ANNUAL FAMILY WEEK - July 23 - July 27
Each year the Ashram sets aside a week that is particularly dedicated to families having an Ashram experience in a very child-friendly way. This year the week will run from Monday, July 23 until Friday, July 27, with arrival and registration on Sunday, July 22.

Each day from 10am until 1pm the children and teens will meet in groups according to age and participate in a variety of activities. These will include: arts and crafts, chanting, hatha yoga, storytelling, wilderness exploration, hiking, horseback riding, Teiko drumming, and much more. The dorm fills up quickly for this week, as many families have been coming for the last six and seven years. Call the Ashram at 719-256- 4108 or email us at info@BabajiAshram.org to reserve a space.

EXPLORING THE BHAGAVAD GITA WORKSHOP -
July 23 - July 27
This workshop, facilitated by Melinda Staley from Columbia, MO, will bring the Bhagavad Gita to us in a new light and show how the teachings are similar to the Sanatan Dharma which Shri Babaji demonstrated for us. Running concurrently with the children's program from 10am until 1pm each day, we will have time to dive deeply into some of the major verses and their meaning, meditate on them and learn some applicable chants for them. The suggested donation for the workshop is $108. Some scholarships are available. .

ANNUAL AMERICAN SAMAJ MEETING WEEKEND -
July 28 - 29

Coming together as devotees to share stories, experiences, ideas, and ceremony is always an uplifting and inspiring experience. We invite you to our annual Samaj weekend which this year ends on Guru Purnima Day (the day you honor your teacher). The weekend is held at the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram in Crestone, Colorado. We will begin with the Annual meeting at 9am on Saturday, July 28. We will have time to share ideas and experiences at this time.

The next morning we will have a large fire ceremony in honor of Guru Purnima at 10am followed by an Indian feast. This is a very special time to be together. We hope you can all attend. Please call the Ashram to make reservations at 719-256-4108 or email them at info@BabajiAshram.org.

Salvatore and myself were both very happy to know that Ramloti and Prem would be visiting Harmony House (our home) in Delray Beach on their Florida 2007 Winter Tour. It got even more exciting when we received news that Nirmal and Indira would be coming to Delray Beach for the weekend of January 14 to make the transfer of Divine Mother Rajeswari from Marge DeVivo in Nebraska to their home in New England complete. Someone had driven Mother to Crestone from Nebraska and Ramloti and Prem carried her to Florida by plane and we were blessed to have her presence in the Delray Center from Friday night to Monday morning. We first saw her on Saturday morning and our daughter, Sasha Harmony miraculously was here for her first bath and change of clothes.

The next morning was the second Sunday when we host the AARATI and Sacred Fire Ceremony with the loving participation/help from Richard Cahall, Elaine Heroux and Madeleine Bochner (who lovingly hosted Nirmal and Indira). It was an auspicious Sunday when there are no evil spirits on the planet and an ideal time to pray and meditate. The energy was palpable that morning and everyone arrived very early. Mark came over from the West Coast of Florida and Danel drove over from the same area. Maggie was also here along with approximately 50 invited guests. The house was full, the energy was high, the ceremony under the huge mango tree was awesome and the fire in our new dhuni was spectacular. Mother was thoroughly bathed in ghee and yogurt and many mantras were recited for her. Several people reported miraculous mystical experiences in her presence. Our most senior participant is 92 years young and our youngest was a baby of 5 months so we covered the whole spectrum. AARATI, chanting, drumming, dancing and pot luck brunch followed with a swim at the ocean in the afternoon. The next morning Nirmal and Indira repeated the Sacred Fire Ceremony before leaving Florida and later that day Ramloti and Prem left for their visit to Treasure Island. All in all we were very blessed and honored to have this powerful energy presence in our Center.

We are now continuing to link energies for healing and protection with Bob Walsh in Ft. Lauderdale, ourselves in Delray Beach and Jefffrey and Charda Solomon in Treasure Island on the West Coast. At this weekend's LRT we linked up with Benecio and Luzette in Miami and Rhonda in Okeechobee so our meditation/white light will encircle Florida during the upcoming months.

Visit a Sri Babaji Center Near You!

Atlanta, GA..........Berkeley, CA.........Columbia, MO

Delray Beach, FL,....Fairfield, IA.....Marina Del Rey, CA

Memphis, TN.......Monroe, WA......Treasure Island, FL

......................Long Beach, NY..............................

PICTURE - VIEW OF THE GUFA SIDE FROM HAIDAKHAN ASHRAM IN INDIA

A solar eclipse marked the beginning of Navaratri this year. All devotees were instructed to stay under a roof until 8 AM the first morning. This delayed everything by about 4 hours. Nevertheless, at 9 AM Sri Muniraji gave chandan (sandalwood paste) to all the devotees, and Navaratri was begun. Aaratis were sung both in the main temple on the ashram side of the river and at the nine temple on the gufa (cave) side of the river. The Fire ceremony and aarati were performed at the Mahashakti Dhuni. Afterward everyone attended the Devi Puja and the Paduka Puja. Then Sri Babaji's padukas (sandals) were carried in a great procession down the 108 step to the Mahashakti Dhuni, and from there across the river to the nine temples. The ringing of bells could be heard up and down the river valley. Sri Muniraji arrived by car at the nine temples and was greeted by more bells and horns blowing. Devotees from around the world gathered in the dhuni for the Fire ceremony. It was a very powerful and spectacular event.

The rest of the nine days began at the regular time, 4 AM. On March 25 Sri Muniraji granted an interview with members of the American Samaj board; Nirmal Sharma, Richard Cahill, and myself (Melinda Staley.) We reported on the activities of the samaj including the website, book publishing, Babaji Center activites, family week at the ashram, and more. We also had time for some personal exchanges with Sri Muniraji. I was given a new Indian name, Madhuri.

The bandharas following the Fire ceremonies were quite festive with over 100 local children crowding into spots in the lines for a big meal, as well as all the devotees.

Altogether it was a very special, very holy experience.
Thank you.

PICTURE OF DIVINE MOTHER AT Navaratri IN CRESTONE

Much has been happening at the Ashram since the last Samaj newsletter. We had beautiful ceremonies of Shri Babaji's Mahasamadhi, Shivaratri, Spring Navaratri which were all very well attended. Each had its special energy and left a glow in participants' hearts.

Besides a great trip to India in Spring leading the local high school students to Haidakhan; Premanand and I also did several chanting evenings and havans around the country, particularly in Florida. These were all deeply felt events. There are stories from different devotees about those experiences in this newsletter.

As we prepare for the summer we have been busy at work at expanding our parking area, getting the garden and greenhouse planted, working on a new gray-water septic system for the dorm, doing minor repairs on the solar systems, and having many visitors now that the weather is warm.

Summer will be busy as well. Our particular big events are the Annual Family Week, the concurrent workshop on the Bhagavad Gita, and the Annual American Haidakhan Samaj meeting weekend which culminates on Guru Purnima Day, the day you honor your spiritual teacher. How fitting this seems. Read the individual articles about each of these events for more details.


For more information and photos about the Ashram, its ceremonies, or to receive an e-mail newsletter, go to our website at www.BabajiAshram.org or write to us at P.O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131 or call us at 719-256-4108.

'Babaji has come to change the world - not by fighting or with weapons and armaments. He transforms by changing the hearts of people through a simple method - repetition of God's Holy Name. The vibrations of the Name will change the world. There will be universal understanding - one nation, one family. This is Babaji's intent and it will soon come about.'

Shastriji on Babaji's teachings, 5 May 1982

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have recently again organized an eye camp in our hospital at the Chilianaula Ashram. Several enthusiastic messages came to me regarding this. For example, Ganga was explaining to me on the phone the number of people who did not see anything for years and their happiness when the bandages were taken off and they got their eye sight back. Their happiness made all the others cry too. In the environment around Chilianaula without proper eye sight you cannot do any thing and are just a burden to the rest of the family. Also Alok Banerjee told me this: "I was in Ranikhet from 16th to 19th of this month and Uday also joined me. We were witness to our annual free eye camp where approximately 500 patients got registered out of which 170 patients were operated for cataracts. It is indeed a sight to see how these people show their gratefulness once they recover their eyesight. All praise to our Babaji".

This is your gift of your devotion, the help and donations you have given to Babaji's charitable hospital. We would like to make it clear to you that the hospital is well on track and that many people are highly benefited in Babaji's name. Imagine well over a thousand people have got their eye sight back since we started all this.

We are very fortunate with the team of Doctors we have now at the hospital. Dr. Vijay Upadya Seel is the Ayurvedic Doctor but now also over seeing our Charitable hospital with two strong doctors by his side. They are, Dr. Askh Dubey and Dr. Lalit Mohan. All of them are motivated to relieve the suffering of the common people in the poor mountain area where our Ashrams are located. From their own interest they are also spending several days in the Haidakhan hospital as in that area it is even more difficult to find medical help. It is a great blessing for all concerned.

On my last visit we discussed what we can do to help. Our well functioning eye clinic needs glasses for instance. Hundreds of them. Here in the west we throw them away after a person is deceased or just to change model. Let us all ask around at places concerned if we can collect glasses. A second life for an old and useless thing and people there are not so concerned with the model but cannot afford much at all. This is just a little effort on our behalf but has such great effect on the other hand. Also Medicines would be helpful. Years ago some doctors and pharmacists from the west brought medicines which were given free by medical companies, for publicity, over production, over stock and when they get close to the date of expiration. This has become less frequent and we would like to inspire you to do the same again. Particularly multivitamins, painkillers, antibiotics, eye medicine, anesthetic sprays. Many people have it in their heart to help and therefore I am asking you to ask others in your life to help with this. Mind you I am not proposing to buy medicines! At that point we better buy them in India. Just what we can collect as gifts in the world around us.

And then last but not least that we need to ask you for financial help. Not just for your money which, of course, if you have to spare is very welcome, but also for sustainable ideas which will last in time and come in on a regular basis. We have a great team of doctors (I have not even mentioned them all to you), we have Munnaji overlooking all activities in Chilianaula, and a larger group who are very determined to make the hospital work well. With your help we can do more and better and make this beautiful but difficult area a better place to life in, in Babaji's name.

Make some publicity around in your own work, family and surroundings, print it in your newsletters, forward this message, put it on web sites and wherever you may think it will work well so we can continue and enlarge to truly make a difference in the life of poor people who live in the hillside in India.

For questions of how to help and make donations you please contact: Rajni Nair: munnaji17@rediffmail.com; and or Dr Vijay Upadya: drvijayseel@yahoo.com

B e i n s p i r e d!

Thank you for your donations and please keep them coming. Send them to Richard Cahall, at the Samaj. You can also check out the hospital website by clicking here.

PICTURE - MURTI OF OLD HAIDAKHAN BABA FROM THE KATHGARIA ASHRAM OUTSIDE OF HALDWANI






SAMAJ ANNOUNCES OLD HAIDAKHAN BABAJI BOOK NEARING COMPLETION

The translation of the book about Old Haidakhan Babaji by Giridhari Lal Misra (Shastriji's brother) is nearing its final proof stage. This is a wonderful book about the tales of Old Haidakhan Babaji. To read it is very inspiring and we look forward to making it available to the public in the near future. Some of the Samaj members visited sites that are spoken about in the book when they were in India last. Some of the photos they took, which includes the one above, will be part of the book. We will keep you informed of the progress.

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NEW RELEASE OF 'I AM HARMONY'

The new revised version of 'I am Harmony' by Radhe Shyam is already printed and for sale. That means you can purchase this beautiful new edition that includes 16 pages of color photos of Babaji, when you come to the Ashram. $19.95 is the new price for the book. You can also order it through the Maha Lakshmi Shop on line at BabajiAshram.org or call toll free, 1-866-686-4185.

If anyone would be willing to take one to their local bookstore, we will be happy to send you a free copy. Please contact the Maha Lakshmi shop at 719-256- 4108.

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This interview was translated from German by Gaby Hock of the English Samaj.

September 29, 2006

Q: As a German, do I have a special task? Is there a particular duty for me in Germany, or in India?

Shri Muniraji: Everybody has his duty, no matter where he's been born.

Q: I do Pancha Karma parallel with Navaratri. Do they work together or can their be problems in combining the two? My experience has been that after 8 days both compliment each other everything that comes up during the Pancha Karma Therapy can then be dissolved in the fire.

M: Everyone can do what they enjoy.

Q: I really enjoy reciting part of the aarati in the German language, such as the Father aarati. Is that o.k.?

M: There is nothing wrong with it.

Q: Babaji said that we should go out into the world and spread what he has said. However, it is my experience that it is very difficult, to talk with people. Many think they know everything already and cannot listen. What shall I do?

M: People believe and follow their paths in different ways. Communicate the path the way you do it. If people cannot accept it, then let them go their own way. Babaji had no interest in people changing their religion or to create a new religion, only that a human being is humane. The highest religion is humanity. When someone is born the first thing is that that they are born as a human being, without already having a religion.

Q: I have heard, that everything that one thinks and says has effects on many different levels. Could you explain this?

M: The mind, our desires are very quick. However, we need a strength, a potential, so that we can we put it into something. For example if we want to eat something sweet, we first have to get up, go to the cupboard and get the sweet. So we need the ability to manifest something. Not everyone has that ability. There are endless levels. The stream of thoughts has no end. The mind can travel everywhere, but what really matters is what it can manifest, rather than just running here and there with the mind.

Q: Babaji has said there will be much destruction. I feel there is a lot of fear amongst people around me about this destruction. How can we instill trust?

M: I already knew you were going to ask this. You should only make sure that YOU are without fear. What will come, none will be able to stop. But because of this you should not change your direction. Stay in touch with what is going on for you.

Q: How do you see the political situation in Iran?

M: Political situations are ever changing. New things always happen.

Q: I have been given the information that in 2012 the great transformation should already have taken place. Many people around me are already preparing for this and stock up provisions for survival. Is it wrong that I do not prepare myself for this by stocking up goods?

M: This is another rumor. One person says something and another one spins it on. One should not engage with this.

Q: What is the meaning of Mundan (head shaving). I cannot get into this, because I do not really understand it. What are it's spiritual benefits?

M: Along with some other rituals, mundan is particularly beneficial for your mental and emotional health. These rituals have been part of religion since time immemorial. Of all 16 Sanskars (important situations for the spiritual search) mundan is the first ritual and therefore should be carried out before anything else. But everyone has to know this for them selves. Everyone who has the feeling that it will be beneficial for them, should do it. Mundan serves also as a protection against physical illness (such as viruses).

Q: Mundan is often carried out on children at the age of 1 and a half to 2 years. How come?

M: The main benefit of mundan for children is for their health.

Q: What makes a yogi a yogi and a sadhu a sadhu?

M: To become a sadhu, it takes a lot. In this yuga there are no real sadhus. Those who appear as Sadhus, only appear as such. To be a sadhu means to renounce everything. In this yuga none is really able to do this and it is not what is being asked. The materialistic attraction in this yuga is very strong, like a magnet. People who want to go this path, cannot succeed or carry it to the end. Anyway, it does not make any sense in this age. There are 8.4 million types of yoga. It is Karma yoga that is appropriate for this age.

Q: What is Karma Yoga?

M: Whatever you do is Karma Yoga. You should not sit around, you should always be engaged in activity. That is Karma Yoga.

Q: When I write my diary, is that also Karma Yoga?

M: That is also part of it, because with that, you can inspire other people. Whoever does something is a Karma Yogi.

Q: I cannot understand what it means to do nothing, when everything is Karma Yoga?

Q: When you do something bad, that is not Karma Yoga. You should always be busy. It is important to have a goal in life and to focus your activities accordingly. That is Karma Yoga.

Q: The Germans have always done a lot. Have they not exaggerated? Isn't stillness also a part of it?

M: When a person has set their goal and focuses their entire energy towards that goal, then it transforms into a spiritual exercise. When they follow that goal with wholeheartedness then they will harvest sweet fruits. The other possibility is: to pursue your goal wholeheartedly only in the beginning, but later only with half-heartedness, with half the energy. Then everything will dissipate and end in a dead-end street. When you set yourself a goal and pursue it with full determination, then everything is possible. When you complete your intention, you will reap its fruits. Then he is a yogi. It is the same when we build a house. When the house is complete, we can move in and start living in it. Then we can eat the fruits. The scientist does research. When he has discovered something, it will benefit humanity. The same rule applies for the yogi. A yogi does not walk the path for himself, but for the whole of humanity. When you want to make use of a field you first have to irrigate it and sew the seeds, then comes the time for the harvest. At harvest time, however, you will reap much more than what you need for your family. It is enough for many more, and they all can benefit.

Q: What are the wisest steps?

M: Everybody should work. Do you only want to travel around? If you want to achieve something, you must do Karma Yoga. You have to give everything. Nothing comes from nothing. If someone sits around, nothing will happen. Appropriate measures must be taken in order to put things into action.

Q: Surely it is not good to sing aarati and bhajans all day long or to pray 24 hours a day. Where is the limit? Where does one stop?

M: Everyone should give as much time as they can manage. Everyone has to decide for themselves how much time they can spare on top of their daily duties and activities. Someone who has to battle with hunger and feed their family cannot sit and meditate. They need to provide for their family so they can eat.

If someone offers God a flower with a pure heart, that is wonderful spiritual worship. The most important thing is the feeling with which you do something, not the length. Our hearts need to be pure.

Q: I have read in a book that Babaji wants us to do japa 24 hours a day. The usual kind of praying is too boring. I have another way of communicating with God. I prefer the direct way.

M: I have not heard that someone prays 24 hours a day. All we should do is be conscious that nothing belongs to us and that nothing we do comes from us. Nothing belongs to us. In the end it is only God who is active and present in everything, and we should act out of that awareness.

Q: Is there a mantra to ground us?

M: There are endless mantras, but without action they are of no use. It also requires a particular sanskar (initiation) and a particular culture, to make a mantra effective. It makes no sense to receive a mantra with our mind. There is no use if we run here and there with our mind. To step into action is the only way. That way it bears fruit.

Q: Some people think it is important to protect oneself from negative energies. This is what is being said in light work. Do we really have to be afraid of negative energies?

M: When you purify your own mind, you will be protected. When we are jealous and think negatively about others or act negatively then we get scared that it will backfire on us. Those who purify their own mind do not need to be frightened. The same is with a thief: the moment he sees a policeman he thinks: let's hope I won't be found out. An innocent person has nothing to worry about. When you have the feeling your actions have been good actions then there is no room for fear. Your conscience knows whether you have done good. Sometimes you do something but you know what you do is not good, but you do it anyway. This power comes from past actions, karma, and can not be avoided. Look at a school class. All children have the same teacher and the same conditions, but everyone turns out differently. One turns into a minister, the next into a doctor and another into a road sweeper. It is karmic. If we think and act in the right way now, we plant the best seeds into the ground for the future. It is in our power.

Q: Is jhara (healing with peacock feathers) good for me?

M: This is up to whether you believe in it or not. If you do, it will help.

Someone else asks Muniraji for his blessings for all present.

M: At the moment there is too little life, too little activity in the German ashram.

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Has Babaji called YOU?

Annelou Perrenoud is collecting stories of how you came to know Babaji. She will take these written and sent by e-mail or snail mail, audio taped or she will talk to you on the phone.

Don't forget to submit your stories to her.

You can reach her at 719-256-5051, at annelou22@ctelco.net, or by mail at P.O. Box 68, Crestone, CO. 81131.

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The American Haidakhan Samaj is a spiritual service community inspired by Haidakhan Baba. Our mission is to practice, share, and promote Babaji's teachings of truth, simplicity and love.
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May 3, 2007

Dear Annual Member,

Om Namah Shivaya!!

It's time to renew your annual membership to the Samaj!! This has been a full year, and your continuing support is critical to fulfilling our mission as a "body" of Babaji's members. Please take the time to fill out the form below and mail it along with your annual dues. Please make plans to attend the Annual meeting on July 28th at HUA*.

Jai Mahamaya ki jai!
Richard Cahall, Treasurer

Remember that your support makes it possible for the Samaj to publish books about Babaji. You also receive a 10% discount on items purchased through the Maha Lakshmi Shop. We can arrange to visit your area to help with Fire Ceremonies and Aarati. Other ideas are welcome. Contact us at samaj108@yah oo.com. Email is important for staying in touch!!

************ Membership American Haidakhan Samaj ************
**********************2007/2008***************** *********

Basic Annual Member [ ] $36 Single [ ] $54 Couple

Supporting Annual Member [ ] $108 Single [ ] $180 Couple

Life Member [ ] $504 Single [ ] $1008 Couple

Additional Donation [ ] $_____________

Name:_____________________________________
Phone:________________
Address:___________________________________ __________________________
Email (please print clearly) __________________________________________

The American Haidakhan Samaj is a 501(c)3 non- profit organization and contributions are tax- deductible. Generosity is at the heart of Karma Yoga. Thank you for your support!

Please make checks payable to American Haidakhan Samaj and mail to:
Richard Cahall, Treasurer
P.O. Box 3831
West Palm Beach, FL 33402

You can also use PayPal by going to www.babajisamaj. org . Click on "Join."

*Contact the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram at www.babajiashram.org or call 719-256-4108.