Thursday, July 9, 2009
Thosamling, July
This week a fascinating collection of emotions, thoughts and possibilities. Staying at Thosamling, center for International Buddhist Women has clarified the necessity to really look after my mind, deepen my embodiment of Compassion, loving kindness and calm abiding. I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with Karma Yeshe on a Green Tara Thanka. Green Tara, from my very limited understanding, is the Goddess of enlightened activity, she is depicted with one foot on the ground, always ready to help. For me Green Tara also represents a strong, powerful on-to-it woman, so good inspiration for this next part of my journey...diving in. Looking out for that Himalayan cave to sit in for a few months! Thanks Dad, for all your care.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Mcleod Ganj, Dharma Sala, July (after Varanasi)
Samij and I travelled north to the home of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. this is a lush, forested part of India, and my body celebrated the huge drop in temperature, from 44 to about 24 deg!! Within hours of arriving we were fortunate to see his Holiness drive by. The Tibetan people have so much devotion to their spiritual and political leader, so rare and good to see. We met Neti, a super lovely Australian woman, and with her hiked into the mountains above Mcleod Gang, found a suitable cave and lived for a few wonderful days and moon and fire lit nights. The environment reminds me of NZ only 10 times the scale, epic snow capped Himalayas, thick forest, lush alpine flowering carpets, golden eagles with 2 meter wing spans and rugged mountain dogs. Also, amazingly great little restaurants, serving survival Dal, spicy veges, chapatis, chai and my new impermanent addiction Marz Bars. From the mountains, our merry group separated, me to Thosamling, an 'Institute for International Buddhist Women'. I am in a retreat of sorts. speaking very little, emerging from my pilgrimage in Honour of Mitchell to grow my life again. Missing all my beautiful students, friends and family, as well basking in this incredible environment. My main prayer now is to be helpful to people in some small way. Also to live life fully as I feel I have here...
Varanasi, June
Varanasi somehow amplified life for me in all aspects, every day. I must give a huge amount of respect, love and appreciation to my 'Varanasi Crew' for keeping me on the ground. Especially Swamij Shiva Ram, who joined me from Tamil Nadu, beautiful Upendra, Uncle tourist police, Sonokapoor super star, Krishna, and all the boys at Mishra Guest house. My Vision in Varanasi was to release some of my Beloveds ashes into the sacred Ganga, which I did, accompanied by two amazing classical musicians, playing Sitar and Tabla, Swamij, a lovely Priest preforming elaborate prayers, media (long story), and Sono. The whole Puja was deeply moving and has left a resonance in my heart of heart that quietly grows fulfilment and surrender. I feel renewed, even more settled. BIG LOVE to my 'AK' crew for calling as a group, life has offered me such a powerful experience of death and I could not imagine a more loving crew to be a part of. Days after the puja were spent shampooing our hair with local friends in the Ganga, Visiting favourite temples, and resting.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Varanasi on Sunday
Wake 4.30am, watch the sunrise from the shower...Pick up some biscuits to feed coconut and my other favourite 'river' dogs, who are all so polite, carefully taking their biscuit from my hand...Then, to a large circular platform I sit on for morning prayers, and meditation, intention today to bring more of the earth element into me, as this place seems to diffuse my particles into air and space ...Watch a friend swim and video him high diving off an ancient stone structure ...Breakfast, lasi, lemon ginger and honey, rice porridge, watch a young boy dance as his kite fly's, green parrots perch on golden metal flags, eagles soar, thousands of people swimming across the river...Hand wash clothes...Shower #2...Say hi to mum and dad for updates about my cat and who won the french open...Reading about Kashmir...Off tonight with a friend to weave through a labyrinth of alley ways, through small doors to spacious court yards with small doors to ancient temples...The temperature is about 44 deg. Its all intense. Think I even look different!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Varanasi
6/June
In the heat and intensity I am where I need to be. I arrive on the full moon, it rained, weaving lanes of cows, dogs, chai, beetle nut(addictive tobacco and herb chewing thing) silks and temples. Rabbit warren houses that have no beginning or time. I am lost and tentative here, enchanted...I make arrangements for a river puja on the 18th in honour of Mitchell. Very glad to be here.
In the heat and intensity I am where I need to be. I arrive on the full moon, it rained, weaving lanes of cows, dogs, chai, beetle nut(addictive tobacco and herb chewing thing) silks and temples. Rabbit warren houses that have no beginning or time. I am lost and tentative here, enchanted...I make arrangements for a river puja on the 18th in honour of Mitchell. Very glad to be here.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Hyderabad, May
I came to Hyderabad to stay with two of my friend's family's, Gautam and Kumar. I have loved life here, defined by REALLY GOOD home cooked meals, a lot of mangoes, dressing up, dancing, temples, chandeliers and being with beautiful, loving new family. I leave now for Varanasi, nourished, with new comfy shoes.
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