It was at 3.30 a.m., when I woke up. The half-an-hour nap the previous noon had help me get up quite early. I peeped out of the western window of the the 6th floor. The full moon was shining brightly with scattered white clouds in the blue-black sky and no starts nearby, while on the eastern side were innumerable stars glittering in the far away galaxy. The leaves of the banyan tree were only fluttering in the mild breeze. There was serene slience and even the tall cocoanut trees were standing still. The waves hitting the sea-shore 100 yards away, at frequent intervals, was the only sound and was like a background music rather than an annoyance to disturb the serenity. A spec of light from two or three fishing boats far away in the sea gave the idea of its vastness. A lone crow flew past the building cawing.

Though stars were seen, breeze was felt, sound of waves was heard, actually the seer-seen, feeler-felt, hearer-heard concept seemed to merge and revolve into one flame of joyous experience and there was absence of division, in spite of dualty. This experience is rarely available amidst the breath-taking hectic activity in the city where I reside.

Besides participating in the Ashram routines like bhajans etc. my only task was teaching of Vedic chanting to the inmates of the Ashram for 2 to 3 hours a day. This was indeed a most welcome change which I thoroughly enjoyed for two reasons. The first was that I had to be “totally present” thoroughout the one-hour session, which was energising me as it was a spiritual exercise, and the second was the learning-interest exhibited by the whole group. The chorus of mantra-chanting in an already most pious atmosphere, was soothening to the soul. I mentally bowed to Amma for giving me a wonderful time-off from the dryasdust office routines at the age of 67.

Sivaramakrishnan, Chennai
6 Nov 2006