On Sunday I sat in the “Meditation Garden” at the SRF center in Encinitas holding hands of my beloved.
We sat on the bench and looked into the see oblivious to the people walking by us. Everything was so quiet and serene. After almost a month we had a great sunny day. It looked like SUN is showering his love with warm caresses onto HIS beloved EARTH. SEA too was showering his love with loving gentle strokes on HIS beloved EARTH. The waves were teasing and playing. There was no fight or competition – they all were having a play. SKY was a witness to their lovemaking and AIR was gently encouraging them.
I remembered my childhood -I could feel the wonderful warmth in my heart. there was not a hint of any pain. It felt as if everything has just stopped and all there is I – holding my love and the lovely space around me. It must have been few minutes or few hours that I sat in this space.
Slowly I became aware that I am not alone – there are many around me. All had the same sweet, joyful smile on their face. there were small kids, couples young and old, birds, trees – everything was watching and enjoying. they were moving in leisure, no one was in a hurry to reach anywhere. The words they spoke were gentle and their bodies were moving in musical rhythm. It felt as if everything, everyone was floating in the same space that I saw myself in just a moment ago.
I remembered my young friends Kamlesh’s words – “I will not celebrate my love on a particular day just because world decides, for me everyday is a Valentine’s Day” – wonderful thought, very comforting especially when your beloved one is not with you. I thought of St. Valentine.
We walked through the Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda’s hermitage looking at all his things lovingly preserved by his devotees. He lived here – this place was a gift from one of his devotees and was built when Yogi was visiting India. But they say after he came back he withdrew from his public life. He wanted to be by himself. How he must have felt? He must be sitting in his window watching the great sea, sun, earth playing the game of love. He must have walked on the grass breathing the same air. And he left leaving all these treasures to us, his beloved children.
I wondered for saints and enlightened masters – love is not a kingdom – something to posses or inherit – it is their expression of  their existence – to live it & to leave it for their loved ones!
It was a great day for me. After a long time I experienced a well spent a public celebration day. I felt connected to the world in a new way. I truly thanked my love for holding my hand and letting me go beyond him and our little guarded world. I see my world of love too expanding.