In his first of four noble truths, the Buddha taught that life is suffering—the Sanskrit word is Dukkha (dukə). Dukkha is a word that is thought to have originated from how an axle fits into the hole of a wheel. If the fit is good, it is called sukha and provides a smooth ride. If the axle is off center it is called dukkha and makes for a bumpy ride. The Buddha taught that the nature of life in general provides a bumpy ride. There is no one English word that translates the word dukkha, but there are sutras from Buddhism (Hinduism has these same concepts predating the Buddha) that describe dukkha as birth, aging, illness, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, despair, association with an unbeloved, separation from loved ones, not getting what is wanted.

It seems that God has had it in mind that I should be surrounded in the swirling waters of dukkha at this time. Perhaps it is an ugly turn of the stars, but there seems to be a lot of axles in life giving a bumpy ride to many sincere souls seeking realization. What is difficult for the sadhaka is to know that he or she should not be attached to the ups and downs of life, yet suffering is so compelling to the mind—it glues itself to the object of suffering as if it were all in all.

It can be tempting to see the suffering of another and wonder why it is so upsetting to him, or to thank one’s lucky stars that it is not your situation. But compassion, the universal vision makes all lives deeply connected with one’s own, therefore the suffering of another is not simply something to be seen from a distance, but it is a part of you. To be useful to another experiencing such suffering does not require that you too become identified with the object of suffering, for that would be the blind leading the blind, but to be in your oneness with God while also being conscious of the suffering of another.

Conscious oneness with God aligns the axle, it smooths the bumpy ride and keeps life moving in the right direction. It is inevitable that when the road is filled with potholes there will be bumps galore! However, the true axle will see you through every difficulty. I was in close connection with Mother Hamilton as she traversed some of the bumpiest roads I have ever witnessed. Strokes, heart attacks, a severe case of shingles in her face and head that made her convulse in pain without notice or respite—my goodness what a tremendous load she carried! I thought of myself being in her situation and I could not see how I could go on. Yet, I watched in astonished amazement how Mother negotiated these treacherous roads, always telling the truth about her condition when asked, but determined that she should ever serve God and that she should recover full health.

Mother gave me an up close and personal tutorial in how to keep the axle perfectly centered, even on her road of tremendous suffering. And those lessons did not go to waste as God proceeded to put me through all the experiences He had been orchestrating for me; from loss of family and home, vocation and health, going through the “nothingness of God,” the emptying out of the cup of the mind and scouring it of everything I could call my own—until the chaff was separated from the kernel, the seed was ground into nothingness and made fit to enter the fires of the God’s oven. I truly needed to have that time with Mother to show me the stuff of which I would need to be made in order to go through all that God had in mind for me.

Now I can be with the suffering of this world, it swirls around me, but I know that I am not that. I feel the sorrows, losses, pain and misery of others deep within me, yet there is a deeper knowing of Reality that shines beyond every dark cloud—and this makes all the difference. That we may all know this superior Reality, that each one’s axle stays true even through life’s many bumps is my greatest thought and prayer for each one of you. If asked, Mother would say exactly what pain and difficulties she was going through—and through it all she was a fighter. For every difficulty there was a solution, for every pain there was healing in the here and now or in the offing—she sought out God’s healing directly, and God working through physicians and healers. And she was not waiting to feel better to serve God, she served God all the way through; always focused upon doing His will at all times and in all places. Master too went through great suffering, Sister Gyanamata, Papa, Mataji and Swamiji, all so tremendous in God, all suffered in the body even after, perhaps especially after, achieving oneness with the Divine.

If we suffer, we are in good company. Surely, we should do all in our power to remove the thorn causing the pain. And even while in the midst of suffering to look for that which is beyond the clouds of doubt, the agony of the moment. There is a part of the mind that focuses itself on the pain; like drivers slowing down when going by a traffic accident looking for those who are injured. Yet, there is a superior Reality that is not to be missed. When I was at Anandashram I was greatly suffering from an illness; I asked Papa to show me how pain and bliss were the same. He inwardly responded, and I saw him in vision as he took my hands and with a toothless grin began to dance with me around and around in blissful joy. There was a part of the mind that knew the body was still in pain, yet I felt such bliss. Bliss and pain, pain and bliss, they merged and truly became the same. Be this true for you as well when life’s bumps test the trueness of your axle.

Pilgrimage update: We have spent a beautiful couple of days in Ashland with Peter and all dear friends there. Ram’s wind then blew us east, across three 5,000 feet plus mountain passes and on to Lakeview, at an altitude of 4800 feet it is known as “the tallest town in Oregon.” We are on our way to Salt Lake City and from there we plan to have the darshan of Nature’s cathedrals in Zion and Bryce Canyons. Jai Gurus!

 

Stillness is one of the great virtues of spiritual consciousness. Some might associate stillness with death; a dead body does not breathe or move or show signs of life. A yogi, one in union with God, may not breathe, or very shallowly, may not show signs of life, yet such stillness is the opposite of death—dead perhaps to the world for a while, but by no means the inertness of a dead body.

Inner stillness of the yogi comes with deepened meditation; the body becomes quiet and the mind enters into the great stillness—awareness continues, but the constant monologue of the mind stops. When I have been out cross-country skiing or snow shoeing, the swish or crunch of snow is all that makes noise. Suddenly, coming to a stop, the snowflakes quietly fall and there is total quiet, such a hush is all around—a remarkable feeling. There is an element of that hush that is in this inner stillness, a feeling of magic almost, of awe that moves the soul.

But, such stillness does not come easily to a culture that is all about movement, doing things, and constant stimulation to the senses. When I was in silence and seclusion for a year we had a couple of retreat weekends in which devotees joined me in silence. However, there was much note writing at times, giggling and laughing, one person continued to talk in a whisper (somehow thinking that was keeping silence!), telling me how much they would like to be in silent retreat for a prolonged time. Real silence is not so easy.

However, with deepened practice, we can touch that realm of inner silence that gives us true rest. We practice our kriya, chant God’s name, meditate on Hong Sau, and suddenly we find ourselves dropped into that inner realm of stillness, even if for just a moment. On headstones of the dead we read, “Rest in peace,” and can imagine, “Oh, that one is finally getting true rest from living life on this earth.” The truth is, we can have that rest even while in the body, it brings that refreshment we might imagine when the restless tides of the breath are finally stilled. It may be a challenge, but what a worthwhile challenge it is to take up.

To begin, use your imagination. It is most common in attempting to enter silence that you are aware of how un-silent you are! Use your mind’s ability to conjure images: of being in the quiet of a snowy paradise, or entering into the precincts of an ancient temple, sitting at the feet of a venerable saint—let your mind rest in those peaceful surroundings, being fully aware, but very still. Let that quiet saturate your soul, nurture you in peace. Simply reside there—no place to go, nothing to do but be in the stillness.

As you learn to attune your mind to this stillness you find that you can carry it into your daily life. It may be easiest while you are walking in the woods or by a body of water, or while tending your garden. However, with practice you can also experience this inner stillness while you are meeting with others, doing ordinary tasks throughout the day. Just imagine being in that quiet stillness all through your day, then how would you feel at the end of the day? How much less stress there is in your body, how much energy you feel, and how good you feel about decisions you have made from that place of stillness.

Learn to touch upon the power of stillness, make it a part of your daily practice. David spoke a great truth when he said, “Be still, and know that I AM God (Psalm 46:10). True stillness takes you beyond your self; it is the gateway to realizing your oneness with the Infinite. Sri Yukteswarji wrote in the Holy Science that knowing God fulfills all of your heart’s desires. That being the case, then you enter into the silence of God-consciousness, you are perfectly content, this awareness loops you back into even greater stillness—you no longer have need of a constant restless nature and it simply drops away. So, let us begin now.    

 

Rebecca has come to stay for some of her last days in her month-long silence and seclusion. Her time for doing this sadhana reminds me of my spending one year in silence and seclusion at Cloud Mountain. This came about when one day I was speaking to a devotee and out of my mouth came, “I feel directed to spend one year in silence.” This pronouncement came as the biggest surprise to myself—particularly since, previous to this, I had not spent even one day in meditational silence. But now that God had said it, how do I go about doing it?

I thought of renting a cabin for the year, and others pointed out different silent retreat centers to contact, and thing one thing led to another (which is another way of saying God was leading me by the hand, step by step) and I discovered David Branscom and Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Southwest Washington. I talked with David, who had started out his spiritual life feeling deeply connected to Master. He had built Cloud Mountain with his own hands, literally carrying the lumber and all materials on his back from the road he made to the building sites. Although it was mostly Vipassana Buddhists who rented his retreat center at that time, he was thrilled to have a connection with Master staying at his unique and newly built cabin for a long-term retreatant.  He offered the cabin and food for one year at no fee, but I felt I should pay him something; I think we settled on $250 a month. He was lovingly supportive all through the year and I cannot thank him enough for his open-hearted seva.

I knew going in, starting September of the year 2000, it would take some time to settle into silence—particularly since I had been non-stop travelling to Centers, giving talks and meeting with aspirants. The first three weeks or so in silence I could feel my whole being gradually becoming quieter. One of the first things I noted was the absence of movement—being at the cabin and on the grounds of the five-acre retreat center only—whereas before there were simple and familiar activities like going to the store, being out and about; and now, nothing. And then there was the absence of planning, no schedules to keep, no arrangements needing tending. My task was silence—be here, be now. I was simply observing, noticing these changes as time unfolded. And then there was the blessed relief I experienced; there was nowhere to go, nothing to plan, no outward demands—oh the luxury to just be with God!

There were many internal journeys through the year, great challenges, and tremendous experiences given by God and Gurus, experiences that amazed and deeply moved me. However, beyond all these many wonderful revelations, the real purpose for the year of silence and seclusion came clear to me sometime later in my time there, and then continued on afterward. I was to be established in the Presence of God.

Twenty-four years prior, Mother had ignited the kundalini force at the base of my spine that shot like a rocket to the ajna. This was the real beginning of my inward sadhana. For, there are things we do in our outer sadhana, such as developing the habit of meditation, practicing Kriya Yoga, chanting and deepening prayer; the methods we adopt in order to purify the body and mind. Inner sadhana occurs, with God and Gurus blessings, when we experience the upward current of the vastly powerful spiritual force, which in India is called the kundalini.  I could never relate all the experiences I have had with this miraculous kundalini force. It was through these experiences the inner change occurred; it involved not only Spirit, but mind and body as well. If I had been a better devotee, I am sure I should have shortened the time of transformation. However, through the years transformation did occur, and it prepared me for merging into the Higher Consciousness—the goal of mystics and saints the world over.

God had led me into silence and seclusion, and as a result of what He did, there was a solidification in my oneness with the inner Divine Presence. A strong point of this connecting union was in the Heart Center. I was deeply aware of this steadfast, unchanging Presence that was unshakable and unvarying. This place of oneness was such that it did not deviate, even when I reentered the world after the year of seclusion. This knowing oneness with the Infinite was a product of God and Gurus Grace, and with the invaluable help of my “second spiritual Mother”, dearest Swami Satchidananda. 

When God commanded this year in silence and solitude I had no idea of what was in store; I only knew it was His command. Every devotee has his or her own journey, and as we know paths to God vary in outward form. However, for most there will come a time of stepping away from the demands of the world, to be absorbed into inner silence.

Not speaking is not the real silence (it is amazing how loud and nonstop the mind can be!). Only by stilling the body and mind do you beget true stillness. Then, inner stillness is born in the heart; a place of deep connection with the Infinite Divine that is the firm foundation for oneness with God. To become still is the goal of Kriya Yoga and its after-effect, and the chanting of God’s name is meant to result in that same stillness. To be established in inner stillness brings about the extraordinary state of oneness. That is why the great mystic sage King David sang, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Be still, and know God as the eternal Self of your Being, the Source of unending bliss, and the answer to all of your heart’s desires.  

 

It has happened over time that my mind has become even more inwardly focused. As a part of this experience, it happens that when I am at even a great distance from dear ones, I feel so very closely connected to them. When on the phone or in person, there are times when a great pressure builds, my brain soon becomes overheated. There are exceptions to this, but on the whole, this is my state.

 

I have questioned, Mother, why choose me as God’s minister? A role normally filled by one who revels in the world of social circumstances, whereas God has increasingly made me a recluse. This withdrawal has definitely been at His instigation, both by His command and the way He makes me experience this world.

God’s love so powerfully flows through me, but so often, it does so best at a distance. Usually, human relationships feel closest when there is a close physical proximity—but God has given me this strange reversal. Such is the mystery of this life God has given me.

On another note, the uplifting power of Mother’s Mahasamadhi Anniversary continues with me, feeling her power and glory resonating within and in the ether all about me. This reality of knowing God in Mother and Mother in God makes the world tremble with holy vibration. In truth, I feel myself to be totally empty—God and Guru’s Presence is all there is. How can I look out on the world and say God is this, and not that, when there is only one: one Spirit, one God and one supreme Reality that is all and all in all!

[God seems to be in a funny mood as He writes this through me, wandering from subject to subject according to His whim!] There is a story that comes to mind about a disciple of Master’s, who went to see Swami Ramdas. When he asked Papa to be his guru, Papa replied to the man that he already had one, Master. But, the man replied, my guru is dead. Papa replied, Your guru is not dead—you are

Resurrect in us, O great Ones, Your wondrous Presence. Make us live, not as the    worldly live, for they are dead to You, but renew us in your Living Waters that      bring us wonder and beauty, joy and love unceasingly.

The Galilean Master said you cannot serve two masters, you must choose, either serve God or the world. You definitely live in this world, and you must Render unto Cesar what is Cesar’s, however there should never be a doubt who your true master is—who is central to your heart, mind and soul, and who it is that you are truly serving.

 

Religion takes on many forms all around this world, sometimes with seemingly contradictory ideas. The contradictions usually boil down to, “I am right and all others are wrong.” However, a true analysis of all the great religions is that each one has been based on a series of revelations by a few master-souls; these revelations are then instituted into formalities, ceremonies and articles of belief. These forms, originally based on revelations are then objectively called religion. As Mother Hamilton said, God made man, and man made religion.

However, the symbols in these revelations are meant to be roadmaps for aspirants to guide them to achieve their own direct perception of Truth. In the normal course of history, this goal is soon forgotten or disbelieved by religionists. Institutions hold up the revelations and say, “Worship these with faith.” The fact that such revelations are to lead to individual revelations of the Heavenly Father, Divine Mother is now seen as heresy. Those striving for fresh knowledge of God are many times convicted of crimes by such institutions. The truth is stood on its head—the real goal is forgotten and even seen as evil. Such is the repeated story of religion all around the globe and down through time.

Although prophets, men and women of God, come periodically to remind us of the supreme truth, their message quickly falls into obscurity. However, there has never been a time when ultimate truth did not exist, only that it became lost to the majority. That need never be the case—ever again. Collectively, we can stand up and proclaim the Truth of truths: realization is religion; there is no religion without realization, and religion loses its most profound meaning without it leading to raising others up into the heights of realization. With the synergistic relationship between realization and religion the tremendous potential of humanity is unleashed.

To make this truth a living reality there must be those who are willing to follow the way of saints and spiritual masters—to strive for realization and revitalize the lifeblood of living Spirit for aspiring souls. New hope for new times—through renunciation of attachment to this world and complete surrender to the supreme Being the Divine shines through its perfected beings and raises this world to greater heights.

The angel Gabriel is sounding his trumpet, calling all to the revelatory altar of the one true living God—it reverberates across space and opens wide the way for truth. Yes, there will be false prophets along the way, that is inevitable. However, there will also be true God-men and God-women who will bless this earth and all humankind, who will reveal the truth and awaken other men and women across the globe, bringing this world into higher states of illumination. There is no limit to this transformation. It all starts with those who are responsive to the call of truth and have the courage to seek it out; to know deep within themselves that attaining direct perception of God is their real purpose in life; that all religions are, in reality, here to guide and support those striving for the realization of their eternal being and existence.

January 20, 1929 Swami Yogananda attended a banquet in New York honoring the birth of the remarkable Swami Vivekananda. This brought to my mind the great God-man who preceded Master coming to America by 27 years. Swami Vivekananda was recognized as a prodigious soul by his own guru, Ramakrishna Paramhansa when he was yet a student at the age of 19. Ramakrishna later told some devotees that in one of his visions he had travelled to the Causal Realm where he met an amazing Being. He asked that Being if he would incarnate here on earth and help him with his mission. Years later when Vivekananda, then known by his birth name Narendranath walked through his door, Ramakrishna recognized him as the great soul he had earlier called to earth.

Vivekananda was born to a well-to-do family, but his father died when the son was in college and it fell to the young man to provide for his mother and eight siblings. Even in this time of stress he came to see his master, but it was far from a smooth journey. Vivekananda had a brilliant mind and was very independent. At first he doubted Ramakrishna’s state of realization, then he went through a time of intellectual doubt and atheism. When other devotees were distressed by Vivekananda’s outspoken views, including his doubts, Ramakrishna would comfort them by saying that Vivekananda would never succumb to the temptations of ‘women and gold,’ that he was one of a rare breed who would never be ensnared by ignorance.

By the time his master passed, Vivekananda was keen to become a monk. After some time living with his brother disciples he struck out on his own and walked the circumference of India. As he travelled south he had a deep question in his mind—How was he to serve humanity, what was his mission? At the very south point of India, on a rock where the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet, he determined to meditate until he had the answer. Without food or water he sat for days. Suddenly he had a magnificent vision of his guru and the history of India—he knew what he was here to do.

From there he travelled northward up the east coast, whereas before he had been fairly incognito, now masses of people responded to him. He felt he was to go to America, to the first Parliament of the World’s Religions which was to open on September 11, 1893. He came without knowing about, or having the kind of recommendations that were required to be a speaker at the Parliament—but through an amazing series of events he was invited to be a speaker. At the end of the first day he was to give a talk to over seven thousand participants. Several of the speakers before had been rather dull, the audience subdued. The end of a long day is an unenviable time to give a talk. Swamiji was nervous. He prayed before a statue of Saraswati, goddess of learning, he felt his master with him. He started his speech, “Sisters and brothers of America!” For two minutes there was a thunderous standing ovation!

From there speaking engagements were scheduled. A couple of incidents stand out in my memory of the master. One happened when Vivekananda was giving a talk at a church in a small community. A mentally deranged man entered the church and fired a gun at Swamiji. Those in the pews dove for cover as the bullets flew. Meanwhile, Vivekananda stood up front facing the man without moving. He calmly gazed at the man firing his gun until the gunman ran out of bullets!

Another interaction involved a famous man of the times. John D. Rockefeller was one of the richest men in the world. Friends told him he should meet “The extraordinary Indian monk.” Rockefeller was strong willed, independent and had no intention of doing so. One day he somehow decided to go see this man of God from India. He came to the house where Swamiji was staying. The butler asked Rockefeller to wait, but he charged past the butler and when he entered the study Swamiji was writing. Rockefeller waited. After some time Swamiji, without raising his eyes, started telling about Rockefeller’s life; things that even his closest friends did not know. Then Swamiji told the multi-millionaire that the money he had was not his own. God had given him these resources to help others, the poor and distressed—he finished by saying that he should spend his money for the benefit of society.

Rockefeller left as abruptly as he had come—he was not used to people speaking to him that way! About a week later he returned to the house, entered the study where once again Swamiji was busy writing. Rockefeller put a newspaper on the table that had headlines of a large amount of money he donated to a public institution and said, “There you are. You must be satisfied now. You can also thank me for this.” Swamiji, who did not lift his eyes, picked up the paper and read. Then he said, “Why should I thank you? Rather you should thank me for providing the suggestion.” Later this gift of money was followed by other large donations by the millionaire and eventually led to the establishment of the Rockefeller Foundation in 1913, which even now continues its charitable work.[i]

Each incident of a person’s life is like a puzzle piece that, when put together builds a picture of the whole person—however we will never have all the pieces to any one person, much less that of a such a highly God-realized Soul. The close of Swamiji’s life for this incarnation came on the 4^th of July, 1902. He started the day by meditating for three hours, then he taught a class on the philosophy of yoga to young students, and later led a discussion for the planning of a Vedic College. When he went to his room he asked not to be disturbed. Swami Vivekananda left the body at 9:20 that night while meditating. Doctors said the cause of death was a burst blood vessel in his brain—devotees said the blood vessel burst when the master pierced his crown chakra, brahmarandhra, while entering mahasamadhi. He was 39 years old. His guru had said many years before that once his disciple tasted the full freedom of God, he would in that moment leave the body.

My Master is a transcript of Swami Vivekananda speaking about his great guru, Ramakrishna Paramhansa. This is PDF copy of the book available online:

http://www.vivekananda.net/PDFBooks/My_Master.pdf

Also, this is a voice recording by an actor replicating the speech by Swami at the Parliament of the World’s Religions:

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=about+the+voice+of+speeches+i+heard+from+vivekananda&qpvt=about+the+voice+of+speeches+i+heard+from+vivekananda&view=detail&mid=A31485F372BADA371867A31485F372BADA371867&&FORM=VDRVRV

[i] Interestingly, an East Indian-American, Dr. Rajiv Shah is the current president of the Rockefeller Foundation. At 43 he is the youngest president ever, and the first Indian-American.

 

A devotee’s consciousness reaches out to me and instantly I feel their distress as my own—it is a painful yearning for God—a desolation deep and wide. I am put into touch with my many years of such yearning for God and realization. As Mother wrote to Papa so plaintively while in her own despair, How long Oh Lord, how long?

“Oh Lord, why do You wait even a moment when such a cry comes to You from sincere devotees?” And You answer, “Do you not realize that when my son Jesus said you cannot pour new wine into an old wineskin, he was speaking of this very thing?” For this is the truth—the old wineskin of limited human consciousness and the new wine of Christ-consciousness cannot merge until powerful changes come about that makes Divine Consciousness possible in the individual devotee.

The very nerves of the body must be strengthened, or they would be burned out in an instant upon contact with these high frequency energies. However, through repeated exposure to uplifting experiences the body system gradually changes, making it a divinely fit instrument. The rising expanding energy meets the knot points in the spine and brain—a struggle ensues as physical and psychological obstacles keep the new transforming energy from flowing easily and smoothly. Emotional and psychological kinks must be worked out—these kinks are interlocked with physical blockages—the process of sadhana exposes all past emotional obstructions and false limiting beliefs. The meeting and moving through these mental sticking points gradually purifies the practitioner, for Truth cannot reveal itself when selfishness, greed, fear, and anger loom large. The cup of consciousness must be emptied of all personal attachments—there can be no exceptions.

Through deepened meditation and upliftment, a new body in Christ is generated and brought fully into being. The total yearning of heart, mind and soul is part of this tremendous cleansing and transformation. Detaching from this world is essential to moving forward on the spiritual path, but this is only part of the story. Letting go of those things that identify you with this body and the world is a must, along with a yearning heart full of devotion for God. The first is jnana, discrimination—cutting out whatever is not of transcendent-God. Bhakti then, is the positive love-thought that draws us to God, and God to us—the wine of Spirit that fills the waiting cup. The yearning pain in the heart sets up a magnetism to which God must respond. Instead of trying to empty the mind of self only, which can have negative consequences, the positive thought of God fills the mind with light, love and devotion—making for a healthy psychological outlook.

Even though yearning for God can be tremendously painful as your heart breaks in its desire for the universal vision, your increasing devotion now becomes a more powerful force in the psyche and supersedes attachment to the senses. Bliss, upliftment, joy, loving service and a positive desire for the Divine fills you and propels you to the ultimate Goal of goals. Love and discrimination work together, along with selfless service to others and a growing drive to enter into the highest states of meditation-union that becomes all-consuming.

So, I feel the painful yearning of the devotee who is at such a great distance away—and it is my pain as well. God has given me this life where I experience various moods and states of mind of aspirants—they are all deeply familiar to me. And now, pain is also bliss, for there is no fear—I know this is what it takes to crack open the seedling-heart that reveals the Soul to the soul. Even in the excruciating pain I know this absolutely, and therefore it is also endless joy—for it is the harbinger of so much goodness and light to come. Victory to God—Victory to the Light—may unbounded love and keen discrimination ever guide the way for devotees, so that all may find the flawless way to the one infinite Lord.

Carla was born on a January day, the 13^th—today is her birthday. In celebration of that birth I want to highlight just some of her outstanding characteristics. First and foremost is her courage in facing obstacles to growth and realization. When she first came to Services she and I met to discuss the path and answer her questions. Not long after these initial meetings she demonstrated a keen desire to work on those things that held her back.

One of the first things that was noteworthy was in listening to a Talk of Mother’s or mine, she later in the week told me how she had taken a theme from that Talk and had been working on it all week. This impressed me greatly. She took something in the Talk that stood out to her—meditation, letting her inner Light shine, being on the battlefield of sadhana—and that became her focus as she sought to put it to work in her life.

One of those topics proved to be a watershed moment—it was an in-depth work on prosperity. For years Carla had her own business, then since moving to Seattle area she had worked at several jobs, but did not prosper. In her focused way we discussed the obstacles to receiving prosperity. There were many levels to it, but through her work doors opened, and within a relatively short time she was in the adjoining office and personal assistant to the third richest man in the world, making the most money in her life.

The first time Carla came to a Service, she was brought by Peter. Carla heard a tape recording of Mother speaking and knew, for the first time in her life, this was the truth she had been seeking all these many years. Spiritual life and practice is not an easy thing, but no matter the ups and downs, the challenges both within and without, Carla has never wavered, never avoided doing her work to tread the path of God-realization. As one of her professors told her, you are not the first one done, but you keep going until you are. This kind of determination has been a hallmark of Carla’s spiritual life and service.   

Before and after our marriage Carla has served this Work we do for Mother and Master. Some things have come at her that would have been a challenge for anyone, but she is always focused on doing her own spiritual work throughout. Many have expressed their gratitude and love for her and the work she does, and this is an opportunity for me to do the same. Happy Birthday Carla, we are so pleased that you were born on—what for me is— a lucky day, Friday the 13^th.

P.S. This Sunday, before Carla and I head south, we will have Camano Island Service at 11 that will also be broadcast on YouTube–Service will be followed by a potluck. We will return to Camano in time for Easter Sunday on April 1^st. When possible, I will keep in skype contact with Centers. Ever in God and Gurus blessings.