Gratitude

November - March 2004

How grateful this soul for the privilege of these months in the concentrated force of the Ashram. I walk in humility through the streets, greeted by disciples, uplifted and blessed at each moment. The pruning of the Service Tree, always a darshan for me, has been completed and I feel its joy in the outburst of its green leaves, its healthy branches free of all stubs, all dead branches having been removed, and the first buds preparing for a glorious bloom which I will not see with these eyes but will flower in my heart.

Mother, I am so thankful for each of the days I have been here, for thy blessings are innumerable, sweet powerful and given for our rapid progress. I reflect on the children of the school and the music we shared together and Krishna's beautiful words that went straight to my soul, 'I asked for a star or two and she gave me a galaxy'. I have been supremely blessed to see the joy and wonder in these young faces, the love and light in their eyes when they discovered they could really sing, the enthusiasm that poured from their hearts when they volunteered for solos, the manner in which they applied themselves to practicing scales and the many different vocal exercises, all done with such sincerity of purpose. I shall leave carrying their smiles with me. Mother, help them to grow in their love for music and in their songs to remember Thee.

My days have been garlanded with flowers and the gifts from those who love them. I feel a deeper aspiration rising from the children to learn the spiritual significances of flowers, to manifest beauty, to transform the earth with growing things, from gardens inspired by the appreciation of harmony and refinement to the vast work of afforestation undertaken in Auroville. I begin to understand the inter-connectedness of all these efforts that seem at times isolated and sometimes disparate and know that the golden thread of the Divine Grace unites all. I am honoured to be in the presence of those who work with the earth and plants, love Nature and collaborate with her to manifest more and more of the divine splendour.

So many blessing have been given these past weeks and months. How can one be grateful enough for the new music that begins to descend in the 'Meditation Choir' that was recently formed. We have offered in silence and in concentration aspired for the coming of the new music – and it is a collective aspiration. Each voice touched me, each movement of voices joining together in a deeper harmony reverberates in my depths. I feel an all-encompassing devotion in our group rising up to Thee and the strains of the higher music descending.

Mother, I am truly grateful for those whom you have sent to work with me. I have been the recipient of so much love, felt their sincerity to collaborate, to work to realize a task that has the clear imprint of Thy sanction. The harmonious working of so many during these few months speaks to me of their devotion to Thee and the new world that is rising in our midst. I feel the unfolding of the Divine Dream of Auroville and the sincerity of the collective soul more than the voices that deny, the devotion of the many, the untiring effort, the sincerity and love for Thee that will overcome al the obstacles that resist change and the realization of the New Creation.

I pray for the health of the Banyan Tree and invoke Thy blessings for the critical work of pruning. Again, despite the negative voices that reverberate loudly, Thou hast given us Thy protection and the incomparable blessing of work with the tree.

On this golden day I have been showered with golden gifts, the well-wishes of disciples, a book filled with the experiences of one who lived in grace, given to me by one who is a living embodiment of it, friendship deep and meaningful, founded in Thee, by Thee and of Thee. For truly, as Nolini told me, we are now Thy body, as physically you are in each of us.

At Thy Feet,

Narad