Gabrielle Bernstein, author of May Cause Miracles and Spirit Junkie is just one of the speakers. I love her Spirit Junkie app. It's an awesome reminder of the miracles that surround me each and every day.
Not one but two yoga experiences. Both with live music.
A puja ceremony. If you don't know what one is, the Vedic Healing Institute (http://www.vedichealinginstitute.com/id4.html) has a great definition:
Puja is a ritualistic form of worship that has been used throughout the temples of India for thousands of years. The word “puja” comes from two Sanskrit words which together translate as “to create purification of the mind and to acquire virtuous qualities while removing bad qualities or karma.” Thus the act of performing a puja brings to us positive energies while simultaneously dissolving the ill effects of our negative actions.
Pujas are typically directed towards different deity forms in order to invoke the attributes of that deity, connect with the light of God, and receive blessings. Pujas may be done for specific areas of life such as health, career, relationships, spiritual growthand so forth. During a puja elaborate steps are performed by the priest (called a “pujari”) in order to cleanse and prepare the space for worship; to invoke the deity and all his/her qualities; and bring in positive energies to the puja space, to those attending the puja, and to the world at large. Pujas involve Sanskrit mantra chanting along with offerings of flowers, fruit, rice, sweets, incense, milk, honey, water and other substances.
A puja also includes a fire ceremony called a “homa.” This fire ceremony forms an integral part of the puja rituals with fire used to represent the concept of God, which may otherwise be too abstract for us to visualize. During the homa, prayer requests, beautiful garments, various metals and other substances are tossed into the fire as an offering to God and an indication of the release of our desires.
Most pujas are done with attendees simply watching the rituals; however in special instances attendees have the opportunity to participate along with the pujari, making the ceremony and the steps of the puja more meaningful. Some pujas last for a few hours and some last for days on end, where the rituals are done around the clock without a break. Before a puja, attendees prepare themselves through fasting, praying, meditating or setting conscious intentions as to how they would like puja energies directed in their own lives. Once someone decides to participate in a puja, puja energies begin to work in the person’s life, even prior to the actual ceremony.
Ultimately a puja is performed for the purpose of honoring God and receiving blessings. By performing a puja, our minds and souls become purified and negative tendencies are washed away.
Pujas are typically directed towards different deity forms in order to invoke the attributes of that deity, connect with the light of God, and receive blessings. Pujas may be done for specific areas of life such as health, career, relationships, spiritual growthand so forth. During a puja elaborate steps are performed by the priest (called a “pujari”) in order to cleanse and prepare the space for worship; to invoke the deity and all his/her qualities; and bring in positive energies to the puja space, to those attending the puja, and to the world at large. Pujas involve Sanskrit mantra chanting along with offerings of flowers, fruit, rice, sweets, incense, milk, honey, water and other substances.
A puja also includes a fire ceremony called a “homa.” This fire ceremony forms an integral part of the puja rituals with fire used to represent the concept of God, which may otherwise be too abstract for us to visualize. During the homa, prayer requests, beautiful garments, various metals and other substances are tossed into the fire as an offering to God and an indication of the release of our desires.
Most pujas are done with attendees simply watching the rituals; however in special instances attendees have the opportunity to participate along with the pujari, making the ceremony and the steps of the puja more meaningful. Some pujas last for a few hours and some last for days on end, where the rituals are done around the clock without a break. Before a puja, attendees prepare themselves through fasting, praying, meditating or setting conscious intentions as to how they would like puja energies directed in their own lives. Once someone decides to participate in a puja, puja energies begin to work in the person’s life, even prior to the actual ceremony.
Ultimately a puja is performed for the purpose of honoring God and receiving blessings. By performing a puja, our minds and souls become purified and negative tendencies are washed away.
There's also a birthday bash and dance party, featuring the Pharoahs and Anny Finestad (http://youtu.be/nnReIipqHec).
Swoon.
It's not just some sort of narcissistic fete. It's for a good. No, GREAT cause. All of this is a fundraiser for God's Love, We Deliver. Have you heard about them? No? They are one of the most amazing non-profits in NYC. They provide meals to folks who are too ill to cook (as well as their families and caregivers). It started as the AIDS epidemic was ravaging NYC in the 1980's. Today, it has expanded services to people dealing with cancer, Alzheimer's, MS and other debilitating diseases. No one is ever turned away. Ever. Watch this video to learn more: http://youtu.be/AEXfC_9iO3E
I first learned about it in the early 1990's. I had a friend from college whose uncle was dying of AIDS. He was receiving meals from them, and it really made a difference. he was just one person who was being blessed, but the blessing was so immense, almost life changing. The simple act of a meal provided him dignity. It allowed him to have nutritionally balanced, gourmet quality food to help him heal. It was an agape meal that he received daily. It continued for several years, in brightly decorated bags-school kids across the city made them-until he passed away in 1999. It was a living manifestation of my life's guiding principle:
For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ (Matthew 25:35-40 NLT)
God's Love We Deliver certainly falls in with that. In order to honor a life cut short by disease, not just my friend's uncle, but others, I became involved with them, and volunteered helping with special events. The lunchtime delivery service out of Grace Episcopal in the Village started after I stopped working in the City. Instead, I found other ways to be a part I helped pack blizzard and blackout boxes as well as helping with the winter feast. Just because you're ill doesn't mean you're forgotten.
Help Jason to celebrate his birthday and provide meals to those most in need. Click the link to make a donation:http://www.crowdrise.com/deedimemmo-biglovewknd/fundraiser/deedimemmo.
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