Puja

As I enter the temple, the altar is covered in flowers.This is the day that Swami Radha became a Swami, many years ago. At the ashram, several people have made this same commitment: To serve the most high. Dressed in blue robes, all Swamis step forward one by one and tell about their choice. Especially one explanation stays with me: "I am glad I have become a Swami. For if not, I would have missed the purpose of my life."

We light the candles Swami Jyotiananda and I made the day before, and put them on the altar, carrying our intentions. In the evening there is a fire at the beach. We sing songs and burn pieces of paper with all the obstacles that stand in our way. As three lanterns are lit and we ooh and aah, I feel a great sense of belonging. This is my community.