The Transformation of
My Relationship to Money and Energy

A devotee describes her participation in the very first Prosperity Puja at The Mountain Of Attention in 1979, and how it completely transformed her.

2012 Prosperity Puja at The Mountain Of Attention

This is a story about the complete transformation of my relationship to money and energy, made possible only by the Infinite Grace and Blessing of the Ruchira Avatar, Adi Da Samraj.

In 1979, I suffered leg and head injuries in an auto accident that required me to be hospitalized for 10 days. That was not the worst result of the accident. On the day I was injured, I was on my way to a new job that I had waited to begin for over a month. As a result of my hospitalization and injuries, I lost my new job.

Recovering from my injuries was difficult, yet it was more difficult to be unable to meet my financial obligations. The household I shared with other devotees needed my rent and other household expenses, and the community of devotees required my tithe and other community fees.

In the three years prior to my accident, I had never missed paying my monthly tithe. I felt completely distressed that I could not "keep up". I would literally sit in our household meditation hall and instead of giving myself up completely to Beloved I would stress out over what I owned that I might "sell" at the local pawn shop. In fact, I owned practically nothing of value, and so this exercise only further served my growing despair of what I could do to change my circumstance.

During this time, all of Beloved Adi Da's devotees were invited to the Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary to participate in the first Prosperity Puja. The puja occurred in the evening, and I gathered with many other devotees at Land Bridge Pavilion to receive instruction on the purpose and process we were to engage to fully participate in this Puja.

We then went to Skyway Temple for the Prosperity Puja. It was a beautiful evening, with a soft breeze cooling the air coming from the bright Fire being attended by the pujarist.

Although our Beloved Heart-Master was not in attendance, His Blessing Presence permeated the gathering as we turned our attention to the growing Fire.

The ceremony began with the offering of the names of everyone present, written on small slips of paper, and offered to the Fire by the priest. At the same time, a large basket was passed in front of us by an attendant, and devotees were each offering something of value as a symbol of their sacrifice and release of concern about money.

As I sat there with the basket coming toward me, I realized that, to enter into the real spirit of the Puja, I had to make a real sacrifice, along with my real intention to surrender all concern about money to Beloved and to depend, from then on, on His Grace completely.

I knew in my heart that it was required that I offer something of value, yet I also knew I did not even have two quarters to rub together. The basket was filling rapidly with the offerings of my fellow devotees, and I sat there, surrendered and open, turning to Beloved in my feeling, and willing to do whatever I could to fully participate in this wonderful Puja.

The fire was glowing, and prayers were being offered, while my heart and my whole being filled with love for my Divine Heart-Master, who had always given me everything, never holding back His Divine Grace. I knew He was Infinite Love-Bliss and the Power of Transformation, and I turned to Him with a silent plea for His Help.

It was then that I reflected I did have something I valued with me. Just before my accident, and to celebrate my new job, I had spontaneously purchased earrings fashioned in the shape of a little laughing Buddha. I had worn them to the Puja, and though they weren't expensive, I loved them. I realized that these earrings represented a real offering, and so I took them off and placed them in the basket as it passed before me.

The Fire continued its dance, with devotees' faces lighting up as if the Fire itself was burning from inside each one. My being relaxed into a profound depth of feeling, while pure Happiness infused all of me — to the point where I laughed out loud and shouted with joy.

The next day, for the first time in months, I awoke feeling energized and strong, instead of feeling the gnawing pain of lack and worry. Gradually, day by day, as I depended more and more on Beloved's Grace, my circumstance improved. And every day since that amazing puja, now more than 26 years ago, Beloved's Grace continues to fill my heart and my whole being, whenever I truly turn to Him. Even during difficult times, I inherently feel His Divine All-Accomplishing Power active and able to transform any circumstance. I stopped worrying about not having enough money (a life-long habit), and knew, without a doubt, I would always have what I needed to live, and give, and serve my Beloved Guru and all beings.

May everyone realize the Infinite Grace and Wisdom, the Limitless and All-Accomplishing Power that IS, always Blessing all beings, in the Supreme Grace Given Form, and Always Blessing Presence, and Perfect State of our Divine Ruchira Avatar, Adi Da Samraj.

This story appears in sections:
Money and Service and
Practical Lessons in the Way of Adidam