with Sri Ganesh

- 01-01-09:

AUM NAMO BHAGAVATE

MAA MAA

… To begin the year, Duraikanan, who came early and asked for Tilakam, declared to me that Sri Ganesh must wear a longi, that it is wrong for me not to dress him, as it is contrary to “Hindu philosophy”…! What can I say, a mere “foreigner” for ever condemned to ignorance…! I just look at him and smile and give him a very tiny tinny, lovely wild flower, and he simply has to be content with that…! … A number of people come and attend part of the puja; I am not sure exactly how many, as I am concentrating on the preparations; I see that Shivaram has brought his wife and child and he offers Rs. 10/-, along with flowers and incense; but others too brought flowers and it took me that much longer to get ready for the Aarti… This unexpected affluence was a little embarrassing at first, as I was not sure what they were all expecting; but it turned out to be very simple. Only, Sri Ganesh, for the first time I found myself, without the slightest intention to do so, laying my hand in blessing: it first just happened spontaneously and almost playfully with Krishnaswamy, as a friend or rather a younger brother; but then Shivaram saw that and at once, and just as spontaneously, asked for it as well, first for himself and then for his wife and daughter… I understand it is simply because I am having some privileged contact with Sri Ganesh, or at least something of Sri Ganesh, and therefore they will receive the blessing from Sri Ganesh through me and I am only instrumental: this is very clear. But I am aware of the margin of personal play which can enter into it and take advantage of it and how it occurs in so many instances everywhere in the world… … My only prayer for this New Year has been: to become more conscious… Oh, let awareness grow and develop, intensify and expand and be more accurate, let awareness grow, let awareness grow… Awareness is needed…

219