April Celebration 2008

Mother Yogamaya's celebrations were very special and had a deeply meditative, peaceful feeling - the commemorative bhajan group's concert was flawless and a wonderful highlight. Today, too, the first of several walking meditations, past Guru's place of rest, past the open Temple doors, re-enacting again those breathtaking moments when we would file past our seated Master, His gaze momentarily resting on each soul in that secret conjunction of aspiration and grace, Earth's cry and Heaven's smile.

So many wonderful highlights. At the Statue of Liberty at dawn, Sudhahota lights the World Harmony Run torch and a team of runners carries it uptown to the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza – there a moving opening ceremony. And on April 13, that slow beautiful walk-by at Aspiration Ground, past Guru's Samadhi, past the open Temple doors where everything is as usual, a profusion of pink and white roses, Guru's empty chair – poignant for some yet filled with our memories and Guru's presence. On a golden easel the Transcendental glows, reminding us of what is most real and eternal in our Teacher.

Then out through Guru's gate and now a long meditative walk to His house, each of us summoning our most receptive consciousness and open hearts before taking three consecutive walk-bys past Guru's simple home. On the pathway to the front door, Guru's chair and a pair of running shoes evoke His unseen presence, but my eyes are drawn each time to the left side windows where we would sometimes see Him, as though there in the dappled grey shadows ……Then long and lovely hours of performances till late in the evening.

The twelve-hour walk finished at 7am this day as well, though numbers are down. I remember Guru on two occasions urging more people to participate in this rite-of-passage, dusk-to-dawn event. Developing through this experience the qualities needed to realise God – perseverance, determination, self-discipline, a proving ground of self- transcendence. Prayer journey for some, each step a chant or invocation here at this intense intersection point of body, mind, spirit. The benefits will stay with you forever, flow into everything you do – the twelve-hour walk is a microcosm of our life journey.

Another of many April 13th highlights is Paree's all-New York musical performance, a triumph that brought everyone together in a twenty minute tapestry of recitation, interwoven songs and instrumental backing – then a much-deserved final standing ovation. Here a glimpse of a new, powerful and united New York Centre emerging into this new reality we face – how delighted our Guru surely was!

Another first was a structured series of twelve very well attended world manifestation workshops covering education, interfaith, enterprises, classes, race organisation, music, humanitarian aid and media. Later a meeting of all Centre leaders to discuss the evolution of our Centres and the challenges and opportunities ahead. On April 14th Mother Alo unveiled our Christmas Trip details after her successful, whirlwind reconnaissance tour. Seven weeks in various parts of Asia, revisiting some of our most favourite places!

The circus sideshow also was a hit – record sales, an excited crowd, a virtual frenzy of shopping as we bought up new DVDs, book bargains, a smorgasbord of offerings. God bless Mridanga – no less than eighteen new DVD's of our Guru's life with fantastic footage of the early years in the West – and Niriha too with her own new collection featuring Guru's early days.

April 15th saw our faster runners compete in the Self- Transcendence Marathon — perfect conditions and cool blue skies — then two hugely successful tribute concerts, 'Songs of the Soul', in Manhattan. Hardly surprising that the concerts were both full houses — we were treated to stunning performances by legendary pianist Philip Glass and tabla maestro Samir Chaterjee; three songs by Addwitiya; an exquisite and moving bhajan concert from Ranjana's enchanting group; and a thrilling, jubilant, powerful Gandharva Loka Orchestra arrangement of two of Guru's songs. Long live Panchajanya and Mattheis! And beautiful performances from many of our talented and soulful disciples, from Dundubhi and Shamita's opening songs, through Paree's a cappella group, to the return of 'Equinox' and Premik and Shambhu right back at their accomplished best. This was a phenomenal evening destined to inspire many more such concerts and a trailblazer in Guru's music manifestation - with care, this can be a forerunner in presenting the beauty and spirituality of our Guru's songs through centres all over the world.

Several things were evident to all those at the Celebrations: that Guru's grace and inspiration are powerfully focused here and our sacred pilgrimages to the Aspiration Ground are invaluable; that our culture of such visits needs to be always promoted and encouraged by centre leaders if they wish to maintain thriving and healthy centres; and that Guru is very active in our lives, as evidenced by the many remarkable personal anecdotes of so many people. And congratulations and gratitude from us all to our New York Centre family for all their labours in making these April celebrations such a resounding success. These were ten days to truly nourish our very souls.

— Jogyata.

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