Diwali Has Spoken!
Posted on November 13, 2004 in personal.
I opened the door to John carrying his sleeping bag and a few tools. He was smiling, as always. When I asked him a quick question, he zipped his fingers over his mouth to signal silence. I pump my fist. The time has come. The show is on.
Today is Indian New Year, the day after Diwali. True to India's ways of abundance, there's actually four days of celebration -- Dhanteras, Kali Chaudas, Diwali and Bestuvarsh (New Year). And I've had an interesting four days this year.
My mom served up the usual feast to random dharma friends on Wednesday as my homies -- Viral and Guri -- spontaneously took for a 10-day meditation camp. John and I plotted a stealth mode service project and we got so excited, he's moving in for the week! Incidentally, it was the eleventh day of the eleventh month when we decided to crank it up with full verbal silence, fasting, and 3 hours of daily meditation. Mark Peters rolled in from Iowa the next day ... on Diwali, coincidentally! As usual, we both stayed up till 4AM and ended up ringing in the New Year with inspired conversations.
As is customary, I also connected with family and friends that were around; practically everyone shared their gratitude for CharityFocus (courtesy of this month's big story in India Currents).
Unconditional service. Meditative silence. Affinities with good friends. Gratitude from the world. It is going to be an interesting year. :)