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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.
August, 2009
Dear Friends of the Ashram
This month I have been experiencing so much family. The wonderful family of devotees that gathered in Switzerland for Guru Purnima, our loving family week here at the Ashram, our family of many spiritual communities here in Crestone, and my own family since my son and daughter-in-law are about to birth their third son, literally any day now. I feel so blessed with all this love that Baba and Mother have made so abundant in my life. Babaji often spoke of the family of humankind of which we all apart.
After a very full month of July, we are considerably less scheduled for August. We have our children's program, Bal Gokulam, on Saturday, August 15. We also have a group of elderly friends from Denver coming for the weekend of August 22 and 23. Our full-moon fire ceremony is on Wednesday, August 5 and our new-moon fire ceremony is on Thursday, August 20. Evening aarati at the temple is at 6pm and morning aarati is at 7am. Lunch is served around 12:30 and we love you to visit.
August will also be full with preparations for Fall Navrati (the Divine Mother Festival) which is very early this year, September 18 to September 26. Please let us know if you would like to attend as we are getting quite booked already. If you would like to participate by sponsoring a fire or a feast, we would like to send you a blessed item from the fire ceremony. They are:
- $27 sponsorship - Copper, brass, nickel Om Namah Shivaya bracelet
$54 sponsorship - Rose Quartz, Rosewood, Sandalwood, or Tulsi Mala
$108 sponsorship - Rudraksha or Crystal 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
Bal Gokulam
Our lovely Children's program will be on Saturday, August 15 from 10am until noon. This is followed by a potluck lunch. Many families attend and the children love hearing the stories, doing chanting, drawing, and yoga, and also learning a puja. It is always a special morning and it is wonderful to see them at the regular Ashram programs with so much knowledge and interest in the rituals and ceremonies.
For more information you may call Cindy at 719-256-5007 or Shila at 719-256-4477.
Fall Navratri - September 18-26
It is hard to believe that fall is almost here but along with it comes our magical and beautiful nine days of celebrating the Divine Mother in Fall Navratri. This year the festival begins on Friday, September 18 and ends on Saturday, September 26. Each day there are special pujas, readings, discourses, fire ceremonies, bhandaras (feasts) along with our regular aarati and chanting. It is a very special time to visit.
We are often very busy at this time, so if you would like us to reserve room for you in the dormitory please call us at 719-256-4108 or email us at info@babajiashram.org. Please join us if you can or participate long distance through sponsoring the ceremonies or feasts.
Kirtan Hall Update
We are so excited to announce that the kirtan hall loan has now been paid down to $2,800. We are so close to paying it off, it is a very wonderful feeling. We were so grateful to have this special space for our family week, workshop, and joyful celebrations in the busy month of July.
We would like to encourage you to make a monthly automatic pledge to continue paying 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. We want to thank you for all of your continued support in this meaningful project.
Recent Events
Guru Purnima in Switzerland
What a special celebration we had at the Schweibenalp Ashram in Switzerland. Nestled in the Alps overlooking the Lake of Brienz, over two hundred devotees gathered. The aaratis, chanting, satsangs, fire ceremonies, paduka pujas, meals, and visiting were all wonderful opportunities to experience Shri Babaji's grace and love. The next year's international Guru Purnima celebration (July 25, 2010) will be at the Ashram in Cisternino, Italy.
Guru Purnima Day in Crestone
While the international gathering was going on in Switzerland, there was also a lovely celebration here at the Ashram in Crestone. It began with a paduka puja followed by a fire ceremony and chanting. It ended with a huge feast out on the lawn. Even though it was midweek (Tuesday) there were still over 80 people in attendance.
Bal Gokulam
We enjoyed a beautiful Bal Gokulam program together in July. We had cancelled the Bal Gokulam program for July because of all of the activities for family week. Somehow, the notice in the paper did not get cancelled so four families showed up for the program. We quickly put together a spontaneous program and the childrent were wonderful. They wholeheartedly participated in all of the activities which culminated in a puja to Maha Lakshmi.
As they danced around the fully adorned murti to the chanting, it brought tears to the eyes to see their innocent love and devotion. They carry so much Divine Love in those little bodies that they are truly a blessing to the Ashram when they grace us with their presence.
Annual American Samaj Weekend
The American Haidakhan Samaj, is the organization of devotees in America that helps spread Babaji's love and teachings. Babaji's love and blessings were certainly abundant as we gathered together for stories, paduka pujas, chanting, aarati, fire ceremonies, delicious food, and visiting.
Over 20 people were in attendance including some teens that were at the Ashram. As folks shared their stories, particularly some of the teens, it often brought tears to the eyes. A youth committee was formed this year and they have already made some recommendations to the Samaj and Ashram.
Next year the Samaj weekend will be on July 24 and 25 and will include a large Guru Purnima celebration on July 25. Mark you calendar now for this inspirational gathering.
Annual Family Week
This year the theme for the annual family week was "Love Expressed Through Service." Both the love and the service abounded this year, making it a memorable experience for all. It was particularly fun to see how much the children (many are now young adults) who have been coming for years have matured. The teens took on new responsibility for meal preparation and clean up making the activities that often had over 50 people participating in them manageable and fun.
Afternoons were spent at the hot springs swimming pool, horseback riding, and hiking in the woods. The last day we ended with a hike, playing in the Medano Creek, and lunch at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and then a swim at the hot springs. It is always hard to say good-bye after such a fun-filled and loving week. Families are already making plans for next years week which will be from July 26 through July 30. See you there.
The Dance of Love Between Us and That Workshop
While the children were busy doing childreny things, the adults had the opportunity to meet each morning with Sofia Diaz and bathe ourselves in the love and ecstatic devotion of Radha and Krisha. Sofia, who leads programs around the world and has studied Indian philosophy, yoga, and sacred dance for twenty-seven years, led us through the different aspects of love in a combination of chanting, stories, discussions, processes, and movement. The workshop, The Dance of Love Between Us and That, was an amazing opening to the deep love and presence that we all hold in our hearts but which is often veiled by layers of hurt or protection.
Sofia also shared a dance with us on her birthday as well a short piece with Azelia dancing with her and Isaac on bass. Here are photos from these dances.
We are so grateful that Sofia takes this time each year from her busy schedule to come here and lead these incredible workshops. Next year the dates will be July 26 through July 30 (concurrent with family week). The topic is yet to be disclosed but promises to be a gift that you will want to give to yourself. Mark you calendar now!
July Visitors
So many visitors from as far away as Texas to have Mother and Baba's darshan. Many helped with the karma yoga at the Ashram and all added to the love and devotion. We love to see you all.
Families and Children
Every child and family are treasured here at the Ashram. Thank you for making this Ashram your second home.
Calendar for 2009
August 5 - Full-moon fire ceremony at 10am followed by a meal.
August 20 - New-moon fire ceremony at 10am followed by a meal.
September 18 - 26 Fall Navratri, the Divine Mother Festival.
October 17 - Diwali, Festival of Lights. Fire ceremony at 10am. Chanting at 7pm.
Calendar for 2010
February 13 - Maha Shivaratri - all night chanting to Lord Shiva.
March 15 - 23 - Spring Navratri, the Divine Mother Festival.
July 24 - 25 - Annual American Samaj Weekend
July 25 - Guru Purnima Day
July 26 - 30 - Annual Family Week and Concurrent Workshop.
October 7 - 15 - Fall Navratri, the Divine Mother Festival.
October 17 - Diwali, Festival of Lights. Fire ceremony at 10am. Chanting at 7pm.
Maha Lakshmi Shop Report
We would like to announce that we are now offering free shipping on our website shop (with only a $5 handling fee) for all items of one pound or less. This includes all CD's, books, small murtis, bracelets, most cloth items, and photos. We hope this will make it easier for you to order. We will also extend this offer if you call us.
We finally have the book about Babaji, called Gateway to the Light, available again in the shop. Written by Getrude Reichel from Germany, it is a wonderful diary of her experiences from her many trips to be with Shri Babaji at His Ashram in Haidakhan. The book sales for $17 and is 170 pages. It is available in the shop or through our website. You can check our website for all the new items at BabajiAshram.org and order on line through pay pal or e-mail us at shop@babajiashram.org.
You can also always call us on our toll-free number at 866-686-4185 to order or for more information. 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. We are open daily from 9am until 5pm. We take Mastercard, Discover, and Visa.
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