Tattva-viveka
A vacation that's good for the soul
Kamalaksa Das - December 19, 2005 4:21 pm
A D V E R T I S E M E N T T I M E !
Wouldn't it be nice to go experience a retreat in the scenic Snappertuna!
Feel the cool air, the clean skies, far from Your everyday stress and anxiety!
Hear sublime discourses on the absolute truth, mingle with likeminded souls, reach new heights!
Return refreshed and rejuvenated to take on the challenges of a new year.
For further information, please contact Krishangi and Kamalaksa
Kamalaksa Das - December 19, 2005 4:25 pm
A N D N U M B E R T W O
We will let the picture speak for itself. But note, that there even is a slight possibility to see the sun. (If you are quick enough!)
Kamalaksa Das - December 19, 2005 4:27 pm
L E G A L N O T I C E
Working in a field closely related to marketing I am well aware of the false promises pictures convey. We all know that there is a universe in between the hamburger presented on the signboard at McDonalds, and the one you are handed over the counter (not that anyone her would ever have eaten at McDonalds, but you get my point...).
And as truthfulness is the last leg of religiosity in this age we wish to make this statement:
The pictures presented in this and future posts are depicting a certain time in history, and might not correlate with your experience. Conditions may vary, and no guarantee is made that what you encounter is like the visual information presented here.
By reading further you agree to follow the aforementioned terms. If you disagree, please return to previous posts.
We thank you for your interest and cooperation.
Now that the legal department is satisfied, I can go on telling stories.
* * *
Last Sunday a convoy consisting of Krishangi, Kamalaksa's father, and Kamalaksa took upon them to visit the cottage, and go through every possible question, as well as get acquainted with the special demands set by weather. (Kamalaksa not in picture, in case some of you were thinking that the past year has been especially trying on his part.)
Kamalaksa Das - December 19, 2005 4:29 pm
W H A T I S I T A LL A B O U T ?
For those who have not for one reason or another heard of the upcoming retreat I will give a short briefing.
As we have not seen Guru Maharaja for what feels like a maha-kalpa, but what the calendar-makers describe as around 6 months, we arrange a meeting. This time we will gather in the western archipelago, from the 27th of December onward, all the way to the 2nd of January.
We usually have held the winter meetings at our home, but took it to change this as a test. What we'll lose in reaching potential new faces, we'll win in having a much greater scope for programs, more intimate association not only with each other, but first and foremost with Guru Maharaja. Also, the recluse location fosters a greater determination to devote oneself fully to the programs at hand, as there are no alternative engagements.
Except for the possibility to take a dip in the sea. (Remember, the difference between summer bathing and winter bathing is that in the winter time you wear a hat!)
So, if all this set of a spark in your heart, feel free to join us. We will be happy to give you instructions on how to get here!
And if you are not able to attend, we will try to post something here. But do not await real time postings, as our experience is that the life of a devotee is intense!
Kamalaksa Das - December 19, 2005 4:31 pm
O V E R T H E H I L L S A N D F A R A W A Y
And apart from what Syamasundara would have you belive Finland is in reality not all that hard to reach. And to show you we are not that bad a backward country we wish to let you in on a few facts of Finland.
We have an airport that receives BOTH domestic and international flights.
Ferries arrive DAILY from exotic lands such as Sweden and Estonia.
MANY of our roads are paved.
Our cities DO have lighting in them, or are in the midst of installing some.
And our public transportation system is working. (These strange things called horseless wagons - deeds of the devil, I tell you!)
People USUALLY live separately from their cattle and pigs.
We know how to use BOTH forks AND spoons.
To prove that things really aren't all that bad here, I offer as evidence that many who have come over have actually come again. Why not join us this time?
* * *
Pictured here Krishangi showing you the blessedness of a heat source during the long winter months! Ah, now that' s something, isn't it? (Note that our aim is to heat up the house so that you'll actually be able to take off your coats.)
Kamalaksa Das - December 19, 2005 4:33 pm
H A R D W O R K A N D C O L D F E E T
Prior to the actual retreat a whole lot of work has to be done. For one, our parents have had to work hard to acquire a suitable place for us to convene in. For that we wish to thank them.
Then comes the practical side of gathering the needed material ingreedients. This would mean seccuring an agreeable quantity of liquid, heat, food and so forth. Also, the logistics demand careful consideration. Who will be where and when? Who picks them up, and what if they get lost?
- Did everyone pack with them longjohns? How about warm sleeping bags?
- I have some extra woollen socks.
- And no, Chuck Taylors are not suitable for winter use. Trust me on this one!
* * *
Pictured here is the main building. In it we will be holding programs many times a day, cooking, and hearing talks and holding discussions and... well, we'll just have to see what will happen.
Kamalaksa Das - December 19, 2005 4:34 pm
I N D R A A N D O T H E R S
Naturally there are factors outside our control. These have led to quite some anxiety, and have made demands of a plan B. Which in practical terms means doing double work, which, god willing, no one will ever be aware of.
As an example of this we can give the possibility of the water not being crossable. As an old punker it gives me pleasure to say that in this case both extremes are welcome, but the compromise would leave everyone dissatisfied.
Now before you accuse me of speaking in cryptic codes consider this: If the water is, well, liquid, we can make use of a boat. If the water is frozen, we can walk on it. (As close as we are to the arctic circle this is no sign of spiritual advancement!) But should it be only half frozen, we are barred from the island.
But fortunately the gods have heard our pleas, after testing our faith for some time, and have sent cold air from up north! And yes, I asked everyone I know to pray for this.
* * *
Pictured here: K's father, and Kamalaksa showing the way to cross water the Finnish way.
Take a boat. Mount a tree trunk, aproximately 6 feet long. Walk besides it. Reach your destination with the extra burden of pushing a boat. Smile! You made it alive.
(Dear Californians, do not attempt to performs this task! Those picutered here are highly trained professionals with years of training. Inability to follow these instructions may lead to serious injury and/or death.)
Kamalaksa Das - December 19, 2005 4:36 pm
B U T W H Y ?
It is clear that no one comes for the scenery, or even the food. What to speak of the not-always-so-sublime company of the hosts. We all have a much greater common denominator that brings us together. And this time His passport should even be valid...
* * *
Picture of Kamalaksa's father inspecting Guru Maharajas quarters.
- It will certainly be warm enough here! (We will have to take his word for it...)
Kamalaksa Das - December 19, 2005 4:37 pm
D O T H E Y K N O W I T ' S C H R I S T M A S T I M E ?
Flashback: as children we eagerly awaited Santa Claus to come. Having gotten older, we are as eagerly waiting for him, only this time slightly less bearded, and maybe in a saffron cloth instead of the red one Coca Cola popularized. And the gifts Santa 2.0 brings will be immensely more valuable than anything we've received so far!
Welcome everyone! And especially welcome Guru Maharaja!
* * *
Picture: Your hostess with the mostest, Krishangi dasi greets all of you!
Nanda-tanuja Dasa - December 19, 2005 10:16 pm
Oh god..... That image of Kamalaksa in the frozen lake will haunt me at night! Mercy, please, mercy! Cold..... So cold.......
Krsangi Dasi - December 20, 2005 11:25 am
Mercy, please, mercy! Cold..... So cold.......
What? Cold? No, it's actually really refreshing and healthy, and once you get used to it it doesn't feel that cold at all. I would have thought that Russians also do winter swimming!
(Says Krsangi, who's never had the courage to do it herself. 
)
Nanda-tanuja Dasa - December 20, 2005 6:49 pm
Must.... overcome..... childhood trauma... must.... stay.. in California.....
Bhrigu - December 21, 2005 8:07 am
Those are horrible pictures, Nandatanuja! Laura and I were laughing so hard that we almost fell off our seats! Russia!
Karnamrita Das - December 21, 2005 1:05 pm
Kamalaksaji, thanks so much for your witty humorous posts, and everyone's cold stories and pictures. I am afraid I can't hope to match your humor in my documenting Swami visit here in NC, but it is very inspiring, and entertaining, bringing much levity to the TT. My hearty thanks. Wish I could join the fun in Finnyland!!
Fun in Finnyland!!!!
Here in Carolina we are just a bunch of the same old type of dogs.
Karnam
Syamasundara - December 23, 2005 3:47 am
Boy I must say this is the most out there thread I've read so far, but I am more and more in love with my godsiblings from Finland, or whatever planet they are really from.
It's a pain to notice that now that I am unemployed I would have all the time to go to Finland, but I am too poor...
Let's see for the July one, although by then I should be moving to Canada.
Once in the American continent I'll do my best to coincide at Audarya whenever some tattvaviveki goes, especially if from Europe.