Aloha! We’re currently relaxing on Kauai, one of the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, on a two-week vacation that was gifted to us by many friends from Ananda. One hears “Aloha” everywhere here, because it’s a word with multiple meanings: “hello,” “good-bye,” “love,” “compassion,” and “welcome.”
It’s considered one of the most sacred and powerful of all Hawaiian words, having the literal meaning “together in the breath of God.” This greeting is reminiscent of the common Indian one, “Namaste,” which means, “My soul bows to your soul.”
Hanalei Bay, Kauai. Painting “Hanalei Bay” by Nayaswami Jyotish.
We had a wonderful experience of God’s constant protection after landing in the airport in Kauai. Assuming that we could easily rent a car after arriving, we’d neglected to reserve one in advance. As we waited for the shuttle buses from the different car rental agencies to come pick up passengers, we noticed that everyone but us already had vouchers in their hands.
As the buses pulled up, we asked four successive drivers if they had any cars available for people without reservations. Invariably they replied, “No, everything is already taken.” Starting to feel a little desperate, we put our question once again to the next bus driver who arrived. After putting in a call to his office, he told us there was a chance, and we boarded his bus.
We arrived at their office to a line of about twenty people ahead of us—all with reservations. The thought kept running through our minds, “How will we get to our rental unit across the island without a car?”
After a thirty-minute wait it was finally our turn, and a bright, energetic woman asked our name. Before we could tell her we didn’t have a reservation, she began typing into her computer. She looked up and said, “We don’t have any record of your reservation. Maybe you didn’t complete it properly. How long are you planning to stay?”
“Two weeks,” we answered, a little sheepishly.
She smiled, and in the true “aloha spirit,” replied, “Let’s see what we can do.” After making several phone calls, she looked up, smiled, and announced, “We’ve got a car for you, and I’m going to give it to you at the best possible rate.”
We shook our heads in amazement at the goodness of people, and at God’s ever-watchful eye. The incident reminded us of the time Swami Kriyananda decided at the last minute to go on a vacation to Carmel, California, to celebrate his completion of The Art and Science of Raja Yoga.
It was the height of the tourist season, and having made no hotel reservation, he found only one room available, at a price he wasn’t sure he could afford. As he registered, Swamiji took out his wallet to pay in advance, lest he not have enough money at the end of his stay to cover the cost. The clerk said, “No, don’t pay me. I’ll put you down as a travel agent and give you a free stay.”
I guess God likes to go on vacations sometimes, too. In any case, whether or not He shows Himself so openly, we should remember that His love, which underlies everything, is always with us.
In the spirit of Aloha,
Nayaswami Devi
24 Comments
Sometimes I wonder if God is on vacation for long time? When we don’t hear guidance to take the next step and we have to wait…
Now, I’ve learnt to just breathe and allow things to happen in God’s time…
My human mind wants to go this way and that way and then going no where at all…
I bring myself back to the centre and say, Thy will be done not mine!
And I carry on with the mundane things like cleaning up and washing and gardening…
Namaste!
Thank you Ming, for your comment,i too am allowing God to let things happen.It’s working.There lies no lingering in the end.Thus it feels light..
I was going to say, lovely painting as I’m also a painter.
Was it difficult to become a full time spiritual guru?
Lately, I’m finding that my job applications are not coming back with positive results and I wonder if my time is getting closer to give myself totally to doing God’s work and trust that all my needs will be met…
Dear Nayaswami Devi Ji,
Thank you for the blog and the wonderful experience that you shared with us here, to make us remember the truth – “whether or not He shows Himself so openly, we should remember that His love, which underlies everything, is always with us.”
Happy Vacation !!! :))
Aloha,
Aum…
Prem
Thank You!
God, is always beside us somethimes we do not notice iT immediately , When we have faight everything becomes Allright
How full of gratitude! Gave me some peace too. Hope you have a great stay.
God is great . He protects his own all the time.
Only We have to believe in him and live together innthe breath of God as you truly mentioned in your story….Aloha…
I love this story! I remember on a cassette (yes-cassette) I had purchased from Ananda Recordings years ago, Swami told the story about having to get to the airport and he had been deep in meditation and was thus running behind schedule and the driver was certain they would miss his flight, but wondrously all the lights that usually require a substantial wait were instead green, and they sailed on to the airport with only minutes to spare but made the flight!
Enjoy!
Aloha dear beautiful souls, may you be in JOY always! Thank you for everything!
Aloha! and enjoy the many blessings and plays of God!
They never cease to amaze in their creativity and variety.
~~~Peace
What a beautiful story and so telling of God’s omnipresence in every minute of every day, whether we are on vacation or at our area of service, we have those golden blessings. Now you have a parallel vacation story to Swami in Carmel! Have a wonderful vacation!!!
May you enjoy your vacation and enjoy the sweet surprises that Master has created for you. Our thank you for your years of kindness and service as we remember August 17, 1975 when you performed our marriage ceremony at Ananda. Much Love, Indrani and Dennis
I love kauai, one of my most favourite spots on earth. I am presently at Ananda Village Lol and am loving my experience here.
I hope you have a wonderful time.
Thank you Dear Devi and Jyotish, Thank you again for another inspirational, comforting and encouraging story and also wishing you both a wonderful vacation full of God amazing experiences to bring back and share with us – safe journey there and back. Namaste
Continued Blessings for a wonderful and well deserved vacation, dear ones. Aloha..Namaste.
Aloha back to you, dear Devi and Jyotish! Also Namaste and Haola, which is qigong (Chinese) sacred word that means the same thing. Sending many blessings from Cincinnati!
Aloha, Devi & Jyotish! Welcome to my home of 30 years! I am on the North Shore and I’m happy to be of any service/assistance to you both while you are here
I came to Ananda village for spiritual renewal several years ago and met Swamiji and both of you then.
Blessings to you both on your vacation!
Warmest aloha,
Jeannie Pheasant
(808)346-7065
There were no affordable rooms available in an area close to our house which was under incredibly noisy 24 hour repair due to a serious roof leak. With all the racquet, I could only get comfort by going deeper than ever into meditation and somewhat apologetically asking God for help. Through the kindness of her heart, sensing my nerves were over stressed, a major hotel chain’s registration agent went out of her way to give us her employee discount and got us into a beautiful hotel nearby…the roofing company then agreed to pay for the stay. I read this message and started to cry in recognition of God’s beneficence. What’s more I had to go for another eye injection and was trying not to worry about whether I’d be able to rest as I had to return home after the doctor visit. I was delightfully shocked when the doctor told me I didn’t need the fourth injection! When we returned home all repairs were done. Home sweet home. Thank you, God.
If you happen to go to the Mediterranean Gourmet at Bay Colony resort, it’s owned and run by Bajrang’s (Brian) cousin’s daughter and husband – Her name is Yarrow. I think his cousin – Leslie – a beautiful petite woman – might be involved a bit too. It’s a little middle eastern deli sort of place.
Wow Amazing are the ways of the Lord !!!
Jyothishji the painting is beautiful… i can imagine the inspiration of nature .
Thank you for sharing your Aloha experience. It’s typical of my experience with Kauai.
I lived on Hanalei Bay for 2 years in the late 80s.
I marinated myself in spiritual activities and practice.
I felt totally loved, totally safe, and totally blessed.
Such a BEAUTIFUL, SPIRITUAL, truly heavenly place.
I went full moon sufi dancing every month,
and chanted with students of Guru Mai every week.
I wonder if you know the practitioners of the Course in Miracles who live in Kilauea,
Tom and Linda Carpenter.
I was an active member in that study group for my entire time there.
Yogi Amrit Desai came to my Kripalu Yoga class and so enthralled me, that I went to his ashram in the Berkshire mountains in Massachusetts for a summer long Spiritual Lifestyle Training Program.
Thank you for reminding me of my wonderful adventure.
Namaste
I have been so happy thinking of you in Hawaii :)
loved and protected ~
AUM