To forall and group about little book (and possibly another) ... 2 books

[Guest guest]

forall wrote:

Nanda, what I envision for my little book (and I do mean little)is

something that I can read on my Home Blessing Day after my morning

program to inspire me. Thoughts of Maa enliven my actions. I want

to follow Her example, especially in ways that seem to call to me.

So -- I want to put Maa into my Blessing in every way possible. So

--a little book...

Dear forall and Nanda ~ this seems like such a wonderful idea. And

wasn't there another similar idea mentioned not long ago in the

digest? I have been trying to remember who posted it. It was a bit

different from your idea, but could certainly be complimentary,

though I think this other "book" would be larger. The person

suggesting it said that in his/her heart it the book would have some

of the wonderful vignettes about Maa and Swamiji and about the

Temple. It could also include responses to questions Maa and Swamiji

have asked us, as well as Swamiji's reponses to our questions. If I

think about this book, the chapters would be something like this.

 

Shree Maa's Messages to the Digest Group

Swamiji's Messages to the Digest Group

Shree Maa's & Swamiji's Joint Messages to the Digest Group

Digest Groups' Responses to Questions from Swamiji

Digest Groups' Responses to Questions from Shree Maa

Daily Reflections (posted by devotee and others)

Q & A with Swamiji (could be arranged by subtopics)

Group Sankalpas (with instructions so that others or we ourselves could do the sankalpa)

Glimpses and Stories (of life with Maa and Swamiji and of Events at the Mandir)

Quotes (for devotee's refrigerators)

 

These "chapter" headings seem a bit dry, but I am crashing

(physically) once again after a morning of proofreading. But I'm sure

they could be enlivened. What seems more important to me is this

possible "capturing" of words of wisdom and love that Shree Maa and

Swamiji have shared with us, the questions they have asked and how we

have responded, the lovely stories that touch our hearts. Whoever

suggested this, do you remember and can you re-state what the heart

of your idea was about? I would be so happy to participate in a seva

such as this, were it to have Swamiji's and Maa's blessing (and, of

course, final approval at the finish). I would also be happy to sit

back and have another work on this ... or maybe several others. And

perhaps even a few pictures could be included, of Maa and Swamiji and

life at the Mandir. (What immediately comes to mind, of course, are

"pictures" from the video clip of the Mahashivanavaratri celebration

at the Mandir.) I think I would love to have a book like this to add

to my Shree Maa and Swamiji book collection.

 

Also, for a new person, it might be a very wonderful way to have an

overview, in a very personal manner, of what is going on here. I

stand at the ready, with devotional "pen" (computer) in hand and with

all that I have saved because I save everything (and for whatever I

didn't save, the posts on the site would fill in the gaps).

This would be a way of organizing our experiences as a group in topic

areas that would make the treasure hunt a bit easier, not only for new

people, but even for us. Perhaps one of us might think, "oh, I

remember that Q & A with Swami about the Haven Kund, but where would

I find it." (In the book! Anyway, its a possibility.

 

Jai Maa , Jai Swamiji ~ Linda