I decided to leave a little early to get to the Easter Monday program. I thought about what an auspicious combination of events the day was: Easter Monday - My Birthday - and a Special Easter Monday Program with the Guru!

Nature Spirits & Hibiscus Flowers

This was to be my day, so off I went to spend my birthday with the Guru. As I walked out to my car I noticed that I had parked my car next to a beautiful hibiscus tree that was in full flower. Two of the branches were leaning out towards the Beemer’s car door, on the driver’s side, and two large, gorgeous, magenta hibiscus flowers were reaching out expectantly, waiting to be noticed! I gave them my attention and asked if they wanted to come along to the program. The inner answer was a definite yes! So I picked them off the tree and invited the nature spirits of the tree to come along, as well. I sat the two beaming flowers in the front passenger seat and set off to the program. They both seemed pleased they’d got their “message” across to me.

I arrived at Darling Harbour and as I walked down to my seat I noticed a lady who looked very familiar, sitting in the seat next to me. I found out later this was Phylicia Rashad, a famous singer and actress from the US. On the other side of my seat was Peggy Lipton, who I had also recently met, also a celebrity from a TV show called “Twin Peaks”. Both of them seemed to exude so much love for the Guru - it was truly palpable. I really felt their energy coming from them in a subtle, yet genuine way. They had flown to Australia from the U.S.A. to be at the programs.

I thought to myself what, wonderful company for my birthday: plus two radiant hibiscus flowers also waiting expectantly under the chair in my hat! I offered my thanks to the Guru for being with her in such lovely company!

Shaktipat & Darshan - 1st April 1991
Chanting with Gurumayi, I felt a sudden surge of tremendous energy come up from my spine and up through my body. All of a sudden the presence of the Guru appeared right in front of me and she said: "From this moment on you will be anew and I will always be with you.” Tears of joy welled up in me and flowed down my cheeks, and as I opened my eyes, I seemed to be greeted by Gurumayi, looking compassionately straight at me. I had had many peak experiences before but this was an intensely inner experience that was completely different from anything else I had ever experienced.

It had awakened something that seemed at the depth of my being.

After the chant ended Brigit Brandon came rushing up to me and asked me to go with her. I was invited to meet Gurumayi. She was sitting radiantly in a beautifully transformed dressing room. I shared my inner experience from the program earlier, and the words that I had received, with Gurumayi, and in the moment in front of Gurumayi I was inspired to add: “My life and being are in your hands, as you are in my heart.” Gurumayi gave a nod and a slight twinkle in acknowledgment.

I continued to speak with Gurumayi of my Ukrainian heritage and the beautiful scenery in the Ukraine and the ceremony and ritual of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. We also spoke of the deep spirituality and giving nature of the people.

Gurumayi then said, “So, it is your Birthday...” and reached over to an exquisite silk and pashmina shawl, which she majestically placed over my head as I knelt in front of her! I must have been a little overawed because I remained fixed in the spot where I was sitting in front of Gurumayi. Soon I was prodded from the back by someone to move forward so Gurumayi could reach me and place the shawl over my head! I expressed my gratitude and spoke a little more with Gurumayi.

Gurumayi then gave me a small chocolate Easter bunny as a parting gesture.

Gurumayi asked, “What’s the guitar for?”  It was innocently, yet strategically, placed at the back of the room.  Gail explained the Ashramites had a song we wanted to sing her.  Gurumayi nodded and the ashramites took their places. Gurumayi asked for a chair to be brought in for me and placed right up next to her.  Gurumayi very sweetly tugged one of the Ashramites to move closer to her chair so that we could all fit in. 

Gurumayi asked Gail to give the words to the song to me so I could read them. Gail, replied, “He wrote them.” Gurumayi just laughed.

At one point during the song Gurumayi looked directly into me, but then just kept on looking and looking. For a split second it almost surprised me, but her look was so serene and filled with love I just became completely lost in the openness of my heart and more absorbed in the look and the song.

I gave a gift to Gurumayi to read, Gurumayi studied it for some time. She said, "He used the word Sankalpa" and handed it to Swami Apoorvananda to read. I had contemplated this Sankalpa for the tour.  I had read it to myself, day after day, after each Guru Gita at Baba Muktananda’s puja in the hall.

I then asked Gurumayi if I could present her with a drawing of Baba? She asked me if everyone had seen it and I replied, “No”, so Gurumayi asked Bowbay to show it to everyone in the room. 

Gurumayi asked how long it had taken. I explained it had taken over three months because I had to keep rubbing it out and doing it over and over, time and time again, looking very closely and studying Baba’s photo.  Gurumayi then commented, “what a great dharana.”

After performing the song in the Meditation Hall Gurumayi asked if I had “seen the picture of Baba on the wall?” I said, “No” and Gurumayi looked to Bowbay who said the drawing was on its way to the Ashram.  Gurumayi told me, “I have said to hang the picture on a wall of the ashram.”

At the end of the satsang on 1 April 1997,

"Gurumayi also shared her intention that

one day there would be a Siddha

Yoga Chanting Tour in Australia."

SYDHA Team Primary Objective

It was proposed to establish an ongoing new Sydney Ashram Siddha Yoga Team – The SYDHA Team. This stands for Siddha Yoga Dulwich Hill Action Team. This Team would specifically focus on the expansion of facilities and resources at the Sydney Ashram and surrounding community around the Ashram.

The Primary Objective for this team was submitted to the inaugural meeting of the Team on the 17 December 1995 for general consensus and approval of the team members. The Team, at that time, was made up of Anatole Kononewsky, Dr Trevor Williamsz and Chaitanya Mathews.

The original objective was:

“To produce a clearly define proposal for consideration by the Australia Board of Trustees outlining a Staged Development Plan for creating a strong Siddha Yoga residential community at Dulwich Hill specifically for supporting the ongoing expansion of the Global Vision of Siddha Yoga and completely attuned to the Guru’s Grace.”

NOTE: The fact that the Sydney Ashram was opened by Gurumayi was seen as a very significant event and should be treasured as a real blessing. The thought of selling the Ashram (at one point considered after the 1991 Tour) was definitely NOT one of the Team’s options.

I proposed the first “Live-in Weekend Retreat” to Ashram Managers back on 18 May 1997, (initial proposal in 1996).  We organised, trialled and held the first public weekend retreats in 1998 – the primary purpose was to simpy follow the Ashram Daily Schedule during your stay.

A number of weekend retreats were held during this time, providing an opportunity to people in chanting and meditation groups in regional areas to come an experience and follow the Daily Schedule in the Ashram.  

It was very well received at the time....  

(Appendix A)

(Initial Proposal: Weekend Retreat 1996)

Ashram Self Reliant Stays (2014)

The retreats formed the basis for the subsequent concept of a “Day of Siddha Yoga Practices” and “Ashram Self Reliant Stays” that were started in 2014 at the Sydney Ashram.

Visit to Gurudev Siddha Peeth, India

In April 2000 I visited Gurudev Siddha Peeth, the mother ashram in Ganespuri, India. I had decided to give this trip as a gift to myself for my 50th Birthday. Nine years since receiving Shaktipat with Gurumayi in Sydney, Australia.

Meeting with Swami Kripananda

I asked Swami Kripananda if I could meet with her. I ended up having a most serene meeting with her outside in the beautiful gardens of the ashram. Sitting with Swami Kripananda felt like I was speaking directly with Gurumayi.

I had the opportunity to explain in detail what had been happening to me in my sadhana. I had produced a colour presentation of a musical I had been working on, dedicated to Baba Muktananda and a poem I had written about my experience of staying at the ashram, Gurudev Siddha Peeth -- both were gifts for Gurumayi.

After our meeting, Swamiji suggested I write a covering letter and she would get the gifts to Gurumayi.

A profound meditation experience in 1992 of Soft Diamond Light at the

Siddha Yoga Ashram in Sydney, along with the song "I Know I Am",

written in 1993 and then performed for Gurumayi in 1997

inspired the creation of the Artwork Production.

It features the book, "Soft Diamond Light. Only love matters"

& the album: "Only love matters: music for Soft Diamond Light.

The artwork production is dedicated to Gurumayi.

Soft Diamond Light

Only love matters

This was re-released in 2023 at the Melbourne T.S. Bookshop.

More Information

A national conference call was organised on the 20 April 2015 to bring together all the Ashram Managers, Centre Steering Commitee Members and Chanting & Meditation Group Hosts together as 'One Voice'.

The objective was to introduce the Birthday Gift Project to them.

We invited the Ashrma, Centres and Chanting & Meditation Groups to come together on the 2 and 3 May 2015 at any of the participating Siddha Yoga communities around Australia.

They came together in the spirit of 'One Voice from the Heart of Australia' to sing and record one musical note of the Darbari Raga, for 20 to 30 seconds, which occurs at the start and end of the raga.

These individual notes formed the Aroha (ascending) and Avaroha (descending) patterm of the Darbari Raga.

FINALE - 22 May 2016

As a final gesture, the Birthday Gift and Gratitude Book were energetically offered to the Heart of Australia — Uluru. This was done by singing the Guru Gita. This was done by a Siddha Yogi in Alice Springs on Sunday 22 May 2016 live at 7.30am (Northern Territory Time - 8.00am AEST).

She sang the ‘Song of the Guru’ on behalf of ‘One Voice from the Heart of Australia’.

We invited others to sing the Guru Gita at this time from wherever they were in Australia OR simply send your blessings. (The 22 May 2015 was the day that the National Management Team approved the final Birthday Gift for Gurumayi.)

We connected with her by singing the Guru Gita at the same time in the Melbourne Ashram. Siddha Yogi's also offered the Guru Gita in the Manhattan Ashram in the USA. (Others around Australia may have also sang the Guru Gita for the offering.)

A FITTING COMPLETION TO AN EPIC JOURNEY.

Dedicated to

Sydney Ashram

New Song

"Heart of Australia"

The song is about our connection to the sacred site of Uluru -- one of the seven planetary chakras of Mother Earth & returning home to the state of our inner higher Self.

Dedicated to

Melbourne Ashram

New Song

"Stand Near a Fire"

The song is about the powerful influence of a true spiritual Master when you are in their presence and you become attuned to their higher state of consciousness.

"Heart of Australia"

(26 October)

A special day for all Australians to celebrate and

honour Australia's amazing indigenous history as the

oldest continuing culture on our planet.

Officially Launched on October 26, 2021

VISIT WEBSITE

Inaugural Heart Awards for young people

to be presented October 26, 2025

The Boys Choir at Brighton Grammar School was the first school invited to learn and perform the song, Heart of Australia as part of the initiative, Hearts Beat STRONG™.The Head of Junior School Music and Acting Head of Choral, Hayley Blakiston stated:

“…the boys loved learning and singing it.” 

The song was released by Tarryn Stokes in 2022 – winner of The Voice Australia 2023.

The intention is to have schools around

Australia learn & perform the song.

One of the fundamental realities emerging in the 21st Century, common to both quantum physics and metaphysics, is the recognition of the inter-connectivity, interdependence and essential unity of all life.