A Mind is a Terrible Thing

Thought it might be a good idea to post this here, since a fair number of folks wander in who are students of Sri Kaleshwar Swami or who want to be or who are just curious.

Since returning to the U.S. at the end of March, my spouse and I have helped co-found a new Sai community organization in the greater Albuquerque NM area (including most of New Mexico) — called “Faith and Patience.”  (URL: http://www.faithandpatience.com)

In the last month, a new information ‘bulletin board’ site went online, and is the place to go if you want to know about upcoming events, classes, and weekly spiritual discussion get-togethers.

For those who observe it, may today bring you a joyous and peaceful Guru Purnima (7 July this year, the night of the Full Moon).  Remember to give thanks to the spiritual teachers in your life, and to ask for that most important boon you need for success, happiness, and enlightenment.

We just attended a long fire puja (ceremony) with a few of our new good friends here in the Albuquerque area.  Good fire, too.  I give great thanks to my own teacher, Sri Kaleshwar Swami, for the invaluable gifts he’s given me — most of all, a far happier life.

Namaste, friends,
Becca

There’s a fair number of folks whom I know are signed up for the Guru Purnima program this year at the Penukonda ashram.  If by some chance your Google/Bing/Yahoo searches have brought you this way, you might want to check out the archive and/or category section of this blog.  In particular, this section/category:

http://www.rebeccamorn.com/mind/?cat=15

And there’s another post I put up, about Enjoying an Ashram Stay, which I wrote last year.  It’s chock full of useful tips on what to bring and what to buy.

We ourselves — Stephanie and I — aren’t going to the Guru Purnima program this year, in large part because we just got back to the States after 3 years at the ashram.  Not only haven’t we completely moved in to our new house, we’re in the process yet of building a new spiritual community in New Mexico, with the blessings and encouragement of our teacher, Sri Kaleshwar.

This is for both students of Sri Kaleshwar, or anyone involved with meditation programs — I’ve affiliate status at a very good storefront website called “Health and Yoga.“  In addition to the fairly obvious ‘yoga’ products, they also have an excellent selection of malas in just about any type you might want.  My personal experience is theirs are generally of higher quality than most.

They also have a great stainless steel neti pot, and related supplies.  If you click through either of those links and decide to buy something, I get a small amount of money back at no cost to you.

(Note these are my own recommendations, and not from my Swami…)

Okay… It certainly has been an interesting few months here at the ashram.  ‘Few’?  Hmm…actually, the interesting times date all the way back to Shiva Rathri (the Hindu new moon holiday dedicated to Shiva, back in early March).

To recap:  My partner of 10 years (Stephanie) and I first visited Sri Kaleshwar’s ashram in Penukonda for about 4 weeks back at Shiva Rathri 2006.  It was then we decided to go ahead and get an apartment, and to sign up for the inaugural year of the ‘Soul University‘ program, which ran from Guru Purnima (July, roughly) 2006 to Guru Purnima 2007.  Although we’d gotten quite a lot of instruction on Sri Kaleshwar’s teachings from two of his senior students, Alx and Jonathan, back in the States, the first year was some repetition on that for us, but also quite a bit more that was new.  Plus, we went much further in formal meditation programs (sometimes called ‘processes’) than before.

For our second year (again GP to GP 08), Stephanie and I opted to take the new 2nd year Sadhana (meditation) program — only those who’d completed the 1st year or had equivalent experience qualified for it.  We found the experience interesting, but not quite what we’d expected.  Plus, we’d both gotten involved with rather more ashram project work (seva) than apparently was expected of sadhana program participants.  (More after the break…) (more…)

(Posted with permission), reader M.C. from India writes:

Dear Rebecca

 

I saw your noting on moonology.com about Guru Poornima where you mentioned that Guru is a "revered teacher". You are close.

 

"Acharya" is the literal translation for teacher. "Guru" is mentor.

 

In each village, there were a few Gurus (less than five) and each family selected one of them as their Guru and sought his wisdom as and when required. Gurus keep tab on their wards just as a father would but without meddling until asked for and gave unbiased and the best possible guidance according to religious books. By and large, these Gurus were Brahmins.

 

In Hindus, we used a barter system until 1950s. No money was ever transacted. So, for people who are in specialized professions, we earmarked a day in the year when we go to those persons and pay whatever little tribute we can and show our respect and gratitude.

 

Guru Poornima is such a day when we are supposed to go to our mentors and pay our respects and tributes.

 

Of course, now a days, the barter system is gone and we pay fee for every transaction. Also, nobody goes to a Guru and we do not have any real Gurus.

 

What is happening in the name of Guru Poornima today, is a sham.

 

You ask me how do I know all this – well, I come from one of those Brahmin-Guru families, – my dad’s elder brother was such a Guru.

Best wishes for your success & happiness

(…)  I would add though that although in a historical sense, you are absolutely correct about the GP holiday having been turned into something else in most places — but in my spiritual studies at the Shiva Sai Mandir ashram in Penukonda, the date retains the heart of its original purpose: To give thanks to my spiritual mentor, and through him to our divine lineage.  No money is involved as such, but rather promises to do my dharma to the very best of my ability.

(Many thanks to M.C. for his thoughtful and informative letter.  My only point of disagreement is that there are no ‘real’ Gurus in the world anymore.  I feel there are still ‘gurus’, although perhaps their role has changed somewhat, as has that of their students and devotees.  The respect and gratitude is still there, as is the spiritual mentoring on the part of the teacher.)

I’m not sure what the appropriate salutation is for Guru Purnima.  ‘Happy GP’ just doesn’t seem to cut it.

Instead, I’ll just say a little about what Guru Purnima is:

It is the Full Moon of the Guru, and happens each year roughly in July (depending on the lunar cycles), and is a day (and night) on which we thank our spiritual teachers (after all, ‘guru’ means ‘revered teacher’) for everything they’ve given us.  It’s also considered to be the most auspicious time to connect to the Divine, and to strengthen the bond between guru and student, and helps foster growth and enlightenment.

My own guru, Sri Kaleshwar, gives thanks to his guru, Shirdi Sai Baba, on this day.  With my personal observances of this sacred day, I also connect through Sri Kaleshwar to Baba — and to all the divine masters in the lineage I’ve been called by my heart to follow.  (My favorite, besides SK?  Vivekananda.)

I’ll not proselytize though…but rather just humbly suggest that if you happened to stumble onto this post (whoever you are), that you just take a few moments to give thanks to all those in your life who have guided you onto the right paths.

For those curious about events here at the Penukonda ashram…well, it’s been an amazing, huge, and exceedingly busy program.  Hundreds of students from all over the world are visiting, and it’s been a time of both crazy-busyness and big experiences.

I’ve had a really good time, but I’m also looking forward to when things get quiet around here again.

cheers,
Becca

For those coming to Penukonda for the Guru Purnima program — and who might be swinging by this here blog for updates and whatnot — a quick weather status:

It’s been cooler than it was a couple months ago, with daily high temperatures in the mid- to upper-80s (F).  However, it’s also been very humid, with occasional afternoon and evening rain showers.  Temperature in the low 70s sometimes by early morning.

Recommended gear for the current climate:

• Small umbrella if you can manage it in your luggage.  Or else pick up one in Bangalore (I’ve seen them at the 5th Ave Supermarket, on Brigade Road).
• Folding hand-fan.  Sometimes it can get really oppressive, especially at the long meditations and talks.
• Insect repellent.  DEET, non-DEET, Picardin — just something that works on these seemingly steroid-enhanced mosquitoes and crazy-making tiny gnats.
• Bed-sheet and/or light blanket.  The night-time temperatures do get down far enough to warrant covering up while sleeping, and they’re not provided (nor are towels, for that matter).  Actually, last night was quite chilly and windy…so it’s a definite yes on the light blanket.

More information about ‘enjoying an ashram stay’ at this post here.

Oh, one other thing:  The monkeys around here appear to be in the midst of their mating season, and so have been rather aggressive of late.  When here, be extra careful when transporting food…or even when taking out the trash.  No open bowls or containers, etc.  And for heaven’s sake, don’t leave your front door open, especially in the early morning — over the years, more than a few friends of ours have literally had their entire apartments ransacked by marauding bands of simians.

Safe travels!
Becca

I thought my schedule was full before… Talk about understatements.  GP preps.  Meditation programs.  Seva projects galore.

Sometime, soon as I can manage it, I do promise another ‘ashram life’ post.

Meanwhile though, I have to say — it’s been one hell of a ride.

"A Mind is a Terrible Thing" public service announcement of sorts:

Sri Kaleshwar Events List
         (see the bottom of the list for the following item…)
Sri Kaleshwar: Immortal Enlightenment Course

Fri, Jul 15, 2011 — Sun, Jan 08, 2012
Penukonda, India

Sri Kaleshwar is strongly recommending that all of his students, world-wide, travel with him to the most blessed, powerful temples and holy grounds in Northern India. He wants to spend the time teaching and passing on his knowledge to the most dedicated and spiritual students on the globe.

Please note the dates — it’s for Guru Purnima in 2011, with the course to last six months, here in India.  Enrollment is limited to the first 500 to sign up, so don’t delay.  More information and details at the link, which goes to the main website events list (scroll to the bottom for the registration link).