In the spiritually receptive, loyalty to the guru rises spontaneously when the disciple’s heart is bathed in the aura of the guru’s unconditional love. The soul knows that it has found at last a true friend, counsellor, and guide.
— Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
Dear Ones,
Loving greetings to each of you on the worshipful occasion of Guru Purnima. Let us join our devotion together in observing this sacred tradition of honouring the illumined masters — such as our YSS/SRF lineage of Great Gurus — who have spiritualized humanity through the ages. How blessed we are for our own God-ordained Gurudeva, Sri Sri Paramahansa Yoganandaji, through whom the Lord Himself has manifested for our personal salvation. I am sure you recognize, as I do, that to be drawn to the lotus feet of such a one is the culminating blessing of incarnations — a treasure beyond all treasures on the spiritual path.
Out of his infinite generosity and fathomless love, Guruji has given us so much of his spiritual bounty: the sacred science of Kriya Yoga, the how-to-live principles that bring supreme happiness and attunement with God, and, unknowingly so, the inspiration and example of his own triumphant life. And for each true disciple who reveres him as satguru, there is no limit to the soul-joy and freedom that he will bestow.
In Guruji, we have an ever-living friend, counsellor, and spiritual guide, who is speaking to us through his immortal teachings and our meditation-born receptivity. Through our sincere practice of the sadhana that he has given, he can be as real to us at this very moment as when he was here in the physical form.
On this special day and always, the greatest offering that we can give to Gurudeva is the garland of our true discipleship, strung on the thread of loyalty, and adorned with the flowers of our devotion and steadfast commitment to his spiritual ideals. My prayers are ever with you, that you will feel his protecting presence and divine love embracing you always, and lifting your consciousness to the realms of eternal light and joy. Jai Guru!
In God and Gurudeva’s unceasing blessings,
Swami Chidananda Giri
