Birth Parents

After 48 years, I talked to my birth parents. It was amazing and it felt like I may have found the human fabric I was cut from. There was a human emotion when I touched the recognition that this was my birth container. It was a very unique moment that was not examined during the past two years. I didn't need anything from the new connection, so it was even more interesting to see what organically emerged. 

Very grateful to the person who worked for 3 years to find these people. She does it without compensation as a way to give back. What a beautiful spot of light in the often too frequent awareness of the darkness.

Not sure how this new relationship will develop, but the two hour conversation was lovely. Fun! 

Expect The Unexpected

I was talking to a friend about experiencing 3 states as a human: wake, sleep, and meditative. While I was talking, somehow I entered "the place" where I had one of my most profound meditation experiences--being in a star-filled darkness with Pahari Baba sharing what felt like a state of limitlessness. I had never experienced this while I was in the wake state-fully functional. It took me by surprise and there were several choked up minutes that I could not speak or act. What an awareness teaching for how thin the veils really are!

Mystic Gardener-Luther Burbank

While reading Autobiography of a Yogi in India, I came across the meeting of Luther Burbank and Yogananda and had no idea the spot was in my backyard.  Wonderful to take a tour and learn about his divinely inspired planting, grafting, and hybridization of plants.

Nature Is Remarkable

A day out riding on Mount Diablo.  The circling of the spiral staircase. I use to ride there 30 years ago and with the same person.  Nature is remarkable.

The Perfume

Yet another container that has no end--personal training.  It is a very open and young field, so lots of flexibility and creativity available.  Just spent the day in a NASM teaching seminar.  Fired up and ready to charge.

The bits and pieces where I touch the horse community are becoming healed and infused with the "Let Go" attitude.

Cathy had her surgery this week and is healing remarkably well, so my clocking in for the horse duties has lined up in full force.  All good.

Constant gentle reminders around judgements and to keep working on not having them.  Discernment yes, but judgement no.

Looking at returning to India in October.  For how long is yet to be seen. Gurudev's presence is like a perfume that lingers in the air.

Inner Works of the Ramakrishna Monastery

The artist for these paintings was one of the monks (deceased.)  The photos don't do justice to their rich colors.

Meditation Altar 

60 years of service all over the world (22 years old when he joined the Order)

So lovely to spend five hours walking, meditating, reflecting, and listening to spiritual teachings.  (I hope someone shares these photos with Gurudev.  He was in my heart the entire visit--as always.)

Ramakrishna Monastery Trabuco Canyon, Southern California (Outside)

Headed to Southern California to visit friends and take care of some business before helping my friend with the post shoulder surgery.  Googled the Ramakrishna locations--bonus.  It happened to "work out" attending a Sunday lecture, meeting the Swami who has been in service for 60 years, and wander around the beautiful property.  Fun to listen to the questions people have in English.  He had heard of Pahari Baba and knew that he had a photo of Ramakrishna in his room.  Cool to be able to fact check that information and share a picture of Gurudev.  Small world, but not.

Meditation Hall

View from the monastery and start of the hike that goes around the property.