What Does the Guru Do?….

RohiniGuru and Disciple, Reflections, Uncategorized

The Śiva Sūtras say the Guru is the means (Sūtra II.6). For me, my Guru, Swami Muktananda, Baba, has been and is the means. In all the years I knew, studied and worked closely with Baba, he never let me down. He was and is always guiding me to the state of union with God. If the Guru is the …

Surrendering to Growth….

RohiniPracticing, Reflections, Uncategorized

I am in the middle of a change. Change is never pleasant, no matter how positive it is. Throughout my life, there have been times when I was heading in a particular direction, only to find I was being guided to a place I had never thought about. So periodically I reach a place where I say I want to …

Mother’s Day….

RohiniReflections, Stories and Occasions, Uncategorized

Today in the States we celebrate Mother’s Day. Baba was for me both my mother and father. He brought me up; he cleaned me up. My first mother and father were my first teachers. They continue to teach me my life lessons. I owe them much, since they introduced me to the part I am playing and helped reveal the …

Ganesh….

RohiniReflections, Stories and Occasions, Uncategorized

Baba used to call me Ganesh. At the time, the name did not bring joy into my heart. What am I supposed to learn from this? Why is he calling me Ganesh? These were my questions. Yes, I was in charge of security for the ashram. Yes, Ganesh was the guard at the door for his mother, Parvati. Yes, I …

Leaving the Fall….

Rohini"Walking Home with Baba", Maps and Principles, Reflections, Uncategorized

Every spiritual tradition values what is known in Sanskrit as sahaj samādhi, or walking bliss: being in the Heart and being with the world simultaneously. The problem is that we make this state of being into a lovely ideal or a distant place that we could never attain. In fact, walking bliss is available to each of us. The real …

Grace….

RohiniMaps and Principles, Reflections, Uncategorized

There’s so much talk about Grace. Born again, Pentecost, Yoga, New Age, from every corner we hear this word used. What is Grace? For me, Grace is knowing who I really am. Knowing through Being is what Grace gives us. Many people believe that Grace is having the bells and whistles; the lights, sounds, feelings, smells, and even tastes that …

Today Walking Home with Baba: The Heart of Spiritual Practice comes out….

Rohini"Walking Home with Baba", Photos, News & Events, Stories and Occasions, Uncategorized

Today Walking Home with Baba: The Heart of Spiritual Practice comes out. This is a huge step for me. I have been practicing what Baba taught me all these 30 years since he left his body. When I first went to Baba I was not enamored of the trappings around him, but I was attracted to him, not really knowing …

The light that enlivens….

RohiniLove, Reflections, Uncategorized

  The light that enlivens the subtle creative process is the same light that enlivens the shrunken, ignorant, delusive small self.  We have to choose–and we can choose–what we enliven.  Will and discernment are so important. Love enlivens everything, but because it passes through different vehicles until it reaches full manifestation, by the time it manifests fully it is twisted …

Characteristics of Mysticism….

RohiniMaps and Principles, Reflections, Uncategorized

From Mysticism, by Evelyn Underhill: 1.  True mysticism is active and practical, not passive and theoretical.  It is an organic life-process, a somthing which the whole self does; not something as to which its intellect holds an opinion. 2.  Its aims are wholly transcendental and spiritual.  It is  in no way concerned with adding to, exploring, re-arranging, or improving anything …