A dear friend, Nayaswami Devarshi, is a longtime Ananda member who is now serving in India as the head of our Monastic Order. He sent this letter to us last week.
“A very miraculous save by the Guru here at Mumbai airport, on our way to Singapore. As Aditya [a fellow monk] and I were standing in line to leave the country, I realized I didn’t have an additional document that I needed in order to show residency in India, which is required for me to be able to leave and return, because of the type of visa I have.
“As Aditya [a native speaker] said later, one of the immigration officials said to the other, ‘Take a careful look at these two. They are disciples of Yogananda.’ He had been at your recent talk in Mumbai, and he recognized Aditya and me!!! He’s still reading Autobiography of a Yogi and other books, and preparing to take classes in Mumbai.
“To remember us, in our civilian clothes, and that we ran into him in a city of 20 million . . . even then, I was barely allowed through. Will try to get a scanned copy for the return.”
Divine Mother and the Guru are constantly looking out for us. A few years ago, I had a reading from a book of ancient prophecies. The pundit giving the reading told me, “The Guru is watching over you moment by moment and second by second.” This is true for all his sincere disciples.
It is thrilling to have his protection demonstrated in a “miraculous save.” Knowing Devarshi as I do, I am sure that afterward he expressed his gratitude mentally in this manner: “Thank you, Divine Mother and Master, for your protection and your grace. I will do my best to learn from this experience.”
But if we are grateful for only the pleasant things, we are missing the point. We must be grateful for everything. One time someone said to Swami Kriyananda, referring to one of his many illnesses, “It doesn’t seem fair of Divine Mother.” Swamiji corrected her, immediately and strongly: “I am grateful for whatever Divine Mother gives me. I know that everything that comes is an expression of Her love.”
So, what if Devarshi had been sent back? What if that official had said something like, “You are a disciple of Yogananda and should not be so careless as to have forgotten your papers. I’m sure he wants me to teach you a lesson!”?
If that had happened, what should Devarshi’s prayer have been? Knowing him, I suspect that it would have been the same: “Thank you, Divine Mother and Master, for your protection and your grace. I will do my best to learn from this experience.”
Everything that comes to us, the pleasant and unpleasant, is an expression of divine love and protection. Unwavering gratitude is how we become aware of God’s constant blessings and protection.
Here is an affirmation that I wrote many years ago and still often repeat:
I am grateful for my life, exactly as it is.
I am thankful for this day.
I welcome every hour.
Thank you, God. Thank you, God.
In gratitude,
Nayaswami Jyotish
Download the gratitude affirmation graphic above for print here.
20 Comments
Beautiful!
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish Ji,
Thank you for blog :)
The affirmation is lovely & beautiful :-)
Aum,
Prem
Yes so true … I can visualize Devarshiji’s Calm countenance— we need to learn too from his experience. It is always a joy to read this mail.
Aum
Dear Jyotish ji,
Pronam. And thank you for reminding us of the correct attitude towards God and Gurus, throughout life’s good and challenging experiences.
I was trying to find your gratitude affirmation in the last few weeks. Thank you for sharing it today.
In eternal gratitude,
Br.Aditya
? Nayaswami Jyotish,
What beautiful affirmation this Mornig~
Thank you God ?
In Gratitude,
Gauri
Wow ! I too had a similar experience at US port of entry where I got a chance by luck to visit US for the first time. Out of some unknown fear I baffled and did not properly answer the immigration officer. The immigration officer directed me to another office where I saw people being interrogated and strictly scrutinized and their luggage searched. My heart almost stopped and I had chills running down my spine fearing to face what I saw others undergoing. An elderly gentleman called me, and asked me my purpose of visit and I somehow gathered my composure and calmly answered. He was convinced and stamped the entry details and asked me to GO !!!!!!!!! Thanks heaven, God protects his disciple.
This is not just one, I had many such instances which establishes beyond doubt that there is some divine power protecting us.
Jai Gurudev
Dear Jyotishji,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful affirmation!! Also it is comforting to feel that Guru’s grace and love showering on all disciples all the time.
In gratitude,
Neela
Flight to Singapore have his blessing!! I remember they forgave the extra baggage charge to me and a fellow passenger was angry with the officers for even bothering a single girl traveling ( with gurujis autobiography in my hand). Guruji has never denied me anything.
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I am so grateful for this blog written with so much love and compassion… inspired and inspiring. Thank you! Om Shanti.
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish Ji, Thank you, Thank you and again for this lovely article and your prayer of gratitude, truly beautiful and wisely inspiring. How lucky we are with such blessings! Namaste
Dear Jyotish,
Your message came at such a perfect time. First, it was so good to hear about Devarshi and his recent protection by Guru and Divine Mother. And for me personally, I’m having a health challenge that I’m learning to be grateful for. Thanks for underlining how important it is to be grateful for whatever comes.
joy
Joan
Thank you, Jyotish. (I have your affirmation taped onto the laptop I’m reading this on.) :-)
Wow, what a great message, Jyotish. Thank you!
Thank you Jyotish, this is a lovely message and a great reminder. I recall a talk Devarshi gave in which he said something like “People are always saying things like “Divine Mother found me an apartment” or similar, but he never heard anybody say “Divine Mother gave me a parking ticket!” As you point out, Devarshi would be grateful for whatever he received. Hopefully we can be too. I am grateful for your comments.
I have been using this Affirmation daily since i first heard Jyotish mention it a few years ago. Thank you Jyotish.
Hope to see you and Devi again this summer at Ananda Assisi.
Blessings and Joy always
Carina
Thank you so much, Jyotish, for this very beautiful and timely message. Saint Therese of Lisieux once said: “Tout est grace.” (“All is grace.”) Please continue to share messages like these. We need them. Lots of Love, Vani
Yes…as I am liken to pray, if I may humbly share, “Thank you DM for all thy blessings, especilly those that I am not aware of, for I know that all thy blessings source from thy unconditional love. For it is by thy grace there go I”….After what I have been through and done I am amazed that I am even still alive in this body today….
Dear Jyotish,
Thank You!
Everything is God…
The Divine Play is filled with Myriad
Speckles of color and form.
It is all God.
Be grateful!
Que Experiencia tan enriquecedora recibir las publicaciones que comparten, Siempre Me dan alguna respuesta a las situaciones que vivo cotidianamente. Bendiciones!!!
Had heard this story and marvelled at Divine Mother’s grace. But your elaborating the need to feel gratitude under all circumstances and outcomes took my learning to a whole new level. Pranaams!