27 November 2008
San Ramon

The second day of retreat in San Ramon fell on Thanksgiving.  A day to give thanks for life, for food, for good health, for friends, family, and our livelihoods.   But what a wonderful way to give thanks!  How blessed are we to have Amma in our lives and to be able to spend this time with her.

The day began with the skies still overcast.   The ground was still wet and puddles were all around.  But as the day progressed, the sun poked out from behind the low clouds.  It wasn’t too cold.   A number of us in the bakery were able to spend time in the hall as we had most of the day’s baking done earlier than usual.   So we were able to give prasad (placing the hershey kiss and flower petal into Amma’s hand so she could then hand out after each darshan).   During this time, we were able to see a few cute happenings in the hall.

One small boy brought a toy to Amma.  It was a toy car that sprayed water.  When he explained this to Amma, she asked for water – and a jug was immediately brought.   Amma filled it with water, then playfully sprayed the boy.  Then she turned to Br. Dayamrita who was standing behind her – and gave a more than a few squirts!  Everyone was laughing.

Morning darshan ended around 3:30 pm.   The kitchen then was packed with veggie choppers and cooks who were preparing the meal that Amma would serve later in the evening.  Around 6:30pm, Amma returned to the hall for a Question and Answer session.  The minute Amma sat down on her petham on the stage after doing Namaskaram and  Pranams to the gathered crowd, a small boy of about 3 or copied Amma exactly – and sat down right next to her on the petham.  This caused many people to break out laughing.

Afterwards, Amma headed to the Dining Hall to begin serving each and everyone of us.   When the line dwindled down, Amma sat at the children’s table and passed out papadams (crispy rounds of fried dough) to each child who lined up by her chair.   Amma then left the dining hall, and everyone finished eating.  Br. Shantamrita gave satsang before Amma came to the main hall for Bhajans.  The same little boy who had pranamed before the Question and Answer session sat down again next to Amma. This time, Amma gave him a microphone. He started to try to read what appeared to be either the meditation instructions, or Amma’s satsang.   As he struggled with the pronunciation, Amma and the crowd were cracking up with laughter.  Then the boy began to do the Ma-Om meditation – ‘Maaaaaaaaaaaaaa……. Ommmmmmmmmm,’ he said into the microphone – Amma burst out laughing – it was adorable and hysterical at the same time.   Then he began to sing Daya Karo Tum – and the words were put up on the screen next to the stage.   It was so cute.  Everyone had a good laugh and the boy received a around of applause from Amma and the crowd.

Tonights Bhajans:

Jai Jai Jai Gananatha Gajanana (Pahi Gajanana)
Sudar Hai Nayana Tere
Oru Koccu Pulnambin
Durge I Dhara Gilidibare
Sri Rama Namanu
Jai Jai Kali Ma

If you happen to have a copy of Bhajanamritam Vol. 3, check out the translation of Oru Koccu Pulnambin which is in Malayalam.  The poetic imagery is so rich and beautiful:

I am a dew drop at the far edge of a tiny leaf of grass,
alive a while, aching, tremulous, delicately poised,
dripping, emptying, and will be no more.
Poor me, can I scan the meaning of the mystery of the mazy world,
time’s ceaseless motion, its drift, thrust and goal?……

Darshan is still going on in the hall.   Amma’s children are putting on plays, traditional Indian dances, and skits.

Tomorrow night is Devi Bhava.

– Sri Pati