Cocooning and Other Random Ramblings

Simplicity Gardens
Number of new things around here. Of course, there's always the Simplicity Garden Boys and their booth at Montavilla Market (Sundays 10-2 @ Southeast 76th & Stark).  Recently they doubled their space... More pure and fresh produce, honey & eggs for you.  Eggs & honey (if they have them) go VERY quick, so get there early.  Hint that you know me (Aja) and what a great father they have, and they might give you a discount!

Cocooning
 Lately, over the last year or so, I've been tending toward what I'd call Cocooning - just staying at home more,
becoming more introspective, having very little motivation to go out or do other things. And from what I can tell, there is a lot of this going on. I hear from people all the time, on one level or another that they just tend to stay home. Some would almost even call it depressed (by normal society's standards) but if they analyze it, they really aren't depressed - they just feel like they're being pulled inward more. There is not so much of a draw to go and be "DOing" something.  Like it is a time to kind of let go and just be present, see what happens, abide!  

Looking for comments here folks, so comment away. 

Sanskrit App
Yeah, I know I make fun of I-phones and stuff, but the truth is I have one and I found an amazing application if you're into Iphones (or Ipod Touch or Ipad) and Sanskrit.  It's called Sanskrit Primer, available on Itunes for a mere $1.99.  (For you Android users - they are working on a version for that OS as well.)  This App contains virtually anything a Sanskrit student would want - beginning with the Alphabet, going into basic grammar, nearly all declensions, conjugations, indeclinables.... It even includes some basic conversational sentences, a mini vocabulary, and if you don't' know the pronunciation, it has audio buttons as well.  With this app and a Sanskrit English dictionary, you've practically got what you need. HIGHLY recommended.

A Big Thank You
To Shaila and Chris for your very generous donation.  And while we're on the subject of donations, see the new donate box above and to the right. I have to admit, I stole this idea from another blogger, but the idea is, if you like this blog at all, you don't have to make a giant donation, just give enough for a cup of coffee or whatever.  The work we are doing here is very important, and will become more so as they days go on. So, please feel free to be generous and lend a hand. Every little bit is deeply appreciated! 

Come On Out
There are lots of great reasons to come on out to Barnashram.
To get away from the city - Barnashram, is gorgeous with green galore and gardens and chickens, and it's just a peaceful place.  I even call it Braja Barnashram Dham - it's like the Holy place of Vrndavana (Braja), which is one of the reasons I rarely leave here. Where is there to go when I'm in paradise? Giriraj (a form of Krishna) is here, and with over 108 Shaligram Stones (Sacred stones from the Gandaki river) according to Vedic scriptures, Barnashram IS a holy dham.
To Help Out - There is a LOT to be done here, far more then we can handle. Work in the garden, or help with general maintenance (trimming blackberries, cutting grass, planting flowers).  We also want to construct more buildings, including places for people to stay overnight or for longer periods.  We anticipate there will be a time in the not so distant future when many more people will want/need a safe haven out of the city, and at this point, we really don't have anywhere for people to stay. 
To Speak with Aja - My only function and purpose these days is to sit and be and teach any that come along. If you have serious questions about your spiritual path, and want some clarity, I am most happy to talk with you. Not looking for arguers here, but individuals who are serious about wanting to wake up, or to understand the nature of Consciousness and about surrendering to the Absolute/Godhead..  Or who just want to sit and chat a bit, address their confusions about their journey and get another perspective from someone who has been doing nothing but that for the last 40 plus years.  If you want to know more about me, click the "Aja" tab above.

The  Music & the Dancing Baby 
I have to admit, I love this music and the Baby, but I also recognize that they take a little time to download, and get old after awhile.  So again, I'm seeking your comments.  Do you like them? Hate them? Don't care one way or another?  Ultimately, I'll probably take them out, but wanted to share them. I just sort of like how the baby seems to be doing Bollywood dancing to the music.  (The music, by the way, is a station called Priyawaanie, available on Shoutccast. It is all devotionally oriented music, but with more of that semi-modern Bollywood flavor, as opposed to pure bhajan in the traditional sense. I find it fun and uplifting.)  So again, conmment away.

Well, I think that's all the news that's fit to print for now.  We'll get some more blogs up soon.  Also feel free to email us with questions or comments. Email: barnashram (at) gmail (dot) com.

Comments

  1. Hello from over here! Re: the baby, what matters is that you like it! ;) I think I've already noted it's a little too ally mcbele for me but I don't mind it.
    I agree more people are staying in. I think the economy has started to keep people home and moving towards a simpler life. I think a clearer perspective of what is important, really important, is starting to emerge. It's getting back to basics time. Can't wait to eat some of the veggies you guys grow.
    Love!!!
    K

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  2. Hello people. Like your blog. would love to see captions on the pictures....... The baby, needs a nap. forever. teehee. I like the music. I like you people. Your farm and all~o~you~all look beautiful. Miss you guys.

    Love and shanti

    Radha

    p.s. I'm looking for Krsna. Have you seen him?

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  3. Feedback, okay. The baby, I try to ignore. It's annoying and distracting, but then again, I'm not good with excess sensory 'noise,' so I may not be the best person to evaluate. The music, I like, but again it's noise. I load the page and turn it off immediately so it's quiet. I really like your blog and check in on it often. As for going inward, I can definitely confirm this as well. I feel I am losing friends because of the extremely powerful draw inward. But I have no motivation to put out energy in the social world so that's just what it is. I guess the friends that will remain will understand that this is where I am right now. Going inward for me does not mean staying at home all the time, since I have other beings that require my attention and pull me outward. Not just my horse et al, but nature itself is pulling me out to meet it. You can of course sit on your porch and have some of that. While Ashland is nice, I find I need a deeper solitude that more wild environs can give me. I suppose that the solitude I seek and the inwardness I feel applies mostly to the human community. I find the community of other beings very welcome and supportive of my deep need for solitude and quiet.

    I have neither an iPhone or iPod Touch, but if I do get the latter (which I hope is soon), I'll check out that sanskrit app. Looks very cool!

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  4. Also, I find it annoying that every time I refresh a page or go to a new one on your blog, I have to turn off the music every time. But this is true of any site that has music that comes on automatically, so it's not just yours.

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  5. Alex - Actually, I think if you turn the volume all the way down, if you refresh, the volume will still be down. At least it does on mine. Try it out. Eventually, probably both priyawaanie and baby will go. Nix the fish too, but I'll add new fun and games (or annoying!)

    Thanks all for your comments.

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  6. Hmmm, I posted a comment yesterday, but it didn't take, so I'll try again.
    Thanks for the cocooning post. Glad to know it's not just me. I must say, my cocooning has jumped into high gear, or should I say low gear ever since I started to read the book, "I Am the Word: A Guide to the Consciousness of Man's Self in a Transitioning Time." It was written, or rather "received" by Paul Selig.

    Not too crazy about the dancing baby, but I thank you for the tip on ShoutCast. Have some nice meditative music playing in the background right now.

    Love your blog. Keep 'em coming,

    S. Rockey

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  7. I appreciate the cocooning post. I just spent most of this weekend doing that - cocooning that is. Lately when I've woken up in the morning and wanted to lay in bed for awhile (which I am fortunate to be able to do), I wonder "how long could I stay here?" As in, at what point would laying in bed - enjoying the feeling of safety, security, cuddliness, letting my mind wander - at what point would it 'get old'? And would I eventually move through the thoughts of 'I should/could be doing something more productive', 'what am I doing with my life', etc that sometimes surface?

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  8. Kill the baby, Kill the music and kill the fish.

    Too much. Way too much. All these people that live in my head and talk to me all the time are loud enough!!!

    My facebook post this morning: --

    Everyone seems to have opinions about awesome Advaita Teachers -- Here is one I can get behind.

    "Aja is second only to Ashtavakra in my opinion"!!

    I agree!!

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  9. Shaila said it well, on all counts. Thanks for the tip for turning the volume down. It seems to remember from time to time, as long as I use the same browser.

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