Saki Bowl

In my daily Saki Bowl, I read this: "...spirituality means respect, advancement. Man shows his evolution according to his respect, his consideration, his thoughtfulness."

Clear and simple.

Soaking in the vibration of sound

Went to a lovely concert. The instruments he played were beautiful, but the quality of his voice was amazing. Interesting to hear him play all of the different flutes and compare them to his own flute. The tones and nuances of the voice are so remarkable. It was an intimate setting with everyone soaking in the vibration of sound.

DEVAKANT has explored the sacred musical traditions of the world, including Gregorian chant, Indian Classical Music, music of Zen monasteries, Tibetan Temples, and shamanic traditions of Central America. From these roots he creates a unique blend of sound and silence taking the listener into a world of mystery within: a place of peace, harmony and well-being. It is ideal for meditation, healing and energy work, relaxation, & the pure enjoyment of beautiful music. (www.Devakant.com)

Thank you Yo-yo

After posting my friend's dog's death, I found out that Yo-yo, the little puppy at the Pahari Baba Ashram, died of poisoning. I had just emailed inquiring into how his leg was healing when I got the news. Whether or not you believe death is final or a transition, it does punctuate a moment in the flow of what we experience as living presence. For me, it led me to a place of reflection: how was I touched by that small,four-legged, ball of energy? He helped me to rekindle my animal heart and feel its place in the bigger presence of Gurudev, the ashram's energy field, and the infinite. He led me to the vet hospital and an experience with the animal care giving services in Jaipur. He showed me how Gurudev, "Nature" Baba, and a disciple worked together to support a healing opportunity for his leg. And on a very personal note, he always greeted me with his wagging tail and puppy eyes while I made the transition from walking, to taking my shoes/socks off, and heading into meditate. He was often in the shoe area or out front for the send off too. Such gratitude for his heart opening presence and the power in the silence of his teachings.

Madison

Animals have been my family. I couldn't pass up sharing this beautiful picture of a beloved dog, Madison, who has transferred his soul to a passing hummingbird. I didn't get to meet Madison, but there is such truth and beauty in his expression that it has touched me as deeply as many other mystical experiences. Thank you for sharing Liz.

Lesson opportunities from the western world

The trip back to California is turning out to be yet another opportunity to observe and find the humor of my ego. I don't need to have children begging, men staring, or animals sleeping in discarded refuse to highlight my ego's ability to run the show. Training horses is easy compared to working with the ego. I just keep smiling at how inventive "she" is to stay as a main actor in my personality production.

Sitting in stillness in India gave me enough undistracted space and time to get to know a part of me that feels separate from the ego--somehow a "true" self. I always refer to my real work as training my ego to sit quietly with hands folded in her lap--observing, hanging out, but not running the show. I have been reading about this concept for years, but the trip back to the US has highlighted that new found place. Being back in my "familiar" role, but with a new interior perspective (that isn't stabilized), is helping me to understand this longing to become anchored in my heart. I continually experience myself acting or thinking in the old way, while the new part just quietly waits in bliss. When my ego quits jumping up and down, having opinions, and acting without consciousness (or takes a time out on the coach), the heartfelt beauty of stillness and unity is ever present. For now, it feels like a lantern of shakti radiating from within. My body takes on an almost transparent outline that is immersed in limitlessness. The remarkable feeling acts as a marker to show me that I am near or in the zone, (probably some ego requirement...) I cannot say the feeling is the goal, but it is a lovely outcome.

Today, I began to know my "true" self while in the western world container. Another breakthrough.

In my efforts to get things crossed off the list in order to return to India, I am falling into ego driven ways. I suspect that isn't going to line up the grace of the universe. Deep breath, more softening and opening into what is.

Satsang In Temecula, California

First satsang post India. I went to a gathering of seekers at Francis Lucille's house in Temecula, California. The house was on top of a mountain that overlooked the world at large. It wasn't too different than being on the wall at Amber Fort or the Ganesha temple. The more I travel, the more similarities I experience in the world. It is no different than seeing a full moon and reflecting upon where you have experienced different moons. With the current full moon, I was remembering South Africa and India and how the moon has the same beauty everywhere. A few days ago, I drove by a lake in Escondido and missed seeing the floating palace that is in Jaipur's lake.

Getting back to the satsang, it was lovely to experience a different group of people who are equally devoted to being on the realization path as many are in India. Different clothes, different skin color, but same intention. I was surprised that I found the verbal teaching so distracting. I wanted to just sit in the silence of the group and drink in the shared experience. For me who asks 10,000 questions that was an amazing shift. At one point in the discussion, Frances acknowledged the beauty of people joining together in the shared pursuit of love, peace, and truth. So simple, but so beautiful. It created a deep silence in the aftermath of his words. For me, it felt like a portal into that intense heart opening that I experienced in India. Crazy as it may sound, all I want to do is immerse myself in the depth of heart opening until the universe says enough. Maybe there is something more beautiful beyond that concept, but for now, I cannot even imagine and have no longing for more.

In preparation for my return to India, the unraveling of life is separating me from 6 hours of meditation a day , but while sitting in silence driving to the event, I could feel those same shakti-drunk feelings that I would get walking to the ashram. Life is so cool! I know that it isn't the attachment to bliss, but it is so fun to be part of the Divine's science experiment.

Lady Gaga's 3 year rise to Global fame

During my past three years of studying influential humans on the planet, I have followed Lady Gaga's remarkable rise to fame. She just topped Oprah Winfrey as the most influential celebrity on the Forbes 100 list of influential people. She is very controversial for her lyrics and her clothing style, but her intention to self empower her "little monsters," appears to be authentic. She gives the credit to God and that she is only a vehicle. One of her passions is to create a respect for being "Born This Way" (her new album to be released on May 23,2011) and for there to be social tolerance. Interesting article posted in Forbes talking about the power of the feminine and her Kaliesque qualities. Hinduism mixed with Pop Culture--the world is evolving!

http://blogs.forbes.com/work-in-progress/2011/05/19/lady-gaga-power-feminine-brand/