L-R: Chika, Shamini, Nayantara, Bharat, and Shivendra
For years now, Ramesha and I have wanted to travel to India to work with Ananda singers there, but issue after issue and obstacle after obstacle have repeatedly gotten in the way.
We do our best to connect when people come to visit Ananda Village, or via Zoom when in-person isn’t a possibility, but still it’s been a little frustrating.
However, in this moment I’m feeling completely heartened, encouraged, and inspired by the way this group of singers from Ananda India are taking ownership of the music and forging ahead with presenting it with enthusiasm, deep attunement, and JOY!
I found Bharat’s introductory remarks to be especially impressive.
It feels like a breakthrough moment for the music in India and for our worldwide music ministry.
Today was our first “town day” together since getting back from Europe.
We usually find time to get coffee amidst our various errands. But this morning was different. We weren’t okay with getting our coffee in a paper cup with a plastic lid. It just didn’t feel right.
So, we went to Flour Garden, where we could request our drinks in ceramic cups. Infinitely more civilized!
I don’t know if this is a permanent change, but we’ll flow with it for as long as it lasts.
What a joy to be back in the Temple of Light and attending Sunday service for the first time since April 14 (and what a relief to make it the whole time without a coughing fit)!
It was also a joy to eat lunch in the company of dear friends afterwards.
Our beautiful temple, filled with fellow devotees. Uplifting music; deep silence during the meditation; and an inspiring talk by Ananta.
Not any more! Divine Mother put me back in the game today.
I realized this morning that I had to get blood drawn today for my oncology follow-up appointment next week.
I also needed to pick up a prescription and buy a few food essentials.
I was definitely well enough to drive to town — no problem. But it did feel like a rather unexpected and sudden expenditure of energy after spending over a week at home recovering from COVID.
In fact, it’s only 9:30pm and I’m already looking forward to being in bed.
Ramesha and I just completed a special project for our May Patreon video (a little behind schedule due to illness).
As part of it I got to talk about a gift that Swamiji gave me back when we stilled lived in Switzerland (the full story is part of the video).
But it gave me a reason to remember and reflect on other special items I’ve received from Swami.
In September of 2003 Swami went to Milan and Como for book release events and I traveled by train from Assisi in order to participate (it’s a long story, involving a suitcase full of books; missed train connections; an impromptu “choir;” fabulous meals; deep inspiration; and getting to know a crazy young guy named Fabio — I’ll have to write a full blog about it sometime).
It was definitely an eventful weekend, made even more intense by the fact that I stayed in the apartment of two devotees from Milan who I didn’t really know and who spoke virtually no English. It really was quite uncomfortable and awkward.
At the conclusion of the weekend I was supposed to take the train back to Assisi, but was invited to join the group at Swamiji’s hotel for breakfast first. This somehow got communicated to my host who dropped me off near the hotel on his way to work.
As I walked up to the entrance I suddenly heard a “hello” from up above. It was Swamiji, calling to me from a window on the second floor. He said he had something for me and would be right down.
I met him in the lobby and he handed me the little Krishna that you see in the photo. A unexpected and precious moment I’ll never forget.
I was more “myself” today, though still nowhere near my usual energy levels.
I mean, accomplishing a “lot” right now looks like: juicing some lemons; (finally) sorting our vacation mail; and washing dishes.
What I’m particularly proud of is the way I sat on the patio for what felt like hours this afternoon… staring at the treetops, gazing at the occasional butterfly, hearing the birdsong, listening to the lizards rustling through the dried wisteria blossoms…
Aaaaahhhhhhh… I’m falling asleep just thinking about it.
In twenty-odd years I haven’t had to sit out very many Swamiji’s Birthday celebrations, but that’s what happened today.
It’s not just that my voice would not have been ready to sing yet, it’s that this morning I finally tested positive for COVID. Sigh.
Ramesha tested negative and has not had any symptoms at all, which we’re hoping stays that way.
So, I’ve been at home, thinking about Swamiji and how to better serve the area of his work that is ours to do — the music.
I’ve also been enjoying reading the many beautiful tributes to Swamiji on social media. My favorite is a series of video clips of him laughing — he had such a wonderful laugh! Unfortunately, it’s a Facebook video, so I can’t share it here on my blog.
But here are some photos of Swami laughing to help you feel his joy.
