Moon Whispers for April
In the month of April, Lord Hanuman is honored and celebrated on the first full moon of Spring. Born of the Wind-God and Anjani Devi, he is often referred to as the reflection of Shiva, so deep is his selfless devotion. Hanuman was the living embodiment of the power of Ram. He was an ideal selfless worker, a great devotee, and an honorable celibate. He served Sri Rama with pure love and devotion expecting nothing in return. Thus possessing all of the divine virtues, he never boasted of his bravery or intelligence.
On this day in a Hanuman Temple spiritual discourses begin at dawn, the time of Hanuman's birth, and continue until the sun has risen. The main objective of Hanuman's incarnation was to provide divine assistance for the establishment of the Divine Kingdom, thus removing obstacles while providing the warrior element.
The character of Hanuman teaches us of the unlimited power that lies dormant within each one of us. Because Hanuman directed all of his devotion to Lord Rama, he became free of the burden of physical fatigue. He became tireless in his efforts to love Rama. His greatness lies in his complete merger with his Lord.
Within the sharing of her personal Hanuman experience, Michelle Cook finally realized what the lessons were about.
“It is very difficult for me to admit, but when I was in India in 2007, one of the Gods that I had little knowledge of, and did not understand, was Hanuman. For some reason, which I am only now beginning to understand, I had blocked part of myself. I knew that all of the studying, meant nothing, if I could not apply it to myself, but I couldn't get totally out of my own way.”
“I found myself drawn to a beautiful spot nestled within a bower of yellow and pink hibiscus flowers. At the base of a short set of steps lay a shrine. I didn't know what it was, but I kept going back there, finding peace, just sitting on the steps and gazing over the rubber tree forests, the hibiscus, and this mesmerizing shrine. Toward the end of the retreat, I had a visit with the Temple Astrologer, who told me many things, which have, in fact, proven themselves out. In his final words to me, he indicated that I should honor Hanuman as my personal god.”
“Now upon returning home I have come to the full realization that I was being called to celebrate Hanuman even when I was in India. He was calling to me and I was not paying attention. I was devoted, yes, but my devotion lacked a certain selflessness that is characteristic of Hanuman the simian God. In my meditations I visit the little shrine, where, yes, Hanuman, sits, overlooking the hibiscus and the rubber forests, scaring away any evil doers with a devotion that brings tears to the eyes of Rama.”
Hanuman’s birth is celebrated and honored on April 9th. Every Tuesday and Saturday the men and women of India set aside time to honor Hanuman and ask for his qualities of selfless devotion and tireless physical strength to manifest in their daily lives.
My first encounter with Hanuman was on my 2nd trip to India in 2000. I was honored to attend a puja (a blessing ceremony) in the Temple of Mars. This is a very elaborate affair with flowers, and gifts of fruit and sweet milk. A long and winding procession moves through a labyrinthine maze of rooms filled with deities, and priests, incense and celebrants. The atmosphere is solemn, quiet and filled with a sense of profound respect and love for the diety.
Upon the end of the journey, I found myself looking out into the darkened sky at the steps of the Temple. As I began to make my way down the steps, a monkey placed himself in my path. He began winding in and out and back and forth in front of me as I walked forward, from one side to the other. Knowing that this was a message, my guides told me that I would find out what it was about within the next three to four days. In India, everything is a sign. You never know from when or where the message comes, so it is important not to dismiss anything like this.
Then I had gone to the Hanuman Temple and bought a couple of sacred pictures of Hanuman for my altar. One of the sacred pictures had broken in my luggage. My second message came in a dream when the little monkey came back to remind me that I needed to pay attention to something. What is important here is not truly the broken picture but that Hanuman was paying attention, just as we must pay attention.
Hanuman teaches us to be awake to the signs going on around us, for it is in these signs that we find God.
Creating an altar for Hanuman:
Cover the altar in a light blue cloth.
A light blue candle – representing the throat and the power of speech, as well as, the bridge between the third eye and heart.
Offer Sandlewood.and flowers.
Buy donut holes (not the powdered kind) and offer them as Prasad (sweet treats).
Use the picture of Hanuman on the altar.
As you meditate, visualize Hanuman coming into the body sharing his tireless physical strength and selfless devotion.