Tag: Jyotish and Devi

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Joy at the satsang

Despite the recent snow and today’s unsettled weather, Jyotish and Devi decided this morning to go ahead with their scheduled community satsang this evening.

They wanted to make it fun and festive and informal, so we volunteered to sing a couple of Christmas carols.

But because it was so last minute, our soprano couldn’t join us.

Then I forgot to put the words for “Joy to the World” in the binders that I quickly threw together.

So when the time came to sing it was rather — well, rough. Which was no big deal, as it was just “family” and rather spontaneous. But still…

Then Devi read her most recent blog post — beautiful and inspiring — and Jyotish read a story that had come to him in meditation — powerfully inspiring! Then they both added comments and insights that were deeply moving.

And then, Ramesha asked a question about how best to prepare for the upcoming 8-hour Christmas meditation, and as they both answered the inspiration went through the roof.

And I finally understood. The weather was uncertain enough that if we hadn’t volunteered to sing, we might very well have pooped out and stayed home.

In this instance, singing wasn’t the point. Rather it was the means of making sure we were exactly where we were supposed to be tonight.

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Memories of LA days

We just finished a lovely Next Wave satsang with Jyotish and Devi.

The main topic of discussion was sharing how we’ve all weathered the challenges of these past two difficult years. The stories and insights were all very inspiring.

At some point Devi brought up the time a team of us spent in LA with Swamiji, and how he gave so much energy to the music there.

It reminded me of what a special time that was, despite a myriad of challenges and difficulties. And doesn’t that pretty much describe life itself?!?

Anyways, thinking about LA days made me want to share this photo. I have no idea what Ramesha was whispering in my ear, but I’m thankful somebody snapped the photo with Swamiji’s blessings in the background!

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Book launch fun

Bhagavati, Satyana, Prashad, and Ramesha before the event.

We were privileged to provide music for Jyotish and Devi tonight, as they launched their latest book, “Touch of Peace.”

Being a “virtual” book launch, there were just Jyotish and Devi, Dhyan and Shyama, and the four singers, all in the Online With Ananda studio. It was cozy!

Jyotish and Devi were their usual deeply inspiring selves.

Here’s the video if you want to enjoy the event for yourself.

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Picking up the pace

Or maybe it would be more accurately described as scrambling to catch up — and then hopefully keep up — with a life flow that seems to get faster and faster!

What started as the usual full but fairly normal week has been gradually picking up speed with more and more wonderful, yet time sensitive and distinctly unusual activities.

We learned today that the music ministry is going to be featured in the next fundraising appeal (yay!), but need to get testimonials and photos to the development team by tomorrow (yikes!); we had a last minute photo shoot with the incomparable Barbara Bingham after tonight’s rehearsal; we meet tomorrow with the “big guns” about music department finances and budget; then there’s another Christmas play meeting; and to top it all off, we received a request (also rather last minute) to provide music for Jyotish and Devi’s “Touch of Peace” book launch on Saturday night.

We were also invited to lead a virtual satsang for an Ananda group in Singapore on Friday evening, but thank goodness we listened to our intuition and suggested they schedule us for another time. I’m pretty sure adding that into the mix would have tipped us over the edge!

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Happy Birthday, Swamiji! (a new beginning)

I wrote my first “Music. Life. Joy” post on Swami’s birthday last year, so today marks the beginning of year #2. I can hardly believe it…but I wrote something every single day!

In other news, we honored Swamiji with a beautiful event in the Temple of Light, led by Jyotish and Devi. Ramesha and I got to sing! And there was an amazing rainbow!

Now I’m going to get comfortable and read through the past year’s posts.

I did it! 😊

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An Easter like no other

This has been both the strangest and the best Easter ever.

I calculated that it was probably the first Easter since 1989 that I didn’t celebrate in church surrounded by spiritual family. Definitely strange…

Thank goodness I made up my mind the night before to get at least a little dressed up; it would have been just too sad to watch the Easter service online while wearing a grungy sweatshirt! I’m glad to say that Ramesha went along with me on this, so we were nicely spruced up for the holiday.

What made it the best Easter ever is the depth and generosity of what was on offer. From Andrea Bocelli singing in the Duomo in Milan to our very own Jyotish and Devi in the Temple of Light — and certainly in a multitude of other places — it felt like everyone was digging deeper than ever before and finding previously untapped reserves of love and joy and power to share with others.

Adrea Bocelli singing “Amazing Grace” in front of the Duomo

I was moved to tears again and again throughout the day. And I’ll be going to bed feeling more hopeful than I have in weeks.

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Saturation point

We’re at the midpoint of Inner Renewal Week and I’m already feeling “full up”!

Filled to the brim morning after morning with wisdom and inspiration from Jyotish and Devi. Filled with soul joy from so much singing. Filled with gratitude for opportunities to connect with dear friends — old and new!

So tonight is the moment to take a breather. Aaahhhh… 😎

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A Century of Spiritual Awakening

Inner Renewal Week is underway here at Ananda Village, focused on the centennial of Paramhansa Yogananda’s arrival in the West.

As usual Jyotish and Devi got the week underway with deeply inspiring talks that brought home to me just how much courage and commitment Yogananda needed to have in order to make the transition to life in America (not that I’ll ever really understand, of course!).

But boy oh boy am I glad he did!

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Doing “a Devi”

Perhaps my all-time favorite photo of Jyotish & Devi.

I’m still buzzing from this afternoon’s wonderful satsang in Crystal Hermitage dome, with Jyotish and Devi and thirty or so members of the “Next Wave” (“young” friends of all ages😄).

It’s always such a thrill being part of a gathering of such great souls — starting with Jyotish and Devi, of course, but including so many other divine friends who are shining so brightly!

My favorite moment of the satsang came when Devi was making a point about one of the hallmarks of how we “do” things at Ananda, which is to always be on the lookout for where energy wants to flow.

She shared how she was enjoying lunch in a restaurant with three women friends, but had noticed an older woman seated all alone at a table. When two of her friends went to the restroom Devi felt inspired to “do a Devi” (her words!), so she walked over to this woman’s table, sat down, and started a conversation with her.

I’m sure that woman is still feeling the joy of the experience hours later! Devi conveyed the story in such a humble and down-to-earth manner that one could (mistakenly) think it was no big deal. But I immediately found myself thinking of how beautifully she’s embodying one of Swami Kriyananda’s most endearing qualities — the ability and the commitment to see everyone as a friend, reaching out to them in divine love.

I’m sure Swamiji was very pleased. 🙏

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Ananda Kailash

Yes, I know I’ve missed my deadline but tonight I have a pretty darn good excuse: Jyotish and Devi gave a satsang about their time in Italy and India, and especially about the amazing project that is developing in Delhi.

I won’t go into details (since I’m on “borrowed time” here), but what I told Devi at the end of the satsang perfectly conveys how I felt (and still feel!): “Mind officially blown!”

This is huge, wonderful stuff; my spiritual family is doing it; and I can hardly believe I’m a part of it all!