Within every spiritual tradition, there are defining moments, inspired by a spiritual master, that allow the path to grow and flourish in dynamic, new ways. One of those moments occurred in Siddha Yoga meditation on September 28, 2000 when Gurumayi gave her blessings for the first Premotsava event, the Premotsava Music Retreat.

Premotsava is multi-faceted. In the broadest sense, it is about refining our understanding and practice of Siddha Yoga meditation through the application of the principles or guidelines Gurumayi has defined over time for different seva areas. Principles help us put the Siddha Yoga teachings into practice. And by practicing the principles defined for one particular seva area, we find ourselves naturally able to live the teachings in all our daily activities. Ultimately, the result is a deepening of our spiritual experience.

The Premotsava process often starts with a retreat. A Premotsava retreat brings together a group of people committed to a specific seva for a concentrated exploration of the Siddha Yoga principles guiding the performance of that seva. As a result of their participation in the retreat, the group becomes the custodians of this Siddha Yoga practice. As custodians, they take up the responsibility of sharing the principles with the entire sangham through the creation of seminars, workshops, trainings, and so on.

In the fall of 2000, only a few weeks after the first retreat, the participants began sharing the principles by creating and presenting a two-day Premotsava Music Seminar at Shree Muktananda Ashram. Just eight months later, the impact of the Premotsava music initiative began to be felt in our Intensives, courses, and programs. You may have noticed how some of the key principles of Siddha Yoga music such as discipline, teamwork, one-pointed focus, and chanting as one voice, were implemented in the recent global Intensives.

The Premotsava music principles have continued to
be explored and imbibed during the last year. The Premotsava Music Seminar has been offered at both the European and Asia-Pacific Retreats in April 2001. In June 2001, the seminar was repeated at Shree Muktananda Ashram. Throughout the 2001 Summer Present Retreat, different principles were examined and explained so that each of us can contact and express the beauty and vibrancy of Siddha Yoga music. Additionally, children and teens have had opportunities to develop their understanding and experience of Siddha Yoga music through special Premotsava events specifically for their age groups.

May 2001 marked the beginning of the exploration of what it means to be a Siddha Yoga leader. As with music, this exploration of the Siddha Yoga leadership principles began when a group representing Siddha Yoga leadership from around the world came together for a Premotsava Leadership Retreat. These representatives will, in time, guide and inspire the entire sangham in the refinement of our understanding of how we can all be leaders in our own area of service and in upholding the Siddha Yoga mission.

Premotsava is more than a specific event. It is a doorway into a deeper and more fulfilling relationship with Gurumayi's teachings, our own sadhana and the Siddha Yoga mission. Imagine what would happen if each of us were to imbibe the principles that reveal the inner power and beauty of whatever seva we offer. By learning and mastering the principles that are the essence of the Siddha Yoga practices, we can make every aspect of our lives a Festival of Love.