What? Menosukhi isn't reserved just for my animal
moments! I can get a bit nostalgic about
all sorts of things. Never in a way to
trap me into the 'if only…' kind of cycle.
But enough to bring a smile or a shake of the head and a "Silly old
buffer YAM, back into the now…"
In
writing the deep and meaningful on Sunday, I became acutely conscious of the
fact that the farewells from Mumbai are going to be among the more challenging
I have ever faced. A disparate crowd of
folks huddled together in one environment, with only one aim in each day, tends
to build a sense of belonging even in times of disagreement and
disgruntlement. It's family of a sort
built out of need and a common Love.
The
environment itself has much to commend it.
As does the city in which it sits.
I found myself looking out my window to the trees, the sky… and making a
list of things I'll miss.
The Kites; their endless soaring on the
thermals in just about any weather other than the heavy monsoon. Their 'screeeeee screeeee scrreeeeeee', high
and clear is a background sound which reaches deep into the being. They have become a meditation for me. As well as a photographic challenge!
The trees; the acacias which flower like flames
for two brief months of Summer (mid-April to mid-June) fill the air with
crimson and litter the paths with dropped blood-like petals. For the rest of the year, how their leaves
ripple in the slightest breeze looking for all the world like a green river in
the air; the tiny leaves endlessly falling like confetti. The mangoes with their luscious fruits. The palms with their rustling and whispering.
The Fence; which (until denuded - but now
recovering!) entertained all sorts of wildlife.
The Wildlife; the bees, the wasps, the
butterflies and moths; the chameleons,
the squirrels and the different songbirds so flittery - warblers,
sunbirds, bulbuls and flycatchers.
The Crows and the Koels; the day seems empty
without their constant chatter; 'KaakaaaKAAAAAA' and 'kooooo-eeeeeeLLL!' When they go quiet I look to see why. Mostly they get excited and raucous - and I
will look to see why. It can mean
'snake!', or 'kite!' or 'dog!' or…
The Monkeys; the long and lanky Langurs who
carry out raids on the fruit trees, running the 3inch-wide bar at the top of
the fence as though it were a pavement in the Main Street.
The Dogs; Krishna and Kaneya, the 'kampus
keepers', ever present, ever watchful, keeping us company without demand.
The autorickshaws; wish I could take one away
with me!
The Mullahs; around about the ashram are three
different mosques, which take it in turns to make the call to prayer. There are many different ways to chant the
Koran. Some are more melodious than others. All are haunting, when heard from a
distance, marking the hours as they pass beneath us. I love the spiritual focus in India and I
think about how it is that in UK and OZ, the pealing of the church bells has
somehow become a thing of the past, or for occasional use only. A great shame.
The Shankar and Ghantha; our own mandir's
(temple) call to prayer each evening with the conch and the large doorway
bell. Telling of the close of another
fine day in pursuit of Truth.
Sandeepany Dawn...image copyright Yamini Ali MacLean |
Sandeepany is a place of Love and Light, reaching
through the veils of ignorance and bringing out the Sun Deep In Me…
Although it is a most unpleasant characteristic in a person (me), I must admit I envy you the two years of peace and learning.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post very much.
Luv, K
Happy Janmashtami
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteKay - thank you; it is enviable and it has not escaped me that this has been the greatest of privileges. That said, no question it has tried me in every way. It's not for the faint of heart or even physical weaklings. Overcoming that last bit has only been through His Grace!!!
Mahal - Mubharak ho! sorry have not got round to sending individual greetings - you can only imagine how hectic it is round here.....
I can imagine how it must be. With dead lines at this end, I am burning the candle at both ends. Taken a day off tomorrow, to have a wee sleep in and then more work. Will email.
ReplyDeleteLove ya take care. Not long now
Oh, I loved this, Yam. It's written with such love and gratitude for what you've learned and experienced there, and also has a breathtaking sense of place. This comes across very strongly to me who has never set foot in India and probably never will. You are going to miss Mumbai very much, I think.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeletePerpetua-ji, I am! It cannot be denied. However, as stated at top, I am not one to linger and dwell on 'loss' for have always seen that it comes from 'gain'... an I'll be back &*>>