Seattle Retreat

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

 

I've just returned from the Seattle retreat and

am trying to get the mind to organize some of the

great experiences there. I may send several separate

posts.

 

It was a wonderful retreat! The first day, Friday,

was beautiful, Seattle at its best. It also

was registration, and a hectic day for me, as I

served as local lead for registraion. Our early

team arrived at 11:00 a.m. and registration was closed

at midnight, so it was a long day. Fortunately, many

fine sevites helped.

 

Amma was just in fine humor. Overall, it was very

mellow. The meditation on Saturday had to be held

inside because of a torrential downpour. The

questions were as follows:

 

1. How can devotees help the environment? (I'm

paraphrasing, as the questioner seemed to be

trying to get the answer he had in mind.) He talked

so long that Swamiji sarcastically remarked when

he was done "asking" the question, "Thanks for the

long question." Then Amma gave an even longer

answer--

poor Swamiji! It must have lasted 20 minutes total.

She said everything has it's own dharma, that you

can't shut down all the factories because people

depend on them to feed their families, etc. If

anyone recall this more specifically, feel free to

jump in here.

 

2. How can a little devotee get answers from Amma

when far away from Her, and letters and e-mails don't

seem to work?

 

There seemed to be a little bit of a heated discussion

between Amma and Swamiji and even Sw. Ramakrishna

jumped in before Swamiji finally told her to pray

and meditate.

 

3. Amma, I'm so worried because I don't know where

the Seat of the Soul is. Where is the seat of the

soul?

 

Amma said the Atman (soul) is everywhere, not in

any one place.

 

4. Amma, I'm worried about the political situation;

what should I do?

 

Amma said each country has its own dharma and she

doesn't want to interfere. She said that we can't

change others, we can only change ourselves. We have

to change ourselves and then others will change.

She said it is very important not to blame. Whatever

you do, don't blame.

 

Saturday night the Seattle satsang did a great play

that incorporated original guitar music, acting,

break-dancing, poetry, and ballet. What a talented

group! For those who recall Mohanon Knickerbocker's

character of Rex Brilliante' from the music program

of two years ago, Rex was back as an egotistical and

self-centered Amma devotee who likes to talk about

the Indian gods and holy books but isn't very nice

to his sister, whose (funny) name I didn't catch.

Sudha Borys played the savy niece who articulates her

vision of a world where everyone contributes their

various talents as a way of worshiping God. It

was good!

 

For Devi Bhava Amma wore a blue and gold choli with

a purple (to me) and gold sari. Devi Bhava lasted

until 6 a.m., even though the crowd didn't seem that

large to me. I think the token numbers were 3,000

or so. The monks sang lots of Krishna songs. It

all felt "very Vishnu" to me.

 

Of course there are very special things that happen

with Amma which are not to be shared in a public

forum. Once again, Amma touched my heart in little

ways that only She and I know about. She is my

God and my Guru, this Amma.

 

Love,

Jyotsna

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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