I spent several months living in Madison, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland, among some long time Homa Therapy practitioners, and in the places where our dear Shree Vasasnt Paranjpe was first instructed to come and teach Agnihotra, during the 1970's.

Madison Virginia, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a beautiful quiet community of individual families, surrounding the first ever 'Temple' or place of fire. Parama Dham, (means house of Almighty Father), was established by Shree Vasant in 1973, a sacred place of fire and strict disciplines in maintaining the fire, gives the feeling of a very peaceful, healing environment. It is almost as if I could hear the sounds of mantra weaving between the trees and the surrounding nature.

People of the Madison community all maintain a normal life of work and play and as a guest in the community I simply stepped into the routine of performing various hours of yajnya in the temple, such as Tryambakam and Agnihotra. Madison is also the home of Fivefold Path Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to the propagation of Agnihotra and the Fivefold Path all over the planet. Satsang is the newsletter of Fivefold Path Inc. It contains articles on Agnihotra and the experiences of Agnihotra practitioners from around the world.

Living in Baltimore Maryland was a completely different experience. The Baltimore Homa Community or BHC is an eclectic and unified group of devoted Homa Therapy practitioners, who’s professions range from that of Theraputic Health professionals to music and dance Artists.

The BHC is the only “urban” Homa community. Most individuals live in separate homes, near or nearer to the Resonance point (place where strict performance of daily fires are maintained to manifest highest energetic vibrations), coming together for “Satsang” (gatherings) on Sundays and other special events. The community is very active in outreach programs such as the “Peace festival”, supporting various Homa projects in Ghana, Africa, Women's Circles of Healings, etc.

As it was in Madison, I fell quickly into routine with the community and contributed to the healing fires being performed on a daily basis at the Resonance Point, which is now an exquisite Wellness Center. Karme' Holistic Wellness Center is open to anyone who wishes to experience vedic purification fires which have been performed for over 25 years. One can feel the mind and breathing relax as one enters this sacred space and soak in the purified atmosphere, deepening the healing experience. Karme' maintains an environment that is free of meat & fish, alcohol & tobacco.

I stayed near the Resonance point in the home of Maria Broom, nationally known as an actress for her recurring roles in HBO’s “The Wire” and “The Corner”, with more than forty years of performing and teaching in the US and across the globe.

I feel blessed to have had this time with her, she has a positive feminine energy and we spent many Thursdays together with women singing, dancing and sending light into the atmosphere. I had the privilege to create a photo-documentary of Maria’s wonderful work in the Baltimore public school system, capturing her incredible devotion and pure light, a "Fire" she is not afraid to let shine. Her example of compassion was more than inspiring along the road of spiritual development.

Maria received a grant to work with young women in the Baltimore public schools teaching them dance. Part of her program was to begin each session with Vyahruti (another simple yajnya which can be performed at anytime except Agnihotra time) and send light to those in need. Of course, her routine was not limited to the school systems, Maria took this routine into hospitals, into homes with troubled teens, and more. She is well known for her work as an Actress/Dancer in the community, as well as, her work with the Vedic fires.

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