Luthar.Com: HarshaSatsangh » Luthar.com

A Message from Heaven By Cathy Ginter

Cathy Ginter — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:16:01 +0000

Beloved Earth Children ~

As this Solstice season approaches, we extend this invitation so that you might rediscover your most essential nature. . .

Stand near a tree in the forest and learn the way of being still and rooted in silence. Bend like colorful wildflowers, splayed across the spring meadow, and bow to the wind. Shimmer with a crystal in the palm of your hand and allow its energy to heal your body, mind and spirit. Dance to the river’s current, flowing downstream, and experience the full meaning of surrender.

Shine as the stars, high in the heavens, and be inspired to realize your infinite potential. Leap with the whales in the sea so your soul song might be carried by the waves. Soar like a falcon, circling the open sky, and see yourself, spreading your light into wings of freedom. Stretch your body with a cat to practice yoga. Serve others like a dog, ever loyal, trustworthy and true.

Heed the wisdom prayers of the Grandmothers and the elders of the gathering tribes and recognize that there is one Life and one Source that moves through all form. Have the faith of a gardener and cultivate patience, compassion and kindness. Breathe with the rhythm of the drum, and your heart will beat stronger. Play like a baby with innocence, joy and laughter.

Remember that you are the promise of your generation. Each day, the seeds of your actions cause the ripples of your humanity to travel beyond time and space. Therefore, do your best to be a living demonstration of the beauty of devotion, the power of courage and the triumph of perseverance. Above all, never forget that we offer you our unconditional love always.

Blessings from the Universe, All is Well, Be in Peace

A Message from Heaven © December 2011 ~ Cathy Ginter

Photoart by Cathy Ginter

www.cathyginter.com

Angel Dance By Cathy Ginter

Cathy Ginter — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:10:00 +0000

Angels dance only with You, Beloved and only before You, do I bow in adoration. You may accept me or not, but I will be at your feet forever. ~ Rumi

We find ourselves in the midst of a magical and mystical Universe. Simply gazing at the expanse of the night sky and watching the beauty of a star spinning across space is awe-inspiring. And yet, we too often overlook the certainty that we are a part of this grand matrix of light. Instead, we focus on the faults that we carelessly present to one another. In so doing, we diminish not the love of God, but our own connection to that love.

And still, the angels look upon us with such compassion! How can we not feel their presence, enfolding us in the gentle caress of love’s sweet breath? In the face of this unconditional love, what is fear but the forgetfulness of our Source… what is shyness but closed eyes that merely need to open… and what is jealousy but turning our backs on our own gifts. Regardless, the invitation to join in the everlasting peace and still harmony of the symphony is always right here for each of us has our dance of devotion to reflect the angels’ joy.

Can we sing the lost song of the caged bird? Can we finally remember our name?

Angel Dance © September 2011 ~ Cathy Ginter

Photoart by Cathy Ginter

www.cathyginter.com

Tapestry By Cathy Ginter

Cathy Ginter — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:46:05 +0000

This place where you are right now, God circled on a map for you. ~ Hafiz

How do we know that this is our place? Even if we completely lack faith in God, we know this simply because here is where we are. We might think it is hidden under the leaf on the morning glory vine that winds its way through and around the garden gate. Or we might go seeking past our own backyard for the treasure that is always given from within. Must we continue the search, or are all of our antics merely a game we play to catch God’s attention?

Regardless of how hard we try to look elsewhere, this moment is the gateway to our eternity. In seeing this, we realize that all of this running about betrays our spiritual heritage. Now, we can relax our hold on the spool and allow the threads to naturally fall into place on the loom. And if we are bold enough, we might dare to imagine this beautiful tapestry made in the perfect reflection of God’s love for us even when we can barely see a single strand.

Tapestry © August 2011 ~ Cathy Ginter

Photoart by Cathy Ginter

www.cathyginter.com

Beloved Arunachala! By Helene Averous

Helene Averous — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:54:12 +0000

There is a secret
In this mountain
Words cannot capture
The magnificence
Of Arunachala
Something mysterious
Flowing from there.

Still and silent
Always present
In every flower
Every stone
Every bird
Every being.
In sky and earth
And in between

What is the secret of Arunachala?

I cannot say for sure
It embraces all life
And shows
Everything is
Holy
All is pure
Grace
Flowing endlessly.

AUM!

Editor’s note: The poem was edited from the original submission made by Helene-ji.

Harsh K. Luthar

Hands of Grace By Cathy Ginter

Cathy Ginter — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:35:32 +0000

You have not danced so badly, my dear, trying to hold hands with the Beautiful One. You have waltzed with great style, my sweet, crushed angel, to have ever neared God’s heart at all. ~ Hafiz

There is something so simple and yet so extraordinary about hands, coming together. I find the manner in which fingers interlock and the skin of one warms the other irresistible. Hands of lovers, sweetness sharing; hands of children, joyfully swinging back and forth; hands of healers, radiating rays of light; hands of strangers, meeting in a welcoming hold are all quite exquisite, but I am especially fond of large hands for the firm strength and secure confidence they offer.

Still, no hands are as powerful as God’s hands. These are the hands of love, encircling the world with the blessed sounds of celestial harps, playing on the wind in the middle of the dark of night, bringing a promise of hope when all else seems lost. Within the calm of such quiet comfort, we have the singular chance to leap from the edge of the highest mountaintop, freefalling in midair, knowing full well that we will be caught by the ever waiting hands of Grace. How lucky are we, who recognize the infinite majesty hidden in the jewel of absolute trust.

Hands of Grace © July 2011 ~ Cathy Ginter

Photoart by Cathy Ginter

www.cathyginter.com

In His Grace-Gananjali

Radhe — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 01:38:40 +0000

“I do not reside in Vaikuntha, or in the hearts of ascetics.

I dwell in the hearts of the devotees who sing about me.” Padma Purana

Back in March of 2009, I wrote about the music of Sundar Narayana in http://luthar.com/in-his-grace/ Since then, he has had another stroke, but that has not stopped him or his family from continuing to dedicate themselves to make the music devoted to Sree Guruvayurappa available to others. In addition to more CD’s of the music, a book of his compositions has been published. I was blessed to be able to attend the Sundarana Narayana book release at Bridgewater Temple in New Jersey on July 16, 2011.

The night before the book release, I had gone to check on some plants for my friend who was in India for two months and had left them out on the patio for her neighbor to water. She had been away now for 6 weeks and I wanted to check on the condition of the plants, since some of them had been kind of straggly before she left. I went prepared to prune them so they would look nice when she returned. There were a few jasmine plants there and they were all in profuse bloom, with the fragrant flowers fallen to the ground around them and into the top of the pots they were in. I decided not to just let them wither there, but took a bunch of the newly fallen blooms intending to make a mala but not knowing what it would adorn.

In thinking of it, I knew that they would not last until Monday for Rudrabishekam so I decided I would use them for Gananjali. Not knowing whether there would be any small murthies, it crossed my mind to make them for my hair, as I seen women do at other concerts in the past. In the car on the way, with our driver driving faster than the speed of light, I discussed options with Bhadra, who was sitting next to me. Marvelling at my own ability to stitch in such speedy conditions, I then made one small mala, using all of the blooms. I put it in my purse, still not knowing what it would adorn. The program had not yet started when we arrived and I looked around for Sreedeviji and Sundara Narayana. The room was bustling with activity, microphones still being set up and people coming into the room to be seated, chatting to each other as they waited for the signal that the program was about to start.

Up on the stage, there was a small pujya, a framed murthy of Shri Guruvayurappa and a small Ganesha.

I turned to Bhadra and asked her what she thought I should do with the mala I had made and she told me to do what I thought was right. Here we were at the Bridgewater Temple, where I had never been before and so a part of my mind told me that I should offer the mala to a deity in the temple if we went there later for darshan (we never made it); another part, the part that won, told me that I was here for the Gananjali book release and that the mala was for here.

At the same time this thought ruled the day, I looked up onto the stage and saw the woman who I knew must be Sreedevi auntie standing there with some others near the pujya. I rose from my seat and went up to the front of the stage. Since we only knew each other from the Guruvayur group and had never met, as I looked up and she looked down I asked the silly question…”Do you recognize me?” She laughed and told me that of course she did. I handed her the mala, trusting that it would find its way to where it belonged.

I went back to my seat and began chatting with Bhadra. When I looked up I saw that Sreedeviji had walked across the stage with the mala hanging from her wrist. I wondered what she would do with it!

Moving to the back of the stage she disappeared. When she came down to the front on the other side, Bhadra nudged me and said, “Look, she is wearing it in her hair!” I looked over and there, fitting perfectly around the bun in the back of her head, was the mala. I could not think of a better place for it adorn!!! In fact, I felt as if it were indeed a blessing that the mala I made was adorning her hair on this special day. It seems like it was a day of malas…

During the first of the performances, one of the strings of numerous garlands, that which was directly under the poster which decorated the back of the stage, fell to the ground. It seems the Lord had His own ideas as to where the garlands should be!

Swami Siddhanandaji was kind enough to offer the blessings for the book release and Sundara Narayana received those blessings with bowed head and overflowing heart. What he could not say in words, limited now by the effects of his recent strokes, emanated from his eyes, speaking volumes, alive with all the things he could not say. There is a certain look someone has when Grace is flowing and he had this look.

As he came onstage to perform the blessing for the book, Swamiji picked up the fallen garland and placed it at the pujya around the picture of Sree Guruvayurappan and commented that the Lord had wanted it to decorate His image and so made it fall. He also commented later that the Lord does not always manifest in form but in small symbolic events like this, a blessing upon the event for sure, and a blessing upon the composer…

So many people were there who loved him dearly, so many wonderful musicians giving life to his words and his songs, and Narayanakutty himself, a presence of kindness, devotion, and grace under the fire of the Lord’s prasadam. His humility was endearing. The devotion of Sreedevi to her family and her husband was such a joy to see. It is funny how you get a feel for someone by their online presence and this is true of her. She exudes the same kind and gentle energy in person that you can feel in her posts to the Guruvayur forum.

The speakers ranged from family members to patrons and friends for many years, all united in their love for and admiration of Sundar Narayana and his family, and, of course, their devotion to the Lord.

And then there was Sundara Narayana Uncle, who spoke a few words, quite an achievement in light of his recent stroke. As Sreedevi Aunty told me: “These were his own sentences, which Emily, the speech therapist printed out and he read from there.” He said, ” Hari Om. Welcome to you all. Lots of things have happened in the last few months, some of it good, some of it bad. All according to God’s will. All are prasadam to me. My wife and two wonderful kids, I have are given to me by God. I am blessed with wonderful family and friends. I am also blessed to know my wonderful speech therapist, Emily Sweet and her husband Eric.”

To honor his accomplishment and to support his efforts, Emily and her husband came to the event and, although unfamiliar with the traditions and carnatic music, stayed the entire time, surely experiencing the benefit of this exposure to culture and Grace!

The afternoon was filled with devotional music, all written by Sundara Narayana, krithis rendered by local musicians as well as a concert by performing artist Sankaran Namboothiri. The versatility of carnatic music was evidenct in the spontaneity of the performances, accompanied by accomplished violinist Smitha Krishnan and mridangam player Akshay Ananth.

By the end of the program two more garlands had fallen, the Lord’s blessings upon the offering and an expression of His love.

The book itself is a lovely hardcover with the classic image of Guruvayurappa, containing 200 of the works he has written to date, along with an MP3 containing approximately 82 of the recorded versions of some of the works.

Just like when you spend time with family, you leave with a fullness of heart and a sense of peace of belonging, so, too, when we join together in sangha with our spiritual family, the heart is filled with bhakti and I left feeling blessed and happy that I was able to share in this day of the expression of One becoming many in sweet sangha. Krishna!!!! Guruvayurappa!!! OM Namo Narayanaya!!!

Forgive Again By Cathy Ginter

Cathy Ginter — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:07:57 +0000

This beautiful and heart-felt devotional passage from Rumi reminds me of my forgiveness practice: “Come, come, whoever you are wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving, it doesn’t matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vow a thousand times. Come, yet again, come, come.”

So often, I am asked how we are to forgive what is seemingly unforgivable. I can only relate what works for me in trust that it might guide you into a space of greater peace and wider acceptance as well. I begin with the understanding that all forgiveness arises from the same place; that is, we all want to heal. From this vantage point, I acknowledge that it can be just as challenging to come to terms with the betrayal of a trust or a careless misunderstanding as it is to forgive cruelty and abuse of women and children.

Next, I suggest that we forgive and forgive again.

Still, the ultimate meeting with the most remarkable truth is the recognition that we only need ever forgive ourselves for we are the ones who have forgotten our innocence. And in the seeing of this singular realization, everything is finally washed away like a perfect summer rainstorm. Personally, I love the darkening of the sky, the heavy downpour filled with the deep drum of thunder and the brilliant flashes of lightning, the breaking through of the most magnificent sunlight as it streams through the clouds and at last, the appearance of a spectacular rainbow.

Likewise, in any conflict or struggle, there is a relaxing and a smiling that longs to happen, and happen yet again. So I say: yes, be willing to forgive and forgive again even if it takes a hundred thousand times, forgive again.

Original photograph by Cathy Ginter

www.cathyginter.com

Shiva and Shakti: By Latha Ramanan

sivashakti — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:21:17 +0000

In me dwells both Siva & Sivaai,

As reality within Heart of the I.

Editor’s comment: These two lines are from the original and longer poem by Latha-ji. The Siva-Shakti image is from the Internet.

Note: (Sivaai is synonym for Shakti)

The Grace of This Moment: By Cathy Ginter

Cathy Ginter — Fri, 13 May 2011 21:38:35 +0000

Each moment contains a hundred messages from God: To every cry of “Oh Lord,” He answers a hundred times, “I am here.” ~ Rumi

While the sun slips over the western woods, the evening colors turn the sky to the softest shades of heather. The slanting light leaves long shadows across the back of my hand. I gently rotate the lens and play with blush and silhouette as they intermingle, come and go. When the hum of a bumblebee soars into sight, I watch it dive deeply into a hanging heart to grab its last fill of nectar before the day is complete.

I am quite pleased when a mere whisper of the calmest breeze lifts a flawless flower to my eye. In truth, I am merely a spectator to this single instant in time in which the real treasure is the bliss of capturing this one shot. Smiling, I invite a fine line of luminosity to linger between leaf and petal, halting the midair dance of movement. Holding my breath, I frame a perfectly focused bead in the crosshairs, slowly press the shutter and catch the Grace of this moment.

I shot this photograph of the Bleeding Hearts in the Safe Harbor Garden.

http://www.cathyginter.com/

In Clear Sight: By Cathy Ginter

Cathy Ginter — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:47:57 +0000

“The lamps are different, but the Light is the same. One matter, one energy, one Light, one Light-mind, endlessly emanating all things.” ~ Rumi

Each moment is extraordinarily beautiful when we simply open our eyes and see. As Rumi shares with such poetic grace, we are one, undivided and interconnected. Regardless of appearances, there is no separation between us and all that there is. In this timeless, spaceless state, there is no disconnect between being and becoming. Perhaps this understanding reveals the true reason we feel such physical and emotional agitation when there is a persistent struggle going on in our minds.

Truly, we are blessed when we can pause and inquire: Can we acknowledge that we create the gap of separation between ourselves and the world? Can we recognize that when we become identified with the object of our attention, we kindle patterns of resistance? Can we watch ourselves become trapped in our own misperception as the illusion catches us? Do we realize that when we no longer have the ability to distinguish it as a misperception, we close our eyes to our true nature and drift into a state of forgetfulness?

All of these questions arise from Consciousness that is cognizant even during our slumber. This part of our psyche must either weep or laugh at what we are missing in our bouts of blindness. Yet with eyes wide open, in clear sight, we see ourselves with the majesty of a single drop of light, floating on the surface of the sea, following the stream of the current and merging into the one Light-mind. In an instant, the lamp is no longer important for it vanishes in the brilliance of the Love’s light, shining forth.

http://www.cathyginter.com/

Luthar.Com: HarshaSatsangh » Luthar.com

A Message from Heaven By Cathy Ginter

More interesting articles

Angel Dance By Cathy Ginter

More interesting articles

Tapestry By Cathy Ginter

More interesting articles

Beloved Arunachala! By Helene Averous

Related Articles

Hands of Grace By Cathy Ginter

More interesting articles

In His Grace-Gananjali

Related Articles

Forgive Again By Cathy Ginter

More interesting articles

Shiva and Shakti: By Latha Ramanan

Related Articles

The Grace of This Moment: By Cathy Ginter

More interesting articles

In Clear Sight: By Cathy Ginter

Related Articles