support the centre with both money

and effort. Some of the outcomes and motions passed at the meeting:

- All members are to be asked to pledge by direct debit, a small weekly

amount to help with the current financial situation and to date there are

seven pledges.

- There was a re commitment from all who can to attend regular Karma

Yoga days to maintain the property.

- The Samaj will advertise, within the Babaji family and friends, for a

pujari/caretaker to live at the centre.

- Nan Singh will spend at least one night a week at the centre and

undertake Aartis and Kirtans and provide training for those who wish to

learn Aarti puja. Lakshmi will also come to play harmonium and sing

Kirtan and Bhajans .

- There will be fortnightly Havans at the centre in addition to the

regular havans and pujas led by Tiger Singh and Nan Singh at the temples

in their homes.

We now go forward asking for His blessings on all these activities.

33

With the divine blessings of Shri 1008 Babaji, I take immense delight in

sharing this report of the Ashwin Navratra Celebrations 2015, at the

Anandpuri Ashram at Chilianaula. The fact that the celebrations

occasioned only peace, joy and love, is a testimony of the astounding hard

work put in by the devotees and functionaries of the ashram. My heartfelt

thanks to everyone who worked in the selfless spirit of karmayoga to

make these celebrations so wondrously joyful. May Babaji fill each one of

us with his divine grace. Shri Alok Banerjee, Chairman, Haidakhandi Samaj

The picturesque Anandpuri Ashram was abuzz with heightened energy

as we entered the Ashwin Navaratras (13th to 21st October 2015). The

freshly painted walls radiated a charged atmosphere: the work of visible

and invisible Karma-yogis moving the proceedings forward seamlessly.

The seemingly effortless proceedings were the culmination of countless

hours of effort put in by the ashram residents and staff. Babaji’s grace

descended upon several new young devotees who added to the charm

and magic of these sacred celebrations. As always, the numbers of

devotees kept growing each day. The Ashram had to borrow rooms from

the Ayurveda facility to accommodate them. Many were already staying in

nearby guest houses. The celebrations were enriched by devotees from

Russia, Germany, USA, Latvia, Bulgaria, UK, Greece, Romania, Holland,

France, Ireland, Slovenia, Egypt, Poland, Sweden, Italy, Australia, Canada,

Hungry and Korea. From within India, devotees came from Jammu,

Bombay, Bihar, Rajasthan, Ludhiana and Southern India.

The morning chandan & arti was sublime; the paduka and devi pujas were

warm; the Saptasati & havan were intense. The bhandara was indulgent.

We built-up to the devi bhagwat ushered-in Babaji’s padukas and

crescendoed through the bhajans accompanied by passionate dance at

night. It was all a miracle of divine orchestration: what we call ‘Baba’s

leela’. We have all been through it a number of times, but still it always

feels as if it was happening for the very first time. We never know what to

News from India

34

call it - his love, his grace, his kripa… Bhakta vatsalta tumhari kaun hai nahin

janta, par bhakt main to hoon nahin yeh satya hi main manta ! There were

old kirtan singers singing alongside the new, with the old dancers dancing

with the new. As Udaybhai put it so well: “the rising up of a Spiritual

discotheque.” There were all kinds of dancing: our very own Devi

performed an inspired traditional devotional dance; an impromptu

Bulgarian belly dance performance from another devotee; and the joyous

dance expressions from Bihar, Rajasthan; and finally, of course, the

ecstatic rhythmic swaying of the seated audience - all were expressions of

the divine choreography, all orchestrated by Mahaprabhuji, Shri Shri 1008

Haidakhandi Bhagwan. By Shri Sanjeev Sarna

"Unite in love to elevate yourself. Each one of you must vow today to sacrifice everything to obtain oneness with yourself" - Babaji

35

Shri Babaji’s Charitable Hospitals www.babajiayurveda.com www.babajihospital.com

I am delighted to share some good news regarding the Shree Baba

Haidakhan Charitable and Research Hospital - we have just tied up with

Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi, one of India’s foremost

facilities in the domain of eye treatment and surgery, with a view to

improving the standards of treatment and service for the poor in the

Kumaon Himalayas. Shroffs offers cutting edge treatment on a par with

the best in the world. They will be helping us re-vamp our processes and

services in a structured manner. They have extensive experience in

mentoring organisations like ours and will be assisting us as follows:

1. Helping us develop proper strategic direction to develop a long term

expansion plan with regards the needs of our region.

2. Conducting manpower audits and training gap analyses and provide

training to different categories of employees.

3. Providing an ophthalmologist on rotation, and identifying and training

an administrator.

4. Assisting and training for proper quality systems, and developing audits.

5. Advising us on requisite equipment in line with our needs.

6. Helping in capacity-building and in demand creation.

7. Assisting us in the development of information systems and in sourcing

integrated hospital management software and training.

Our arrangement with SCEH will run for 2 years from1 January 2016. With

these professional inputs and experience on board, we expect the hospital

to truly serve the people in a manner that is world class. We are all

working very hard together to make this vision a reality. I hope every

member of the Samaj will be as happy as I am with the progress made

thus far and will work united to take this further.

Alok Banerjee

Chairman

Haidakhandi Samaj

GOOD NEWS for the New Year !

36

Recent developments in the Indian Samaj by Shri Uday Chatterjee

In addition to the Indian Samaj signing the landmark agreement between

these two hospitals, the following projects are active:

1. Your Indian Samaj is working on a plan to implement a Girl Child

Initiative to cover about two hundred girls in Haidakhan and Chilianoula

area, who are from economically deprived families and are deserving and

who will be identified through due diligence. We propose to take care of

tuition fees, books and uniforms for these girls, and to monitor their

progress. This Initiative is still being formulated and will in all likelihood be

operational by spring Navaratri.

2. We are undertaking an initiative for the Ayurveda Hospital to upgrade

the interiors and facilities, as well as implementing a software system for

the Ayurveda Hospital to offer its advisory services on the internet to

clients all over the world.

3. This year we have had a busy Shivaratri Program with Babaji’s Padukas

going to three homes in Bombay before going to Manda Ashram for

Mahashivaratri.

4. We are proposing to have a whole day Thinking and Planning Session in

early March in Delhi to discuss long term plans to improve our activities

and discuss comprehensive measures to make the Samaj more relevant

for the future.

I have one other humble comment to make, not so much as an advice to

anyone, but something I would like to encourage for the Indian Samaj: to

identify noble programs and involve more participation by devotees. This

can help to lift the level of discourse and make the Samaj more relevant to

society and its devotees.

Dr Schroff’s Shri Babaji’s Hospitals

37

I am Bhole Baba (Simple Father)

38

2016 DATES

FEBRUARY

8th

Amavasya

13th

Basant Panchami

20th

Babaji Mahasamadhi

22nd

Magh Purnima

MARCH

7th

Maha Shivratri

9th

Amavasya

12th

Babaji Prakatya Divas

22nd

Holika Dahan & Purnima

23rd

Dhulandi

APRIL

7th

Amavasya

8th

Chaitra Navratri (Samvat

2073 starts)

13th

Baishakhi

15th

Shri Ram Navmi

16th

Navaratri Ends

20th

Mahaveer Jayanti

22nd

Hanuman Jayanti & Purnima

MAY

6th

Amavasya

8th

Parshuram Jayanti

9th

Akshay Tritiya

21st Buddha Purnima

JUNE

5th Amavasya & Bat Pujan

14th

Ganga Dushera

20th

Purnima & Kabir Jayanti

JULY

4th

Amavasya

6th

Rath Yatra

15th

Dev Shayam Ekadashi

16th

Shri Muniraj Jayanti, Kark Sankranti

19th

Gurupurnima & Vyas Puja

AUGUST

2nd

Amavasya

7th

Nag Panchami

15th

Independence Day

18th

Purnima & Raksha Bandhan

21st Shri Muniraj Samadhi Divas

24th

/25th

Krishna Janmashtami

SEPTEMBER

1st Amavasya

5th

Ganesh Chaturthi

9th

Radha Ashtami

15th

Anant Chaudas

16th

Purnima

30th

Pittar Amavasya

OCTOBER

1st Ashwin Navratri STARTS

2nd

Gandhi Jayanti

9th

Durga Navami (Navratri ENDS)

10th

Vijay Dashami

15th

Sharad Purnima

19th

Karwa Chauth

23rd

Ahoi Astami

28th

Dhan Teras

29th

Choti Diwali

30th

Diwali, Amavasya & Lakshmi

Pujan

31st Annakoot

NOVEMBER

1st Bhaiya Dooj

14th

Purnima & Guru Nanak Jayanti

21st MahaKal Bhairav Jayanti

29th

Amavsaya

DECEMBER

13th

Purnima, Dattatreya Jayanti

25th

Christmas Day

29th

Amavasya

PROVISIONAL DATES FOR 2017:

Maha Shivaratri 25th

February 2017

Chaitra Navratri 28th

March to 5th

April

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Letters

From Sundar Baba (Schweibenalp),

Dear sisters and brothers.

Please receive my best wishes for the next year of work and joy!

I feel Babaji is very close with us and helping us in these difficult times for

the planet and humanity. All of us are very protected by His grace and

whatever will happen we are with the knowledge of being part of the

Divine Being, Energy and Love – eternally and also independent of this

body and incarnation, while we do our best here.

The two weeks around Xmas and New Year we had a full house of about

100 guests at Schweibenalp, coming and going, letting go and refueling for

the coming year. It is a great pleasure to see, how they drink the spiritiual

energy of the place loaded with Divine energy of Babaji and universal

spirituality, peace and unity. Only a very few of them were devotees of

Babaji. Anyway, by communicating freely with each other and with nature,

and through introspection and pujas, the guests experienced their

authentic selves, and opened up to share love and receive love and let go

of stress. Without exception they gave thanks when they left and we who

live here as community members all know this opening up is the most

natural and human way to be and live. Thank you Divine mother, thank

you Babaji.

I was personally very fortunate to have my entire family here visiting: my

brother and his family, my children with their partners and in the

meantime 4 small grand-daughters. What a grace and blessing by the Lord

to see all this young life! For four days Gaby, Rob, Usha (and Stefano)

were with us, our extended family since 30 years, a special treat and gift to

all of us, as years ago we spent lots of time with each other when the

children were small. There is so much deep bonding between all of us.

Rob, Gaby and I and our kids shared a lot, and also about Jai Ho and how

important fellowships of friends are for the Babaji family, how meaningful

our readiness to be there in this time for the spiritual family and to be able

to encourage and support wholesome impulses.

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We also shared our belief that inspite of the difficult situations on the

planet in economics, ecology, religions, global culture, violence, injustice,

wars…..inspite of the present strength of the holders of the ritual of hatred

and war, greed, money accumulation and power etc.....our coming

together for rituals of love through fire, arati, friendships, becomes even

more important. We also feel that anytime a shift can happen for the

good, an unexpected turn around with the help of the Divine forces.

As before I want to assure you of my strong feeling of support for Jai Ho,

even though I am so occupied with several other projects. I am looking

forward to our next Gurupurnima in Holland and hope our first Next

Generation Gathering will have great success.

From Nila Caddy: Happiness - the Core Teaching of Babaji

Happiness is like the Sun, it radiates out, wants to give of itself… Everyone

who is happy likes also to make other people happy. Babaji kept saying to

us again and again: Be alert ! Be attentive ! At the beginning of the path

our emotional being, as well as our mental being, are generally filled up

with a lot of plus and minus programming, until we get liberated from this

by our own inner work and endeavours. We must become alert and learn

to discern what makes us happy and unhappy. Om Namah Shivay! And

always call for divine assistance to help us extract what pulls us down, all

the anxieties etc. Through focus and inner devotion the certainty grows

that God really does everything: moves our difficulties out of the way so

that we can receive what we really need. With this certainty comes peace;

happiness can bloom and increasingly fill us up. But even then be alert,

for the human ego is deceptive and cunning. ‘Overworked and under

loved’ – who does not know this feeling ? “Work is love in action” (a

Findhorn teaching). So if you work with love, you will never be under-

loved, because you are in the space of Love. And that fills us with

Happiness. The loving partner, the true friends – boys and girls – the

fulfilment of our heart´s deepest desires – all these are toffees given to us

41

by God at the right time on our path, so that our trust in the Love and

Grace of God increases. It is then that we begin to wander on this earth

with Him as our best friend. Inspired by Him to do all actions, being his

hands, his eyes, his feet with all our heart and full of Joy. That way we

serve him, by doing good to all beings near and far, but not forgetting

ourselves, for we are also precious to Him, and if the instrument is not fit

we cannot fully serve with joy.

Thankfulness: if bliss is Heaven, gratefulness is the key to heaven. The

small demons of dissatisfaction will never be satisfied, never have enough.

Meanwhile the angels are living in happy thankfulness praising God in

blissful joy, just like our soul is blooming through devotion to God. Our

ego does not like to be devotional and cannot imagine God to be more

intelligent than itself. It wants to control us with its presumptions,

haughty dissatisfaction, criticism and judgements. But the Soul is waiting

to be recognised so that it can take over the guidance for our being, and

Babaji is waiting too….… and time is running out.

“We are all one with each other and with God.”

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MANTRAS FROM THE VEDAS - MEDITATION IN MOVEMENT

Maria-Gabriele Wosien (Malti www.sacreddance-wosien.net) is publishing a

wonderful 60 page DVD-box, containing the book + DVD of the Mantras in

Movement, in February 2016. It includes 19 watercolour paintings by

Babaji. To buy (€25 or £20 +p&p) please contact: info@metanoia-

verlag.ch (Helen and Werner Dormann) and www.metanoia-verlag.ch

I Cosmic Landscapes – Images of the Soul:

with Babaji Paintings

II Aspects of Sacred Art

1. Time – The Yugas

2. Rishis

3. Mandalas

4. Mantras

5. Mudras

III Stage and Filming

1. Gayatri Mantra

2. Shanti Mantra (1): ‘Om Dyauh Shanti‘

3. Mahamrityunjai Mantra

4. Shanti Mantra (2): ‘Om Sahanau vavatu’

5. Shanti Mantra (3): ‘Om Purnamadah’

IV Steps and Mudras

All Five Vedic Mantras - Texts and

Movements

43

Editorial

What can we say ! Such an amazing variety of contributions to the theme.

It was Gayatridevi who suggested the theme for this Journal. She helped

us realise the importance of an enquiry on ‘Who or What is Babaji today

for us’. How we have come to understand his presence on this

Earth? How we have distilled our experience of him ? Many write that

our awareness of his presence has shifted from his outer form to an inner

feeling of love, oneness, inner beloved, and as Sundar writes: “Being One,

Him being in me and me being nothing but Him….He is One and unified

with many other divine beings and all aspects of the great collective” So it

seems that we all have a profound personal relationship with him still, an

eternal Presence of the numinous in our lives. Om Namah Shivay.

Please continue your support of his charitable hospitals and ashrams in

India both by coming to our festivals and Ashrams, and by donating to our

Indian charitable projects (See: http://hi-journal.com/index.php/news-from-

india/open-giving-site-for-donating-to-indian-hospitals-and-ashrams/

The now named Haidakhandi International Journal (HIJ) is published twice

a year for each Navaratri time. It is edited and published by Rob and Gaby

in Oxford supported by the Jai HO admin group and the Editorial Advisory

Board of Alok, Gayatri Devi, Lok Nath, Raghuvir and Kharku. Publication is

on the website http://hi-journal.com/ administered by Mukundi in France,

and also on the Indian Samaj website: www.haidakhandisamaj.org

administered by Maheshanand in Holland. The responsibility for the

content lies with the Editors supported by their Advisory Board. However

the Editors do not take responsibility for individual’s stories or articles. We

often need to edit information sent to us for the purpose of shortening

the length of articles or improving written English or presentation.

Please contact the Editors on info@oxford-transpersonal.co.uk

Journal 14 will be published in September 2016 on the theme:

Service to Humanity/Service to our Community

- What are we doing as an organisation?

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