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Serving at "The Lotus-Heart"
The Lotus-Heart and Lotus-Heart gifts are Christchurch enterprises run by students of Sri Chinmoy. I first started working at The Lotus-Heart when I was at high school and now work there full time, serving customers, making drinks and salads. On Sri Chinmoy's request we meditate before and after working. This enables creates a peaceful, tranquil environment and I am sure that these qualities are tangible for the customers to receive through the food. After meditating the staff will often sing 'The Lotus-Heart' song, which Sri Chinmoy composed in Taupo. There is a small story attached to this which is worth mentioning. In December 2002, Kuhakini had just finished painting a large cut out of Mother Lakshmi (The Indian Cosmic Goddess of prosperity and harmony), and it was put up on the wall at The Lotus-Heart. Sri Chinmoy who was in Taupo, New Zealand at the time, spontaneously composed a song for The Lotus-Heart and one of the lines were 'Mother Lakshmi's special blessing and special gift'. So that was special. These are the rest of the words;
"The Lotus-Heart, The Lotus-Heart, The Lotus-Heart!
You have freed me from my own mind's ignorance mart.
Mother Lakshmi's special blessing and special gift.
No eyeless bondage-chains, freedom lights highest lift!
The Lotus-Heart, The Lotus-Heart, The Lotus-Heart!"
-Sri Chinmoy
The Lotus-Heart Gifts is still quite new, and if full of enchanting gifts from around the world.This is a write up we did for a magazine, which gives you a taste for the enterprise.
The Lotus-Heart Gifts is located two shops down from their popular vegetarian cafe/restaurant (Top Shop finalist 2006). The Lotus-Heart has recently opened a uniquely charming gift store. Delighting both young and old with their global products ranging from Buddha statues, exquisite handmade Indian table runners and saris to old fashioned spinning tops, tin toys and even hand painted Chinese kites and lanterns. The enchanting store, whilst being small, houses a vast array of hand selected treasures, offering a special ambiance and atmosphere that is entirely new, creative, bordering on magic. started working there after school on Fridays and Saturdays. I thought it was really cool because I got to wear a sari and work with my sister Lauren and our friends. I started on the dishes and now I work there full time, making drinks and serving.
