A Visualization

This visualization has been practiced by the monastery for three years. We feel it has had an important role in manifesting the land and help needed for the Hermitage. Please help us by practicing this visualization for the manifestation of Guru Kripa Forest Hermitage.

“Prajapati (God in the aspect of Creator) brought mankind into manifestation, and in so doing gave man the potential for self-offering into a higher (than human) awareness (through yagya). Along with this gift He enjoined mankind, “Whatever you desire, seek it by offering energy back to the source of all energy. Let this sacrifice (yagya) be your milch cow of fulfillment.””
— Bhagavad Gita (3:10)

Visualize the blessings of the Gurus on our monastery. We have given our lives to them in devotion, service, and meditation. They want us to thrive and grow. See Babaji, Krishna, Christ, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswar, Paramhansa Yogananda, Swami Kriyananda – all sending their blessings, and inviting us to a particular piece of land that is waiting for us.

Visualize a beautiful land, large enough for room to grow, small enough to maintain and grow along side with it. See us giving to the land, as well as receiving from it, both spiritually and materially. Visualize trees, flowers, and many fruits and vegetables coming from Divine Mother as we develop this land with Her.

Visualize us on this land giving of ourselves on higher levels to Divine Mother. See Her Grace flowing to all who come to this land. See that there is no end to how much we can give to Divine Mother, and no limit to how much She can give to us.

Visualize a powerful magnet of spiritual abundance attracting more monks who have this spirit of selfless giving.

Visualize cooperative neighbors who have a generous and harmonious energy.

Visualize office spaces where the monks can serve together, giving to our larger worldwide Ananda family. Visualize that energy coming back to the monastery and land.

Visualize living spaces where monks can privately meditate and chant. Visualize a common temple where monks can go deep in meditation. See the pathways that monks walk daily, which will connect their inner private lives to the group meditations. Visualize these pathways as being in tune with Divine Mother’s energy flows. There may be paths along cool flowing streams of water, under trees giving shade and fruit, alongside herbs and flowers.

Visualize birds singing and playing on this land too, and other harmonious creatures. See our spiritual growth as being in tune and in harmony with the living and growing energy of everything living on the land.

Visualize small groups all over the world being inspired by this model of plain living and high thinking. See others living in similar cooperative spiritual harmony with each other and with God as Nature. See all of us living on our planet sustained and bathed by Divine Mother’s love.

Where He Dwells
By Swami Kriyananda

Where He dwells, the earth in gladness
Puts forth sweet herbs, shading trees.
Gay streams bound through summer meadows;
Fragrance blows on ev’ry breeze.
They with happiness are blessed
Who the Lord have made their guest,
Who the Lord have made their guest.

Play the song:

Swami Kriyananda on caring for the land:
“The vibrations of a place can be spectacularly uplifted when the place is developed not with a view to destroying trees, but to making it beautiful and cared-for. The very devas are attracted to places where there is pure, devotional energy, as distinct from the unfocused and haphazard energy of a commercial enterprise. For this purpose the ancient Chinese even remolded the shape of the countryside, and thereby made their world itself a more perfect reflection of heavenly values.

“Wildness alone, especially “unkempt” wildness, attracts rakshasas and lower entities. Angels are attracted to places that reflect the higher regions where they live.

“God put man in charge of the earth that he might bring divine consciousness to whatever he touches. If he fails—as he does, unfortunately, all too frequently—he does not bring to fruition his own God-given destiny. Man’s sensitivity has been given him by God to refine and develop material reality. God needs channels of His blessings on earth. It is not His way to want us to say, “You do it all, Lord. It’s your business, not mine!””