path by the river Ganges

"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving." ~Lao Tzu



"Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe." ~Anatole France



Rishikesh...where the Beatles came to be with their Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Feb of '68...they were supposed to have composed around 48 songs while staying at the ashram here... many of which are on the White Album.



My journey has brought me up the Ganges from the Holy city of Varanasi to Haridwar and now to Rishikesh. I must admit the River is pulling me further and further towards the giant Himalaya range but i have only a few more days so will go as far as possible this trip.



Being a "traveller" is a far cry from the comforts, friends and routine of wonderful Mysore but the wandering path feels right for my transition home. i woke early in the Ganapathi Ashram with a mind full of thought and a craving for chai. so out i went at 5:30 am, had tea and washed my face and hands in the crystal clean Ganges across from the Ashram, and stopped by a small Hanuman (monkey God) shrine where a priest was doing morning prayers and puja (flowers and chants). Then a quick auto rickshaw ride brought me to a suspension foot bridge to cross the river. These travel days i have had the unstoppable desire to WALK...through the towns , up to the temples on the hills, into the mountains, along the river Ganges...and this morning was no exception. The sun had not quite come up as i started out on a winding "river trail" (with hat, scarf etc. it is chilly here in in the morning). there is something calm and deeply soul- satisfying about walking along a river for me. it dawned on me that i have come thousands of miles and three and a half months to realize that i am most at home walking by a river somewhere near the mountains, and here i am.


"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow". ~Lin Yutang



As my hike brought me up the hill behind Rishikesh on a switchback road, then a trail, I flashed back to the entire trip to India and wondered what i had to show for this time. Of course that was an entirely western point of view to look for tangible results or accomplishments... or to have expectations/ desires in the first place. what did i do here? get closer to enlightenment, grow 4 months older in a magical place...?
yes & some some wisdom nuggets:


1. Walk yer own path: contentment = living according to ones own unique way and blueprint...not by any others or what any others say is right for you. (with grace)

2. Believe in yourself and others and the connection between the two.

3. Take naps

4. Travel light

5. Make decisions slow but be bold too

6. Learn music by ear and develop your listening skills

7. Pay attention

8. Bow to the feet of those you love as teachers/Gurus especially the challenging ones

9. Stick with your Guru (s) for life

9. Always shine the light back on yourself if things appear to be going wrong

10. be quiet

11. drink tea

12. Recognize your impending death and live accordingly . live without worry or fear

13. tap into your own unique spirituality...whether thats Krishna or art or being outdoors. worship and devote yourself to spending time with the divine thing every day. find your "Yoga"

14. pay attention

15. trust in the journey

16. if you feel nervous or have stage fright, imagine everyone in their underwear.

17. make fun of/with each other Indian style

USA 6 days and counting...
j