This is just a short update to let you know that I am currently in a deep practice of community death tending here at Earthaven, as our beloved teacher, mentor and founder of Dancing Shiva, Swami Ravi, affectionately known as Rudyji, makes his transition. Rudyji was first hospitalized almost three weeks ago, and I began to feel the magnetic pull to be present for as much of his process as possible. Not only out of love for Rudyji and his legacy, but also because of how much I love Garrell, Galen and Beck, the rest of the Ballentine family, and our extended Dancing Shiva spiritual family as well.
The family made the decision to bring Rudyji home from the hospital last Thursday, and to support his wishes to die in community. I was planning to just come out to Dancing Shiva for the day, to visit Rudyji and the family. My dear friend, Lee Warren was picking me up to drive together. I had been planning to co-create a full moon ritual with Lauren, Brad, Josh and other friends out at Lake Santeetlah this weekend. I have been looking forward to this for weeks. When Lee found out that I was only planning a day visit, she told me, unequivocally, to pack my bags and plan to stay for the duration of the journey. "Girl, you have no idea what you are about to step into." She was right. After two days here, this is a portal unlike any other that I have experienced. Lee has a book coming out, about re-weaving community through the practice of conscious dying. Here's a link to pre-order it. I feel like I am getting to live the actuality of what she write about in her book.
This is not sad. It is tender, it is intimate, it is beautiful, it is messy. There is grief, there is mourning and there is deep presence with each passing moment.
I have been starting each day with the chanting of 108 Maha Mrityor Jaya mantras, in the goddess temple, in honor of Rudyji and his transition. This practice is both deeply grounding and transcendent.
Prayers are appreciated. Donations to Dancing Shiva are appreciated. (Via paypal @dancingshivatantra ) At this time, the family is not accepting visitors here.
For more updates about Rudyji and his journey, here is a link to the Caring Bridge site where I have been posting updates.
Update: Rudyji passed on Monday, September 7th in the early morning. He seemed to have waited until everyone was asleep to make his transition. His body was lovingly washed by beloveds, and then beautifully laid out for people to come visit him for the last time. There was a mantra and kirtan practice surrounding him that day, followed by kheer and chai. Here is a link to his obituary.
