Tag: 1999

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A visit to India

No, I didn’t actually visit India this afternoon, but having lunch with Nayaswami Dhyana was the next best thing.

Dhyana has been one of my favorite Ananda teachers ever since I heard her give a downright thrilling Sunday service over New Year’s weekend way back in 1999. I’ve always loved her combination of deep wisdom, down-to-earth practicality, and delightful humor.

She’s been serving with Ananda India for over twenty years now (hard to believe!) and it’s always a joy to learn about the progress of the work there through her photos, videos, and stories.

Of course, I’m still waiting (im)patiently to see if all for myself. 😊

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Setting the stage

Free Curtain Stars illustration and picture

My involvement with Ananda accelerated and deepened throughout 1999. I received Kriya initiation at Ananda Village in May; returned for the Kriya retreat in June; and moved into the Ananda Palo Alto community in August.

Early that fall I learned that there would be an Ananda choir performing Swami Kriyananda’s Oratorio in Italy in May 2000. Although I was not a singer (my only choir experience had been in Mrs. Hall’s fourth grade class!) and had never heard the Oratorio, I absolutely knew that I had to be part of that tour.

However, since there was already a flutist, I had to sing. And although I had more of a low voice, the alto spots were filled, so I was going to have to sing soprano.

And to top it all off, I was hearing about it rather late in the game, with a good portion of the $5000 cost already due as a deposit. I hadn’t even had a chance to meet the tour organizer, but I sent her a check for $125 with the assurance that more would follow (there’ll be further details about this when I write about the creation of my Illuminating Grace CD).

Indeed, the pace of life was speeding up as a result of my increasing commitment to Ananda. And it was at this point that I received two more opportunities to deepen my inner connection with Swami Kriyananda.