Today was awesome. We left Pune early in the morning. Early enough to watch the sun come up from the quiet bus as we jostled along on our way to Karla Caves. It was about an hour and a half drive and i spent the time contemplating many things. I am most grateful for this experience and what i have learned so far about myself and new places that i feel comfortable resting in. Places that felt like an edge before. My release of attachment and the open space its creating within me, this new level of relationship i have found with myself. Even more awareness. I am loving this.
The caves were incredible. You can read about them here.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karla_Caves
We walked up stairs and stairs, some parts of which had shops with all kinds of things you could buy as an offering to the goddess who's temple is located right next to the caves. It felt good to climb. To get up high and look out over the land. It was really beautiful. What we could see of the caves was once large hall and a few other rooms carved out of the rock in the mountain. The meditation hall was incredible. The carvings were amazing and the stone felt so rich. It was cool and soft and it felt as ancient as it was.
We gave the women the option of going to another set of caves, down to the town to eat or back to Pune. They picked going back. On the bus ride back i was tired. Kunchok and i had the row in the very back so i put my feet up and made a little pillow out of my sweatshirt and went to curl up on the seat. But Kunchok said " no no" and patted his leg for me and so i rested my head and we napped together the whole way back. It was the sweetest gesture and i so appreciated the moment of contact and the feeling of being close to another human like that. It's interesting because the other day when i was having feelings there were a couple of moments when he gave me this curious inquisitive look, his head would tip to the side. It was like he was asking "whats up with you today". He is incredibly aware and mindful. He is a teacher. Im going to miss him!
A couple of the women are leaving tomorrow and then more the next day. Everyone including Frances will be gone by sunday. How can that be!!? Im going to miss Frances so much as well! I love the part of meeting those genuine people in life where you cant imagine how they never existed to you before. Even Mr. Shak. Ive met so many people here and its crazy to think that i knew not a single person coming here. It makes me feel like i can go anywhere, literally anywhere in the world and find connection and a sense of belonging.
Here are a couple of photos from the trip today. I am going to sleep so well tonight. Tomorrow, depending on the interest, we may have a henna party in the afternoon. I joked to Deborah that i was going to try out what having a face tattoo might be like.
Goodnight!
stars from malaka spice
the arches in the hall
this was a pattern on the floor of the temple hall.
The caves were incredible. You can read about them here.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karla_Caves
We walked up stairs and stairs, some parts of which had shops with all kinds of things you could buy as an offering to the goddess who's temple is located right next to the caves. It felt good to climb. To get up high and look out over the land. It was really beautiful. What we could see of the caves was once large hall and a few other rooms carved out of the rock in the mountain. The meditation hall was incredible. The carvings were amazing and the stone felt so rich. It was cool and soft and it felt as ancient as it was.
We gave the women the option of going to another set of caves, down to the town to eat or back to Pune. They picked going back. On the bus ride back i was tired. Kunchok and i had the row in the very back so i put my feet up and made a little pillow out of my sweatshirt and went to curl up on the seat. But Kunchok said " no no" and patted his leg for me and so i rested my head and we napped together the whole way back. It was the sweetest gesture and i so appreciated the moment of contact and the feeling of being close to another human like that. It's interesting because the other day when i was having feelings there were a couple of moments when he gave me this curious inquisitive look, his head would tip to the side. It was like he was asking "whats up with you today". He is incredibly aware and mindful. He is a teacher. Im going to miss him!
A couple of the women are leaving tomorrow and then more the next day. Everyone including Frances will be gone by sunday. How can that be!!? Im going to miss Frances so much as well! I love the part of meeting those genuine people in life where you cant imagine how they never existed to you before. Even Mr. Shak. Ive met so many people here and its crazy to think that i knew not a single person coming here. It makes me feel like i can go anywhere, literally anywhere in the world and find connection and a sense of belonging.
Here are a couple of photos from the trip today. I am going to sleep so well tonight. Tomorrow, depending on the interest, we may have a henna party in the afternoon. I joked to Deborah that i was going to try out what having a face tattoo might be like.
Goodnight!
That sounds pretty cool! Great photos, what happened to the elephant trunks!?
ReplyDeleteWhen will you be coming back?
Love you