Retreat in the Heart of Darjeeling

Look. New improvements at the ashram of Chananda Cultural Society in New Delhi, India. I love the awning so people can sit in the shade. We are ready for our guests to arrive on Wednesday and talk about the teachings of the ascended masters and the spiritual violet “Agni” or fire.

And so they arrived eager to discuss and share on Wednesday and Thursday. Professors, students, retired military officers, mothers, fathers…people from every walk of life. One young man told how his life had changed after he learned how to work with the violet fire. He said he was calmer and more stable. Another man who was in the military described how his major had a group give violet flame mantras during recent border disputes with China and suddenly there was a settlement.

Jaspal, Ana Maria and myself were also happy to share examples from our lives and to meet with people and pray for them.

On one of the following days we headed across the street to share in the joy of ice cream for the eight children who participate in our “School in the Park” program and to present them with small, practical gifts Ana Maria’s young granddaughter had picked out. Some of the children had to be shown how to eat the ice cream and all were in awe of the simple toys they received and a new pair of pants and top. Their teacher, provided by Chananda Cultural Society, is shown seated on the mat.

These are children of the contract laborers who help maintain the park and who live in makeshift houses on the premises.

Our work with them has been going on for close to a year and has been well received.

Time for relaxation with a dosa (thin, crispy pancake with vegetable filling), kulfi (a unique kind of ice cream with noodles and rose water), and hands painted with henna. Now that is India.