CULTURE BLISS
We were greeted with darkness as the plane door opened in Mumbai, a smell the like of which I hadn’t experienced before, with a humidity that felt like I had an army blanket wrapped around me.
And there was a family waving a piece of cardboard with our names on it, an ocean of hands of all sizes grabbed at us as we made our way to their car, and the adventure began.
Streets full of sleeping bundles of humanity, cattle roaming freely, and a myriad of smells attacked our Western sensibilities, as I peered out of the car window, wondering what was in store for us.
An immaculate apartment, a beautiful Indian meal, and a very welcoming family awaited, with the question "Do you know Dennis Lillie?” ... the famous Australian Cricketer, as cricket was a very popular topic at the time.
The cacophony of sounds of horns honking and people yelling woke me. Stumbling to the balcony, I looked out on an ocean of humanity. Bullock drawn carts, funny little cars and taxis, messengers carrying ‘Tiffins’ on poles, small containers full of steaming delicious food delivering meals to office workers and humans, humans and more humans, yet all seemed to flow freely, no road rage or cursing.
The family graciously prepared a delicious breakfast, and then organized for us to get a taxi to Ganeshpuri, and after saying goodbye to our beautiful new family, set off.
High buildings of the colonial period started to give way to much smaller buildings, to shacks, to shelters made from cardboard, until it finally became just green countryside. The road trip certainly got the adrenaline pumping, making a high-energy cocktail with my excitement as we dodged everything from children, cows, motorbikes, petrol tankers, and trucks carrying loads as tall as three-story buildings, not all necessarily on the right side of the road.
About two hours later, we drew abreast of a series of sparkling buildings.
We had arrived.
Leaving our shoes at the gate shaped like a lotus, (in Ashram tradition this symbolizes leaving your ego at the door) I stepped inside to what felt like another dimension.
Baba was sitting in the courtyard, greeting people who had come to listen to his talks and simply be in his company, making our arrival even more special. Baba gave David and I a warm welcome, and a swat with his peacock wand leaving a touch a vague scent of Kuss, a rich Indian scented oil, and welcomed Shane saying “You’ve come”, which left Shane in a quandry."What did he mean", but feeling like a deep connection had taken place.
THE INNER WORLD
Inside the Ashram, in the meditation hall, Baba's Guru, Nityananda, was present in the form of a beautiful statue, which seemed to be radiating his state of pure consciousness. We joined the daily routine, waking up, and joining a couple of hundred people in the meditation hall where Baba often joined in the meditations and chanting.
Baba's Guru, Nityananda, was present in the form of a beautiful statue, which seemed to be radiating his state of pure consciousness.
Roaring like lions, people bouncing across the floor like Mexican jumping beans, vibrating like blenders, in the meditation that followed as a result of the intense Shakti causing 'Kriyas', spontaneous yoga movements, as ' kundalini was awakened and energy blocks were being cleared, seemed totally natural.