Ananda’s NEW online community

Perhaps you’re wondering how to access the “overwhelming abundance of online resources” referred to in yesterday’s blog post. That’s easy! All you need to do is get yourself signed up for Ananda’s recently launched NEW Online Community! 

Features include: a news feed based interaction tool (similar to Facebook); focus groups with discussion forums; places where individuals can interact and share inspiration; and — perhaps most important — listings of live events offered by Ananda communities and centers around the world.

Once you’re a member of the community there are several different groups you can join, including the Lift Your Hearts — Ananda Music group (hint, hint). 😉

Signing up doesn’t cost a thing, so what are you waiting for?!?

Tired but inspired

This was one of those wonderful days that was filled to the brim with inspired activities!

The choir sounded particularly angelic (and progress is also being made on our “look”); Badri gave a lovely Sunday talk; and we had the most uplifted and bliss-filled World Brotherhood Day I’ve ever experienced, followed by the usual extravagantly abundant banquet. Oh, and the Temple decorations were beyond beautiful!

I feel so very, very, VERY blessed to be a part of this community and this world movement!

This photo is by the one-and-only Barbara Bingham!

One track mind…

I had a conversation with a friend today that helped me understand why I seem to have run out of anything to share that’s the least bit inspiring or even of interest.

The fact is that–from now until June 30 and beyond–pretty much all the inspiration and focus is centered on the 50th anniversary and Temple dedication. It’s hard to find space in my mind or my heart for anything else at all!

It’s making me sort of boring to talk to as well.

Choir without borders

As of tomorrow it will be exactly ONE MONTH to the start of the week-long event celebrating both Ananda’s 50th anniversary and the dedication of the new Temple of Light at Ananda Village.

Yep, it’s BIG.

Members of our Ananda spiritual family will be pouring in from all corners of the world, including North, South, and Central America; Europe; New Zealand; India; Russia; and Asia.

Of course there’s going to be lots of music, much of it sung by a global choir, filled with devotees from many of the places listed above. From an organizational perspective it’s a little overwhelming–who’s coming? will we have balanced voice parts? what will it feel like in the new temple? can we really manage with only one rehearsal for the concert?!?

There are also many places in the Ananda world with new or barely established choirs, whose singers might feel a little out of their depth singing for such a big event. But that’s why, right from the start, we decided to emphasize inclusiveness. We want as many people as possible to have the experience of being part of a big Ananda choir. We want them to feel the magic that happens when you’re singing high consciousness, uplifting music with fellow devotees!

It’s going to be awesome.

Recently I found this phrase scribbled on a slip of paper: Ananda Music Worldwide: a global choir, united in inspiration. I don’t recall whether I heard someone else say it or made it up myself, but I think it perfectly describes our vision and goal for music during the 50th anniversary…and beyond!