I have met amazing people on this journey. Not your usual array of seekers and searchers and would-be Buddhists, yogis and so called people on the journey to enlightenment (although there were enough of those as well), but a very eclectic assortment of people truly on a spiritual journey. All travelling a different road, some alone, others with the help of a guru (or two), but all honestly in search of the same thing and understanding of the same thing.
That there is only one God, one Truth, one Universe and that we are all connected cosmically through a kind of web or network, like the waves in the ocean...each a wave in its own right but in no way separate from the ocean, from the whole, or from the other waves.
And that the further we move along our own path towards this ultimate Truth, the further we move all mankind along this road to a better way, a better life, a better world...to more love, peace, harmony and compassion etc.
Each one of these people had developed, or had given to them, their own honest practice. Many are novices along the journey, while many have been travelling for a good part of their lives (PHYSICALLY on the road with backpack for over 25 years in some cases!!) as well as spiritually travelling the road.
Some follow their path with the help of organized but honest and true adherence to Buddhist practice, others follow the teachings of one of many gurus and swamis, living a good part of each year on an ashram, or even in retreat, others combine several different practices, and others, like myself, are on a personal journal of discovery using whatever tools best suit the current phase of the journey.
Many seem to be truly far along their journey to me, and it was a true joy and privilege to meet and "compare notes" so to speak, with them. For the first time in my life finding people who are truly spiritual with no judgment of another's way to discovery and growth and no need to prove their own "way" best, or right or true.
And the MOST amazing thing in meeting them, is that many began to see ME as much further along my own path than they themselves are, and to seek me out as a "light" being. I was most humbled by this but it has also been a very powerful affirmation and validation of the results of my own work, my Faith and the Truth of the Divine guidance, direction and love I am showered with each and every moment.
This whole journey has been a great privilege for me and God and his Universe have seen me worthy enough to bring these people into my life at this point for further encouragement and confirmation that I am indeed worthy and deserving to be in service to others and act as a loving and pure channel for Divine love and light!
And with that, I think I will conclude this Journal and this Journey. It will not be easy to continue moving forward upon my return to reality, but that is truly the real test. Many of the people I met have lived a good part of their lives in semi-retreat, apart from the real world...cut off from family, country and reality per se. Living alone or in an ashram and moving along their journey in isolation, or being in touch only with their guru etc.
They have commented that I am both courageous, and blessed to have come as far as I have while still clinging to reality. By living in real life situations, with family, logistics of earning a living, the daily distractions of the worldly life always with me. But I know that for me, this is the ONLY way I can move along my own path while at the same time being able to serve others and help them begin their own journeys of self-discovery and growth in spirit.
I intend to find the way to remain in my new frequencies, my new "lightness" and continue my service upon my return home. I remain open and accepting to embrace all that is sent my way, with complete freedom from fear and in the knowledge that all is exactly as it should be at each moment of each day.
I am truly blessed and grateful for all those blessings...
Namaste
Jane
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
India Journal 2006 - #75 - June 13, 2007 - I Have Met...
India Journal 2006 - #74 - June 13-Weather Pics
I know you must be saying "WHat is this? She must have posted the wrong photo"...but this is the view this morning. Everywhere...it is as if some giant eraser has wiped out everything and left a clean white slate. It has been like this since 6 when I woke and it is now after 10.
And below, a series of pics from the day the Monsoon began. You can see the clouds as they begin to move in and then later on, as the day progresses into evening (it normally would have still been light at that hour, but that is how dark it was by 6 PM)you can see the heavens threatening. It is quite impressive and very humbling, these displays of the power of Nature.
Monday, June 11, 2007
India Journal 2006- # 73 - June 11, 2007- Monsoon Has Come!
1:20 PM....
MONSOON began about 15 minutes ago!!
Woke up this morning and it was hazy and overcast, no sun and definitely cooler than the last 4 days. As the morning wore on it happily looked like there might be a little rain to cool us off. At least it was not as stifling as the last few days. Did some errands and then met Joy by "chance" and we came to Nick's for lunch when the big black clouds started rolling in fast from the mountains. We figured it would rain a little and by the time we finished eating it would end and we could walk back even in a little rain.
Well, without warning, it started coming down full force...a real deluge...and at first everyone thought it would be enough to run under the tin roof outdoors, but it lashed at us from all sides and everyone just had to run upstairs and inside.
Powerful wind, globs of rain instead of rain"drops", and then hail. Like rocks...it was so noisy we could not hear ourselves talking to each other above the storm without shouting. This is truly the first monsoon rain of the season, even though it is about 10 days too early, but hey, everywhere in the world the weather is screwed up these days..
Maybe the next couple of days will be cool enough to do some walking before I leave.
We waited about 45 minutes and it seemed to let up a little and decided to make our way back ...I had just a short walk, and although it was not raining as hard and the wind had died down, I was soaked through in less than 5 minutes...but it was not cold out and actually it was quite nice. I rested in my room for awhile and hope it stays nasty like this for the next couple of days...much better than the heat for sure.
The rain has just started again but I am right across the street from my hotel and restaurant, so no problem...I was supposed to go visit a friend today at 6, but think I will call it off. Don't want to push my luck and find myself getting chilled from sitting at HER place all wet after getting caught in the rain on the way to her.
And maybe it will even be cooler in Delhi when I get there....we'll see in a few days.
Namaste
Jane
Sunday, June 10, 2007
India Journal 2006- #72- June 9-10 The Heat, the Butterfly and Making the Most of ...
Just a few days left...I have taken to sitting outdoors, either on my own balcony or at Nick's from around 6 PM until it gets dark. And I am rewarded with a cool breeze, although the air is still sultry and humid. And with lovely dusks and sunsets...always with the mountain peak and its changing face in front of me. Also napping, or at least resting under the fan during the worst hours of the afternoon. No real appetite but doing my best to eat 3 meals a day. I will miss this all when I get ome. Where will I sit each evening? Who will lovingly serve me a lite meal in such a lovely, [peaceful setting? And as an addition to these last days, each day, at some point
a friend finds me and we sit for awhile just passing time when the heat keeps us from doing anything else. Yesterday I went to see "Happy Feet" but the sound wasn't working properly so the whole effect was lost and I will see it again at home.
I've finally had to do my last minute shopping here. What I had planned to do more cheaply in Delhi's Main Bazaar, but with temps hovering at 48 degrees there, I doubt I'll be able to. Will probably not get back to Anokhi at Khan market either as planned so will save some money as well. Even the heat is a blessing at times!!
This morning, at breakfast, an angel came to see me just to let me know that the world is still a lovely and pleasant place to be...despite the heat, and my leaving here soon...This time disguised as a butterfly, which flew past me, returned, and then lighted right on the page of the book I was holding and reading. It sat there, as if looking at me, for 3 minutes! It was white with lovely blue markings and blue antennas and eyes.
And now to get on with my day. Which, at 9 AM, is already sweltering.
Feel like just sitting here in the shade for awhile longer and not moving. But have some things to take care of and then will go rest until lunch time. Such a difficult existence these last few days.
Well, I met a friend at the restaurant attached to my hotel, and had an urge for a burger. Ordered a Tofu burger with chips (!)...It was scrumptious...I really really enjoyed every bite of it...but for a few hours following, my stomach let me know that this was definitely not according to the rules.
I am now fine, after a read, a nap, and a glass of mint tea...and meeting with another friend for an hour or so. Ordered my taxi, bought a book which hopefully will get me through the next days (I seem to be devouring them at an incredible rate lately...that's what comes from not walking 3-4 hours a day). And now here I am, posting what might just be my last, if not next to last journal entry for this trip.
So...namaste to all...it's been fun sharing with you...hope you enjoyed as well.
Jane
Friday, June 08, 2007
India Journal 2006-#71-June 5-8, 2007 Getting Close to the Wire
Just going over the past few days with some interesting meetings and comments and thoughts. I am getting close to the wire so to speak, and trying to make the most of every moment despite the fact that conditions are not ideal.
The weather has finally gotten hot here as well and will remain so for another couple of weeks until Monsoon begins toward the end of June. Yesterday for example, at 5 in the afternoon when it had already started cooling down a little bit, it was 30 degrees in the shade...it was well up into the 30's during the day, morning hours being the hottest...I am using my fan all the time now, even at night, and last night I slept without my blanket for the first time...just top sheet and little bed cover...it doesn't even get really cool even at night now, although it is pleasant enough once the sun goes down around 8 PM. If I am in the shade, it is OK, but the weather has pretty much confined me to town, as I cannot go walking any longer. Even if I take a Rickshaw up the mountain, it is still too hot to walk around up there, as much of the walking is in the sun. I go for a walk for about an hour, just up and down around town in the evening, and of course still walk back and forth during the day, but spend lots of time relaxing in my room or on the balcony in the shade.
So, what has happened over the past few days...
Well, William left 2 days ago, and I am once more left on my own. But, as I will write soon, never really alone it seems, at least not for any significant length of time.
I sent out my final package, weighing about 6 KG. And, although it is fairly simple here, just take the package to be parceled right next door to my hotel and one door away from the Post Office, and then into the post office and off it goes. Problem was, one of the 500 rupee notes I had (and the very end of my money that day), had a small corner torn, and so the Post Office refused to take it. so I went off to change it at the Bank, but when I got there, there was a very very long line. Remember, each person is depositing or withdrawing money in general, or paying a bill, and they do not have the automatic counting machines like banks at home have. and in Rupees there are MANY notes to count. So first the clerk has to count sometimes thousands of notes, and then recount them, then give them to the person who also counts them to be sure, meaning each person in line is there at least 15 minutes, many longer. There were 10 people on line in front of me. So I asked one of the other clerks if they could just change the note for me, but was told I had to wait on line!! And that's when I decided to beat the system. Walked back to the POst office and told the lady there that the bank said the note was good and did not need to be exchanged. I was very quiet, but did not back down, and after much discussion among the Postal employees, I found myself with the proper change in hand and a receipt for the package. I was so proud of myself.
I have apparently lost weight this trip and as I have been as careful as I can manage to eat properly, and stay away from cakes and sweets (generally speaking...), the weight has stayed off...I guess I am thinner than when I left home but I really feel good, and when I truly have the need, I eat something sweet, cake, or chocolate etc. But certainly not on a regular basis. I also seem to get along on much less food, particularly not having the need to eat anything, usually, between meals.
Just as William left and I thought I would settle down to a couple of quiet, alone days, Shanti (the healer who did the aura transformation for me, met me and asked for a few Reiki/healing sessions. I began them a couple of days ago and so far we have done 2, with 2 more scheduled. They have been very powerful for both of us. I find myself more and more tuned into events and feelings in other people's lives, intuitively, with much guidance...but I am no longer doubtful of what I sense, and the things I understand and then discuss with my clients, are always intense and important for them. Every time I move deeper into these places, I have more and more faith in the guidance I am given, and in myself as a healer. It is a true blessing to be in this new place. When I finished with her that day, I thought to go for a lite dinner and early to bed.
Just as I finished eating at Nick's, Vanessa, a friend from Rishikesh walked in and sat down with me, and shortly after, Akhilesh walked in as well. He and Vanessa also know each other as she took a meditation course with him. And we sat and talked for 3 hours. It was 10 by the time I headed home and on the way a an urge for chocolate. I bought a small bar with fruit and nuts and headed to my room. Ate the chocolate and read for awhile and was sure the late hour together with the chocolate would preclude easy sleeping, but I slept like a log until morning!!
Things seem to just keep flowing beautifully for me. The next day I met Yanna, the lady I met at the beginning with broken wrist, and we spent some pleasant time together as well. It seems that each day has some kind of social "event" occurring without any pre-planning. Yesterday I went to get one more thing from Ashok, the chemist, and met his girlfriend there and we sat and spoke for quite awhile as well. That's where I saw the temperature...he has a thermometer on his balcony.
Last night, decided to pick a Tarot card for some quick insight into my homecoming and what to expect or to do, direction for the next few months, etc.. Well, the card
I picked was PATIENCE...which says, in short......"simply be alert, patient, waiting...contented in waiting...be passive...let nature take its course like phases of the moon...not sleepy or indifferent...be ready for something momentous...a time full of mystery like the hours just before dawn...it is time when the only thing to do is wait!".
Couldn't have found something more perfect to take home with me!!
And that's about it. Today was even hotter yet. It is only 10 AM and it must be 35 degrees already....I will make it through the next few days with this enforced resting...and hopefully come home to cooler weather...although from what I hear, it is no different at home!
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
India Journal 2006-#70-June 5, 2007 - ANGEL IN DISGUISE
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
William is more than just a great guy sent to make my final days in McLeod more pleasurable before my return home. He is basically a catalyst for further deep and final cleansing of baggage and his presence seems to give me intense focus which enables me to review past lessons already learnt over the last years. And in reviewing, and actually reliving them in very vivid dreams, the insights learnt from those lessons are even more deeply imprinted...never to be forgotten as I continue forward.
It is as if he has been sent to intensify every other form of detoxification I've been through this journey and make possible a final, indelible imprint, never to be forgotten and therefore never having to be re-learnt- of those lessons which have made such enormous changes in my life. Every important lesson in my "education" over the past 8 years has been given a thorough review, by forcing me to return to each incident, each relationship, relive it, actually FEEL it once again, and permanently ingrain the lesson deep within my soul making it absolutely definite that I will never again have to "do these courses".
I am now completely free, liberated, and can truly move forward with a "blank slate" as it were, into the new future which awaits me!
This past week has left me feeling renewed, younger in spirit and unburdened, lighter than I have felt in a very long time.
William is just another one of God's messengers, angels in disguise, lovingly sent my way in answer to prayers for further guidance, direction and clarity. But this time, the disguise is not a tree, or a channeled message or poem, or a dream or a bird or a tarot card. This time the angel is disguised as a wonderful, fun loving, cute, intelligent and perfectly lovely and loving guy who has brought nothing but lightness and joy into the past few days.
Usually my lessons are not learnt pleasantly. Very often they are quite unpleasant, but I could not have imagined a more pleasing way for this last lesson of this trip to be experienced.
Although I happily and gratefully accept any guides and angels in any form they may take, I would LOVE to have more angels like William in the future!
I am truly blessed. Thank you!
Monday, June 04, 2007
India Journal 2006 -#69- June 4, 2007- Horseback Riding
Well, today I went horseback riding with William. We first went up the mountain where I usually walk, and then continued to trails which I've partially walked in the past but never to the end. It was quite lovely. At the beginning I was very tense, felt like I would fall off the horse, was holding on really tight and not enjoying, but after the first 1/2 hour I relaxed into the swing and really began to enjoy the vista from up on the horse. I didn't take too many pics as I couldn't do it while riding...but we stopped a couple of times, and I also took a video while riding which you'll have to wait to see. coming DOWN hill was not comfortable and when we got closer to Dharamkot, we both got off and walked the rest of the way and that was fine. William is an accomplished rider, but everyone was very patient with me and I had a lovely lovely day...a real adventure.
Yesterday was a REAL storm again, but it cleared the air and the weather could not have been more perfect for this day out...I am truly blessed, again, and as always!
Enjoy the pics and imagine how much fun I was having.!!
Namaste
Jane
Half Way Point...I've very often walked up to this point but not by going all the way around the mountain as we did today.
First Rest Stop Overlooking Dal Lake and Naddi etc....been up
here by foot before a few years ago with Anil..
William
Both of Us
William at the Half way Point
From Here you can begin the walk down to the waterfalls
or up to Triund...we just rested and then came back down!!
Horsies
Overlooking Dal Lake, Army Cantonement, TCV and further to
the right, Naddi
Naddi..note the HUGE tower on the left...new...good phone
reception but not very pretty
Naddi
Guide and his son (who got to ride my horse most of the way
down and was quite happy!)
Dal Lake
Friday, June 01, 2007
India Journal 2006- #68-Beginning of Vacation-Lots of Pics and New Friend
AND I'M GOING HORSEBACK RIDING ON MONDAY!!
In just 2 weeks from today I will already be in Delhi on my way home and so I decided I would really be on vacation for the next 2 weeks and even make believe I am a tourist!
So I went out today with my camera, and mostly what you have here are pics of my day. I've been meeting lots of interesting people since yesterday, some I met in Rishikesh and others just met up with here, but they seem to bump into me all over the place.
Check out further in the post for lots of pictures.....
Met one guy today in Bhagsu
who gave me some very useful information about getting a visa for longer than 6 months, and also some suggestions about living in Rishikesh etc., and he took info from me about Panchakarma...we had a pleasant breakfast...
There are shots here from my walk up, the swimming pool in Bhagsu, which used to be just the sacred temple pool but is now a public swimming pool, and just some pics I imagine I would have taken if this had been my first trip...tried to see things as if this is my first time...enjoy . I find the weather warm enough these days that it takes its toll on me when I walk and I wind up coming back home with a light headache, even though I drink enough....
Saturday
Didn't write before about the people I'm seeing these days, but since I declared vacation, been meeting lots of nice new people and some people who I met awhile ago seem to be turning up again...so it is really nice.
Now, a few days ago a new guy came into the guesthouse, and we really hit it off. He is 47, gay, has a house on one of the islands in thailand where he lives much of the year but is originally from England. We have been having some great conversations, and now it seems he has a laptop and has offerred to lend it to me to watch movies. I took it last night and had it until now, and it was really lovely having it in the room. I am really going to enjoy having mine with me next trip. His name is william, and we are going HORSBACKRIDING on Monday. I've been contemplating doing this since my very first trip here, figuring it would be a good way to get up to Triund, and when he mentioned he was going, and suggested my coming along, I decided to do it! Just a half day trip but sounds really nice...will take my camera along and hope to get some good shots. He is really fun, reminds me alot of my fun days with Abdellah...very comfortable to be with and just nice pleasant company. He is leaving on Wednesday but it will be nice spending these last few days with him and adds lots ot my vacation days.
Women jealously watching the men in the cool pool! Reminds of Women
up in the balconey watching men dancing in a synagogue
