service is joy

May 15, 2022

The “oregano bee” at Ananda Farm on Rajarsi Day

Today was our annual community-wide workday, honoring Rajarsi Janakananda (James Lynn), Yogananda’s most advanced disciple.

It had been a full and very intense week, and I was moving very slow this morning. I missed the opening circle and found myself wondering if I would make it at all.

But I’ve learned the lesson enough times by now that I knew I had to just get there. And sure enough — I got to enjoy the company of dear friends while doing something useful, amidst lots of joy and laughter.

Our project was to separate oregano leaves from the stems so they could be dried and made into Italian seasoning. There was whole group of us, having what in another time and place would have been a “quilting bee,” but we were having an “oregano bee.”

It was great fun, leaving me energized, and once again grateful to be living the truth that service is joy!

August 4, 2021

Service (through cooking) is joy!

A while ago I signed up to cook dinner for the Village internship program…and then promptly forgot about it. (I have no idea why I didn’t put it on my calendar — duh!)

A couple of days ago I got a reminder about it, and I have to confess that my first thought was, “Oh no! Do I really have time to do this?!?”

Well, tonight was the night, and (as usual) I’m soooo glad I didn’t bail.

Why? Let me count the ways…

My “helper” was Nandadevi, one of my favorite people on the planet. It was lovely chatting with her while cutting veggies; plus Sundara came and helped as well.
Being in the Expanding Light kitchen was great fun, especially since it meant running into people I don’t see in my usual daily flow (like Ana and Darshana) and also getting to visit with ashram residents Matthew and Janaka.
I got to experience anew the truth that “Service is joy!”
And finally, I got to meet a bunch of new interns, a sweet group of souls who’ve come together from all over the country — including Texas, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Florida, and various parts of California.

All in all, an extremely satisfying evening.

October 9, 2020

Starting our staycation with a workday

Joyful devotees during the 2018 Rajarsi work day.

Yep, tomorrow we begin our staycation and, even though we’re “vacationing” here at home, we’re determined to use this time for some serious R & R.

Of course, Divine Mother being such a jokester, the first day of our time off is (you guessed it) a community work day!

And, yes, a snall part of me groaned when I realized it. Instead of sleeping in, I’ll be getting up earlier than what I’ve been managing to do lately (which isn’t saying much, actually!😏), then working at the Expanding Light for the entire morning.

Luckily, Ramesha and I are experienced enough devotees to not be tempted to stay home (well, at least not much). Why? Because we know that “service is joy” and also because we don’t want to repeat the past experience of having wimped out and stayed home, only to kick ourselves later as we look at the radiant faces of dear friends having fun and enjoying satsang while joyfully serving.

I mean, that’s the experience we’re here for! To expand beyond the sense of our little selves and know that we’re part of that “something more” which is all love and power and peace and bliss!

Which is why I can hardly wait! 😊