This past Sunday Anahata and I had a few friends over and shared slides and shawls from the pilgrimage! I was reminded when putting together slides how many amazing and beautiful experiences I had some of which I haven't even had the time to really share. My first priority on the pilgrimage was to make sure Anahata had what she needed to stay as stress free as possible given all the variables at times. AND our days were so full that when I did have down time, I really took it and didn't do much of anything but try and keep up with some emails occasionally. But believe me the down time was relatively rare and coveted. I didn't even really shop when I had the chance because it was usually too overwhelming for me! All that said, I am home and very present as I move into new adventures. But the time I spent in India and Nepal are forever deeply in my body and very much a part of who I am now. Someone asked me on Sunday if the pilgrimage felt like a dream. . . . and I said that although my time there was relatively short that it really was deep and intimate and really now feels so much a part of who I am. This truly was a pilgrimage and wasn't just about running around being a tourist- there were so many great opportunities to really relate, share and connect with people and their spirituality/hearts. Because I was assisting Anahata I went a week early and got to see some of the inner workings of her life there and her relationships there- this was also the case just simply hanging out with her during the pilgrimage- there was much more association with her point people in each country who were either native or had been there for a very long time. I consider this association to be a great blessing.
Passang, a Tibetan, was our main help in India and I loved meeting his wife and two children in Dharamasala before the pilgrimage. What a beautiful family! And Passang was AMAZING- a true practicing Buddhist with a such a good and light heart. He really was able to just move through any difficulties that arose with relative grace. He also like to laugh and have fun and be of service. He was such a joy to have around. I look forward to seeing him and his family again next year. . God Willing.
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| Here is Passang with Sabira Jane discussing one of our vans that was spewing horrible exhaust which later broke down! |
Our two main helpers in Nepal were Andrea, an American who has basically been living there for most of her adult life and Pabitra who founded and runs Bright Nepal with Anahata's help and support.
Andrea knew so much about the sacred sights- she was basically our guide most of the time in Nepal. Pabitra helped alot with the hotel and food logistics and she was present on many of our outings. Both of these women are extremely generous- but Andrea was the outgoing one and Pabitra the quite force of nature. Pabitra is the one who decided to name the new girl that had recently joined Bright Nepal, Angela. I love her especially for that- I felt deeply honored!
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| Andrea sharing traditional sacred dance with us at a sacred site. She put her whole heart and soul into her dances. They were very moving to watch. |
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| Here she is with a monk that showed us around the monastery where her teacher presided before his death. |
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| Pabitra. . .need I say anymore. This picture epitomizes who she is with all the girls who come to Bright Nepal!!! LOVE |
And of course, I would be totally remiss not to make a point in saying how amazing Anahata was. . especially having been privy to all the behind the scenes. I really know how much of her heart and soul she poured into the success of this pilgrimage. . .how hard and tirelessly she worked. I really was witness to how huge a heart she has and how incredibly generous she is!!! I feel a deep gratitude for having been blessed to be a part of her pilgrimage in particular. BIG thanks and love to Anahata!!!!
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| One of the first days of our pilgrimage |
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| The last day of the pilgrimage. . .still looking radiant!!! |
SO, two weeks have gone by since my arrival home and I've mostly been catching up and doing music therapy gigs. I think it's time I complete this part of my blog and so I will close with a few more of my favorite pictures/moments from the pilgrimage. My next blog I will turn my focus to my few days in Europe before coming home and then it's onto my present life which is always full of new adventures!
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