I started the day by making it to the Temple of Light to meditate. I was a little behind schedule, but it was a beautiful meditation, so I’m not complaining!
Ramesha and I also meditated in the Moksha Mandir this afternoon. This is where Swamiji is buried; it has an amazingly powerful, beautiful, and expansive vibration.
Afternoon meditation in the Moksha Mandir
Then we gathered as a community in the lower gardens at Crystal Hermitage and celebrated Swamiji’s birthday with choir and a small group, a joyful sing-along, brief talks by Jyotish and Devi, birthday cake, and lots of love and laughter.
Choir singing during the birthday party (photo by Kent Williams)
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!
Sunday service in the morning and a celebration of Swamiji’s spiritual anniversary in the evening, followed by 24 hours of global focus on the chant “Aum Guru”!
A triple whammy of spiritual power which has impacted every level of my being.
I’m filled to overflowing with love, joy, and immense gratitude.
Feeling deeply impacted by fires everywhere and the heat and smoke and predictions of more lightning storms…and hearing deep within myself: BASTA! Enough!
Unfortunately, I don’t get to be the one to decide when it’s “enough.” Darn!
But it does seem like we need to take some concerted action to help bring it all back from the brink somehow. I found myself thinking that a major prayer vigil is perhaps in order. People of all faith traditions praying intensely for peace and calm and healing… Ahhhh, I just felt myself take a deep breath as I typed those words!
Of course, I don’t know how to get a bunch of different groups united in doing a prayer vigil; that’s not my area of connection and strength. But then I heard these words in my mind:
Cool clouds that gather to bless us. Mist hands that soothe away pain.
And I thought maybe we can flood the world with Peace, as sung by Swamiji, and help cool down, calm, and sooth our planet and everyone/everything on it.
This is something I can do my best to make happen!
I’ve been in a less than exciting process these days.
Gathering details and resources; embedding links; uploading files (which seems to take forever). It’s all for the worthiest of causes (a virtual choir video in honor of Swamiji’s discipleship anniversary). But it’s also just a wee bit tedious.
Work like this seems to drain away all my creative juices. I know it hasn’t really; that it’s just how it’s feeling in the moment. Not much fun, regardless…
We performed “Well Done, Lord!” for Sunday service today. It had been a long, long time since we last sang it (not sure why, because it’s one of our favorites).
Seeing as how it’s a rather wordy and poetic song, I was a little worried about remembering all the lyrics. But going over them mentally before service began, I was pleased to discover (yet again!) my tried-and-true secret for remembering words: go deeper into the meaning!
I’ve sung this song hundreds of times over the past twenty years, but today for the first time I really felt the laughter of the mountains as the gypsy clouds sailed by; I could imagine the fields of wheat or wildflowers smiling up at the sun while embracing the morning warmth; and I understood the elation of the trees…every true heart in creation in speechless wonder is bowed.
And once again I bow at Swamiji’s feet in gratitude for the amazing gift of this music.
Well Done, Lord! In India there lived by the banks of a stream A hermit whose prayers chose applause for their theme. He gazed at the flowers, and he smiled at the sun, Then he clapped with delight: âLord,â he cried, âOh, well done!â
Well done, Lord! Oh, very well done! The mountains that laugh with the gypsy clouds! The fields smile to welcome the sun; All nature sings praises aloud. The trees dance to show their elation: A day on Godâs earth has begun; And every true heart in creation In speechless wonder is bowed.
Well done, Lord! Oh, very well done! The joy that Youâve planted in childrenâs hearts! The thrill known in bearing a son; The hope when a trial departs. The gladness of men in their neighbors, Of youth, in its victories won! Our joys are the proof of Your labors: How wonderful, Lord, are Your arts.
Well done, Lord! Oh, very well done! At last Iâve discovered the mystic key: The worldâs joy, O Secretive One! Replies to Your sweetness in me. For here in my heart lies the answer: Your love shedding light like the sun! All life seems to leap like a dancer, When, gazing, I see only Thee!
Maybe it’s because I’m approaching the one year mark, but the fact is that I’m experiencing a resurgence of days/nights when I don’t feel particularly inspired to say anything.
What I have to guard against is an insidious inner voice that whispers, “You’ve done great so far! Is it really so bad if you skip just one day?!?”
The answer, of course, is that YES! It would be so bad. Because this is about seeing it through and honoring my promise to Swamiji.
