Self-inquiry in Noosa with Devi Ma (August 3-7, 2011)

Devi Ma with Uddhava (left) and Anandi (right)

Devi Ma recently returned from a highly successful trip to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast in QLD. Blessed with perfect sunny weather every day was packed to the brim with programs and private Shiva Process sessions. When we arrived on the Wednesday we were warmly welcomed by Niranjan, the Noosa centre leader of the last three years, and Anjali Dickson, who graciously hosted Devi Ma in her home during our stay. The first evening saw a ‘welcome program’ in which we started with a Ganesh puja and short talk from Devi Ma before meditating and then meeting everyone. As the lease is ending for the building where the centre had been running, on Thursday evening we had a community meeting to discuss the future of the Noosa centre. At the end of the night we had a moving chant of Om Namah Shivaya as the community sang together heralding the end of an era and the beginning of a new one.

Friday night saw us holding Shiva Process Self-inquiry groups, with a large number of new people who had no experience of the technique, brave and willing to jump into groups. Devi Ma held a group with the regulars, while Anandi and I took the beginners. The beginners group was very lively and the shakti moved quickly, everyone having a turn and going deep to find a shift, eventually returning to join the main group radiant and uplifted.

At Saturday night’s Satsang we held a puja, a chant, and Devi Ma gave a great talk on consciousness. We then had a surprise call from Swamiji at Satsang in Melbourne, saying hello to the Noosa people which they greatly appreciated. The final Sunday Self-inquiry workshop saw a lot of regulars and new people learning the ins and outs of the Shiva Process with Devi Ma. In the afternoon we held groups again, with another round of new people boldly tried the practice for the first time. A highlight was Devi Ma’s question and answer session in the afternoon.

The trip was well-received and appreciated, with the Noosa community very warmly welcoming and looking after us for the whole time. They will now be continuing to hold new weekly Satsangs to chant, meditate and explore Swamiji’s teachings together on Wednesday evenings.

Shiva Process group