Anniversary of Ananda Tara Shan's Transition
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The celebration of Ananda Tara Shan's* transition in 2002 will be conducted by Arani (Annie Mai Hartley) at 2:00 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) on Saturday, 16 November 2024. Please feel free to play some relaxing music before the meditation begins. 1. Welcome and Introduction A very warm welcome to all on this special day where we celebrate Ananda’s transition 22 years ago. To me, the best way to think upon this day is to celebrate Ananda’s teachings which capture the deep and beautiful love she had for the Hierarchy, and especially for the Lord Maitreya. The teachings offer us a window into a deeper place within ourselves so we may gain greater understanding of ourselves and our own purposes here on Earth. They offer us also a vast knowledge of the inner worlds that Ananda so wanted us to understand more about and to experience their beauty and divinity as she did. This day always reminds me of those times when we sat together with Ananda, and we sang mantras. Ananda gave us teachings and we simply sat in this cosy circle of togetherness that generated a very special energy that could be directed to help heal and uplift all [living] on our planet, as well as the Earth itself. All Ananda’s work was directed towards healing the Earth and uplifting humanity. One of the teachings that I feel reflects this togetherness is the one Ananda wrote in 1999 about the Maitreya Sangha which she explained is ‘built upon people of all nationalities and denominations who work and love from the heart, and who therefore walk the Way of the Heart. In their hearts they know that Maitreya is the Spirit and the Lord of Earth, and their inner eyes are directed towards Him - whoever their spiritual ideal and focus, leader and way-shower is on Earth.’1 Ananda also said in the same teaching: ‘We live in a time of change, of transition, of rebirth. We go for refuge in the Heart of Maitreya whom we know as not only the Risen One but as Maitreya Buddha…’2 The Lord Maitreya is the next Buddha of Earth. As I see it, we sat in this sangha and found refuge there all those years ago, not really understanding its vastness, but certainly feeling the love and light generated. Although I knew of the many other groups working for our planet, I never really comprehended just how enormous and divine the Maitreya Sangha really is. It is only in these latter years, a small glimmer gave me a sense and understanding of the immensity of it. It was enough for me, that in my own small way I was able to have a greater vision to hold, knowing we are - I am - part of something much greater than ourselves. There are so many people out there praying and working for our planet with their hearts beating for love, justice and peace. I see great hope for the world in this. I think our greatest comfort is to know that if anyone’s heart beats with love, goodness, kindness, joy, peace, caring – all heart qualities – these qualities draw us towards that Love and Light embodied by the Lord Maitreya. It doesn’t matter if we don’t know His name. ‘Maitreya’ means compassion, goodness and loving kindness, and these qualities are keys to His Heart. Ananda showed us a pathway to Maitreya, and other teachers worldwide have shown this pathway of love to many others, in their own individual way. Many find refuge in the hearts of different Divine Beings. The Buddha Sangha is well-known. We need to be able to rest and rejuvenate in a Heart that nourishes, uplifts and heals, so we can do our work for the planet. So let us today seek this refuge in the Heart of Maitreya, and we can begin by seeing how we sit in a circle together with Ananda for the purpose of generating love and light that we can send to a planet in great need. We can see how Ananda’s love and the love of Maitreya, encompass us. Feel free to visualise this in any way you would like to. See this love of Ananda, and this love of Maitreya, merge together as one large pulsating heart. See the heart of the Maitreya Sangha pulsating within our planet - a beautiful big pulsating heart. Keep this vision as we come together, singing some beautiful songs. Let us begin, by singing to Maitreya Buddha. To listen, click on the white arrow in the audio bar below.
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Singing With this next song visualise the Maitreya Sangha as you see it, where we can seek refuge as if all hearts are beating as one. Song text: Let the Way of Your Heart
Let the way of your heart Let the way of your heart Let the way of your heart Shine through (repeat) Love upon love upon love All hearts are beating as one Light upon light upon light All disappears into one Let the way of your heart Let the way of your heart Let the way of your heart Shine through (repeat) 3.
Meditation Let us now move into the meditation on the Adoration to Maitreya. The words and music in this meditation music I feel beautifully encompass this love Ananda has for Maitreya. His love can be our refuge. The music continues for some minutes after the words are completed. So let us now relax and find a comfortable spot to be in and allow Ananda’s words, which I will read, give us a glimpse of the beautiful Master Maitreya, whose love is an all-encompassing, all-embracing love - the Master of Love for all of Humanity. To listen, click on the arrow in the audio bar below. Feel free to take a few moments of contemplation.
4. The Great Invocation** Everyone: From the point of Light within the Mind of God, There appears Maitreya as the Son of the Sun. Let His Light stream forth into the minds of men, Let His Light stream forth on Earth. Redeemer, Thou hast come. From the point of Love within the Heart of God, There comes Maitreya, the Lord of Love. Let His Love stream forth into the hearts of men, Christ the Risen One is here on Earth. From the Centre where the Will of God is known, Let the Avatar of Synthesis guide the wills of men. Maitreya, Your Purpose is clear. Avatar of Synthesis, make Yourself known. We serve You, Masters of the Light. From the Centre which we call the race of men, Let the Plan of Love and Light work out, And may it seal the door where evil dwells. Let Maitreya restore the Plan on Earth. Let His Light, Love, and Power be with you. **The Great Invocation as given by the Christ to the Lord D.K. has been rewritten by the Christ through Ananda Tara Shan, making it more in keeping with the times. 5. Completion Let us take with us this knowing of the Maitreya Sangha and the thousands and thousands of people within it, praying for a peaceful future for Earth. Maitreya can be our refuge, for He loves all people. We complete with this jolly song Heartbeat of Maitreya. Feel free to stand and move to the music. To listen to the song, click on the white arrow in the sound bar below. Allow a short period to load.
Thank you one and all for your wonderful participation and especially thank you Ananda for the joy that you embody and for the love you have for Maitreya, whose Love flows to all.
*Ananda Tara Shan (1946-2002) Mother Founder of Heart Flow Worldwide and the Theosophical Fellowship References 1. Ananda Tara Shan, Maitreya Sangha, The Theosophical Fellowship, 22/12/1999 2. Ibid 3. Ananda Tara Shan, The Lord Maitreya , <https://www.theosophicalfellowship.org/philosophy-and-work.html> , accessed on 8/11/24 Songs and music - used with the kind permission of the artist - Maitreya Buddha – White Lotus, CD Maitreya. T7 - Let the Way of Your Heart - Music and original lyrics by Sw Deva Ruparahi with some minor changes to the words by Arjuna Govinda, performed by Arjuna Govinda - Music Behind the Meditation- Adoration of Maitreya by Benjamin De Murashkin - Angels Calling CD, 'Heartbeat of Maitreya' track 5, by White Lotus- Photo by Arjuna Govinda |