Becoming a Guardian Angel

Swami Kriyananda was very drawn to places where Mary, the mother of Jesus, has appeared. One of these places, Medjugorje, is a pilgrimage spot for millions. When Swami visited there, he was elderly and unable to walk up the long, steep hill to get to the holy spot where Mary had appeared to the young children. In his chair, he was carried there joyfully by a group of six young men, whom he blessed in return. It was a deep and sacred moment in his life. This is a touching example of Divine Mother’s love in action, but there is an even more beautiful back-story.

These young men, you see, were part of a group called Comunità Cenacolo (Community of the Last Supper), which has small groups around the world dedicated to helping young people with problems such as drug addiction or some minor scrape with the law. When a person enters one of the communities, he or she is paired up with a “Guardian Angel,” a volunteer who commits to help that person for an entire year. If the young person is unable to do their cooking or cleaning chores, then the Guardian Angel does it for them, pulling double duty. If the person isn’t able to sleep, the Angel stays up and talks with them, sometimes all night.

This living example of unconditional love begins to permeate and slowly change their hearts and lives. One key in the transformation is the commitment of the Guardian Angel for an entire year, which allows the time needed for growth and healing. As their lives are reclaimed, and they grow stronger and clearer, many of these young people want to give back, and go on to become Guardian Angels themselves.

How often are we in a position where we could help someone in need? Perhaps someone reaches out to us asking for advice, or has an illness, or we know a co-worker who needs a friend. The next time someone reaches out to you, try to be aware that Divine Mother is giving you the opportunity to become a Guardian Angel. Open your heart to Her, and make a commitment to help that person in need for a year. But keep this a secret between you and Divine Mother so that your love and friendship remain pure.

People in need are often unable to articulate their needs or ask for help, so as a Guardian Angel you will need to be active. Reach out regularly with a phone call or a walk. Find ways to spend time together, helping with some little task. Better yet, ask them to help you, or find a way to do some selfless service together.

One of Swami Kriyananda’s great secrets was that he made us think that we were helping him when, in reality, he was helping and blessing us. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if those young men carrying his chair that day mistakenly thought that they were the ones helping him.

Angels work with love and joy, so let your time together be fun. When we connect heart to heart and soul to soul, we are both helped and healed. It is not surprising that, at the end of the year, most Guardian Angels report that they received much more than they gave. That is why Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Divine Mother will reach out to you sometime today or very soon. When She asks you to help someone in need, why not choose to become a Guardian Angel for a year?

With love,

Nayaswami Jyotish