I first learned about Guruji in August of 2017, through Nakul Anand, a colleague. I had a parting dinner with Nakul and his wife Neha, in appreciation for the great work Nakul had done to support my customers and me during our work together. During dinner, we shared stories of our spiritual journeys in life, and he asked if I had heard of Guruji Maharaj. I had not. So he talked of the many miracles that his family had experienced. My interest grew and I wanted to learn more; Nakul promised that he would invite me to Guruji's
satsang in their new home. They had been searching for a new home for quite some time but nothing had worked out.
When the student is ready, the teacher appears. Nakul hosted his satsang at the new house on May 3, 2018. That meant I had waited for nine months. At the very first satsang, I was captivated by the divine energy and pure vibrations in the environment. Although I could not understand why, I knew I had to go back repeatedly to let the process of Guruji unfold in my life. I remember feeling the energy of a great celebration, and the joy and devotion of the devotees was overwhelming. The purity and grace of what Guruji represents was very attractive to me. The only requirements to be in Guruji's
sangat were to come with an open heart and mind to receive His divine grace. Being a student of Vedanta for the previous 13 years, going to Guruji was like finding a spiritual home.
That same year, on July 7, I attended Guruji's amazing birthday celebration and met a new friend from Hong Kong. My friend suggested I have a satsang at my place, just the two of us, to welcome Guruji in my space. I agreed wholeheartedly, and we shared a satsang on July 17. Later that month, one of our weekly satsang hosts, gifted me an 8x10 swaroop of Guruji. It was the very same I had printed from the internet and framed earlier. She also gave me a pendant with His picture, and a beautiful lingam art print of Guruji.
At that time, my friend was planning her trip back to Hong Kong and I was thinking of a parting gift for her. Guruji took care of that. When I was unwrapping the art print, I found two images of Guruji in the envelope. I had tears in my eyes, as I felt Guruji was in my mind and heart, knowing exactly what would bring me great joy. I called my benefactor-devotee (she would deny the term, saying it is all Guruji) to let her know she had given me two prints and asked if it was all right to gift the second. She said that it was all Guruji's plan, and it would be fine. This was just the beginning of my process of understanding the way Guruji showers His grace in our lives. It's such a personal process that it's hard to articulate. Guruji's kind of grace has to be experienced and is life-changing.
Helped in the garden and out of an injury
On August 6, 2018, I had another chance to recognize His presence and grace. That day, the pipe of my lawn sprinkler burst. As I had replaced the front lawn with rocks and succulents the prior year, I did not employ a gardener and it was beyond my ability to fix the pipe. I planned to go out of town that day and called my friend to ask about her gardener. However, he could only be in on Thursday, which meant waiting for three days. I couldn't wait so long and felt anxious about the cost of repair.
At that moment, I felt inclined to go out to get my mail. Outside, I saw my neighbour's gardener and his daughter working on their lawn. I knew Guruji had planted them there, at that time, to assist me. The gardener and his daughter quickly replaced the pipe at minimal cost, and I went back to finish packing for my trip.
Three days later, I was bounding down my home stairs, when I saw my pet dog, Freckles, lying at the bottom step. Trying to avoid hitting him, I slipped and fell backward onto the porcelain tiles. My neck and head bounced off the hard floor. I knew this was not good and sat there for a moment in a daze. I reached out to Guruji for His grace to help me in that moment. I found myself getting up quickly, finding my Arnica gel and slathering it on the quickly growing bump on my head. I was stunned yet incredibly blessed in that I was able to move, think and pray. I iced my head and sat with Guruji.
It was a Thursday afternoon, and I had planned to go to Guruji's satsang that evening. I was not going to let a big bump on my head stop me, no matter how bad I was feeling. The hematoma grew and although I knew I should have gone to see a doctor or to the ER, I calmly prayed and trusted that Guruji would take care of everything. I was not working and had not continued my health insurance, so going to the doctor was an expense that I did not want.
Guruji's grace worked wonders. I did not experience a headache at all, my head seemed clear, and the large goose egg subsided after a couple of weeks. I know Guruji saved my life that day. It was His way of letting me know how close He is at all times. I am so grateful.
His darshans and a linga in my Zen garden
Just two days after my injury, on August 11, I had Guruji's
darshan while meditating. Guruji flooded me with His grace and I felt and saw the light of His being magnify and overflow from my heart. It made perfect sense to me that all manifestations come from the heart, where we hold our richness, fullness, flowing beauty and joy. I was overwhelmed by His presence. It was clear that Guruji had settled in my heart and home.
A day later, I was booking my flight to Minnesota for a Labor Day visit with my son and mother. I had a couple of different frequent flier programs and checked the prices, which were over $1000. I had just a bit over 48,000 miles in and one airline had a round-trip ticket whose cost was covered by those miles plus a $11 fee. In effect, I got my ticket for 11 dollars!
That very day, as if to showcase the munificence of His grace, the rose bushes in my front and back yard were exploding with beautiful flowers. Guruji was showering me with His beauty and grace. I have always considered the beautiful roses to be gifts from my angels, but it's clear to me now where they have been coming from. In fact, a week later, I was working out in my front yard, which has a Zen garden, when I found a perfectly shaped lingam. Guruji was present in my garden, too. Jai Guruji!
Another instance of His grace occurred that week. Like everybody else, I too have come to rely on my phone. That week, my phone died and would not power up. I was quite stressed and asked Guruji to help me. Within a minute, after calming myself, I got a mental message to check both the cord and plug. Although I didn't feel very confident, I went and got a different cord and plug and switched out both. Sure enough, the plug was the issue, as there was no current coming from it. I switched the plugs and lo and behold, the phone showed it was charging.
Love never dies
In mid-October 2018, Freckles, the love of my life, began throwing up clear fluid. He was 16 years old and aging and had been slowing down the past few months. I did not want to confront the obvious, so I put the vet visit off longer than I should have. When I took him in a week or so later, the vet told me that Freckles had kidney failure and wouldn't last two weeks. His recommendation was to take him home for a day to say good-bye and then to bring him back to put him down. I was shocked and dismayed and could not accept that judgment. I asked if I could try CBD (or cannabidiol) oil to assist with his discomfort and nausea, as he had stopped eating. The vet responded that he couldn't recommend it, but he could write a script for an opiate. I told him no thanks and went to the dispensary to purchase CBD.
It was through this end-of-life experience of my beloved Freckles that I experienced the full divine grace of Guruji.
That day and the next few were very critical as Freckles would not eat. I had friends stopping by to say their farewells, and I was broken-hearted. Freckles was lethargic and limp and seemed to be letting go. I prayed and prayed for him to recover, and Guruji answered. My housemate brought a plate of Indian food into my bedroom, as I hadn't been eating either. The smell of the Indian spices got the attention of Freckles, and he lifted his head. I brought the food to his mouth, and he accepted it with love in his eyes. Freckles came back slowly, with much prompting to eat in spite of his nausea.
Each day was a treasure and a miracle. He really did love me, and I could feel the pure presence of his love. It wasn't only Freckles' love, it was the greater unconditional love of Guruji. It was pure divine grace that I felt, a triangle of love and purification that Guruji was pouring into both of us to allow us to experience what true love felt like, the truth and power of love. At times I felt as if Guruji, Freckles and I were all one divine energy manifesting through each other. I have not felt anything like this before, and it made total sense. Guruji was showing me who we all are: PURE LOVE.
Freckles lived to celebrate his 17
th birthday in March of 2019. There were times I had five different dishes for him to choose from, and he would eat a couple of bites just for me. The most interesting thing of all is that throughout the remaining months, the dish I could entice him with the most frequently was Chicken Tikka Masala — my favourite dish from the local Indian restaurant — but I did not eat it for these many months, it was all for Freckles. It was made clear to me that we had shared time together in India in previous lifetimes, he'd been with me through thick and thin, the perfect well-behaved dog that I could take anywhere with me. He'd always been the delight of my days, the light I looked forward to returning home to. No wonder I felt his heart beat so in sync with mine.
Guruji showed me many things in those last few months with Freckles. I learned much about myself and my capacity for receiving and giving love. I think Freckles did too. This is not the kind of love you can experience with a human being. It was nothing less than mystical and the highest spiritual level of experience. As each week passed, I thanked Guruji for these precious moments. Finally, in early April, as Freckles lost hearing and sight, I was guided to plan for the day I could release him — his Freedom Day — and told devotees at a satsang that I would be holding that on my upcoming birthday. This would allow us to share the same birthday.
When I shared my satsang about Freckles Freedom Day, a gracious elder from the sangat, Sita aunty, reached out to me and said she felt my sadness and wanted to do something. She invited me to enjoy a personal satsang at her home the following Sunday. I am shy and introverted, by nature, but was very appreciative of her gesture and accepted the invitation. It was a beautiful satsang; we shared stories and she welcomed us with much love. It was at this satsang that Sita aunty gifted me a poster-size swaroop of Guruji in all His majesty. I was so excited, yet humbled, as I could feel Guruji's presence so deeply. I had been wanting a poster-size picture for Guruji's
durbar, but didn't know how it would come to me, even though I knew Guruji would take care of it. Not only did most gracious Sita aunty gift me the poster, but also the frame to go with it.
I invited her to Freckles' celebration so that we could expand Guruji's presence that day. Kind and gracious satsang devotees also reached out to us in this time of preparation. It's so obvious how Guruji is doing His work through individuals, how they know when and where to go to shine the light of Guruji's presence and practical spirituality during times of need. One sangat couple gifted us some CBD oil, as they recently lost their beloved dog and heard my satsangs earlier. Guruji — all of it is GURUJI! We are His hands and feet in the world, His expression for each other.
Freckles Freedom Day was the saddest. We went to Laguna Beach to share time in the park and then came home for a celebration with his three dog sitters who loved him, and a couple of close friends. Guruji was fully present and received Freckles' heart and soul. I can never express my deepest appreciation for the grace that Guruji gave to us, by allowing me to work through my heartbreak while Freckles was still present and loving. It's been a couple of sad and lonely months, but when I dive into my heart, I feel the triune presence of Guruji, myself and Freckles bound in unconditional love. He may not be here with me, but his heart lives on in mine. Jai Guruji!
A divine bouquet of roses in my home
Shortly after Freckles' Freedom Day, it was a Sunday morning and I came downstairs to find a red rose lying on the rug in front of the fireplace mantel. It took me by surprise, as I did not know where it could have come from. I thought my new housemate, Debbie, must have put some roses in a shallow round cup next to Guruji's picture. Ah, it made sense, how sweet of her. The white rose that had also been in the cup was now sitting next to Guruji's picture. I scooped up the rose on the rug, as well as the white rose and put them back inside the cup.
Later that evening, I came downstairs and again found the red rose lying on the rug in front of the mantel. I thought I would change out the cup, as it must not have been deep enough to hold the rose. I switched out the cup for a deeper mug and arranged the roses so they would not fall out. I came down on Monday morning to find the red rose once again on the rug. The windows and doors were closed; there was no reason that the rose would be on the rug again — unless… I stopped in my tracks and smiled and asked Guruji if He was present. I laughed out loud and mentally was assured Guruji was present. I asked Him why the flower was on the floor, and I was told that He was offering the flowers back to us. He wanted to make sure that I knew of His presence in my home.
I felt so blessed and appreciative of His divine grace and presence in my home. I've always felt my home is my sanctuary, my spiritual space, and although I am sure Guruji has been with me much longer than I've been aware, I now consider my home Guruji's healing centre. In fact, earlier, I had owned a home with the address '1 Peacock' — a pointer of His presence and grace.
Finding treasures for my altar
I went to my first
Amritvela satsang in early May 2019 and loved the magic of the early hours spent in the energy of Guruji's elevated grace. It felt like pure magic to me, and so personal. Returning home, I decided to do some treasure hunting, which I used to enjoy years earlier with Freckles on Saturday mornings. Checking out some garage sales near me, I made a mental note of what I was hoping to find. I had changed out Guruji's durbar décor a couple of times, but it was still missing a silver cup. I didn't want to purchase the cup, as I knew that Guruji would provide it in His time and way.
I went to a neighbourhood garage sale in the complex that I had previously lived. At one of the homes, I was surprised and shocked to see an exact 2x3 foot painted replica of a Fabian Perez 9x11 print that I had framed in my bedroom, along with many others scattered around my home. Fabian is my favourite artist, an Argentinian who captures the natural elegance of life and romance beautifully. The painting was leaning against a garage door with a price tag of $5. I could not believe my eyes: This print was an exact replica of the original. There is no way that somebody with that kind of talent would paint a replica of the original on a 2x3 foot canvas.
I chuckled to myself and thought I would play with the situation. I asked the seller if she would take $3 for the painting. She looked at me, at the painting and, unbelievably, said "sure". I would have paid much more than $5 for the painting. The painting is a representation of what Guruji is to me. It depicts a black-hatted, blue-suited gentleman standing at a closed door, holding a bouquet of roses behind his back. He is waiting for the door to open, to surprise and delight the person on the other side with His grace.
There was no signature on the painting, but believe me, I know where it originated from. Just when you think Guruji cannot out-do himself, He ends up next to my bed on a 2x3 foot frame to remind me of His divine presence each and every morning and evening and all the hours in between! But that wasn't all.
I went to an estate sale on my way home, at the house of a woman who regularly walked her dog in the neighbourhood. I found tons of votive candles for Guruji's durbar, beautiful large tablecloths, and then, two engraved silver goblets. I'd found His silver cup! The price was a giveaway. I felt Guruji's presence with me as my heart jumped up and down. The following week, at another treasure hunt, I found more votive candles and a brand-new peacock purse. How many peacock purses have you seen in your day? I could only shake my head and marvel.
I had been missing Guruji's lotus feet at His durbar and thought that it would be nice to have His picture to add to it. Hardly a week had passed by when I was graced with an 8x10
swaroop of Guruji's feet to place in front of His divine chair, by my 'it's-all-Guruji' satsang host.
My business markets itself
Guruji's advent into my life had come at a time I was pondering my next career move. I had been gaining interest in personal coaching, so I did a muscle test to see if it would be the right choice. With Guruji's blessing, the answer was positive. I reached out to an acquaintance who was the founder of a coaching company to take her 12-week coaching program. I sent the founder an email explaining how my funds were limited and asked if she would consider giving me a discount, promising I would be her best student. She discounted the program fee substantially. Such are Guruji's blessings!
In October of 2018, I launched my coaching business and set up my website. As if by divine energy, my website was built and launched within two days. I limited the marketing effort to avoid stress, something I had seen too much of during my 25 years in a corporate sales environment. These days I rest in knowing that I am held, I am safe, and that all things will work out fine. I have got clients from the company that trained me, and also a steadily growing clientele of my own.
Even though I don't do marketing, Guruji is opening pathways for me to expand my business in ways that I could not make happen even if I tried. I hear His message that 'they will find me'. Recently, I went to a volunteer meeting to support a cause where I found a journalist who wanted to report on our grassroots efforts. It ended up in a request for an interview with me for a story for her news station.
He works through us
I happened to be standing in queue at a grocery store. I was in a hurry, but stalled and could only watch my mind and my impatience. It seemed that the checkout clerk was moving very slowly and conversing way too much with the customer checking out. I adjusted and calmed myself down. I'd clearly chosen the wrong aisle, but the other lines filled up before I could move. The customers in front of me had many items of produce, which seemed to take longer to scan, so I focused on my breathing to maintain calm.
The customer finally left, and the woman ahead of me, who I thought was with the just-departed customer, had only a few items. I saw the woman hand back the clerk one of the items, and then another. It dawned on me that she must not have enough money, so I grabbed my wallet and told the checker I would cover the difference. He challenged me, saying maybe she didn't want the items. I told him to give her money back and said I would pay for her groceries. The transaction was done; the woman glanced quickly at me and was gone. The checker acknowledged my kindness, as did the woman behind me. It wasn't until the woman had left that I fully understood that it was Guruji, working through me.
Guruji knows what we are thinking before we are, He plants thoughts in our minds so we can deepen our relationship with Him and watch our relationship unfold so beautifully. He has told me my only job is to enjoy the freedom, beauty and peace of my life, and to live it with curious wonder. Also, He has imprinted in my mind that our level of abundance is dependent on the expansion of our minds and the depth of our hearts.
I have been invited to more satsangs, and it never feels like I can get my fill. Guruji is filling up my soul, and it feels so divine.
My only request to Guruji is to care for my family and to purify me so that I may become a conduit of Guruji's divine grace in this world. We will all become purified if we stand with Guruji. It's not an easy road, but it is the best journey there can possibly be. We are able to experience a total freedom from fear when we rest in Guruji's grace and trust Him at all times. In difficult times, the most challenging times, if you are watching closely, you can see Guruji's magic unfolding in miraculous ways. I feel His presence more and more in my life, flowing through me.
My life has been profoundly changed by Guruji's presence. I thought I had a great understanding of what and who I am, spiritually evolved and open to the spirit and my Creator's presence in my life, but Guruji has made everything extremely personal. Guruji is my partner, my beloved, my best friend, my hope, my dreams and my vision of my Highest Self. I have no doubt that He and I are One, that I am an expression of His grace, and it is my task to align with my highest potential in this lifetime so that I may be free of
maya, the illusionary power. This is my request: Purify me, Guruji. Make me a flower of Your Divine Grace, a light of Your Divinity. Jai Guruji!
Anne Frank, a devotee, Mission Viejo, California
June 2020