Best idea ever? Most definitely marrying Ramesha…nineteen years ago today!
And it just keeps getting better and better.
Deep, deep gratitude for this wonderful man.
Nineteen years and counting 💘
The perfect 4th!
Sorry, couldn’t resist this musician’s joke! You see, the distance between these two notes is a fourth, and the interval is called a perfect fourth. Get it?!?
But seriously, I hope a perfect 4th of July was enjoyed by all those who celebrate it.
It was certainly a perfect 4th here at Ananda Village. We celebrated both America’s independence and Ananda’s 54th birthday with a parade, games, a delicious dinner, choir entertainment, contra dancing, and friends galore.
SRW highlight + Guru Purnima
Out of a week full of deeply inspiring and uplifted moments, I believe the ultimate highlight for me was singing “O Master” on Sunday service.
It felt appropriate to skip the usual solo singer and invite everyone (choir and congregation) to sing the melody right from the beginning of the song. Then, as the full arrangement unfolded, the power of the song simply grew and grew.
The words are so heart opening and meaningful, but what really put it over the top for me was singing it together with at least 300 devotees, and feeling the lived reality of the lyrics that speak of “the truth that we’re all one“ (emphasis is mine).
On Sunday I was so caught up with the completion of Spiritual Renewal Week that I didn’t tune into the fact that Guru Purnima — a time to express gratitude towards one’s spiritual teacher (or Guru) — was the very next day. It wasn’t planned that way, but what a perfect divinely inspired time to be singing “O Master”!
Here’s the video of the choir singing it during Sunday service. There are even a few moments when the camera captures a few of the hundreds of people singing along with us.
O Master lyrics
O Master, may Thy joy fill our days.
O Master, may Thy wisdom guide our ways.
The time has come for us to see
That there’s but one reality
Upon the earth and high above:
The truth that all was made from love.
A love that calls to us to fly
Above the hills, above the sky,
Above the storms, above the pain:
A land where peace and laughter reign.
O Master, may Thy joy fill our days.
O Master, may thy wisdom guide our ways.
Guide all our hopes and all our dreams
Past every glow that only seems,
Into the light, the inner sun,
Into the truth that we’re all one.
Help us to find in every hour,
In every thought in every flower,
A joy that spans eternity,
The truth that makes us ever free.
O Master, may Thy joy fill our days.
O Master, may Thy wisdom guide our ways.
Components of a perfect evening (no words, just pics)
Perfect summer evening
This was my view as I walked to the car after tonight’s beautiful India banquet.
After a morning of deep inspiration; spending lunch getting to know new friends; hanging out on the market lawn with old friends; eating delicious Indian food; watching an uplifting dance performance; and hearing a wonderful Krishna story by top storyteller Murali — this serene view was just what I needed to cap off the day.
Tomorrow is Sunday service, followed by lunch…then it’s all over until next year!
Full to overflowing
At a certain point I find myself wondering, “Just how much inspiration can a person take in, anyway?!?”
Because come Friday afternoon of SRW I often feel like I can’t absorb even one more insight, one more bit of wise guidance, one more heartwarming story.
But the truth is that — somehow! — there’s always room for more, especially when it’s so filled with joy. 🤸♀️
A much-needed pause
I’m always grateful for Thursday evening of SRW.
Saturday was Sevaka retreat. Sunday morning was service, while Sunday evening all the singers, instrumentalists, and dancers came together for our one full rehearsal. Every weekday starts off with music before the morning class. Monday evening was kirtan. Tuesday evening was the concert. Wednesday evening was an inspiring Q&A session with Jyotish and Devi. Thursday afternoon is music and inspiration for donors at the Gratitude Tea.
But tonight…there’s blessed nothing.
Ahhhh…. a chance to catch our breath and clear some mental and psychic space for three more days of inspiration still to come.
A beautiful concert
A lot of energy was expended yesterday with a beautiful end result!
I’m sure I’ll have plenty to say about it once the energy stores have been replenished a bit.
I’m laying a little low in the meantime.
Concert day chuckle
I’m not making this up!
Seriously, this was my Momentum Dash message for today, which just happens to be the day of our Spiritual Renewal Week concert.
Yes, there are (as always) a lot of last minute details to deal with, but it’s really not all that bad.
I think this just goes to show that God definitely does have a sense of humor.
The SRW voyage has begun
It definitely feels like we cast off our lines yesterday (with Sunday service and a thrilling concert rehearsal) and today finds us well underway on our SRW 2023 voyage.
Judging by this morning’s class with Jyotish and Devi; a wonderful lunch with friends from India; and an inspiring kirtan, it’s clear that we’re in for quite a journey!