WYSIWYG

What You See Is What You Get. This is a journal blog, an explore-blog, a bit of this and that blog. Sharing where the mood takes me. Perhaps it will take you too.

Menoracular; On Higher Teachings pt 1

Back in the end of August 2016 I received an email from Emm with no text body, just an attachment. It was the application for a 'camp' at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya given by Guruji, called 'Upanishad Darshan'... a vision of the Upanishads. It was 10 years since Emm had last done this to me. Then, it was to a ladies camp right here in Sydney and it was my first contact with Chinmaya Mission - the contact which added so very much to my life. Now, it was to a camp in the very place where I had stayed for more than two years, studying at the highest level the Sanskrit scriptures and culture. How could I resist?!

Application made and accepted, ticket booked, all within the week. Then the decision followed, having by that time talked with Emm, to continue on from Mumbai to OZ and spend a month visiting pals and sorting a few things out. That ticket booked, no worries.

When it came to booking the return ticket from OZ to UK though, things stopped. NAB put a stop on my card. My calls and emails were unsuccessful in getting this solved. Oh well.

© Yamini MacLean - Edinburgh Airport looking to the Pentland Hills
Flew out to India on 5th January. Left a -10'C Edinburgh at 8am and arrived 8am 6th (-5.5 hours) to a balmy 25'C in Mumbai.

As we rose from the ground, the whole of the Bonny Land sparkled beneath, under a layer of hard frost. It was beautiful. On arriving at the destination, I was most grateful for the chauffeur car which came with the ticket I'd booked; it can be a tad hectic getting taxis otherwise. Was at the ashram by 0930h and into the shower by 10am. Bliss.

I used the day to reacquaint myself with the place. Much was familiar, but much had changed also... I will not say for the worse or the better. Just changed. Any disappointment is purely subjective - though there were others equally concerned at some of the disturbances to the environment. Mumbai city appears to have crossed over the gate onto Sandeepany's hallowed ground and there is now a multistorey building going up for residence of the Guru and senior aachaaryas. Not of itself wrong, but one did think the design to be somewhat... unashram-like. Then there was the major development around the previously untouched garden and kutia (cottage) of Gurudev (the late founder of mission, Swami Chinmayananda). More on that later.

© Yamini MacLean
What was very enjoyable was the Temple at the top of the hill, the staff who were all still familiar faces and who gave warm pranaams and hugs of welcome, and that the building where I had spent so much time, still felt like home. Old Krishna dog had finally departed; the ashram had seen to his being attended by a veterinarian, his 18 years weighing heavy upon him. Kaneya is now the Lord of the Domain.

One puppy from the days I was resident was now a mother and this is one of her current batch of doglets...

Emm got in about 11pm. So did the very welcome kettle.



9 comments:

  1. The pup quite grounds the return.

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  2. What a wonderful taste of the beginning of your journey...can't wait to hear more!

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  3. I never was there but when I close my eyes I can see it through your words ;o) ...the pup is super cute and I wish this pup and it's siblings all the bet :O)

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  4. Awww, so there was a little doglet there to welcome you and make you feel right at home again!
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  5. There you are! I was wondering how that aspect of your journey went! Miss you! :-)

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  6. Now isn't that a welcome to beat all welcomes! The cutest, most adorable pup. At least some things don't seem to change.

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  7. What a cute pup! We are impressed that from photo to booking only a week passed! Looking forward to hearing more and hopefully seeing more!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  8. The puppy is so cute! Can't wait to hear more about your adventures.

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  9. Oh, my. Do hope all the paperwork is cleared up by now. What a sweet puppy. janice xx

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