Had some very special guests the past few weeks.
Firstly, my folks made the trip down from Canada for our family weekend at the beginning of term. They survived the heat, assassin bugs, lack of amenities, and the drive out to the site - all with style. Everyone tells me how cool (agreed) and relaxed (?) they are. It was amazing to have them here, to meet everyone, and to have them visit my cabin. It was very meaningful and good to connect with them about three year retreat at DM. It will be hard but I feel they understand a bit more about what it is all about and why I am embarking on this adventure.
Then, Swami Swaroopananda and Krshnam Namboodri came out from the Sivananda Ashram in the Bahamas. I went there last year and had an amazing experience. I asked Krshnam Namboodri to come to my retreat cabin and to do his thing. He is from a line of Brahmin priests that goes back 100's of years and was performing 3 days of consecration ceremonies at Diamond Mountain. Being in his presence is like being by someone that you know is seeing the world differently, seeing stuff that I cant see, relating to forces that I cant really acknowledge or effect - so it was amazing to have him bless my cabin and perform ceremony.
