Vaccination and Evolution of my Soul's Journey...

March 14, 2009

Aum Amriteshwaryai Namah,

I had to get the vaccination for "yellow fever" in order to go on the Kenya Tour as that is a mandatory requirement for Kenya. In order to get this, we all had to pile on a bus and travel 3 hours to Kochin to the World Helath Organization (WHO) building to get jabbed with the vaccine.

This bus ride and standing around waiting for the WHO representatives to igure out their scene was more than I could handle in the moment. My good friend Sarala (who I am taking Malayalam with) was great! She kept saying "this is Amma's way of helping the evolution of our souls" I believe that with all my heart and soul, but it was still not easy to be on a hot sticky bus for 6 hours total in the scorching heat and then waiting around at the office for 2 1/2 hours. In total, it took us close to 12 hours from departure to return in order to get the required vaccination.

I am now vaccinated and eagerly awaiting the start of the Tour. We have an orientation session today to learn about what to bring and what not to bring on tour. I also have my Malayalam class today again. I fear that Celine is not too happy with me as she can see that I just have not had any time to practise at all. Life here on the Ashram, while it is quite laid back, the time seems to fly by and before you know it, it's evening bhajan time.

Last night (March 13, 2009) there was a funeral service for an elderly woman who passed away in the hospital on the Ashram compound. After evening bhajans and dinner, Amma came back down to reign over the funeral. It was really quite powerful and the energy was very different than anything I have ever experienced before. It was slightly sorrowful, but there was no wailing at all (which I am so used to seeing in Indian funerals or any funeral for that matter). There were very few tears shed by anyone. Mother came and sat right in front of the shrouded body and we all chanted the 108 Names of Amma in Her presence (which I have never seen before - that was very amazing to chant those Names right to Her physical form). There were some other sanskrit chants that were recited (specifically for death and funerals) and then Amma led us all in one bhajan "Jai Ambe Jagadambe". After that, She ushered the family members to come forward and pay their last respects to the deceased. Then the family members were instructed by Amma to proceed to the beach side and cremate the body. They should all wash their clothes immediately after returning from the cremation grounds. Amma then retreated to Her room for the night.

I am just in awe of all of the experiences that Amma is exposing me to while here in Her presence. Never in a million years did I anticipate witnessing a funeral service performed at the Feet of Amma. So many people's response to that experience was that they want Amma to perform their funeral service as well.

I should go now and do a bit of studying of my Malayalam so that I can at least look like I did a bit of work in the two days since having class. We had to cancel yesterday's class as we were in Kochin the entire day.

Aum Amriteshwaryai Namah...