by John Nelson
“It sad, but people not always get things,” Anna said.
“Well, you’ve got that right, my dear.” She turned to Maggie. “Okay, write me a book along this line, and let’s take a look at it.”
“And you’ll give me an advance on this concept?” Maggie asked.
Jean smiled. “Yes, but do I make the check out to Bodhi?”
Anna clapped her hands. “He buy lots of treats.”
Jean just shook her head. This child was so quick that it was amazing. She couldn’t wait to develop her as an author one day.
Chapter 16
Jean agreed to take Bodhi for the weekend, and on Saturday they drove up to Ma hi’ Ma’s ashram, and as Maggie parked her car and followed Prema to their private quarters, she noticed several rather sickly devotees stumbling around the grounds. She found this curious and a little suspicious, but she would withhold her judgment until they met with Ma. They were escorted into the temple room where Ma was reading a book. She looked up and smiled at them and opened her arms. Anna ran to Guru and jumped into her arms. Ma closed her eyes and absorbed the energy emanating from young Anna.
“Your energy grows stronger and stronger each time I see you,” Ma said, holding her on her lap.
“As this body grows, it can hold more.” Anna paused for a moment. “Is that why Buddha have big belly?”
Ma shook her head. “Actually the historical Buddha was thin befitting a monk who wandered the countryside. The image of the fat Buddha is actually the Chinese monk, Hotei, whose name in Chinese is Budai, the cause of the confusion.”
“I like the picture of Buddha.”
“Well, Hotei was known for his kindness and generosity to children.”
“You very smart, Ma.”
“No, dear. But I read a lot, which your mother tells me you shy away from.”
Maggie interjected, “Well, she’s just starting to learn.”
Anna glanced over at her mother as if to say, I can handle this. She turned back to Guru. “It easy but not direct knowing.”
Ma nodded her head. “Yes, and while you, unlike most, who have to struggle to quiet the mind and receive direct knowing, never lost your divine connection, the mind will still grow in you and you must learn to deal with it.”
“Beautifully said, Ma,” Maggie added, realizing that there was much that could benefit Anna from her guru’s instruction.
“And since we’re talking about the Buddha, the opening line of The Dhammapada, a collection of the Buddha’s teachings, says, ‘All that we are is the result of what we have thought.’”
“But, if we never think thoughts, we stay what we are: divine.”
Ma laughed. “Yes, child. But, just speaking as such is a kind of thinking, as pure as it is.” Ma turned to Maggie. “I can see how the wise men of the temple were confounded by the child Jesus.”
“I like Jesus too,” Anna said, her eyes lighting up.
“Of course you do, but let me read to you from an ancient Hindu text, The Upanishads,” Ma said, and lifting up and showing Anna the book she was reading, Ma turned to a short chapter at the end of the book. “‘The Amritabindu Upanishad’ says:
The mind may be said to be of two kinds,
Pure and impure. Driven by the senses
It becomes impure; but with the senses
Under control, the mind becomes pure.
It is the mind that frees us or enslaves.
Driven by the senses we become bound;
Master the senses we become free.
Those who seek freedom must master their senses.
When the mind is detached from the senses
One reaches the summit of consciousness…”
“But I already beyond senses… pure,” Anna insisted.
“But, you like to walk on the beach and through the deep forest, pet Bodhi, and love to gaze into the starry night sky,” Maggie added.
“These are all sense impressions, child,” Ma added. “And unless you live in a cell cut off from all of life, you will use your senses and like all of us will be tempted to become enmeshed in them.”
Anna nodded her head. “So if I know more help me stay pure?”
“Yes, child. That is what your mother and I are talking about and what we wish for you.”
“Very well.” Anna scooted off Ma hi’ Ma’s lap. “All talk make me hungry. We use sense of taste now.”
As they were walking to the cafeteria, Maggie broached the subject. “Coming in today I saw a few sickly people.”
Ma smirked. “Yes, I confess. Megan sent us the newspaper article about the boy in San Luis Obispo who miraculously recovered from bone cancer.” Maggie shook her head. “It’s only the devotees, and we can keep it to ourselves.” She considered this implied proposal. “The child must share her gift, be of service to others.”
Maggie let out a deep sigh. She thought she had made this clear to Ma that Anna wasn’t to do any wholesale healing of the sick at the ashram or elsewhere.
Anna, who had listened to their exchange, added, “Me bless food, and everybody feel better.”
Ma hi’ Ma’s eyes lit up. “Of course. The perfect solution.” She looked to Maggie who nodded her head. Ma motioned to Prema who had been following two steps behind them. “Prema, dear. Go to the kitchen and have all the bowls of food set out so Anna can bless them before we start the buffet line.”
She smiled. “Not a word, Prema.”
“Yes, Ma. But, not everybody shows up for lunch.”
“We do dinner too,” Anna interjected, settling the matter. “This make me more hungry.”
Needless to say, the devotees all enjoyed their vegetarian lunch, many going back for seconds, including Ma who usually frowned upon overeating at any meal; like the Buddha she had told them, “to eat until you’re not hungry, not until you are full.” The effects of the super-charged lunch and dinner resulted in fewer of the devotees showing up for evening meditation. As Ma would later say, “It was their loss.” Anna conducted the meditation, and the energy in the domed chamber was so palpable that Ma was almost thankful for the lower turnout, afraid that any further amplification would do structural damage to the building.
However, several devotees were too sick to attend these meals, but were still in need of a healing. The next morning, Prema gathered them and one by one they filed into the temple room for a personal healing session with Anna. All were sworn to secrecy as to the source of any recovery, which most experienced instantaneously. One lame devotee walked out of the chamber and practically did a jig in the common area, while the others healed just relaxed on benches and the lawn to acclimate to their now pain-free bodies.
Maggie watched with joy and consternation wondering how long her daughter’s miraculous healing ability could be kept quiet, as she struggled with the conflict between Anna’s service to others and the need to protect her sanctity from a world that shamelessly exploited the talented few. After the last of only several healings, Anna sat with her mother and Guru.
“Mama nervous about me healing people,” she said.
“As am I, child,” Ma added. “I did not realize the extent of your abilities, which are almost biblical. She is right to be concerned.”
“Maybe we talk with Joseph?”
It was Ma hi’ Ma’s turn to clap her hands. Anna did the swirling upward motion with her right hand, and their spirits were once again lifted up and transported to the spring where Joseph awaited them. He was wearing the same white suit and glowed as bright as ever.
“So we’re back to the same issue?” Joseph asked.
“I’m afraid so,” Maggie offered.
“Don’t be afraid, my dear. As I’ve said, the child and all who watch over her are protected. However, she has her own destiny to fulfill and healing others is part of that.” He paused to let this pronouncement settle. “But walking up to strangers in the park or on the street and healing them of terminal cancer would be… counterproductive, as I believe you say these days.”
“But many need help,” Anna added.
“And, as I’ve said, many of them are working out their own karma and a gratuitous healing of them would stunt their growth opportunity.”
“How does she discriminate?” Ma asked.
“Well, as I told them earlier, about the boy Martin, Anna must ask their spirits if the time is right. Even some, like those at the ashram who are devoted to you and the Hindu faith, may still not be ready and have more karma to work off.”
“And even at her age Anna can recognize that?” Ma asked.
Joseph smiled. “Her spirit, which is eternal, will know, and not be pulled like the ego mind by emotional… issues.”
Ma bowed her head to honor the man’s wise guidance.
Joseph turned back to Anna. “That applies to sharing your wisdom as well. Many are not ready to hear… the truth of their own being.” He paused. “Which is why I agree with Ma and your mother about the development of your mind, which will give you more discernment as you grow older.”
Anna winced at this suggestion. “All is one, Anna,” Joseph said, as he twirled his own hand and they found themselves back in the temple room.
“Wow, I wish I had him for guidance when I was struggling with my spiritual development,” Ma said.
Anna smiled at her. “You helped him long time ago in Tibet. He pay back now.”
Ma and Maggie just shook their heads. “Boy. I could use an ice cream fix,” Maggie said to Anna’s delight.
Ma added, “I believe they have some in the freezer. I’ll let you get it, Maggie. Most unseemly for me to show up scrounging around for ice cream.”
After Maggie left, Anna turned to Ma. “You know park and Joseph not real in our sense?”
Ma looked curiously at Anna. “And what are they?”
Anna struggled to articulate a concept. “Like movie, it shines from other… place.”
Ma considered this for a moment. “A projection from another spiritual realm?”
Anna smiled. “Good guru. Mama not understand… yet.”
“Yes, very advanced idea, but you work with her, be her guru.”
Anna looked around and put a finger to her lips. “Our secret.”
Ma laughed and nodded to her conspiratorially.
Chapter 17
Before they left on Sunday, Maggie spoke with Ma about the need to homeschool Anna, and Ma said she would take this subject up with James Edwards. A month later, a packet of information arrived with forms for Maggie to fill out. Born in late November, Anna turned five after the October 1 California deadline for kindergarten entrance the previous year, and so this school year Maggie would need to set up a private homeschool based in her apartment. She filled out the forms and sent them back to Edwards who filed them with the state. However, during this time and while these formalities were being addressed, Maggie received a surprise visit from Gary Pritchard.
After Gary was seated in the living room and served yogi tea, and Anna and Bodhi came out to join them, he took out a map of the city and spread it out on the coffee table. It had several small circles drawn on it in red.
“Maggie, I’ve been talking with Ma and James Edwards, and we feel that you need to move to a house with a yard to properly homeschool Anna.”
“Yes, it will be a little cramped here, but I can’t afford to rent a house.”
Gary smiled. “I would like to buy a house and lease it to you, and set your rent at $500 a month or so, plus utilities, and I’ll pay property taxes.”
Maggie immediately stiffened up. Anna reached over and laid a hand on her knee. She pointed to the house near Laguna Lake. “I like that one.”
“Gary, this is very kind of you, but…”
“The lease and the arrangements will be perpetual, until you decide to leave, or are able to buy it from me.”
Maggie smiled. “You mean if I have a falling out with Ma, or whatever, you can’t evict me?”
“Not unless you don’t pay your rent,” Gary added with a smirk. “Maggie, this is about Anna, not about you and Ma.” He paused for a moment. “What you may not know about me is that in my twenties I lived in India with every intention of becoming a sannyasin, but my guru told me to return to America and become a householder and that someday I would be of great service to humanity. I was married and divorced and had two children, both of whom are lovely heathens. Please, let me be of service to Anna and her great unfolding.”
Gary’s heartfelt appeal brought tears to her eyes. Maggie looked down at the map more closely. “This location over here is closer to town and Hawthorne Elementary and to Meadow Park.”
“Yes. Both locations are near public schools, the one in Laguna is blocks away from a middle school. I thought you might go back to teaching when Anna’s older, and no longer needs to be homeschooled.”
Anna again pointed to the house on Laguna Lake. “This one close to park too.”
Gary smiled. “Well, why don’t we drive over and take a look at both of them, or any of the others I’ve circled?”
They first stopped by the house in town on Cypress near the elementary school. It was a smaller two-bedroom house on a medium-size lot and seemed cramped for their purpose. They next drove over to the place on Oceanaire Drive across from Laguna Lake, which was much more upscale: a three-bedroom overlooking the lake with a big backyard. Gary had the key and they did a walk-through. It was perfect, but Maggie figured it would cost a fortune.
“Good investment. The price will only go up with time, and seeded with Anna’s energy, who knows what I’d get for it.”
Maggie turned to her daughter. “Not ocean, but water is water.” She nodded her head enthusiastically.
“So it’s settled?” Gary asked.
“When could we move in?” Maggie tentatively asked, still taken aback by Gary’s overly generous offer.
“You’ve need to give a month’s notice at your apartment. And I’ll have to close on this property. But, by the first of the month, I think you can start moving things over. I’ll hire a mover to move the big stuff.”
Maggie raised her eyebrows. “I don’t know what to say,” she said sitting down on the back porch steps.
“Say yes, Mama,” Anna said and ran out into the backyard with Bodhi.
Maggie stood up and looked at the huge living room. “You know it’s large enough for me to bring in other private school students.”
“Yes, there are some Hindus in the area that probably feel the same way about public schools, if not for the same reason.”
Maggie wondered if this was part of his or Ma’s plan, but it did seem like a natural path to follow. “Okay, Gary. I accept your offer on behalf of Anna.”
“Good. And since it’ll take a month to get back your deposit on the apartment, the first month’s rent is free, and no deposit needed. I trust you.”
Maggie started to walk through the house and make some preliminary decisions about what went where. It was much larger than her apartment, but her mother had a storage unit filled with their old furniture, in case the girls ever needed it. The deal was really closed when Gary dropped them back at her apartment: Jean Millburn’s contract and advance check on The Dog Who was God was in the mailbox. Everything in Divine timing, she said to herself. She immediately called her mother who said she’d drive up that weekend to look over the house and create a moving plan.
When the three of them and Bodhi drove up to the Laguna Lake home, Grace was amazed. “Maggie, how can you afford this? Are you and Thomas or somebody else getting together with you?”
“No, Mother. Haven’t heard from him since he went back to India.” She stepped up and unlocked the door, and they walked inside. “One of Ma hi’ Ma’s devotees owns it, and since I’m homeschooling Anna, he felt I needed a bigger place—figure they hope I’ll open a private school for other Hindus in the area.”
Grace just shook her head. “Are you sleeping with the guy?”
“Mother, please. It’s nothing like that. In fact,
he’s kinda like Anna’s godfather,” Maggie added, stretching the truth a bit.
“Well, as your father would say, ‘never look a gift horse in the mouth.’” As they went from room to room, Grace made mental notes on what to bring up from the storage unit to fill out the space. “You could turn this third room into a guest room,” Grace added, liking the north light from the window and imagining spending time here and painting.
“This is the Temple Room, but it will have a sofa bed.”
Anna stepped inside as if to claim her space. Grace said to Maggie, “I didn’t know you were so wedded to your religion.”
“Not for mama, for me,” Anna insisted. Maggie gave her a stern look that didn’t escape Grace’s purview.
“I see, young lady. Two rooms for you. You must be the Queen of Sheba.”
“No, Daughter of Krishna.”
They heard Bodhi barking from the backyard. “Anna, I believe the Bodhisattva is calling you,” Grace said, shaking her head.
She smiled. “Good one, Grandma.” She raced out of the room.
Grace turned to her daughter. “Okay, what aren’t you telling me about Anna and this Hindu thing? I saw how the local devotees were treating her at the Chaucer Bookstore signing.”
Maggie gave her mother the same stern look. “Mother, believe me, you don’t want to know.”
Grace was taken aback for a moment, and then she smiled. “You’re probably right. It’ll be too much for your heathen father. So, we’ll not broach the subject, unless Anna decides to walk across the lily pond in our backyard.”
Maggie smiled. “I’ll warn her about doing that.”
Grace just shook her head and walked out of the room. “Let’s get going. I think I know what we need to bring up from Santa Barbara.”
The move to the Laguna Lake home went without a hitch; Grace and Mark drove up in a rental truck filled with some old but serviceable furniture and that coincided with the arrival of Gary Pritchard’s moving company van. He stepped out wearing jeans and a T-shirt and was followed by a slew of local Ma devotees, women and men, and the furniture was quickly unloaded and arranged, with curtains hung and shelves and closets filled. The Langfords liked Gary and were appreciative of his generous offer, and spending time with him allayed any suspicions of murky motives on his part. He seemed genuinely devoted to Anna. Afterward the women cooked a feast, and they had an impromptu dinner party in the backyard now filled out with the Langfords’ old lawn furniture.