We have all had times when things are in flow, and times when they are not. We have all had times of moving from A to B to C just to get to D.
As you may know, since our last visit to Amma’s Ashram in February we have been preparing to become the custodians of cows. This was on account of strong inner guidance, which was supported by numerous ‘coincidences’ or, as they are called in the mysteries, correspondences.
Our initial plan was to rescue some Poddy calves, however personal health issues and travel made that impractical. Most cows are not all that keen to be up close with humans, given our species are their predators. To have a relationship with cows that is enjoyable for both really needs the cows to be hand-raised.
We found two lovely Jersey cows up in Bundaberg which had been hand-reared, knew about walking on a lead, were okay to be tied up and have people around them. We put on a deposit, but then were unable to arrange transport. It was a frustrating few weeks of then finding a transport option, but they would not communicate. It started to feel like we were forcing it with this plan, and perhaps there was another solution.
Last Monday, Ganesha Ma and I were at my place working on some energy healing resources. After a big session we decided to look at cows on Gumtree just for fun. Imagine our surprise when we found a Brahman cow for sale who was so quiet that a child could walk up to her in the paddock and milk her! We rang the owner, who also had a Jersey with a half Brahman calf, as well as a Jersey Highland Cross youngster, for sale. WOW – this is exactly what we wanted, and all of them are quiet, used to people and gorgeous. We put down a deposit on Monday night, and the cows were delivered by the owner Thursday morning. They didn’t have to go on a big, impersonal and probably terrifying cattle truck with someone they don’t know, and they arrived in under three days from when we first saw them online. Flow.
That was Monday. Then, on Tuesday morning before they arrived, the Brahman cow came into my dreams and introduced herself, informing me that her name is Brahmi. This is one of Saraswati’s names and specifically means “one who enlightens our consciousness and helps us think more clearly.” Brahmi is also a herb in Ayurveda that is used to help the brain, and to sharpen the mind. Well! Om Brahmi! I could have sworn she was grinning at me in the dream.
And our amazing friends and community members have been helping us to get ready for the cows we thought were coming from Queensland, and if we had not responded to that advertisement a month ago, we would not have been ready for the cows that arrived last Thursday.
Big thanks go to everyone who is helping with this project, of bringing cows into our communal life. So many kind people have donated for fencing and gear, food and towards the costs of the cows as well. And many people came to help us put up fences a few weeks ago, resulting in a lovely lunch together and a great feeling of group accomplishment. Thank you all! I really believe we will all be enriched as a community, and come to new understandings about things that we cannot yet imagine.
This week Ekadanta, Vedanta, Subraminium, Krishna with his daughter, and Shiva have been finishing all the little bits that were needed to ensure our yards were ready to bring in the cows. Adi Dass, Prasad and Nataraj were also here last weekend doing ‘Ghomata’ (cow) seva, and we all got to hang out and eat together, making it a very lovely couple of days. When the cows arrived, we had Adi and Nataraj, Hanumani and Veena Vani here to welcome them.
Even the weather has been helpful. After a very wet month, the sun and wind have dried out the corral and made our lower driveway safe so cars driven by cow visitors will not get bogged.
I hope you will come and see your cows; we will have many opportunities to be with them and learn from these magnificent animals. May you be blessed with the joy of all this, which is certainly welling up in my heart and overflowing. Keep an eye on our chats for dates on which either Shakti Durga or someone local along with the cows will be co-hosting mantra and meditation, usually at 6.30 AM, with feeding and a few chores, then glorious time in nature. Dress code: farm! Jeans or tracksuit, things you don’t mind getting dirty, stout shoes or gum boots, warm layers as mornings are still cool. BYO drink of water, gloves if you want to help out and a fold up chair (we have a couple plastic chairs here too).
Stay tuned as we discover why it is that Holy people from many traditions put cows on such a spiritual and practical pedestal. Already I am getting downloads, and look forward to sharing with you.
Namaste
Shakti Durga
PS: We created an Instagram account called ‘Holy Cow Mamma’ (@holycowmamma) where we will be posting about the cows and what transpires on our journey of awareness and illumination. Om Brahmi.
