Sadness and Joy all at the same time

Feb 27, 2009

Aum Amriteshwaryai Namah,

It's very interesting to see how life begins to play out once the heart is opened.

Prachetas left this morning at 10:30am for Kovallum (beach resort) and then he leaves for California on Monday morning. This has brought some sadness to me as he was a really wonderful person that I connected with right away upon my arrival at Amritapuri and he was instrumental in showing me the ropes around here. You sort of need that around here as things are scheduled differently when Amma is here versus when She is not here and on tour. Also, the ins and outs of being at the Ashram and the little "tricks of the trade" were great to learn from him and now he is gone.

Amma teaches us to not be attached to anything as nothing is permanent. I don't feel that I was attached to him, but when the heart begins to open and you connect with someone from that space, it's very difficult to see that person go. At the same time, he did introduce me to many people here who are still remaining at the Ashram for some time, so for this I am greatful! I am also very greatful for Prachetas' willingness to be my "mentor" and for all the gifts that he bestowed upon me. Amma/Kali is really being very kind to me on this first trip to Her home.

I will have my third Malayalam class today at 1pm. I am looking forward to it and not looking forward to it at the same time. I have not had much time to practise or study what I learned yesterday. I don't want to be scolded again by the teacher.

Tomorrow morning at 10am, I have my Astrology session with Sri Mohanji, the resident Vedic Astrologer. I am excited and joyful about that as I am sure that this reading will unleash some interesting information for me and that I will be able to have a homa (fire ceremony) done to enhance and bless me on my path. All of this is very intriguing.

There is still no "official" word on Amma's tour plans within or outside of India at this point, so I am quickly learning to "let go and let God".

I think I am going to go over the backwaters today to take a look at some of the dhoti's that are available at Amma's Tailor Shop. I need a few more to wear around here and on tour. Things get very dirty, very quickly around here. There is a lot of dust and sand. By the Grace of Amma, my allergies and stomach problems have not been an issue at all since arriving here. I had the similar experience when I travelled to Punjab in the past. I think that the Indian climate and experience REALLY suits me.

Anyhow...I should go now if I am going to beat the midday sun. I want to go and get some clothes and then I will have lunch and class, followed by some time to sit and meditate on Amma while She gives Darshan.

Stay tuned for more of my experiences from Amritapuri.

Aum Amriteshwaryai Namah!

Feb 27, 2009 - Part II

Hmmm...so much to my surprise, Amma did not give Darshan today, She just came out for evening bhajans - which is always a treat to be a part of. So...I landed up taking a rest and copying pictures and three little video clips that Prachetas took on his camera (which I uploaded to my computer) onto CDs for Gireesh (the head Priest in the Kalari Temple). They were taken on the night of Shivaratri and it's so powerful that when you watch these short clips of the Shiva Arti and the Shiva Bhajans, it takes you right back to that moment in time and space. What a blessing to have these moments captured. Anyhow...Gireesh requested a copy so I burned these disks for him and then went down for Bhajans with Amma.

I had pizza and fries (really bad) for dinner tonight. I have been eating in the Indian line almost everyday for lunch and dinner, that I needed a bit of a change. I won't do it that often.

Then, I placed an order with the tailor right below the Kali Temple for some pants in cream coloured raw silk. I need to have somethings to wear since I didn't bring much with me at all. Now it's soon off to bed so that I can awake for morning Archana.

Amma gives Darshan tomorrow, and I have my vedic astrology reading at 10am...can't wait!

Aum Namah Shivaya