click here to go to gallery page
October 26, Atma Puja Diwali
The evening of the Atma Puja Diwali was an idyllic and beautiful sight. Lit candles dotted the perimeter of the cool outdoors venue enveloping the droves of participants who came to collectively celebrate this occasion on the darkest night of the year. Credit for this breathtaking set up goes to Jamby’s staff and to some community members who got to work setting up hours before. Amma’s beautiful smiling picture on stage lent her Presence as individual places for the Puja were positioned in neat lines, allowing guests to sit in pairs during the ceremony.
Shantamrita began by explaining the origins and essence of the Diwali celebration, which is always held at this particular time on the darkest night of the year. While many celebrate Diwali Festival annually, this was a first-time experience for most to learn about the significance of the Puja and to participate in a very special and solemn celebration. We were told that as we light the oil lamps we invoke the Divine and Light into all areas of our life. He shared with us the story of Krishna and how he came to marry 16,000 gopis. Even though the Philippines is a very Roman Catholic country, and many Catholics were in attendance that night, they were very happy to hear this fascinating story’s deep essence that warmed everybody’s hearts. Shantamrita led us through lively Bajans with his melodic voice, as everybody started joining in and clapping to the beat. At the heart of the Puja, everyone was asked to invoke their choice of deity, making space for each one to integrate their practiced faiths and allowing for each one to have an intimate and personal experience of the Divine. Everyone was delighted to have this generosity, openness and respect which infused the atmosphere with love and sweetness. Amma’s presence was strongly felt, a beautiful expression of light and love. The devotion and beauty of the Puja and all the feelings of love awoken in our hearts made this evening very special indeed, one to be remembered for a lifetime.
click here to go to gallery page
October 27, Tour of River Rehabilitation, Recycling Bin Seva
Manila City mayor Alfredo S. Lim met up with Shantamrita, and Manila Amma Center members led by Senator Jamby Madrigal at the newly-refurbished Paco Market situated on the banks of an estuary of the Pasig River. Part of the Pasig River Rehabilitation project, he proudly showed photos of what the river looked like before ABS CBN Foundation’s Gina Lopez’s efforts to save the river began in 2009, revealing massive amounts of just garbage and no river! Today the estero (canal) is looking clean and green, completely clear of garbage and with pollution-absorbing Vetiver planted along its riverbanks. Islands of plants are also found along with an active eco filtering system placed in strategic parts of the estero to provide health-giving enzymes to gobble up and neutralize pollutants, and serve as aerators to restore a supply of essential life-giving oxygen for the river. Gina Lopez also sits as the new chair of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), and along with the team of River Warriors that live in the shanty towns along the river who are trained to vigilantly look after their own stretch of river, they have done a truly remarkable job. Evidenced by the miraculous transformation of the Paco estero and the uplifted surrounding communities, their movement to save the Pasig River is an inspiring one which the River Warriors joyfully own up to. They proudly wore their River Warrior t-shirts and sang their caring songs that express the gift of giving new life to the river. This project is awesome in its transformation of the environment, and it’s empowerment of the people involved.
Directly behind this estero is the newly-refurbished Paco Market. Set to open by the following week, it was the venue for our seva of making recycling bins for the community. Armed with materials that included hammers, nails, paint, brushes and various lengths of wood to make frame structures to hold garbage bins, enthusiastic local helpers assisted the satsang members as they were organized into 5 working groups. It wasn’t as easy as it looked with some structures having to be dismantled half way because of lack of measurement! Everyone seemed to tremendously enjoy painting the finished models green, but more than anything the group was happy to have contributed in some way to help keep the area clean and green through proper waste segregation and recycling.
click here to go to gallery page
October 28, Maha Ganapathy
Shantamrita’s Manila visit was capped by a Maha Ganapathy Homa, which he performed early in the morning a day before his scheduled departure. Known to bring prosperity and help one overcome obstacles, the group felt extremely blessed to have him do this and to be a part of this solemn ceremony. Senator Jamby’s staff tirelessly worked on the extensive preparations from 2.30am and did an amazing job to make sure the venue was organized in time for this auspicious ritual ceremony, which started promptly at 5.30am. Bajans were sung as the group witnessed the devotion and flow of Shantamrita’s refined actions, exquisite mudras and offerings to the sacred fire. Being present to the solemnity of the ritual and bathed in its essence encouraged a deep meditative state, which truly brought about a renewal of spirit. Those who signed for donations made an offering of sweet rice into the sacred fire, after which everyone queued to receive the blessing of Prasad. Such was the feeling after the Homa that people lingered reluctant to leave this awakened gathering.
Time seemed to have gone by too soon, and the Manila Amma Center members were sad to have Shantamrita leave, although Amma’s grace was deeply felt through his presence. In a final meeting with the satsang members, he inspired the community as a group to move forward through collective action, to build and expand the community, and develop its core advocacy projects. He also encouraged each one to cultivate the 3 pillars of spiritual life: Sadhana, daily spiritual practice, Satsang, meeting with like minded people for meditation and devotion through Bajans, as well as the study of sacred scriptures, and Seva, or selfless service. Awakened in our hearts is a new passion to serve Amma. Thank you Amma for sending Shantamrita to us!
AUM NAMAH SHIVAYA