Salt Spring Island community ..BC

[Guest guest]

" Jayanti " <jayanti

Tuesday, April 30, 2002 05:49

SRI SARADA NOTES

 

SRI SARADA SOCIETY NOTES

Dedicated to Holy Mother

Spring 2002, Volume 8, Issue 1

 

(part 3)

 

In Mother's Words:

" One must be patient like the earth. What iniquities are being

perpetuated on her! Yet she quietly endures them all.

 

 

SPIRITUAL UNFOLDING

 

Atmavrata Puri (formerly Elvira Graci) tells about life in spiritual

community on Salt Spring Island, B.C. She is a long-time devotee who

has taken Sannyas (vows of renunciation and spiritual commitment).

Her ordination took place at the Sri Saradeswari Ashram (Gauri Ma

Ashram) in Kolkata (Calcutta). Traditional Hinduism identifies

Sannyas as the final stage in life.

 

***********************************************

 

The Mahapurush Forest of Peace Monastery and Community, is a

non-affiliated spiritual community founded on the spiritual vision

and goal of its members that of offering ourselves to the quest of

inner transformation And union with the Divine.

 

Over twenty-five years ago, Sam Graci, Purnavrata (formerly Gail

Pearpoint) and I shared a vision of living in spiritual community.

Our common inspiration and Vedanta tradition is that of Sri

Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda. Five years ago

we joined together on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia to lay the

spiritual foundation of what is now called the Mahapurush Forest of

Peace Monastery and Community.

 

Sam operates a small business that financially supports the

community. We are situated on 12 acres in a serene and beautiful

natural setting surrounded by forest and meditative paths. The

property has been divided into two compounds, one the residence of

our community brother, Sam, and the other the monastic setting where

both Purnavrata and I reside and where rooms are made available to

retreatants.

 

The Community has expanded to include outside members who share the

observances and daily recall of our Community precepts. Our shared

practices and observances also include prayer, meditation, silent

periods, and study, balanced with work, outreach activities, exercise

and " creative leisure. " Each Monday is a designated day of silence

and at the end of each month we observe three days of silence. The

primary outreach services we provide to others are the setting, space

and support for weekly scheduled meditations, prayer and study

(people of all traditions and faiths are welcome), Tai Chi classes

and retreats.

 

One of the main practices of our small community has been that of

developing awareness, appreciation, seeing each other in the highest

light while " working " individually and collectively on our

shortcomings and divisions.

 

Taking into account our own particular yearnings and spiritual

vision, along with factors of life experiences, etc., the formation

of the Community has been a creative exploration requiring earnest

prayer, discernment, and thoughtful considerations of moderation and

balance. Through Mother's Grace, the community is deepening and

maturing as we continually open to her Will, Mercy and Love.