Celebrating the Divine Mother

I never thought I would be bowing at the feet of the Divine Mother…at least not in this lifetime.

September 27th marked the 60th Birthday of my Beloved Guru, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, otherwise known as “The Hugging Saint”. I didn’t fly off to Kerala and celebrate at Her Holy feet like many of my friends and fellow devotees. I didn’t rise at 4:45am and sit for my 40 minute daily meditation in front of my Altar. And I didn’t chant bhajans (devotional songs) for hours on end in her honor. But here is what I did do. Much like the night of Devi Bhava at one of her Spiritual Retreats, the eve before Her Birthday I gave up sleep to work tirelessly on Her birthday present; a one day festival of Yoga, Meditation, Kirtan, Ayurveda, Art, Dance, Massage, Spiritual and Health – related presentations, Silent Auction, Food, Organic Gardening,  and Family Fun in the beautiful Sunken Gardens to benefit Her Charity, Embracing the World.

On September 27th on less than two hours of sleep I went about the rest of my day; taking my son to school, volunteering at All Children’s Hospital (a program I started which offers yoga and meditation to sick children as a free service), making phone calls from my office (my car), picking up my son, grabbing a power nap and driving out to Clearwater to teach a “Gentle heart-opening practice (yoga) in honor of the Divine Mother” and falling into bed next to my already asleep sacred husband.   Your Grace was all around me Amma, as I did my best to Love and Serve the needs of my Family, my Community and of course, You, God’s Love in a human body…

Happy Birthday Amma!!! You have inspired me beyond the limited possibilities of the mind to live for something far greater – the limitless possibilities of the Heart. It is You who have inspired me to be a better me; a better mother, wife, daughter, friend, teacher, student…

Seven years ago I didn’t even know what God Consciousness meant or what the Eastern concept of surrender/ bhakti (devotion) was.  Now, through Your tremendous guidance and influence I have come to know the meaning of life; to Love unconditionally and  serve with compassion. To create. Inspire. Lift others up. BE the change or peace.  Lead by example.  Meditate and find Anand (bliss).

It is said that when the student is ready the Teacher will appear. I didn’t expect a Master of Meditation, a world re-known Humanitarian and Spiritual Leader to show up at my door. I certainly couldn’t have asked for a better hugger! Thank you for blessing my life so completely. For watching over my son, keeping my family together, reminding me of the sanctity of Marriage and the important things in life.

Aum Amriteswaryai Namah

Always at your feet,

Vandana

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