A wall of reverence

This is the mani wall right across the dirt road from my inn. The monks carve they words "ohm mani padmi ohm" into stones, then pile the stones into a wall that extends to a stupa. It seems that the daily lives of all the people here, not just the monks, are imbued with a sense of beauty and the sacredness of life. Their religion is not separate from their lives. With color, with stone, with fire, with right speech they make their way from one day to another, intentionally.

Do you hear what I hear?

At the first teaching of the Dalai Lama, I was sitting beside a man who was taking notes in Sanskrit. I was listening to an English translation through my radio and taking notes also. When we "compared notes" we found that what each of us had decided was most important to remember was "Respect for all beliefs." It is the desire to change people , to not accept difference that causes suffering. In a strange land, far from my home I found a man who believes as I do. A man who believes in respect and tolerance.

Women of Stok, Ladakh

This was the scene at graduation at Siddhartha School in Stok. These beautiful women were sitting just across the aisle from me. This was my first day in Ladakh and I was still acclimating at 12,500 feet. The people here are quiet, simple and non-attached.

Goodby to india

Today is our last day here. The others are sitting outside having breakfast of yummy chai and toast. The monsoons are not too bad and for the moment it is clear, bright and hot, hot, hot. We don't fly out until 11:00 pm and the time in the States is 11 hours behind. WE plan to go to the center of Delhi to a fabric shop for a few last minute kalmar chemise. we have been wearing the local dress and some have been having them made. You choose the fabric, they measure you and in 2 hours you come back and Voila! We will also go to Dilli-hat, a local crafters alliance for the do-dads. (I know you don't want do-dads but these are pretty good ones.)

Here in Delhi we travel mostly by rickshaw and it is an act of faith to go out into the streets. Yesterday Sonja, Gregg and I went to a Siek ashram. SOnja teaches World Religions in Maine and the woman who wrote the text she teaches from "runs" the ashram. It was beautiful (and strange to me) All faiths are recognized there. There were many Russians and we had the best borsht I have ever tasted. We had a milk drink with cardamon and almond and "some herbs" that produce an "interesting" almost hallucinatory effect. We were the only westerners. There is a place where a fire is tended 24 hours a day. The huge fire is dedicated to world peace.

I will post photos when I get home that will not come close to the reality. I keep speaking of learning so much. One thing that is reinforced every time I travel is how blessed my life is, how much I love our country and its freedom, and of course how much love there is in my life.

Deb

In Leh

I have returned from the crossing of the Himalayas. We were at 18.500 feet at the highest. It was something! I made it without getting sick but I took a woman from Australia into my car and we got her oxygen. She was pretty sick but made it. The time in Nubra was amazing we took Bodisattava vows at a monestery from the Dalai Lama. Now I have to be kind!! We had to sleep in a tent as all the rooms! were full. No toilets not running water for a couple of days. I had to get a permit from the Indian Gvmt to get that close to Pakistan and China and we could not photo the army camps or and of the convoys.

There is no one here in the internet palce because they are swarming outside. The Dalai ALma is here cutting a ribbon for the opening of a mosque!!!! MAny muslims and sieks.

Last night we had dinner at the home of Khen Rinpoche. His family home. Tonight we go to his place of residence next to the Siddhartha School. Our last night before flying back to Delhi. In Delhi Sonja and I are goiing to an ashram in the south. Through in a little Hinduism while we are at it.

Beth, referrals? I love you!!!!!

Tom How is Oliver? I miss him like crazy and of course you too!

Thanks for all the email. I cry for home just a wee bit.

Rode up a mntn on top of the Sidd. school bus yesterday. Ouchie! MAny pujas with monks and we keep picking them up by the side of the road and giving them rides.

Crowd behind me wanting the computer.

Love to all. I'll post again from Delhi. Jeff is out buying an Indian parachute!!! For his yard. This place is heaven. And the people share everything they have. I have learned so much!

Love, love,

Deb

Ladakh

"Sometimes we take the journey. Sometimes the journey takes us."

This is just what has happened. we are in Leh Ladakh as I post. But we are staying in Stok as Khen Rinpoche wants us clse by. So we are right next door to his home. In order to post I must ride for 15 minutes, cross a metal brige over the Indus River and through a sand stone landscape to reach a place with internet access.

Tomorrow I leave for the Nubra Valley. Over a high pass to get to the place hwere the Dalai Lama is teachng. I have found a woman to go with and we will saty there for 2 days. I am using the new camera and it is great. We had graduation yesterday.

Everything is indescribable so I will jus say love to all until I post again. Hope all is well at home. I miss you!!!

Love Mum/Deb

Delhi

Just to let you know we arrived here after a 14 hour flight without incident. Well, plenty of incidents but no worries. I am pretty speechlees right now after a day in the city and honestly ... close to tears. This is going some for me as I have seen alot of poverty and sadness but this!.. I don't know. I need to process it before I say too much. The mother asleep in the street with her naked infant also asleep as people stepped over them says something.

I am on the free computer here at La Sagrita but I cannot post photos. I have some good ones. I have one of some men on pilgrimage walking from the sacred river Ganges carring water on a pole decorated with orange and yellow marigolds. This is many, many miles.

One woman I met today has been inan ashram for a week and she will take me there when we return to Delhi after Leh. We went to the largest Mosque in India and also the Red Fort. A monument to war is not my real interest but the architecture was spectacular and I'll take that.

TAC & BKB & ALB...all my love and more later.

A street in Leh. Lookin' good for internet access!
Notice too, the man with the prayer wheel. What a world!

These mountains have held monks in meditation practice for over 2,000 years. Prayer flags, blown by the wind, carry prayers to the mountains, the rivers, the snow, and all creatures.

Setting off

Last post before I leave. Jeff just stopped by for last minute check in. Now if I can sleep tonight! So many friends and family phoned today sending me off in a cloak of caring. I have felt blessed all day. Tom just bought a beautiful camera for me to take. It has a powerful zoom and can video and record. Do you think I might record the chanting of the monks or the great horns and drums? We are bringing along a new video camera for the school which is a gift of the California group. And I am carrying letters and small gifts from many Maine people for the children.

I remember from sailing, how casting off was one of the most difficult tasks. How easy it would be to never leave the dock. You are never really ready. At some point you just let go the lines and then... it begins, the learning.

Preparing for India

It is quiet. I am preparing for the journey. Here are a few photos so you can see where I will be in Ladakh, who my teacher is, and the kids.

where?

Today is C's birthday, a soft summer day. Blue hydrangas are full, the Bay splattered with sails and love still holds. Many signs to "where".

enough said

Our Star

The Little Prince looks up and finds Kelly's Star.



The outcome of our family collection at Christmas and donation to the Center for Grieving Children was realized today. Most of our family members were not able to be present for the placing of Kelly's star but Beth & I made it before work and held our small but meaningful ceremony at the Center.

We lit the candle which was sitting amid many colored stones and placed some favorite photos of Kelly around it. Beth made an offering of a pure crystal which had been a gift from Kelly to her. "Just like Kelly, clear and reflective of all color." We spoke together of the effect KAZ has on our lives, her availability, her presence. We sat in silence and listened to gentle sounds of breaking ocean waves.

I believe that someday Chloe will return here and, like the Little Prince, look up and find her mother in the stars.

Holding On

Just one of the stone sculptures Allison & I found today as we wandered Gisland Farm. We were both inspired to create outdoor sculpture that would satisfy our need to make something more massive than what we have done in the past.

For me, the recent past has held challenges about patience with things beyond my control and so I titled this "Holding On" in tribute to the two stones clinging beneath the larger rock. An impossible feat? Obviously not. It took imagination and ingenuity but the proper method of attachment was found. The result inspirational and a mark of beauty.

Stepping the mast

"Sail out like someone born into color. Do it now." Rumi



This photo shows Piper cruising down the Rio Dulce River in Guatemala. Lashed down on deck is the cayuco Charlie had built for me for my birthday. It was carved from a single tree and made entirely by hand. He asked what I planned to do with it and I never had an answer. Little did I know that within a year the cayuco would find it's usefulness as the vessel for Charlie's ashes at a huge gathering back in Maine. This week I saw a dugout at the Museum which had been painted blue and white like a china plate. I am inspired to make something beautiful of the cauyco, something colorful and vivacious. Thank you, Rumi.

Now eight years have passed and today the mast was stepped on Piper. Tomorrow she comes down the Royal River and back into her home waters of Casco Bay. Before the mast was stepped, Eric placed some of Charlie's ashes at the foot assuring that Charlie's sailing days with Piper will not end. I am looking forward to a weekend at the Goslings and some time in Penobscot Bay this summer. Weekends at North Haven and some special time on Isle au Haut.

Dream Boxes

Here is a glimpse of the Dream Box I designed for Anna.

Beginners Mind

This is the labyrinth at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico where Georgia O'Keefe would come to paint the same mesa over and over. She would paint it in different light and at different times of day. A place I love to come and remember her words, "God said if I painted it enough it would become mine." I hope to post here often with poetry, some yoga thoughts and meditations and when I feel goofy a few laughs about my days.