Guest guest Posted March 26, 2005 Report Share Posted March 26, 2005 Dancing One Saturday evening, the first spring I was at the ashram, it was time to do arati (the waving of the lights before the murtis) in the temple. But Swamiji kept on telling us to wait. He also kept on going out of the temple and then returning. He told us all to stay in the temple. He looked delighted, like he had a special treat in store for us. Finally he told us to go outside. Just outside the temple over the tops of the hills on the left, the top edge of an orange gold moon was rising. It seemed close enough to touch and yet larger than any moon I had ever seen. He had the arati lights ready and all thirty of us each took our turn offering our light back to the moon, Lord Chandra. According to Hindu teaching, Lord Chandra is the deity who gives us prema, love of the most excellent quality. We stayed in silence until the moon was fully risen. The air was filled with excitement and happiness. Suddenly we found ourselves prancing down the hill to the outdoor Shiva Temple. Swamiji was leading us in a jubilant dance around the Shiva lingam. It seemed like an Israeli dance using the words Om Namah Shivaya set to the tune of Hava Nageela. Swamiji was beaming. The dance got faster and faster until we all sat or fell down. Swamiji then told us the story of Holi since this was the night of the Hindu festival of Holi. It is a wonderful story about the deep faith that a small boy named Prahlad had in Lord Vishnu. When Swamiji tells a story, you feel like you are really there. You can see the characters and understand why they are acting the way they do. Thus you feel inspired to bring those actions and qualities into your own life. Holi Hai! Victory to Lord Vishnu! Attachment: (text/enriched) [not stored] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 26, 2005 Report Share Posted March 26, 2005 Namaste, Ardis ji And all of our beloved family! [i am still trying to get used to this new yohoo format]. What an absolutely charming story, Ardis! You said:"When Swamiji tells a story, you feel like you are really there. You can see the characters and understand why they are acting the way they do. Thus you feel inspired to bring those actions and qualities into your own life." Well, my dear sister, when YOU write a story about your experiences with our dear Swamiji and beloved Shree Maa during your days at the Devi Mandir, YOU make me/us feel like we are there! i can see that big orange moon and the lights from the Arati! And i can smell the incense dancing fragrant on the breeze, and i can feel the quiet joy in my heart listening to our Swamiji's devotional enthusiasm. i feel dizzy and blissful from the dancing as i flop on the ground in exhausted bliss. Yes, Spring is here..and there is a big moon, still quite full.. and, Yes..it is a 'Holi'night filled with multi-hued blessings showering on each one of Maa's children of light! The constellations dance, the atoms dance. the Gods dance. we dance... all in celebration of this 'Holi' night! Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji! Jai Ramakrishna Deva! muktimaa , Ardis Jackson <ardis1@v...> wrote: > Dancing > > One Saturday evening, the first spring I was at the ashram, it was time > to do arati (the waving of the lights before the murtis) in the temple. > But Swamiji kept on telling us to wait. He also kept on going out of > the temple and then returning. He told us all to stay in the temple. > He looked delighted, like he had a special treat in store for us. > > Finally he told us to go outside. Just outside the temple over the > tops of the hills on the left, the top edge of an orange gold moon was > rising. It seemed close enough to touch and yet larger than any moon I > had ever seen. He had the arati lights ready and all thirty of us each > took our turn offering our light back to the moon, Lord Chandra. > According to Hindu teaching, Lord Chandra is the deity who gives us > prema, love of the most excellent quality. We stayed in silence until > the moon was fully risen. > > The air was filled with excitement and happiness. Suddenly we found > ourselves prancing down the hill to the outdoor Shiva Temple. Swamiji > was leading us in a jubilant dance around the Shiva lingam. It seemed > like an Israeli dance using the words Om Namah Shivaya set to the tune > of Hava Nageela. Swamiji was beaming. The dance got faster and faster > until we all sat or fell down. > > Swamiji then told us the story of Holi since this was the night of the > Hindu festival of Holi. It is a wonderful story about the deep faith > that a small boy named Prahlad had in Lord Vishnu. When Swamiji tells > a story, you feel like you are really there. You can see the > characters and understand why they are acting the way they do. Thus > you feel inspired to bring those actions and qualities into your own > life. > > Holi Hai! Victory to Lord Vishnu! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 doesn't she though? her stories roll through my mind's eye like a movie! > actions and qualities into your own life." Well, my dear sister, when > YOU write a story about your experiences with our dear Swamiji and > beloved Shree Maa during your days at the Devi Mandir, YOU make me/us > feel like we are there! i can see that big orange moon and the -- Be Love, Berijoy http://www.egyirba.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 Dear Ardis, I agree, your beautiful description of that night at the ashram must be the next best thing to actually being there. Wonderful! Please, if the Spirit should move you, don't hesitate to tell us more! with love, Henny , Ardis Jackson <ardis1@v...> wrote: > Dancing > > One Saturday evening, the first spring I was at the ashram, it was time > to do arati (the waving of the lights before the murtis) in the temple. > But Swamiji kept on telling us to wait. He also kept on going out of > the temple and then returning. He told us all to stay in the temple. > He looked delighted, like he had a special treat in store for us. > > Finally he told us to go outside. Just outside the temple over the > tops of the hills on the left, the top edge of an orange gold moon was > rising. It seemed close enough to touch and yet larger than any moon I > had ever seen. He had the arati lights ready and all thirty of us each > took our turn offering our light back to the moon, Lord Chandra. > According to Hindu teaching, Lord Chandra is the deity who gives us > prema, love of the most excellent quality. We stayed in silence until > the moon was fully risen. > > The air was filled with excitement and happiness. Suddenly we found > ourselves prancing down the hill to the outdoor Shiva Temple. Swamiji > was leading us in a jubilant dance around the Shiva lingam. It seemed > like an Israeli dance using the words Om Namah Shivaya set to the tune > of Hava Nageela. Swamiji was beaming. The dance got faster and faster > until we all sat or fell down. > > Swamiji then told us the story of Holi since this was the night of the > Hindu festival of Holi. It is a wonderful story about the deep faith > that a small boy named Prahlad had in Lord Vishnu. When Swamiji tells > a story, you feel like you are really there. You can see the > characters and understand why they are acting the way they do. Thus > you feel inspired to bring those actions and qualities into your own > life. > > Holi Hai! Victory to Lord Vishnu! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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