Chapter 06: The Community
Community! Reality has probably made most people degrade their definition of a “community” to a place were a bunch of people live together. Where, after all, can you find a true community in a deeper sense? A place where like-minded people live and work together in harmony and friendship toward the achieving of a specific goal or set of goals? The words “harmony” and “friendship” make it impossible for someone accustomed to the modern world to imagine such a place… yet, I witnessed first-hand the answer to that question: Ananda Village, that’s where!
I couldn’t help having the feeling, which I later found out, was shared by Lakshman, of being in a mini-version of some ancient Indian Kingdom: a community based on spiritual principles, led by a wise “king”, a role filled by Swamiji, who is the spiritual leader of the community. Before anyone jumps at this, however, let me make clear that Swamiji never imposes his will on anyone, nor does he has any personal motives to be wary of. But he is the leader of the community, and without him, Ananda couldn’t have either been started (he’s the founder, after all!) nor continue alive today.
The people living here are the real jewel of the community, although I’ll talk about it later. The spiritual vibrations of the place, however, do have an effect on what happens all over and on the consciousness of people and nature alike. An example: a few years ago, there was a forest fire that menaced to burn up Ananda Village; when the fire reached the limits of the community, the wind suddenly changed directions and the community was spared! Another example are the animals: Ananda Village is surrounded by woods inhabited by a lot of animals: some inoffensive, others normally less so. The woods surrounding and entering the village are the home to bears and mountain lions, and there have actually been cases of those going down to the village to “explore”. However, in forty years since the community was founded, not one member or visitor of it has ever been harmed by one of these “dangerous beasts”!
That’s just two examples of countless miracles and “incredible” things, which are so strange for people living in “the real world”, and yet so normal in the lives of members of a community based entirely on spiritual principles and protected by the blessings of true Masters!
It’s hard to believe for someone who hasn’t really seen it that such a place exists where there is such harmony, peace and joy; where people live in simplicity and yet up to date with the technological world; where everywhere around you, you see friendly faces and willing, helping hands. In her Sunday Service of the 31st August, Asha described Ananda Village as a “paradise”, and I agree completely with her.
During my first day and part of the second, I was homesick, or rather, “siblingssick”. By the time when I had to go back to Granby, though, I didn’t really want to go. Marga told me that day, by phone, “you take Ananda with you”; once I had left Ananda, I had the opportunity to realize it was very true: not only the friends I made, the things I learned and the experiences I lived, but also the peace and joy that come only for being there, bathed in the vibrations of the place, went back to Canada with me. As a matter of fact, I didn’t quite realize that I had “taken” so much from Ananda until I was in the plane back and noticed the huge contrast between the two worlds.
Needless to say, I got back home some $2000 poorer than I left, but all the same I am considerably richer. Moreover, and maybe the most important thing, I am now a family richer.
Previous: Chapter 05: The Expanding Light
Next: Chapter 07: Ananda Village
