Following the Breadcrumbs…

When we heard about the California fires at the beginning of January 2025 we felt that we needed to do something. We jumped on a zoom call with Swami Dayamritananda Puri (Swamiji) from the San Ramon ashram and listened to what they were doing for the people affected. Swamiji said there always seems to be an outpour of help from everyone but the real challenge is when it is no longer in the news, forgotten but still they struggle. He say any little bit will help we need to come together and find ways. As we always do we turned to our spiritual leader in prayer and ask for wisdom and a plan. “We should light up our hearts with the lamp of hope”. Amma

Magoo's Online Artist's group with Michelle the Painter

… Not long after praying for guidance we received an email of the next painting that would be painted in light of Valentine’s Day from an Artist that we have a membership with in the USA. It would be two Hershey Kisses. My heart skipped a beat not only was it the perfect painting for people that have experience such loss it also symbolizes our token after getting Darshan “Blessing via a hug” from our spiritual leader, the Hugging Saint, Amma.

… So after a little health setback with Magoo two months later we have a plan. We had decided that Magoo would do what he does best, paint a picture and dedicate it to the people affected by the fires. We decided on one Hershey kiss, and the message would be “HOPE”. Magoo will donate his time and cost of printing so that 100% of the sales from the cards will go to the people. We have a non-profit charity and will offer all funds raised to Swamiji in California so that he will make sure the money reaches them through the selfless service of Amma’s devotees.

Magoo's Painting

… While Magoo was painting the picture I found an old Maple Leaf stamp and stamped out a Maple Leaf and he added it to his painting in the bottom left corner of the kiss. This was special for us because it symbolized the message of “HOPE” from Canada.

… We had many helpers promoting the cards with us which helped us reach a far greater audience. Even Magoo’s Nana at 93 became his biggest promoter having reached friends in BC. Together with everyone's help we had reached places like California, BC, Montreal and all around Ontario. Thank you everyone for your support.

… One question which seems to repeat itself was: Why should we support the people in the USA? If it was Canadian, I would support it? Our reply, Since when does borders and nationalities define us as people, they are our brothers and sisters. We need to stop this divide and conquer, and come together as ONE people. Just because politics and such are trying to divide us we need to be smarter than that. WWJD 🫶🏼 They are beautiful cards with a message of HOPE for us ALL. Music means a lot to us and we’re reminded of the song … “Signs", by Canadian rock group The Five Man Electrical Band. It is a beautiful song, have a listen if you don’t recognize it. Also, as many of us know some charities that help when disasters happen there is always only a percentage of funds that reach the people. We know for certain that all monies will be used for the people of the LA fires through Swami Dayamritananda Puri.

… As the fundraiser was in full swing a thought crossed my mind. What if … we donated the actual painting to Amma for her humanitarian work in India. They have auctions of paintings for fundraisers done by devotees … why not add this one? Magoo isn’t always that quick to release his work but happily agreed so we will offer the picture to Amma when she does her next tour. How beautiful of a blessing this has turned out to be two fundraisers with one painting.

Magoo's letter to Amma

… As some of you may know Magoo doesn’t name his paintings. In the past when asked he refused. My guess would be that it’s limiting. The paintings of his work are interpreted in many different ways so placing a label/name on them limit the mind. He would prefer to expand and see it with the heart. This painting had too many connections back to Amma guiding us every step of the way, as we listened and prayed we could feel the direction and the HOPE that every effort will bear fruit, follow the breadcrumbs/nudges. So as mentioned a Darshan from Amma is a special blessing, an outpouring of her Unconditional Love, and filled with sweetness she offers us a ‘Hershey Kiss’.

So how fitting to name the painting “Amma’s Darshan”.

… After two months of selling cards, we thought we would wrap up the fundraiser. Our next step was to get the funds to Swamiji in California. Turning once again to Amma we prayed to help with a plan. Within no time it was announced that we would receive a visit on Sunday, May 18 from Swamiji and have a Satsang (Satsang has evolved to mean any gathering in which spiritual reflection, discussion, meditation, chanting or teaching takes place). So on Sunday we presented Swamiji with $540.00 US ($776.00 CDN) to take back and help the people in LA affected by the fires.

Swami Dayamritananda Puri (Swamiji) and Magoo/Eric (Jagadish)

… One more note of special interest that we learned along this journey was the the Hershey Company and it’s founder Milton Hershey have a long history of supporting children particularly thorough Milton Hershey School (MHS), which provides a free, high quality education and care for disadvantaged students, including those with disabilities, and also through initiatives like the Heartwarming Project and and Hersheypark’s accessibility program.” (Taken from google). Wow, how fitting for us!

So why follow the Breadcrumbs … l use that term loosely but to me it really means follow your hunches, your intuition. I will say this; I felt that this fundraiser was Divinely Guided from the moment we said we wanted to find a way to do our small part and help. “We should live our lives accordingly, listening to the call of our inner conscience.” Amma

As everyone knows without community coming together our efforts stay small but together anything is possible. Thanks again to each and everyone doing their small part to make this world a better place. Together we gathered those breadcrumbs and ended up with a loaf of bread to help feed others. We are all truly ONE!

“Am I living for myself alone? Or, each day, am I able to do something—anything—selflessly for others?” Amma

Bring it to completion! ENDING NOTE: ... After completing this Blog Magoo managed to sell the last remaining cards which changes the final amount delivered to Swamiji - The new total raised is $568.00 US and $816.00 CDN.