I have made it a practice in my life to associate with holy people. In Sanskrit this is called Sadhu Sangha. Among the many holy people that I have met in my life, a few have become important teachers for me. Their teaching, practices, and holy presence have become part of my body’s cellular memory; part of my energy body; a dimension of my soul.

Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, the Jewish-American spiritual master and disciple of Neem Karoli Baba, is one of these teachers who has shaped my life and the lives of thousands of other people. Ma practiced unconditional love towards all persons. In the early days of the AIDS epidemic in the U.S., Ma and her disciples and friends stepped up to provide food, clothing, shelter, and most important of all, unconditional love to persons with AIDS. Ma never let up on this commitment to the gay community and to children. She has been a spiritual hero who stood up to a lot of criticism to do what is right.

During the night of Friday, April 13th, Ma passed through death to be joined with Divine Mother. This ascension of Ma will make possible the outpouring of the grace of Ma’s person, her teaching, and her practices of open-hearted compassion. Now it is left for us, those who practice the Path of the Heart, to share our love and support and Divine Mother’s love and support with all persons without distinction. Pray for the community of Ma’s disciples. You can find them at www.kashi.org and on Facebook at Kashi Ashram. I am uploading a beautiful photo of Ma to share her darshan with you.