May 2019 – Tejvan

Meditation is no protection from greedy wood pigeons

Post author:tejvan
Post published:May 22, 2019
Post category:flowers

Yesterday, I was meditating in my outside room when I heard a very heavy bird land on the roof. Immediately my meditation was disturbed and I feared it was a greedy wood-pigeon who was going to start chomping away at my beautiful brassicas just a few feet away. However, I thought I ought to try and be spiritual and remain detached from my vegetable garden.

So I kept meditating but it wasn’t a very good meditation, because I was worrying about the effects of wood pigeons. After 10 minutes I gave up my attempts at meditation and went outside to see my vegetable planters. Two really fat wood pigeons looked very guilty and flew off. In ten minutes they had wreaked havoc.

So I have had to net the brassicas. (more…)

Kings College Cambridge and Oneness-Dream

Post author:tejvan
Post published:May 8, 2019
Post category:anecdote

Last week I was on tour with Oneness-Dream, a group of singers who sing acapella the songs of Sri Chinmoy. I was driving three friends, including Snatak, who formed the group back in 2011 and who now has restricted mobility.

The first performance was at Kings College, Cambridge. One of the most impressive chapels in Britain. The last time I visited was in 2003 when Sri Chinmoy visited to honour his spiritual mentor, Sri Aurobindo. [Sri Aurobindo studied at Kings College, Cambridge before returning to India where he was an early leader of Indian Independence and later spiritual Teacher.]

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we left 45 minutes late, and so only arrived with a few minutes to spare. Kings College is very strict at closing the doors 5 minutes before the service starts. But, despite concerns over time, it all worked out – fortunately!

The Evensong service was very nice. I was admiring the architecture and beautiful singing. Then after the service, Oneness-Dream were given the opportunity to sing for 15 minutes in this sacred church. The first song was a song composed by Sri Chinmoy and dedicated to Sri Aurobindo. Sri Chinmoy would often sing this song at his Peace Concerts and counted it as one of his most soulful. (more…)