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About This Site

July 12, 2011

Upon awakening in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's recovery room on February 18, 2010, the physician informed me that I had cancer and that the surgeon had to operate immediately. Intermittently, between and after three subsequent surgeries, she reminded me often of how very lucky I was, and how I should "count my blessings", because many other patients of hers, with much smaller tumors, "had not made it".

I am very deeply grateful for all the efforts made to save my life, and the opportunity to reach ever deepening levels of surrender to Divine Mother, that I might not have otherwise experienced had I not spent the next year and a half following the doctors' protocols.

I am most appreciative to the late Sri Daya Mataji, President and Sanghamata of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, for her daily prayers, blessings, and for an affirmation that she had given me several years earlier, that I inwardly took with me into that first surgical room, and which I repeated frequently during this rather long ordeal: "Beloved Divine Mother, my life is in your hands. Strengthen and sustain me according to Thy will".

On Tuesday, July 12, 2011, after receiving the results from more medical tests and another surgical procedure, the Oncologist told me that I was "disease free", and that I would only have to come in to see him every three months for blood tests and yearly for PET/CT scans. This was such great news!

On the way home from all the doctor appointments that day, I introspected, "Why did God save my life now, in this last stage of my life - once again? I was inwardly prepared to leave. I had surrendered my mortal form to Divine Mother." Yet, she had graced me with another extension.

God spared my life twice before, when I was much younger, so it was more understandable, and just following my second back surgery, when I was graced with an extraordinarily peaceful "near death experience". Now I wondered, "Why did Divine Mother want me to continue in this disabled body at the conclusion of my life, when, I thought, I should be preparing naturally to leave the body"?

Of course, I realize that it would offer an opportunity to deepen my spiritual practice and sadhana. But, I also remembered that many years ago I had shared some of my spiritual poems with a Brother of the Self-Realization Fellowship Order. I could hear his strong voice resounding in my memory with great authority, "Your poems should be published"! I did not pursue publication, however, as I never really felt comfortable promoting my own personal art work or music. It was always an intimate personal divine offering, an outpouring of my heart, or an inspiration from an inner state of worship.

So, when returning home after these doctors' visits, I thought to myself, "All these years I have been helping others to create websites for their work, and perhaps now is the time that I should be creating a website for the work I have already created, and some that I am still envisioning". It then occurred to me after finding out that this tenacious battle with cancer had been won for the time-being, that perhaps now would be a good time to make my poems available, since I have been graced with some extra time in this incarnation.

Having been a trained musician, I have included in the site selections that I have found personally inspiring - some throughout my lifetime. Some of the music compositions I personally have studied and played. Some of the works are precious to me because my teachers have performed them. Others are special because I had attended their premieres. Some are simply works that I found so exquisitely beautiful that I wanted to share them.

Perhaps one day I will be able to include some of my own renditions of the "Cosmic Chants" by Paramahansa Yogananda, which I have been playing since a child, mostly on harmonium. Since about 2009, I have been playing them on my mother's piano, as my dear sister made it possible for me to once again have the piano. It might be nice, perhaps in the future, to convert some of my Master's degree thesis, "Glass Lights, Reflections and Refractions" work from 16 mm film to digital media, and edit it for inclusion on this site. That work was inspired by St. Teresa of Avila's great masterpiece, "Interior Castle", which very much influenced me in my early years.

Many of the music videos are presented under Youtube, personally offered by the performer or obtained by clicking the share button, which I assume is public domain.

In the future, I hope to include more inspiring short excerpts from other musicians and visual artists which are personally meaningful to me, and work from my sister, teachers, friends, and others that I admire, to compliment this poetical offering. At the end of the site I have included links to other sites that I find inspirational and I hope helpful.

Thank you for visiting. I hope you will enjoy the upcoming new entries, as the site is being modified frequently.

Sincerely,

~ Sharifah Rosso.

“Modim Anachnu Lach” - "Hebrew Prayer of Thanksgiving"

"MODIM ANACHNU LACH

For the expanding grandeur of creation
Worlds known and unknown, galaxies beyond galaxies,
Filling us with awe and challenging our imaginations,
Modim Anachnu Lach
For this fragile planet earth, its wonders and surprises,
Its hopes and achievements,
Modim Anachnu Lach
For human continuity, our common past and future hope,
Our oneness transcending all separation, our capacity to work
For peace and justice in the midst of hostility and oppression,
Modim Anachnu Lach
For high hopes and noble causes, for faith without fanaticism,
For understanding of views not shared,
Modim Anachnu Lach
For all who have labored and suffered for a fairer world
Who have lived so that others might live in dignity and freedom,
Modim Anachnu Lach
For human liberties and sacred rites:
For opportunities to change and grow, to affirm and choose,
Modim Anachnu Lach
We pray that we may live not by our fears but by our hopes,
Not by our words but by our deeds.

Kudos and Dedication

July, 12, 2011

I should like to express my sincere appreciation to Sri Daya Mata, thelate president of Self-Realization Fellowship who provided personal spiritual support, insight, guidance, and blessings for much of my life and during my Sadhana, even until her passing on November 30, 2010.

It was Sri Daya Mataji who initiated my grandmother, Rosilla Tolles Harris into the path of Kriya Yoga (and I remember so clearly the drive up Mt. Washington Drive that my father made with the whole family in the car to take her for her Kriya Initiation, when I was only a young girl). It was Sri Daya Mataji who led me to our Divine Gurudeva, Paramahansa Yogananda, his sacred teachings, the God-illumined Avatars: Lord Jesus Christ and Bhagavan Sri Krishna, and his enlightened Gurudevas: Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, and Swami Sri Yukteswar whose blessings are, indeed, unceasing.

Pronams and gratitude to Sri Mrinalini Mataji, Sri Daya Mataji's successor, and Sri Uma Mataji for their continued prayers and blessings, and to their dear secretaries for sharing with me uplifting insights, thoughts of light and love, and encouragement, especially during my recent hospitalizations and nursing home experiences. I shall always appreciate the support of the many other Nuns and Monks of the SRF Order, whose prayers, guidance, inspirations, and divine friendship have touched my heart and soul for so many years.

Special thanks go to my dear cousin, Sr. Roberta Ann Rosso, CSJ, who although undergoing her own serious health difficulties found time to call me regularly and always kept me in her prayers, as did all my family.

Deep gratitude especially goes to my sister, Susie Rosso Wolf a multi-talented artist, creator of Phoetry, photographer, author of "Wherever The Wind Will Blow It" and "New Prairie Woman" for her love, prayers, support, and encouragement in creating this website. She is such an inspiration fighting her own battles with severe health challenges, and her daily calls during my hospitalizations, in spite of her own difficulties, were so much appreciated. I also value the prayers and good wishes of her husband Sound Engineer Kurt Wolf, and his family. Love and devotion goes to my late elder brother and musician/artist Michael James Rosso and his late wife Anita, their son musician Michael Charles Rosso, and his sweet daughter soon-to-be-nurse Melissa Carpenter. Love and gratitude goes to my dear brother, Daniel King Rosso, his soul-mate Judi, her family, Daniel's son Robert Joseph Rosso, his mother Brenda and wife April, his children, Amy and Nick Johnson and their family, as well as my dear cousins Tamara Deems (a wonderful performing artist in her own right), her sons, and Frank Rosso, Cheri, and their family for their loving prayers and support. I so much appreciated my sister Susie's friends, Margo and Reverend Morehouse, for visiting me in the hospital and the calls prayers, and good wishes of Susie's friends still here in California.

I should like to thank all the physicians who God sent to save my life at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center including: my dear Primary Treating Physician Dr. David S. Silver (who has treated me for several years, who never gave up trying to get the diagnostic tests approved by Work Comp, and who continues to be a shining light in my life); Dr. Glenn A. Marshak who made the actual referral appointment to noble Dr. Sutha Sachar for me and oversaw my subsequent life-saving hospital care all through 2010 - thank you so much, Dr. Marshak. Dr. Sutha Sachar was my "Lady in Shining Armour". She "would not allow my medical care to be compromised by Work Comp", and appealed their denial of cancer detecting tests, which saved my life. I shall never forget her expert help, many kindnesses and support. Special thanks goes to senior Surgeon Brendan Carroll, who performed 4 surgeries and was so generous to accept Medicare as payment in full, should Work Comp decide not to pay for his services. Dedicated Oncologist Dr. Noam Drazin and his excellent nursing staff were the liaisons with the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center and supervised the various cancer protocols with such kindness and expertise, and he continues to watch over me with such concern. Very kind Dr. Amin Moradhi and his excellent radiation staff were so wonderful. Much appreciation goes to brilliant Dr. Ilana Cass, the wonderful nurses at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center and all the caring and excellent doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, technicians, and staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Imaging Center, 7th and 8th floors and administrative offices. Cedars Sinai Social Worker, Varley Smith, was so very supportive, and provided resource referrals, including a referral to the American Cancer Society that resulted in them providing me with a modest gas card, which helped to contribute to transportation costs for daily treatments at the Infusion Center. Everyone at Cedars Sinai Medical Center was so kind - I am overwhelmed to have been the recipient of such unselfishness and care.

On my "Thank You" note to the Supervisor of Nurses, I wrote, "I feel as though God took a little piece of Heaven and placed it in Cedars Sinai Medical Center, surrounding me with loving, caring Angels".

I very much appreciated the continued service of LivHome Home Health Services, particularly my nurse case manager, Janice Hyneck, R.N., and my three wonderful caregivers, Narine Zalynian, Guadalupe Arragon, and most recently, Sylvia Carrillo Macker.

Of special mention should be Drew Hall, D.C., the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractor who is so dedicated that he has continued treating me even though Work Comp stopped paying him a few years ago because he knows how much this care helps me, and my Ayurvedic practitioners,Dr. Parla Jayagopal and Susan Baake, R.N., who provided wonderful Ayurvedic guidance, especially during my cancer protocols. (I was one of the very few patients who didn't lose all of my hair during the chemotherapy because of their suggestions.) Also, I very much appreciate the Kangen water delivered during my chemotherapy and continued to the present day by kind and talented Ginger de Paris and her husband Mark Warnoc. All provided loving care - without charge - out of the goodness of their hearts, and I am very grateful to them.

Santa Monica Health Care Center provided special post-surgical care twice, which included a wonderful nursing staff, a very caring activity programs director, excellent physical therapists, wound care, and a really special dietitian who provided me with excellent vegetarian meals. How kind was Administrator Jordanne Shelton to waive my first visit's extra day so my Liv-Home Caregiver could come to take me home on her normal work day. Gratitude to nurses Zeny and Ilena of Highland Home Health who went beyond the call of duty and were so generous with their time and skill.

Special appreciation and acknowledgement goes to dear devotee-friends Viney & Dr. Kusum Sahgal of Noida, India, their sweet relatives Geeta and Ananda Gupta (who helped finance the restoration of my car to driving condition in time to start the months of daily treatments of radiation and chemotherapy), and Nancy Sanford of San Fernando Valley - all who made contributions for my continued medical care this year, and without whose generous gift of this iMac computer (and funds for the needed additional software and hardware) during August of 2010, this site would not be possible.

Much gratitude to Karan Clarke for her generosity and her nephew, computer wizard Michael (Mick) Neal, for their support in getting the data off my 1998 crashed PC so that my poems and other documents could be retrieved from that computer and loaded onto this new iMac successfully from the "Cloud". Without access to those files, I wouldn't have been able to post my poems onto this web site.

I would like to thank especially Probhat and Bella Hazra whose brotherly and sisterly friendship, especially during my first chemotherapy weekends were so much appreciated. Mejda accompanied me to my first two sets long day sessions and I was so grateful to have someone with me. Dear Didi often provided me with encouragement and nutritious home-cooked meals, especially when I was so ill, when they were in town.

I shall never forget the special friendship shown me by SRF Glendale Caring Friends chaired by dear Karan Clarke and Liz Chanaske, Fran de Leon, Drs. Murray and Rosemary Frith (new friends who volunteered to help a stranger), Elizabeth and David Rubinstien, who with glass artist Julie and husband Sri Nagesh, and Susan Baake (all are cherished friends for many years), made it possible for me to get to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center almost on a daily basis for cancer protocols, tests, and surgeries for more than a year.

Much gratitude goes to other devotees from the Pasadena and Glendale Temples who were so supportive, including dear friends Francie Issenman-Brown ( a long-time devotee friend whose helpful calls were much appreciated) and her husband Steve Brown (who sent good thoughts and prayers while patiently allowing her to chat with me on the cell phone during their long trips together), Maryann and Bobby Hart (whose hospital visits and encouragement were much appreciated), Desiree Morales (whose friendship has been most endearing and the visit to the Nursing Home was so thoughtful), Sonia Kumar (who still sends occasionally complimentary Ayurvedic herbs and keeps in touch with many uplifting emails, as well as notices of SRF special events),Linda Simpson (who was so kind to visit me during my hospitalizations at Cedars after my surgeries), Marianne Nikodem (who has remained a dear supportive friend for so many years), Donn Sunderland, Marianne and Raymundo Rios, and Dora Grynwald.

Special acknowledgement goes to my dear neighbor, Ambika Chambers, and her wonderfully talented daughter, artist Laria Saunders, as well as my dear friends Marianne Stall and Lorraine Lawrence (who kept up with me throughout this long ordeal and kept in touch with my sister), and spiritual friends Aurora Nordhausen, Lauretta Daines, Ernestine Tierney, Gloria Tatum, Patrick Mathews, and Pierre Debauldt for their prayers and loving support. There is a very dear and special devotee friend and neighbor, who wishes to remain anonymous, who I wish to thank for her years of friendship, support, little meals from time to time, and daily prayers.

I very much appreciate the continued good will and prayers of all the dear souls from the SRF Temples and Centers who have kept me in their meditations, including Dr. Dana Goodrich-Dean of San Diego (a dear devotee friend since the 1970's) and Lorita Whitehead of Canada. I was most touched when Khurshid Jassawala informed me that she had placed my name in Mahavatar Babaji's cave when she was recently there on pilgrimage. So kind of her to remember me to the Great Master.Thanks to all for keeping me in your loving thoughts and prayers.

I'd like to also thank Cristina, William, and Jackson Baretta of Storyville Productions, who have sacrificed to create the documentary video, "The Power of Upper Cervical", out of compassion for those who suffer from upper cervical injuries.

I'd like to express my gratitude to concert pianist and dear devotee friend, Paul Calistus Ashley for his beautiful contributions, including his rendition of the first movement of Beethoven's "Moonlight" Sonata, pianist Susan Svercek for her encouraging emails, and Elizabeth & pianist-composer David Rubenstein for their special endearing friendship, occasional wonderful meals, and help with driving me to the hospital, also. Great appreciation goes to David Joyce for the music video, "Nature Boy", dedicated to Paramahansa Yogananda. Finally, special thanks goes to Mala Ganguly, North Indian Vocalist, for her many years of inspired performances, personal instruction, friendship, and musical contributions to this site.

All of these wonderful souls were sent by Divine Mother to help me, protect me, guide me, and bless me. Thank you, each one of you, for being such willing and kind instruments of the Divine. Without you all, I wouldn't be here, so this site is dedicated to each and every one of you kind friends, dear treasured souls who helped to make it possible for "Poems by a Devotee" to be created.

God bless you always.

~ Sharifah Rosso

GEORGE BIZET - PEARL FISHERS DUET

Les Pecheurs de Perles

"Au Fond du Temple Saint"

Opera set in Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon)

Sung by Enrico Caruso and Mario Ancona

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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

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