Started our weekend fun Friday. It was the last day of the home schooling Friday Enrichment 10 week program. The kids had fun and made new friends. I taught pre-ballet, Vrndavan took the Mad Science class again. He really likes all the fun experiments they do and things they make. He also took this time outdoor games. Organized fun type games. Lakshmi took the horticulture class and art class. She especially loves art. Next year kids will join in classes at the Ackland Art Museum. I really am happy they are into the arts. Soon Vrndavan will have tabla lessons, Lakshmi and I keyboards/harmonium. Ok back to the near now- Friday night HH BKG came to our home for dinner. We were happy to have his association.
Saturday morning started out with me teaching 2 ballet classes and taking 1/2 a class while Pati (husband) took kids to Vrndavan's soccer match. After all that we headed off to Raleigh for Earth Day. I meant to go to the one at the art museum but ended up at the one at the natural science museum. The kids esp liked the magician- just a young chap but I was amazed at the tricks he pulled off. The also enjoyed the scrap craft station where they got to make things our of craft scraps= V made a rocket with a launch pad and L a purse and hat.
Saturday night was New Goloka community meeting at M Rangadevi's.










Sunday morning we took kids to local Zen Center. I drive by there often and always wanted to stop in. I looked online and this Sunday was a good time to come= they were celebrating the appearance of Buddha and it was really child centered. The people were so very nice and welcoming. Kids dived right into service there, Lakshmi and Radha with flowers decorating the palaquin that would carry Baby Buddha. Vrndavan got into cake decorating. They took the kids and parents on a walk through the forest, then played a game, then went inside to hear the story of the birth of Sydharth. They then took us into the Zendu (?) "temple "room" It was a nice wooded room with lots of windows and skylights and nice smelling. They offered really nice cushions for everyone to sit on. Then with colorful flags and banners we went on a procession through the woods again to a circle. They had all the kids/parents in the inside of the circle which I thought was so nice and organized. Then in an peaceful manner each child came up to the altar and offered some type of coal in the little fire and gave the Buddha a bath with a ladle of sweet tea. On the morning he appeared, it rained lightly and the rain was sweet like tea. Then they had a potluck. I was happy to see that it all looked like healthy vegetarian food. We invited some of our new friends there to come to the Krishna Temple and they said they have wanted to visit there.
Later we drove 33 miles for Lakshmi's Kathak dance class and back for Sunday Feast. It was the appearance day of Hanumanji too! HH BKG gave a nice class, the children love to hear his class and the way he narrates the past times. Weekend extended into Monday. There was a percussion workshop offered to the home school group.


For the first time we went to Pittsboro. It was held at a place called Clapping Hands Farm.
The kids loved the 3 mile long driveway that had big mud puddles the car kept splashing in. Nice to be way out in the country. Many people brought their own drums. I was lamenting we didn't bring the mrdanga to introduce people to. There were plenty of drums for everyone to play. The teacher than taught some basic beats, some call and responses and group rythems. Picnic and then kids got to make some instruments. Ok I am tired of writing now
over and out

Holi

Sri Giriraja and Sri Radha

Last night when I went to dress the Deities in Their night outfits I was surprisingly greeting by the 2 sweet smiling sila forms of Sri Giriraja and Srimati Radha. Thanks to HH Bir Krsna Maharaja for bringing Them here, and thanks to Their Lordships for having Maharja bring You here so we can serve You :)
Just some other random thoughts. The other day I woke up feeling sick and weak with no appetite. I rested in bed all day and it was really a blessing to be able to hear, really hear all day bhajans and classes as I was in such a quiet restful mood, not sleeping just restful. My body and mind were so quiet so I could really hear. Very purifying and great opportunity. I thought how nice it would be to do at least once a week, but unless sick I'm afraid my mind (or husband :) would accuse me of being lazy and to 'get into action' as of course there is always something to clean or do around the house!
Initially I tried to go to our temple room and I managed to chant 1 round before feeling weak and nauseous and the need to go back to my room and rest.
Around 5Pm I was feeling a little better so thought we should go outside for some warm air and sunshine as it was a very beautiful day outside. Lakshmi was pretty much resting with me all day and Vrndavan, although not feeling as weak as us, was in the room with his books hearing all the nectar as well so they were also happy to get out.
So we head outside to sit in the sun as I realize I still have at least 15 rounds to chant. Normally beginning to chant that many rounds in that later part of the day might be a big burden & chore! I was amazingly surprised that it was really good as I got into it and actually really relished the holy names. I notice that if I don't really have a deep taste for the holy names I might chant on my porch and try not to let the neighbors notice so much as they might think I am crazy talking to myself. This time was different. I was out in the middle of the yard sitting with my eyes closed and I was relishing it so much I was hoping a neighbor would see and ask me what I was doing so I could have the opportunity to share the glories of the holy name as I was personally realizing a drop of the glories of Naam then and there.
I realized also the potency of fasting. That whole day I didn't eat a thing. With my high vata I am usually not very good at fasting. I get very weak, shaky and very irritable, especially when having to perform many activities. Ths day my mind felt so clean and clear and peaceful from hearing and fasting all day. I was so grateful for the opportunity and realizations and thought how wonderful if every Ekadashi could be spent in this way.

Holi in Utah

Jaya Jagannatha