Dear Assisi Family,
To respond to the coronavirus epidemic responsibly and compassionately, we will cancel services for the next 30 days. Scientists and doctors have told us all the things that we must do, and now it is up to us to listen well and follow their instructions carefully. How blessed we are to live in an age which allows us to communicate so freely!
We tentatively plan to hold services for Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday if the situation allows. For the time being, we will remain open for morning meditation at 8 am weekdays and Saturday Evening Prayer at 5 pm on Saturdays. Staff will be here during our usual hours, 11 – 4 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and the temple will be open for meditation during that time. At this time, a decision has not been made on the March 28 retreat. Stay tuned! The best way to remain in touch is through our website at www.assisi-institute.org where you will find a tab entitled “Covid-19 Updates” on the home page.
In the meantime, plan to join Isha Das Thursday evenings at 7 pm on Facebook Live. He will offer a grace-filled guided meditation and a talk. Isha Das also plans to add a number of new videos on his youtube channel in the coming weeks. There, you will find a wealth of his teaching. Finally, Isha Das’ Living Grace daily reflection will continue as always, seven days a week.
It is essential that our need for social distance not become social isolation. More than ever, we need each other for spiritual and practical support. We are here for you! If you need assistance, please contact Purnima at patricia@assisi-institute.org. Purnima also invites us to send our specific prayers to prayers@assisi-institute.org. She will place them in our temple, and the community will pray for them on Thursday mornings.
We have been abundantly blessed with the spiritual practices that will keep the vibration high in our homes and sustain us well through this challenge — meditation and prayer, the practice of God’s presence, the use of mantra, the call to silence and stillness, the spirit of service, the readiness for gentle humor, and the knowing that all the world is one. Yogananda tells us exactly what to do: “Read a little, meditate more, and think of God always.”
Let us keep Yogananda’s words in our hearts:
God is love. God’s plan for creation is rooted only in love. Does not that simple thought, rather than erudite reasonings, offer solace to the human heart? Every saint who has penetrated to the core of Reality has testified that a divine universal plan exists, and that it is beautiful and full of joy.
