Question for Swamiji

September 27, 2004

Swamiji,

I was thinking today about satsanga, and about how much I enjoy the

company and inspiration of fellow seekers and their divine focus (I

usually find myself feeling a bit sad when I reach the last post and

realize "Well, I guess that's it for today.")

I thought about how it is that despite the enjoyment of sharing with

others, the real work comes when we are alone, when we lock ourselves

in our quiet room, just us and God, and strive with discipline and

love to remove the barriers between us.

But then I thought of course, of your recent words to me, that I am

not alone.

Whenever I consider this fact, I recall the countless times throughout

my life I have felt the hand of the divine, in my mind, in my heart,

in my external life, subtly guiding and protecting.

I have read many stories of devas and sages appearing and helping at

times of need (usually potentially fatal accidents), so I see that we

are indeed not alone. This is all very mysterious.

To bring it back to sadhana, and to my question, I have thought that

the sages, in the same way that we might hear the activities of our

neighbors on adjoining properties, are aware of worship (of whatever

kind) when it occurs and are free to join in, help, or simply enjoy. I

imagine that some fragment of bhava catches their awareness, and they

are drawn in, much like hearing a favorite song on someone else's

radio in the distance. I imagine that they enjoy the activity, the

effort, the desire for God, for moksha, much as we enjoy the efforts

of children to learn and grow. And of course, they delight in God.

So when we turn away from normal activities and enter alone into our

sanctum for practice, perhaps we are not alone after all.

So, my question is, is this true, or am I imagining things again?

Chris

September 27, 2004

Hi Chris,

Years ago, my husband, my 20 month old daughter and I had a terrible accident in

Mexico. We were all injured, but not nearly to the extent that the wreckage

would indicate. Months after the accident, my daughter asked me if I remembered

the angel. Since I had never spoken to her of angels, I was surprised that she

even knew the word. She said "you know Mommy the BIG angel who lifted us out of

the truck when the truck crashed. The angel with the big wings, full of light."

Amazing. At 35, she still remembers the angel who came to us in our time of

need.

Another synchronicity to your message: I lived in a mobile home park from

1989-2001. All the homes were close together. I used to do sadhana at my altar

in my living room right below an open window. When I would go outside after my

puja my neighbor would be tending her roses almost under my window, with a

blissful smile. She had the most gorgeous roses. When I started going to the

Devi Mandir in 1993, she asked me where I went every weekend. I told her that it

was a Hindu ashram, a spriritual learning and worship center. She never caught

on to the work ashram. She called it the Mushroom. She'd call out " going to

the Mushroom this weekend?" And I'd smile and say yes. Once she said "going to

the Mushroom seems to be very important to you." "I answered, the Mushroom is

the center of my life."

Love,

Ardis

Chris Kirner <chriskirner1956

Sep 26, 2004 7:57 PM

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