A Few Answers

Since I began writing this blog, I have received the most beautiful, loving and supportive emails from friends, aquaintances and family members. I am so thrilled that my journey is somehow inspiring others to pursue their own dreams.

A lot of similar questions have been coming my way and my dear friend, Meredith Salenger, suggested that I share some answers here.

A few answers:

1. What are you doing with your belongings? Everything I own will be going into Public Storage except for the things in my one suitcase and one backpack. Feels liberating!

2. What are you doing with your dogs? Family and friends will be taking care of them. They were a big reason for my initial hesitation about leaving but I know they will be loved and very well taken care of. That being said, I am going to miss them both tremendously.

3. Where will you be staying? So far, I know of two destinations. I will be staying at Parmath Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, India and a friend's house in Bali.

4. How long do you anticipate staying? At least 4 months

5. Do you know anyone in India? Nope, but I look forward to meeting all of my new friends.

6. What are you bringing with you? Half my suitcase is a pharmacy, the other half is clothing, books, journals and art supplies.

7. What will you be doing over there? A lot of Yoga, Meditation and Seva work (community service).

8. Will you be working while you are there? I plan on being of service wherever I am needed.

9. Are you scared? Not really. I feel very protected and know that I am meant to take this trip. I feel more excited than anything.

10. Where else will you be traveling? Bali and possibly Vietnam and Australia.

Please keep the questions coming and thank you for all the love and encouragement!

Om Namo Narayani

The Time is NOW: Welcome Home!

India has been calling me since I was a little girl. My first experience of ashram life took place when I was about 9 or 10 years old. I was invited to Shree Muktananda Ashram in upstate New York by a family friend. I remember walking into the meditation hall and seeing the words "OM NAMAH SHIVAYA*" painted in large red letters on the wall. The sweet smell of incense filled the air. Beautiful statues of various Hindu Gods and Goddesses adorned the room. We would sit on colorful pillows and chant and meditate for hours. I felt as though I was home. I truly felt that I belonged there.

I had been invited to India several times over the years but always knew intuitively that when it was my time to go there, I would know. That time came this past December when I was invited to a friends' wedding.

Ben Lee and Ione Skye have been hosting Full Moon Puja's** at their home for awhile. I had attended a few of the ceremonies and consistently left feeling lighter and happier. I didn't quite understand who Ben's guru Amma was or why were sitting in front of his photo, I just knew that I felt safe praying and meditating amidst his likeness. Ben would reference to him (physically he is male) as "she" and explained that "she" is the reincarnation of the Divine Mother. I was a bit skeptical about this but knew that there was something special about Amma, I just didn't quite understand what.

When I received the invitation for the wedding, I instinctively knew that THIS was the time to go. The wedding was scheduled to take place in a small town near Vellore in South India. Guests were invited to stay at Amma's ashram and Amma would be marrying Ben and Ione.

I was mid-way through Yoga Teacher Training and was submersed in the history and philosophy of Yoga. In class my teacher and mentor, Kelly Wood, would reference India in almost every session. After Puja, Ben would tell me stories about his experiences with Amma and India. I was intrigued, inspired and to top it off, I had the opportunity to experience the joining of two beautiful spirits in matrimony. It just all felt too perfect. Too right. It felt as though "she" was calling me (India? Amma? Inner Guide?).

When I arrived in India, I knew I was right. This was the time. This was the experience. This trip would change my life. And it did. When I walked into Amma's ashram, a simple, and bare to the bones "guest house" in a small town in South India, I felt like I was home all over again. But this time, the mantra was different. Same meaning, different wording : Om Namo Narayani *** When I met Amma, well...she deserves an entire blog all on it's own. Let's just say, she is light itself and when you are in her presence, all worries, all fears, just seem to fall to the wayside.

I was in India for a total of 14 days. In that time, I experienced a vast wave of emotions; experienced things, people and places I have ever only dreamed about; uncovered parts of me that I never even knew existed; rediscovered the meaning of love and finally began to understand what the "Divine" means to me.

The night before I left India, I sobbed because I knew, intuitively, that India was not done with me. The minute I landed in Los Angeles the decision was already made. I had to go back. And sooner rather than later.

And here we are.

Om Namo Narayani.

* Om Namah Shivaya means"I bow to Shiva." Shiva is the supreme reality, the inner Self. It is the name given to consciousness that dwells in all. Shiva is the name of your true identity - yourself.

** Puja is a sacred practice that Hindu people perform on different occasions to worship, pray or show respect to their deities. Puja is considered as an act of showing reverence to the almighty through invocations, prayers (mantras), songs (bhajans), and rituals. According to Hindus, Puja makes a spiritual connection between the deity and the devotee. Full moon is an opportune time of the month for purging rituals to take place. The Full Moon symbolizes the end of a chapter, shedding light on the things that we no longer need to hold on to.

*** Om Namo Narayani means "I surrender to the divine." We all come from the divine and are all divine beings. There is nothing more freeing. No greater truth. Relinquishing whatever "control" we think we have over our lives and surrendering.

The Way

"When there is prayer in mind, there is purity in thought."

"When there is purity in thought, there is kindness in the heart."

"When there is kindness in the heart, there is service in action."

"When there is service in action, there is harmony in the community."

'When there is harmony in the community, there is unity in the nation."

"When there is unity in the nation, there is peace in the world."

- Sri Sakthi Amma 

Om Namo Narayani

First Stop

The planning is underway...

Boxes...CHECK!

Storage space...CHECK!

P.O. Box...CHECK!

Vaccinations...CHECK!

Airplane ticket...CHECK!

And so on, and so on...

It is amazing how much is involved in planning a trip like this but I feel good about where I am at thus far.  I leave Los Angeles on April 3rd, land in Delhi on April 4th and will check into a hotel that night. The next morning I will make the drive to Rishikesh which should take about 7 hours.

Rishikesh, known as the "City of the Divine" is located in the foothills of the Himalaya in Northern India. I will be staying at Parmath Niketan, an ashram and spiritual center to which sages, rishis, saints and pilgrims have flocked for millennia. I have signed up for an intensive two week yoga course which begins the day after my arrival.  Classes start at 6:30 am and will end in the evening with meditation and a ceremony on the Ganga River.  Although I am a little concerned that jet lag may interfere with the first few days, I think this is the best way to integrate myself into the experience.  I met so many incredible and inspiring souls on my recent trip to India (more on that later), I can only imagine more kindred spirits will be in Rishikesh as well.  

My house is in an organized state of disarray but there is such freedom to be found by putting your life into boxes.  I highly recommend it.  I like the idea of living out of a suitcase for awhile.  At the end of the day, I don't need much.  Everything that matters starts from within.  

Law of Detachment

Woke up early this morning to set up the yard sale.  Hoards of junkyard junkies showed up at my door at 8 am in search of treasures.  As they sifted and literally tore through "stuff", I smiled internally at the irony of the experience. Here I am, trying to release my attachment to things and here they were relishing in my purge.  

If you have never experienced the gratification of letting go of things that you have collected over the years, things that may be sitting in boxes in your garage or storage or closet and have ever wanted to I suggest you give a yard sale a try.  There is great pleasure to be found in detaching from stuff that may be useless to you, but may bring great happiness to another. 

So now the real packing begins.  And soon the storing will take place. And then...

On another note, a group of friends showed up for me today who consistently define friendship.  I have mentioned it before, and I will continue to because they merit the accolades, but I am seriously blown away by my "chosen family".  I could never have dreamed of a more supportive and loving crew.  I love you and will miss you tremendously but know that you will be with me every step of the way.