Tag: inspiring

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A day filled with satsang

A definition of satsang that I like is: “the act of gathering with like-minded, uplifting people, especially those on a spiritual path.”

So, today was most definitely a day filled with satsang — from start to finish.

First off was the monthly staff meeting of our Ananda Worldwide outreach ministries. Led by Jyotish and Devi, it’s always deeply inspiring to hear the reports from the various departments.

Next was our weekly music team meeting — always fun, but today was particularly interesting as we explored new directions for our YouTube presence.

There was time in the afternoon to actually get some of my own work done, but the evening was spent at the Ananda Meditation Retreat — sharing about Ananda Music with the current Living Discipleship group.

A satisfying day filled to the brim with one joyous satsang after another.

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Kriya: high point of the week

It was already a big week (with music to prepare and classes to attend every day), but towards the end I added two trips to town for dental appointments and errands; helped prepare the music office for carpet cleaning; and had to track down missing expense info for our upcoming tax appointment.

And, of course, tonight was Kriya!

I was so tired that I almost stayed home. But I’m glad I went because it’s always deeply inspiring and motivating.

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A discovery: random but inspiring

Love this photo that Declan shared with one of his posts. The writing on the side of the boat says: “The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. DON’T GIVE UP!”

A post from the group Camino de Santiago All Routes randomly popped up on my Facebook feed today. I really enjoyed reading it and on an impulse clicked through to the author’s personal profile.

Declan McGuiness is from Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland. An accountant, he sounds like a completely average kind of guy, but I was deeply touched as I read one after another of his Facebook posts.

He writes about suicide prevention and mental health and caring for one another. I love his wisdom and compassion, plus I get a kick out of the Irishness of it all. I can practically hear his accent as I read his words.

Hey lads?
Imagine if you counted your achievements as often as you count your flaws???
Imagine if you counted your wins as often as you count your defeats?
Imagine if you counted your compliments as often as your insults?
Imagine if you counted your pluses as often as your minuses?
Imagine if you gave yourself a break?
Imagine?

You know the wee voice that tells you that you can’t do it?
You can’t climb that hill?
You can’t hike that distance?
You can’t cycle that far?
It does our head in, doesn’t it?
But.
Maybe we are hearing it wrong.
Maybe it’s not actually saying no all the time.
Maybe it’s actually saying be careful climbing that hill.
Maybe it’s actually saying take a break if you are going to hike that distance.
Maybe it’s a actually saying take provisions and spares if you are going to cycle that far.
Maybe it’s not trying to stop us.
Maybe it’s trying to protect us.
Just a thought.
Maybe go ahead and do the things.
But listen to the voice, and take care.
It’s OK not to feel OK.

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Going on and on and on…

It’s been a while since I shared one of John Roedel‘s amazing poems.

Ramesha read this one today and was deeply touched. He thought I might want to put it in tonight’s blog, and he was right.

on my last day
here on Earth
let me be like I
was on my very
first day

let me be

ready for my
great voyage
between worlds

let me be

ready to ride the cosmic
river of the vast unknown

on my last day
here on Earth
let me be like I
was on my very first

let me be

ready to see what
all the fuss is on
the other side of
the womb that I’ve been
hearing so much about

let me be

ready to be bathed in
a light that I could have
never have imagined

let me be

ready to be held in
the arms by my lovely
creator and to feel safer
than I ever have before

on my last day
here on Earth
let me be like I
was on my very first

let me be

ready to see the smiling faces
of all those who have been
eagerly waiting to meet me

let me be

ready to be swaddled up
in the warmest cotton
blanket of fresh starts

on my last day
here on Earth
let me be like
I was on my very first

covered in the
miracle of creation

no wonder newborn
babies cry

no wonder 45-year old
men cry

it’s all such an adventure
it’s all such a journey
it’s all such a circle
it’s all such a flowing river
it’s all such an endless passage

it’s all such a mystery

and it goes on and on and on
and on and on

it all goes on

and we go on and on and on
and on and on

we all go on

oh, divine light
oh, sacred spirit
oh, God

please let me

go on and on and on
and on and on

oh, I can’t wait to see
what comes next

~ john roedel

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Just what I needed

Swami Kriyananda performing the Festival of Light

I always find Ananda’s Sunday service to be inspiring, but some weeks it is so deeply inspiring that I feel fully recalibrated by the end.

Today was one of those Sunday services, and it was just what I needed — exactly when I needed it! (Not to mention the lingering impact of the uplifting Sevaka Retreat that took place the day before.)

I’m so grateful to be starting Spiritual Renewal Week with a renewed awareness of — and strengthened commitment to — living my life in service to God.

I especially love the words in this portion of the Festival of Light that we hear every Sunday:

Many times has that light descended,
Drawn to earth by the call of aspiring love.
Your chosen people have always been
Those of every race and nation
Who, with deep love, chose Thee.

(The minister lifts the candle aloft with both hands to symbolize this choice.)
Please pray with me:

O Lord,
With all my heart,
With all my mind,
With all my soul,
And with all my strength
I choose Thy love,
I choose only Thee.

And so I do…again and again and again. 🙏

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One more day

The panel for this morning’s Kriyaban Retreat class was out-of-this-world inspiring!

At lunch we connected with devotees from near and far (the Village, Long Beach, and New York City).

The afternoon was spent in satsang with dear friends, Narayan and Dharmadevi.

So, no surprise that — for me at least — tonight has been about kicking back and catching my breath in order to be ready bright and early for Sunday service prep.