Presence of the Season

"I was after the presence of all time in one moment."

--Barry Hannah

Thanks Giving

There is much to savor, to enjoy, to praise--and to recover from. Here are a few of the highlights:

Welcome!

You are There

You are there.

You have always been

there.

Even when you thought

you were climbing

you had already arrived.

Even when you were

breathing hard,

you were at rest.

Even then it was clear

you were there.

Not in our nature

to know what

is journey and what

arrival.

Even if we knew

we would not admit.

Even if we lived

we would think

we were just

germinating.

To live is to be

uncertain.

Certainty comes

at the end.

"You Are There" by Erica Jong, from Love Comes First. © Penguin Group, 2009.

Watershed

The celebration of an auspicious birthday requires the following: no work; all play. In that regard, I slept, read, walked, and saw "Ondine" with Ron, a mysterious movie about a water nymph (or not?) who inspires change . . .

I enjoyed Skyping with Rebecca, and later on dined at Watershed, where we ran into fellow revelers (of all ages) and were joined by Sean and Emma. Lots of nice gifts and cards, too! Several of my good friends also celebrated birthdays this week, including Marshall, Anna, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Any birthday is indeed a watershed moment. And for me, this year will be filled with more of the same as above, as well as meditation--naturally, while circumambulating-- on considerations the Dalai Lama suggests: compassion, altruism, and interdependence.

My travels for the coming months, while pursuing the start of an auspicious year, will further follow this journey into the peaks and valleys of experience: om mani padme hum.

Another Peacthree!

Ron has now run 30 sequential Peachtree Road Races. Or is it 31? In any event, once more he organized a massive effort of delivering friends and neighbors to the start line before dawn, where they all volunteered, then fell into their appropriate places. Beer and other liquid libations were the main menu items at the appointed meeting place, with his truck as the watering hole, for post-race festivities. Sean joined in the fun, completing the race despite limited advanced training. He was back at work at Leon's for a busy July 4th in Decatur, where the fireworks brought our long day (punctuated with numerous naps) to a loud close.

Phir Milenge

Many thanks, India--and to all who made this such a meaningful journey: taxi-drivers, chai vendors, Buddhist monks, fellow travelers, friends and colleagues, and, most especially, the arts delegation, faculty facilitators, Geshe Lobsang, Tara Doyle--and Rebecca.

Phir Milenge: "Till we meet again."

Madrik Lhundup

This Tibetan term refers to that experience in life when there is a natural convergence: things not prearranged spontaneously come into being.

So has it been with this journey from the moment the seed of an idea for it was planted in my being while staying at the World Buddhist Center in Delhi during my first trip to India back in December 2008. Since then every possibility has been further cultivated--from the support of colleagues to the logistics to the various meetings and travel plans. Along the way, as well, I met people who seemed to come from another life, such as a graduate of my high school as well as a resident of Isle of Hope--right in my pathway, there, in India.

All of these experiences have been embedded in my being for further meditation and contemplation. Truly life-changing.

Reunions

Nothing like a family reunion to cure jet lag. (Thanks especially to Sean for making sure I arrived there and to Ron who chauffered my parents!). Cousins from near and far, along with a few aunts, uncles, mothers and fathers, and interlopers, showed up for the Barbee family reunion at Isle of Hope. Entertained by stories of "Toby the Terrapin"--who was hatched in the hand of William Jennings Bryant and trained by my great grandfather to "shake hands with the gentlemen and wink at the ladies"--we shared a common connection to one of the most beautiful places on earth. Always lovely to come back home, especially accompanied by my parents, after a long voyage. It was thrilling, also, to share so much about the entire India experience with the extended family.

For a video to learn more about Toby--and the potent powers of terrpin soup--as well as some Isle of Hope history here!

Karmic Destiny

"Since all phenomena are interrelated, the placing of the endless knot on a gift or greeting card is understood to establish an auspicious connection between the giver and the recipient. At the same time, the recipient is goaded to righteous karma, being reminded that future positive effects have their roots in the causes of the present. This is because the knot represents a connection, a link with our fates, binding us to our karmic destiny. Not surprisingly, this is one of the most favorite symbols in Tibetan Buddhism, and often occurs independently on its own.

Since the knot has no beginning or end it also symbolizes the infinite wisdom of the Buddha."

http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/symbols

Everything Auspicious

Paraphrasing Donovan--and with respect to His Holiness the Dalai Lama:

Everything runs in a circular motion
Thought is like a little boat upon the sea.
Everybody is a part of everything anyway,
You can have everything if you let yourself be.

On my circumnavigation around the world, I have been contemplating the meaning of interdependence and circularity. Safe at home (and jet lagged!), I am preparing to go to my birthplace, the Isle of Hope, where I will see my parents and various other relatives. What goes around comes around: while driving there with Sean, I will be meditating on everything auspicious from this grand journey of life.

The entrance to Meditators Compound on the path above Dharamsala.

Homeward Bound!

Sittin' in a railway station. Got a ticket for my destination . . .

Actually we sat in several railway stations yesterday on a marathon train ride from Shimla to Kalka on the Himalayan Queen then on the Shatabdi to Delhi--first carriage cooled by mountain air, second by AC. Altogether it was a day filled with sights and sounds and adventures, including the wild chaos of the Delhi train station and taxi driver negotiations. My guide and interpreter showed great skill at navigating these tracks and trains.

After a good night's rest, Rebecca and I hope to do a little shopping and meeting up with her friends before I begin the final leg of this journey (via Paris) around midnight tonight. You can view a video about Rebecca's life in Delhi here.

Meanwhile, Namaste India!

Friends we met along the way.

Shimmering Shimla

Yesterday, Rebecca and I spent most of the day traveling from Pragpur to Shimla on quite a twisting and rocky road. It took us almost 7 hours to go 225 kilometers. Nonetheless, Shimla is quite a worthy destination with cool breezes and panoramic views. Shimla served as the summer hill station for the British Raj. It has interesting Elizabethan-style architecture amidst Indian food stalls and bazaars. Today we took a long walk to the old Vicerol Lodge which now serves as home to the prestigious Indian Institute for Advanced Studies.

Tomorrow we head towards New Delhi by rail with hopes that our reservations on the Viceroy's 'toy train'--96 kilometers of narrow gauge line--come to pass.

On the rocky road (again)

Leaving Dharamsala felt like saying good-bye to Nirvana. However, just a few hours drive down twisting mountain roads, Rebecca and I found this lovely Heritage Hotel, Judges Court, in Pragpur. We've taken two nice walks along the village paths and also enjoyed delicious meals on these elegant grounds. Tomorrow we head for Shimla, known for exquisite views and cool breezes.

Rooftop of the World

Moon Peak

Moon Peak soars above us. The name actually comes from Muni or Sakyamuni, the Buddha, referring to the silent sage or the silent peak. In the life of the Buddha, true silence leads to truth. We had a great view from Jimmy's Italian Restaurant, a quiet spot above the noisy streets of Dharamsala where commerce and spirituality intermingle.

Streets of Dharamsala

On a relatively quiet afternoon. Also, you can view a video of life in our guest house starring one of my colleagues!

Om Mani Padme Hum

Today, throngs of laypeople and monks congregated at the monastery. The vibrations of their chants hovered over Dharamsala. I conducted several circumambulations within the interior walls of the temple. After lunch with Rebecca, we took a tour of the Tibetan Museum depicting the events and conditions of exile. Afterwards, I pursued circumambulations along the exterior path.

We have one more full day in Dharamsala, before traveling to new sites within India. The rest of the Emory group will be returning home on Saturday.

You can learn more about the Emory-Tibet Partnership from a Carlos Museum podcast with commentary by scholars and scientists on The Mindful Body through a look at a Tibetan image of a Buddha in a posture of meditation--and the implications for western medicine.

Hail to the Buddha nature that resides in the heart of all human beings.

May All Sentient Beings Find Happiness

It is a common practice in Dharamsala to start or end the day with circumambulation along a pathway, clockwise, surrounding the temple. With each step one encounters pilgrims of all ages and backgrounds, prayer wheels kept in motion by the devout, wandering dogs, watchful monkeys, and

well-satisfied cows. The incline is steep in places but very elderly walkers climb it without pause. Along the way, the rhythmic chant of "om ma ne padma hum" inspires further reflection and meditation along life's way.

Circumambulation

Follow my circumambulation path on video!

Norbulingka Tapko: Friendship

Today we visited Norbulingka Art Institue where our friends DK and Tenzen Norbu, the master Thangka painter, work. They have come to Emory for the past two springs for Tibet Week. We were happy to make a reciprocal visit It was a pleasure to spend time with them on this beautiful site devoted to Tibetan art and handicrafts.

Himalayan Paradise

Our colleague who oversees the Dharamsala study abroad program lives in a lovely spot just below Cafe Boom Boom the Fifth. She had us over for afternoon tea yesterday, along with some local artists and friends. I'll be able post some other pictures of our time together once I return. home. She resides in a beautiful home with breathtaking views.