Berkeley and Joy

You wouldn't believe it! Or maybe you would, maybe you would say: "Well, of course, Mad Hatter with Rhinestones. Why wouldn't you?" Check it: when I was walking around in Berkeley, California- I fit right in. Looked like I'd been living there my whole dang life. You should have seen me on the streets in my purple sneakers, funky pants and adorable green dress. Maybe the next time I wear the outfit I'll take a picture, but for now I will just leave it to your imagination, which could be much more enjoyable.
I stood where the Free Speech Movement started. Led by people who believed in the power of the people, and because they believe in it soooo much... IT WORKED!

(Pssst... Big Sis... I believe I know what my first children's book is going to be about. :} )

Went to the ashram in San Ramon tonight. Sweet Amma. I quietly offered her my heart. She poured her love all over it, just in a look- just in her sweet plump smile.
One of her Swamis lead a prayer and then we had a discussion on attachment. Or rather the Swami asked us, "What is detachment?"
We stared back at him in silence, not really believing he had just asked us a question. No one was sure how to respond. He stared back at us almost defiantly, daring us, waiting for one of us to speak. Finally the Swami smiled and readjusted his orange robe, "Apparently this is a difficult question to answer." We let out nervous laughter. Slowly hands started raising up, each person giving the next more confidence til arms came up evenly and at a steady pace. Some people talked about passages from the Bhagavad Gita, which was over my head. One guy started talking about the lesions in his brain, a little off topic, but the Swami deftly steered the conversation back on course.
One person thought that you must know judgement first before you could get to detachment. Example: It is not a good judgment call to detach from the fact your kid needs to be schooled and given an education.
Another person stated you can not have attachment unless you know disgust. Example: Say you had this really tasty pizza and you couldn't wait to get a slice, it consumed you, your salivary glands were over-activated- THEN you find out a rat had peed on it. From the disgust of the urine you are freed from your attachment to wanting a slice pretty quick.
A lady sitting in front of me sad something truly moving and very touching and the funniest thing is I don't remember a word she said. I DO remember it filled me with great peace.
People also pulled from Amma's teachings. My answer to the question went something like this: "Detachment is like you are on a train, and allow yourself to watch your thoughts and your emotions like they are the passing landscape. The train that you are on is the present moment." This isn't so much a definition as it is a simile. I shouldn't even put quotes around it because I got that perspective from reading an Amma book, I of course gave her proper credit when I spoke, and I of course do not remember which book I read it in.
The guy with the lesions wanted to know how to find happiness. What is his life's purpose if he has this disease? The Swami assured him his life has a purpose. He asked the Swami what his life purpose was then, the Swami-so blunt, so straight forward, and so gently- answered: "If I knew, I would have told you." The guy insisted for more answers. "I have been coming here for months and my head is filled with all these thoughts, so much thoughts going through my head and I cannot shut them off. So how do I find happiness?" "Chant your mantra, just one though, too many mantras can confuse the mind and mantras are to help facilitate focus so having a many would defeat the purpose."

I bathed the crown of my head in camphor smoke, and smeared sandalwood paste on my forehead. I sprinkled holy water in my hair. I feel a lot better.

Needless to say I learned a lot. It's hard not to go in to even more detail but I try to make my blogs mentally digestible in this fast paced world.

Tomorrow, I'm contemplating going to Alcatraz.