Each year, the Guru Puja celebrations follow a similar structure of rituals and program items. So the second day early morning, the members from the West were invited to come to the dais for meditation. Sitting in the focal point of the energies is always a special experience.
Later, there was the water ritual in honor of Lord Rudra with its rhythmic, vibrant Vedic chants, while the lingam, symbol of the manifestation of divine Will, was decorated in a sublime manner. The ritual was followed by the session of the Fusion of East and West. Four members of the Western brotherhood were asked onto the dais. This year, Sri Kumar had chosen members who had never spoken before to share their experience. It was inspiring to listen to their words. Sri Kumar also explained to the audience the publication work going on in the west and presented the latest publications from the last year.
In the afternoon some Indian members spoke about their experiences, mostly in Telugu. And the evening concluded with another lecture followed by the arati with the camphor light.
Tuesday morning it was very cold – more than the other days which were also quite fresh. Sri Kumar mentioned that this cold is more than usual but, “We complain when it is too hot or too cold. At this last day of Guru Pujas let us enjoy this cold…” And referring to the sublime invisible beings present, he pointed out, “Only because we don’t see the great Masters we think they are not there.”
After meditation and the morning lecture of Sri Kumar on the 12th labor of Hercules, the ladies prepared for the Lalitha Puja. This puja is just conducted by the ladies in honor of the divine Mother. Under the melodic intonations, the ladies decorated an image of the divine Mother with red and golden yellow powder. These pujas always create a very vibrant and sublime ambiance.
When the puja ended drums and horns resounded from the backside: A small procession with a newly-wed couple approached for receiving the blessings of the Master. I felt like a paparazzi standing there in front of the dais with the many photographers capturing the auspicious moment of the young couple.
In the afternoon there was the last discourse of Sri Kumar, followed by the evening meditation and the Pada Puja, the traditional ceremony to honor the teacher by worshipping his feet. On the first sight, this ceremony might be a bit irritating to a western mind but it has a profound significance: the feet of the divine are understood as symbols of the lowest part of the Highest (the divine) touch the highest part of the humans (the head centre).
Today the journey home will start – filled with inspiring impressions and enriched by many profound teachings and encounters.
