Saturday, May 1, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Homeward Bound
The Khumba Mela was an extrememly intense time of transformation for all. We bathed in Ganga with 10 million others on the 14th April - a sea of people all there for God. Some of us danced and chanted amidst the smiling, happy people accompanying the parade of saints and swamis throwing marigold petals and we felt the rush of the wild naga babas as they passed by on the way to the main bathing ghat.
With God's grace we boarded our bus on the 15th and were one of the first vehicles to pass along roads that had been closed for 5 days. Back in Rishikesh, we slowed and softened and bathed in Ganga. Mark blessed us with 2 yoga classes each day and our practice deepened. Shyamdas lead satsang and kirtan at various places - a private ghat, the riverbank, temple grounds - infusing us with his teachings about devotion and love. There were many opportunities in time to immerse ourselves in the wisdom and teachings, the Ganga, and each other.
As we prepare to depart India, there is joy and lightness amongst the group. New friendships have been forged and heart are more open and filled with gratitude. The impact of this trip will be far reaching and powerful. We look forward to a reunion at Bhaktifest.
With God's grace we boarded our bus on the 15th and were one of the first vehicles to pass along roads that had been closed for 5 days. Back in Rishikesh, we slowed and softened and bathed in Ganga. Mark blessed us with 2 yoga classes each day and our practice deepened. Shyamdas lead satsang and kirtan at various places - a private ghat, the riverbank, temple grounds - infusing us with his teachings about devotion and love. There were many opportunities in time to immerse ourselves in the wisdom and teachings, the Ganga, and each other.
As we prepare to depart India, there is joy and lightness amongst the group. New friendships have been forged and heart are more open and filled with gratitude. The impact of this trip will be far reaching and powerful. We look forward to a reunion at Bhaktifest.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Rishikesh - April 4th
Jai Ma Ganga - It is a God Fest here with rivers of orange-robed swmamis and sahdus converging in Haridwar for the Khumba Mela. So many sects and wild looks - hair, faces, outfits (or not!), and that crazy god-lust looking right back at us. Entire families sleeping anywhere and everywhere - the train station, roadsides - in the heat, dust and noise - all for God.
We joined the crowd at the launch of the Encylopedia of Hinduism in Haridwar - made possible by Swami Chidanand Saraswati. Sridhar disappeared at one point only to re -emerge just ahead of the Dalai Lama and in time to save Bella from the crush of people that swarmed HIs Holiness. Sri had fabulous closeup photos of His Holiness which he had taken during the time he had just spent with the Him before He was escorted onto the stage. Also present were the most revered saints and sages in India, politicians, and even a young Bollywood star with a multicultural audience - Hindus, Tibetan Buddhists, a Jewish family, Sikhs, and Aficans. A moment in history that bought together many differnt faiths...as it should be!
We joined the crowd at the launch of the Encylopedia of Hinduism in Haridwar - made possible by Swami Chidanand Saraswati. Sridhar disappeared at one point only to re -emerge just ahead of the Dalai Lama and in time to save Bella from the crush of people that swarmed HIs Holiness. Sri had fabulous closeup photos of His Holiness which he had taken during the time he had just spent with the Him before He was escorted onto the stage. Also present were the most revered saints and sages in India, politicians, and even a young Bollywood star with a multicultural audience - Hindus, Tibetan Buddhists, a Jewish family, Sikhs, and Aficans. A moment in history that bought together many differnt faiths...as it should be!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Vrindavan - Land of Krishna and Radha
Greetings from Vrindavan...all is divine here in the land of Radha and Krishna - feeling strong and indestructible despite the heat and dust... and crowds of Delhi, but surely nothing to match the intensity of the Khumba Mela in a few weeks. Love it here with all the amazing sights one is confronted by here in India -(how can a tractor carry such an impossibly huge load?) Colours - saris that sparkle in the middle of the day and night ... and smells - delicious cooking aromas and incense but mostly not so pleasant - car exhaust and rotting things)....and the constant sounds of chanting of holy names...hare krishna, hare krishna...
Lifted into bliss by simply being present in Hare Krishna Temple - then a cow butted Bella in the leg on the way home. A monkey took her sandal this morning and had to be bribed to give it back. The land here is pulsing with love and devotion - imbued with the essence of Krishna himself and the ras lila he had going with the gopis. Satsang with Shyam Das on the banks of the Yamuna River with a full mon rising and peacocks calling in the distance was heavenly. Walking Govandhan Hill with Shyam Das, meeting people who walk that sacred hill day after day, year after year was the most exquisite experience of divine love to date. The way is being prepared for this group to have a very profoud experience of India....Radhe, Radhe...
Lifted into bliss by simply being present in Hare Krishna Temple - then a cow butted Bella in the leg on the way home. A monkey took her sandal this morning and had to be bribed to give it back. The land here is pulsing with love and devotion - imbued with the essence of Krishna himself and the ras lila he had going with the gopis. Satsang with Shyam Das on the banks of the Yamuna River with a full mon rising and peacocks calling in the distance was heavenly. Walking Govandhan Hill with Shyam Das, meeting people who walk that sacred hill day after day, year after year was the most exquisite experience of divine love to date. The way is being prepared for this group to have a very profoud experience of India....Radhe, Radhe...
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Story of Kumbha Mela
The Kumbha Mela festival, which takes place in Haridwar only once every 12 years, originates from the story of the churning of the ocean by the demigods and demons to extract its elixir - the Amrit or Water of Life.
Both the demigods and demons desired immortality, which only the Water of Life could bestow. First they extracted 12 precious objects. Then the divine medicine man, Dhanwantari, emerged from the ocean with a Kumbha (pot) of Amrit (nectar).
During a quarrel over the Amrit, some drops of the elixir fell on the earth. The places where these drops landed, one of which is Haridwar, became the four sacred sites of Kumbha Mela. The Mela in Haridwar this year takes place from mid-January to mid-April, 2010.
OUR SCHEDULE:
Each day will begin with a two hour yoga class led by internationally known yoga teacher, Mark Whitwell, and other special guest teachers.
The afternoons will be spent at the Kumbha Mela, meeting wild Holy Men and Women and taking in the Bhav.
The evenings will culminate with discourse and kirtan with Shyamdas.
Shyamdas is a Vedic scholar and Bhakta who weaves ecstatic kirtan with stories and teachings from his 35 years in India. We will also experience special darshan with Swami Nityananda, lineage holder of Baba Muktananda.
Both the demigods and demons desired immortality, which only the Water of Life could bestow. First they extracted 12 precious objects. Then the divine medicine man, Dhanwantari, emerged from the ocean with a Kumbha (pot) of Amrit (nectar).
During a quarrel over the Amrit, some drops of the elixir fell on the earth. The places where these drops landed, one of which is Haridwar, became the four sacred sites of Kumbha Mela. The Mela in Haridwar this year takes place from mid-January to mid-April, 2010.
OUR SCHEDULE:
Each day will begin with a two hour yoga class led by internationally known yoga teacher, Mark Whitwell, and other special guest teachers.
The afternoons will be spent at the Kumbha Mela, meeting wild Holy Men and Women and taking in the Bhav.
The evenings will culminate with discourse and kirtan with Shyamdas.
Shyamdas is a Vedic scholar and Bhakta who weaves ecstatic kirtan with stories and teachings from his 35 years in India. We will also experience special darshan with Swami Nityananda, lineage holder of Baba Muktananda.
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