Wow - so much has happened since I last wrote that I haven't really been keeping many notes. I think this posting may have more photos than anything but I don't want to overwhelm with an excess of photos either.
So, I will cover the highlights! A friend, Kurt, from the States arrived on the 30th of October, along with the Danube Meets Ganga program. This program consisted of 14 Austrian musicians, directed by the twice Grammy winning Vienna Boys Choir director, plus the Austrian ambassador to India and am actual ceremonial merging of the Danube River with Ganga. Of course, this happened while the Austrian musicians played the Blue Danube Waltz in the background!
Danube Meets Ganga
Then the night of 31 October we had a group of Israeli and Arab musicians here as a part of UPLIFT performing Om, Shalom, Salaam, Amen. This is a project of the heart from Bharat Mitra, one of the founders of Organic India and UPLIFT. The musicians were here for several days taping what will become a music video to open our hearts so that we truly recognize that we are all ONE.
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On the way to Ramana's Garden |
It was really fun to meet and host the folks who were here as a part of the UPLIFT program. Many of them hung out in my office due to the WiFi connectivity. Such a talented and heart-centered group. I'm especially happy because at least one of them is going to be moving to the ashram with his family and is such a huge help with us on our sound system, Internet connectivity and electrical wiring. One of the highlights of this time was a visit to Ramana's Garden, which is an orphanage, school and restaurant near here. Besides it being the best meal that I've had since arriving in Rishikesh, it was truly heartwarming to see what Prabhavati has created over the past 25 years. Each child has a savings account.
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A couple of the dorms--how cool are these?! |
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Bharat Mitra, Israeli & Arab musicians and the kids from Ramana's Garden singing Om, Shalom, Salaam, Amen! |
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Paulo has spent months at the Nepalese/India border trying to get much needed tents to the folks of Nepal. |
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Faces of Ramana's Garden |
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This beautiful child fell asleep in Bharat Mitra's arms while everyone was singing! |
On the 3rd of November I was able to participate in my first Antim Sanskara or Ash Immersion, which was truly an honor.
From 4 November to 7 November, I, along with Kurt were invited at the last minute to attend a yatra by Pujya Swamiji to the first ever Yoga Festival in Jageshwar, a pilgrimage town about 343 kilometers east of here. So an 8 hour train ride and 5+ hour bus ride later we arrived. However, when we woke up the next morning and saw the beautiful, sacred temples that had been built hundreds of years ago and the electrifying forests, it was well worth the time spent traveling. It was fun to partake of the local culture that was presented in song and dance, along with the terrific food that they bestowed upon us. Part of us spent the night in a Eco friendly hotel that had been built on top of a foothill of the Himalayas. As you might imagine, the view the next morning was spectacular! Even the 5+ hour delay on the way back, which found us sitting on the train tracks due to a derailment by a train in front of us, doesn't discourage me from returning! Call me crazy!
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There were some 70 Chinese yoga students who met us at Jageshwar, who were here actually to attend our first ever Indo-China Yoga Week. It truly is one event after another here!
And then we celebrated Diwali - The Festival of Light - yesterday, which is of course still being celebrated. The special ceremony during Ganga Aarti was lovely and then there was a meditation afterward in Swamiji's garden. I received many text messages from my new Parmarth family during the day wishing me a Happy Diwali plus I was invited to tea by Rameshji and Poonamji, also part of my Parmarth family. And the sweets and gifts that I received throughout the day warmed my heart. I could do without all the fireworks. I see very little beautiful displays just a lot of incredibly loud noises. I think many of the people here must be partially deaf after what I've heard!
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Happy Diwali! |
So, that's most of the recent activity that has been going on. I know there's more that I've missed but let me just close by saying that while all this has been going on externally, whats been happening internally for me is equally rich. So many wonderful teachers walk across my path on a daily basis which allows me to remember why we as human beings exist--to truly be in the moment and to love one another and recognize the divinity that connects us all.