A few days ago I felt some sadness about being alone on the 4^th of July, but then today when I woke up on this U.S. holiday, I didn’t feel sad at all. On the contrary, I felt really glad and grateful to be alone, because I am such an independent bundle of firecrackers and I like to spark out in the world in my own timing, and at my own pacing… I like to follow my intuition about when to do sadhana (spiritual practices) and when to go out in the world… So this morning I got up early and while the town was still quiet, I sat in meditation and chanted the Hanuman Chalisa a few times. Then, while sitting on the couch sipping coffee and re-reading what I’d highlighted in Krishna Das’ book (Chants of a Lifetime: Searching for a Heart of Gold), the jets flew overhead.

Having lived in Ashland, Oregon for 18 years now, I’ve heard those jets fly over the town many times, and each year it upsets me more and more deeply. I’ll share my upset, but first let me describe the setting: Ashland is a quaint little tourist town (population is just over 20,000), set in a gorgeous valley of green trees, and each year on the 4^th of July the main street is closed to traffic for the huge two-hour parade. It reminds me a bit of a Norman Rockwell painting, except for the jets… two very loud bomber jets fly over the main street to kick off the parade…

Those jets are so loud and so scary, that without thinking I just burst into tears. This year, I was sitting on my couch with a photo of Neem Karoli Baba-ji in my lap. I cried so hard while looking at my Beloved Guru and praying to him, “Please, Neem Karoli Baba, please be with all those people who are suffering from living in fear of the bombs that the violent war-mongering U.S. Government drops all over the world.” I was grateful to be alone, crying and praying, instead of downtown with all those people who were celebrating the might of the U.S.A.

I continued praying that everyone will find compassion and all the wars on planet earth will end. I prayed that people in the U.S.A. will take some time to imagine how horrible it must be to live in fear of bombs dropping. As the tears fell down my cheeks, I honored the sacredness of each and every human birth and life. 

Then, while chanting the Hanuman Chalisa one more time (with Krishna Das’ CD “Flow of Grace”), I got dressed in my Hanuman t-shirt that I bought from Jai Uttal (from his new line of Mantralogy T-shirts), and headed downtown to catch a few glimpses of the parade… And I really enjoyed walking barefoot in silence through that crazy constellation of fire energies! It was relaxing in a way that it wouldn’t have been if I was with someone else and we were talking a lot… it was actually quite wonderful to feel the inner strength, beauty, and power of my independent self! As I walked alone barefoot, I felt happy to be free to be ME! Internally I kept repeating "Om Namah Shivaya" and whimsically transmitting this thought to the crowds: "Free Hanuman Darshan! Just look at my t-shirt!"

On my way home, a guy on a bicycle asked if the street was too hot for my barefeet. I said that I’ve been going barefoot for a few months, so it was okay. Then he said, “Maybe you could walk on fire and make some money!” I laughed as I answered, “Maybe I’m training for that!”

Jaya Bajaranga Bali Hanuman! With Happiness and Gratitude, I bow down to Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god who is strong like a thunderbolt. I honor my inner strength and pray for all beings to become strong in loving-kindness. Cheers to World Peace!!! 

May all beings everywhere be Happy and Free.

Om Shanti (Peace),

Yogini Tejaswini

Photos of Teja Happy on Independence Day taken by Teja Shankara.