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Ashram Mission Statement
We aspire to live the Teachings of Haidakhan Baba, to share the Love of Babaji
and the Divine Mother with others, to hold this Ashram as Their Home,
to serve humanity, and to be stewards and caretakers of the land.
June, 2008
Dear Friends of the Ashram,
Shri Babaji told us to build large ashrams where many people could come together and learn to work and live in community. Particularly during the warmer months, we certainly have lots of opportunities for this. We just finished a very full Memorial Day weekend with over 200 people coming through the Ashram, many to stay overnight or to share a meal with us. Just the food preparation and clean up alone gave us lots of practice at working together. One of our guests, as she was helping to make breakfast for 30 or more visitors, commented on how much fun it was to all cook and be together. Most of the visitors had never met before but quickly we all became like family. Such is the grace of the Guru and the love of the Divine Mother.
Besides a busy Memorial Day weekend, we have had many groups visit the Ashram, several have been from schools near and far. We also had another well-attended Bal Gokulram for our children and offered a parenting class for our families. Reports and photos follow.
On June 7 we will have a Karma Yoga morning followed by lunch and on June 8 we will host our first (and hopefully not our only) community softball game of the year. We will also begin another five-week parenting course on June 9. Looking ahead to July, we have Guru Purnima Day, the Annual American Haidakhan Samaj meeting, Family Week and the Devi workshop, all happening between July 18 through July 25. There are many, many folks coming, so reserve your place in the dorm now! Read on for more details.
Evening aarati at the temple is at 7pm and morning aarati is at 7am. There is also a small fire ceremony every day (except new and full moon) at 6:30am when the weather is conducive (not raining or too windy and dry). The Maha Lakshmi Shop is open from 9am-6pm daily and lunch is served around 12:30. We invite you to visit.
The new-moon fire ceremony is on Tuesday, June 3 and the full-moon fire ceremony is on Wednesday, May 18. All fire ceremonies begin at 10:08am and are followed by a meal. If you would like to participate by sponsoring a fire, we would like to send you a blessed item from the ceremony. They are:
- $27 sponsorship - copper, brass, nickel Om Namah Shivaya bracelet
$54 sponsorship - Sandalwood Mala
$108 sponsorship - Rudraksha or Crystal-Rudraksha Mala
You can make the donation online by just clicking here or call 719-256-4108 or e-mail the Ashram at info@BabajiAshram.org or send us a check at P.O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131. We are continually grateful for all of your support.
In truth and love, Ramloti
Karma Yoga Day - Saturday, June 8
This beautiful home of the Divine Mother and Shri Babaji has been built by the loving service of many generous people. Each year, as we prepare for the busy summer, we have a karma yoga day to get many projects completed. Karma Yoga is one of Shri Babaji's main teachings, selfless service to humanity. This year is will be on Saturday, June 8 from 9am until 1pm followed by lunch. Some of our projects include: putting a fence around the recycling area; fixing the door to the west entrance of the earth ship; weeding and regraveling the path to the west entrance; digging tenches for drainage; cooking; and resetting the Maha Lakshmi shop sign.
It is always a fun and energetic time together with lots accomplished. It is amazing how many hands make light work. Thank you to all who can come and help.
Community Softball Game - June 9
Another fun event is our occasional community softball game at the Baca Park. Last year we seemed too busy to play even once during the summer. This year (with the help of a little prodding from our local community members) we have planned a game for Sunday, June 9 at 2pm in the Baca Park.
This is a great time to come together with many Crestonians and laugh, play and get some exercise. In the past we have had Tibetian lamas, Buddhist monks, Catholic Carmelites and other members of the neighboring spiritual groups join us. The Ashram has plenty of mitts, balls and bats. All skill levels are welcomed, the important prerequisite is a good sense of humor!
Parenting Class Offered, June 9 - July 7
With so many families coming to the Ashram and moving to Crestone, it seemed like time for Ramloti to refresh her parenting teaching skills and offer some classes. She taught the curriculum of Redirecting Children's Behavior for years both in Colorado and California. The five-week class will be offered on Monday evenings from 6:30pm until 9pm. Suggested donation to the Ashram is $50 for the entire series. Call the Ashram at 719-256-4108 for registration and details.
First Anniversary of Babaji Temple in Etawah, India - June 18
Last year you may remember the articles about the new Babaji Temple in the small village of Damodarpur located 7 kilometers outside of Etawah, UP in India. Given the name Shri Shri 1008 Haidakhandi Shiv-Shakti Dham by Shri Muniraji, it was built by Denver devotees, Shashi and Bipin Agarwal. It is exciting to announce that there will be a first anniversary program there on June 18. The program will include: pujas; fire ceremony; chanting; and bhandara. All are cordially invited. You may call Shashi's brother in Etawah (who has overseen the building of the temple) for help organizing your trip. His name is Pramod Gupta and his phone is 91-94-11-99-2457. Since last year, there have been several improvements, most notably, a new water system so that water will be available around the clock. Bhole Baba Ki Jai!
Bal Gokulam - Saturday, June 28
Out next Bal Gokulam will be on Saturday June 28th from 10am until noon followed by a potluck lunch. This one will focus on Mother Durga and how She protects and helps us on our path.
The program includes stories, yoga, chanting, sharing, and puja. The program has become very popular among the community. We have many children and parents that look forward to coming every time and also there are always new participants as well.
Please call Cindy 719-256-5007 or Shila 719-256-4477 for more information or to let them know what potluck dish you want to share.
Guru Purnima & Samaj Meeting July 18,19,20
What a wonderful long weekend we will have beginning with Guru Purnima (the full-moon on which one honors one's teacher) on Friday, July 18. Many devotees are coming from around the country to celebrate with a paduka puja, a large fire ceremony, feast, satsang, chanting, and lots of Baba stories. This will also overlap with Sondra Ray and her group's yearly visit, the energy will be sky high!
On Saturday, July 19 we will have the annual meeting of the American Haidakhan Samaj. This is the national Babaji organization that helps spread Baba's teachings through publications, tours, workshops, and supporting Babaji centers throughout the country. This yearly gathering is an important event at which the programs for the upcoming year are discussed and put into motion. Let your voice and ideas be heard. To make reservations for this very busy weekend, call the Ashram at 719-256-4108. For more information about the Samaj, go to www.BabajiSamaj.org
Annual Family Week - July 21 - July 25
We are looking forward to the return of many of our children (some now young adults) and their families for the week of July 21-25.
From 10am until 1pm each day there are programs going on for children. This year the theme is on service and the five mahayagnas (the great duties in the Vedic culture to the Creator, to Nature, to our elders and dependants, to those who dedicate their lives to service, and to the animals).
In addition to exploring these topics, the children will learn chanting, help with karma yoga, learn yoga asanas, visit other spiritual centers, go on hikes, and do art projects.
In the afternoon the adults organize field trips for the children to the Sand Dunes, the hot springs swimming pool, horseback riding, and other activities.
Please call or email the Ashram to make reservations or for more information. Even if you do not plan to stay at the Ashram, if your children are going to participate, please let us know so that we can organize enough staff and supplies for the week. You may call the Ashram at 719-256-4108 or email us at info@BabajiAshram.org. Hope to see many of you.
Devi Workshop - July 21-25
While the children are participating in the Kids' program, there will be a concurrent workshop each day from 10am - 1pm on the Divine Feminine.
This year, we are very excited to announce that it will be facilitated by Sofia Diaz. Sofia leads retreats around the world on yoga, the Divine Feminine, and Sacred Movement. We have known her for many years as she conducts a yearly retreat in Crestone and always brings her students to the Ashram and temple during their stay. We have long been inspired by the shakti and joy of all the participants, so when the Ashram Board decided on the theme of the Devi, it seemed like a natural fit. We are grateful that she still had this time slot available in her busy schedule.
The five-day workshop will begin with the Devi in general and then proceed over the next four days to cover Mother Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and finally Haidakhandeswari (whom Shri Babaji said is a combination of all three). The workshop will include history, stories, chants, stotrams, meditations, sacred movements, mudras, symbols, yantras, the Devi Bhagavatam, the sapta sati, and ceremony all focused on the Divine Feminine.
The suggested donation for the five days is $108 (scholarships are available). Once again, letting us know if you plan to attend is helpful for the planning. It promises to be a very inspiring time.
Kirtan Hall Update
Another busy holiday (Memorial Day weekend) and another busy kirtan hall. Along with appreciation for the space, there is also an awareness of the energy in this relatively new hall. While singing the aarati and bhajans together, there is a palpable feeling of Mother and Baba's Presence. Thank you for helping make this possible.
We are pleased to let you know that through your generosity, matching pledges, monthly tithes, and all of your shop purchases, our kirtan hall loan now has been paid down to $41,600. If you have any ideas on ways to help us pay down the loan sooner or would like to organize a fundraiser, please call the Ashram at 719-256-4108.
We would like to encourage you to make a monthly automatic pledge to pay down the kirtan hall loan. Either call the Ashram at 719-256-4108 with your credit card number and ask us to charge a set amount every month ($501, $108, $54, $27, $10.08....) or go to our website and ask PayPal to deduct a certain amount from your account each month, Click Here. You can also send a check to the Ashram at P.O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131 or donate online by clicking here. We want to thank you for all of your continued support in this meaningful project.
The Ashram
by Romas
My love for the Ashram has been ongoing since visiting here for the first time in late 2001. I had just returned from a trip to Nepal and wanted to continue on the path of Dharma, rather than pursue mammon or financial security as most do. I was drawn to Babaji’s ashram in particular because it expounds a non-sectarian mindset, and because He is a superstar of Divinity who simply pulls me in.
Since visiting for a month back in 2001, I have returned for a few days each year to recharge my heart’s power with the Vibes of Haidakhan. For the past 4 years I have served in the Army to pay off college loans and to see the conflict in the Middle East from the inside. It has been challenging to be removed from what I consider to be Truth for so long, that is why the Ashram and Crestone are so important to me. I find a haven of Dharma in a world of adharma here.
After being released from the Army I feel very special to have been a guest at Babaji’s house in the American Himalayas for 3 weeks. I plan on traveling to India shortly to visit His real pad in the Himalayas, I can only imagine the Power one must feel whilst walking on the Earth where He did. OM NAMAHA SHIVAYA
Recent Events
Bal Gokulam (Children's Program)
We had our children’s program Bal Gokulam on Saturday May 17th. Once again we enjoyed doing yoga, meditation and singing bhajans together. This time we did a puja for Saraswati. We also enjoyed sitting outside having our snack since we were blessed with beautiful sunshine. This time we asked the parents to share their thoughts and their children’s thoughts about Bal Gokulam.
Angela (Matias 2.5 years and Talus 8 months) - We enjoy doing yoga and going within together. It is a nice quiet time and it is great opportunity to share that with the community. We also enjoy getting to know more children in Crestone.
Nina (Asher and Willow 2 years) - We enjoy the puja. The kids like to dress the gods and to decorate them with jewelry and flowers. We enjoy the stories that are told in a simple easily understandable kid-like fashion.
Vesper (Rasalas 3 years) - I so enjoy the opportunity to expose our child to this sacred tradition in his formative years. We love the stories translated into a form that children can comprehend. I love that we sing all together and the songs seep into the children’s consciousness even before they are ready to sing along. We love the puja and teaching the children to serve others and to serve the Divine before serving ourselves. Thank you Shila and Cindy.
Andrea (Uma 5 years and Soma 2 years) - We all really enjoyed Bal Gokulam. It is wonderful to see the children learning the stories and concepts in the Hindu tradition. Of course singing, dancing, yoga and meditation are a great focus for them also. My daughter Uma was talking about what she had learned. Thank you for offering this to the community
Lots of Groups Visit the Ashram
May is often the month for groups to come to the Ashram. We were happy to host our Primary Age Charter School Class and a few days later a group of visitors from our neighbors, the Shumei International Institute. Both groups enjoyed learning more about the tradition and chanting.
The following week we had a group of twenty fifth-graders from the Waldorf School in Carbondale, CO. At the end of the fire ceremony they sang us a lovely Om Namah Shivaya chant. They also were very generous with their help cleaning up after the lunch.
Our Children and Families
We have so many wonderful families coming to the Ashram. Unfortunately with many friends, some have to move away from time to time.
Shashank and his wife and daughter, Poornima and Dhyuthi are moving back to Hydrabad, India. But first they came with many relatives to make lunch for all of the Ashramites and visitors. We will miss you!
Our friends from Texas attended our first small fire ceremony of the year and forty-plus folks enjoyed dinner in the earthship on the Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend.
The many children visiting the Ashram over the holidays were delightful.
And our local children continue to grow.
Jade, Sarah, & Francesca's recital. Matias feeding Talus and Rasalas turns 3-years old!
Calendar for 2008
June 7 - Karma Yoga Morning at the Ashram from 9am - 1pm followed by lunch.
June 8 - Community Softball Game in Baca Park at 2pm. All are invited.
June 9 - July 7 - 5-week Parenting Class on Mondays from 6:30pm-9pm.
June 28 - Bal Gokulam, children's program from 10am until noon, followed by potluck.
July 18 - Guru Purnima Day, the day you honor your guru. Paduka Puja at 9:30am, Fire ceremony at 10am followed by an Indian feast.
July 19 and 20 - Annual American Haidkakhan Samaj meeting. To find out more about the Samaj go to their web site at www.BabajiSamaj.org
July 21 - 25 - Annual Family Week at the Ashram with concurrent workshop on the Devi.
September 29 - October 7 - Fall Navratri, nine days to honor the Mother. Daily fire ceremonies, pujas, discourses, and readings.
October 28 - Diwali, the festival of lights. Fire ceremony at 10am. Chanting at 7pm.
Maha Lakshmi Shop Report
The Shop has a lovely collection of brass singing bowls. They are not only beautiful but the sounds they make are enchanting. Here are some in the photo with prices and sizes to the right. They come with the striker or strikers.
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Singing Bowls:
Diameter 11"- $171
Diameter 9" - $126
Diameter 7.5" - $108
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We are awaiting the arrival of our annual order of murtis, devotional items, harmoniums, and dollaks from India. If you would like us to reserve you a harmonium, please call us with your request. You can call the shop toll-free at 866-686-4185 to order or for more information. We are open daily from 9am until 6pm. We do take Mastercard, Discover, and Visa. To view items in the Maha Lakshmi Shop, please refer to our newly updated web site at BabajiAshram.org.
You may order on line through paypal or e-mail us at shop@babajiashram.org, or of course, place the order over the phone. We love to talk with you. We thank you for all of your shop purchases as the revenue from the shop is a huge support for the Ashram.
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