Guru Poornima

"What is it that you are supposed to know on this day of Guru Purnima? You must understand that God is in you, with you, around you, above you, below you. In fact, you are God. Recognise this truth in the first instance. "

Thinking of so many today, though of course it should be everyday that I think of life's gurus! Guru's include so many-- my parents and family; old and new friends from the Greenwood days, the Berkeley thrills, SSL and Palm/SI projects; the SJSU family, extremely patient thesis advisors, Green Empowerment...and so many levels of nature.
















In the immediate moments, I'm learning much from my travel friends in Leh, Jos and Lisa. Both are Europeans working/living in India.

Jos has been an immense mentor from the moment I met him 2 yrs ago...there is so much to learn from him.

Jos' blog: www.ancientsunlight.blogspot.com




















Apa Tashi Rabgais is Ladakh's foremost Buddhist scholar, poet, and philosopher. ...He generously entertained my questions on the drastic changes in Ladakh, living balanced in the Kalyug, and his meditation practices....and of course Indian politics...from a Buddhist perspective :).






















This is Amarbhai from Goa. He mans the one of the faster internet centers in Leh...he's there for 18hrs a day! During those hours, he diligently reads his Hindi Bible...and always smiling even to the not-so-nice customers.

...Being in such a beautiful place, he gets no time to explore. Finally, early today, before his 7a shift, we climbed the 400 stairs to the Shanti Stupa.

Shades of Leh

Still in Leh. If all works out, will be catching a taxi to Zanskar on the Mon. ...Zanskar will have its own shades.

In Leh

Yesterday was one of the most exciting days I've had...each of my pores was oozing out with joy. I was so anticipating re-connecting with my Ladakhi family...mainly consisting of the technicians/social workers at the Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDeG), random Kashmiri shop keeper, certain kids I' d spent time with, old Buddhist philosopher (the most patriotic Indian i've met to date)...and just the mountains, snowed peaks, ...the daily Islamic calls from the masjid...it's quite amazing when it echoes through the mountains.

...As I've started making an extended family of new friends, i've become more grounded. Yesterday I met Ven. Karma Lekshe...i'm speechless when i hear of the work she's done for remote villages in Zanskar and Ladakh. ...and she just keeps going! We'll be visiting most of nunneries in Zanskar next week. ...hopefully we can get some nice LED solar systems for them next year.

...Ven. Lekshe is teaching a group of anthropologists. It was great to meet all of them. One of them, Hembhai, has been working on Himalayan health issues...it turned he had been to Honupatta, the 15 home village i'd accompanied LEDeG to last time (8hr car ride and 5 hr walk from Leh). I actually had photos of the Hunappata villagers with me and he knew a few of them!

...Also off the plane i made a few Israeli friends. It's been eye opening to hear them articulate the situation in their country...they're 7 years younger than I am. I'm impressed with their thought exercises. ...One of them i'm rooming with for the week--she plays wonderful guitar...that i fall asleep to looking out at the peaks.

...So all in all, it's going to be a nice week in Leh, especially if i'm productive with thinking about the thesis amidst the peacefulness... The ride to Padum and walking thereafter will be rougher.

Ladakh..Again at last

Cycle Rickshaw

Pedaling and pedaling, his calves had the profile of stones. Sweat on his forearms, reminded me I had water to give him. "Koi utavar nahi hai", I was in no hurry. We talked of his day, his family, and the Jamana.

Gulliver in Liliput

From Scotland, they have decided to live in and work for developing nations. They've been in India for the last 3 years; Liz working on social development issues in Orissa and Craig working on disease alleviation in various parts of South Asia. Very inspiring couple… now with a 3-month old, beautiful son…whom they took to Rishi Kesh last week!

Last night Smita and I had dinner with them at their cozy home in New Delhi. Similar to the uniqueness of our Scottish friends, Smita has the distinct perspective of being truly Indian American, having spent about equally significant parts of her life in both India and the US. Along the lines of unique lives of non-Indians/semi-Indians in India, tomorrow I'll meet a Dutch friend from Auroville who'll be installing solar home lighting systems in Ladakh next week. ...Such blending of cultures in the spirit of service feel so right…though they couldn't have blended unless they were once separate.

Rag "Des"

"re ga, sa, re re, ma, pa, ni, the, pa"

The dark wood and airy strings,
a simple and solace fit in my arms,
while the rag Des flows in Spirit.