Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Wound Vacuum

In the medical field we have a machine called a wound vacuum. It does what it sounds like it does… it sucks out all the impurities in the wound bed, to allow it to heal. It “applies mechanical forces to the wound to create an environment that promotes wound healing.”

Why am I blabbering on about wounds… ok, I am a little nuts and I think they are fascinating… but also because it is a perfect example of what is going on in our beloved SCS Math. The crazies are creating a negative pressure and sucking all the impurities out.

Whenever the Guru leaves, there is a flux in the environment… the world is completely shaken up...all the impurities come to the surface, all those who no longer want to put their head at the feet of Guru raise their ugly little heads and try to take position. Like … like a surgical scar that is healed but again opens because of infection underneath. A dehiscence, for those who like new vocabulary.

So all these envious self-centered bastards have found their leaders… and those leaders are sucking them all in… separating the good from the bad. The dead tissue is being sucked out leaving those who are still faithful to Srila Gurudeva, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev Goswami Maharaja and his VERY DIRECT--- no holds barred instruction that Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharyya Maharaja is THE acharyya of SCSmath.

So, are we going to heal? After the impurities have shown themselves, after the wound has opened and the impurities are gathering… are we going to be passive? Are we going to let whatever happens happen? Or are we going to be good wound care nurses and, although painful, cut out the dead tissue, let it be sucked up by the vacuum and encourage with tenderness the growth of clean healthy skin?

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

I know I have been remiss in writing after Srila Gurudeva left our vision on March 27th. There is so much to say, but as of yet, I don't have the words. All I know now is that He is still here and will, along with all the predecessor Gurus in our line, be watching over us always.

I am now in Vrindavan helping out with some business that had to be done here. It is hot but amazingly not as difficult to deal with than Kolkata because of the dryness. I also forgot how mean the monkeys are here :-D. Dandavats to all. I should be home May 6th!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Srila Gurudeva

Srila Gurudeva has been in high spirits the last few days, singing and speaking slokas. He gave the first darshan in ages yesterday, and at one point looked at me and asked, "if I play mrdanga, is that exercise?" LOL. I said a big YES. He didn't play yesterday, but did for about 30 seconds today. I have it on my phone video and will figure out how to post.
He has been speaking to individual devotees and giving instructions and affection. Avadhut Maharaja has been helping so much here and Srila Gurudeva really loves him. He smiles and gets life when Avadhut Mj comes in the room.

Kamala Naini (I don't know how to spell her name) came in to see Srila Gurudeva yesterday. She is helping a lot with the cows in Nabadwip. When asked if she could come, He said... "kamala? Cow mother?" soooo sweet. He was incredibly affectionate with her and when she got up to leave He called her back.... she started to cry.... and he reacted in a way I have never seen...
The way he was with her I have never seen. We just don't know who we are dealing with when we deal with devotees. She is a seemingly normal girl (I think about my age, maybe a little older) from Venezuela who loves to take care of the cows. She is lovely, but obviously she is soooooo much more than what I am seeing. I have to remember this always.... I don't know who I am talking to... only Gurudeva can know. He is so affectionate with some devotees that seemingly are doing wrong.... but I really don't know who they are or what their purpose is here. It was a good lesson for me... I hope I remember it.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Nepal

So, I went to Nepal on Thursday.

It was an adventure. Vishaka didi, Divyasari didi and myself went on an overnight train three tier ac. We got those stupid side seats, which on this train are made for hobbits only right next to the bathrooms.... mmmm yummm. I got top bunk and I couldn't even stretch out my legs... or curl up because the bunk bunk is too narrow. It was also Ekadasi.... all this said...

IT WAS A BLAST. I haven't been on the trains in about 12 years and usually went sleeper class. This was like the Ritz in comparison. I love the rocking too and fro feeling and I slept like a log... a slightly cramped, uncomfortable log... but since I haven't really been sleeping, it was great. Woke up in the morning thinking I slept through my stop (New Jalpaiguri, right outside of Siliguri, west bengal)because there was a stop after... but I was good and the train was late... so we still had several hours. We broke our fast with Jaganath Prasad that Divya just brought from Puri, and then ate the rest of the Cliff bars rai and sudar sent (thanks guys! Love you!!!!!!!)

When we arrived we went to the ticket office to change the other ladies' tickets back to Kolkata to the two teir AC car on the Darjeeling Mail, and then got a 500 rps taxi van thingee to the border. Along the way it was all green and then came the amazing tea plantations... sooo perty.

The guy in the Indian immigration shack was lovely and so were the guys in the Nepali immigration. I found out on my way out of Nepal that the Gentleman in the Indian immigration is from Nabadwip!

We walked into Nepal over a bridge. I hear on a really clear day one can see the Mountains... like THE mountains... the Himalaya.... but it was not a clear day. But there was a nice cool breeze and the air was fresh... butthey wouldn't let me take pictures... a Nepali army guy stopped me. There was a sign entering Nepal that was sooooo classic and I really wanted a picture, but there was an army bunker under it and no pictures were allowed. It said something like "we encourage racial discrimination". FUNNY.

Me in Nepal

We wandered around the border town for a while......
Nepali Rickshaws
wandering

,before we found a Hotel for the ladies, we ate some so/so lunch and then I asked Robin (pictured above checking in the pink ladies) to arrange a car back to Siliguri for me.


I got a really nice AC car, got to the train station, waited around for three hours. The Darjeeling mail is a nicer train than the one we took up. I was on the bottom bunk and the only eventful part of that trip was the snoring family with baby who seemed to think it was ok to talk loudly at midnight while perching on my bunk while I slept.... IN WHAT UNIVERSE IS THAT OK????

I got back to the temple at about 8 am and went directly to see Gurudeva. I gave him my present of Nepali tea... he smiled and then said, Tea?? I said yes and Sinatani didi asked him if he wanted some and he said YES! Yayy.... my present was accepted and I have been allowed back into India until September... mission accomplished.


Thursday, March 4, 2010

Gaura Purnima Kolkata

A few pictures from the festival a few days ago.


Srila Gurudeva let me take this picture of him in His new cloth and garland, and then asked me for a copy!!!!!!!

Their Lordships

cooking and preparation went on all day under the direction of Mangal Maharaja

Srimati Tulasi Devi all decorated Holi Style


Moonrise over teen (3) number tank


Festival

And Earlier in the day..........


These kids were hiding and ambushing people with colored water--- Holi!


Splattered people with random crow

More Splattered people

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada

Dum Dum Park:


Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Madhan Mohana





Ashram Maharaja Giving Class





Devotees


Arotik

Friday, February 12, 2010

Photos and stuff

Hello and Dandavats all! I have been sick in bed for four days with no excuse not to be doing this-- except, really feeling lazy and it all sounds a little too much like doing stuff.

I got a fun explosive vomit sick. The first day was the worst, but I am still having a hard time taking in any solids... so I am on a tea, juice and water diet. I can tell you with authority that chamomile and green earl gray teas as well as dob jal don't taste too bad coming back up, but any juice or 7 -up really isn't that nice. The devotees, as usual, are wonderful and taking care of me.


Here are some pictures from the last weeks I thought you all would want to see:


Ashram Maharaja and Chinmoyidev Prabhu at the Lotus Feet of His Divine Grace

Srila Gurudeva welcomes Radhanath Swami from ISKCON who always makes Gurudeva his first stop when he visits Kolkata. The visit was full of affection and sweetness.

Srila Gurudeva and Radhanath Swami

Swami Hug

Ashram Maharaja, Mangal Maharaja, and Nakul prabhu in a group hug

Krishna Shakti Prubhu

Saraswati Didi and Nukul prabhu

Salt Lake's own at the feet of His Divine Grace

I have pictures from the Prabhupada Saraswat Thakur festival and will work on that tomorrow... I think I have a video too.... I think I can work out how to post that.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

this amazing morning

Srila Gurudeva starting chanting "hari haraya nama Krisna..." this morning and then told a story of how He and Srila Guru Maharaja went to the Ganga and while dunking again and again in the water sang this song "in very happy mood". He was smiling so much and looking at all of us with so much affection. I just had to share. 

Earlier today he also sang a song by Chandidas. He said, looking at me, "this is about your name". He sang several lines 'utari kisori'.... and then translated. Morning when I wake I see Kisori, I wear a necklace of Kisori, etc. Part of it was recorded and I am hoping to get a copy. Really heartbreakingly merciful. 

Thursday, February 4, 2010

veranda news

Srila Gurudeva has been showing some improvement in His energy levels the last few days. Today he spoke a little about Sidhanti Maharaja... saying that his Sraddha ceremony is on Sunday and they will make it as big as possible. Then he said a few verses about Cidananda one from Bramha Samhita and the other from Johnavi somehting or another.... Ashram Maharaja is trying to find them. Also today after lunch His Divine Grace started speaking gita. He spoke verses 1:1 - 1:7 and 2:1 - 2:3... VERY AMAZING.

Here are a few picts from the veranda area:

Nakul Prabhu

Bindu Mati didi cleaning the floor

Bindu Mati didi bugging Nakul Prabhu as he tries to rest. LOL!

Lavanya Mai didi cleaning the carpet (or trying to) before the new vaccume came.