Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is HAIDAKHANDI SADHANA
A: Haidakhan is a universal pilgrimage centre and serves as a place of spiritual purification, healing and education, based upon the teachings of Shree Babaji. By His own example Babaji showed us the path to the Sanatan Dharma (the Eternal religion), which is the origin of all other religious and Religion spiritual paths.

Truth, Simplicity and Love is the Shri Babaji's timeless message for mankind and to realize it within ourselves and in our daily life. He gave us a certain spiritual discipline, sadhana, to follow here in Haidakhan and in His other Ashrams.

Q: What is the best time to wake up?
A: Waking up at 4:00 in the morning and taking bath aligns us with the rhythm of nature. It helps us to overcome laziness and unconsciousness and inertia on the physical level and it prepares us for the morning meditation and worship.

Taking bath in the morning is the first basic purification practice of the day. The discipline of cleanliness is the first requirement on the spiritual path and it starts with the physical body. In Haidakhan we have the opportunity to bathe in the Gautama Ganga which is a very holy river sacred to Lord Shiva. The Ganga water represents transparence and purity and cleanses us also on the psychic level. Shree Babaji said that whoever takes bath in the Gautama Ganga will attain liberation.

Q: How do I meditate?
A: The best time for meditation and worship are the quiet hours of sunrise and sunset.

As a basic meditation technique, Shree Babaji instructed us to do japa, which means repeating a mantra, a name of God. The mantra He gave us is Om Namah Shivaya, which means I bow to Lord Shiva.

A mantra given by Babaji is empowered with His living spirit. By concentration on the name of the Lord, our mind becomes purified from all negative and useless thoughts, finding peace and the Divine Consciousness and energy within.

Q: What is the yellow marking on the forehead?
A: Chandan marks the presence of divine energy and light on our forehead. The yellow sandalwood paste is applied to cool our mind, the red kumkum is put on our third eye and the rice symbolizes the purity of the soul.

Q: What is a fire ceremony?
A: Worshipping fire as a form of God is an old vedic tradition.

Fire is a manifestation of cosmic energy (shakti) and an element of transformation. It represents also the flame of the soul burning in the heart chakra.

By feeding the fire with material offerings, while reciting certain mantras, it transforms the gross, material energy into subtle one. Daily havan also affects the environment with harmony, balancing the atmosphere and the electromagnetic field.

Through meditation on fire we learn to concentrate on the Divine in the form of light.

At the Shakti dhuni we worship the fire as a form of the Shakti, The Divine Mother. We, therefore, treat the fire as a living, divine entity and the dhuni as a temple.

Q: What is Karma Yoga?
A: Karma yoga is the path of meditation in action and Shree Babaji's main teaching and way of healing for our age.

Karma Yoga is offering all our work to God by constantly repeating His name and in all that we do. It is work as service.

Karma yoga is love in action and as Shree Babaji said, serving humanity is serving God. Working together for a common purpose creates unity, love and peace in the community. When we can overcome laziness and resistance, creative energy will start to move through us. using us as instruments of the diving.

Q: What is satsang?
A: Satsang literally means, meeting for the truth. It is a chance to hear the written words of Shree Babaji and receive daily inspiration from it.

During the daily meeting we organize the work and there is also space for sharing, as a support for each other in growing and working together.

Q: What is Aarati?
A: The aarati is the heart of the spiritual practice of the ashram because it is the medium of worshipping Shree Babaji and keeping His Presence alive in the community.

Attending the aarati together harmonizes us in a common purpose. Devotional singing (kirtan), develops love for the Divine, opening our heart chakra. Aarati and kirtan are the essence of bhakti, yoga, the way of devotion, as shown by Babaji. One can also purchase a CD and Aarati book. One source is listed below.

Haidakhan Aarati * - by Haidakhandi Universal Ashram
New version with colored cover of the aarati sung to Shri Babaji with English translation. The book also includes mantras, Hanuman Chalisa, Ganesh Aarati, and some of the newer bhajans, plus instructions on performing a simple puja to Shri Babaji or to the Divine Mother. There are a couple different recorded versions of the aarati available on CD or cassette.

Q: After evening aarati I feel like talking and staying up late. Is this a good practice?
A: We complete the day in silence after evening aarati and dinner.

Silence is a great teacher and true spiritual strength develops in the silence of sadhana. To keep silence in the evening besides not disturbing others, allows us to integrate the experience of the day.

Q: Where can I learn more about Babaji?
A: Contact one of the Ashrams or Centers around the world or purchase a book about Babaji.

Q: Can I join the American Samaj and support its programs?
A: Yes! You can join the Samaj. Memberships are available on an annual or lifetime basis. Our mission is to practice, share, and promote Babaji's teachings of truth, simplicity and love. We welcome your support in spreading Babaji's teachings. Bhole Baba ki Jai!

I Am Harmony *
by Radhe Shyam
A comprehensive and informative book about the two most recent manifestations of Babaji. It includes chapters on His message, the yoga forms which He considered most appropriate for this age, and stories from devotees of their divine experiences with Babaji. Sixteen pages of inspiring color photos.

Fire of Transformation - by Gaura Devi
One of the first Westerners to meet Babaji, Gaura remained almost continually with Him in India from 1972-1984. Her diary of those years, is a unique, challenging and remarkable story. It is an amazing insight into life with Babaji and His teachings. A must read for all.

Gateway to the Light - by Gertraud Reichel Verlag
This book is about the marvelous, multifaceted everyday life in the presence of Babaji both in Haidakhan and on tour, as experienced by visitors, devotees and by the author. The stories are full of light and great inspiration for all.

Babaji Mahavatar - Descent of Eternity into Time
A magnificent collection of color and black and white photographs of Shri Babaji. Accompanying the photos are quotations from the scriptures of various faiths and from Babaji's own words. Through these photographs one can experience Babaji's divinity.

Haidakhan Bhajans * - by Haidakhan Samaj
Words to devotional songs, sung by Babaji devotees around the world. Each of the bhajans (songs) is also translated into English. These read like beautiful love poetry to Babaji, Divine Mother, and other manifestations of the Divine.

Babaji - Message from the Himalayas - by Maria Gabriele Wosien
One of the first books written about Shri Babaji. Contains many explanations of the philosophy, traditions, and rituals of India. Also contains many accounts of devotees' and author's experiences with Babaji.

Shiva Mahavatar Babaji - by Pola Churchill
This book records Babaji's teachings and the extraordinary accounts of people's dreams, visions, and encounters that bear witness to Shri Babaji's omnipresence. The book also contains many wonderful pictures of Babaji as well as a list of addresses of ashrams and centers throughout the world.