(not necessarily in that order)
We were only gone a few days, but it somehow seems like it was a long time and far, far away. Maybe because LA is such a different environment, plus the intensity of interacting with so many people.
Whatever the reason, it feels really good to be home.
This is too funny!
I picked this photo but then wanted to make sure I hadn’t titled a past blog post “Intensity.”
Well, I searched my blog and look what I found. 😂
Yep, almost exactly a year ago — on January 24, 2023 — I wrote about the focused intensity of preparing for the annual Sangha presentation, and I was drawn to use the exact same photo!
I guess I could title this my 2nd Annual Intensity Post and call it the start of a new tradition.
This day started out with an 8:00am meeting, then segued into planning music for the astral ascension ceremony (tomorrow around noon) and finishing up preparations for our annual presentation (tomorrow morning).
An email also needed to go out inviting people to our music satsang on Thursday night (Ananda Village Music: New Beginnings is the theme).
It’s been a while since I spent such an intensely focused day in the office and I’m totally ready to call it a day and go home.
Today was an intense day.
Interestingly, during my morning walk I was drawn to one of the big cedar trees on the ridge, stopping to rest hands and forehead against the trunk for a while.
And all day long I found myself marveling at the continuing beauty of the autumn leaves.
I think my soul was nudging me towards subtle acts of self-care, and I’m grateful.
There’s at least one more “Racial healing” blog post percolating in my mind, but I need a break. So here’s something I felt to share on Facebook a few days ago, starting with what I wrote to introduce it (the lyrics are included after the video):
Yesterday I felt the strong impulse to share this “funny” song of Swami Kriyananda’s. It’s based on a story that Yogananda used to tell. Right now, it’s the TRUTH of the song that is resonating with me, not so much the humor. “What we need is light!”
Yes, It’s Devil Worship
by Swami Kriyananda
Brother, I’ve a faint suspicion
You and I’ve been led astray:
Taught to drive the devil from us,
We’ve invited him to stay!
What we need is light!
For we can’t drive out the darkness
With a stick, with a stick,
No, we can’t drive out the devil with a stick.
Some proclaim all men are sinners,
Can’t escape the devil’s might.
How their interest must intrigue him,
They won’t let him out of sight!
What we need is light!
For we can’t drive out the darkness
Talking sin, talking sin,
No, we can’t drive out the devil talking sin.
Some of us were taught the slogan:
“Social evils must be slain!”
But can anger drive out sorrow?
How can passion conquer pain?
What we need is light!
For we can’t drive out the darkness
While we hate, while we hate,
No, we can’t drive out the devil while we hate.
Brother, have you ever wondered
Why the darkness lingers on?
If we want to see the sunrise
Let us turn and face the dawn!
What we need is light!
For we’ll only best the darkness
When we love, when we love,
Yes, we’ll only best the devil when we love!