Finding Meaning in the Midst of Challenges

An Invitation 

Sometime around the end of July 2015 I was invited to an annual prayer ceremony at the ashram I had previously visited in India.  The event was to be held on the 29^th of December, 2015.   I remember the day with much clarity.    I felt a magnetic pull to attend.  It preoccupied my mind for some time.  I tried to convince myself that the feeling would pass.   I could not conceptualize another trip to India as we had just been there in April of the same year.  Needless to say, it all happened very quickly, signaling that nothing was within our control.  Flights were booked, an itinerary was coordinated, and all other arrangements were finalized for an unplanned re-visit to India, this time with two children.

 

Lost or Divinely Orchestrated

After a long and tiring flight, we arrived in Tutticodi (a port city on the Gulf on Mannar, in Southern India) late on the 26^th of December.  This destination was to enable us to make the climb up a hill, nestled within a nature reserve the following day.   After a scrumptious dinner, and some rest we retired for the night.  Around sunrise the following morning we set off for the holy hills.  Our driver, Ganesh cheerfully declared that he had previously lived in the area, but had not been to the reserve. Nonetheless, armed with a map, directions from the concierge and a driver familiar with the town we headed toward the hills with confidence.  We were on our way to a temple in the Athiri Hills, which was enclosed within the Pothigai mountain range along the Western Ghats, in the Tirunelveli district, India. The morning sun was warm and soothing.  The drive was long but picturesque.  Not expecting to lose our way a few times, resulted in a more scenic, meandering drive toward the hills. Going off course however led us miraculously to another temple, one dedicated to Lord Shiva in the town of Papanasam. Ganesh, unperturbed at having lost his way merrily suggested, that we were at the entrance of the renowned temple hence we should go in and pay our respects.  We were happy to do that since the temple had been closed during our previous visit there.  To this day we question if we were indeed lost or guided there.

 

The Sweet Scent of Sandalwood

The temple was busy and bustling with people.  We bought a few lamps at the entrance and proceeded towards the main alter.  After praying at the main alter the priest guided us to where our remaining lamps could be lit.  There were lots of people everywhere, both inside and outside the temple, but there was still a sense of peace, calm and stillness.   The energy, ambiance and experience inside the temple was indescribable and one could not escape the awe and wonder of being within a sacred space believed to be approximately 1000 years old.   The temple has a rich history associated with the Pandya, Nayak dynasties as well as the Chola Kings and is known for numerous legendary stories.  People are drawn to the temple for various reasons often seeking the blessings of the presiding deity Lord Shiva to absolve them of past karmas, to spiritually cleanse their souls or to simply reconnect with divine sources.  One could rationalize at length around how we were diverted to the temple but that would be pointless.  In short it was extraordinary.  The most noteworthy experience from that temple visit was most certainly the sweet fragrance of sandalwood that permeated through the air catching my attention as we existed.  I later learned that the fragrance of sandalwood was associated with the divine play and presence of siddhas.

 

Tiger Reserve

Recovering from the wonderment of the Papanasam Temple, our focus reverted to the original destination, Athri Hills.  The weather was mild and cloudy, which was much in our favor.  Upon arrival at the entrance Ganesh assisted with arranging access into the forest with the official at the gate.  I came to understand the temple was within a forest (nature reserve), the reserve recorded the entry and exit of all patrons that visited each day and was astonished to learn that the temple was within a “Tiger Reserve”.   No prizes for guessing why it was necessary to record the entry and exist of patrons daily.  I was hoping my children would not see the prominently displayed board indicating “Tiger Reserve” at the gate.  Unfortunately, they did and boldly expressed their desire to see a tiger; much to my horror. 

 

Path Riddled with Tests

We began the trek with much enthusiasm until we found ourselves before a motionless body of water.  That, we were not prepared for.  Perplexed, we stood before the water, our minds racing to find a solution to get across.  Although that strategy often proves effective in most situations that was not one of them.  The only way to get across was to walk through the water.  Our hesitation to process and think was based purely on our lack of exposure or experience to being in a forest, a “tiger reserve”, on foot without the guidance of a professional or experienced reserve official, hence submitting to the wicked hand of fear was effortless.  That was exacerbated by the circumstance of having our two children with us, aged 13 and 15.  There was little time for deliberation, we had to walk through the knee-deep water.  We reached the other side with relief and continued deeper into the thick forest.  The narrow single file path was strewn with large red and black centipedes. The forest was dense with lush plants, colorful flowers, large established trees, numerous insects and more.  We trekked for some time before being confronted by a stream. By this time, we were far into the mission, to ponder over it, it had to be crossed.  The forest became denser and darker in some places and fear began to escalate.  I resolved to keeping my head down, to concentrate on the narrow path and focus on the destination to lessen the fear.  This was not met with success.  I grew more concerned about our safety, particularly that of the kids.  My kids however were coping with the experience far better that I was.  I was acutely aware that the forest was home to many dangerous and fearsome beings who took their role in protecting their territory seriously.  I silently put out a prayer communicating that I was aware that we were walking through their home, I fully respected them, we would leave without causing any harm to their environment, and humbly requested that they not present themselves before us. 

 

 

Now What?

We journeyed through the narrow path, listening to the many different sounds of birds, swaying branches, noticing the strong fragrance given off by medicinal plants, aware not to step onto the countless centipedes that lined the path and delighted in the free-spirited butterflies which danced around us.  That temporary relief was interrupted by several more streams and rivers, many with fast flowing, high levels of water, as the area had just experienced much rain. My fears mounted as we trekked further on which distracted me from deriving the full transcendent benefits of such a journey.  It was not long before we were challenged by yet another river.  This river was not to be outdone by the others.  It was fast flowing, crystal clear, proudly displayed it’s mighty rocks and much wider than any of the others.  At that point it occurred to me that the first body of water began as a manageable task (or test) and the level of challenge to get across subsequent streams and rivers gradually increased.  Our dear, good-natured driver, searched for the best spot along the river for the safest way to get across.  By that time, he probably thought “I did not sign up for this”; understandably so.  The day had been a far cry from a driver’s ordinary work day.  However, he showed no signs of discontent.  On the contrary he revealed his exceptional character in the way he accommodated and guided us; fully cognizant of our fears, inexperience and insecurities.  Nevertheless, the glorious river coursing before us was to test his and our mettle further. 

 

Believe it..or Not

Ganesh continued to look around trying to plot the safest path across.  My heart sank.  My fear could not step up a notch having already reached it’s peak. I glanced skyward and mentally called out for help in prayer, with as much composure as I could muster.  There was an almost immediate response to my call, as I heard voices of people.  I looked beyond and around the thick leafy trees and saw a group of people further up across the river.  They were shouting to get our attention.  They signaled to us to walk further up the river. An unbelievable sense of relief came over me.  There was immense comfort knowing that there were other people in the forest.  We were no longer alone.  There was a group of men in the river making their out, another group were having a meal around a gigantic rock and kindly invited us to join them and another group across the river where we were headed.  I was amazed to see a tight rope that spanned across the river to help people get across safely.  The group across the river directed us to the tight rope, guided us to take hold of it and advised how to walk across to maintain balance as the flow of water was swift, the river bed was course and the rocks were extremely slippery.  Traversing the river safely, we were warmly greeted by the group who assisted us.    They informed us that they too were going up the hill to the temple and would be happy to accompany us.  That was unquestionably a response to a divine call right there.  They sang and chanted the mantras of Lord Shiva as we ascended. Three of them walked ahead of us, we followed and one of them walked behind.  We stopped at a cave, known to have been that of the siddha Korraka.  They had come fully prepared with a bag of prayer items and promptly lit up a lamp, incense and guided us in prayer; thereafter explaining the history and wonder of the cave.  

 

Faith in Humanity

I felt extreme relief.  The trek with the four saintly guides continued.  I was able to relax and notice more of the amazing greenery that sprouted off the sacred earth.  The air was clean and fresh.  There was a soft drizzle but the sun managed to peep through the forest foliage. Being divinely led, the walk reaching the temple felt more like a leisurely stroll.  The temple buzzed with people.  Others had clearly reached there earlier in the day as we did not encounter anyone on the path up.  Preparations, bathing and adorning the deities were performed.   Once complete, we were invited to pray with them.  The people were warm, welcoming, friendly, hospitable and kind hearted.  It was an absolute privilege to be assisted and guided by such kind souls given that we were complete strangers.

 

Reflection

Our journey down the hill was relaxing, pleasant and rewarding.  In the absence of debilitating fear, I was more appreciative of the rare beauty around us.   I was more aware of the splendor and grandeur of the diverse flowers, trees, plants and insects that went unnoticed on the way up.   We joyfully crossed the many rivers and acknowledged them as rare, mystical, magical experiences.  The slight drizzle disappeared and the sun made a more prominent appearance.  Reflecting on the day later that night, I questioned if I would have entertained the idea of visiting the temple had I known it was within a Tiger Reserve, the nature of the terrain, the number of streams and rivers that had to be traversed, without a guide etc.  I am usually known for conducting extensive research before committing to anything particularly when it included our kids hence, I am still mystified as to how those decisions came to pass.  My only explanation which may appear as an excuse is that many or all things around us are indeed beyond our control.  You have the choice to disagree.

 

Trust

It was indisputably an epic excursion.  These were not experiences we could encounter in our home town or country.  If there was ever a time in my life when the existence of something greater could be questioned, that moment had prevailed when I glanced skyward and requested help.  Everything that subsequently followed was miraculous.  Similar to the rivers and streams, life tends to give us manageable problems at first thereafter incrementally increasing the levels of challenge.  One of our biggest impediments may be fear.  Fear is every bit a human emotion and acknowledging it does not make us weak or inadequate.  On the contrary it teaches us to be aware of it and to bring it under control.  How can that be achieved?  Personally, when confronted with fear these days, I ask myself “For how long are you happy and willing to carry this fear around?”.   The answer to that steers me toward “trust”.  One has to believe in and trust in something. Trust in the existence of something greater in the universe.   That “existence” can mean different things for different people, but, when it exists; miracles follow.   The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho confirms this when he said “once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen”.   

 

On a side note, the biggest disappointment of the day for the kids, remains, having not seen a tiger.

 

Self-Reflection

When you look back on your journey, do you recall the occurrence of similar events or experiences that cannot be rationally explained?  Experiences that can only be understood and felt on a deep, personal level.  

 

Were you able to extract what the universe may have been communicating to you around such experiences?

 

How to Cultivate a More Spiritual Life: Connect with the Environment

The Mechanics of Nature

We often find ourselves flowing through life not really cognizant of the natural environment surrounding us.  We may understand that it exists, it does what it does and when we need something from it we can simply retrieve it.  If we are not trained to or given the opportunity to understand nature differently we may only perceive it in that way.  Have you ever taken the time to intentionally observe the mechanics of nature?  I encourage you to step out into your garden, a park, the ocean, near a mountain or someplace close to nature.  Simply observe the operations of that system.  For example stepping out into a small garden typically provides an opportunity to see birds flying about chirping and tweeting.  Their chirping may sound consistent and rhythmic and other times not.  Bees may buzz from flower to flower purposefully knowing exactly what to do. You may observe various flowers of different shapes, colours, sizes and appearance.  Ants may hurry about carrying bits and pieces of what is perhaps only known to them.   Leaves and branches on trees may swish and sway in the breeze or the wind.  Sounds heard from swaying branches and leaves may be distinct and audible.  Ladybugs, butterflies and other insects may also be observed.  Do we stop to question who operates this system?.  What exactly are the mechanics of the system?  How do all the elements within the system interact with each other?.  They notably demonstrate high levels of efficacy and intelligence as they go about their work.  Typically one may observe harmonious, interconnected, mutually beneficial interactions among all elements in whichever system is observed.  This of course is in the absence of external interference, particularly from humans.  When undisturbed nature displays wellness, harmony, balance, optimal and sustainable functioning.  Can the same be said of “human ecosystems”?  

 

Nature as the Host, Humans as Guests

 

The natural environment is a formidable source of power and life invigorating energy, which we are dependent upon. Without it’s vital components such as the sun, trees, soil, water, gases etc there can be no existence of life on earth.  Given this reality the natural environment should, ideally be treated with respect, appreciation and gratitude.   This however elicits highly controversial views from various schools of thought; such as Anthropocentrism which holds that humans are superior to nature and have the power to use, dominate and control the environment for their benefit and Ecocentrism which purports that all living beings, including nature hold intrinsic value and it’s well-being should be prioritised and protected over human interests.  (There are other schools of thought however mention will be made of only these two at this juncture). In my opinion the natural environment is essentially a host, which accommodates us during our tenure (lifespan) on earth.  We are guests in the home of the natural environment that surrounds us.  As any good host would, it provides us with sustenance to survive and features to enjoy such as mountains, coastlines, forests etc. What would be the reaction if we had a guest in our home, provided everything to meet their needs and thereafter became the recipient of abuse, exploitation and destruction?  Worthy of note is that nature will far outlive us and regardless of the damage and destruction it encounters at this time, it still has the power to regenerate itself.  The infinite intelligence, wisdom and capability of nature is revealed when it demonstrates it’s wrath through earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, flooding, droughts and other forms of release to bring balance to disproportion.  

 

Moral Obligation

Our relationship with nature is not merely about what can be derived from it; it is an imperative because as humans we have a responsibility and moral obligation to contribute to the conservation, preservation and restoration of the earth.  Although helpful, this does not necessarily expect the spend of money, commitment of time, going on massive drives, campaigns or similar activities.  One can make simple adjustments to lifestyle, conserve water and energy, use eco-friendly products, reduce consumption, reuse resources, recycle more and practice sustainability such as Sustainable Fishing Initiatives.  Sustainability is not just about business though it is core to our responsibility and moral obligation.  The 1987 United Nations Brundtland Commission Report captured this sentiment aptly encouraging sustainable practices to meet the “needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. 

 

 

A Tonic for Spiritual Growth

 

For anyone venturing onto a spiritual path, seeking modes of healing or nurturing one’s way toward well-being and wellness; reconnecting or fostering a healthy relationship with nature is highly recommended.  Our spiritual growth and development is enhanced when we engage sustainable practices, interact with mother earth through compassion and embrace  harmonious cohabitation with nature.  It opens up our hearts and minds to align, connect and receive high vibrational energies from the universe to ascend us spiritually, improve our health and well-being and enrich the quality of our life.  Volumes have been written about spending time in nature as a means to improving physiological and psychological health, reducing stress, detaching from the toils of daily life or to simply enjoy the peace and tranquillity that it provides.  Time spent in quiet, peaceful, natural surroundings creates space for introspection and contemplation which allow for opportunities to go within and connect with oneself.  Peaceful surroundings are ideal for deeper reflection and meditative experiences.  This improves our focus, creativity, problem solving and self-esteem.  We come to understand our miniscule existence with the vast web of life which encourages a sense of humility, appreciation, compassion and gratitude for the many gifts in our life.  Importantly it enriches and allows us access to our intuition and inner wisdom.  Engaging with nature enables us to recognise the existence of something larger than ourselves.  It provides us with a deeper understanding of ourself and our interconnectedness, oneness with all things in the universe.  It is perhaps the easiest and most beneficial goal to achieve in cultivating a more spiritual life.

 

 

 

 

"Our Common Future," is: World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). (1987). Our Common Future. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 

The Majestic Arunachala: More than Just a Mountain

Our next point of interest was the temple located in the foothills of the great Arunachala: Mountain of Wisdom, in Tiruvannamalai, India.  Nestled in the heart of Tiruvannamalai the mountain is respected as the physical manifestation of Lord Shiva and is a sacred cornucopia for ardent spiritual seekers.  The mountain is renowned for attracting people from all walks of life and the main activity there is the circumambulation around the revered hill.  People choose to walk around the mountain for many personal reasons; as a means to facilitate the purification of the mind, enable spiritual transformation or the seeking of liberation from the cycle of birth and death.  Some walk in silence, others chant mantras and there are those who just wish to connect or reconnect with the atmosphere heavily infused with divine energies.  At the time of writing, I could not accurately recall how I had learnt of the place. I just knew I was drawn to the mountain and it made its way onto the itinerary.  The absence of research, knowledge and deeper understanding of the holy beacon came back around much later to expose my folly.  

 

The long scenic drive towards Arunachala, was breath taking.  We passed many small humble villages, encountered many cows who claimed their right to use the roads, admired long stretches of greenery and enjoyed the vibrational energy surrounding the mountain range.  It was an auspicious day, a full moon which meant the evening circumambulation around the mountain would attract more people than usual.  We arrived in the busy city a little after 6pm, as the sun was setting.  We were met by a guide who imparted some important information to help facilitate the walk without being disturbed by the many activities and bustle along the route.  It was then I discovered, in disbelief that the walk around the mountain was 14 km (the absence of research); something that should have jumped out at me before I put it in the itinerary.   That was no small oversight as I was not physically fit to even consider such a quest. 

 

It was too late to back out; we got onto the route and committed to do our best.  We began the walk attempting to maintain a comfortable speed.  Darkness was veiled by the full moon.  Walking in silence, through the powerful vibrational energies; we were soon lost to the mystery, magic and magnificence of the mountain of wisdom.  

 

Midway through the 14km walk I began to take physical strain.  I was amazed at the levels of physical fitness demonstrated by others, many of them locals.  Around three quarters of the distance I wondered if the physical pain, exhaustion and mounting strain I experienced was any reflection of my karmic debts.  I tried to muster as much physical strength, mental endurance and dogged determination to see it through.  I assured and consoled myself saying this mission stemmed from mysterious forces and I could not have been set up to fail.  I was sure to succeed with the divine grace that permeated the air.  We slowed down the pace significantly; my body beginning to cave and I found myself looking for the end or seeking an exit strategy.  Some 3km from the end my husband demonstrated signs of extreme exhaustion and dehydration.  He appeared to be close to the point of passing out.  I intensified my prayers expressing my incapability to manage any emergency type situation in a foreign country.  With that we paused the walk, approached a nearby store, purchased water and cold drinks and rehydrated ourselves.  It proved to be a pretty effective intervention.  Within minutes we were both miraculously refreshed, energized and ready to resume the walk.  

 

 We reached the end point shortly thereafter, which was also the point of departure; the temple itself.   There was a time during that circumambulation when I thought we would not make it without being driven back.  We not only made it back on foot but we made it back in good shape.  We stepped back, gazed up at the temple and admired the magnificence of the hill behind it.  It felt euphoric.  The test of physical and mental endurance faded as we embraced the joy and blessings we felt as we looked up at the hill and acknowledged the master therein.  Invigorated, mesmerized and filled with gratitude we turned around and walked off into the warm, moonlit night.

 

 

If at this point you are wondering about my identity, I humbly request your patience.  Some of you know who I am.  I am revisiting events that originated ten years back in a chronological order.  I am happy to share more about the self as I go further into the journey, when it will make more sense.  Thank you in advance for your patience.

Beyond the City: The Path Untraveled

The journey continues.  April 2015; still in India I was preparing to visit some extraordinary sites that were not even a figment of my imagination prior to that trip.  Early one morning we set off to experience a waterfall, a temple at the top of a hill and a cave nestled in the deep south of India.  The area is believed to be the playground of sages, rishis and divine universal energies.  Surrounded by majestic mountains, serene greenery, crystal clear waters and crisp clean air the region is associated with Sage Agathiyar travels, celestial miracles and the medicinal value of the waters that meander through the plains before tumbling down the falls.  

 

On arrival we noted the clear sky, the large shade providing trees, the clean fresh air and the surrounding mountain terrain which was indeed breathtaking.  The water gushed over the fall with glory, drenching and splashing over those beneath it and flowed off into the body of water below.  I wondered in disbelief how the speed at which the water surged over the falls, did not present any danger to the people below.  They were not only safe but were having the time of their lives.  It seemed to be a fantastic way to beat the extreme heat as well.  I took a quick splash under the falls, but did not fail to notice it’s gentle tempo, clear water quality, soothing, rhythmic sound and therapeutic effect.  It only appeared to look forceful and fearsome from a distance.

 

It was then time to visit the shrine at the top of the hill.  We made our way up a series of steps, 100 steps, I was to discover much later.  Midway up the steps, I began to feel muscles in my legs I did not know I had.  The fierce Indian sun appeared to be grinning with all it’s might.  Again, these were temperatures unfamiliar to us.  I acknowledged the sun’s strength and accepted it’s challenge.   We arrived at the top after the arduous climb and paid our respects to the deities in prayer.  We then drew in the magnificence of environmental splendor that stretched before us and immersed ourselves in the purity of the universal energies that enveloped the region. One had to acknowledge the sweet sounds of flowing water in the stream below, the glorious mountain terrain that extended far into the distance, the beauty of the surrounding trees and greenery rustling in the breeze, the brilliant blue sky, cloudless, the magnificent life-giving sun energizing everything below and the clean, celestial mountain air.  I found myself pondering “who would not want to live there?”.  We explored around the little temple and wondered how building materials were hauled up that terrain to have it constructed all those years ago.  My meagre research pegs the temple to have been built by “Chola king Kulothunga Chola II in the 12th century” (Anon).  We descended a few large steps to reach the passing stream noting the clarity of the water, hordes of happy fish and some fascinating inscriptions on rocks.

 

We attempted to find the much talked of cave; without success.  Back at the waterfall, all the way down the 100 steps, we are informed by a park official that the cave is “up there”, however we would need to take a guide to find it.  We were exhausted and lacked the confidence to manage another round up 100 steps hence graciously declined the offer.  An enthusiastic guide, within earshot of the conversation was hearing nothing of it.   He jumped up in excitement convincing us that we had to see the footprints of Agathiyar in the cave.  His level of steam surpassed our level of diminishing physical stamina and we failed to resist.  We were back on the steps. I chose to ignore the sun’s effort to beat me again.  I continued to focus on the goal, the cave.  We arrived at the top of the stairs, the guide moved towards the stream and pointing across the waters briefly explained the route.  It sounded way beyond my capability, dangerous, scary, impossible.  We were already beyond exhaustion and close to dehydration.  Our helpful driver who participated in all the activities along with us to that point backed away declaring that he would not be joining us.  Understandably so.  It seemed insane.  My husband and I glanced at each other, our analytical minds racing for a logical, rational decision.  The physical body was beaten and with the mind was realistically challenged hence none was forthcoming.  In that state of chaotic madness, we motioned the guide to continue and we followed.  We hopped over burning rocks bare footed which felt to the feet like a griddle.  I imagined the sun laughing with glee in response to me accepting it’s challenge.  The terrain became more mountainous and the rocks became more difficult to scale.  The guide picked up his pace being familiar with the trek.   The climb demanded the use of hands, feet, legs, knees, using one’s buttocks, tummy etc. sliding, climbing, jumping and crawling.  After approximately 20-25 minutes on the trail, I realized I could not feel my lower body.  The perspiration melted off my face.  I struggled to move forward.  Each time we enquired; the guide replied that we were almost there.  This was his response approximately five times.  As we continued, we caught sight of the driver.  He had astonishingly changed his mind, and decided to join us. He made good progress, got ahead of us and caught up with the guide.  My husband closely ahead of me had already had a few slips, slides, cuts and bruises.  I was taking strain.  I began to question my decision to embark on a quest which appeared to be testing every fiber of my being.  My thoughts became scrambled.  I had started to lose focus on my goal, reaching the cave. I constantly thought about the return journey which hampered my mental stamina to move forward.  I felt delirious.  The guide saw me falling behind.  He treaded backwards towards us.  He got to my side and began to guide me through every step forward, literally.  He told me where to step, where to slide, where to grab hold of a branch, where to jump, where to crawl.  He encouraged and motivated me with every step I took forward.  From that point on, all I could hear was his voice.  I did not know it at the time however looking back; that was unquestionably divine intervention at its best.   As this unfolded, the driver Ramesh miraculously finds a little packet containing camphor and match somewhere on his path, in between the rocks.  We did not realize the significance of this extraordinary find until much later.

 

A few meters away from the cave, I had slipped back into despair.  Both my feet were in a narrow ravine and both my hands clung onto a brunch just above my head.  I was in a physically safe place, where I unintentionally chose to break down.  I wept hopelessly clinging onto the brunch, although there was no risk of falling, no risk of anything actually.  I declared that I had given up and would not get any further.  I asked the others to go on without me.  I had literally given up.  I was disappointed and angry at myself for failing the mission.  I felt weak and disempowered.  I was pushed to a point of near collapse.  My thinking and brain functioning appeared to have shut down.  My thoughts were few and muddled.  My husband tried hopelessly to get me to let go of the tree and drag myself forward.  I continued to cling onto the tree.  He stressed the cave was really just a few meters away this time.  I did not believe it.  He reminded me that this was just a physical hurdle, that I had succeeded with more complex hurdles before.  I continued to weep.  Giving in, he turned around and asked me to get onto his back.  He was going to carry me to the cave.  Realizing his intention astonished me.  Could anything be more ridiculous?  He was as exhausted and beaten as I was but he was offering to carry me to the cave given the unfeasible nature of the terrain.  I paused the weeping.  A feeling of physical and mental strength inexplicably rose within my body.  I looked ahead and could see more rocks and greenery as opposed to doom.  I took my husband’s hand and dragged myself forward. There were a few lugged steps and a few climbs before we joined the guide and the driver who were already inside the cave.  The match was used to light up the camphor which illuminated the cave.  Without the light from the burning camphor there would have been nothing to see beyond the entrance of the cave.  All the pain, sweat and tears would have been in vain.  It does beg the question as to how Ramesh was able to find the packet and why he chose to bring it along with him.  

 

I put my arms around the rock outside the cave and placed my head on it.    I was completely overwhelmed.  I got to the cave but there was a force, a power, an unquestionable source of energy that carried me there.  The guide was overjoyed that we had finally reached there.   The cave was well lit and radiated a golden glow.  The guide pointed to the footprints inside the cave with the pure excitement.  They were distinctly visible and of a small footed person.  I was awe struck. I peered in and around the cave and could not believe I was actually there.  It felt like a fantasy.  There was ash around the footprints. The guide pulled some of it towards him together with some dried flowers and handed it to me.  Although the experience was emotionally and physically exhausting, I distinctly recall feeling a sense of bliss, peace and contentment.   There was a sense of being far removed from the trials of the earthly plane and daily toils.  It felt dreamlike, intangible.  Was this another planet or was living in the city another planet away from this reality which is within our reach? Is this what renunciants sought?  Does one have to be a renunciant to achieve it?  I had heard of the road less traveled but this was literally and figuratively a path untraveled.  

Beyond the city; pushing the mind and body beyond the limits of fear to finding the self, to experience the very nature of universal energies in bliss, peacefulness, tranquility and contentment, which is our true state.     

 

The journey back to the bottom of the 100 steps was shockingly, “a hop, skip and a jump”.  I required absolutely no assistance and it took less than half the time than getting to the cave.  The experience undoubtedly tested my mettle on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level.  I am grateful for the opportunity to burn, perspire, crawl, weep, struggle, suffer to atone for my karma.  It was an invaluable experience guided by the divine wisdom and compassion of some extraordinary souls who supported and walked beside me selflessly when they didn’t have to.  Before departing I acknowledged the mighty sun for showing me some grace and relief without which I surely would not have succeeded.

Recognising Gurus in Life (Part 1)

In a previous post I mentioned a blog that drew my attention to some teachings and masters I had not heard of.  That finding stands out as a flag or a dot in the map of my journey, one that could not be missed.  The blog, a well-established archive of knowledge and guidance, catalysed my awareness toward a certain direction.  I say catalysed because like in chemistry it brought about a reaction and rather swiftly.  It introduced me to thoughts and teachings of some of the world’s acclaimed authors, philosophers, thinkers, truth-seekers, poets, gurus, enlightened beings and more.  This knowledge in tandem with my own experiences gave me the opportunity to learn, understand and discern my way through what can sometimes feel like a complex labyrinth.  I came to visit numerous sacred places of worship, met extremely awakened beings,  attended many awe-inspiring events and encountered some of the most indescribable experiences in my life.    My life up until that point appeared pretty superficial.  

 

Instrumental to my catalysed development is a respected writer, teacher, guide, advisor, friend and mentor.  He is vehemently opposed to being referred to as a guru although his work bares evidence of it.  His journey and experiences alone is a deeply rich source of knowledge, wisdom and guidance for any anyone seeking the self.  The blog is none other than “Siddha Heartbeat” and the heart that beats behind the blog is Shanmugam Avadaiyappa or respectfully known as Shan Aiya.  He holds that the heart of his writing stems from the renowned Siddha Agathiyar Rishi himself.   Much can be said about this selfless teacher however words cannot do justice.  His knowledge and wisdom will pepper this tale as it unfolds.

 

Some ten years ago, I too was “in search of”, not quite sure of what it was. Insights and messages appeared however I was oblivious to them.  Messages to help us ascend appear before us daily through people, events, occurrences, experiences, challenges, loss, victories and nature itself.   Our minds and social indoctrination in particular, influences us to “look out” for messages packaged in the form of a guru, a letter delivered by a pigeon or a message in a bottle that washes up from the sea with our name on it,  before we recognise anything before us as meaningful.  I came to realise that being alert, keeping an open mind and trusting in something; something far greater than what we know, is key to the process.  Acceptance of this illumines the perplexities of the past, demystifies the enactment of the present and demists the path going forward.  I cannot articulate the value of this insight better than Steve Jobs when in his Sandford University Commencement Speech 2005 shared the following:

 

You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life”. 

In Search of: A Simple Guide to Riding the Wave

Emotional Turbulence

The “In Search Of” journey” captures and captivates the interest and attention of hordes of people.  Some may be on such a path and not be aware of it.  It is sometimes characterised by restless energy, feelings of discontentment with life despite having achieved goals and success, a perception that something greater exists, a sense of  seeking something but unsure of what that is or anything similar in nature.  The internet can be a valuable source of information to assist with such emotions however that can also feel like wading through a minefield.  Speaking to people around you may not always elicit a constructive response.  This could feed any confusion, doubt, frustration or dispiritedness and provoke you to question everything.   One’s journey is intensely personal typified by varying levels of emotions, inability to share these emotions or insights with others and often feeling misunderstood particularly by those close to you.  This is not uncommon.  Wherever you find yourself in life or on a path it is important and prudent to be patient and gentle with yourself.  If this resonates with you then the following are some simple tips intended to ease the pain and strain. I share this not as an expert but merely as someone who walked a fraction of the path hence this stems from my own insight  and experiences.

 

Patience 

From experience, we understand that we learn things in stages.  As we succeed within one stage we progress to the next.  For example, we first learned to crawl, then walk, then run. Similarly the spiritual path is dotted with various stages or  levels.  Research or in depth studies of even enlightened beings confirm perseverance, intense effort, continued practice and commitment was necessary to elevate through many stages before reaching their goals.  Many spend long periods or several years in challenging environments before experiencing any success.  This supports the view that we should not entertain thoughts of fast tracking or considering short cuts on our way through life or our journey.  We come to accept that whatever needs to be grasped must be grasped before we move on to what follows.  There are numerous reports of people who were attracted to and pursued appealing practices or teachings which did not end well.  Patience, perseverance and allowing the path to unfold naturally is the most sensible approach.  Understandably, exercising patience is probably  the most difficult to practice.  On a side note, I vividly recall a time in my life when I was very young; a somewhat wise friend of the family said to me “patience is a virtue”.  I pondered foolishly over it and thought “how old must I be to accept that?”.  Patience is indeed not easy to practice but perhaps age and experience in life does validate it.  Many travellers on the path will attest to having experienced moments when they wished to hasten or skip a few steps however, worthy of note is that most will also agree that it is precisely patience and being gentle with oneself that hastens the process.  

 

Discernment

When going through the process of self-discovery it is normal to consume large amounts of information, listen to various discourses, follow numerous experts or gurus in the field, discuss with friends and family or experiment with the myriad of tools and practices out there however it is encouraged that all of these knowledge gathering activities be done with moderation and discernment.  Delving into too many practices all at once can dilute one’s focus and delay achievements as opposed to maintaining focus and attention to a few important practices that feel right.

 

Unique Journey

We acknowledge the vast assortment of outstanding knowledge, wisdom, information, guidance or self-help material available to us.  It is  however wise to be mindful that something that has worked for someone else may not necessarily work for us.  Hence when gathering knowledge and information it is encouraged to take only what resonates.  We are all here on unique journeys and should align with that which is relevant for our  spiritual ascension.  

 

Sharing

Sharing with others can be regarded as one of the highest forms of spiritual practice however this may not always be the case.    You may feel enthusiasm or excitement relative to your new insights or discoveries and naturally want to share  with family, friends or  colleagues.  It is advised that  expectations be managed as favourable responses may not always be gained.  It becomes easier over time, to discern when, how and who to share personal  insights and discoveries with.  As already mentioned we are all here on unique journeys hence what feels important or meaningful to us may not be perceived as such by others and vice versa. Should you get interest from sharing with others, be appreciative and grateful as it is an important contributor to your own spiritual growth and an invaluable opportunity for the spread of consciousness.

 

Silence

This is not an exhaustive list and you may add more to it from your own experiences.  Aside from challenges I would like to share a simple practice that is perhaps undervalued but extremely effective.  It is a powerful practice that helps calm the mind, navigate the journey for the long term and enriches the ongoing voyage.  Sitting in Silence. It is that simple.  Regardless of where you are in life or on a path this is one of the most sensible ways to still the mind, improve the quality of one’s life and gently elevate levels of spiritual consciousness. 

 

Practice

Sit comfortably, preferably eyes closed, shut out the external environment. There is no need to think.  If thoughts arise, allow them to enter and let them leave.  Do not resist them.  Sit in silence and be with yourself...the Self. Increase the time incrementally.  Delight in the silence.  Make this a daily practice and a part of your life, try not to skip.  

 

 

Your Experience

What are some of the challenges you have experienced, specific to your journey?  

What have you realised from those insights?

 

You may include those listed above and add on some of your own.  

 

I would suggest you capture these insights and responses to questions that appear at the end of earlier posts as well in a diary or journal which could become a chronicle of your own journey.

 

 

Responding to the Call: Was I Ready to Hear the Truth?

As is customary with Hindus, when entering a place of reverence, we washed our feet and stepped into the holy abode, the Agathiyar Gnana Peedam in Kallar (India). We had come all the way from the  tip of Africa to a remote place we had not heard of a month ago.  It felt surreal.  Thavayogi Thangarasan Adigal (Swami)  had just begun his prayer.  We participated and gratefully took his blessings at the end.  Later, we introduced ourselves to both Mataji (a respected yogini in her own right) and  Swami, who were expecting us.   Mataji wrote down my husband’s name in a notebook.  These would be the names of people who would have a reading that day.  She explained that he (my husband) would have the reading which would benefit the family as a whole and I would be called in post the reading when it was being explained/translated. I had no idea of how the process worked but accepted this.  The reading I learned is essentially focused on the person appearing before the reader and details extend from there on to the rest of the family.

 

We waited patiently, with several others, in the comfortable waiting room. We were grateful for the cooling system in the room as it was incredibly hot; temperatures we were not accustomed to.  Several hours passed.  During that time, I admired the beautiful pictures and paintings of sages and maharishis which graced the walls of the room.  I deliberated silently that I was not exactly sure of how the process unfolds but experienced a mixture of confusion and delight at being there.  I looked up at the image of Agathiyar and mentally communicated that I had come all the way from another continent because of some “gut feel” and that I was beginning to see question marks and doubt relative to finding the answers I sought.  I then firmly asserted that I was not leaving there that day without an audience with him (through a reading).  

 

Minutes before it was our turn for the mysterious reading, my husband turned to me and acknowledged, that the trip was about me and my experiences and  we had come all the way because of my instincts hence he felt that I should have the reading.   I listened in silence. I agreed with his view, but wondered if such a change could be requested.  I looked up at the picture of Agathiyar and wondered if he had anything to do with this change that was unfolding.  When it was our turn, my husband went in and explained his decision to Swami and Mataji.  I was readily invited to have the much awaited reading.  

 

I sat down before Mataji and the Swami .  My emotions ran high.  I had no idea of what to expect.  The elementary knowledge I had of the readings did not serve me then.  This was now the real thing.  My mind began to run rampant about what was or could be revealed.  I considered making a run for it but I could not find my legs.  Sensing my discomfort, Swami smiled warmly, kindly which brought about some calm.  They initiated some casual conversation around my country, the people, the culture, languages etc. which quickly disarmed my daunting emotions.  I was still unaware of the magnitude of what was to follow.

 

Astonishingly, the reading revealed that I had been called there.  It was a calling from the siddha himself.  My experiences and response was to this mystical calling.   It was the time for me to discover some truths about the self, life and more.  Much was revealed to me about my life, work, family, past lives and what was relevant for me to know at the time.  The accuracy and authenticity of what was disclosed relative to my current life was beyond question.  Was I ready to hear the truth?  Some of the revelations were beyond the scope of my imagination because ordinarily we are not equipped to understand how past lives, karma, life purpose, goals etc. are interconnected and shape our current life.  The truth appears as a powerful source of information to put things into perspective to understand and re-organise where necessary to enable the more in depth search for one’s true self.   That first reading confirmed much detail relative to my current life as well as valuable  insights of my past however in looking back I realise the reading was not the destination, it was the beginning of an ongoing search for the real self.

 

Those interested in the Nadi leaves and it’s contents are advised to undertake extensive research, consult reliable sources,  seek authentic knowledge and ensure proper understanding of the entire speciality before delving into it with preconceived expectations.  There are different types of readings, understand these.  Readings are  distinguished from astrology, predictions, prophecies etc and seekers can be easily misguided through the rampant commercialisation currently surrounding this ancient, sacred  practice and the transmission of it’s wisdom.  This is not to discourage people from seeking it, it is to encourage those seeking to do so with caution and a sound understanding of the practice in the absence of which almost always results in disappointment, disbelief in the wisdom, loss of faith and more confusion on one’s personal journey.  The internet carries a myriad of  propaganda  from people who  sought the leaves but went away with notable inconsistencies, false information or obvious fabrications.  They questioned the accuracy, authenticity and validity of their reading.  The nadi leaves are written in ancient Tamil in the form of poetry, sonnets and couplets which requires the reader to have undergone intense study and  training relative to deciphering what is written.  Traditionally such knowledge and training was passed down through generations within families to ensure the veracity of the practice and readings.  Credible, authentic readers are out there, take the time to find them.

 

At this point, I hear you scream, enough of that, tell us how to determine if a reading is authentic or not?

Almost always, when you are ready for that knowledge on your journey, the reading finds you.  The path opens up and gently draws you towards it.  You need to be aware, mindful and alert to it. Engage, allow and trust the flow of  energy, sensations or however you may experience the call/attraction.   Connect with the energies in the natural environment.  Be alert to synchronicities and little miracles that support and lead up to your reading.  Be mindful of your experience before, during and after the reading.  Importantly you should feel a connection with the reader and resonate with the contents of the reading or the contents will resonate with you.  The short answer to the question is that your true self will know if the reading is authentic or not, trust that.  If some parts of the reading does not resonate immediately, give it a bit of time as the reading is often a massive download to process all at once.  

 

If an opportunity to have such a reading presented itself to you, what area/s of your life would you have questions about and what would those questions be?  For the sake of this exercise examine those areas that challenge you most.  Write  down the questions and see if you can determine why those areas challenge you the most.

 

If you believe you have no need for any such revelations in your life; you are living a happy, peaceful, abundant, meaningful  life, then know you are truly blessed.  We graciously request that you emit your beautiful energy all around as the world needs it.

Navigating the Unknown: Trusting your Gut

 Toward the end of February, 2015 I stumbled onto a blog, quite by accident, or so I thought.  I subsequently learnt that there are no coincidences or chance experiences, as we often perceive them to be.  I was, at that time searching for something people commonly refer to as “the search for purpose, meaning in life or discovery of the self”.  I would read copiously; anything that was even remotely close to what I thought may shed light. The size of my book collection hinted that I had no idea what I was seeking.   The internet became an excellent resource to scan, browse and surf for more targeted searches and swift results.   I enjoyed the alone time searching for the unknown until the day something jumped out at me, off the net.  I had landed onto a site, a blog which displayed a video of a spiritual figure paying tribute to a saint, sage or rishi in the form of a statue.  It seemed pretty random, nothing out of the ordinary however, I was drawn to it.  I had no idea who the sage was.  I was  just intrigued, fascinated and curious to know more, but more of what?.  In the days that followed I was repeatedly drawn to the blog and that specific video.  There was something inviting, mesmerizing, soothing about it  but the attraction, I came to realise, could not be logically described or explained to others.    

 

A bit of research revealed the sage to be Siddha Agasthiya, the spiritual figure to be Swami Thavayogi Adigal, the place of worship to be the Agastiyar Gnana Peedam in Kallar, a small ashram in a little known town nestled in the deep south of India, and the blog Siddha Heartbeat.    I remember little else other than the distinct knowing that I had to go there.  Hailing from the southern tip of Africa and desiring to fly all the way to a little heard of town in India based on unsubstantiated, inexplicable experiences left no time to question rationality.  I conferred with my husband around my baseless experiences and an unexplainable desire to go there.  Strangely, this was not challenged, he  trusted my instincts and supported my mission.

 

I later discovered, Siddha Agathiyar  to be a revered sage in Hindu Mythology, born approximately 4573 years prior to the commencement of Kali Yuga and  is renowned for his knowledge, wisdom, spiritual teachings and various other contributions to Indian culture.  He is also associated with the Nadi Astrology; a divine technology which dates back thousands of years when siddhas had written about one’s life (past, present, future) on palm leaves.  The leaves contain details, insight and guidance relative to one’s current life.  Written in ancient Tamil, the leaves can only be read and interpreted for individuals by a few who meet specific criteria to read them. Swami Thavayogi Adigal was one of them.  I had no knowledge of any of  this. On contacting the Swami he invited me to his ashram and gave me an appointment to do such a reading on the 1^st of April.  I was fascinated.

 

By the 3^rd of March (only a few days later), tickets to India were booked. I promptly embarked on planning an itinerary with great zeal.  On the 6^th of March, upon checking, discovered that our passports had just expired.  The 9^th of March  we frantically applied for new passports. I did not panic and knew without doubt all will be well, a reaction unfamiliar to me.  The new passports were produced and ready for collection within a week, around the 16^th-17^th of March.  Passports were collected and  applications for visas were submitted.  Visas were granted around the 24^th-25^th of March, and all documents were in order by the 27^thof March.  There was only a weekend to spare before our flight to India, departing on the 30^th of March.  We managed to pull all of that off in less than a month.  

 

The night of our impromptu journey arrived.    We boarded our flight timeously, but had to sit through an hour delay while baggage and other flight contents had to be re-loaded, to apparently balance the weight on the aircraft.  I buffed off this technical hitch as a much bigger mission absorbed my attention.  My husband however, was concerned that the delay may result in us missing a connecting flight from the UAE to India.  The flight staff assured us that would not happen given that their airline was delayed and our ongoing flight was with their airline.

 

Nonetheless, our delayed arrival in the UAE, did result in us, including many other passengers missing ongoing flights.  Missing the connecting flight resulted in us missing another flight from Chennai to Coimbatore as well.  The drama that usually follows when negotiating with airline personnel went into action.  All other outgoing flights to Chennai were fully booked and the next flight available to us was some time the following day.  We needed to fly out of the UAE, arrive in Chennai thereafter fly out to Coimbatore and travel approximately an hour and a half from the city to the little ashram in Kallar to make that appointment by 9am the following morning.  The thought of achieving that, at that moment appeared pretty bleak.  In their defence, the airline accommodated us in their super luxurious facilities to refresh, rest and relax while they attempted to sort out the mess and get us back on our travels .  That, they must be applauded for.  

 

Within hours we were miraculously accommodated on a flight out of the UAE to Chennai (India).  I recall arriving in Chennai in the dark, the air thick with mystery and adventure.  Mystery and adventure followed indeed.  We were on the next flight out to Coimbatore sometime in the early hours of the morning, however we were astonished to discover the airport in Chennai closed it’s doors at 10pm.  This meant we could not  wait at the airport  and was then challenged by having no accommodation for the night.  The driver designated to fetch us from the airport promptly suggested we spend the night at some kind of inn or guesthouse that he was familiar with.  Panic and scepticism began to creep in.  We were in a strange city thousands of miles away from familiarity with only a driver and no other apparent options.  We arrived at a guesthouse, called  Mars (something or the other).  I remember thinking that the entire experience was beginning to take the shape of landing on another planet, perhaps Mars.  Except for  loud external noises, the room was fine and within hours we were back at the airport and out to Coimbatore.

 

Our original plan was to arrive in Coimbatore the night before and take a leisurely morning drive to Kallar but that was not to be.    We arrived in Coimbatore on the Wednesday, 1^st of April and departed from the airport a little after 8h10.  There was no time for a hotel check-in hence we headed straight to Kallar.  The driver had heard of the ashram but was not sure of it’s exact location.  We stopped several times during the drive to ask for directions and local people were happy to show us the way. We eventually arrived at the steps of the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedam, Kallar, Tamil Nadu, gazed up at the endless sky, scanned the beauty of the surrounding foothills and drew in a deep breath.  I finally had the courage to look at my watch.  Miraculously, it was 9am. There was no rational explanation as to how we surmounted the many obstacles to get there at 9am.  

 

On a side note, the approximate time to get from the Airport in Coimbatore to Kallar is around an hour and a half.  Make of that whatever you wish.

 

The question is… if this were you, if you had the experiences described above, had a mere “feeling”,  would you decide to drop everything, leave your zone of comfort, head off to explore something that may not exist … would you do that?

 

If you answer “Yes”, explain why? And

 

If you answer “No”, explain why not?

 

You don’t need to respond or share your response with anyone, it’s for your inquiry alone.

Is there More to Life than this?: Maiden Voyage

I was drawn to write about wellness based on my experience working in corporate environments for many years, where I learned numerous life lessons.  I observed over time how people tend to lose themselves to their  jobs, careers, demanding lifestyles and the chase for success to the detriment of their mental and physical health.  Indisputably corporate focussed careers offer many advantages, benefits and rewards; but at what cost?  In short, not just those in the workplace but people in general appeared to be caught in the matrix of modern life, characterised by highly stressful jobs, technologically driven careers, demanding financial obligations, numerous familial responsibilities, sedentary lifestyles and several other compounding factors.   The situation, signalled a crisis associated with high levels of stress, burnout, physical illness and a significant  increase in mental health problems, but more importantly it exposed a struggle relative to managing and navigating through some of life’s adversities. This is by no means a reflection of weakness, inadequacy or deficiency, however it depicted a desperate need for a change in perspective, including my own.  

 

 

Life is of little value in the absence of good health and well-being.  Sadly, health and wellness  often do not feature in one’s life until the onset of some illness or catastrophic life challenge.  My observations affirmed a need for better choices and smarter decisions to support holistic health, quality of life and optimal wellbeing despite the matrix of modern living.  We need to reposition from functioning like programmed machines given that machines tend to break down and require much maintenance.  We needed to shift to something that was sustainable and within our control.  I saw a need for people to awaken from the unconscious state and transition to  an awareness of conscious living.  For the longest time I wanted to be an instrument to assist people all over the world to achieve this end but had no idea of how to achieve it.  I had a pipe dream of supporting people to make subtle changes to their thought processes which would filter down to positively influence their choices, decisions, actions and behaviours to improve the quality of their lives. 

 

My personal journey “in search of” transformed into something more perceivable some 10 years ago.  In short after encountering endless, restless energy,  a small, little village in India jumped out to me off the internet.  I found myself there within a month of the inexplicable experience.   There, I met some extraordinary people, informed that I was called there and was guided onto some incredible expeditions.  I came to learn, understand, discover and experience things about life that exposed my ignorance.  Anyone having had a similar experience may agree 1).  You never come back the person you were before and 2).  You are naturally pulled to do something with what you have discovered.  

 

Aakshara Wellness stems from that experience but not quite in the form I initially envisioned.  The Sanskrit word “Akshara” refers to the concept of sound, vibration and energy. Akshara is associated with the sound (vibration) produced by the alphabets (letters) in a word, which once created is imperishable; it cannot decay or be destroyed.  It gets absorbed into space where it remains.  The moment one thinks vibration is created.   Hence Akshara is not confined to the gross sounds we hear, listen to, speak or write, it encapsulates vibration; even from thoughts. This is important to us because the human body is affected by energy, vibration and sound.  Powerfully associated with sound are thoughts, words and emotions.  Thoughts around love, peace, harmony, kindness, compassion, empathy etc. vibrate at very high frequencies and when transmitted into the universe attracts more of the same.  Therefore, purposefully created, thoughts, words and emotions have extraordinary power to nurture good health, manifest abundance, foster wellness and lead to a consciously awakened, meaningful life.  Acknowledgement, acceptance and enactment of this simple secret revealed by ancient sages and rishis allows us to connect with our inner selves, tap into higher levels of universal consciousness and live simple, healthy, enlightened lives.  Remarkably, the benefit does not end there, subtle changes to our thoughts, words and emotions that hold love, peace, harmony, kindness or generosity can permeate into the space surrounding us, influence people around us positively and help us connect with our environment in more harmonious ways.  Our thoughts have immense power to bring positive change to our personal lives and the universe, which lovingly hosts us.  As more individuals around the world commit to this way of thinking, living, aligning with the rhythm and natural flow of universal energies the potential to elevate collective consciousness globally increases exponentially.  

 

As already mentioned, Aakshara Wellness was created for a different purpose.  It was initially created to provide services around Counselling, Mental Health Support and Wellness Workshops however it got steered toward the direction of this blog, hence, here we are.  Through this blog I will endeavour to share parts of my journey, delve into the play of greater energies in the universe, and tap into Aksharas to help us navigate through the tides of life.  To this end the “Wellness” of people, flora, fauna, wildlife and all other entities in our environment will be kept in mind.   Please join me.