To my Holy Maggidic Brothers and Sisters and all others who enter with Peace and Love in their hearts:
Last night I attended a yoga gong concert at Yoga Yoga in Austin. My Auyvedic Astrology Teacher, Mehtab Benson (check out his books), was the leader. When I arrived I took up residency in a folding chair in the corner as I usually do. (Lying on a floor and getting up afterwards is not an easy trip for me since I lost my real right shoulder in a car accident two years ago. The fake one does;t really operate well.) I was quietly coming down from a busy day, already starting my meditation, that I practice as often as I can, before gonging.
A Sikh I vaguely recognized, walked over to me and said, “Shabbat Shalom, Rebba.” I answered with Shabbat Shalom, Holy Brother.” He introduced himself as Christ Singh, and when my eyebrow raised slightly he continued on to tell me that Yogi Bhajan had given him that name many years ago. He told me that he remembered a “Hippie Rabbi” who use to frequent Yogi Bhajan’s camp but he couldn’t remember his name. He said he sensed that the Rebbe was near. I said, “I am sure if you sense him, Reb Shlomo is here. I have not known him to follow me, but all things are possible. My smeicha as a Maggida comes through his lineage and my teacher, Reb Yithak Buxbaum.”
Christ Singh said it was an honor and a blessing for the group to have me grace the occasion with my presence. The fact that I brought my ancestors was even more of a blessing. He said he had seen me before but had not wanted to intrude. It turns out he was Yogi Bhajan’s personal physician. He is an auyvedic doctor. His wife, whom I didn’t meet, was the personal chef to Yogi Bhajan. Some of you may remember that I lived among his people at 3HO in Tuscan, AZ, for a while.
It was a lovely moment. We looked deep into each other’s eyes. Within his kindness I recognized some of my earlier Sihk teachers and Yogi Bhajan, himself. And I suppose that within my eyes he saw the spirit of Reb Shlomo, Rebbe Gelberman and my grandfather and great-grandfather, the last Rebbe of Shamburg. In that moment all was still and connected and peaceful. In that moment I felt the gift of my lineage, the gift of my teachers, the gift of my life to be blessed to walk through my dharma as gracefully as possible as a Rebba and a Maggida as well as an Interfaith Minister.
To all, all the joy, health, happiness and peace of the season. Blessings and love, Rebba Raine
