Day 2 of 2010 Kauai Innersearch, June 13, began early with the Innersearchers leaving their hotel at 5:30 am to travel to the monastery. There we were welcomed warmly by local Saiva Siddhanta Church members who greeted each of us personally and handed out flowers for the Sun 1 homa. It was a perfect morning–walking up the path to Kadavul Temple with the sun rising, the anticipation of the homa to come, and the generosity displayed by those who welcomed us.
After the powerful homa in Kadavul Temple, Bodhinatha gave his Sun 1 talk from Merging with Siva Chapter 62: Happiness, the Diamond of Life. He explained how we can flow awareness into the area of radiance and talked about the difference between inner and outer happiness. Outer happiness is often based on other people. But when we claim our own happiness, our inner happiness, it allows us to radiate happiness and bliss continually. His talk ended with an opportunity to experience inner happiness by meditating on our spine filled with yellow light which is radiating out through our body.
After breakfast which was provided for us by the Innersearch caterers, Gaylord’s, Senthilnathaswami gave the history and an explanation of the monthly Ardra Siva puja and Nataraja abhishekam. He told us that during an abhishekam, as the Deity is bathed in up to 25 substances, a spiritual-chemical reaction occurs causing blessings flowing from the Deity to the devotees and the whole community. Siva abhishekam are of benefit to all beings, not just humans.
In addition, an art wall has been established by the monks in the Banyan Mandapam. This is a large wall containing a series of line drawings by the artists that create many of the illustrations for their publications. We all have the opportunity to colour the drawings during Innersearch. A grand start was made during our breakfast time, with monks and Innersearchers alike helping to make this a wonderful artwork that will be a reminder of the 2010 Innersearch in Kauai.
The Ardra puja and abhishekam followed, a beautiful event with monks chanting Sri Rudram. Nataraja in the central shrine of the temple was bathed in sacred substances including milk, yoghurt, five fruits, vibhuti, turmeric, herbs and sacred water. The energy was palpable and the blessings freely flowed from Nataraja to those in attendance, the community and all beings.
After some free time to wander the San Marga path and lunch, the Innersearchers had two study classes. The first with Acharya Kumarswami was “The Beginning of Meditation,” and he guided us through Gurudeva’s entry into and exit from meditation in the mystical Shum language.
The second class, our first with Bodhinatha, was on the three phases of the mind, the five states of mind, and the ability to tap into our Intuition. To access our superconscious we need quietness, abstinence from excessive talk. It is also possible to have a “time delay” use of our intuition by writing down a problem or question in detail just before we go to sleep. An answer will come through intuition by the morning. It was a wonderful class with Bodhinatha.
After twelve hours at the monastery, we returned to our hotel for another great meal with great local entertainment. Tomorrow we are up in the mountains!
Aum Namah Sivaya.