November Theme: Gratitude

Featured Faith Tradition: Hinduism

Some people complain because God put thorns on roses.

Others praise Him for putting roses among thorns.

Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

 

I would like to start out by thanking October’s workshop leaders who did a fantastic job. It takes a village to mentor our young. I appreciate everyone for stepping up. So, thanks to:

• Roy Dickerson for sharing his coding expertise
• Michelle Lovett and Diane Meyerson for an instructional and entertaining look at acorns and how Native Americans used them.
• Kathryn Lamar, Lea Casini , and Lorie Miller who led the children in a drumming workshop
• Emily Watkins and Xiomara Tapia for creating fun crafts for Day of the Dead

I am equally grateful to have an exciting lineup of workshops for November including  pressed leaf cards thanking veteran’s for service, a brief intro to Hinduism, and a field trip to the San Leandro Hindu Temple.

A guru was sitting with two disciples under a sprawling banyan tree in India. The older student inquired, “Guruji, how long must I wait until I realize God?” The teacher responded, “Enlightenment is not something that can be predicted, but since you have asked,” he leaned over and spoke in the right ear, “it will be twenty more lives.” “Oh, no!” the youth cried in dismay, “I don’t know if I can wait that long!” The other follower, naturally curious, asked of his own future. The guru whispered, “Liberation will come after you live as many lives as this banyan has leaves!” Hearing this, the seeker jumped to his feet and began to dance. Why? He was suddenly overtaken with the assurance that he would ultimately be liberated. Ecstatic with appreciation, he transcended the mind and attained his Liberation that very moment. The first student was on the path of depreciation. For him, the pot was half empty. For the second, immersed in thankfulness, the pot was half full.

In keeping with our November themes, I would like to share with you a Hindu parable which emphasizes the philosophy that a grateful attitude can be an antidote