Views From the Ganesha Temple

The fitness program is paying off.  Two times up the stairs at the Ganesha Temple.

Zero to One Hundred in India.  It is all available.

We were troubling over what to do with our garbage, since there are almost no trash cans available, no regular garbage pick-up service--only a tractor scooping up piles of refuse dumped at the end of the street and dumping it into the back of a truck.  We are able to pass the recycled pieces onto the people foraging for material recyclables, the organic material to the various cows, pigs, and dogs that inhabit the area, but we did have to concede to dropping some waste at the end of the road.

Very believable article:  India's Plague, Trash, Drowns Its Garden City During Strike 

Local stream crossing full of trash.  (Short video below of recently cleaned water way.)

Reverse Birthing

It appears that all of the no-body, shakti etc. have been showing me the world behind what I thought was reality.  If I draw a small circle for the self on a stage with no limits, cut the circle in half:  1) one side is the self as I am getting to know it in this mystic's world and 2) one side is the self as I know it in the physical world describes my current reality (haven't narrowed down the percentages.)  Before, it was the opposite with the circle set on the stage of the Earth play.

As the obscurations are removed, I am heading towards a reverse birth (realization.)  Coming into form required an adjustment while adding a skin suit and walking in the human world.  Now, I am birthing backwards by letting go of the skin suit and adjusting back into the truth of who I am.  "Not an unreasonable observation" and a head nod were the fact checking responses.  Of course, recognizing that it isn't by my design or on my time schedule.

Thank you Bhavani for the following link!  Everything stated so clearly and simply.
http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2004/July-Aug/TeachingsUpnishads/

Strength in Vulnerability

Examining the true nature of strength in vulnerability, flexibility, and surrender.  The development of the personality structure appears to have created a rigid structure (our personalities), so the spiritual path appears to put us back on the flexibility/vulnerability path--opening to a new capacity.  The clear imagery of palm trees surviving in hurricane winds with their ability to bend is often used for imagery.  Where does the bending become skillful and where does the bending create a complete uprooting.  Words from the wise were to act according to the street rules and "ashram rules" according to what scene is unfolding in the play.

One moment observing a very young girl, (an image of innocence) pranaming repeatedly and authentically at Gurudev's feet.  All part of the childlike play that we as adults often experience at Gurudev's feet, but she was exemplifying this beautiful truth.  The interaction and acknowledgement of the offering was staggering in its beauty to the core of the heart.

The next moment walking down the street and having a young man on a motorcycle reach out and whack me.  He must not have been very intelligent, because when he passed by me again, I reached out grabbing the young man by his shirt and pulled him loose from the moving motorcycle.

Over and over the diversity of what is unfolding--when to be open/vulnerable and when to take action by street rules.  I feel like a palm tree with feet.

Diversity in the same walk

Hand Mudras

While I was meditating, someone came by and put my fingers into a mudra.  How could just putting two fingers together and straightening the other three create such an amazing energetic shift?  It felt like my entire spine was energized, a coat of energy was wrapped around my body, fireballs in my hands, and more.  Wow!  It turns out that there is a carefully examined science behind it from a long time ago. The article below expressed a lot of what the person explained to me directly.  Now meditating without the hand position feels empty.  Looking forward to learning more.

Mudras- the hand gestures used in yoga - Welcome To Vedanta Today

Mudras,vedantatoday.com ... Mudras- the hand gestures used in yoga, meditation and dance practices: the art, philosophy and science behind them.

The relevance of practicing Mudras and their health benefits described in Yoga and Indian philosophy:

According to the ancient Indian philosophy, the five fingers in our hand represent five elements. The thumb represents the fire element, the index finger stands for air, the middle finger for space,the ring finger for earth,

and the little finger represents the water element.  Article continues....

Friendship

What is the function of an outhouse?  A place to tie your camel.

Friend - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster ...

Definition of FRIEND. 1. a: one attached to another by affection or esteem . b: acquaintance. 2. a: one that is not hostile . b: one that is of the same nation, party ...

Interesting to look up the definition and see the word attachment in the first line.  Two wonderful lesson regarding friendship yesterday and after sitting with it all, attachment/expectations were the two words I saw as the trouble  areas.  Thank you to the dictionary for the back-up.

Gurudev mentioned the renunciation word again--letting go of everything, so I hadn't looked at this part of the list.  There are a lot of expectations around friendships and acquaintances.  A place to often take refuge for understanding, a place of holding and trust, a place without judgement, a place to relax and just be, and more. I suppose if I polled a 1,000 people, I would get that same number in opinions and ideas for what in inclusive in friendship.  Lesson learned--let go and look within.

The Divine's Earth design for endless disturbances and opportunities to deepen is ingenious--over and over and over.  "Let Go!"   True friendship is a very rare gem. Removing the attachment allows for a different space to open up--a much deeper connection that doesn't rely on words or actions.

Reflections From Nine Days of Intensity

The amazing offering of time, work, and thoughtfulness by the ashram community to support and orchestrate nine days of intensity.

Witnessing the dedication by the Pandits in their service to the Divine.  One of my favorite parts was sitting in the resonance of their chanting in between the actual puja.  

Appreciating the sincere attention to detail in all aspects of service whether it was to another human, Gurudev, or Durga.  The flowers for the garlands were hand strung by the ashram women.  Hundreds (thousands?) of prasad were thoughtfully created in the banana leaf bowls. Gurudev's personal invitations for joining the breakfasts, lunches, and dinner.  Cooking large quantities of lovely food and serving with kindness. 

The ashram was kept clean and tidy while the masses moved through the rooms and corridors.

No detail was ever unwilling embraced by anyone available--awesome team effort by people enjoying being in service.

The love, respect, and gratitude for Gurudev was palpable continuously.

Sitting alone or with the group was always available and supported.  

A celebration that was centered around honoring a spiritual being created an inward reflective state that generated unity and sharing at a more subtle level than what is often found at large group gatherings.

Preparation and clean-up were completed with a seamless execution.

A privilege to partake and bare witness to it all.  Jai Guru!

Navratra Day 9 (Final Puja)

Dismantling

Sharing the garlands

The final beauty of the men in red.