Complete Surrender

Coming from Monterrey in Mexico I arrived to New York in time for the RDS and following inauguration of the new Jagrti in Flushing. We were few acaryas but everybody did his best to attend if not to the RDS at least to the inauguration which was happening on October 4th. Dada Diiptimananda had prepared the program in full detail and everything went smoothly with the participation of margi and acaryas all together. The next morning I planned to leave before 5 am in order to reach Boston from where I would have been flying the next morning. One acarya commented that I could have planned to leave after breakfast in order to enjoy the spiritual company as we would not have opportunity to meet again for quite a good time. I felt guilty.

In the morning I was up at 4 am and before 5 am I bid farewell to Dada Shankarananda who was already in the Dharma Cakra ready for Painca Janya. He was very brisk, like when something is not right. I went to get the bus and I arrived at the bus station well in time. I thought that for sure I had to surrender and attend the Painca Janya even if I was going to be late in order to catch the bus. As I didn't follow such course of action I was also sure that the bus was going to leave late just to make me understand the mistake.

The bus was leaving at 7 am. There was a big queue and it became soon clear that the driver was not there as expected. I went out of the queue and I sat in meditation knowing perfectly what was going to happen next. In fact the driver came one hour late and finally the bus left. Everybody was so upset with greyhound and the driver was able to remain cool apologizing profusely on behalf of the company.  I was thinking at Baba and what would could have come next.

Next morning the flight was at 10 am and I had to do check in as it was going to connect for international to Mexico City. My hosts had arranged to bring me to a shuttle bus in order to facilitate my arrival in time at the airport. We were a bit late on the schedule but still fine. As we approached the bus stop we were bumped from a young boy and we stopped. The police was right there. The boy was very sorry but there was no further damage besides the front of his car and the risk to loose the flight. At the time we were again on the road it was really getting late. At the bus station the bus had already left and there was no bus for a while. There was no alternative but to drive directly to airport.

I was very calm and relaxed as everything was happening without my control. The driver told me that in the morning had a discussion whether we were going to be late and we were forced to drive to the airport. That is exactly what was happening although nobody could foresee that it was going to happen due to a car accident. I felt even more relaxed. This time I surrender completely. Even when we got lost in the middle of Boston I knew that everything was going to be just right. A police person gave us the right directions imposing his voice over the driver that was becoming a bit frantic. A last effort of determination and I was dropped at the terminal running for the ticket counter.

The was a long queue for the general people. I was in full uniform and I dashed to the first class counter telling that I had an accident and I was a missionary person. Actually I had the mission to deliver a computer that was barely needed at destination. The flight attendant happened to be Italian and when she saw my passport she started speaking in Italian about her family born in my home town and about herself born in Sicily. But it was late and the gate was already closed. She called the company and managed to have the gate opened again. She accompanied me to the security in order to get a preferential line and finally she bade farewell.

My bag didn't pass the check. It was kept for a while waiting to inspection. I was literally frying. I relaxed as everything was just going to be right. The security finally opened the bag and sized three big jars of nut butters destined to be brought as a gift. I was feeling bad as they could have passed if the bag was going to be checked in. The security officer was offering to keep the empty jars. I declined politely and I dashed to the gate. The bag was checked in just as a cosmic reminder of what I should have done. I was in the place and the door was shut. 

I was on fasting day and when I arrived at destination I was received with special attention. The mission was completed and the computer had been handed over. I could not sleep in the night but I was relaxed and happy. That is how on the following day after breaking the fast I went out for pracar and I kept going until evening. One of the place I visited was an acupuncture clinic very close to the place I was living. I spoke at length with the doctor inspiring him on the path of spirituality. I invited him after the clinic hours to come to the center.

He didn't come neither that evening nor the following. The morning after I went to the clinic and he was not there. Instead there was another doctor who is working with him as a cooperative. I was not feeling good and I told my symptoms. Soon after I was on a bed with the doctor sticking needles in different parts of the body. The other doctor also arrived as something happened and he had to cancel the service planned in the countryside. That was another cosmic arrangement. They worked for three hours on my body which was quite a long session. I asked for a bicycle as part of the therapy. 

The first doctor brought me at his house and I had a bicycle. It was getting dark and we planned to meet 7 am next morning at a gas station for a ride before he had to go to the clinic by 10 am. It was again my fasting day and it was against any sound logic to accept going for a bike ride on fasting. I was advised not to fast at least but I prefer to stick to the word and let whatever happen for the good.

On the highway I was fast wearing out. I asked the doctor to stop for a meditation place. He suggested to stop on the side of the highway but the noise was too much. We continued until I saw a cemetery. When I saw it I told him that I wanted to stop there and so we did. We entered the cemetery leaving the bicycles on the side of the highway. He told me that he was afraid they could steal them. I told him with confidence that it was not going to happen. I explained that when there is a higher purpose nature serves that higher purpose and fulfill that desires. 

It happened to be a cemetery that was familiar to him. There were his ancestors there but he could not recognize the grave. We sat under a pine tree and we started meditation. After initiation we went back and the bicycle were still in place. I mentioned that I was likely to visit the cemetery the night itself as it was a wonderful place.

I accompanied him at his house and then I made for town feeling that the day was not yet over. Although on fasting I managed to visit a couple of more places and finally I headed to the clinic. I arranged to be at the house of the doctor that evening in order to visit the cemetery during the night. Early in the morning I was welcomed back at my place. 

In the morning after breakfast I went again to the clinic. During the previous visit I was suggested to visit a eye clinic as I had a suspect glaucoma. It was the right time to make a visit to the clinic and I went there in order to take appointment. It was possible to arrange a visit with the specialist with a short notice and I could finally relax for some time.

I went to see the eye specialist and the diagnosis was without the possibility of appeal: glaucoma. A procedure was initiated and I was given eye drops to take every 12 hours and at night before bed. I was told by the specialist that the eye drops have pronounced side effects and once you start with them it is for life. I went back to the acupuncture clinic to see my doctors. They were in favor of an alternative therapy based on acupuncture and natural remedies. They detected that the root cause of the problem was not the glaucoma but rather in the digestive system.

What to do? I decided to have a strict dietary regime without milk products and almost no grains. Lots of fruits and vegetables besides some herbal remedies prescribed by my doctors. My supervisor supported the idea and suggested to do long meditation in order to lower the arterial blood pressure. Will it be enough to reverse a glaucoma? Yes, one think, to be happy and to smile. Everything happens by His grace.

Meditation Quest

Shravani Purnima in Flushing - New York

The new jagrti  is located near a major cemetery in Flushing - New York. On the occasion of Shravanii Purnima I thought to make an extensive visit and meditate there. The main entrance is quite far and I had to walk a long way. I wanted to do meditation and along the way I was tempted to go some other closer places. But where? Manhattan taking the subway? No way! The cemetery was by far the best place. Filled up to the brim by stones I felt I was in a great company. I started reading the names on the tombs: Petrosian, ... all names ending in ian. That was remarkable! Are they Armenian? Finally I reached another section that had more ending varieties and a Jewish sign on the stones. Some tumbs were broken by the time and it is there that I choose my stone bench to sit and meditate. It was wonderful. The birds were singing in beautiful tunes. After meditation I played the flute and then I sat again in meditation. The birds kept quite for a while and then they started again with their tunes, far more complicated and amusing than my flute ones. 

I walked more in the cemetery and I found a rose abandoned on the pathway. I took it with me for a while looking for something to do. There is nothing to do in a cemetery besides walking and contemplating tumb stones but I thought that still I was in a wonderful place. There was an inscription that caught my attention 

Reaching the exit I walked back towards the jagrti and I could not restrain from taking notice to the life that is there all around. Life means a kind of disturbance like a small dog who barked at my gown. The owner was keeping the leash back and kindly saying that he was not going to byte me. I thought she was just hopeful and I avoided getting too close. All the peace of the cemetery was already gone. I walked by the best home gardens I have found so far. These are vegetable garden. This time I stopped and took some pics noticing the big lau and bitter gourds hanging from the vines.

As I reached the jagrti I meditated in the basement which is very fresh and quite. I had a long meditation and in the end I slept. I dreamed to me in the cemetery and I was meditating for long time in a closed iron cage. I received some visits there and the last one was from a student who came with a windsurf. When he left I also left and attached to my bicycle it was the wing of his surf. I woke up still in the meditation position. My meditation was not that long as in the dream but I really enjoyed a lot and I decided to write the story for today and share it over the web.

By the way in Ananda Marga Shravani Purnima is remembered as the anniversary of the first initiation of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti given to a notorious criminal during the night in a burning ghat of Calcutta. Kalicharan Banarjee became Kalikananda and some time remembering this event I had very inspiring events. The cemetery closes officially at 5 pm way before night time ....

The characteristics of a spiritual place

You may have experienced that there are certain places which are very special. Maybe it is just your personal experience but you like to visit them from time to time and each time a transformation happens. You may leave the place with a clear mind and clear goals. You got once again a direction and a purpose for your life.

Those special places may have also other qualities or peculiarities. Suppose that you want to see somebody and as soon as you end thinking about it the person comes from around the corner. Of course this is a relative common or casual experience. But there are certain special places where these type of events happen with such a regularity and frequency that you may consider it as the most normal incident.

Suppose that you have a desire for something. It is quite common that desires doesn't get fulfilled immediately. There is always some delay factor and some toil involved. Of course some desires may not get satisfied and eventually fade away. Other times we consciously put them in the background waiting that they wane and disappear. This is the best with unwanted desires. But there are also good desires, cherished things that we wish to happen as soon as possible. There are places where such acceleration in the fulfillment of cherished desires happens and we feel obviously elated.

In spiritual terms the closeness to guru or spiritual master is also a desire. Certain places have also that affinity as they have been visited or blessed by the spiritual master. Such association becomes permanent and in general these are the places that we regard as spiritual places. Vrindavan for example is associated with the early life of Lord Krsna and devotees experience all the above when they visit such a cherished abode.

In Ananda Marga such places are distributed all over the world in the form of Master Units Projects. They have been blessed directly or indirectly by the wishes of universal welfare from Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, founder of Ananda Marga spiritual movement. These places can be object of pilgrimage but it would rather better utilization if they become community centers for the nurturing and growth of their inhabitants.

Ananda Kanan is a Master Unit founded in 1982 on the planes of the Ozarks in Missouri. It is the locations where Shrii Shrii Anandamurti was expected to visit during his life time and it was prepared for welcoming his venue. It never happened in physical terms but devotees believe that spiritually the place as been blessed by Shrii Shrii Anandamurti. He has given the name Ananda Kanan with the meaning "Garden of Bliss". No wonder that flowers and the whole nature is so beautiful and appealing.

Spiritual places have normally a special scent in the air according to season given by the plants and shrubs locally growing. Sometimes those plants has been seeded on purpose and sometimes it just happened. Nature fulfills good desires and in spiritual places nature conjure to fulfill spiritual desires.

All the spiritual places have their guardians. They can be physical people or residents and also they can be spiritual entities who have chosen to reside in those places. Even domestic animals show traits that are beyond the normal humane behavior. There are places nested in the nature where common people cannot reach if they don't ask and receive permission from those guardians.

It is a common and good custom to bring gifts to such places. It can be in the form of offerings which range from fruits to any kind of help and support. Once again the nature of a spiritual place is such that if there is a personal interest the offer might get refused or go wasted. Nobody should feel pride for those offers as it is not the material value which counts. It is the wish associated with it.

Have you recognized places that are special for you? Are there general characteristics for those places? Some people make the conscious decision to move their residence there. Others may prefer to visit them from time to time. What is important is that those places exist in the heart of each person and it is wise to remember it. Human life is very precious and dear to all. Peace be with all.

Ac. Vimaleshananda Avt.

Assisting people in their basic needs

Basic needs of human beings are just the same for all: food, shelter, education, medical and clothing. It is a fact that a growing number of people in any part of the world might be in contingent periods where they lack one or more of these basic needs.

In the case of United States I have been witnessing the growth of the number of so called homeless population in different urban areas. In some places I shared their company in homeless shelters as well as in the streets.

Each place is different and different organizations try their best to alleviate the problem. Although it is undeniable the effort and the goodwill involved my experience is that not always the need is addressed in a way to preserve the most delicate and important values of human beings: dignity, inclusion, love and care as brothers and sisters of the same universal family.

I wish to say that the assistance that I received from individuals at an individual basis is what I most remember and I cherish. Sometimes the same people volunteering in the organizations are the ones who go the extra mile to fulfill the pressing need of the moment.

I remember when after sleeping on a bench in a park I found a warm piece of pizza besides me. I could thanks only God in that moment but for sure a kind hand was instrumental to that grace.

When you are homeless you live on a tight schedule made of appointments with charities placed in different locations that deliver supplies or services at different times of the day or the week. You may have to be more organized than a business person in order to survive.

Sometimes you may participate to a lottery in order to win a bed for the night or just a mattress in an overcrowded shelter. Sometimes you have to walk all night and rest during the day. And also sometimes you receive the best service that you have ever dreamed for with the utmost care and quality.

On the basis on those direct experiences I have developed a philosophy of service in which the relationship among people is valued and the lessons learned are treasured.

The delivery

It is not the quantity but the quality of service that make the difference. I have found very heartwarming to deliver food on a bicycle. I envision a network of bus boys on bicycle which are able to deliver food or other basic necessities on call directly to the people in need wherever they might be.

In this way the delivery is personal and there are no humiliating queues or bars.

No storage

The cost of service is sometime very high and one main expense and bottleneck is the storage of goods. I envision a system where the storage is not needed. The needs are fulfilled directly picking up the items where they are and delivering them directly where the need is.

No capital

Most organizations need capital to operate and they raise funds which are used to purchase goods. I wish to operate a service where minimal capital is involved and volunteers can join without having to worry about anything besides the people and their needs. Food can be donated, cloths can be donated. Space and time can be donated. Money can be donated as well. It is a matter of rational utilization of all possible resources.

The basic needs

Although the general categories for basic needs are food, shelter, education, medical and clothing in the practical predicaments of individuals and families in urban areas the need can be very personal. Suppose a single mother is on the streets begging while the mother is taking care of the babies at a motel waiting the pay for the day. She needs diapers and they cost money. This is the type of call that I would like to satisfy on the spot with a simple call and a simple delivery.

Another example is storage. Most of the people that have no shelter wander with a big trolley with all their belonging. It is a kind of stigma that might alleviated if there are available small storage facilities reserved for the needy. Best would be some families who are willing to receive a bag for a limited period of time.

Sometimes a shower is more precious than a bed. It is rather difficult to deliver showers or houses on the spot but it could be arranged a bathroom and shower service in strategic locations or through the help of angel families who might open their houses for a one time service which may include also a warm meal and a family sharing.

Personal Relationship

I have been advising a homeless person to approach people directly specifying in a very sincere way what the need is. He got a job the next day. Sometimes people in need feel guilty of their situation and they should not. It is all the product of an economic system which has to be rectified or replaced all together. In the meantime we need to help each other in the most human way. Nobody can claim to be above the crowd. We are all part of the same cosmic family and we are going to the same place too. We should not be forgot it even for a moment.

Networking

Cellular phones are better than internet. There is much more human interaction. To book a service on internet might be efficient but it does not preserve most of the values we wish to uphold. Most people who don’t have basic needs have access to cellular. A good network of good willing people makes no difference among care givers and care takers. Everybody become part and parcel of the same family where the necessities move around fulfilling each and every desire- Is it a dream?

Maybe yes. But here is my cell 718 581 7024. I am available for those who wish to share the same dream. Sure we will meet, I hope soon.

Service unleashed

Since three days we have moved out of Ananda Marga Center in Corona. All the previous residents had to find a new location. Most of them traveled out of the city. In my case I found shelter nearby at a private house where I stayed since then. It was a wonderful opportunity to rekindle previous friendships that I had in the neighbors.One of them is a bicycle mechanic- He help me out with a quick fix on the bike I found in my new location.

The bicycle I use is conventional but in New York City several people like commute and use the subway. Here is Andy with his foldable bicycle out of one subway station. He showed me how it is easy to fold it and to unfold it. We exchanged pictures sitting by the marvel of technology which costs a bit more than a thousand dollars. 

Here is Malick who learned meditation  and accompanied me for a good time during the day. It is two weeks that he sleeps at the train station of Jamaica and really he would love to find a better place. As I received a donation of fruits I felt to share them with him and also to start distributing them with the people that I considered where in need on the roads. 

One of them was selling M & M outside a subway station and he appreciated the attention to have picture together and a couple of oranges too. I further tried to collect a basket to set on the bicycle and improve my food delivery capabilities but they are expensive and I will ask the owner of the bike if I can do it.

Tree House

It started as an inspiration for living outdoor above the ground. Sometimes I feel too painful to walk on earth and a tree house is a refuge in search for solitude. For how long it does not really matter.

But now that it is built and it is almost livable I have found new dimensions and maybe attachments to it. It is just a small tree house nested between two big trees close to the top of a forest.

I had to climb up and down bringing wood boards and tools. I spent a night under the rain figuring out the best solution for the roof. That night the tin roof donated by Raven Ridge Farm has been providential.

I used all collected materials besides a long strap which is now used as a slackline exit from the tree house. Once finished with the roof next came the water. I may use the tin roof for collecting rain water.

The best utilization so far is for meditation. It is so wonderful to meditate in the nature undisturbed. But for living, there are several necessities that remain uncovered.

What about food and cooking? Can I do a garden nearby? Maybe I can build a rocket stove for cooking. What about taking a shower? Will it be enough to collect rain in a drum and using a bucket?

All comforts that we have in a house are given for granted. It is at the time of need or emergency that we realize how much we have and how much effort is needed to recreate an environment suitable for decent living.

The event of the earthquake in Nepal just happened and there they are looking for tents first to provide a shelter for a whole population living in fear  after the devastation. So many lives and hopes have gone in just a few seconds.

From Asheville in North Carolina I know people are just packing and going to Nepal to help. There are too many connections with this small country by the Himalayas.

Am I ready to go too? Yes, any time, but maybe for some other destination close by if it is more useful my presence there. It is just a possibility. An opening for more room and space On the Path of Bliss.