Love, G

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Shree Maa: Recollections by Linda Johnson

Learning that my husband had deadly form of bone cancer was a horrible shock. For nearly a year the doctors had been telling us that the pain in Johnathan's leg was just a torn muscle. Now at least we knew the truth: it had been a malignant tumor all along, a particularly virulent form of cancer that is nearly impossible to treat.

As the grim diagnosis sank in, I thought of Kali, the Hindu Goddess who destroys everything that is less than divine. Suffering and death are two of the tools She uses to drive us back to God. There was a mantra for this Goddess that Shree Maa repeated constantly while we traveled with her in India. I asked Johnathan if he remembered it and he spoke the manta out loud. Before he reached the last syllable the phone started ringing.

It was Shree Maa.

The last we heard, Shree Maa was still in India and was not expected back to the United States for several more weeks. It turned out two days previously she had abruptly changed her plans, flown back to her ashram in California, picked up the phone, and called Johnathan.

We explained what was happening and the next day we had an extraordinary blessing of having Shree Maa, one of the most beloved saints of North India, visit our home in Sonoma. She and Swami Satyananda sat with Johnathan for hours, singing hymns to the Divine Mother, recommending protective mantras for us to chant and healing rituals we should perfume. Placing her hand of Johnathan's head, she gave him her blessing.

Two days later we received an emergency call from Johnathan's doctor. He explained that he had just received the results of Johnathan's biopsy and it completely contradicted the results of all previous tests they had run. It turned out Johnathan did not have incurable bone cancer after all, but another type of cancer that could be treated easily. (To this day Dr. O'Donnell insists he and the team of oncologists he was working with were certain Johnathan had bone cancer, and the fact that it turned out to be a different type of malignancy came as a total shock to him.)

Johnathan is fine now, though we continue doing our protective mantras and healing pujas daily just in case. Johnathan did have to go through chemotherapy and radiation treatment (which he sailed through effortlessly) because it was our karma to experience this medical crisis. Yet somehow Shree Maa shifted the course of reality so that the full impact of our karma was blunted, and the awful outcome the doctors originally predicted never happened.

"She arranges the stars for you," Swami Satyananda smilingly told Johnathan after the tumor disappeared. How amazing that in these dark and cynical times, saints like Shree Maa still walk among us. How utterly amazing!

From Shree Maa: The Life of a Saint, p 223-224

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My first encounter with Shree Maa and Swamiji was last month, when my Gita study class was invited to visit the Devi Mandir. Before I returned from the Mandir, I "signed on" to complete the Peace Sankalpa, and nothing has been the same since. Once home, I started my recitations, sometimes silently and sometimes aloud. After a week or so, my 17 year old son started to imitate me, "only he was saying sarvaa bgjklfda plkdj mdnkjm." In other words, he sounded out the first word and then just mumbled the rest. So I asked him if he wanted to learn the mantra, to which he responded enthusiastically -- yes. He memorized it, and the English translation, in less than 5 minutes. He was quickly able to recite it quite fast and clear.

This might not seem that remarkable, however, my son is autistic. He is fairly high functioning, and has pretty good language skills, but I can assure you there is no way that I can get him to recite anything that he doesn't want to. I know, because I have tried!! He now says the mantra every morning upon rising, and it is the last thing he says as he falls asleep at night. I have suggested that he pay attention, and if he hears it in his head, to let it come through naturally. I also suggested that, if he is moved to do so, he can say it before his meals. If this continues to grow, I am going to get him a hand counter so he can keep track of how many he says each day. That is something I think he might like.

Last month, Swamiji blessed him with the gift of a rudraksha bead for healing, which he happily (and seriously) wears around his neck all the time. He never stops talking about Maa. He listens to her sing, he wants to cook the recipes from her cookbook, sometimes he will sit next to me at the computer for the beginning of the Gita classes, and he keeps their picture in his room. Something magical is happening in my home, and to my son.

Last night, in Gita class, Swamiji answered my question about "those with small intelligence" and their ability to reach God. (Ch.7, v.23). He said that those with limited mental capacity often have a pureness about them that allows them to see/know things more easily than the rest of us, due in part, to not having the same distractions the rest of us deal with every day. And yes, they can reach God. (This is my feeble paraphrasing, forgive me for not properly quoting Swamiji).

My son is a very pure spirit, only seeing the good in others, assuming everyone loves him as much as he loves everyone, and now, he has connected to the loving energy of Maa. He has actually said to me, "Maa can see my soul all the way from California. I know she loves me." He is so blessed. I am so blessed. We are all so blessed. Jai Maa!

Wendy

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Namaste,

Thanks for your prayer to MAA for my welfare. By her grace I have got a new job today. This speaks that prayer has a tremendous power.

I am indebted to the Divine Mother and the whole Devi Mandir Family for the kind action.

Regards,

Dinesh

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Dear Devi Mandir Family,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your Prayers and Kindness. My surgery results show NO malignancy.

Jai Maa!

Jai Maa's Children!

Nageshwari

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Shree Maa is a pure example of Truth in the Kali Age.

Ramnath Aghori Baba, 217 years old, spoken before a large gathering of disciples in 1976

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This Devi Mandir is definitely a Rishi's ashram, and I can tell that you, Swami Satyananda and Shree Maa, that you were both Rishis in your previous lives. Your Sanskrit pronunciation is impeccable and your explanations are full of wisdom. Your books are an extremely valuable contribution to Sanskrit literature and your devotion is unswerving. You maintain the highest standards of Hindu culture in the tradition of the Vedic Rishis, and your pujas and homas are in exact accordance with the descriptions of the scriptures.

Napeshwara is without a doubt the thirteenth Jyotir Lingam, and I give my blessings that any devotee who comes here to Napeshwar Dham will receive the darshan of Lord Shiva and the blessings of fulfillment of their every desire. They will have wealth, longevity, good health, peace and liberation. They will be blessed with spiritual knowledge and Godliness and satisfaction all the days of their lives.

I bless you that this Devi Mandir and Napeshwara Dham will become a place of spiritual pilgrimage for all the western countries, and that devotees from around the world will come here to have darshan of the Lord. The work that you, Swami Satyananda and Shree Maa, are performing will be remembered by history as a tremendous benefit not only to Hindu culture, but also to all of mankind.

Swami Purnananda Giri, Niranjaniya Akara Mahant, Moksha Dham, Jageshwar, Uttaranchal, India, October 24, 2001, Ashwin Mase Shukla Pakshe Navamam Tithau

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I recently received a recording of Swami Satyananda's Rudrashtadyayi, and took it to the Bakreswar Temple of Lord Shiva where this text is recited daily by the priests of the temple. I am also a priest of the temple, following in my family's tradition since over 100 generations. I was born in a Brahmin family, and completed a Master's Degree in Sanskrit as well as in Education. In addition to being a priest of this temple, I am employed by the Government of India as a District Inspector of Education.

I played this recording for the other priests in the temple, and now we listen to it daily and chant along with the text. This recording is not regional chanting, particular to any special language group or dialect. It is the actual recording of a Rishi reciting the Vedic texts. Just by listening to this recording the meanings of the text become clear. In fact, it is so accurate that we are able to translate most of the meanings just by listening to the recording. We also greatly appreciate Swamiji's translations in Bengali and English.

Sushil Choudhury, 4/25/2002

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I know we are not supposed to use up posts with just a simple "Thank you," but I must state out loud for at least the group to hear (though I know you all know this already anyway) how incredibly and continually impressed I am with Swamiji and his answers. He is an absolute treasure of knowledge, very rare even amongst all the Indian Sadhus I have encountered -- which have been more than a few. His answers are never more verbose than they need to be and they show such a seat of authority and great clarity.

I am very thankful for all your help Swamiji and for this group. I stay silent often but it is a daily part of my life and a great resource for me in my own development of wisdom and furtherance of Bhakti.

Eternal Pranams,

Surya

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I second your comments Surya. I am amazed when I think about the positive impact that these two people have had on my path and continued spiritual growth. Swamiji is a rare treasure.

SIVA/SHAKTI = SWAMIJI/SHREEMAA. Thank you both.

Eric Jensen

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Namaste,

My heart always bursts to capacity when someone recognizes our beautiful Swamiji's Spiritual Prowess! His Wisdom is as vast as the Cosmic Sea. We are so very blessed not only to have Him so generously sharing His Wisdom with us through His books, Satsangs, and this Forum, but also to have Him on this planet at this time. I also have had the grace to experience the Divine Presence of many Sadhus in this life,[here and in India], but Swamiji's generosity and enthusiasm of Spirit is something very rare and precious. I bow to Him with all my heart! Thank you for your very sweet acknowledgement and thanks to our dear Swamiji!

Jai Chandi Shree Maa! Jai Shiva Swamiji! [The Jewels of Napa] Jai Thakur Ramakrishna Deva!

Your sister,

Muktimaa

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The discussion on the Devi Mandir Yahoo Group has been useful on so many levels! I can see much time and thought went into the asking and the answering of these questions, and I wish to express my gratitude.

Jai MAA!

Leela

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Jai Maa Durga!

I am writing this e-mail to thank you. I am a 35-year old Hindu Brahmin born and bred in England. Through your books and videos I have learned a tremendous amount about the worship of our mutual Ishta Devata - Maa Bhagavati. Therefore in the tradition of Hinduism, you are my Guru and I am paying you my respects.

A sahasra thanks to you once again.

Your disciple,

Vinay

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Dear Shree Maa,

I have been thinking of you often. You are so fully established in the transcendent that you never leave the feet of the Supreme no matter what occurs around you. You don't "do" service; you "are" service - every thought and act of yours benefits others. I feel so small and selfish and ignorant before you, truly ashamed of how worldly I still am before your unwavering spiritual focus.

Maa, if it weren't for people like Swami and you, there would be nothing but delusion and despair. Your state is the only sure evidence we have of transcendent grace and an end to suffering. I have so often wished I could move with you in meditation and experience what you experience. I salute you again and again!

With deepest reverence,

Linda Johnsen

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Namaste to All,

My name is Devi Spring, and I am a Universalist Shakta bhakta from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I find that the teachings of Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda Saraswati of the Devi Mandir are a great inspiration to me, as is the life and gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, which is what brings me to this group!

Devi

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Dear Swamiji,

I think "Tattva Jnana" is the best thing you've ever done. It's absolutely fabulous. How I wish I had had this in front of me when I was working on some of my previous books!

You have a way of wording definitions that throws completely new light on a subject. I found my understanding (such as it is) of one subject after another expanding amazingly. Even topics I'd heard explained a hundred times before suddenly resonated with whole new depths of meaning. I took copious notes on virtually every page.

Every tradition explains philosophical terms somewhat differently, and the different ways you explained this matter was fascinating and also made sense.

I'll be highly recommending your "Tattva Jnana" to friends of mine who're struggling to understand Sanskrit philosophical terminology.

Wishing you the very best,

Linda Johnsen

***

Dear Swamiji,

My medical tests came back with a good result: I am healthy. Thank you for your prayers and praise be to Lord Ganesh.

Shaktiprasad

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Dear Swamiji,

The temple building you and Shree Maa have enlivened is full of light and much joy. It carries Mother Divine's energy on a very high level. It is your devotion that has brought this about.

I'm very pleased also to hear that you are teaching and sharing the Rudra hymns. I like your book very much - it was an excellent idea to use the Shukla Yajur Veda Rudra hymns. You did a perfect job in creating a very "user friendly" text with clear Sanskrit and transliteration and absolutely beautiful meanings.

In fact, everything you and Shree Maa have produced over the years has been very helpful, beautifully done and inspiring. So I wish you and Shree Maa many continuing blessings and send you both much love.

Henry Herzberger

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Videos

Sundari recounts receiving the ultimate blessing from Shree Maa. Click on the image to hear and watch her story!

Deepa experienced the depth of Shree Maa's love. Click on the image to hear and watch her story!

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From our Classes

Dear Swamiji

Our Pranams to you. We want tell you how much we look forward to the evenings at 6.30 pm gathering around the fire at the Mandir even though we are located many many miles away. The webcam has been such a blessing and has brought You into our homes every day. The classes and the privilege to clarify our doubts online are such wonderful blessings that you have bestowed upon us. Thank you for nourishing us. You are aptly named the "Bliss of Truth" because communion with You is our Satsanga. We look forward to more and more Satsanga with you both online and in person.

Love from Nanda and Online Class Participants

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Thank you Swamiji, for this absolutely wonderful, awesome class, filled with so much information, from the basics to the sublime.

Wendy, New Jersey

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Swamiji, Pranams to Shiva as you're helping us. Your books and discourses are a HUGE blessing and help.

Janitri, Virginia

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Pranams and thank you - thank you - thank you!!

Usha, Canada

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Thank you, Swamiji, for the knowledge that you have given us. We are privileged and blessed to learn these scriptures from you.

Kumari, Vallejo

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Great class Swamiji! Pranams.

Rolf, Mountain View

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Namaste Swamiji,

I am so thrilled to be emailing you at this time. I am again blessed to be doing Ganga sadhana. I have been in India for 5 months and at the ashram for 3. This time I brought with me your Devi Gita, Hanuman Puja, Chandi Path and I have the Lalita Trishati Stotram. I just purchased the Sundar Kanda here.

I put a number of your video classes on my mp3 player - it has been such a blessing for me. Last night I completed the Lalita Trishati Stotram video. I have loved it since you taught it to us at Dave and Liz’s house in Colorado. From the 181-st name you began making offerings to the fire. I loved it. It was as though I was sitting across from you at the havan kund. I began pulling offerings out of my heart and putting them in the fire along with you. It was fantastic.

There is so much in the Hanuman Puja. I am so glad I brought it. I have been practicing the mantras.

Thank you again Swamiji. All of your efforts have helped me a great deal in my bhakti. Actually Devi Mandir is so helpful for me in my specific practices. It is amazing how you are able to keep up such a high level of energy and inspiration, it is infectious and I need that.

Mark Rosen, Banks of Ganga, India

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Namaste Swamiji,

Thank you so very very much for broadcasting these teachings. I used to come for all the darshans when you and Shree Maa traveled to Chicago years ago. It was these darshans that first opened my heart and caused me to weep. These bliss tears just keep on falling. :) A beautiful blessing. It was nice seeing you live again. Beautiful teachings. Thank you so very much.

Jai Ma!

Kalyani

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I just finished attending an on-line class by Swamiji on the Devi Gita, a text that gives practical guidelines for yogic practice, and I want to try to convey how valuable the class was to me. I was delighted with the class! I missed the first half of it, but once I tuned in I realized I could not afford to miss a single session, and it was surprisingly easy to re-organize my schedule to make that possible! Hearing the explanations of the Devi Gita helped me so much.

Swamiji's teachings are of exquisite quality and usefulness. No information is held back, and the knowledge is conveyed with such genuine inspiration and such penetrating clarity that one can not help falling in love with yoga all over again during each session. If I can manage to convey even a few morsels of what I have learned from these classes to my students here in New Zealand, they will be well nourished and well guided indeed.

I have trained with some of the brightest lights in the Sanatana Dharma tradition. Among my teachers are Hart DeFouw, Robert Svoboda, Vasant Lad, and Professor Ram Karan Sharma. I have been studying and working in the Ayurveda, Sanskrit, and yoga field for over 12 years now, and have not yet come across such a clearly explained and refined system of yogic
practice as that taught by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.

Barbara Cook, Tauranga, New Zealand

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Thank you for giving me the privilege to learn from you. I am continually in awe of the great knowledge, the sincerity, the enthusiasm, the consistency, and above all, the loving devotion that you bring to each class. Your words have changed my life.

Sarita, Suneel, Anika, and I send you all our love and best wishes on this Father's day and always.

Rolf, Mountain View

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Swamiji is a living example of all that is glorious in the Universe — all the beauty, all the tenderness, all the selflessness, all the generosity, and abundance of spirit. Every class that He teaches is an opportunity to absorb this glory. For this, I am ever and always appreciative.

Love, joy, appreciation,

Karen, Colorado

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Pranams Swamiji! I wish to express how privileged I feel to be a part of the Devi Mandir. My life revolves around your daily scripture classes, putting into practice what I am learning to chant, and continuing my love affair with the divine. My very soul thanks you for this blessing! I bow to you!!!

Jai Maa! Jai Thakur!

Usha

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I can't even say how much you have taught me. Oh but you can! How can I reward you? Maybe with doves and eagles as your friend or a big feast! Happy Fathers Day! Hrinnnnnnngggggggg!

Sincerely,

Angel, Atlanta

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Thank you Beloved Swamiji for all your teachings. These classes are priceless. Your enthusiasm and love for the subject permeates every word. You are like the ghee to our fire of love for Mom. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thank you for doing this and for all the service during class. You are always asking the questions in such a gentle and kind voice. Thank you.

Parvati, Sacramento

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Devi Gita class has taught me so much Swamiji. Outlining it with meditation has shone a light into my heart showing me even more clearing that we are one. Now meditating before leaving the bed has been added to my morning joys. The Bhuta Suddhi of Advanced Siva Puja will be added to my puja because you have made me feel comfortable with it in class. Devi Gita will be added to my practice when class is complete because of your dedication to present it so well. You have given me a hunger to study it further and recite it often. You have shown me the Gems it holds and shares.

THANK YOU SWAMI FOR BEING YOU

FOR TEACHING US

FOR ANSWERING OUR QUESTIONS

FOR BEING THERE FOR US

Love and Devotion,

Devi

Hari Om Swamiji,

I have been listening to your online classes on Bhagavad Gita. Your classes are great. It has helped me understand some things in life.

Mangalam Sankupellay

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From our Book Buyers

From the buyers of our books on Amazon Marketplace:

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