sunday practice and talks of india!

Had an awesome sunday practice with the husband. Last night we all sat and watched our videos that we took while in India in March/April and then we watched Gurujis Video that was filmed in 2000 in Hawaii. We saw one of our good friends from Tiburon on the video as well as David Swenson. What a trip to see a friend on a video all of a sudden! Very cool!

Our 16 year old son, who has always been opposed to traveling with us on our trips to India is wanting very much to go with us next trip. I think it would be so great for him to experience India, and have always asked him to go with us...but he has always declined the invitation. It's so cool to see how he is opening up and changing the older he gets. So, now, were thinking maybe we will be going back in January or February 2008. Nothing is set in stone...but India always draws us back year after year, so you never know!

Going to go out and enjoy this beautiful, sunny day!

place of spirituality

I find such peace within my heart in front of my altar. It is where I can pray for my friends and those who I don't know personally but who may need some prayers sent their way. It is where I chantand pray for Guruji to be well and healed...and it is where I pray that we will one day have peace on earth....

chai.....

All done for the day~

Morning Blogs and Emails...check

One Hour Ashtanga Practice...check

Chanting for 30 minutes....check

Walk dogs for 45 minutes...check

2 loads of laundry...check

Return phone calls....check

Nice cup of home made Chai...check

photo taken at "Tea Time" Fort Cochin, India

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

I was in Dharamsala last month and I was staying across the road from His Holiness the Dalai Lamas' home. I could see his back deck from my hotel room at the "Chonor House" a Tibtan owned and run hotel. Everyday my husband and I would walk around the property of the Temple and his home saying out moring and evening prayers "Om Mani Padme Hum" spinning the prayer wheels with all the the Tibetan refugees, old and young alike. It was such a special feeling to be able to be there and to do that each day for 10 days.

We weren't able to have an audience with him, although he was home. In a way I was a little dissapointed...but then I thought to myself, if I did have an audience with him what would I say?

I know what I would do...I would beam form ear to ear as I bowed down before him taking his hands in mine and then I would cry like a baby. I always do when I see him. He seems to have that effect on a lot of people. Pure Love.

A Sadhu...

I have these dreams at night and while I am sleeping I know I am sleeping and I start to talk about really complicated things...things I don't even know what I am talking about. They are really advanced and hard to understand and then I slowly wake up while I am saying these things and wonder what the heck I was talking about. What's up with that?

Maybe in my dreams I am a Professor or a Scientist or maybe even a Sadhu??? I would opt for the latter personally! I have a really awesome photograph of this very old Sadhu that was taken while we were in Bodh Gaya, India two years ago. This wonderful old man just kept following us around the Stupa there and we took his photo and I have it hanging on my living room wall next to the Lotus Flower and Monk photo. The photo above is the Sadhu we gave to at Chamundi Hill in Mysore this year. (although I spelled it wrong in the photo)

finally here....

So yes, I am one of those little people who have been watching from afar and finally found the "gusto" to actually be here! I love reading my favorite blogs everyday with my morning cup of whatever strikes my fancy...whether it be my "World Famous Chai" recipe compliments of Biju from The Kashi Cafe in Fort Cochin,India...or the usual Starbucks java. Blogs are indeed a part of my morning ritual. Can't live without 'em! Thanks Julie for adding me~!~

Today is a Moon Day and I will go out for a 5 mile run later...then pay for it tomorrow.

Thanks Krista for your words of advice, and I am hoping your foot heals fast, though you are dead on when you said "Everything happens for a reason".

I am trying my best to keep my mind off of heading back to India next year...I promised my sweet husband that I would take one year off, but it's pulling me back once again.

mothers day and being a grandmother...

Yesterday as we all know was Mothers Day. It was really quite wonderful though...I saw my sweet new Grandbaby Kaili and she just loves me as much as I love her (i love her more) and my two beautiful sons were present and loving. We ate at "Cafe Gratitude" in Berkeley, a completely raw restaurant which I LOVE!! The day was full of all the people I love the most in my life and I couldn't have asked for more quite honestly.