Light-In-Everybody:
"The Best Season of the Whole Year"
| multi-media suggestion: first, turn on the music below, then scroll back up to the top and browse through this page. |
This
presentation is organized as follows:
- About Danavira Mela
- Adi Da at Danavira Mela
- Enjoy a Little Danavira Mela Music!
- The Danavira Mela Tradition
- Danavira Mela Celebrated Around the World
- Closing Words
- Comments
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In
Adidam, Danavira Mela, or "The Season of Light-In-Everybody",
lasts from early November (soon after the Celebration of Adi Da's Birthday on November 3) to the January 11th Celebration of Avatar
Adi Da's Divine Self-"Emergence".
It is a season that is (as Adi Da describes it), “essentially about
Light, and about that Light in everybody. It is about acknowledging
the characteristic of Light in everybody you know and meet, rather
than darkness. It is about love rather than its opposite."
This Danavira Mela Logo [above] is the last logo Avatar Adi Da approved in 2008. It's a two-dimensional representation of something that in essence is three-dimensional. The four gates represent His Divine Blessing Power flowing in all directions. The four sides represent the four faculties, the three outer lines represent the three hearts. His hand reaches down through the Prism of Reality, as Perpetual Divine Presence, and the folks in His Hand, He said, He always saw them representing Community. Judith Parkinson |
| It is also a time when devotees celebrate their relationship with Avatar Adi Da Samraj and their intimacy with one another in special ways such as gift making, gift giving, preparation of special foods (including cookie-making), and special occasions of sacred offerings from the various guilds in Adidam. |  |
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It is a time for telling many stories of Avatar Adi Da's life and devotees' interaction with Him. (A "Green Tea Ceremony" is one of the ways devotees do this.) Danavira Mela means literally "the Celebration (Mela) of the Hero (Vira) of Giving (Da)". Previous names for this celebration include "the Feast of Acception" and "the Feast of God in Every Body". |
| Above are some of the logos that have been associated with the Celebration of Danavira Mela or Light-In-Everybody. Click on each image to enlarge. |
A Danavira Mela logo on a decorative banner: The Mountain Of Attention, December, 2014 (click to enlarge) |
A Danavira Mela logo on a decorative banner: First Sight Temple, Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2015 (click to enlarge) |
| You can read more about Danavira Mela in The Danavira Mela Book, and this article associated with The Danavira Mela Book. |  |
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ADI DA: I love this season of celebration. In human terms, it is really the best season of the whole year. Rightly engaged, this season should be the most splendid, loving time of every year. Every year, I am concentrated in this celebration. I have been since My childhood. When I was a child, the holidays were a major event. I always received many gifts, but the occasion was not interesting to Me because I received gifts. It was interesting to Me because of the spirit of giving gifts — the beauty of it, the joy, the happiness of it, the whole spirit, the whole orientation of this time of year when people give gifts to one another and happily receive gifts.
The giving is the meaning of this season, you see. I love
the disposition expressed through giving. Every year, when
you participate in this ceremony of gift-giving, it should
be a ceremonial expression, enacted during this season, of
how you live all the time. On special occasions during this season, you celebrate ceremonially the fundamental act with which you are involved all the time. Gift-giving is delightful, but your giving of gifts should be a celebration of how you live every day, a confirmation of your life with Me, and with everyone you know and meet, even with all humankind. This basic expression should continue through the New Year,
and it should confirm your disposition all year. This is the secret of the ego-transcending process. I am always Giving the great Gift of My Divine Love and Blessing. When My devotees love Me and practice the Way that I have Given them, that is their gift. When My devotees love Me and practice, and when I Love them and Bless them, there is this exchange with one another. Then, every year during this season, I express ceremoniously what I have done with My devotees, and what they have done with Me, all year long. This is the secret of My participation in this celebration. Know that I Bless you through and beyond time and space. Live a life of celebration. True life, ego-transcending life, is a celebration, a joyous occasion of meeting with others in the universal circumstance of prior unity and in the joy of Communion with the Indivisible Divine Reality. That is why I look forward to this season every year. It is the greatest season of the year. It is a marvelous season. I hope it is a happy time for you and for all of your friends. Avatar Adi Da Samraj, “The Feast of God in
Every Body”, December 25, 1982 |
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The tree at Danavira Mela time is a symbol. It represents something in the human scale. The Danavira Mela tree represents the human nervous system and the esoteric psycho-physical structures that have been associated with the Spiritual process in all traditions, including the Light that shines from above. The Danavira Mela tree is a representation of that. It is a symbolic tree-like form, a 'Tree of Life' kind of form. Avatar Adi Da Samraj |
Decorating the Divine Spirit-Tree of Light at The Manner Of Flowers The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary (click to enlarge) |
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 full page link  If video won't play in place, refresh the page and try again. Or you can click "full page link" (above). | length: 02:55 views: 6599 |
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 full page link If video won't play in place, refresh the page and try again. Or you can click "full page link" (above). | length: 06:45 views: 6521 Accompanied by Naamleela's musical version (from her album, Eyes In Other Worlds) of Adi Da's poem, "I served to priest the pharoahs", from Crazy Da Must Sing. For more about the celebration of Light-In-Everybody, read here and read Naamleela's The Danavira Mela Book. |
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 full page link If video won't play in place, refresh the page and try again. Or you can click "full page link" (above). | length: 07:43 views: 11201 "The Sunshine Makers" is the third cartoon in the "Rainbow Parade Series", which was produced by Van Beuren Studios to compete with Walt Disney's "Silly Symphonies". The series consisted of 27 full color, animated shorts, and was distributed to theaters by RKO between 1934 and 1936. (You can watch more of these here.) "The Sunshine Makers" later became a regular on 1950's television, after the sale of RKO's film library. In his book, Of Mice and Magic, well-known film critic Leonard Maltin writes that his childhood (in the 1950's) included "countless viewings" of the cartoon. "The Sunshine Makers" is also one of Adi Da's favorite cartoons, because of its depiction of Light and Happiness (magnified and spread by the "Sunshine gnomes" in the cartoon) dissolving and outshining the force of egoity (the "gloomies"). In his article, "The Sunshine Makers cartoon from 1935", James Steinberg writes, "Bhagavan Adi Da loved that cartoon! He thought that it showed the simplicity of the argument of the open hand and the closed fist, or that our un-happiness is just something that we presume. Just like He used to tell us when we came to the Mountain of Attention, or came to see Him altogether, that we could 'leave it at the gate'. There is no reason to presume the dilemma in the face of the Divine (or truly altogether). We used to watch 'The Sunshine Makers' cartoon with Him when we had to watch it on a 16mm projector. I saw it multiple times with Bhagavan and He would laugh heartily as it was shown and watch our faces to see our reactions beaming with Happiness. He always used to tell us that we could just 'drop it in the moment' (our self-contraction) and that it was 'just an act'." Further notes on the cartoon: * It's a musical! Almost all speech is set to music. * At 0:43: The "Sunshine gnomes" start their morning with a conscious exercise routine that begins with bowing down to the Transcendental Sun (the source of their sunshine): "Hail, His Majesty, the Sun!" * At 7:00: When the "gloomies" refuse to "take their medicine", the gnomes force "sunshine" down their throats. In the words of the great Spiritual Master, Sri Ramakrishna: "There are three classes of physicians: superior, mediocre, and inferior. The physician who feels the patient's pulse and just says to him, 'Take the medicine regularly' belongs to the inferior class. He doesn't care to inquire whether or not the patient has actually taken the medicine. The mediocre physician is he who in various ways persuades the patient to take the medicine, and says to him sweetly: 'My good man, how will you be cured unless you use the medicine? Take this medicine. I have made it for you myself.' But he who, finding the patient stubbornly refusing to take the medicine, forces it down his throat, going so far as to put his knee on the patient's chest is the best physician. This is the manifestation of the tamas of the physician. It doesn't injure the patient; on the contrary, it does him good." |
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 full page link If video won't play in place, refresh the page and try again. Or you can click "full page link" (above). | length: 02:33 event date: December 18, 2016 views: 2519 Featured: The Danavira Mela tree, with ornaments depicting scenes from Adi Da's life. Slideshow editor: Steven Shapiro |
Darshan of Adi Da in front of the window of His bedroom, with decorated tree inside, Adi Da Samrajashram, Fiji, December 23, 2006 click to enlarge |
Adi Da decorating the Spirit-Tree of Light in Is-Da-Happen, Adi Da Samrajashram, Fiji, November, 2007 (click to enlarge) |
Adi Da decorating the Spirit-Tree of Light in Is-Da-Happen, Adi Da Samrajashram, Fiji, November, 2007 click to enlarge |
Adi Da decorating
the Spirit-Tree of Light in Is-Da-Happen,
Adi Da Samrajashram, Fiji, November, 2007 click to enlarge |
Adi Da decorating
the Spirit-Tree of Light in Is-Da-Happen,
Adi Da Samrajashram, Fiji, November, 2007 click to enlarge |
Adi
Da decorating the Spirit-Tree of Light in Is-Da-Happen,
Adi Da Samrajashram, Fiji,
November, 2007
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VANESSA KENOYER (December 25, 2007):
These cookies have Adi Da's Image-Art, Geome 3, printed on sugar with edible ink and then placed on the cookie. I made all of these cookies and was in Is-Da-Happen serving this occasion. Adi Da intentionally Blessed each one
with edible ink. (click to enlarge) |
Children inspired by Adi Da as they decorate cookies in Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2015. (click to enlarge) |
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 Adi Da dressed for winter |
 Adi Da in a Danavira Mela outfit |
 Adi Da at Da Love-Ananda Mahal Sanctuary in Kauai, Hawaii, December, 1982 click to enlarge |
 Adi Da at the Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary in Northern California click to enlarge |
"The Christmas Talk", the Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 23, 1978 |
 "The Christmas Talk", the Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 23, 1978 |
 "The Christmas Talk", the Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 23, 1978 click to enlarge |
On Christmas Eve, 1978, dressed in holiday red ("I just happened to pick this out for tonight"), Adi Da Samraj gathered with devotees in Land Bridge Pavilion at the Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary, and gave what became known as "the Christmas Talk". (The following video clip is an excerpt from that talk.) He discussed devotees' childhood religious beliefs about Jesus and and sang, with devotees, holiday songs and carols from the various religious traditions represented by devotees from around the world.
| The Divine Spirit-Being is in charge of the body-mind, and
it also flies, goes everywhere, and brings Gifts to everyone.
My Blessing Presence brings all the Happiness of the Divine
to everyone, as a Free Gift.
Avatar Adi Da Samraj |
Celebrating Danavira Mela with Bhagavan Adi Da — Richard McIntyre tells of being in Adi Da's Company during the Celebration of Danavira Mela in 1994. |
3. Enjoy a Little Danavira Mela Music!
Adi Da and Holiday Music (article)
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Play all the songs while you are reading this page. Press the first track to start playing the playlist. (It can take a little while to load, on a slow internet connection.) Pressing any track while it is playing will pause the track. (A paused track turns gray.) You can switch to any other track by pressing that track.
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ABOUT THE MUSIC. . . Now more details about each of these holiday pieces.
WHEN ALL IS GONE TO LOVE
 from the album music by JoAnne Sunshine When all is gone to Love, Da Da Da. Bright Blessings pouring down,
 from the album music by John
Mackay Rejoice! Vocals: Megan Anderson, Pamela Gray, Elaine Dixon, Antonina Randazzo, Lorraine Barnes, Kerith Edwards, John Mackay, Steve Brown, Jonah Strauss, Mel McMurrin
 arranged by Colin
Decio
 traditional Ukrainian Christmas carol, arranged and performed by devotees Grace Evans and Neem Wood
 much loved Christmas song by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane (1943). Vocals by devotee Chris Tong. Karaoke arrangement: Sing King. LIGHT-IN-EVERYBODY
 lyrics by Megan
Anderson To every person, everywhere, We may seem to be different Let us embrace this time of year No matter what our country Though many peoples of the world AVE MARIA
 singer: Antonina Randazzo
from the album music by John
Mackay "There is Only Light" is by devotee John Mackay. It draws on the Qawwali tradition of Sufi devotional music (exemplified by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan). Read Adi Da's appreciation of the Qawwali musical tradition here. There Is Only Light. Lead vocal: John Mackay
 Traditional holiday music, played by world-renowned pianist, Katya Grineva, and arranged by Byron Duckwall. In this brief medley of excerpts from Katya's CD, she draws on many different classical modalities: from Bach to Chopin to Rachmaninoff. You'll recognize snippets of familar melodies like "My Favorite Things", "Sleigh Ride", "Ave Maria", and "I'll Be Home for Christmas". The CD contains much more. Devotee and master cellist Byron Duckwall is the producer and arranger. More here. Album dedication: In the video clip below, Katya talks (on a New York TV show)
about her December 2015 concert, "A Classical Holiday", at
Carnegie Hall (she has set a record as the only solo female panist to play Carnegie Hall 20 times!), where she plays pieces from her CD (and more). |
ADI DA BELOVED
a devotional version of
the traditional Christmas carol,
"Angels We Have Heard On High"
words, musical arrangement, and performance
by Chris Tong
Huge Helper, The Mountain Of Attention
(click to enlarge)
All the world awaited Him,
Praying for the Promised Lord.
Then He found a Way to here. . .
Now He's here forever more.
Da, Adi Da, Adi Da Beloved.
Da, Adi Da, Adi Da Beloved.
He is Consciousness Itself,
All-Pervading,
not apart,
freeing us from separate self,
Shining "Bright" in every heart.
Da, Adi Da, Adi Da Beloved.
Da, Adi Da, Adi Da Beloved.
All will feel His Presence here
make this world a Sacred Place.
Praise Him for His Sacrifice!
Praise Him for His Blessing Grace!
Da, Adi Da, Adi Da Beloved.
Da, Adi Da, Adi Da Beloved.
ODE TO DIVINE JOY
Holiday music performed by devotees in Land Bridge Pavilion
at the Mountain Of Attention on November 2, 2013.
On November 2, 2013, the eve of the seventy-fourth anniversary of Avatar Adi Da's Birth, a live concert was held to celebrate His Eternal Blessing of all.
Adi Da Jayanthi Celebration in Land Bridge Pavilion at the Mountain Of Attention, 2013 (click to enlarge) |
The rendition of the Ode to Divine Joy performed during that occasion at the Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary (in Northern California) is a unique fusion of two performances: the live performance and a 1990 studio recording played as accompaniment. This unique amalgam of both studio and live performances of Ode to Divine Joy, as well as all of the other pieces of the live concert included on this CD, are offered in the spirit of celebration and gratitude.
The following CD sampler medley includes excerpts from: Made By Your Hand (by Sally Howe), The Great Gift (by Ray Lynch), Mary Don't You Weep (by the Swan Silvertones), and Ode To Divine Joy adapted from Ode to Joy in Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
4.
The Danavira Mela Tradition
| Here's to Love, absolutely. That is the spirit of this season
of celebration. That spirit should inform your entire year.
It takes months to move out of the shine of that celebration,
at which point the same obligation rests on you. The same thing
obliges you all year long - receiving My Divine Grace absolutely,
and letting It flow freely through you such that you can freely
give the Prasad of My Divine Blessing to others. What a delightful
life!
Avatar Adi Da Samraj |
In the next section, we have many
photos of Danavira Mela being celebrated by Adi Da's devotees around
the world. There are a few recurring themes you'll notice in these
pictures, that distinguish the Danavira Mela tradition from the
Christmas tradition.
4.1. Three persimmons. Many of the trees display three persimmons, representing the three stations of the heart.[2]
Stylized depiction of the three stations of the heart, decorating a Giving Tree — by Ruy Carpenter, December, 2015 (click to enlarge) |
4.2. Tree finial. Many of the trees have as their finial (tree-topper) a five-pointed star, which is the central element of the Cosmic Mandala. Some devotees use a representation of the entire Cosmic Mandala (with the five-pointed star in the middle), or the Dawn Horse pointing upward to the five-pointed star.
4.3.
Ancestral sock. 
Some
of the trees have an "ancestral sock".
(In our slideshow above, there is a picture of Adi Da placing the "ancestral sock" on a Danavira Mela tree.)
Hanging the "ancestral sock" on the Tree of Light is a well-loved
and important tradition stemming from Avatar Adi Da’s childhood. The
actual "ancestral sock" has been hanging on Avatar Adi Da’s
family tree for close to a century. The sock was first put on the
family tree for Adi Da’s mother's very first Christmas, in 1915. From
the time He was an infant, the sock was always on the tree at His
Grandpa and Aunt Minnie's house where He went every Christmas Eve.
His grandfather eventually passed it on to His mother, and she then
passed it on to Adi Da in 1975. It has been the first ornament to
go on His tree each year ever since! In the late 1990's, when He suggested
that replicas be made of "the sock" for others to hang on
their trees,[1] this tradition became a special
sign of the direct and personal relationship everyone can enter into
with Him; in a profound sense, all of Adi Da's devotees are part of
His "Gurukula": the family of the Divine Guru.
Closeup of tree decorations in Is-Da Happen
Adi Da Samrajashram, Fiji, November 18, 2007.
On this tree, each year of Adi Da's life is represented by
an ornament with a photograph from that year.
Some devotees' tree decorations also include what Adi Da refers
to as "icons of happiness". These include specific Disney
images, like that of Mickey Mouse:
4.5.
White trees. Some of the trees are white, not green. These
are formal sacred trees, most often found on one of the Empowered
Sanctuaries or in one of the regional centers of Adidam.
4.6.
Tree shawl. Orange is the color of renunciation. The orange
shawl or ribbon is added to the tree in January, at the time of
the Ashvamedha Celebration.
Magdalena's tree in Napa,
California, December, 2012.
4.7.
Giving Coat. Some pictures show a Giving Coat accompanying
the tree. The Giving Coat is a large, flattened coat or robe that
is hung with arms stretched out horizontally. The Coat contains
many pockets, which are decorated with scenes from Adi Da's life
and work and are filled with gifts.
4.8. Green Tree Ceremony. We mentioned how Danavira Mela is a time for telling stories of Avatar Adi Da's life and devotees' interaction with Him. The Green Tea Ceremony is an occasion especially created for this purpose. More pictures further down the page.
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4.9. Devotee creativity / ornaments from The Dawn Horse Press. There's no end to devotee creativity! We've been showing a few of the recurring elements in the Danavira Mela tradition. But devotees are always coming up with new contributions to that tradition.
Danavira Mela creativity: She Layne's tree in Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2013. (click to enlarge) |
Danavira Mela creativity: She Layne's tree in Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2013. (click to enlarge) |
A devotee tree topped by an origami star in Los Angeles, California, 2011 (click to enlarge) |
Becoming part of the decorations in Lake County, California, 2009 |
Mei-Ling's vegetable Santa in New York, New York, December, 2016 (click to enlarge) |
Michelle's and Bob's unique, sandblasted manzanita tree in Eureka, California, December, 2018 |
A Sanskrit Da ornament on a devotee tree in Ashland, Oregon, December, 2018 (click to enlarge) |
Virtual ornaments with a Naitauba theme from artist and devotee, Nara Wood, December, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
| Drawing on more devotee creativity, The Dawn Horse Press makes available some special Danavira Mela ornaments for your Divine Spirit-Tree of Light (click on the picture or text to go to the corresponding Dawn Horse Press page): |  click to enlarge |
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5.
Danavira Mela Celebrated Around the World
Danavira Mela celebration in the regional center, Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012. |
Please send us your current Danavira Mela photos, so we can post them here, and share them with everybody! We currently have pictures from:
And now. . . Danavira Mela pictures from around the world!
5.1. Danavira Mela at Adi Da Samrajashram,
Fiji
Danavira Mela decorations in the inner courtyard of Aham Da Asmi Sthan, Adi Da Samrajashram, Fiji, 2011 |
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 full page link If video won't play in place, refresh the page and try again. Or you can click "full page link" (above). | length: 10:27 views: 2309 The soundtrack includes holiday music, and devotee John Mackay's "There Is Only Light" (from the album, Danavira), which draws on the Qawwali tradition of Sufi devotional music, and resonates with the celebration of Light-In-Everybody. |
Danavira Mela decorations in the inner courtyard
of Aham Da Asmi Sthan, Adi Da Samrajashram,
Fiji, 2008
Elves (Cheryl and Gloria) visiting Aham Da Asmi Sthan Adi Da Samrajashram, Fiji, 2018 (click to enlarge) |
Decorating a tree in Is-Da Happen, Adi Da Samrajashram,
Fiji, November 18, 2007
Danavira Mela decorations at Adi Da Samrajashram,
Fiji, 2011
Cookies made at Aham Da Asmi Sthan, Adi Da Samrajashram, Fiji, 2011 (click to enlarge) |
Cards for Adi Da from devotees in His office, Glass Pear, Adi Da Samrajashram, Fiji, December 29, 2006 |
Cards for Adi Da from devotees in His office, Glass Pear, Adi Da Samrajashram, Fiji, December 29, 2006 (click to enlarge) |
5.2. Danavira Mela at The Mountain
Of Attention (Northern California)
Seventh Gate - Danavira Mela The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Bright Behind Me - Danavira Mela The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Darshan Adytum - Danavira Mela The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Huge Helper - Danavira Mela The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Well in front of Huge Helper - Danavira Mela The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Plain Talk Chapel - Danavira Mela The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Paduka Mandir - Danavira Mela The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Skyway Temple - Danavira Mela The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Ordeal Bath Lodge - Danavira Mela The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Ordeal Bath Lodge - Danavira Mela The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Home Dance - Danavira Mela The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Goat’s Wool Blanket - Danavira Mela The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Huge Helper (East Side facing Seventh Gate) - Danavira Mela The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Danavira Mela Wreath on All Eyes Gate The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2015 (click to enlarge) |
 Danavira Mela Wreath on All Eyes Gate at night The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2018 |
Danavira Mela Wreath on All Eyes Gate at night The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2015 (click to enlarge) |
Celebration Gate decorated The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Celebration Gate decorated The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California December 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Celebration Gate decorated, The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2018 |
Danavira Mela in Land Bridge Pavilion The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2015 (click to enlarge) |
The Spirit Tree of Life in Land Bridge Pavilion The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2013 (click to enlarge) |
The Spirit Tree of Life in Land Bridge Pavilion The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2011 |
The Giving Coat in Land Bridge Pavilion The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2015 |
The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December, 2015
The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December 2014 (click to enlarge) |
The Adidam Sacred Choir performing in Land Bridge Pavilion The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December, 2013 (click to enlarge) |
Huge Helper covered in Danavira Mela lights The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December, 2015 (click to enlarge) |
A Danavira Mela tree next to Plain Talk Chapel The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December, 2015 |
Danavira Mela elves at the Adidam Bookstore The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December, 2016 (click to enlarge) |
The Adidam Bookstore (Fresh Milk) at The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, December, 2012. (click to enlarge) |
Open shutter photograph of Ordeal Bath Lodge at The Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, January 1, 2014 - © Ruy Carpenter. (click to enlarge) |
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 full page link If video won't play in place, refresh the page and try again. Or you can click "full page link" (above). | length: 00:41 event date: December 22, 2012 Led by Antonina Randazzo, they are singing one of the chants for the season, This Is The Great Gift. The words are drawn from Adi Da's Sacred Texts. The music is by devotee and award-winning composer, Ray Lynch. I was not born. I cannot die. I am Love-Bliss. I am Consciousness. This is the Great Gift: I am here. I am the Way. Follow My Star. I will lead you to Eternal Bliss. |
Antonina Randazzo making pancakes for everyone (45 people), at the Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, morning of December 25, 2018. (click to enlarge) |
Brian O'Mahony making pancakes for everyone (45 people) at the Mountain Of Attention, Northern California, morning of December 25, 2018. (click to enlarge) |
5.3. Danavira Mela at The European Danda
(The Netherlands)
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The
craftsmanship of cookie decorating:
the European Danda, Maria Hoop, The Netherlands, December, 2014 |
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Cookie decorating at the European Danda, Maria Hoop, The Netherlands, December, 2013 |
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Danavira
Mela dinner and gifting at the European Danda |
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Green
Tea Ceremony (and associated sacred story telling) at the
European Danda |
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At the Where Is Happiness? Retreat at the European
Danda
in Maria
Hoop, The Netherlands, November,
2018
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At the Where Is Happiness? Retreat at the European
Danda
in Maria
Hoop, The Netherlands, November,
2018
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At the Where Is Happiness? Retreat at the European
Danda
in Maria
Hoop, The Netherlands, November,
2018
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At the Where Is Happiness? Retreat at the European
Danda
in Maria
Hoop, The Netherlands, November,
2018
click to enlarge
At the Where Is Happiness? Retreat at the European
Danda
in Maria
Hoop, The Netherlands, November,
2018
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At the Where Is Happiness? Retreat at the European
Danda
in Maria
Hoop, The Netherlands, November,
2018
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At the Where Is Happiness? Retreat at the European
Danda
in Maria
Hoop, The Netherlands, November,
2018
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5.4. Danavira Mela in Australia
Melbourne, Australia, November, 2023 (click to enlarge) |
The Giving Coat, Melbourne, Australia, November, 2023 (click to enlarge) |
Trays of ornaments for Tree trimming, Melbourne, Australia, November, 2023 (click to enlarge) |
A devotee tree, Melbourne, Australia, November, 2023 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, November, 2022 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, November, 2022 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, November, 2022 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, November, 2022 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, November, 2022 (click to enlarge) |
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 full page link If video won't play in place, refresh the page and try again. Or you can click "full page link" (above). | length: 04:05 event date: December 2021 views: 741 music: Pentatonix, "How Great Thou Art" |
Tree Trimming in Melbourne, Australia, November, 2021. (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, December, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, December, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, December, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, December, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, December, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, December, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, December, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, December, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, December, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, December, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Melbourne, Australia, December, 2021 |
Melbourne, Australia, December, 2021 |
Melbourne, Australia, December, 2021 |
Melbourne, Australia, December, 2021 |
Danavira Mela celebration in the regional centre, Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012. (click to enlarge) |
Danavira Mela celebration in the regional centre, Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012. Giving Coat (with pockets filled with gifts) hanging in the background. (click to enlarge) |
Danavira Mela celebration in the regional centre, Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012. Elves at work! (click to enlarge) |
Danavira Mela celebration in the regional centre, Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012. Green tea ceremony. (click to enlarge) |
Danavira Mela celebration in the regional centre, Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012. (click to enlarge) |
Danavira Mela celebration in the regional centre, Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012. (click to enlarge) |
Danavira Mela celebration in the regional centre, Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012. "For you!" (click to enlarge) |
Danavira Mela celebration in the regional centre, Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012. (click to enlarge) |
 A devotee tree in Melbourne, Australia December, 2012 |
 A devotee tree in Melbourne, Australia December, 2012 |
 A devotee tree in Melbourne, Australia December, 2012 |
 Danavira Mela decorations in Melbourne, Australia December, 2012 |
 A devotee tree in Melbourne, Australia December, 2012 |
 The Adidam Regional Centre in Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012 |
 The Adidam Regional Centre in Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012 |
 The Adidam Regional Centre's main tree Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012 |
 The Adidam Regional Centre's main tree Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012 |
 The Adidam Regional Centre in Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012 |
A Giving Coat in the Adidam Regional Centre Melbourne, Australia, December, 2012 |
The Adidam Regional Centre in Melbourne, Australia, December, 2015. |
The Adidam Regional Centre in Melbourne, Australia, December, 2015. (click to enlarge) |
The Adidam Regional Centre in Melbourne, Australia, December, 2015. (click to enlarge) |
Devotee home decorated with Adi Da's Image-Art and festive lights in Australia, December, 2018. (click to enlarge) |
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Jasmine's tree in Helsinki,
Finland, December, 2018.
Jasmine celebrating Danavaria Mela and wearing a "Da" pendant in Helsinki, Finland, December, 2018. (click to enlarge) |
Jasmine's tree in Helsinki, Finland, December, 2016. (click to enlarge) |
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Jasmine's tree in Helsinki, Finland, December, 2016. (click to enlarge) |
Jasmine's tree in Helsinki, Finland, December, 2015. (click to enlarge) |
5.7. Danavira Mela in The Netherlands
A devotee tree in Eindhoven, Netherlands, December, 2023. (click to enlarge) |
A devotee tree in Eindhoven, Netherlands, December, 2021. (click to enlarge) |
5.8. Danavira Mela in New Zealand
Devotees in Auckland, New Zealand made raffle prizes and delicious treats, raising thousands of dollars for their friends in Lake County, California, who had lost their homes in the Valley Fire — December, 2015. |
Devotees in Auckland, New Zealand made raffle prizes and delicious treats, raising thousands of dollars for their friends in Lake County, California, who had lost their homes in the Valley Fire — December, 2015. |
Devotees in Auckland, New Zealand made raffle prizes and delicious treats, raising thousands of dollars for their friends in Lake County, California, who had lost their homes in the Valley Fire — December, 2015. |
Danavira Mela in Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2015 |
Danavira Mela in Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2015 |
Danavira Mela in Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2015 |
Danavira Mela in Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2015 |
Danavira Mela in Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2015 |
Danavira Mela in Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2015 |
Danavira Mela in Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2015 |
In Adidam New Zealand Centre, Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2013. Devotees circumambulate First Sight with the Giving Coat, showing that the back is also filled with pockets. Everyone has put a gift into the pockets, and everyone receives a gift. (click to enlarge) |
In Adidam New Zealand Centre, Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2013. Close-up of the Giving Coat. (click to enlarge) |
In Adidam New Zealand Centre, Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2013. A young devotee receives a gift from Adi Da's Giving Coat. (click to enlarge) |
In First Sight Temple, Adidam New Zealand Centre Auckland, New Zealand, December, 2013. The Divine Spirit-Tree of Light is one of Adi Da's Forms. Here, a devotee waves a candle to the Tree (as Adi Da's Form). (click to enlarge) |
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S.K.'s tree in December, 2013. . . |
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5.9. Danavira Mela in Portugal
Devotee tree using ash packets from Celebrations
for decorations
in Monchique,
Portugal, December, 2014
Daniela wishing everyone a Happy Danavira
Mela
in Tenerife,
Canary Islands, Spain, December, 2018
5.11. Danavira Mela in the United Kingdom
Devotee tree covered with ornaments made from pictures of Adi Da, Bassingbourn, United Kingdom, December, 2018 |
Devotee tree covered with ornaments made from pictures of Adi Da, Bassingbourn, United Kingdom, December, 2018 (click to enlarge) |
Adi Da's Image-Art (upper left) and white tree blesses a very festive holiday gathering, Wokingham, United Kingdom, December, 2015 (click to enlarge) |
5.12. Danavira Mela in the United States
5.12.1. Danavira Mela in Arizona
A devotee tree in Arizona, 2011 |
5.12.2. Danavira Mela in California
Tamarind Free Jones, California, December, 2016 (click to enlarge) |
Tamarind tree decorating, Northern California, November, 2013 (click to enlarge) |
Tamarind and Naamleela Free Jones baking cookies, Northern California, December 24, 2014 (click to enlarge) |
Persimmons and photos of Adi Da on a devotee tree in Los Angeles, California December, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Three persimmons on a devotee tree in Los Angeles, California, 2011 (click to enlarge) |
Three persimmons and the word "DA" on a devotee tree in Los Angeles, California, December, 2018 (click to enlarge) |
Devotees in Trinidad, California, December 2016 (click to enlarge) |
Aura Bakker decorating tree in California, December, 2014 (click to enlarge) |
Cookie making in Alameda, California, 2016 (click to enlarge) |
Cookie making in Alameda, California, 2016 (click to enlarge) |
Roger Briggs celebrating Danavira Mela in Middletown, California, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Roger Briggs celebrating Danavira Mela in Middletown, California, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Tree Trimming by Malcolm Dunshee and Rachel Key in Middletown, California, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Tree Trimming by Malcolm Dunshee and Rachel Key in Middletown, California, 2021 (click to enlarge) |
Devotee tree in Middletown, California, 2016 (click to enlarge) |
A devotee tree in Oakland, California, 2011 (click to enlarge) |
A devotee tree in Middletown, California, December, 2015 (click to enlarge) |
Food for belly and heart in Oakland, California, December, 2015 (click to enlarge) |
A devotee tree in Middletown, California, December, 2018 (click to enlarge) |
A devotee tree in Lake County, California, 2011 (click to enlarge) |
Adidam Bookstore,
West Hollywood, California, 2009
Adidam Bookstore,
West Hollywood, California, 2009
A devotee studying Adi Da's Teaching next
to the tree,
Los Angeles, California, 2011
Tennessee's tree, Santa Cruz, California, December, 2013. (click to enlarge) |
Devotees decorating a tree in their home in Los Angeles, California, November, 2012. (click to enlarge) |
An "icon of happiness" in the home of devotees in Los Angeles, California, November, 2012. |
A decorated tree in the home of devotees in Los Angeles, California, November, 2012. (click to enlarge) |
A devotee tree in Cobb, California, December, 2013. (click to enlarge) |
A Danavira Mela party in Loch Lomond, California, December, 2015. (click to enlarge) |
Making a gingerbread house in Loch Lomond, California, December, 2012. (click to enlarge) |
| Tree decoration tip from Magdalena [whose tree is below]: Our family likes to save the special tags on bottles of tirtha (the water prasad from the Celebrations) and use them for our Spirit-Tree of Light [the flat, square decorations in the picture]. |
Magdalena's tree in Napa, California, December, 2012. (click to enlarge) |
Carmen's tree in Northern
California, December, 2014
5.12.3. Danavira Mela in Colorado
Devotee tree
in Westminster, Colorado,
November, 2017 |
5.12.4. Danavira Mela in Hawaii
Danavira
Mela celebration (with cookie-decorating), Kauai,
Hawaii, 2011 |
They're back!
With more Danavira Mela cookies from Kauai,
Hawaii — December, 2015 |
Devotees
in Kauai, Hawaii, December,
2015 |
Devotee tree
in Hanalei, Hawaii, November,
2017 |
5.12.5. Danavira Mela in Illinois
Devotee tree in Chicago, Illinois, 2011 (click to enlarge) |
5.12.6. Danavira Mela in Maryland / Washington, D.C.
A devotee tree in the Washington, DC area, 2011 (click to enlarge) |
Adidam Mission Center in Potomac, Maryland, 2011 (click to enlarge) |
Adidam Mission Center in Potomac, Maryland December, 2012 (click to enlarge) |
5.12.7. Danavira Mela in Massachusetts
A devotee's home in Natick, Massachusetts, December, 2021 |
A devotee's home in Easthampton, Massachusetts, December, 2018 (click to enlarge) |
Adidam New England Center, Natick, Massachusetts, 2013 (click to enlarge) |
5.12.8. Danavira Mela in Michigan
5.12.9. Danavira Mela in Nevada
A devotee tree in North Las Vegas, Nevada, 2016 (click to enlarge) |
5.12.10. Danavira Mela in New Jersey / New York
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full page link If video won't play in place, refresh the page and try again. Or you can click "full page link" (above). | length: 02:33 event date: December 18, 2016 views: 2519 Featured: The Danavira Mela tree, with ornaments depicting scenes from Adi Da's life. Slideshow editor: Steven Shapiro |
Dennis Coccaro decorating the tree in the Ashram House, Saddle River, New Jersey, December, 2018 (click to enlarge) |
Dennis Coccaro next to the tree in the Ashram House (it's also his birthday), Saddle River, New Jersey, December 25, 2018 (click to enlarge) |
Dennis Coccaro in the Ashram House, Saddle River, New Jersey, December 25, 2018 (click to enlarge) |
Dennis Coccaro in Ashram House, Saddle River, New Jersey, 2016 (click to enlarge) |
Community House, Brooklyn, New York, 2009 (click to enlarge) |
Community House,
Brooklyn, New York, December, 2015(click to enlarge) |
Avatar Adi Da
Samraj and "It's A Wonderful Life", Community House,
Brooklyn, New York, 2011(click to enlarge) |
A gingerbread Taj Mahal (and one of its chief designers), Community House, Brooklyn, New York, 2011 (click to enlarge) |
Gingerbread Taj Mahal (Close-up), Community
House, Brooklyn, New York, 2011
Gingerbread Taj Mahal with Adi Da's Image-Art, Community House, Brooklyn, New York, 2011 (click to enlarge) |
Art Gallery / Dining Room, Community House, Brooklyn, New York, 2011 (click to enlarge) |
Cookie decorating, Community House, Brooklyn, New York, 2011 (click to enlarge) |
front of Community House, Brooklyn, New York, 2011 (click to enlarge) |
Devotee tree, Smithtown, New York, December, 2014. (click to enlarge) |
5.12.11. Danavira Mela in Oregon
Adidam Portland,
Portland, Oregon, 2009
Adidam Portland,
Portland, Oregon, 2009
Devotee hall decorated for Danavira Mela, Medford, Oregon, 2019. (click to enlarge) |
Devotee hall decorated for Danavira Mela, Medford, Oregon, 2019. (click to enlarge) |
5.12.12. Danavira Mela in Texas
Celebrating Danavira Mela in Dallas, Texas, November, 2017. (click to enlarge) |
5.12.13. Danavira Mela in Virginia
A devotee tree in Vienna, Virginia, 2016 (click to enlarge) |
Devotee tree in Fairfax, Virginia, December, 2015. (click to enlarge) |
5.12.14. Danavira Mela in Washington
Patreecia's Danavira Mela arrangement
in Seattle, Washington, December, 2018
Patreecia's tree in Seattle,
Washington, December, 2015
A fundraising raffle attended by devotee elves,
in Seattle, Washington, 2011
5.12.15. Danavira Mela in Wisconsin
Adi Da's favorite movie version of Dicken's story, "A Christmas Carol" (click to enlarge) |
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Do not expect the "world" to congratulate you for it, or to give you permission to do it. Who knows how long the Earth will be a survivable place for human beings? This is not the only "world", in any case, and you were always going to die. Death is guaranteed, anyway. As the "world" takes on the color of death, you must more and more take on the color of the Heart. Danavira Mela is a time for true rejoicing. So is every day, and all the time and years from now, for My devotees. We are not celebrating the conditions of the "world" on this Danavira Mela. We are celebrating your Happiness in whole bodily response to My Revelation to you. The "world" does not give you reasons to do this celebration in love — I do. Therefore, be grateful for it, and be serious about it, and do your part of right life. If you look to the "world" instead of to Me, you will have more and more reasons to be depressed and dark yourself, more and more reasons to be ego-possessed. Do the life, and celebrate My Company all year long, and never submit to the "world", never submit to separate "self". Turn to Me, Commune with Me, and forget about the "world". That is the life of Joy. And it is the Law that must be manifested in every moment of your life, for all the years you live. Understand, then, and do this, for real. Danavira Mela will be a wonderful day that epitomizes all of your lives. Be like the converted Scrooge on that day, and right now. Make your life out of Joy, and make this celebration out of it. And forget the "world". And forget yourself. And love Me. Love one another. Be full of love. Be full of the Happiness That Transcends the "world". Avatar Adi Da Samraj, December 24, 1993 |
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| [1] |
You can purchase a replica of the ancestral sock here. |
| [2] |
You can purchase the "three hearts/persimmons" ornaments here. |
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