Generosity of Friends and Strangers

Memorial Day Altar to Them (and crystal mala)

Ever since we have been together now, some 32 years, we have always found a special place for our altar -- a treasure of objects, photos and gifts that we use to remind us of our own spiritual path and philosophical truths. And, with the sudden outbreak of the fire that destroyed our home and urgent evacuation, all of these tokens and reminders were left behind. 

Rather than naming all of the objects, here are some of the photos we have taken, some seasonal, and others, like the "Memorial Day" altar, a remembrance of friends and teachers who have guided our journey. Of particular importance, however was the figures of Ganesh, and Tsonghakpa, the hand carved walrus tusk pipe, and quartz crystal mala

that I used to recite my Sanskrit japa for meditation.

Winter Altar filed with white objects (and mala)

Over the past weeks, I have often thought about replacing some things, but it never felt right to just go out and buy them, so I have waited, and gradually items have come one by one. First a Ganesh,  then a Minoan snake goddess, a "diamond" faceted crystal, another Ganesh, rose pedals, hand carved moon, dark quartz crystal, and yet, another Ganesh. But the one thing I seemed to miss most was the crystal mala that fit perfectly on my wrist. I also knew this was something I could not simply buy.

Today, while buying dinner in Foodland for our host family, I noticed that the woman in line in front of us was wearing a mala just like the one that was lost. I tentatively reached out and touched her arm lightly and asked her where she got her crystal mala.

Gifts of Ganesh -- and my new crystal mala

What followed next was nearly unbelievable. I explained I was hoping to replace my mala and she volunteered she was visiting from Maui where she not only made malas, but had a practice similar to mine! She began to ask for my contact so she could send me one, but then hesitated and asked me to wait a moment as she finished her transaction.

We stepped aside and she began to speak Sanskrit words that were immediately recognizable. As she began to unwrap her mala she gently took my hand so she could wrap it around my wrist. With each turn she offered a Sanskrit verse.

With tears flowing down my face I tried to thank her -- but she insisted that she thank ME for the opportunity to make this offering (ho'okupu) to me. And, now, I can't even remember her name -- and also know that it doesn't really matter. Mahalo Nui Loa!

"Waiting Is - I Grok"

Mid-right you can see the ship in the open nook.

"Steady there wahine."

Admittedly the title of this blog will connect with a certain group of people.  Then again, it also ties in with some of the PUNATIC philosophy like "Go With The Flow," or, "It's Just a Matter of Time."

When we bought our Hawai'i hale (house) early in 2012, Phil saw a little triangular open space in the high wall between the open plan living area and the kitchen. He felt that his model sailing ship, a British Frigate (HMS Victory) would fit perfectly there -- and so it did (see photo.)

Inset shows detail 

I on the other hand, felt that the long beam (16' high) running the length of the house and through the living area would be the place for my own very special piece -- a hand made Hindu wedding canopy we bought from a trader when we owned Many Hands Gallery in Eureka.

It has hand embroidery, tiny mica "mirrors," scenes of Ganesh, dancing wedding couple, Krishna playing his flute, peacocks, Sanskrit blessings and other traditional scenes of India.

For many years it hung in our (built-in 1860) Victorian -- and I had always planned --- to put it up here in our Hawai' house..

(waiting is....) Four years later, we find we ourselves changing all the many light bulbs in the house -- to make our now full-house solar set up the most efficient and thus, now have the appropriate ladder to ALSO (finally) hang up the wedding canopy....kind of a perfect thing for this year's Christmas

Celebrating Christmas with FOUR generations!!!  Grandma REBA-BO-BEBA standing on the side, I"I LANI watching baby TASHA on GREAT GRANDMA's lap.  What a family!!

Remember to "CLICK" on any photo to enlarge.

Ganesh

Ganesh - Greeter at our front gate.

For many years we have had a special place in our home for a statue of Ganesh – beloved elephant deity of many people, but most particularly people of the Hindu faith.  Are we Hindu?  No, but the teachings of Lord Ganesh go far beyond a spiritual practice and include layers of thoughtful heart/mind wisdom.  Some people only know of Ganesh as the “remover of obstacles” – but he is also Lord of Word and Light. 

 

During the 22 years we owned Many Hands Gallery in Eureka, we always found people were attracted to Ganesh.  Ganesh was such a popular image  that I began to create

meditation rocks using a variety Ganesh images

New altar with Ganesh for the New Year

In learning and using Sanskrit chants for many years, perhaps the most important teaching I have learned is that in all actuality “I” am the biggest obstacle I will ever meet.  You don’t have to ascribe to a Hindu belief system to appreciate that “getting out of our own way” is a valuable life teaching.

When we retired and moved to the Big Island of Hawaii, we were thrilled to find an artist who made a BIG Ganesh statue in cement which we bought for the garden area at the front gate to our property.  And, for the New Year we set up a altar -- decorating it with all white treasures to represent a fresh new beginning for 2015.