Sunday 3 March 2019

Sunday, February 24th, 2019

Mayapura, India

Here Again

Here again. A greeting party met us at the Gada Building for a reception—Keshava, Vaishnava and members of our drama troupe. You bow in the dust upon arriving in such a sacred place. Connor is learning.  The first and last meals of a retreat are often remembered the most. Connor won't forget the veggie burger, at a hip bistro, as his first eating experience.

I won't soon forget my first service here this year. I walked into the temple room and the high-priest, Jananivas, asked if I could do the arati ritual for the icon of Bhaktisiddhanta.  Fortunate for me, this great day is in his honour.  One article, a dhiya, is so large an object—this brass instrument with its dozens of ghee wicks—it required two hands instead of one to maneuver.

Placing flower garland upon garland was also one of the devotional formalities to offer to this visionary teacher's icon. Devotees were chanting and less so were dancing, yet it was a glorious fest.

Once I had completed the arati,I joined in the dance and chants.  The day culminated in reading our script for "The Queen's Secret," our production for this year.  The touching story of Kunti and son, Karna, is the subject of our drama.

It has been a long haul, all the flying and moving through airports in quick strides.  I'm showing Connor everything about airport sign reading, filling out customs forms, and dealing with officials, and taxis.  Now, it will all be about showing the ropes of life in devotion at the ultimate Pilgrimage location—Mayapura.  https://www.instagram.com/p/BuRPPkOgX-L/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1cigd5oagezue

May the Source be with you!
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