3^rd February, 2007

My Dear Friends

I pray to the Infinite that this letter finds you in the joy of His Presence. Adam, George and Janice will be at work and home this week; all minus their spouses! Phyllis left to minister to Scott, a friend who hosted a meditation meeting in Portland several years ago, he has heart pains, please keep him in your prayers.

This week we have had further darshans with Swamiji. We have videotaped him telling some stories, several inmates of the Ashram have thanked us for doing this; it is a treasure. Swamiji told one very funny story that happened here at the Ashram. One man came onto the Ashram grounds and climbed a coconut tree. Papa came to know of this and he came to the base of the tree. Talking to the man up the tree he said, "Why didn't you just ask us for some coconuts, we would have given you?" The man [quickly thinking but perhaps not quick witted] replied, "I am up here looking for grass, [how would grass grow 30 feet up a tree?], I haven't found any so I am coming down!" This man now works at the Ashram.

On Tuesday Jill Hough Arrived at the Ashram; somewhat tired and hot but so very happy to be here. She has brought a suitcase of Beanie Babies (50 lbs.) collected by Julie Hills. The babies, every one of them different, sat in Swamiji's room for a few days in blessing. Swamiji has not been sleeping well and darshans have been hit and miss. We were called by Swamiji at 7:30 p.m. one evening to come. Swamiji laughed as he fondled the dolls, so colorful and creatively made. I asked, "Does Swamiji want to select one for himself?" "I choose them all!" Ah, "Then we shall be giving the children your Beanie Babies." "Yes, then you can bring back any that are left" the next day we took them to a preschool that Swami Muktananda had selected. The children sang beautiful Ram Nam while seated on the floor in perfect rows. We gave colorful pens to the older children and then the Babies to three and four year olds. Each one pronamed and said, "Namaste" before receiving the gift. Oh, how much this scene touches the heart cannot be described. These children, all locals, each one in a blue and white uniform, came forward, some shyly, some came within inches, and took their individually selected doll. The teachers looked on often laughing at how the characters of the Babies matched that of the tiny student. Afterward they started playing, displaying and closely examining their newfound friend. Such joy; it was hard to leave!

Wednesday the 31st we marked the anniversary of Mother's Mahasamadhi. Swami Muktananda asked me to say a few words about Mother during the daily 3:30 reading. I spoke on "Mothers Loving Protection" and told of several divine ways Mother protected her spiritual children, often at great expense to her health. We arranged for watermelon to be distributed for Prasad – very refreshing for a warm afternoon. Several Ashramites requested later for me to speak more about Mother, and we gathered one evening to talk more about her. I was also asked to present the flowers at the closing of the Mandir and the lighting of the Ariti for the closing of the Bhajan Hall. We also listened to a talk of mothers on "Resurrection" on Bruce's computer, and at 9:30 we watched the DVD of Mothers 10-year anniversary of her Mahasamadhi that was well attended. Here in India the day a Spiritual Master chooses to leave their body is considered auspicious and is celebrated. We have always loved being here at the Ashram on this day as we have always felt the greatest love and respect given by so many here. And, after "a couple of years thinking about doing it," Mansi moved Mother's picture near the ladies side door of the canteen and placed opposite on the gent's side a color picture of Yogananda at Lake Shrine. Oh how wonderful to see! Hari Om Mansi!

On Friday the 2nd the full moon was sailing across the sky in great glory. As usual Papa awoke me a little before 3:00 a.m. With the moon as my torch I climbed Manjupati. What a sight, the moon reflecting off the Arabian Sea as a river of light, Vedic chants, temple bells, fire crackers, Muslim call to Prayer, all echoed from the valley below in predawn darkness. A Mystic communion with Papa and Mataji. Victory to God, victory to the Light!

On Friday a Sufi group, Rumi Society, arrived, several were from Seattle. One saint is traveling with the group a man from Turkey, now living in the U.S., Shariff Baba. Shariff Baba speaks little or no English and a translator had come with him to see Swami Muktananda while I was there. The translator said that Baba had trouble traveling in India, going to temples etc; until he came to Anandashram. Here he felt God, he felt here the Bhakti path that reflected his own. He said when Swami quoted Papa regarding his universal message that his "heart blossomed like roses in a garden." I liked this Saint very much and felt God in him. Later that day Swami Satchidananda gave darshan and the group sang some Sufi songs led by a "world famous" player-singer, Muktesh. I sat on one side of Swamiji on a chair and the leader of the group, and Shariff Baba sat in chairs on the other side of Swamiji. The Centenary Hall was packed with devotees of God. Afterward the Saint came up to me and stood, holding my gaze for some minutes. When he lowered his hands to the floor and then gave me long hugs, on one side then on another. It was indeed a blissful communion. I "Took the dust of his feet". All this occurred it seemed as though we were the only the two in the room, without any onlookers. Such joy there is in meeting a lover of God.

These small sampling stories will give you a hint of our week here. Like all words they are but shells, this mind and Spirit must fill in the shell with the real essence.

May you feel the Spirit the Abode of Bliss in your heart and Soul, may you know your oneness with the Divine Beloved, now and always.

In Divine Joy Always,

David