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In the past two weeks, I have had to come to terms with my having to leave India due to Visa restrictions. I have had to embrace the idea of traveling once again, outside of India. So, you can imagine my excitement when I was presented with the opportunity to taste India one last time, in the beautiful city of Mysore. One of our volunteers at Shanti Bhavan invited me to come for the weekend.
After a 4 hour drive, we came into the city, home to sandalwood oils, pure silk, Mysore Yoga and one of the most beautiful palaces in India to date. Here, I was moved by the authenticity of its people, the tastes and flavors of the Devraja Market and delighted by the magical Palace and the fountains at the Brindavan Gardens. I even got to visit a Tibetan Settlement, where the Dali Lama’s inspiration of peace could be felt everywhere among the Tibetan Buddhist monks we met.
What moved me the most however, was the Chamundi Hill temple. It was here, according to legend that the demon Mahishasura tried to rule over the Hindu gods who fought with no prevail to conquer this demon. It was only after he declared that only a woman could take him down, that the Gods put two and two together and transformed themselves into their female forms. It was on this very hill that the great goddess of Durga conquered Mahishasura. This temple is dedicated to her, the great goddess. I could feel her spirit and energy here.
Standing up on this hill, watching a Havan (a prayer circle) being performed at the temple , I was approached by an Indian native, who asked me how it felt to be here in India. At that moment, I was truly at peace and I responded to my own surprise: “I feel I am finally home.” In which, he smiled and did not know what to say. I am usually approached in India by its natives who can speak English, thinking I am just another tourist, so I am used to justifying my living in India. It is hard sometimes to convey that I may not be Indian by ethnicity but I truly feel I am Indian in spirit. How do you portray that when you don’t look the part? I know that none of that matters. What matters is my faith, my devotion to something that is greater than me. It is this faith that I put into the string that the Sadhu outside the Chamundi Hill temple tied around my neck and it is this faith that I use to pray to Ganesha , when I ask him to bring me back to india to finish what I have begun here. It is this faith that allows me to tap into the divine and help me help others, including myself.
But it is of course hard to leave India after only being here for three months. I have yet to see the rest of the south and most importantly visit my guru Maharaji’s ashram. But, I must trust what the universe wants is for the better. I will return. I must. I have made a promise to the students here that I will be here in June, when the Seniors will graduate. The very first graduation at Shanti Bhavan, it will be history in the making. Until then, plans begin to head to Sri Lanka, Thailand and Hong Kong. I have two weeks to go. Cross your fingers, another adventure awaits!
