The Fire Ceremony and Purification Ceremony are now offered on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM. There is a brief meditation before the Festival of Light Service begins at 10 AM.
What to expect:
Two Sanskrit mantras are repeated seven times during the fire ceremony. Sanskrit is an ancient, vibrational language that is infused with spiritual power.
Gayatri Mantra – this mantra is for enlightenment
Om bhur bhuva swah
Om tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dhimahi
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat Om
Translation
We meditate on the Supreme Light of the three universes. May It enlighten our consciousness.
Ghee (clarified butter) is offered into the fire at the end of each repetition. The ghee is symbolic of our pure aspiration to be changed and transformed.
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra – this mantra is for liberation
Om triambakam yajamahe
Sugundhim pushti vardhanam
Urvarukameva bhandhanam
Mrityor mokshia mamritat Om
Translation
We worship that One of divine vision who nourishes all living beings. Me He free us from death and grant us immortality.
Rice is offered into the fire at the end of each repetition. The rice is symbolic of the seeds of karma, burned up and purified in the flame of divine light.
In the Purification Ceremony
You are invited to write down an aspiration or obstacle to your spiritual growth. Small slips of paper are provided which have the words, “I seek purification by the grace of God”. Kneeling before one of the ministers (who act only on behalf of the masters), you may say those words and the minister will respond, “The Master says, ‘Open your heart to me and I will enter and take charge of your life.'” Then the minister will pray silently with you and bless you by placing a finger over your heart chakra and will say to you, “By the grace of our Masters, you are free.”
You may then go up to the altar and place your slip of paper into one of the urns, to be burned later. After going to the altar, you can then return to your seat and meditate as others go up for purification. The ceremony is concluded with chanting AUM together three times to share the power of the cosmic vibration with the world.
