Me-now-views; Less Speak More Peek - The Reposts

Another post from very early in the LSMP meme. This one is of all the colour in the Sidhabari (Himachal Pradesh) ashram of Chinmaya Mission.

All images copyright to Yamini Ali MacLean

Menorise [men-oh-rIse]; the condition of inculcation

What's the hurry?  Remember.  One step at a time.

Norbulingka Institute, Buddhist Temple and gardens,  Himachal Pradesh
image copyright to Yamini Ali MacLean

Menorise [men-oh-rIse]; the condition of inculcation

Waiting for God.

We spend a lot of time in expectancy of Lord's arrival.  Scriptures of all varieties indicate the possibility; nay, the likelihood. 

Some folk become very impatient.  Wonder why they do not feel His presence in their daily lives.  Why He is not helping out.  Why He is permitting suffering.  Why He has abandoned…

The Lord is ever present.  The Lord boosts the efforts of those who help themselves.  He has no investment in either pleasure or pain - these pertain to the vain human realm only.  He becomes the relief of both only when we seek to level them through self-control and discipline.

The Lord NEVER abandons.  We only abandon Him.  We let go and expect to be picked up without reaching out.

If you are truly waiting for God, you must purify yourself and clarify your understanding of Him.  Only then can the light which is He shine in thee.  Do not wait for God.  God is one thing about which we ought to be impatient!  Go find Him.

He is waiting for you.

Menotra (men-oh-tra); the yatra you have during the meno years

The final holiday post of our trip to the mountains - but tomorrow there will be one special Menorise piccie…

At Delhi Airport we had time between connections to enjoy the ambiance.  It is a shiny place full of interesting features and I am wondering if it isn't owned and run by British interests, for the announcements were in English (as in London accent) and English-accented Hindi, plus many of the retail outlets and food points were of distinctly British origin!  Plenty of top-end Indian stuff too of course.  Needless to say Emm couldn't help herself… (don't fret she knows by now she's the source of much mirth!)  Have to admit I was not entirely immune, as I found one small Nandi murti (bull statue) which I was most happy to add to my bag.

Here are some of the artworks to be found in the large and airy halls.

We had time for a meal before boarding the Air India Boeing777-300 which was in international flight.  It has arrived from New York and was terminating in Mumbai.  We virtually had the craft to ourselves - poor quality photo and first time using one of the 'trick' modes on the 'Nik', but it gives you an idea. 

As we came into Mumbai, the sun was setting and there were many storm clouds about.  This gave spectacular sky views.  Here is something to whet your appetite and do please keep an eye on the SUNday posts over at MY TAKE for a whole series of them. Thank you for 'watching'!  Tomorrow is the regular Menorise slot and Sunday, I tell you the tale of travel to the Land Down Under… (oh yes, you might guess it was not smooth runnings…)

Menotra (men-oh-tra); the yatra you have during the meno years

Hari Om

Am typing this up in OneNote in anticipation of at a some time obtaining a decent etherwobble connection.  If I don't get the finish of the yatra story out of the way, how will I ever get onto telling you the state of play in OZ????  Thank you all for understanding and patience  &*>

You were left hanging on a blog-edge waiting for the final morning piccies and how the mountains displayed their glory. 

Weren't you?

You're getting them even if not!! Way to fabulous to keep to ourselves. 

If you pop over to this MY TAKE entry, you will have an idea of the very first rays of the morning and it just got better as you see.  It does not take long for the damp in the ground to warm up and rise, first as mist then as cloud.  At one point it formed this lovely veil behind the ashram rose bushes

This was all before brekky!  Immediately after brekky we paid our respects to the mandir and ashram as a whole, then at 11am Vipin came to collect and transport us to Kangra/Gaggal Airport.  The dear fellow took us on the 'country' drive route as much as possible and in no hurry so that we could fully appreciate the beauty around us.

 We had become fond of our driver/photographer/guide and took his details.  We would certainly seek his services again (and if any one is going there, ask me for his number!)

Kangra Airport may be small, but it is jolly well organised and we underwent the most thorough security check there, even compared to international.  Good people doing their job well and with a level of courtesy often missing.  They had to be thorough.  We had a bag-lady with us and who knew what she might be carrying?!  Once again we boarded the ATR 42, our Sardar-ji pilot proving that 'proper' flying is still a skill and we had the best take-off and landing.  Here are some shots to make you feel like you are there….

Those are just the Dharamshala to Delhi ones.  Next post (note I am not committing myself!) will be the final, which is more about the sights than the story… worth the visit though!

(If I have succeeded, you willl be reading this as a 17th Oct post, albeit late in the day.  This means that there will be posts up at least until Sunday, 'cos am getting organised ahead of time!!!)

Menotra (men-oh-tra); the yatra you have during the meno years

After leaving the hill temple honouring the 'bringing down of the knowledge', we made the very short trip round the back of the hill to the Norbulingka Institute.  (Do click that link - there's much more there than I can give you here!)

You have had glimpses of the serenity over the past week, now for a full blast of peace and tranquility.  Even as we drove up to the drop off by the main entry path, the sheer silence of the place seeped towards us.  Coming down, then up, the slight incline we had first to cross a 'moat'; a small but significant waterway, gushing and cleansing even as one steps across it.  No bridge required other than in your heart.

note the moat, down behind Go-go's feet...

Moving up the steps and through the entry hall, we are welcomed by a traditionally dressed lady and a small reading/ contemplation room on the opposite side.  

Then we walk out into the first courtyard.  A few steps later, another 'moat', wider, stiller and steps which have streams frolicking down each side.  As we rise up these, we turn to the right and - first things first! - head for the cafeteria.  We were hungry from one hour before, but our intrepid driver/photographer/ tour guide had insisted on the wet-weather temple visit first.  We are glad he did.  It prepared us for the shift in gears which Norbulingka enforces.

Even sitting in the thoroughly modern eating environment, surrounded by Australian tourists competing for loudest voice at the table and the blaring radio, there was a sense of freshness.  Service style, it might be said, was a little lacking, but that seems almost mean to say.  The food and beverages were totally up to standard.

I had lassi and a Tibetan dumpling soup which was lightly seasoned and absolutely delicious.  Thinking I would never finish the giant bowlful, I discovered I was wrong.  Emm had a club sandwich and Go-go ventured to a noodle soup.

Revived and renergised, we re-entered the main courtyard of this more public area and began to tour the nooks and crannies.  The photos say more than I can about that.

The main temple area is again approached over water and I am sure that this was as much a cause of the clean and divine feel of the place as any amount of chanting and praying.  The prayer drums themselves are world famous; even if you didn't know the name, you are sure to have seen photos of these around the place!

This is a wonderful space and we lingered as long as we could before finally heading out again to the car.

On the way back to the ashram there was one more little stop for a look round the Naam Art Gallery.  This is small, but delightful.  I did not feel it at all appropriate to take photos there, but the link here will reveal something of it to you!

Returning to the ashram, the late afternoon and evening shaped up to be rather beautiful and I had the suspicion, we were in for something lovely in the morning…

Come back on Wednesday to find out just how much!  Tomorrow's menosukhi will complete the story of Jade's holiday and Tuesday's Less Speak More Peek post will have the theme RED…

Menorise [men-oh-rIse]; the condition of inculcation

Taken with the 'Nik' on 8mp, but as loading many pics in advance of my transfer, have cut them down to size - this results in loss of clarity, for which I apologise.  Do keep an eye on MY TAKE though, as some of these will be showing up in much better state!

Patience.

An attribute of personality which can be found to be thin in supply.

We live in a fast world.  Each successive generation can be found to lament how life is speeding up.  There is no doubt, however, that the age of technology has ensured a further quickening.

Modern communications have built up an intolerance for waiting.  There is the constant messaging and chirping and snap-sending.

Will the world fall apart without these?

The mountains think not.

Menotra (men-oh-tra); the yatra you have during the meno years

Have you missed a few?  The tale of the tall hills began here ...

Our second full day in Sidhabari/Kangra district we spent out and about again, but this time with assistance of a tourist car, named "Hill Queen" - a peanut on four wheels with big aspirations.

When sitting enjoying our pop at the local chai shop the previous afternoon, we had met up with the villaqge tour-car operator and he offered an excellent deal on a day hire with driver who spoke reasonable English.  Emm had previously been quoted a ridiculous price through one of the kitchen staff, so we knew instantly that this was a good and genuine deal.

At 6:50am the very first blush of sunlight on the peaks caught my eye and I made some attempts at capturing the feel of the mountain morning.  It was extremely hazy and this gave a blue caste to all the early photos.  That one on the right is McLeodganj (with camera on 10x zoom from our verandah).  Am 85% certain the main building you see centre is the Dalai Lama's place.

Our driver, Vipin, was prompt and ready for us at 9am on the Thursday morning.   The day was again overcast and threatening rain but we didn't mind.  As we drove through all the different villages and towns, they seemed almost to be connected and it was a little difficult to keep track of which was which.  It mattered not.  Vipin was a careful and thoughtful driver (unlike our airport lift!) so we were able to enjoy the views to the fullest.

As we wound our way up and round to McLeodganj, we passed the Church of St John in the Wilderness, built 1852 and which houses the memorial of Lord Elgin, British Viceroy of India, who died there in 1863. 

These pictures are from Mcleodganj itself - the home of the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan Community.  

The place was bristling with folk (and transport of all kinds) as His Holiness was 'at home' and giving talks to monks and nuns from all Eastern countries.  Vipin dropped us off up the hill a bit as There was the all-essential market stall and shop trawling to be done… not by myself or Go-go so much.  Emm's the shopper.  I did find a gift for her as it happened though.  Also some simple and pretty earrings for myself. 

The plan was to go into the enclosure and perhaps seek a glimpse of the great man - however, I experienced something interesting.  As we walked through the entry street up to the bag check office and past stalls selling hot momos (dumplings) and nuns seeking donation for translation services, as well as a goodly number of disabled folk begging, signals were going off inside me that I was not to enter.

I won't explore this here.  Suffice to say it was a strong and surprisingly urgent 'internal order' so with no hesitation I told the 'girls' to go on without me and that I would wait in one of the tea shops close by.

Partly, I suppose, there was the certainty that there would be many stairs invloved.  Anathema to the poorly-hipped.  It was more than that though.

Never mind.  I sauntered over to the One Two Café, even as the cloud descended and deep, damp and penetrating cold surrounded the buildings.  The café was warm, inviting and amazingly 'European'.  A comfy seat was found, masala tea ordered and people-watching ensued.  YAMarazzi was happeez.

Emm and Go-go were about 30-35 minutes and were quite excited when they came out.  Yes, they had traipsed up many stairs and the place had been packed to the gunnels (perhaps another reason for my not venturing further) - but they had persuaded security that they were locals and then got to peek into the hall where the DL was talking!  I do believe I received blessings and energetic benefit simply by proximity and have no regrets at all for missing this.  I treated them and Vipin to a cup of the excellent chai before we moved off again. 

There was a shower as we partly hopped, partly skidded our way down a very sharp, very narrow and very bendy hill road to where the car was parked.  Next on our itinerary was a viewing of local tea plantation and the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association IPL stadium. 

Twenty-twenty cricket is big ticket stuff in India and the local team, we were proudly informed by our driver-turned-photographer-turned-tour guide, was number one Hills team.

Wonder how many other teams there are?...

Anyway, it was a super impressive place and of course this cricket tragic had a grin from ear to ear.

By now we were thinking of lunch.  We were going to have that at Norbulingka Institute back at Sidhabari, but first Vipin really wanted us to visit a local temple which was mainly the manifestations of Lord Siva, but also housed other murtis.  He was anxious, as he could see the rain was coming and it is an open-air temple.

There was a little agitation from a passenger or two as hunger was taking control a bit, however, his patience and determination took us to the Shankar Sunderam Mandir and we immediately understood his enthusiasm.  What really caught my (and the others') attention was the enclosure honouring the Guru Parampara - the lineage of teacher to taught.  Starting with Siv-ji himself through Vishvamitra, Veda Vyasa, Guadapadacharya up to Sri Adi Sankaracharya...the acknowledged master of Advaita Vedanta.  There was a smouldering log producing vibhooti (holy ash) and we were told that the fire had been kept continuously alive for over 500 years!!

The rain did come right then of course.  However, it was an amazing, heavy shower, straight down with no wind and had a thoroughly cleansing, refreshing and calming effect, despite the getting soaked.  I would sum up our 15 minutes there as soothing.

No pictures, as temples in India do not permit cameras and neither do I wish to take when I am myself attending as devotee. 

Tomorrow, the regular Menorise with another amazing photo from the Himalayan collection and on Sunday, the afternoon of our trip will be revealed.

Menotra (men-oh-tra); the yatra you have during the meno years

After our sublime visit to CORD, we sauntered back in the late afternoon warmth and, not really wanting yet to return to the ashram, we walked the extra 20 metres to the corner shop which sells chai, soft drinks, biccies and snacks.  We settled at the table and over a fizzy-pop and pineapple cream biscuits, watched the village life pass by - or settle beside as the case was with one gorgeous puppy. 

Food.  Wins friends and influences dogs.

Wandering back to the gate, we side-tracked to look at some trees which were being tapped for resin.  The Deodar Pines are beautiful with a gorgeous odour - from which we get the name 'deodorant' !

Then I got some shots of our Sri Hanuman statue, which is some 20 feet high.  The ultimate devotee, servant, soldier, leader and friend, Sri Hanuman is invoked for safety in travels, protection and stamina to complete works. 

The late part of the day was superb and I went down to the wall by the temple just in time to spot these goats being walked home by their dog.

That evening there was a spectacular sunset.  What was interesting was that although to the naked eye the sun appeared the deepest orange-red, the 'Nik' was much more sensitive to the atmospherics.  Here are some glimpses.  Do keep an eye out on MY TAKE for more photos and particularly SUNdays!!