Digest Number 1810,

[Guest guest]

Prasidini wrote:

 

Last night we returned from three heavenly days in San Ramon. California

is experiencing weird weather for this time of year, and it is warm and

beautiful. The hills around the ashram are gorgeous, the breeze is warm.

Due to my health and lack of stamina, I was unable to spend a lot of

time at the programs and at the ashram, but enjoyed every minute there.

The first day, Thursday, we arrived a little late, at about 11:00am. It

was SO crowded. To walk from one side of the hall to the other was, at

times, a real challenge because there were so many people. We got a

token to get a token. Just being in the temple hall we could feel the

peace permeate our being. I felt my usually chattering mind slow down

and just "be" (well, as much as that is possible). The decorations in

the hall were very beautiful. On the stage behind Mother were huge

fabric decorations of gold and shades of orange. There were little

lights in the sheer panels of fabric - hard to describe...

Dear Prasadini ~ thank you so much for sharing your experience of being with

Mother at San Ramon. All your words seemed like nectar to me. The little

lights are hard to describe. I have never seen them in actuality, but I've seen

pictures of them, and they are so sweet and lovely. I am especially grateful

that you shared what you were and were not able to participate in because of

your health. When I think of how fast my energy goes and how quickly my

symptoms spike, I sometimes wonder if I would be with Mother very much at all,

especially with the larger crowds. But your account gave me the belief that any

time with Mother, even if it's only a small part of the overall time you are

there, is worth more than words can say.

 

I was surprised to hear about needing a token to get a token. Wow...what

levels of complexity are becoming necessary due to the crowds. How do they treat

sick people now. The last few times I saw Amma, they had me sit in a chair

and then just took me up and pushed me into the front of the darsan line. I

worry about this a bit because even sitting for too long tires me. It is too

weird, this illness. I loved what you said about remembering people in our

group, and then having it expand to the whole world. The same thing happened to

me

when I was doing my own prayer seva this Sunday with the list. Before I read

the names, I go through a little prayer to Amma ... "For these names that I

am about to read, to relieve all difficulties, to meet all needs, and for

whatever reason prayer has been asked, I will say the Maha Mrytunjaya Mantra 21

times." But this Sunday, after I said the part about the names on the list, I

went on about friends and family, and it kept expanding outward until

finally I dedicated my seva to all people everywhere. It is so interesting to

me

that both of us did this, probably not at the same time, but still...

 

Sacred Journey is a wonderful book. I loved it, and it is now a part of my

special library. It must have been very wonderful to meet Swamini Krishamrita

and talk with her. I believe her when she says Mother wrote the book.

 

Again, thank you so much. Hugs ~ Linda