Message from the divine cheerleader

Today was about doing five loads of laundry; creating our December Patreon video; recording the audio for the Christmas Eve play; and of course answering emails, etc.

The evening was our run-through for Saturday’s Christmas concert. Not surprisingly, by the time I got home I was feeling more overwhelmed than ever.

Then I happened to see this meme! I totally feel like the universe heard me and sent me the perfect message of encouragement. Thank you, God!

Celebrating Swami Kriyananda’s freedom day

This is my favorite photo of me and Swami Kriyananda, from sometime in 2003 at Ananda Assisi. I had met him for the first time only three years before, yet I was beginning to comprehend how completely my life had changed as a result.

When Swamiji left his body on April 21, 2013 — eight years ago today — my first reaction wasn’t particularly spiritual or uplifted. When Ramesha read the email message to me, my immediate response was “NO!” And I kept repeating that for some time. Despite knowing how ready Swamiji was to be free in God, I was definitely not ready for him to go.

I felt like I was losing my dearest friend and I couldn’t help thinking of all the times I hadn’t made the effort to be where he was, to hear him and see him and simply be in his presence.

It didn’t (and still doesn’t) matter that I had many opportunities to work with and spend time with Swamiji; the pain I feel is because I couldn’t fully appreciate those blessed times, because I really couldn’t even begin to wrap my mind around how great he was.

I knew Swami in the body for thirteen years. Such a short time, really. But I think about him pretty much every day and thank him for the music, his friendship, and the opportunity to serve Yogananda’s mission through Ananda and Ananda Music.

I can’t imagine a more beautiful or more meaningful life than the one I’m living. Jai Swamiji! 🙏