Members' Candlelight Tea

On Saturday, Ananda members and guests all gathered for our annual candlelight extravaganza, celebrating our joy in being together in this spiritual family.

This year, the gorgeous altar was mirrored by another incredible display at the opposite end of the temple. Surrounding us with the masters this way really transformed the space in a very special way. (See all the photos here, courtesy of Suman.)

Going far beyond mere "tea," food was seemingly trucked in by many culinarily talented volunteers. We had savories (saag paneer, samosas, mushroom empanadas, salads, and tables-ful more), sweets (the brownies alone came in 5 fancy varieties), and a chocolate fountain with a variety of dip-ables.

Enjoying the company, the dinner, and the chocolate fountain.

Ananda being the musical place it is, we did enjoy a song from the choir, but we also got the whole audience up on stage as well (nearly -- we did rather overflow). Split into six groups, we all sang each other Swamiji's 6-part song, "Channels." Very appropriately for a members' celebration, this song reminds us that we're all channels for God's grace in our own unique and important ways, and that it takes all of our parts to make a beautiful, harmonious whole.

For further entertainment, we played a game of "Guess Whose Mysterious Past." Groups of devotees sat on stage and the audience guessed which of them was described in each surprising, unusual, impressive, or even frightening story that David read to us. You may not have been aware that there are those among us who have rebuilt the engine of a motorcycle to drive it across the country, were olympic-level swimmers, or can sing like the reincarnation of Louis Armstrong.

And last but not least... have you ever wondered what it would be like if Gilbert and Sullivan had been devotees on our path? Wonder no more, for the song has now been written and performed. (And Jeffrey was even quick enough with his iPhone to get a video of it.)

I Am the Very Model of a Yogananda Devotee

Inspiration and music by Gilbert and Sullivan. 

Lyrics by Graham Waldon.

I am the very model of a Yogananda devotee,

I've information blessed with far more levity than brevity,

I practice Kriya Yoga and I'm always sure to energize,

And when I do my asanas it never will offend your eyes.

I'm very well acquainted with the guidelines of Patanjali,

I know they'll help me re-a-lize my full potentiality,

My favorite place to travel is to islands in the BA-hamas,

Where it's a cinch to practice all the yamas and the niyamas!

I'm even-minded and I'm cheerful just as much as I can be,

Even when my karmic bombs insist on blowing up on me,

In fact it is my cup of tea to be all filled with levity,

I am the very model of a Yogananda devotee.

I'm a member of the sangha and I always tithe my 10 percent,

Even when I've no idea where all my other money went,

I volunteer my service and I always help my gurubhais,

I listen to the Pravers and I do the things that they advise.

And when it comes to eating, it is true I'm no barbarian,

My diet may be noted to be strictly vegetarian,

And when I have a free weekend I take a drive down to LA,

To go see Kriyananda and to hear the things he has to say.

In fact it's thanks to Swamiji that you can see me here today,

He models for us all the best discipleship in every way,

I know you will not disagree this fills our lives with levity,

He is the very model of a Yogananda devotee.