News from Jakarta re: flooding

Sister Mala conveyed this message on 18th January:
The center in Sunter, where Helen is, is flooded and without electricity because one of the power sockets was covered in water so they had to turn the power off. However the water is receding and then it will be clean up time. Helen may start cleaning up tomorrow (19th Jan). It is easy to find people who are willing to do that type of work at low cost and she has others to help. Actually the water in the center in Sunter was knee deep but is fast receding. This is the fourth time the center in Sunter has been flooded like this.

Our side of town is better, but some of our students' houses are flooded. Fewer came to 18 Jan program as a result of conditions on the roads. This happens routinely in Jakarta, so nothing new.

Br Basil of Guyana

One of our near and dear brothers left his body on Sunday, November 25 in New York City.  Brother Basil Geer was fondly called Brother B by the brahmin family in Guyana.  He was born in 1936 in the Village of Buxton and grew up in Annandale and Cambelville in Guyana.  He and his wife, Sister Ahilya were married for 53 years and had 4 daughters -- Nadira, Sabita, Aloma, and Sharda.  They together ran the business of Geer's Texaco Gas station in Durban and Lime Streets, Georgetown. 

In 1976 Brother Basil took his family to a Raja Yoga Exhibition at St. Joseph's High School in Wolford Avenue and was convinced that 'this is the complete truth'.  However it was not until March, 1980 that the life of the entire family changed when they started the study and practice of the teachings of Raja Yoga.  This path offered a lotus-lifestyle in which their house became a 'grasht ashram' a holy home.  They created a space and filled it with the vibrations of purity.  They invoked the presence of God through the daily study of spiritual knowledge, the hourly remembrance of the Supreme Soul, and the inculcation of divine virtues in their practical actions.  After experimenting with 'charity begins at home' they opened their home as a sub-center and became the instruments to serve anyone who was interested in his/her spiritual development.  During this time Brother Basil and his family remained close to Sister Mohini and Sister Hemlata and all the seniors who visited Guyana over the years.  Nadira and Sabita were instruments to serve in many areas of Guyana, and also in Trinidad, Barbados, and Suriname.  Presently, Nadira is serving at Peace Village, upstate New York, and Sabita is serving at The Meditation Center in Manhattan.

Brother Basil lived a full and flourishing life. He entered the world as a baby full of trust and wonder, and he grew into a trustworthy person, touching our lives in deep and simple ways. His angelic smile opened our hearts to be generous. His loving eyes uplifted us with respect. His personal incognito acts of commitment brought benefit to many souls, without them ever knowing that Bro. Basil was the benefactor. For he always was the instrument who was inspired by God and whose attainments came directly from God.  He was never one to say yes immediately, but once he committed to something it was an everlasting commitment.

Brother Basil's body will be brought back to Guyana from New York on Friday, November 30, 2012.  His final rites will be held on December 1, 2012 at his residence and sub-center at Nandy Park from 10:00 -- 11:30 am and then for cremation at Kashidham at 12:00 noon, Guyana time.  We invite the entire Brahmin Family to send their pure feelings and good wishes at this time.

From the brahmin family of Guyana.

Sis Ronnie from Long Island, NY on the impact of Superstorm Sandy

hi all!   i know many of you have been trying to reach me since you know i live on the water in long island new york and the devastating effects of the hurricane one week ago.  i apologize to those of you receiving this email in error but just sent it to all on my contact list since i'm pressed for time.  after one whole week, one of our libraries finally got power and there is a long line of people waiting to use the internet computers.  the whole bottom level of my house (bedroom/office/bathroom/garage/all the contents) and ron's two cars and deck and entire property got destroyed.  but other people on long island even got it much worse and some people got killed.  still no power or hot water / heat / internet service --- not even cell phone service in most places, so really frustrating not to get a hold of the people who are worrying about us --- still 3 mile car lines waiting for gasoline.  it took this disaster for me to realize the depth of attachment to physical belongings, especially the sentimental stuff that can't be replaced, like 35 years of family photos / 45 years of spiritual books / 16 years of all my Brahma Kumaris journals/notebooks/books/pictures, etc, etc, etc.  i'm realizing the heaviness and sadness in my heart, even after all my years of spiritual practice and meditation and practicing 'going beyond' and knowing so deeply that all the physical is perishable.  my block that my house is on looks like a war zone and many areas got hit even worse.  i feel like it's been months since my life was 'normal' even though it has only been one week.  i really miss going to harmony house every morning for my daily group meditation and spiritual classes (way too far to use so much car gasoline) and i miss my daily international skype meditation practices --- i especially miss the power of the gathering.  ron's 92-year-old mom who lives with us is luckily at my sister's house where they have a generator for heat, etc.  ron and i are limited to where we can go to sleep and take hot showers (although the first few days we took cold showers and slept in the cold) because of our dog.  and since we all know:  'when it rains, it pours' --- 2 nites ago we had to rush our dog to an all nite emergency vet because of a bladder stone blockage - and even though we got him back the next day, he's not doing well at all.  another reminder of my attachment to this beloved 'family member' who only gives us unconditional love.  i want to sincerely thank everyone around the world who has been reaching out to us, although i don't have the time to name you all individually.  as we all know, there are always positive sides to every situation:  it's beautiful and amazing the helpfulness and generosity of everyone, the comraderie, getting to know one's neighbors, spending quality family time together, and many more etc's, too many to mention.  again, thank you all for your concern and good wishes --- we feel it and appreciate it.  and most of all, thanks to our beloved Baba (a loving and endearing name for 'God') for always being in our hearts and always having all of us in 'His Heart.'     much love and peace and many, many blessings to all of you!!!!    :)    AND A VERY SPECIAL P.S. TO ALL OF YOU OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY 'SANDY' --- MY HEART AND THOUGHTS AND BEST WISHES ARE WILL ALL OF YOU!!!  :)

News from Jakarta re: flooding

Sister Mala conveyed this message on 18th January:
The center in Sunter, where Helen is, is flooded and without electricity because one of the power sockets was covered in water so they had to turn the power off. However the water is receding and then it will be clean up time. Helen may start cleaning up tomorrow (19th Jan). It is easy to find people who are willing to do that type of work at low cost and she has others to help. Actually the water in the center in Sunter was knee deep but is fast receding. This is the fourth time the center in Sunter has been flooded like this.

Our side of town is better, but some of our students' houses are flooded. Fewer came to 18 Jan program as a result of conditions on the roads. This happens routinely in Jakarta, so nothing new.