Asala Festival
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The Asala Festival, which is also known as the Festival of Humanity, the Festival of the Christ and the Festival of Goodwill, will be conducted by Arani (Annie Mai) on Sunday, 31 May at 11:00 am.
The Asala Festival is celebrated at the Gemini full moon (moon in Sagittarius) which is at 6:45 pm (AEST) on Sunday, 31 May. We will be using some parts of the World Healing Service in the Spirit of Resurrection I. You are welcome to join in with this service, and follow the format below in your own rhythm, or you can choose another format. Pre-service mantra Feel free to play some relaxing music before the service commences. If you would also like to utilise the pre-service mantra, it is: My heart opens to the Way of the Heart. 1.
Welcome and Introduction Welcome to the Asala Festival - the Festival of Humanity and of Goodwill. As Ananda* said: ‘This is Maitreya’s festival. It is Maitreya’s day - a day of goodwill.’1 Maitreya is the Christ, the Lord of Love, the World Teacher and the future Buddha of the Earth. This festival, held on the full moon in Gemini, is the culmination of the three great festivals. Humanity and Earth have received the energies of restoration and resurrection at Easter, and the energy of enlightenment from the Lord Gautama Buddha at Wesak, where plans for work in the year ahead may be revealed individually and globally. And now we have Asala, when the Lord Maitreya sends forth energies to help manifest those future plans for humanity and for the Earth. These energies also stimulate goodwill within the hearts of humanity. ‘Goodwill unites all in the work for the one purpose of bringing peace to Earth, breaking down the divisions that too often seem to separate people of different race, creed, religion, doctrine, and politics.’2 And from His abode in the Himalayas, the Lord Maitreya honours His Brother the Lord Gautama, at the moment of the full moon, by reading Gautama's first sermon which expounds ‘the great middle way of the Buddha’.3 So today, we have a festival that celebrates the Way of the Heart – a path where the Teachings of the two great Brothers, Maitreya and Gautama, come together: the Noble Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths given by Gautama, and the Laws of Love given by Maitreya through Jesus. The two Brothers, Maitreya and Gautama, continue Their work for humanity, forming a triangle of light with the Mother. The divine feminine light is closest to humanity and therefore it is easier for us to connect with, thus assisting those who wish to walk onto the Way of the Heart. The Lady Masters who are most prominent in this process are the White Tara and the Lady Yasodhara. While the Way of the Heart has had its foundations formed over thousands of years, a new energy called Heart Flow has recently appeared on Earth to assist humanity to walk that path. Ananda explained: ‘Heart Flow is the love and light of the Heart of Maitreya, radiating from the inner heart of the planet Earth into all hearts who are open to the vibrations of the Heart of the Universe, as it has transformed its energies down, so that Heart Flow can be felt by all who wish to walk the Way of the Heart, now and in the future.’4 I see this great Festival of Light as a celebration of humanity opening to the love and light of Heart Flow, that goodness and loving kindness that flows from Maitreya’s heart. In doing so, we may take steps towards our own higher light, our own goodness within, our soul and Spirit; walking towards, or onto, the Way of the Heart, learning to become people of goodwill. Let us throughout the service visualise a united humanity, accepting differences and celebrating the growing goodwill in the hearts of all. With gratitude in our hearts, let us sing ‘Maitreya Buddha’. 2
Singing To listen, click on the arrow in the audio bar below.
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Protection Everyone: We ask for the protection of the Cosmic Light. Visualise a ring of Light surrounding all people present. 4. Attunement to the Heart Centre Ananda will guide us in the 'Attunement to the Heart'. To listen, click on the arrow in the audio bar below. 5.
Invocation Everyone: We invoke the three Departmental Heads of the Hierarchy: the Manu for the Will of God, the Christ for the Love of God, and the Mahachohan, the Light of the Holy Spirit, for the Active Intelligence of God. We invoke the Masters of the Hierarchy; White Tara the Mother of Buddhas, the Divine Mother the Mother of Christs, and the Angelic Kingdom. We ask for Your help, inspiration and guidance from the highest levels of consciousness in this Service for the Earth. Empower us with Your light and wisdom, let Your compassion, grace and love descend upon us, strengthen truth within us, lead us safely into this Healing Service, and protect us – You who are our Brothers and Sisters in Soul and Spirit. 6. Invocation to the Spirit of Resurrection Everyone: Spirit of Resurrection, Thou Spirit of endless joy, become the Heart of the World Healing Service. Join us in right effort, in right motive and in true service of the Heart. Give us the contact to Lord Jesus' pure Self and Diamond Body, and may humanity benefit from this our love in action today. 7. Singing of OM To listen, click on the arrow within the audio bar below. Everyone:
The Earth is Light 8. Singing Let us begin by visualising how Ananda describes the entrance to the Way of the Heart as ‘the Gateway all lit up with a radiant white light. It is the Gateway of the White Tara. With Her protection and blessing, you walk onto the Way of the Heart.’5 Let this visualisation guide us onto the Way of the Heart, as we sing the mantra 'Open My Heart'. To listen, click on the arrow within the audio bar below. Mantra text: Open My Heart
Open my heart Take my love White Tara Mother of Light (repeat) 9. World Prayer Arani will say the World Prayer 6. To listen, click on the arrow within the audio bar below.
Everyone: Lead us from the unreal to the Real. May the Power, the Light and the Love of the two Great Avatars, Christ and Buddha, enlighten the World and illumine humanity. May the Heart of Humanity be stirred by the Love of God, so dissipating world glamour. May the Mind of Humanity be purified by the Love of God, so dispelling world illusion, thus establishing Right Human Relations which will lead to the Kingdom of God upon the Earth. 10. Meditation This meditation is divided into 3 parts: some introductory words, a song and then the meditation. I begin with these words: ‘Maitreya is for all, and is the sun that shines upon everyone’s head, no matter which religion, philosophy, or belief system.’7 Let us now sing this beautiful song, opening to our own body of light.
Meditation
We will now move into the meditation where Ananda leads us through the Heart of Lady Mary and Jesus, into the Heart of Maitreya in the energy of Heart Flow. Ananda also calls upon the Spirit of Resurrection, a mighty Being who has come to our planet to assist during this time of great change. It is a pure white, vibrant energy. Allow yourself to close your eyes, sit and relax. The meditation goes for 19 minutes. If at any stage it feels a bit strong, simply open your eyes and relax. To listen, click on the arrow within the audio bar below. Let us see this love and light of Heart Flow flowing to all corners of the Earth.
11. Prayer of Gratitude Everyone: We thank the Hierarchy for the help given in this Service. 12. 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. 13. Song Let this song remind us of our own heartbeat and how it can have a connection to that great Heartbeat of Maitreya. It is a jolly song - feel free to dance as you sing along. To listen, click in the arrow in the audio bar below.
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Completion Thank you for your wonderful participation and I complete with these words so the Light of Asala continues within us:
*Ananda Tara Shan (1946-2002) Mother Founder of Heart Flow Worldwide and The Theosophical Fellowship References 1. Ananda Tara Shan, Asala Festival, Theosophical Fellowship, 26 May 2002 2. Ananda Tara Shan and Ann Phillis, Asala Festival of Goodwill, Theosophical Fellowship, 30 May 1999 3. C.W. Leadbeater, The Masters and the Path, The Theosophical Publishing House Adyar, 1925 4. Ananda Tara Shan, Heart Flow, The Theosophical Fellowship, 16 January 2002 5. Ananda Tara Shan, Meditation the Way of the Heart, The Theosophical Fellowship, 5 August 1991 6. Ananda Tara Shan, World Healing Service in the Spirit of Resurrection II, The Theosophical Fellowship 7. Ananda Tara Shan, Resurrected Life Service, The Theosophical Fellowship, 22 April 2001 Recording - Attunement to the Heart, 4 February 2001, tp4a,30-33 - Meditation: Resurrected Life Service-22/4/01-tp 187a Music and songs – used with the kind permission of the artists: - Maitreya Buddha - lyrics by Bernhard Wein- Music by the group ‘Love of Maitreya’ - Open My Heart Mantra lyrics- Ananda Tara Shan music - the group 'Love of Maitreya' - Body of Light – Lyrics and music by Dwija (David Mandara) - Music behind the meditation: Adoration of Maitreya 16nov22 by Agni Putra - Angels Calling CD, tr5 'Heartbeat of Maitreya' by White Lotus Image: Number1411 via Shutterstock |