We celebrated Jyotish’s birthday in the lower gardens of Crystal Hermitage this afternoon. Choir sang a couple of songs; Anandi led blessings for Jyotish and then for Jyotish and Devi together (they leave Wednesday for Italy, then India); cake was served. Then (I can’t think of a better way to say this) Jyotish and Devi gave darshan.
This is one of the definitions I found when I went to double-check the meaning of “darshan”: an opportunity or occasion of seeing a holy person.
It felt very familiar to be in the astral beauty of Crystal Hermitage gardens; surrounded by great souls who happen to be dear friends and spiritual family; observing Jyotish and Devi as they interacted with person after person, radiating boundless love and deep wisdom. It brought back memories of birthday parties for Swamiji and I found myself thinking that it felt sort of like “old times”.
Thank you, Jyotish and Devi, for all you do to further the growth and expansion of Ananda, and for being our divine friends.