And Now Amritsar...

Yesterday was a rough day. We took the train from Delhi to Amritsar. Along the way, I began to feel quite ill. Maybe it was motion sickness, or a bit of Delhi Belly. Or maybe it was the seemingly endless displays of poverty along the way: lots of garbage heaps and people digging through them, living in structures made of scraps, families housed under tarps right near the train tracks. It went on and on. That is the reality they live in.

When we arrived at the Amritsar train station, there was a swirl of money needs. The man carrying our bags (two suitcases on his head, no less) needed money, the taxi driver, children selling things, begging children, a girl carrying a baby asking for food money, a man so disfigured that I cannot even describe to you...We gave what we had and it wasn't enough for everyone who came, surrounding us, still grabbing at the car as we drove.

Driving away from the train station, I didn't even feel where I was. I was in a stunned daze and focusing on trying not to cry. I was vaguely aware of crowds of people, rickshaws, bikes, cars all traveling tightly through the narrow roads.

Right when we arrived at the hotel, our taxi got into a little fender bender with another car. While the drivers argued it out, we went inside and got a room.

When we finally set foot at the Golden Temple, the daze still had not lifted. Setting eyes on it, I could no longer hold back the tears. As I bowed on the marble, huge sobs overcame me. Cool marble at my forehead, big heaving sobs through my body.

And so began our time in the holy city of Amritsar.

Today has been less intense. Good food, a visit to Miri Piri Academy (the school that a lot of American Sikh kids go - as well as kids from all over the world), visits to tailors to have suits made. And the processing of the poverty continues.

I have felt this questioning of "How can I accept my cozy life when so many endure such poverty?" And then the back and forth mental processing of "What can be done in such a hugely overwhelming amount of poverty and pain?" Where I am at with it right now is looking towards the elevation of consciousness - a collective shift that is probably the only hope. It is inspiration, consciousness, and compassionate living for lots of people, who then go and share that with others who share with others. We all have to keep on waking up. That is all I can imagine that could do anything for any of the the stuff we face on this planet - a collective shift in how we live and exist.

So now I have a renewed and expanded drive for sharing yoga and meditation - as a tool for elevated consciousness. And as something that can be taught and shared. This has always been the goal with the work we do - to share something that helps people. But now I see it globally as well. It doesn't build homes or give food immediately - but it does change the consciousness of people who can do those things and inspire more to live kindly on this planet. It is one way that I know can change how we act, believe, and live...and ultimately how we treat each other.

Settling In

Things are smoother today. The body has adjusted after travel, we actually got some sleep, and had a fun, busy day. We visited two Gurdwaras, Bangla Sahib and Sis Ganj, and shopped around at various markets - involving lots of people, traffic, and a variety of interesting goods sold through crowded alleys.

We were especially taken with the little girls who do gymnastics right outside your car window while you are stopped at a red light, hoping to inspire some tips. They do back handsprings right there on the street, in the middle of traffic. One had a funny hat, with a little string attached to the top - she would dance and swing her head around, making the string circle round and round. And the smiles - so charming! Another little one was probably two years old. It is a different way of life.

I got to talk to Satvinder today and it sounds like she is having lots of fun and adapting well. She is in great hands and I am so thankful. I get delightful emails from our friend, Nirmal, transcribing Satvinder's messages to us.

Tomorrow we take the train to Amritsar.

Greetings from Delhi!

Here we are. It amazes me that we got on a plane and 24 hours later we were in India, which might as well be another planet. As we were flying in last night, both Mangala Sadhu Sangeet and I remarked that it looked just like a US city would - lights, cars, buildings. It didn't look all crazy. But then we landed and set foot outside the airport. And no worries - it hasn't changed that much in 7 years. It is, in fact, still crazy.

Even something simple and common like riding in a car is crazy. If your vehicle is just barely not touching the other vehicle, that is considered keeping a distance. Use of horns is as much a part of driving as using a turn signal in the US. If there is an inch of space anywhere near you, it is understood that someone will squeeze in front of you or around you, making two lanes become three - even if that means driving into the oncoming traffic lane, even if that means squeezing out that family of three on the motorcycle. And all that with the horns plus rickshaws and bikes and pedestrians. And LOTS of all of it.

Walking around, you will be offered rides, tours, textiles, fashions, posters, maps, games....or something like ear cleaning. Because doesn't every one come to Delhi and have their ears cleaned by some guy in the park? NO? But he has notebook with names of past clients from America, from England...where are you from?

And then there is the child with no feet, dragging himself through the shopping bazaar. Saying, "Hello, Hello?" He is dirty and asking for money.

It is so much. SO MUCH. More to come...

The Eve

We are in the swirl of last minute bits and pieces before we depart tomorrow morning. I plan to update this blog while we are traveling. Thanks to all who are helping to make this journey possible for our family - with support, Satvinder love & care, and prayers.

These are days of growth and transformation - I see it everywhere and in so many people that I talk to. Blessings to you, friends and family, as you keep up in your own journey and grow in the ways life takes you.

Prayers will be coming your way from the Golden Temple and the other holy places we visit while in India. You will be with us.

Kundalini Lotus Pose

Air Walkers & Animal Talkers

Air walkers: This is Satvinder with her friend Elia at a neighborhood festival last weekend. It appears that neither of them were actually touching the ground at that moment.(click on the picture to see the big version.)

Animal Talker: Satvinder with some of her animals. They have some lively conversations, mostly involving Satvinder giving them instructions.

Bhujangi Jedi, He is

Here's a video of Mangala Sadhu Sangeet doing Gatka with the light sabers he built.