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Let’s celebrate the light together!

In yesterday’s blog post I talked about our upcoming Christmas concert, but I didn’t mention any specifics!

So, here’s the scoop: the concert “premiere” will be Sunday, December 20 at 6:00 pm (Pacific time). All the pertinent information , including the link, can be found at www.ananda.org/christmas.

Plus you can check out the other inspiring events which are listed there as well.

And of course I want to mention yet another wonderful event (which isn’t listed on the Ananda website): Ramesha’s LIVE Kirtan Concert!

He invites you to join him for devotional chanting and short periods of meditation that will help you open your heart to the deep blessings of the Christmas season. It’s happening this Saturday, December 19 at 5:00 pm (Pacific time) on Ramesha’s Facebook page.

Here’s to a glorious, inspired, heartfelt, joyous, uplifting, fun, beautiful Christmas (take that COVID-19)! ✨

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It’s a wrap

It still feels very strange to be “done” with my part of the Christmas concert four days before its “premiere.”

Of course, most of the performances were “done” a little over a week ago.

It’s just such a contrast to all my deeply embedded concepts of what it means to perform — especially at Christmas time — as preparations intensify the closer you get to The Big Day. And then the big sigh of relief/release when it’s over.

I find it interesting that I feel almost the same range of feelings afterwards — relief, tiredness, excitement, and so forth — whether it’s “virtual” or “real.”

The fact is that tons of energy still goes out when it’s virtual, maybe even more in some ways.

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Christmas is coming

Lots of crazy rushing around today (deadlines, deadlines!), including preparing for tonight’s Christmas Zoom Sing-Along.

We’ve all been craving singing together, so tonight we did the next best thing, by coming together virtually to sing a bunch of choir favorites — traditional carols, the Hallelujah Chorus, some Oratorio choir pieces, and — of course — all of Swamiji’s original Christmas songs.

Predictably, even as tired and frazzled as I was, the music lifted me up and softened my edges and helped me (finally!) start to feel like Christmas really is coming!

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Stuff

Much of today involved dealing with stuff (especially papers), arguably my least favorite pastime.

Now I’m feeling tired and a little cranky, so I think I’ll keep this short in favor of doing my utmost to get to bed early (the good news is I’ve actually been making positive progress in this direction).

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Silenced once again

Yep, in some ways we’re back to the beginning — no live singing or chanting, for Sunday service or anywhere else at Ananda Village, until January 5 at the earliest.

But in other ways, it’s not like the beginning at all. It’s way more frustrating because of all the time and energy and resources expended in between, for seemingly nothing.

Not to mention the sacrifices!

And yes, a part of me thinks I have some nerve whining about not being able to sing. I mean, I think about all those working on the front lines in hospitals and clinics — from doctors and nurses to food service workers and cleaning crews. I think about the people working in grocery stores and gas stations and pharmacies, so that we can be fed and supplied. And I am so, so grateful for them all.

So, yeah, in some ways we’re back to the beginning, but with a lot more understanding and compassion and — yes — patience.

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When it all starts to add up

I’ve been sort of automatically categorizing my current sense of overwhelm as the “usual” increasingly intense activities that come with the December/Christmas/holiday season.

But today I’m realizing the need to acknowledge the intense undercurrents of all that’s going on in the world. On the most basic levels we’re completely fine out here in the boonies — taking precautions, supported by community. On more subtle levels, however, I can feel the “not-fine-at-all” reality of many, many of my fellow Californians, Americans, citizens of the world.

So, yeah, it kind of starts to all add up and you can’t help but feel the heaviness. Which is why staying centered, staying calm, staying open and loving, staying joyous is my/our most important work right now.

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Feeling more peaceful

Once again making some progress in some positive directions. Lights were out at 11:30 last night — which hadn’t happened in months — and I was up correspondingly early.

So, fingers crossed that this continues (it feels good)!