Namaste!

This picture is of the Holy Mountain Arunachala. We walked 'the short loop' a few days ago. Tomorrow we are renting an ox and cart, (I'm not kidding!) to take us around the 'long loop'! Yesterday we hiked up the mountain to sit in meditation in the cave of the great saint Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. I had an amazing experience at the cave and shrine of Ramanas Mother. I went into a deep meditation and begin crying (again, so much releasing!) and then I felt light as a feather for many hours later.

Ramana was a high born Indian and when he became Realized he shun the Indian caste system believing we are all equal in the eyes of God. This was all too much for his Mother! She loved her son and wanted to care for him which meant she had to go live in a cave near him and cook for him without the assistance of servants. Many people of a lower caste would come to visit him and she would be in close proximity with them. She would cry and scream to Ramana and he would tell her to go home if she couldn't deal. In the end of course she stayed and worked through many layers of her ego. For her dedication Ramana gave her Enlightenment before she died.

This is a picture of a mandala. You see them in front of almost every door. They invite luck and keep away 'bad spirits'. The Indian people are very quick with a smile, kind and desperately poor. You see sadus and beggars everywhere. There is never a moment when you are alone. I was sitting at a table having Chai the other morning thinking about writing postcards when the owner came out and sat down with me and proceeded to tell me all about her stomach problems! That is the way in India. There is no touching or affectionate hugging between anyone, male or female, but when the men here see a baby they melt. Ga-gaing in tickling the child. Family is so important here. It is really quite precious. The women dress in saris in South India and punjabs in the North. The colors and outfits are exquisite. It is like getting to dress up every single day. Orange, turquoise, red, gold, okra, pink, plum, all different patterns and texture. And in this heat! All to go to the post office or the market or to climb a mountain. There is trash in the street and the sewage flows in concrete gullies in the street and yet there is so much beauty. That is India!

I hold you all in the Light!
Maureen