Happy July!It feels bizarre to think that we are in the seventh month of our Lord 2022. Where has the year gone? I feel like the last seven months feel more like two years when I think of the changes in my personal life, and once again, the only thing constant has been my practice. My practice, no matter the turns and twists, the ups and downs, has provided peace and balance in my life. Here are a few highlights of my life over the last few months: Navigating through two deaths Contracting Covid Crashing my bike and requiring stitches on the left side of my face Selling two properties Buying a property Moving Renovating a property Being a part of a kirtan Moving in with Riley Somedays, the practice has been shorter and some days longer, but it has been there every day. And as we move closer to Guru Purnima, I am forever grateful and indebted to my teacher and guru, Swami Rama. Guru Purnima is when our teacher and the teachers of our lineage are celebrated and honored, for it is by their love and dedication to our well-being that we have the karma to grow and change. This growth and change allow us to make the world a better place. Doing our practice with love, dedication, and sincerity, can remove hate, anger, sadness, angst, jealousy, and depression (you get the message), then we will not have squandered our human existence. God and the tradition will welcome us back to continue our work until we reach the goal of becoming one with the one and seeing that same oneness in all beings. As we move closer to Guru Purnima, we also move closer to rededication week. What is rededication week? Where we rededicate ourselves to our practice, becoming a better human and Swamiji and the tradition. Guru Purnima is July 13, 2022, and rededication week starts July 6, 2022, at 6 pm. To rededicate, we must consider two things. The first is, what are we rededicating, and to what are we rededicating ourselves? Below you will find some questions to ask yourselves, and when you formulate answers, you will more fully understand rededication week. And, you will realize why practice must remain your constant companion and best friend as you maneuver and traverse through life. If peace and harmony are your goals, then practice is the means to that goal. When we first learn something, we need a trainer or teacher who can guide and teach us; this is where Swamiji and the tradition come in. They have maneuvered through the snares and pitfalls and have promised to rescue any sincere, dedicated aspirant that gets stuck. What a great promise, and their word is their bond as long as we keep our word. In Loving Service, Ranjani
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