from: J.R.
  to: 54 devotees
date: Sat, Jul 22, 2017 at 4:40 PM
subj: garland fragrance

Dear Friends,

Today I am ending the third week of my stay in Tampa Florida with a day of rest. Have been staying in a lovely little cottage that is a retreat house on the grounds of Lotus Pond Yoga Center since July 2. It is such Grace to be given this time to work in Bhagavan's Hall, often alone, painting the border design based on the original in the Old Hall at Sri Ramanasramam. David, who was here for two weeks and who designed the template and cut the stencils for the design, Mathy, Paramiah and Yogini make up the rest of the team that has been working to finish this project hopefully by the end of next week.

Mathy and Dr.Rathinasamy, whose devotion to Bhagavan brought this historically accurate replica of the Old Hall into being, have been bringing cooked meals almost daily that we eat at a picnic table under a large live oak tree. While we eat we watch the many varieties of birds here; even a peacock, pea hen and two chicks! The peacock graced David and I with a full display on our first visit to the hall upon arriving here. I have seen a very large turtle, a black snake and lots of squirrels gorging themselves at Mathy's bird feeders.

The progress on the unfinished house behind the hall that will be the Rathinasamy residence has been slow, but once it is finished, it will more than meet the needs of devotees who are paying a visit or who are there for the monthly satsangs. The sub-tropical setting reminds one of being at Sri Ramanasramam; the Tampa Hindu Temple is just a short walk down the road, the yoga center, which has a large following, an ayurvedic practitioner, and lovely grounds, is also a short walk away in the opposite direction. This part of Lynn Road is a very natural setting with ponds, natural cypress swamps, and large sheltering live oak trees in abundance. The temple canteen serves wonderful dosas and other traditional South Indian dishes. All that is needed is a chai shop across the road!

The border design itself is what I would refer to as folk art. Yogini, an artist herself, told me that the traditional way of making the design was to carve each motif from a block of wood, add paint and then stamp the wall to create the border, much in the same way that designs on fabric are created. I am not aware of any meanings associated with the symbols in the design, but having an active imagination, and lots of time to consider the possibilities, I would like to offer a few:

The "trees" at the top could represent the Vedas
The alternating flowers could be the devotees
  (not sure what the silver leaves could represent? Any suggestions?)
The larger white and yellow flowers (which remind me of bouquets really) I think of as the satsang groups around the world; those in existence and those yet to be formed.

Any other more historically or symbolically accurate suggestions are welcome. I have also speculated on what Bhagavan's response was (if one can put it that way) while this work was being done. Did He assist? What might He have said to the artisans involved?

It has been very beneficial to slow down (still in the process - not there yet) and to surrender to this work. Have been keeping up the sadhana on most days to sit for the Vedas at around 5 or 5:30 in the afternoon. Of course I fall asleep mostly, but I tell myself that it is beneficial regardless! Please come to Vedas if you can and maybe I will stay awake ;)

For devotees, Bhagavan's presence can be experienced in the hall in the same way that He can be found in the other centers that have been consecrated to Him. There is no denying that it is His will that this hall is here and what will come of this blessing is ours to discover over time. But in being with Him time and space melt away and we can be on the other side of the world, at Sri Ramanasramam by just letting go of the thoughts that orient our perceptions.

In His Love,
  j