Tonight is not — I repeat, not — the night to stay up into the wee hours.
We’re already losing an hour due to Daylight Savings, which means getting to rehearsal at 8:45am will feel like 7:45am.
Groan.
Must…go…to bed!
Officially in remission
I forgot to mention it in my blog post, but yesterday’s appointment was the first time we heard my oncologist clearly and unequivocally state that I’m in remission. She also went on to say that my lab results are “very good”.
I have one maintenance medication that will help me stay in remission, but I know that the love and support of family and friends — combined with my own efforts to keep my energy high and my aura filled with light — is equally important in keeping all dis-ease at bay.
But — gosh! — it sure feels great to be officially in remission!
Ever-present duality
The past three days have been quite the contrast to my week of Ayurveda bliss!
Here’s what I’ve been up to from shortly after my return home (Tuesday morning) to now (Thursday evening): town for bloodwork; grocery shopping; Mahasamadhi event; monthly Sangha meeting; music team meeting; office; town for appointments with oncologist and the infusion center; more grocery shopping; Oratorio rehearsal…while also catching up on a backlog of emails and messages.
It actually feels like a bit of a cosmic joke!
Blue Sage Sanctuary: a tremendous gift
Well.
I had every intention of writing thank you notes (and this “thank you” update) before leaving for my weeklong ayurvedic healing retreat at Blue Sage Sanctuary, but for a variety of reasons that didn’t happen.
However, as is so often the case, it’s actually better this way.
Why? Because if I had written before I actually experienced the retreat, I would have been expressing gratitude in the abstract: “I’m so grateful for the gifts that are enabling me to go on this retreat.”
And now? Well, now I can say with absolute conviction: “Your generous gifts helped to make possible one of the most profoundly transformative weeks of my life.” It was perfect in every way, and for every aspect of my being.
I had very little idea of what to expect from a weeklong panchakarma immersion. The two weeks beforehand were filled to overflowing with commitments and events, as well as a big snow storm that arrived just in time to complicate my even getting there. Needless to say, I was feeling a fair amount of stress by the time I arrived, but I could feel the palpable peace and serene beauty of the retreat environment helping me relax right from the start.
The daily Ayurveda consultations were deep, informative, insightful, and even fun, while the physical treatments ran the gamut from cleansing to relaxing to uplifting.
There isn’t time or space to share all that I felt and all that I learned; in short, it was altogether transformative. I’m more grateful than words can say.
Namaste.
Remembering the guru with love
“Remember this: When I am gone, only love can take my place. Be absorbed night and day in the love of God, and give that love to all.” — Paramhansa Yogananda
Ananda Music has an app!
Yep, this morning Ananda India launched the brand new Ananda Music App! If you love Swami Kriyananda’s music and would like to listen to more of it, this app is for you!
Since the launch in India happened at 6:30am Pacific time, we’ll do another one for the USA and Europe very soon. In the meantime, everyone is welcome to download and try the app out right away. The first 60 days are free; after that there will be a small annual fee, with the proceeds being funneled back into further developing and improving the app.
For Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ananda.music
For iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ananda-music/id1658814958?platform=iphone
The India launch of the app was very inspiring, with Nayaswami Jaya and Nayaswami Dhyana (the directors of Ananda India) sharing about their experiences with Swami Kriyananda as he was writing the music, and the impact it has had on their lives. There’s also a short demo of the app itself. Here’s where you can view the video.
I love the fact that we can now say, “Ananda Music? There’s an app for that!”
A moment of beauty
Sharing this beautiful photo of a ranunculus because I don’t really have anything to share tonight, other than that my mind and heart are full.
Eating without thinking
One of my “homework” assignments this week has been to read a little book by Thich Nhat Hanh, called “How to Eat”. It’s small but powerful.
I was particularly struck by this chapter:
When we eat we usually think. We can enjoy our eating a lot more if we practice not thinking when we eat. We can just be aware of the food. Sometimes we eat and we’re not aware that we’re eating. Our mind isn’t there. When our mind isn’t present, we look but we don’t see, we listen but we don’t hear, we eat but we don’t know the flavor of the food. This is a state of forgetfulness, the lack of mindfulness. To be truly present we have to stop our thinking. This is the secret of success.
There’s much food for thought is this little book.
So many new experiences
Today I received an ayurvedic treatment for the heart chakra, called “Hrid Basti”.
My eyes were closed, so I couldn’t actually see the shape of the dough container, but the photo gives you the idea.
I must say, having warm scented oil poured over my heart was a profoundly comforting experience.
Highly recommended!
Meanwhile at Ananda Village…
I know there are parts of California with way more snow than this; nevertheless, it’s a ton of snow for Ananda Village. I’m finding it somewhat disorienting to be away from home during such a major weather event.
With still more snow in the forecast, it’s also a bit of a challenge to stay focused in the present and enjoy my retreat without worrying about whether I’ll be able to get home when the time comes.