inside a most recent easter

I made my way to the temple, walking in the rain through The Presidio to Broadway, down Broadway to Steiner, right on Vallejo to Fillmore.

Inside, the temple was warm and I felt like an apple must feel once it is inside an apple pie.

Soon the swami appeared in his robes. He bowed to the gods--Ramakrishna and Vivekananda among them--and began his remarks.

There are two ways to understand Jesus--as historical and as Christ, god incarnate, who had to cover himself with human nature to be understood by man. A dramatic death was necessary to show complete detachment from the body. Christ resides in the heart of everyone.

Then a small choir sang and the service concluded.

The swami came forward to receive those in the congregation who wanted to meet him. Most congregants bowed or kneeled or kissed his hand.

Two women stood at the exit door of the temple, each holding a box of See's candy, offering a piece of chocolate to those so inclined.

Outside, the sun shone and small white clouds were busy planting themselves like flowers in the sky.