Being the music

As part of her comments during this afternoon’s Gratitude Tea, Devi expressed her appreciation for the Joy Singers (who sang at the beginning of the event) by observing that we “are the music.”

I’ve been reflecting on that and, while I believe it is true, I think it doesn’t go far enough. In truth, we all “are — or can be — the music.”

All of creation is vibration. Therefore, everything in creation vibrates — including every single one of us — just not all at the same frequency.

We are blessed at Ananda to have a wealth of music that vibrates at an extremely high frequency. Members of Ananda have been singing and attuning to this high frequency music for over fifty years, which allows us to vibrate at that same high frequency in everything we do and wherever we are in the world.

When people (delivery or repair persons, etc.) visit an Ananda community, they often ask “what is this place?” They can feel the deep harmony that comes as a result of that consistently high vibrational frequency.

It’s subtle stuff that I struggle to put into words. But I’ve personally experienced the reality of this so many times that I know the truth of it in every fiber of my being.

A little indulgence

After our big concert last night, I was up early today preparing music for this morning’s class.

Then lunch with dear friends; a few errands around the Village; and an inspiring Q&A with Jyotish and Devi tonight. All in all, it was still a very full day.

So, tonight I decided to indulge myself with a little treat…some potato chips!

A wonderful concert

Tonight’s concert was wonderful on so many levels…which I hope to be able to actually communicate about tomorrow!

Right now, I’m ready to call it a day and go to bed.

The blessing of kirtan

My town errands took all afternoon and into the evening, so I arrived back at the Village just in time for the beginning of tonight’s Spiritual Renewal Week kirtan.

Ramesha organized it this year, so I really wanted to attend. However, I couldn’t stay for more than two chants (also because I had perishable groceries in the car).

But I’m really glad I made the effort. Largely because it was nice to simply sit in the audience and feel the joy and devotion without being in charge of any of it.

The kirtan is almost always Monday night, with the concert following on Tuesday. So, I’m usually up to my eyeballs in preparations and find it hard to make the time to go. But I’m going to try and change that next year.

Devotional kirtan and chanting to God truly is a wonderful thing.

Off to a great start

We had close to eighty singers at tonight’s choir rehearsal (for the SRW concert).

Then there are another ten or so who couldn’t make it tonight but will join us for the warm-up rehearsal and concert on Tuesday.

I’m just not sure how or where we’re going to fit them all in!

Dinner and a show

I’ve lived outside of Nevada City off and on since 2007, but tonight was the first time that I attended an event at the Center for the Performing Arts in Grass Valley.

The occasion was a show by my friend Nancy’s new voice teacher (Carrie Hennessy). What a voice and what a show — entertaining, thought-provoking, and moving.

We met early for a delicious Italian dinner before the concert and had an altogether pleasant evening.

A thousand details, one at a time

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

Mother Teresa said that, and it was the perfect reminder I needed this morning to start tackling my day.

Later…

I read that quote this morning and it did get me going. The challenge now is to keep going until it’s all finished.

Much, much later…

Well, I couldn’t get it all done before coming home, so for the first time this week I’m working late into the evening. There were just a few too many details requiring completion.

Oh well.

Greetings from a solstice baby

Yep, every few years my birthday falls exactly on the Summer Solstice, which is kind of fun.

I hope you’re doing something enjoyable on this, the longest day of the year. I’m headed to a rehearsal myself.

But that’s okay, because Ramesha made me French toast for breakfast and my gift was a brand new tablet, which will be very convenient when traveling.

Plus these beautiful flowers were awaiting me when I got to the office.

It’s been a lovely birthday.

Getting closer

Writing the blog earlier in the day — so I don’t have to turn on the computer late in the evening — is actually helping me with my bedtime.

I didn’t quite make it before 11:00 last night, but I was close!

So, here I am….doing Whatever. It. Takes. once again.

Doing W.I.T. (whatever it takes)

I’m determined to be in bed no later than 11:00 tonight.

That means I must not turn on the computer for any reason once I get home from rehearsal.

Which means writing today’s blog before rehearsal.

Ergo… 😂