...Mystic Union...

as the sun rises

2009-01-25T11:00:00.002+05:30

Happily sipping tea ad gently swinging on a colorful hammock hanging on our guest house porch, I breathe in yet another face of India. The early morning sun shines down on the daily routine of the beings on the street below. Women carefully sweeping courtyards, diligently washing clothes, and effortlessly carries goods on their heads and children on their hips; men cutting wood and carving stones; locals on motorbikes traveling much too fast , honking much too much, and carrying way too many people whiz by; a mother hen and her chicks chirping around in search of breakfast scraps; baby goats bleating desperately for their mother, who is just around the next corner; rickshaws squeaking their funny little horns; and countless barefeet traversing their way down the road, step by step. Never a dull moment and always so much to do, everyone presses on insesently, with clear direction. Just a few kilometers away is the miraculous dwelling that is Auroville; an international community of communities on its way to becoming a full blown, self sustaining, multi- functioning, spiritual and practical city. With a couple thousand citizens, tons of organic farms, and over one hundred countries represented, it is a unique phenominon in the world, peacefully existing as a home to many, and a travel destination for even more. From around India and the world people flock to visit some of Auroville's most impressive sights, such as the Matrimandir. This golden sphere in the center of the city is said to represent the "soul" of Auroville. Inside the center is a crystal sphere, and nothing else. It is made to represent the perfection that the soul is aspiring to, a place for deep relaxation and open meditation. It shines along side of a huge banyon tree, that is actually Auroville's true center, and it surrounded by neatly manicured lawns and gardens. Producing fresh veggies, homemade cheese, pickles, nut butter and jams, soaps, candles, and insence, home grown rice, beans, and spices; Auroville is a place of abundance and beauty. Our stay here hs been restful and rejuvanating, finally becoming fully grounded in our deep morning practice, preparing our own meals, and thouroughly enjoying our home for now. ...may your hearts be joyfull and may the eternal sun shine down upon you and illuminate your soul, all.ways ***Rosemarie

...Yemaya sends her love...

2009-01-15T13:26:00.004+05:30

...a cool breeze drifts its way from the waves of the Arabian Sea to the shores of Kudle Beach (coo-dly), Gokarna. a well loved destination for travelers and pilgrims, Gokarna is a shining gem within Mother India. With holy spring water flowing from the mountainside of a Ram Temple, and fresh fruit growing in abundance, it is home within paradise for now. Even thousands of miles from our homeland, the synchronisities of the Universe have brought familiar faces into our reality. It seems that a handful of our beloved NorCal family has also felt and answered the call to this sacred land, and it feels even more like home. Local women walk the shores balancing baskets of fruit atop thier heads; and children with armfuls of beaded necklaces follow close behind. Within such a relaxing atmosphere, it is the perfect place for us to acclimate, integrate, and reflect. May the sun also shine upon you, dear family, and may you be as blessed as we are in each moment. Give Thanks, We Love You!, Rosemarie and JaTa Clay

The 28th Hour...Indian Railway

2009-01-08T19:59:00.003+05:30

India's green countryside rolls by beyond the iron rod windows, as my growing belly rocks steadily to the rhythm of the old sleeper car rumbling on. Somewhere along the 24th hour the temperature gradually began to rise as we journeyed further south, forging past open fields and crowded villages where sari-ed women hang colorful cloth out to dry in the sunny morning air. Straw huts and roaming cows line the edge of the railway, and the beauty of simple living rituals fill my sight. Freshly washed wet rags beating on river rocks, baskets balanced atop confident heads, and wallah after wallah after wallah exclaiming proudly "Chai! Chai! Chai! Garram Chai!" to the rising sleepy-eyed travelers in that distinctive wallah way. As I take in the newness of the Indian culture, Her people stare at us, their only light-skinned companions in the whole car, with equal curiousity. Traditionally dressed, pierced, and bindied native women, modern clad Indian men, and white bearded turbaned babbas are amongst the boistrous crowd surrounding us. Beggers, train sweepers, and cross dressers, roam the aisles in search of charitable passengers willing to donate rupee coins to their cause. We give to a few and bless the rest, learning discernment in a hungry India. As vast as the land, from snowy mountain tops to humid jungles, are its peoples. A kind Sikh Baba watches over us on the crowded train and a small child gazes deep into my eyes with pure light, and the grace of the Motherland weaves her way through two young lovers hearts. -Rosemarie

Jan. 3rd, 2009 - The Indian Railway

2009-01-08T19:34:00.004+05:30

"...a worn and rusty blue train shakes and clanks along its way, piercing a thick layer of fog that hugs the earth today in Delhi. Just as its done for years and years. Chai wallas (a 'walla' is a general term for someone providing some service), coffee wallas, chain wallas, curry wallas, and everything-random-you-could-ever-think-of wallas, follow one after the other down the dusty car's corridor, exclaiming loudly in their nasally goat-like voices through the cold morning air. Meanwhile, tucked into the grand mix of it all, two young pilgrims bundled in shawls and scarves find a unique little niche amidst the poetic chaos. Outside faded and chipped blue bars of the window, an old and tattered India rolls and rumbles by. An ancient India, that never seems to change much at all. Sometimes she wears a modern building, or a new metro perhaps, but underneath she's still the golden hearted mystic mother that she has always been. It's my second time now in this land, and everything feels extremely familiar, and yet every moment remains to be overflowing with the unexpected. Even as I write this, a man in a blue and white striped jumpsuit, an Indian cricket player, stops on his way by and shamelessly reads every word upon this page, with no sense of personal boundries. And yet I do not mind, for it is the way here. Indeed, with over a billion people, personal space becomes extremely relatative... Next comes a blind man down the aisle. His feet shuffle forward carefully and confidently. He plays a melody upon his flute that flows from him like a curious serpent. This mystical and gentle melody is his sight, his livelihood, and leads his shuffling feet forward in this world. He seems to sense me, pausing and opening his glazed and crossed eyes. His melody becomes the very song of Mother India herself, and I drop a coin into his silver bucket. A loud "Clank!" resounds and he shuffles on. His serpentine song slithering him on and out of my sight. Ah Yes, the Indian Railway, unique unto itself in this vast world. 36 more rolling and rumbling hours are ahead and I do not mind. It is a much needed time to reflect and integrate.....Give Thanks..." -JaTa Clay

India Awakening

2009-01-01T08:25:00.008+05:30

Namaskar dearest ones, After a long and arduous 24 hour journey across the world, we have finally arrived to Mother India's sweet embrace। Since our first steps upon this land, an overwhelming sense of "home" has filled our hearts। We have made our first little home, in a cute guest house, on the busy street of Pahar Ganj's main bazaar। Here, the streets are filled and bustling with bright colors and foreign smells, persuasive shopkeepers, honking rickshaws, and a unique array of international travelers, locals, and of course, the most holy mother cows। Aromas of spicy street food, incense, and sweet chai, fill the air। We find our peace upon the rooftop of the Hare Rama Guest House, where they serve anything from curry to falafel to pizza, anytime of day or night। Oftentimes, our only company consists of five young playful brothers and a family of monkeys। This, we know, is but the beginning of a beautiful and epic adventure in this Ancient Land। Though we be thousands of miles away, you, our sweet family, remain in our hearts and prayers always। May your spirit know peace, beloveds, and may your days be filled with love and light। May this New Year bring the manifestation of All your dreams in ABUNDANCE! Blessed Love and Life, Rosemarie and JaTa Clay ...shalom namah shivaya...