In the first half of 2009, the Vermont Unit shared numerous delightful celebrations. These included New Year’s and Baba’s Birthday festivities, goodbye or welcome parties for unit members on either side of a move, a wedding, a graduation and lots of birthdays. Our unit has a tradition that at the Dharma Cakra closest to a person’s birthday, she or he receives a gentle massage from the collective family as Baba Nam Kevalam is lovingly sung. Special birthday desserts top off these sweet times.
We are fortunate to attract many visitors to Vermont, and in the winter we welcomed workers from projects in Romania, Haiti and other areas. Didi Cirasmita and sister Kamala Devi also traveled to do service in Haiti during March, and Didi and Pus’pa participated in the recent AMURTEL conference at Sunrise Farm in Ireland. About a dozen unit members also attended the spring Regional Retreat in Massachusetts, and some are on their way to Ananda Kanan now. Brother Ganesh will be going to LFT training following the retreat. Jai Guru!
Pracar is ongoing in the unit, and various initiations have taken place this winter and spring. Additionally, members of the unit collectively planned an Intermediate Meditation class series which was held in the spring. This five-week program began with "The Mind Show", about the kosas/layers of the mind, and was presented by Giri Dhara. This was followed by classes on The Circle of Creation, Spiritual Anatomy, and Strengthening Practices, which were offered by Pus'pa, Didi Cirasmita and Akhil Kumar, respectively. The final week was a mini-retreat, including longer kiirtan and meditation, and a sentient luncheon. Fourteen individuals participated over the five weeks of the series and gave us very positive feedback. One sister who attended is 89 years old and fully participated in kiirtan and meditation.
Now we are preparing for this year's Prabhata Samgiita Retreat, which will be held the weekend of August 7-9. Trainers extraordinaire, Ainjali and Arun, are both able to lead us again in our studies and celebration of Baba's musical legacy. Won't you join us, too?
Until we welcome you in person, Namaskar from your sisters and brothers in the Green Mountains!
-Puspa
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