Star of India Newsletter for Friends of Mother India Number 10, Fall, 2013

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1 First Summit University in India A Great Success! Students from around the world gathered in New Delhi for the first-ever Summit University class in India, Experience the Light Within, Through the Blessings of Violet Agni. About forty people attended most of them new to the teachings of the ascended masters but ready to learn more about the seven energy centers, the corresponding musical instruments and rhythms, and the transformative use of the violet flame. People came from widespread parts of New Delhi and suburbs, but some of the most moving stories were from people who journeyed sixteen hours by train from other parts of India to be there. One lady said she had never made that kind of trip before, but when she saw the ad in Life Positive magazine, she knew she had to come. Another man, a devotee of Shiva, also traveled fifteen hours by train from Bangalore and though he spoke limited English, he loved the seminar and is eager for more. Still another gentleman from Jaipur (three or four away hours by bus) is eager to have the class taught there and says he can bring many people. There is a similar request from a student from Mumbai. Chananda Cultural Society board members were especially grateful for Keepers of the Flame who traveled from the United States, Ecuador, and Mexico to attend the class, interact with the students, and help with registration, book sales, AV, set-up, and take down. Most of all, we are grateful to our beloved messengers, the ascended masters, and the SU staff! 1 Copyright Chananda Cultural Society All rights reserved.

2 Your Financial Support Is Needed To Spread Violet Agni Throughout India Every bit helps donations large and small! Chananda Cultural Society is privately sponsored by generous people like you. If we could count on $2,000 per month, we could do so much for the light-bearers of the United States twin-flame nation. You monthly gifts of any amount help to: -Maintain the ashram -Advertise our workshops -Deliver outreach of all types including exhibits at the Life Positive Expo and the World Book Fair -Take Summit University and other workshops to other major cities If you love India, please consider what you can give to this monthly cause. Your donations are tax deductible and please notice our new mailing address: Friendship Homes and Schools 1661 Pe e Road #6 Koloa, HI Copyright Chananda Cultural Society All rights reserved.

3 Top to bottom, left to right, Alba Rosa Gutierrez, Jaspal Soni, Jose Manuel Gonzalez, Hetta Piek, Stephen Drake, Carolyn Meier, Lois Drake, Irma Gloria Gutierrez, Margarita Tirado, Concepcion Hoppe, Leticia Sandoval, Ana Maria Dean, Suresha Gonzalez, Mayron Gonzalez, Carol Brenner, Teonila Tretton Sixteen Pilgrims Walk in the Footsteps Of the Masters in India September/October 2013 Reflections by one of the pilgrims Carol Brenner The city of joy (Calcutta) wrapped her simple sari around my shoulders and held me close. Now, I was under her spell. The incessant honking, the inescapable exhaust fumes, the sidewalks wet and dirty with people cooking, bathing, buying, selling, mothering, waiting, begging would never turn me from the endless, mindless gazing into her deep dark liquid eyes where my drowning soul, finding a foothold in another world with its sounds and sensations, chose to go under again and again, certain I would meet there the one whose soul I shared the greatest resonance with. I knelt before the tomb of Mother Teresa to have my picture taken. The moment I knelt down, my eyes released lifetimes of something like sorrow, compassion, remorse, grief and mercy all bundled up together for this particular moment in time. Perhaps I was experiencing a sensory understanding of Christ s agony on the cross and his limitless love for our souls. Little did I know the simple gesture outwardly motivated would 3 Copyright Chananda Cultural Society All rights reserved.

4 4 Copyright Chananda Cultural Society All rights reserved. release unending tears. I was powerless to stop the flood of tears while remaining inside Mother Teresa s mission. Times like this, I wish I had a guidebook showing me how to interpret and best use these volcanic experiences that shake, shake, shake the very foundation of my being. But life brings thresholds to cross and paths to follow so choices can be made. Now, as I read Mother Teresa s autobiography I feel I am getting closer to her heart, her soul, her spirit, her personal love for Jesus, for the Christ and her love for Him in His wretched poor. And, I m trying her on for size, trying to feel what she felt as if preparing for the same dark night she lived for many years, ever since she answered the very personal call of her Lord. So, with this snapshot of Calcutta s magic and mystery, I would like to share more of India with you, more of her sights, sounds and the joys of traveling with the sangha throughout this enchanting land. We traveled in vans up and down corkscrew dirt roads, buses through narrow, crowded streets in the middle of chaotic cities, and planes from her west to east coasts in search of the miraculous, and in answer to the inner and outer call of the masters who ve treasured, loved and protected India, designing this particular moment in time, so we could fulfill our calling too. Above: Mother Teresa s tomb is decorated with flower petals. Left: Tea plantation on the way to Darjeeling. We were all joyfully anticipating our arrival in Darjeeling. As we began the steep ascent we encountered endless tea plantations where women with large woven baskets strapped to their backs, picked and collected the leaves. Darjeeling surprised me. The vibration felt as I imagined it would feel, and the air, away from the main road, was pure and clean. Darjeeling does have an exhaust problem because of congestion on the one primary road going in and out of the city. What surprised me was the delight I felt from being there. Our

5 hotel had been a Raj s summer palace and was designed with many lovely terraces overlooking the valley. The main terrace was filled with classical marble sculptures and bronze statues of Tibetan masters like Padmasambhava. Tibetan Buddhist chants calmed and comforted weary travelers including high ranking lamas who dined in the hotel s restaurant. 5 Copyright Chananda Cultural Society All rights reserved. I found myself waking in the early morning, caressed by mystical chants from the valley below. Good thing too because on our first day we rose at 3 a.m. to drive in jeeps up, up, up to Tiger Hill to view the sun rise over Kanchenjunga, Mount Everest and K2. The sun played hide and seek with the mountain tops, but we rejoiced in the early morning light anyway. Clockwise: Darjeeling Hotel, one of the classical statues there, Ghoom Monastery, Tiger Hill From Tiger Hill we descended to Ghoom Monastery, personally blessed by the renowned Tomo Geshe Rimpoche of Tibet and housing a huge statue of Maitreya, the coming Buddha. Silence, tears, murmurings reflected a deep abiding love we all felt and held our group in close connection. However, the evening ended all too soon as we were flying back to Delhi early the next day. We had one more major destination to reach, Shimla, the home of our beloved Chananda. Shimla, located at an altitude of 7,250 feet, was once the imperial summer capital of the British Raj. Our hotel was located on the Mall or marketplace, a shopper s paradise. On our final night in Darjeeling we held a service to seal our spiritual work thus far and to call forth divine direction for future work in India. We all felt blessed by the masters and grateful for their sponsorship. Celebrating one of our young pilgrim s 15th birthday called for dressing in our Indian best and enjoying an Indian feast.

6 Throughout India people were preparing for the annual festival to the powerful goddess Durga, so the road, stores and stalls were crowded with people buying new clothes and gifts for family and friends. Most of us shopped and took short side trips to Christ Church and Jakhu Hill where a 108-foot Hanuman statue stands watching over Shimla. On Jakhu Hill we visited Hindu temples and nearly lost our shoes to mischievous monkeys looking for unique play objects. One of our pilgrims engaged in a gentle but pleading discussion, hoping the monkey would not disappear into the nearest tree with his shoe. The resident priest suddenly appeared with an apple for the monkey. Without further hesitation or consideration, the monkey dropped the shoe, quickly stuffed the apple into his mouth and scampered away with his more valuable prize. During our final night in India, we honored Chananda and all sponsors of India and America as twin flame nations. We decreed, sang and shared our love for them and one another. All too soon, we were quickly packing our Indian treasures into our bags, hugging one another with promises to return soon. So, if you feel inspired to visit India, home of Chananda and Morya El, whisper a prayer to them and see what happens because where India and America are concerned, something wonderful is going to happen! Above: Maitreya presides in Ghoom Monastery. Right: Pilgrims honor Chananda after our last spiritual service. Upcoming Outreach Events Next year, Chananda Cultural Society will be participating in the following two annual outreach events in New Delhi: (1) the World Book Fair, February 15-23, and (2) the Life positive Expo, February At both locations, we will be giving presentations on violet flame and displaying our books, CDs, cards and other products. These are known to be very popular conventions and draw a large number of seekers from across India. We will have a booth at each venue where we will meet people and invite them to the two full-day workshops on violet flame scheduled for March 1 and March 8 at the India Habitat Center --- a famous location for holding such events. Jaspal, Stephen and Lois will be hosting the classes. Please pray for the cutting free of the lightbearers who need to be contacted. 6 Copyright Chananda Cultural Society All rights reserved.

7 Get Ready for the Next Opportunity In India Plan Now to Join Chananda Cultural Society For a Special Retreat Event in Darjeeling September 2015! Watch for Details from Chananda Cultural Society 7 Copyright Chananda Cultural Society All rights reserved.