(not necessarily in that order)
We just had our final run-through for tomorrow night’s Oratorio performance and all the pieces are officially in place and ready to go.
Choir, soloists, instrumentals. Sound, lights, song lists. Knowing who goes where and when — and what color they’re wearing. 😊🌈
A myriad of details, but tomorrow we’ll do our best to set them all aside and simply let the inspiration flow.
Ramesha recently shared this video from a few years ago. It’s so beautifully moving that I want to share it here as well.
This is what he writes about it in the video description:
This is a rather particular chant titled “They Have Heard Thy Name.” It was written by Yogananda. It’s a heartfelt prayer asking God to give comfort to those who are suffering.
LYRICS:
They have heard Thy name, the blind halt and lame. (2)
They have come to Thy door, Lord, they have come to Thy door;
Give them an audience, Lord.
They have heard Thy name, the blind halt and lame. (2)
Those who are in despair, wipe Thou their tears! (2)
They have come to Thy door, Lord, they have come to Thy door;
Give them an audience, Lord.
They have heard Thy name, the blind halt and lame. (2)
Those who are drowned in sin, to whom will they go? (2)
They have no one, Lord, they have no one;
Do not turn them away.
🙏
Recovery: wishing I could have had another day of it.
Yesterday fit the recovery scenario: I slept late, took it easy, didn’t even leave the house all day.
Today was the exact opposite: the morning was spent on tasks at home; I ran seven(!) errands in the afternoon; then had soloist/instrumental rehearsal in the evening.
And the rest of the week just gets more intense with final preparations for Friday night’s Oratorio performance.
Jai Guru!
We only had two days in LA — arriving Friday evening, spending all day Saturday at Yogananda Fest, then getting on the road back to Ananda Village directly from lunch after Sunday service at Ananda Los Angeles — but it was enough to feel truly reconnected with our SoCal spiritual family and even with Los Angeles itself.
It was great seeing longtime devotees from when we lived there from 2010-2013, but equally wonderful meeting so many recently arrived folks who immediately felt like soul friends.
Throughout the weekend I felt like I was sort of “checking off” certain key experiences — the iconic skyline at Hollywood and Vine as glimpsed from the freeway; scores of palm trees; the constant sound of traffic; a man dressed in a suit decorated with a peacock feather pattern; the (brief) appearance of a cockroach during Sunday service(!) — which, when taken altogether, added up to feeling LA in my mind and heart.
It was funny how I could even enjoy being in traffic, knowing that it was only for a couple of days!
I also had a nostalgic moment when I saw this sign inside the Ananda LA center, hanging above the door to the sanctuary. Someone (I don’t remember who) had made it for our first Ananda LA ashram in West Hollywood.
We couldn’t use it at the entrance to the house because, as it was a residential area, the zoning laws meant we couldn’t represent ourselves as an official “center.”
But it was a lovely sign, so we used it indoors. It’s lovely to see it still in use.
Sunday service at Ananda LA, followed by a potluck. Then the long drive home.
Completely done in.
Ananda LA’s Yogananda Fest was tremendously successful on every level, filled with inspiration, creativity, service, and satsang.
We reconnected with old friends and met strangers who felt like we’d known them forever.
There’s more I could say but I’m too tired. And tomorrow is Sunday service, followed by the long drive home.
So…good night!
Our three years of living in LA seems like another lifetime. Especially considering that we haven’t been here since 2017 — a full seven years and a pandemic ago!
The constant background noise is hard to believe after so long away. On the other hand, many sweet memories came to mind as we drove into the heart of the city.
It’s great to be back… temporarily!
Considering that I spent a total of almost three hours driving to and from Roseville for last night’s sleep study…
….and that I’ll be spending all day tomorrow sitting in a car on the way to Los Angeles for Yogananda Fest…
…I’m choosing to keep this short so I can fit in a short walk before it gets too late. My body needs to move a little!
Another new experience.
Spending the night in Roseville at California Sleep Solutions, hooked up to a bunch of wires. Pretty interesting, really.
Well, nighty night. 😴
I was surprised to realize 2021 was the last time I shared this video in honor of the vernal equinox!
It’s my all-time favorite springtime song. Why? Because it just makes me so happy every time I hear it!
The words are by Shakespeare; the music and the performance are by Swami Kriyananda.
Happy Spring!
It Was a Lover and His Lass
It was a lover and his lass,
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino,
That o’er the green corn field did pass,
In spring time, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing, hey ding a ding ding:
Sweet lovers love the spring.
Between the acres of the rye,
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino,
These pretty country folks would lie,
In spring time, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing, hey ding a ding ding:
Sweet lovers love the spring.
This carol they began that hour,
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino,
How that a life was but a flow’r
In springtime, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing, hey ding a ding ding:
Sweet lovers love the spring.
And therefore take the present time,
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino,
For love is crowned with the prime
In spring time, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing, hey ding a ding ding:
Sweet lovers love the spring.