Month: July 2024

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Major gratitude

We accomplished a lot in this afternoon’s music retreat, but a particularly powerful moment for me was answering the following question:

“In your heart of hearts, what do you want most to accomplish in the music or the Arts before you leave the planet?”

This was my answer:

” To help establish a really deep, really strong, absolutely clear and attuned core music leadership that will protect and carry forward Swami’s musical legacy far into the future, which will assure the future of Ananda as well.”

Beyond that, I’m just so grateful… to be part of such a dynamic team; for the blessing of our music; and for the meaning and purpose it gives to my life.

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Feeling pushed and pulled

Today I felt like Swamiji was sort of pushing and pulling me to understand that he’s serious about moving the music in some big new directions.

And that means NOW, not at some vague time in the future!

The timing is perfect, as we have a music team retreat scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.

I’m eager to see what’s trying to happen.

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Village housing meeting

I do believe this is my all-time favorite kind of meeting — bar none!

Ananda Village housing meetings happen maybe once a year, when there’s either a lot of people moving and houses opening up, or when there’s a lot of need and no apparent openings.

Of course, housing can be a sensitive issue, but I’m always inspired by the way it’s handled at the Village — an intentional (and cooperative) spiritual community.

Tonight’s meeting was as uplifting to me as the very first one I attended way back in 2008. There were probably 40 people in attendance, but many of us were there simply to enjoy the process and offer support.

We started, as usual, with some chanting and a prayer. The current available housing was listed, then we all shared why we were there, with those who are actively looking to move explaining what they need and the kind of situation they’re looking for.

Nothing got decided in the moment, but you could feel everyone opening their mind and heart in order to tune into “what’s trying to happen” for the highest good of all concerned.

I love it. 💖

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What we did today

The Joy Singers accomplished our Christmas album recording goals today, but — boy oh boy — is it an exhausting process!

The six traditional carols are “in the can” (as they say); one more full day and we’ll be done.

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Delightful lunch satsang

What a joy it was having lunch with Chika, who serves on the staff of Ananda New Delhi and just completed the month-long Living Discipleship program at the Meditation Retreat.

Originally from Japan, Chika is one of our key music people in India. I’m so glad we had a chance to get to know her better and exchange thoughts and ideas about the music, before she returns to the other side of the world on Saturday!

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Eager for dinner

I’m meeting’d and computered out.

Yes, I know that’s not correct English, but it perfectly describes how I’m feeling.

In fact, I worked through lunch, snacking later on rice cakes and a little peanut butter. So, I’m also really hungry for dinner.

Bottom line? I don’t have the bandwidth or the brain power to write anything creative.

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“The Music Man” to the rescue

I was in a bit of a slump this morning. Just having a really hard time getting going.

After a bit, Ramesha left for the office, while I sat at the table trying to get up the energy to stop scrolling and start doing.

But then I happened upon a video of the composer (and flutist, which I never knew), Meredith Willson, explaining his non-rhyming lyrics to the song “Trouble” from The Music Man.

Well, The Music Man was one of my favorite musicals growing up, so after watching the video I had to listen to the version from the movie. Then I had to listen to the rest of the movie soundtrack (for the first time in decades).

The funny thing is that while I was listening I started doing a few things. Making the bed. Folding and hanging up some clothes. Putting away books. You get the idea.

But what’s really interesting is that when it got to the “Ya Got Trouble & Seventy-Six Trombones” point in the soundtrack, I jumped up and started dancing and marching around the room!

It’s like the music just forced me up and about, and I suddenly felt so happy!

I’m sure it was a matter of joyous childhood memories combined with the happy, upbeat melody and rhythm. But whatever it was, I was just glad to finally feel my energy moving again.

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For mothers & fathers everywhere

I got such a chuckle out of this!

Of course, even though I never raised a child, many were the times that I made coffee, then got caught up in a project and completely forgot about it.

So, it’s really a recipe for busy people, period!