18 June 2009

On the Second retreat evening, Amma held the meditation and question and answer session outside.

The hotel is right next to the LA Airport and also a very busy intersection, so it was quite noisy.  Amma playfully noted that we should hear all the noise as ‘Ma and Om’ (referring to the meditation that is done just after Amma enters the hall for darshan).

Bhajans were

• Sri Gananayaka
• Murali Vale Pyare Kanha
• Anandanmrita Rupini
• Sankara Siva Sankara
• Manasa Vacha (in Spanish)
• Sri Rama Namamu
• Nammavararu Namagilla
• Jai Ma Ambe

Murali Vale Pyare Kanha is a new Krishna bhajans with an upbeat chorus that repeats at the end:

Mukunda Madhava Jaya Govinda Gopijana  Kanta
Narakantaka he Nanda Dulare Charana Kamal Vande

“Glory to Govinda, Mukunda, Madhava, the sweetheart of all the gopis!  Killer of Narakasura, darling of Nanda, we worship your lotus feet.”

During darshan, both the LA Balakendra and LA Satsang put on wonderful plays with spiritual themes.  They were followed by an African Dance group accompanied by traditional African drumming.  The beat had everyone on their feet, and those who were outside the hall were rushing inside to watch the performance.

Afterwards, Amma was playing with one of the drums.

Murali
Los Angeles, USA