Samantha's Journal
February
March 5 , 2001
"The burning Indian imagination, which can extort new order out of a mass of apparently contradictory facts is held in check by the power of concentration. This restraint confers with the power to hold the mind to the pursuit of the truth with infinite patience." R. Tagore
These eloquent words by the great Indian philosopher Tagore describe the preeminent observances that have impressed me most throughout this interface into India. The Indian mind is fueled by a rich heritage of sacred myth. The wealth of tradition and history derived from these myths are present in every aspect of Hindu society. Starting at birth children are indoctrinated by these stories and they become an integral part of daily life. Drawn from the deep well of oral tradition is the remarkable concentration that is the hallmark of of Indian Culture. In the midst of what seems like chaos to the Western mind, is a one-pointed, highly focused mind.
The most colorful and potent example of this extraordinary concentration was the Maha Kumba Mela. Bells, horns, loudspeakers, music and gurus perched upon ornately decorated elephants intertwined with the collective voice of the estimated 75 million pilgrims never ceased. Yet, despite the cacophony of expression there existed an unshakable awareness of the purpose and intuitive perception. For me, each moment was a lesson in seeing outside the box of what I before may have labeled contradiction. Dread locked Saddhu's with marijuana filled chillums, aristocrats from Bombay and Delhi, Lepers and beggars from the hills, gurus, saints and international pilgrims converged in Allahabad, India for the same purpose-- to bathe in the holy waters of the Ganges River.
As I watched millions of pilgrims file onto the sandy banks of the Ganges I was continually amazed by the patience and persistence of these beautiful souls. As I observed each distinct, picturesque face I speculated on the duration of their journey. Thousands of people had walked for weeks to improve their karmic lot by taking advantage of the five major bathing days. The three-mile radius of if the "sangam," the point where the Ganges converges with her sisters, the Yamuna and Saraswati Rivers was the auspicious location where all the bathers aspired to dip. On the five specific days of stellar alignment-- as Saturn Jupiter, Mars and the moon gravitated into favorable configurations-- the water was said to be medicinal. I was told by an old wandering sage that on the specific power days the water was not only a potent, purifying medicine, but if I dove into the center of the convergence point and continued to swim I would emerge on the other side of the world. What a way to return to San Francisco!
This Kumba Mela was particularly special because it was the apex of a 144 year cycle, thus it was the Maha (Grand) Kumba Mela. To make it to this specific Kumba Mela was believed to be of exceptional karmic significance. The law of cause and effect was powerfully accentuated. Thus, every prayer and ritual performed at the site of the Kumba Mela was a boon to the global situation.
Being a part of the Parmarth Niketan Camp at the Mela was a wondrous experience. Each day we were able to understand and participate in the prayers and rituals dedicated to universal peace. Being a guest of His Holiness Pujya Swami Muniji, the president of Parmarth Niketan, was a touch of divine grace. The word, "guru" means one who removes the darkness of ignorance and uncovers the light of wisdom. Through the time that we have spent with Pujya Swami Muniji it has become exceedingly clear that he genuinely embodies the qualities of a true guru.
The atmosphere he created at his camp was outstanding. It was like visiting the ancient glory days of India. The camp was beautiful and alive with spiritual, intellectual and artistic activity. In the middle of a sandy, dry riverbed, the Parmarth Niketan camp shone like a polished jewel . Complete with planted wheat grass to welcome the goddess, a temple, canteen, 50 rooms with private baths and hundreds of colorful tents that were constructed with all natural materials. A temporary yet comfortable community was constructed that functioned on a completely donation only basis. Spiritual pilgrims from across the globe gathered at the Kumba Mela, but the majority of the masters converged at the Parmarth Niketan camp. It was a perfect place to meet individuals full of wisdom to add to the Transcendigital vision.
At the Kumba Mela the air was warm and clear during the day, but at night the smoke of millions of wood fires was suffocating. The suffocating haze and the chill of almost freezing temperatures continually reminded me of how grateful I was for the comfortable refuge of the Parmarth Niketan camp. We were able to attend two of the major bathing days. It took all of the courage I could muster to get into the cold water while the freezing wind blew against my shivering body. However, I did it and the only word to describe the feeling I had is divine.
This Kumba Mela hosted more foreigners than ever before. With the advent of digital video cameras, multitudes of people were equipped to participate in the media extravaganza. Westerns with cameras were omnipresent. There were hundreds people making documentaries on the Mela. We even met a guy who was making a documentary on people making documentaries!
The Indian media was also there in hordes. Miquael and I both gave countless interviews for Indian and international television and we were continually asked to pose for a photos. It was a fair exchange for the media based research we were conducting. Many meaningful exchanges transpired from the craziness of the media. However, the situation reached absurdity on the second major bathing day I went for my dip and emerged with a crescent moon of video cameras surrounding me!
The quantity of saints, seers and sages from across the globe was infinitely inspiring. By traveling half way across the globe I had profound experiences with divinely inspired souls from California. By meeting the famous Hollywood mistress of Kundalini Yoga, Gurmuk, and her students from the Golden Bridge Yoga Center, I was reminded of the important work to be done in the USA. Gurmuk has such illuminated power and understanding of service! I am really looking forward to studying with her in Los Angeles. Within the conversations we shared with her students Sat Purin and Sadhu we realized the true necessity making a collaborative effort to integrate yogic exercise and the yogic philosophy of service into American schools and social welfare programs. Although there is significantly more material poverty India and other developing countries that I have worked with, there is a fulfillment and joy that is missing in the USA. In "our land of plenty" there is a spiritual poverty that is devastatingly depleting our collective sense of fulfillment and purpose. In fact, in a conversation I had with an Indian friend who had recently visited Washington, DC he confusingly stated, "In India beggars are abundant, but in DC there seemed to be just as many and the miserable look on their face was astonishing." As a US citizen I find this very embarrassing.
After leaving the intensity of the Kumba Mela we headed to Varinassi-- the oldest living city in the world. I could feel the vastness of history emanate from the seemingly infinite labyrinth of slender cobblestone walkways. The state of the Ganges in Varinassi is completely opposite to Rishikesh. Being down river from several major cities has taken its toll on the great goddess and her polluted state brought tears to my eyes. This grotesque contradiction of her status as living goddess infuriated me. However, one sunrise we took a boat ride where a graceful dolphin jumped in front of our dilapidated rowboat. Despite the toxicity of the water and the hundreds of miles that span between Varinassi and the ocean, the majestic Ganges continues to call such radiant life!
After decompressing from the Kumba Mela in Varinassi we moved on to Bodhgaya-- the location where the Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree and gained enlightenment. Here we were able to interface with a predominately Buddhist crowd. At the time of our arrival a Tibetan ceremony for world peace was occurring and the city was filled with the intentions set forth by the thousands of maroon and gold clad monks and nuns.
Inspired by the wisdom exuding from the glorious Bodhi tree and the Tibetans, I decide to take a concentrated effort at taming the wild beasts of my mind through a ten day Vipassina retreat. By delving into the laboratory of my mind I was able to experience all of the concepts that I have been courting through diligent body centered yoga and zazen practice.
Through ten days of silence with 11 hours of seated meditation a day I experienced that I am infinite. There is no distinction between another and myself. In this instance the revelation of the truth of interdependence left me resting in bliss. I then became attached to the experience and it vanished. I am grateful for the glimpse and I am confident that someday, when I am ready, it will return. Now I perceptually understand how to go to the root of the so called subconscious with meditation.
I further recognize my duty as a conscious being to develop systems to reveal to individuals, especially children, the truth of the nature of the non-dualistic universe. In every seed there is the potential for a forest of a thousand trees, but the seed must give intelligence to the fertile ground. Children are the seeds and it is up to us to provide their innate intelligence with fertile ground. In revealing the truth that it is possible to be genuinely happy we see that miracles do not take effort. We are part of a miraculous existence! The birds fly and flowers bloom. We can take full advantage of this incarnation to wield the courage to seek true happiness.
Through intentional experience we cultivate living wisdom. For me Yoga has been the disciplinary foundation necessary to begin developing an equanimous mind. To practice true yoga is to unite the individual consciousness with the cosmic whole-- the communion of consciousness with the ultimate truth. It is a way of life. Yoga is just as much sitting at a computer and mindfully working as a fancy upside down posture. From the catalyst of yoga springs forth meditation, service and the understanding of the non-duality of existence.
We have now returned to Rishikesh. After traveling through a great deal of Northern India we were called back to the city of saints, sages and seers. The quantity of wisdom to be absorbed in this beautiful place if astounding. It is a perfect research station for gathering the information necessary for the Transcendigital vision. Since our return I have had the opportunity to participate as an instructor at the International Yoga Festival. By extending my knowledge of Kriya Yoga as a guide I have began to deepen my understanding of it's effective, therapeutic nature.
By participating in the International Yoga Festival I met Ken Carrington. Through our meeting, I have had profound experiences with the ancient healing system of Ayurveda. This holistic healing art is fascinating and powerful. Derived from the wisdom of the ancient rishi's of the Himalayas, Ayurveda (the knowledge of life) aims to enable each individual to bring his body into a perfect harmonious relationship with the cosmic consciousness. It is a systematic formula for health and the full integration of the of the Body, Mind and Spirit. Ayurveda is an essential basis and companion for a fruitful yoga practice. Through interviews with Ken and other Ayurvedic practitioners I have become mesmerized by the study of this system. I have immersed myself in studying it and both Miquael and I are undergoing a powerful Ayurvedic cleanse that is working wonders. We plan to eventually ingrate this knowledge into the Transcendigital educational system. It is essential that this information becomes more accessible in the West. The intuitive yet systematic nature of Ayuveda makes it an ideal system for self healing.
In returning to Rishikesh we have been able to to expand our relationships with many intelligent spirit-filled souls that joyfully share their understanding of the universe in order to help us with the development of our vision. One of these teachers is Swami Arjun Puri. An aristocrat by birth and a Saddhu (renunciate) by choice, he has enlightened our days with his wisdom.
Through producing a fundraising film for the Indian Heritage Research Foundation, we have had the opportunity to closely interact with Pujya Swami Muniji. Last week Miquael and I received a Sanskrit mantras from him that are filling our days with bliss. Through the 108 recitations of the ancient words I can feel the unfolding of the peace and magical beauty of the universe.
As of now we will be leaving India on March 20th. I fell in love with India before I ever arrived. This love has been deepened by the numerous friends we have made here. Through my interactions with Indians and non-US foreigners, I have resolved to truly dedicate myself to improving the spiritual poverty that exists in the USA. Although it is hard to leave India, I know that my dharma, which is my work, will bring me back.
Send an email to Samantha.
