By Lloyd (Dharma) Apirian

Interviewed by Lori (Priya) Kenney

My Swami Sunday experience is not just an hour and a half.  It’s a full day.  Almost every Sunday, I drive about two-and-a-half hours from home to Downingtown.  In my car, I have a puja with a Ganesha and photo of Gurudevi.  It’s right in front of the cupholders, so I see it while driving.  Sometimes I listen to Gurudevi’s chants, and sometimes it’s just quiet.

Arriving at 9:30-ish, I first set up my seat.  I like to bow to the Guru’s seat and my seat, and then sit and wait quietly. Soon Gurudevi is in her seat, and we’re chanting with her.  That always brings me inside and softens me.  Because her words are sacred, Gurudevi’s discourse engages my mind with sacred thoughts.  She’s expressing what I call great statements such as “I am Consciousness.”  Everything she says is blessed and is a blessing.  

Darshan with Gurudevi has changed for me.  I used to want to tell her things during darshan, but I don’t feel the need for that anymore.  I bow to honor her, and when I come up, I only want to voice our mantra.  I unwrap the prasad right away and let it melt in my mouth instead of my bag!  It honors the gift and Gurudevi.  

The time after the formal program is sweet.  We gather in the café area adjacent to the Meditation Hall.  We chat and enjoy more treats, which have been prepared by a sevite.  The whole experience reliably puts me in a lovely place within my own being.  And that lasts.