Dear Gurubhais and Friends…
We want you to know how we, as a community and sangha, are addressing the coronavirus and its spectrum of issues and precautions. Included in this letter are the policies we are adhering to, services we are offering, and where you can access daily updates and information regarding this entire situation.
Two very helpful resources come from Ananda Village with Jyotish and Devi and Dr Peter Van Houten, M.D.:
Dr Peter video about the Corona Virus: https://www.ananda.org/video/informative-talk-on-covid-19-with-dr-peter-van-houten/
Warriors of Light Video with Jyotish and Devi and Peter Van Houten, M.D.:https://www.ananda.org/video/facing-world-challenges-as-warriors-of-light/
Online socializing – via cell phone, Skype, Zoom, Facetime or Google Hangouts – is what we are recommending for “getting together” in the days ahead. As you have probably heard by now, all group gatherings within the community have been cancelled until further notice, most likely for at least the next few weeks, and this includes community meals, group meditations, kirtans, and direct socializing other than with live-in family, caregivers, or other essential people in your life.
Likewise, the Ananda Portland Temple and Living Wisdom School are closed to all activity and classes. Sunday Service has been, and will continue to be, conducted via webcam and video-recording, available on the Ananda Portland website, YouTube, and in our sangha-wide enewsletter, which is sent to you via email every Monday morning. Please open this each week for other possible updates too.
By now you are surely familiar with the basics of proper hygiene to combat the spread of this virus, but beyond the basics are subtleties that are equally important to know about and implement. Once again, we want to emphasize the importance of listening to Dr. Peter’s daily updates.
With love and concern, we ask for your full cooperation in meeting the protective necessities that will keep this virus at bay. Reach out to us as you need to. Tune in to the countless postings of inspiration on Ananda.org and the websites of all Ananda colonies. Meditate. Pray. And above all, let this be a time of inward joy and gratitude for the countless blessings we share.
Affirmation for health:
“Heavenly Father, Thou art present in every atom, every cell, every corpuscle, every particle of nerve, brain, and tissue. I am well, for Thou art in all my body parts.”
—Paramhansa Yogananda
In divine friendship,
Surendra, Pavani, Vajra, Lorna, Rose, Hanuman, Mari, and Madhavi