The smell of Jasmine..

Everywhere the scent of fresh jasmine..how sweet. The women wrap their hair in garlands of fresh jasmine; and I will forever hold this memory of scent. What a perfume that mingles with the air..India is a collage of contrasts..from the extremes of poverty and despair on the streets, abandon dogs, lonely old men,hungry babies, cows eating the garbage on the streets,to this sweet girl selling her magic. The kindness of people is apparent everywhere in their genuine smiles. And sometimes, I am reminded that loving kindness is our natural state of being. We forget in our hectic lives that human nature longs for the simple connections of a smile..without any words..the eyes say more..the heart is heard and I will forever remember Jasmine. Inhale..exhale..jasmine fills my soul.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Home sweet home ..

Very blessed to have found this great apartment..thanks Ami..Best move leaving the hotel..now I really can experience Chennai as a resident, not just a tourist..getting groceries in the Indian markets has been the cultural experience that only brings more gratitude...Costco,please do come here. Bigger is not always better...Simple living..once again, joy in not wanting..but loving what I do have..a place to be ..why I am here. To listen once again to the whisper..how sweet. Be still.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Inside..

Getting to know my neighbors

Contrast in living ..from my window in the apartment looking out onto my neighbors court yard..


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.

Location:View outside my apt,

Some thoughts..

Live with intentions..not agendas..Walk to the edge..and trust to fly..Listen hard, with your heart..Practice wellness by being still..Play with abandon and dance! Laugh..mostly at yourself..Choose with no regrets..do it..Appreciate your friends and keep reminding them how special they are...Love with an open mind...keep learning..do what you love,and Love what you do..Live as if this is all there is..it is NOW..
I found out yesterday that a special being died very suddenly last week..Jim, you touched my life with your kindness and enthusiasm for healing others. I am forever grateful I had the privilege to know you..I only wish I could have had more time to know you better..somewhere there is a bigger star shining in the sky..
Sitting alone in my room in this exotic city..too tired to venture out the door,I can feel the sweet intimacy of all my friends..We are all connected by the grace of One Heart..blessings from Chennai.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:2nd Main Rd,Chennai,India

Started my internship..

I have been in sensory overload and wondering how to digest all of these amazing moments. The weekend was spent getting adjusted to the time difference and the huge climate change ..actually reminds me of Chicago on those humid days we get with 100 degree heat,but now imagine without air- conditioning..but not complaining only witnessing how attached I am to my comfort.
Sat. was spent trying to find a new place to live that has wifi connection..I could only get a connection if I hung out in thin lobby.There I was screaming into my IPad trying to hear Colby on Skype. Late into the evening as four weddings were simultaneously going on in the courtyard and in the surrounding area!
I was being welcomed by members of the wedding party to meet the various. Families, and I had to explain that I was not comfortable being included in the photo shoot! Everyone gave me their business cards and made me promise to stay in touch..talk about a friendly county..anyway,the hotel was only filled with local business men so I feel better now in my own small apartment. Just have to figure out how to eat since cooking here is a challenge and can't eat any uncooked vegetables and fruit.
I spent the day on Sunday traveling to the coast of the Indian Ocean and to visit the Temple at Mamallpuram..what an amazing experience to see this holy spot and walk into the sacred space that was originally built in the 4th century..One's life gets very small in comparison to time ..to walk into the altar of these God's and feel the strength of their timeless presence.
I started my internship today..from 9:00am6:00pm.everyday except Sun. I will be observing the yoga therapists in their private sessions with their "care seeker" . What a fascinating experience to be able to sit in and learn all the ways they apply the tools. I am humble and yet comfortable to be in the room while the lesson is being created..most do not speak English..so I am using my eyes.. listening to
tone of the voices and watching the breath..the key to all of this work.. each day will offer another opportunity to grow..

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Have arrived!!

Exhausted and thrilled to finally reach the magic destination of India..took 22 hours of travel and having rested ...ready to take in my first day. Thanks everyone for the beautiful thoughts and words you sent me for the journey..I had angels around me..especially my sweet friend Geri who arranged to surprise me by welcoming me onto the flight to Frankfort Germany as my flight attendant!! She somehow worked her loving magic and had me moved to business class..I was a so touched and grateful for the blessing of comfort and SLEEP!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Today is the day!!!

What a strange morning..this storm is as if the heavens are letting go. ..and the heat of the past days was another preparations for my arrival in Chennai. The normal temperature being 106!! With monsoon rains. I have been in pure acceptance..I am planning on alot of bad hair days..and so I am excited about being invisible ..no persona of teacher, mother, director, wife, daughter,girlfriend,...I will be the foreigner..I will stand out in the street..but I will be going with listening eyes..and just be the student. Ready.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad