A Squirrel's Love

Kristin and I were walking through a wooded park in Simi Valley when we came across a baby squirrel, making coughing noises near a tree. I reached out and petted the squirrel gently, and slowly, he began to calm. When I moved away, he walked over and snuggled against my shoe and I petted him for a few more minutes. His eyes began to relax and close. Clearly Junior, as we dubbed him, was feeling sick. Kristin got a bag out of the car and we drove him to the 24 hour veterinary hospital. On the way to the hospital, we sang him an "Awakening Lullaby":
Suddhosi buddhosi Niranjanosi
Sansara Maya Parivarjitosi
Samsara Sapna Taja Moja Nidram

You are forever pure, You are forever true
and the dream of this world can never touch you
So give up your attachment and give up your confusion
and fly to that space that’s beyond all illusion

And Junior relaxed even more in the bag. It seemed that he felt quite safe. We dropped him off at the hospital and expressed our gratitude for the wonderful service they provided. Later on, Junior went to the Squirrel Lady where he was to be rehabilitated. We are very happy for Junior.

Long ago, my Teacher, Svami Purna, an Enlightened Himalayan Master, was walking through the forest when he came across an abandoned baby lion. He decided to take care of the lion, and soon, "Ananda Junior" was following him everywhere. Every day, he sang the Awakening Lullaby to this lion. And one day, Svami Purna decided to see the Maya - the world of humans. So he entered Mumbai, a bustling city in India, with the  lion by his side. The inhabitants were quite amazed, and soon the mayor himself had come to greet Swamiji. Together they walked to the center of town, and Swamiji sat on the ground with his lion lying gently next to him. Someone decided to challenge this mysterious yogi by bringing a cow to the scene. Swamiji gestured to the man: "Come, come!" and he brought the cow. The cow then sat down next to the great yogi. Swamiji had some fresh grass brought to the cow on one side and cow milk for the lion to sip on. Together the three of them enjoyed their repose. Then Swamiji decided to leave the city behind with his enlightened lion, and they both returned to the forest.

​This is the power of the Awakening Lullaby. Sing it every day to your children, and they, too, can enjoy its beautiful spiritual vibration.

with love,
Brian