We’ve just finished a program in honor of Paramhansa Yogananda’s mahasamadhi, which occurred on March 7, 1952. There is a powerful current of energy that is released on special holy days, especially the birthday of a great master and the anniversary of his passing. Like a surfer riding a giant wave, we can make rapid progress if we make a sincere spiritual effort at these sacred times.
Ananda’s celebration took place at a lovely retreat center, The School of Ancient Wisdom, near Bangalore, India. Created only twenty years ago, this center already has powerful vibrations, because it was created from divine inspiration and because only spiritual groups use it. While our group of seventy was here, there was also another, similar-sized group dedicated to Babaji, who come here annually. The environment itself is very beautiful, filled with artwork, trees, and flowers. Beauty, in itself, adds a high vibration, reminding one subconsciously of the astral world.
The original Zen gardens started as pleasure gardens or small paradises. Next, they developed into replications of famous scenes, created to save the emperor from having to make an arduous journey. Finally, they evolved into the more symbolically stylized gardens we see now. No matter what the outward form, whenever a garden is created, a little of the astral world descends to earth.
Swami Kriyananda always created beauty around him—in architecture, expansive views, simple but lovely possessions, and especially flowers. Crystal Hermitage, where he lived, is famous for its annual tulip festival. Each April more than ten thousand tulips delight five or six thousand visitors, some of whom have said that these are the most beautiful gardens they’ve ever seen. Paramhansa Yogananda wrote, “In the flowers and blossoms, with their fragrance and their colorful quilts of petals, God smiles invitingly, as if to tell us, ‘Remember Me.’”
Indian devotees enjoy the shapes and colors of God’s blossoms, and make amazing altar decorations as a symbol of their love for Him. Whenever we do a program, flower arrangements line the walkway to the temple or satsang hall. Then comes the altar. Ah, the altar! There is rarely anything quite like it in the West. Every picture is adorned with a garland, as is the altar itself. Marigold garlands spill down onto the floor, onto chairs, and sometimes into the entire room.
We recently held an initiation into Kriya Yoga in Chennai, where flower decorations are beyond spectacular. As a part of the Kriya ceremony, each person offers flowers on the altar. In the West, this is usually a single flower, often a rose, or, at most, a single bouquet. Not so in Chennai. Person after person came to the altar, some with trays full of blossoms. Nor did they simply place them in front of an image and leave, as a Westerner would do. They began to decorate the altar. I began, just for a moment, to grow a little impatient with the time this was taking. “Couldn’t they be a little more efficient?” I wondered. And then I caught myself, and laughed at my folly. Which does God treasure more: efficiency or devotion? As I relaxed, I began first to enjoy, and then to marvel at the love being expressed.
Yes, I thought, flowers are a symbol of God’s love for us. And of ours for Him.
In the love of flowers,
Nayaswami Jyotish
21 Comments
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish Ji,
Thank you for the letter :). The Ancient school of Wisdom was such an amazing, uplifting space . Spending those 2 days with you , Devi ji , other acharyas and Gurubhais to honour the anniversary of our Beloved Master’s Mahasamadhi.
Similarly , Sri Karthikeyan Ji felt happy as well to see the flower decorations when he entered the hall at BVB for the talk in Chennai . He enjoyed the Rangoli flower decorations . Enquired on who made and asked to pass the gratitude for such a beautiful arrangements.
I am looking forward to visit the Ananda Village to see the beautiful Tulips. Master & Swamiji , I have placed my request :)
In Master’s Love…
Prem
This is a lovPerfectely article. I taught a flower arranging class yesterday and I wish I had known these words to share with my students. Thank you!
Dear All,
Namaskar and Pranam
Very interesting to read the msg, but at the same time, I regret, that having the function at Bangalore, I missed it, I am also sincere disciple and follower of Shri Yoganand Paramhansaji, Pls give the address of Bangalore, So that, I can make to attend any function next.
Stay Blessed with Divine Grace.
Kindly inform
With Best Regards & God Bless!
Dayanand Patil
Dear Dayanand Patil,
Aum Guru,
Nice Name you have, Daya + Anand.
For your query, Ananda Sangha center at Bangalore is at No. 1229, 28th main road, 34th cross, Jayanagar 4th T block, Bangalore-560041
You can get exact info http://anandabangalore.org/
Contact numbers: +91 9741181595 or +91 9900027410
In Master’s service
Ilango
Chennai
Dear Jyotish Ji,
Thank you so much for the wonderful time and experiences for the past weeks at Chennai and Bangalore.
This article is so subtle but deep, help me to understand the heart and mind functions for a same situation or moment. This helps to slow down the thinking mind and let the heart take over, expand and enjoy. Thank you so much..
With Gratitude & Love
Joy
Ilango
Wonderfull words,
refreshing the Alter
of my devotion.
Pranam Ji’s
Thanks for sharing your beautiful thoughts about the Decoration of Flowers at Ananda Chennai and the Gardens at Ananda Village US and last week Bangalore Ancient school of Wisdom. I missed this Event , having attended Last year I still remember the beautiful Atmosphere and Vibrations.
With Gratitude
R sundararajan
“What is Love? Is It only ours, or does Love whisper in the flowers? Surely we children of this world could not love by our own powers.
What is Love? What is Love? Is it Love we touch in the flowers?”
Joy to you, Jyotish for sharing your experience. Roses, marigolds, jasmine everywhere. In my Catholic tradition, we would bank the altars with lilies at Easter and has a special tribute to the Mother in May. At this celebration we would make a procession while sprinkling the way with petals and then crown her image with flowers. They are a wonderful expressions of the heart’s natural love.
I found this charming. Thank you for giving us a look at how the Indian disciples express their devotion with (lots of) flowers. The last part, your impatience, was funny to me, perhaps because it was so human, like one of the ancient stories of Indian saints whose “folly” is often revealed (and healed) through humor. Joy to you, Jyotish.
That is beautiful dear Jyotish ~ many flowers and the devotees adorning the altar with so much LOVE ~ forgetting about time and entering the temple of the heart ~ May Divine Mother and Master teach me to love so much, that while I am loving, I forget who I love and realize that the love I feel, is for God who is present in all ~ AUM ~ Jai Guru Jai ~ mariana
Thank you so much for the flower story. It reminds us that love and devotion are the most important aspects of this life. We can see that God gives us everything that is happening in this world . We can go through our trials and joys alike, by offering one flower petal at a time in gratitude for the opportunity to grow closer to Him.
Dearest Devi,
This sounds so utterly wonderful! Can you post some pictures of the altar with all the flowers you are describing? I assume you–or someone–took some pics! I also have to say that I am ALWAYS uplifted by the beautiful works of art the altars at Ananda are. Entering the temples and seeing them always makes my heart sing and brings me joy and upliftment, before the service or ceremony even takes place! Truly, the beauty in flowers is one of our greatest gifts on this earth.
Love and blessings,
Supriya
As a devotee who has made her living in horticulture, this post holds a lot of especially dear meaning for me. Thank you! It will be printed and placed in my landscaping binder.
Thanks for the presentation by the great guru and Great saint Sri Patamahamsa yoganandji. I feel blessed by him.
Yes, flowers on of the great wonders of the world. Wildflowers are often the ever new expression of the Divine!
Flowers are indeed symbolic;representing the humble,quiet & amazing beauty that is God,& a symbol also of His/Her eternal love,which like the growth,blooming & beauty of flowers,finds full expression as the full blooming in our hearts of eternal devotion,peace,joy & love for God..knowing it all is a part of & coming from God.Also very symbolic are the amazing,great & wide variety of trees,many of which produce very beautiful flowers.Perhaps a new creation,part of a Ananda,can be a dedicated,devoted advocate for the preservation of & aid in the growth of trees..woodlands,forests,which are so very much loved,appreciated & are a beautiful & much needed aid to the planet ecology. Thank you..Love to all, greg
Thank you so much for the lovely article on the devotion of flowers. I would love to have seen the alter covered in lovely bouquets.
I l ove to work with flowers, and always feel the love that God has for us to have created these beautiful flowers and the lovely fragrance so many of them have. What a blessing it is for so many of us who have the opportunity to woek with flowers for our alters and for special occasions. Thank you for sharing this experience. We are all looking forward to your return to Ananda Village.
Love and blessings,
Gloria
And the mother placed a yellow tulip into her young daughter’s innocent hand
And on top of the yellow tulip she graced her daughter’s hand with a purple tulip
And she gently curled her daughter’s long fingers around the stems of the flowers
And she looked into her beautiful daughter’s curious eyes with the deepest compassion
And said , these flowers represent my undying love and devotion to you my daughter
And her daughter cried feeling her heart open wide
And that moment changed her forevermore
Flowers are symbols of God’s mercy, Grace, and devotion
Ann Ellis
Flowers give us the example of…
Opening – no mater how small or fragile we think we are;
Beauty – to inspire others;
and Giving freely of ourselves – because that is what we were made for.
Thank you Jyotish for honoring our plant people friends.
~~~Peace, Josette
Thank you, I am happy I read the blog, next time I see a flower I will give it more than a passing glance .