(not necessarily in that order)
We spent pretty much all of today on the computer, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Yogananda’s arrival in America together with gurubhais from around the globe. There was so much inspiration that I’m actually feeling pretty exhausted…and all we did was sing two songs for the East Coast event! 😂
But at the same time, I’m grateful beyond belief that Yogananda came to America…for me! Finding my guru and embracing his teachings has transformed and blessed my life. Thank you, Master. 🌹🙏🌹
I figure I can’t be the only person who needs this reminder right about now!
Pandemic, fires, smoke, protests. unemployment… all these things will pass, but God changes not. Thank goodness!
(lyrics and audio below; enjoy this encouraging chant)
Saint Teresa’s Admonition
(words adapted from St. Teresa of Avila’s Admonition)
Let nothing disturb you,
Nothing affright you,
All things will pass, but God changes not.
Patient endurance
Brings you to vict’ry.
Once you have God, you’ll want nothing more.
God alone! God alone!
God alone’s all we ever need.
God alone! God alone!
God alone’s all we ever need.
…we’re all (every single one of us) just doing the best we can.
Remember compassion and kindness, people.
Compassion and kindness.
Once I was really thinking about the “making of music”, and pondering how one develops that sense of inner musical connectivity, many examples from my own experience came to mind.
One of them is the song Land of Make Believe by Chuck Mangione, title track of the very first record album that I ever purchased, back in high school. Man oh man, did I love that recording!
I hadn’t listened to it in probably twenty years, maybe even thirty, but hearing it the other day I discovered it still has the same tremendous effect on me as it ever did. There’s something about it; it simply makes me happy…and I’m finally beginning to suspect the reason why.
When (if) you listen to this recording, go ahead and enjoy Esther Satterfield’s beautiful voice and the clever and upbeat lyrics, but — please! — do me a favor and really tune in to the rhythm section; I mean, talk about blended and bonded! They are so tight it’s incredible, especially the drums and electric bass. There’s a sense of forward propulsion that’s relentless yet so light it’s almost effervescent!
I’ve listened to it a number of times over the past week or so, and today I had an “aha” moment. You see, often I’ll play a piece of music for someone because I want to share the incredible joy it gives me, only to have the other person say it’s “nice” or something similar. This has puzzled me for years, as I ask myself — how can they not feel it?
Well, I remembered what I wrote a few days ago, about learning to extend my “antennae” and feel the music from another musician’s perspective; from their center. And I realize that’s what happening as I listen to a recording like this: I’m feeling it as if I was part of that amazing rhythm section, intensely bonded in the now moment, in the groove, making music together.
A precious, itty-bitty glimpse of oneness is what it is!
Upon further reflection, it seems like a “which came first, the chicken or the egg” kind of puzzle.
In other words, is my visceral awareness of musical connection the result of my decades of performing experience? Or was I drawn to making music because I already had an innate ability to connect musically?
All I know is that when I’m connecting musically, I feel the flow as something very real, which literally feeds and nourishes me. I feel a sense of unity with my fellow musicians and… well, I just absolutely love it!
But when I’m part of a group where the energetic or vibrational exchange is lacking, I feel stymied and deeply frustrated. Of course, this is major spiritual growth time, as I learn to accept that not everyone has the same dharma or desire or commitment to making music.
Way back in the day — when I first found Ananda — brochures and program guides were a huge part of how I tuned into the essence of what Ananda was and what it meant. But the class schedule and calendar of events weren’t what conveyed that essence. I was struck more than anything by the light in people’s eyes.
I didn’t consciously identify that what I saw shining in their eyes was JOY, but I sure as heck knew that I wanted what they had.
Which brings me to this most recent video of our Ananda Worldwide Virtual Choir. Created in honor of Swami Kriyananda’s 72nd discipleship anniversary, it features one of Swamiji’s most beautiful songs: Peace.
I watched it repeatedly when it was finished, soothed by the melody, harmonies, and lyrics. And I realized something…
Videos featuring Ananda devotees (in this instance, singing) are the new, updated version of the program guide/brochure. And, more than the content of the video, it’s the light shining in the eyes of sincere devotees that draws people.
I invite you to listen to this beautiful music while gazing at faces filled with sweetness and listening to voices expressing joy. See the light beaming from their eyes and know that all is well.
It’s almost midnight and the question of the hour is what to do when one’s lungs feel compromised by wildfire smoke, creating shortness of breath that makes it difficult to fall asleep.
We take things like breathing for granted all our lives and it’s quite a shock when it doesn’t work so well all of a sudden. I’m not feeling it as much as Ramesha is; prayers appreciated.
Thank you for showing us what it is to be a true disciple. 🌹🙏🌹
This month we’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of when Paramhansa Yogananda first came to America, arriving in Boston harbor on September 19, 1920 to begin his world mission.
Millions of people have been touched by the ray of the divine light which Master brought to the West. As part of the centennial celebrations, Ananda New York has created an interactive map where devotees can fill out a form in order to share when and where they were first touched by Yogananda’s ray.
The data will be used to populate the map, which will show how Master’s light has — and still is — reaching out to Truth-seeking souls around the globe. The image above is just to give you the idea; the full map will be shown during the Ananda Northeast Centennial event on September 19th, 2020.
Click on the link below to learn more; then — if you have, in fact, been touched by Yogananda — you can find the latitude and longitude of that time of your life and submit your info. Jai Guru!🌹
Yogananda’s Light Spreading Across the Globe: An Interactive Map for Devotees Everywhere
Wow, these thoughts on the making of music are taking me in interesting and unexpected directions! The next installment is underway but needs some time to ripen (so to speak)!
I must say that this process is causing me to revisit some fun musical memories along the way; hope I can figure out a way to convey them adequately.