Group members welcome Baba to to their weekly meeting, Kalamazoo

Baba Blessing the members with his words of wisdom and love

The divine support that gives strength and well being

Nature celebrates continually. Without rhyme. Without reason. With the seasons. Continuously.
We, humans, miss the rhythm most of the time. Nature’s welcome, the Universe’s call, the joy and laughter of that Celebration, is lost because we have too many other priorities.
Then a day comes into our lives when we have all that we wanted, we ever asked for. Then we realize that we have missed that which remained unasked, unexpressed – the cry of our soul for peace and harmony, for the dance of the spirit, the music of the heart.

We wake up to answer the Invitation of the Universe in Celebration, to join in the dance of Consciousness, to sing the song, learn the art of positive Celebration.
We in Celebration for Peace International will join together to invoke, evoke, garner that positive energy that abounds all around us to come and touch our Being and open the floodgates of our hearts. To create ripples of Celebration that will flood this world with joy.
We all want peace. We want music. We want joy. And we want to celebrate a ceaseless and ever- unending dance of life.

The goals of the Circle of Celebration Meditation Groups are:

• to learn the Simple Art of Managing Stress (SAMS) to lead a stress free life of joy.
• to learn yoga and breathing exercises to harmonize body-mind and Spirit.
• to encourage each participant as he/she learns to access the positive energies in the world through a deepening inner life and personal relationship with the Divine;
• to provide each participant with a safe forum for personal discovery, spiritual support and sharing;
• to help each participant cultivate deeper insight into living the life of the Spirit;

Guidelines for CoC

The following methods are recommended:
~ Practice of physical stretches with breathing exercises to enjoy the gift of sound health of body and mind.
~ Personal and group study of the teachings of Baba Shuddhanandaa;
~Regularly scheduled group meditation meetings.

A suggested format for a 60 minute meeting is:

• Invocation Chant 3 min
• Yoga and Pranayama (breathing exercises) 15 min
• Meditation on Om 2 min
• Reading of the Day 5 min
• time for participants to share gratitude, insights, and any positive or negative areas of life during the previous week which one is ready to share with the group for a group support and clearer understanding. 25 min
• meditation; 3 min
• prayer focusing on one particular need in the world/ prayer for any near and dear ones of the group member who needs healing. 4 min
• group recitation of Universal prayer for peace in the world. 3 min.

A few words from Baba regarding the group sharing/discussion time:

1. This is an important exercise for all the members to grow into a spiritual friendship. This is the time when each member is encouraged to open up and share what ever he/she feels from his/her heart and should be open to receive any light that the others members can throw on the subject. The sharing has to be brief so that others get chance to share their part. The whole idea about this group is to grow into a spiritual friendship of like minded people so that the most challenging situations of negative environment at home as well as at work place can be taken not as obstacles any more but opportunities for positive growth. The members must feel free to participate in such a way that they grow into a leadership to help each other in a process of Positive unfoldment of inner potential. The most important thing is SHARING. Through sharing and mutual help based on Self-Help each member would become a source of positive energy at home and at work.
Most psycho-somatic diseases are emotionally induced and are the result of feeling of isolation and separation. In the rat race society no body has time for the other to listen to the feelings of the heart. Due to deep seated resentments most people suffer with emotional imbalances and depression. CoC should create that opportunity for each member to trust in the other and share with confidence and grow with mutual support in a spiritual way in the light of Baba’s simple teachings for a purposeful and peaceful life.

2. The meeting space should be cheerful and comfortably arranged with chairs and a clean rug for those who wish to sit on the floor.

3. A small altar with pictures of Baba Shuddhanandaa and Ma Krishnapriya (once she visits the group) could be arranged to feel the divine presence of Baba and Maa.

4. Candles should be placed where all can see. Fresh flowers may also be used to decorate the altar.

5. Circles may want to consider playing music that is gentle, inspiring and healing, while the group is gathering. Music may continue during the meeting if it is played softly. As the divine music creates the ambience for uplifting our Soul to higher heights of consciousness.

6. The use of incense may also be considered, after confirming that no one in the Circle is allergic or sensitive to the fragrance/smoke.

7. Circle may organize Video or Audio presentation of Baba’s discourses and Maa’s meditative music.

8. As much as possible, encourage the active participation of each member in all aspects of the Circle. For example, one person may wish to select the music; another may be responsible for setting up the altar; another may take charge of arranging the chairs and rug; one may be responsible for maintaining the member address/phone number list.

9. Consider making the role of the facilitator a rotating position so that each participant can experience the special joy and growth that can come from guiding the Circle.

10. When one gains experience in leading a group, one can take permission from Baba Shuddhananda to start a new group and spread the mantle of positive art of celebration. True celebration comes to life when we enrich ourselves and help bring light and joy in the lives of others. Baba wishes that each individual member should be able to initiate new group as a facilitator once he or she is ready to lead.

Comments from the participants of the

Circle of Celebration Mediation Group.

Through Baba God has blessed me with my first & sweetest tears of joy.
I am bathed in God's divine love, protection and perfect peace.
Kimdale Mayo, Michigan

"Baba's book and the meditation group have had a tremendous influece and impact in my life. Every time I re-read it it's more meaningful. Roger Nielsen, Michigan