Ananda started as a retreat rather than a community. It was 1969, and the first few residents had moved to what we now call the “Meditation Retreat.” Among them were Swami Kriyananda and I. And Sisi.
Few people know about Sisi. At that time, spring of 1969, she was probably three years old. Today we might call her hyperactive, but fifty years ago she was just thought of as a bundle of energy. She was one of the main reasons we acted so quickly to buy land for the community that was far enough away so as not to disturb the quiet, calm vibration needed for a retreat. Sisi made it quite clear that children and silence do not fit well together. If we were going to build Paramhansa Yogananda’s vision of a model “world brotherhood colony,” we needed a place where we didn’t have to repress the natural buoyancy of youngsters. So within a few months we found, purchased, and moved most of the residents, including all of the families, to the nearby property that is now known as Ananda Village.
At the Village I lived that first year in a tepee, and the next in a tiny travel trailer. In the summer of the third year, 1972, I started building a small geodesic dome that was to be home for several years until a forest fire devoured it. For those of you who have heard the story, this was the dome that leaked so badly.
I had already started living in the dome, even though it was only half finished. The floor of the structure was about three feet off the ground, and I had not yet had time to put in steps. One morning early, I heard something scratching and scrabbling at the entrance. Then I heard a small voice: Sisi had come to visit me, obviously unconcerned about the early hour. But she was having trouble negotiating that jump up to the entrance, for her, around chest high. Then I heard her utter a phrase that has remained with me to this day. “Hmm,” she said, “this is kind of hard. I better use my full blast.” And up she sprang.
How do you call forth your “full blast”? Well, enthusiasm is one way. Paramhansa Yogananda said, “The greater the will, the greater the flow of energy.” Not thinking something is impossible is important too. We block our God-given power by negative thinking. Sisi didn’t block her energy flow. She just wanted to visit her friend and have some fun, and nothing like a missing set of steps was going to get in her way.
Interestingly, Sisi herself gives us the way to high energy. In the Latin languages—Spanish and Italian, for instance—“si” means “yes,” and Sisi exemplified the spirit of “Yes, Yes!”
So the next time you find something kind of hard, just remember Sisi. Be enthusiastic, have fun, say yes, and call forth your full blast.
In joyful enthusiasm,
Nayaswami Jyotish
Photos of Early Ananda Village Families:
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- Amanda y Prem
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- Gopal y Chuck
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- Swami Kriyananda y niños
17 Comments
Dear Ji’s Pranam
What an assurance in over coming difficulties ,and the Narration of the whole Experience ,made us to Respect you so dear with Devotion.
With Gratitude
Love this “full blast” story. Just what I needed to hear as Ty and I continue looking for a place to live on Kauai. Gonna keep giving it my heart felt full on blast!
Much love and gratitude for all that you and Devi so graciously do!
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish Ji ,
It was so wonderful reading this. Thank you for the letter and the photos. lovely pictures , Swamji playing see saw with kids :)
Thank you for these lines “Be enthusiastic, have fun, say yes, and call forth your full blast.” With Master’s blessings we will try to be enthusiastic under all circumstances
Peace be With You,
Thank you for sharing.
Namaste
Carolyn
Yes Yes I can and we all can do it
Jai Mahavtar BabaJi and his mighty force of Kriyabans
Regards to all from the core of my self
That was lovely sharing… sounds so simple & sweet & yet makes us realize how much we negatively condition ourselves to create our own blocks.
Aum
Thank you for bringing the simple spirit of Sisi’s “Full Blast” into this morning… sweet blessing
Amazing blog, Jyotish! Haha, what a perfect touch of inspiration for aspiring devotees and for the next generation disciples you mentioned in last nights satsang.
Joy to you!
Thank you for sharing the Full Blast story and reminding us that we all have that power within us when needed. Your articles have been tastes of inspiration during the week and I greatly appreciate them!
Jyotish,
Gracias; muy inteligente… decir que sí a la vida!!
~~~Paz
As always, God and Guru’s blessings are timely. Thank you, dear soul, for a needed reminder. It is a joy to have you H(OM)E. Namaste
Dear Jyotish,
I had to chuckle at your description Sisi and her high energy. It was so timely for me: I had just said “Good-bye” to our three grandchildren who had been visiting us for five days. “Out of the mouths of babes……..” Children have so much to teach us about innocence and enthusiasm. And thank you so much for sharing with us the picture of Swami Kriyananda on the teeter-totter!
Easter joy and blessings to you, Cheryl Shaeffer
Dear Swamiji
Very inspirational! Thank you for these lines “Be enthusiastic, have fun, say yes, and call forth your full blast.” With Master’s blessings we will be enthusiastic under all circumstances.
Pranams with Gratititude
Very hard to be happy in present situation./niv from Kolkata/West Bengal /India
Precious!
Thanks,
Precious!
Thank you,
Francis
Dear Jyotish ji,
I loved this full blast!! What I liked about Sisi is her informal way of going to meet her friends without bothering of formalities.To me it reflects her beautiful attitude towards life in general which is to say that just flow naturally without thinking too much about the results.Enjoy,full blast!! Great read!