9/5/09 Pilgrimage to Chicago. Our time with a Saint

We got up and got to it.  I felt some pressure because I had committed to teaching Luke and my "Oasis" program at Mindful Movement.  I made this commitment BEFORE I knew that Luke had only this week-end to spend with Prem.  

Because of the holiday week-end,  only one person registered for the class and Jahana wanted to leave.  She's my friend,  Debbie's daughter,  and the receptionist at the school.  She asked me if I wanted to cancel the class.  I said yes with gratitude.  Now Luke and I were free to spend our time getting packed and ready.  Also,  if there were any traffic issues we wouldn't be late for the evening program.  Yay!!! 

As always,  our dear friend,  MKate, was concerned for our wellfare.  She drove all the down to our house to bring her GPS.  We had never used it ourselves and were nervous,  but we got our courage together and brought it.   

A holiday week-end can bring more traffic and surprises that can hold you up.  We started with prayers,  concerns and hopes for the best.  

It was an amazing trip.  Everything flowed as though it was being blessed by a devine hand.  As though across the miles,  Bapuji was sending us his grace.  You could feel it in the car.  The GPS worked perfectly.  Although we did use our AAA triptic as well.  

We got to Chicago in plenty of time.  I was very tired,  and still on the Z pack.  We went to our hotel--the Courtyard Marriot is a great place to rest,  relax and get some sleep.  I rested.  We got dressed for the evening and went to Nayna and Pancaj's house,  where Prem stays while He is in Chicago. 

In the driveway,  I hear a call.  Bapuji had opened his bedroom window and was greeting me.  He has the sweetest face you can imagine.  I not sure I can describe the feeling.  I'm not going to try tonight.  

Nayna told me that Bapuji wasn't feeling well and would not be giving Darshan up in His room--as He had done in past years.  She said that after evening prayers we would eat together and Bapuji would go upstairs.  I can feel His presence so strongly in the house,  it wasn't a problem for me.  I thought I'll eat with all the devotees who are children of a Saint and we will all feel His divine Shakti.  

I love Gujarati prayers,  although,  they aren't like the prayers that we are used to.  We find them uplifting and beautiful but hard to follow.  After prayers,  Bapuji was walking toward the stairs--He pointed at me and indicated that Luke and I would be going upstairs to join Him.  I was simply elated.  I thought that even a few minutes would be like heaven.  It was a delicious feeling to know that we were going up as always.

I walk up the stairs and my heart is beating.  Bapuji's door is closed.  Soon Nayna comes out and invites us in.  We are the only ones in the room except for Nayna who is also Bapuji's translator.  I have a basket with me.  It holds cards and gifts and photos from other yoga students who could not be here today.  You never know around a great being.  The point is to sit with Him.  What happens during that time doesn't matter.  To sit with Him and to absorb His state.  

He looks at every card and plays with every gift--thereby blessing the givers.  Now we get to Mara Godby's photos--four photos--one with her finacee and three without hair after her kemo treatments.  Babuji asked about Jennifer,  her mom and my friend.  He asked twice about where her picture was.  Finally He closed His eyes and blessed Mara.  Bapuji offered a prayer that Mara could do herself.  He said that if she would do this every day she would heal completely.  Then he gave her a gift.  

We were with Bapuji for a long time.  In those circumstances,  it feels like years have passed and you have been in another world.  

When He sent us for dinner,  everyone had eaten or was on the last few bites.  We ate on the porch with the last few people.  Sureka came to talk with me.  She's a close friend of Judy's.  Judy and Lenny used to live in Chicago and she was at the house everyday Bapuji was at the house.  Suddenly Sureka leaned forward and brushed something away from my head.  I looked at Luke.  He had a shocked look on his face.  So did the woman he was talking to.  

Evidently,  a large red spider was working it's way toward the top of my head.  To me,  I feel that in a situation that had a bit of danger,  an angel protected me.