closer ever more…

I would say it was one of the best retreats I have ever taken!  It was simply great in a way the built up my spiritual life in a permanent sense.  Every day we were up at 5 to meditate on the deck overlooking lake tahoe.  I would quit at 7 and start a big breakfast for everyone…i got to do my now famous blueberry-banana pancakes three times.  grin.  after we got that all out of the way, it was devotional singing at 9:15 until 10.  then the swami (the abbot of my monastery) gave a spiritual talk on the “crest jewel of discrimination,” a book of Sankara philosophy.  we started the book in 2002 and finally finished this year!  don’t know what will be started next, but i hope to live to finish it.  grin.  anyway, at 12 was a walk in the woods with swami and then meditation until about 1:15.  then the guys would get together and cook a big lunch together and we were free to hike or swim until 5.  At five was some more devotional singing with an hour of meditation afterwards.  A big dinner followed with an evening of readings by the devotees from the works of swami Vivekananda with commentary by the swami in charge.  i collapsed promptly into bed at 10 every night.

Beyond the schedule, though, was a beautiful spiritual current that built up through the week.  it was exactly what i had hoped for following my vows the week before.  it was such a sweetness that still carries me a bit when i think of it.  i have added significantly to my meditation schedule in an effort to push forward.  the Divine is palpable and I would really like to talk to god in time.  grin.  who wouldn’t?  i just read today in the spiritual teachings of swami Brahmananda that only the pure in heart get that opportunity, so that seems to be the business at hand.  i have been cranking out the japa all day as a starter.  you never get there without starting.

I’m glad to be back and have stored up a bunch of stuff to share from the week…mostly readings.  i did figure out the video on the monastery cell phone, so i might try a goofy video or something.

here’s to seeing god.