Report: Event in Santa Cruz, California

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Report: Event in Santa Cruz, California

On the Road

Written by Ora Lee

Monday, 14 September 2009 06:55

In 1971, when Maharaji first arrived in the U.S., Santa Cruz residents invited him to visit their charming seaside town. But he went to nearby Carmel. About two years ago, they decided to invite him again. They scouted for appropriate venues, sent him an invitation, and then they waited.

He almost came in September 2008, but it didn’t work out at the last minute. San Jose was chosen instead. Understanding their disappointment and the fact that many of them were elderly or disabled and couldn’t travel, Maharaji arranged for a bus to bring 60 people from Santa Cruz to San Jose. His thoughtfulness inspired them to renew their commitment and try again.

Several locals began meeting weekly. This time they secured a hall that would hold 300 people. On Monday, August 24, 2009, word came that Maharaji would like to come, but a bigger hall was needed.

The next day, Tuesday, they found the Civic Auditorium. On Wednesday, they heard the words they’d long been awaiting: “That’s wonderful. Maharaji would love to come to Santa Cruz. He’ll be there on August 31st.”

That was five days away! Five days to rally, organize, and train scores of volunteers to properly prepare for Maharaji and up to 2,000 guests. Five days to finance the free event, invite guests, print tickets, and arrange a myriad of other mind-boggling details.

Steve Booth, Project Manager, calmly recalled the daunting challenge. “Everyone stepped up to the plate with no hesitation and no doubt. This event has brought us together.” Booth observed, “It’s allowed us to participate in a way we never knew we were capable of. If we could do this on such short notice, we can do anything. It’s been the most beautiful experience of my life.”

Having no clue what she was getting into, Brianna Garcia boldly accepted the position of Usher Manager’s apprentice. “I was extremely overwhelmed by the complexity of ushering. I was totally stretched. I wanted to resign, but I kept going because everyone treated me with so much dignity, respect and a lot of patience. I feel it’s an honor and a privilege to be here.”

After helping with lobby security, financing, and ticketing, Kenny Weiss concurred. “Everything has gone smoothly with a lot of quality. We’re all amazed and excited that he’s here. If I could feel like this all the time, I would never want it to end. It feels wonderful.”

Jeff Atkinson, venue liaison, commented, “Everything came together very quickly. It was amazing to see it unfold. I’ve helped set up events for 28 years, and I’ve never worked at one that went as smoothly. Everyone was cooperating and communicating. Even the Civic Auditorium management was impressed.”

Before they knew it, the event was happening. One of the analogies Maharaji made was what it would be like to receive $25,550. It might seem like a lot to some, but if that was all you were ever going to have, it wouldn’t go very far. Then he explained that, according to his calculations, 25,550 is the number of days a person has if they live for 70 years.

“After I go,” he said, “the sun will still shine, the birds will still sing, but I won’t be there to witness it, to enjoy it. I say this to you so that you can start to see the urgency, the preciousness, how simple and how beautiful it is. Each day, what do you want to buy with that dollar? Me? I want to buy the truest joy, the sincerity that only a human being can have toward the infinite that resides inside.” If conversations afterwards were any indication, this analogy had a great impact on many in the audience.

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9 Comments

jean makes this comment

Event in Santa Cruz, California

Monday, 05 October 2009

Unbelievable, wonderful event!!! Thank you so much Maharaji. It always so wonderful and inspiring to see you in person. I really appreciate all the effort and care that went into this and all the events.
Victoria Downey makes this comment

Event in Santa Cruz, California

Monday, 21 September 2009

It was SO wonderful...we have waited so long for this opportunity. What a dream come true!
Gabriela makes this comment

Evento en Santa Cruz, California

Thursday, 17 September 2009

He vivido en Mendoza una experiencia similar hace muchos años (1985) y la emoción me embarga al leer este relato. Gracias Mahara-ji por esta maravillosa experiencia.
David White makes this comment

Event in Santa Cruz, California

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

I attended the Santa Cruz event and I was glad I did. In my own situation, I'm in the process of learning commodity/stock trading. Especially during the days leading up to the event I was very mentally preoccupied with everything I've been learning: price patterns, charts, entry- exit-points, stop-loss orders -- a hundred and one different things. But during Maharaji's talk, at least, I had a wonderful little vacation. Then, near the end, Maharaji made the comment, "Cash in your profits," or words to that effect. I was blissed out! We're all carrying enormous paper profits within ourselves but they don't mean anything if we never 'cash them in' -- if we never take our profits. Man, I'd been hearing such phrases so many times in such a different context for so long, that to suddenly hear Maharaji speaking so directly right to me (or so it seemed) in language that I definitely would recognize . . . it just completely blew me away! Just like the old days! Thank you, Maharaji.
John makes this comment

Event in Santa Cruz, California

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

This was a really beautiful event and I enjoyed every moment of it. It was like an exquisite work of art. Seeing and hearing Maharaji at this event really helped me to learn some things that are so valuable. I have been a student of Maharaji for so many years but to learn some major lessons in life is a wonderful experience, and so surprising when it happens in such a profound and simple way.
Mathew Harmon makes this comment

Event in Santa Cruz, California

Tuesday, 15 September 2009

One of the analogies Maharaji made was what it would be like to receive $25,550. It might seem like a lot to some, but if that was all you were ever going to have, it wouldn’t go very far. Then he explained that, according to his calculations, 25,550 is the number of days a person has if they live for 70 years.
Daniel makes this comment

Event in Santa Cruz, California

Tuesday, 15 September 2009

Maharaji muchisimas gracias por hacerme llegar tal feeling
Lee Hillyard makes this comment

Event in Santa Cruz, California

Tuesday, 15 September 2009

Dear Maharaji, Thank you for such a wonderful event. You artfully again took me to a place that I wish all human beings could experience at least once in their lives. Letting go to the flow of gratitude and savoring each beat of life is such a rich and profound feeling yet totally familiar. Thank you for reminding me what this life is really all about. Love, Lee P.S. I think this website is great!
Graham makes this comment

Event in Santa Cruz, California

Monday, 14 September 2009

Thanks - it's appreciated.