Awakening
Everything in our life leads us to where we are now. There is no spiritual path, there is just life unfolding. Whatever story I tell, tends to become my story, a confirmation of my identity. This is particularly misleading, when it comes to awakening, which is, if a process at all, one of uncovering what has always been, apparently hidden by layers of identity.
I would like to acknowledge in gratitude the love, support and grace that came to me through some specific places, people and experiences.
Early memories are of Mother’s childlike joy and enthusiasm when celebrating Advent and Christmas with candles, songs, selected fruits, sweets and cookies — these were times of wonder, that live in the heart until this day.
Foto Karnak Temple, Luxor. The early 70s were a time of dedicated exploration into the fields of scientific thought and social-political action. We were going to create a society of justice, truth and care for everybody. To painfully come to realize that moments of connection and solidarity were always times of a big unifying enemy, but never leading to an end of the internal fights and dogmatism. // The ancient monuments of Egypt speak beyond any doubt, that the spirit, that brought them forth is still alive, more alive and more important, than stones and matter ever can be. This BEING, not material conditions (as Marx had declared), is the source of both consciousness and the material world.
10-Day-Vipassana Retreats at the beautiful Splatts House, Heddington, Calne, Southern England. Ma Sayamagyi, a wounderful being from Burma (Myanmar) in the linage of Sayagy U Ba Khin. When she entered the meditation hall, a wave of love spread out from her, that’s how you knew she had arrived. When she would chant the mantras at the end of the full hour sessions, tears would flow and God was known to be. A first great love, but not meant to last. // San Francisco, Zen people and a first Zen book: Zen Mind - Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. One of my all time favourites.
Berlin in the late 80s, ready for New Age. Channeling Session (with Linda Bandino channelling St. Germain), mindblowing. // The South West of the US, Christall Transmissions, Vortex points around Sedona (AZ), the Mineral Fair at Quartzsite, ancient pueblos. Books like The Bringers of the Dawn and the stillness of the canyon world. Nature and wilderness in Southern Utah are cathedrals. Flying with the eagles and a hard landing in Berlin. Images: Capitol Reef 1-3
Capitol Reef 2
Capitol Reef 3
Gangaji: seeing her foto on the cover of "You are That“ was enough; the direct meeting in front of 350 people meant giant steps. This was it. Clear insights of I am, through her presence and beyond. Guru, love and longing.
Tony Parsons quite another experience. Such an ordinary person, approachable, having fun at the dinner table with a glass of wine. And so impeccable, unbendingly pointing to THAT, unspeakable, indivisible, totally impersonal: "This is not a wall, this is God walling.“ Always clear, deep, loving, uplifting — and beyond anything you can grasp.
ShantiMayi — her book (In our Hearts We Know), her Online-Satsang. Satsang in Italy (Mandali Retreat Center), in Germany (SachaHaus), at her Ashram Terre de Sacha and at Sacha Dham, the Ashram founded by her Master Maharajji at a bend of the Gangha in Laxman Jhulla, Rishikesh. Sacha Lineage, Sacha Sangha. Homecoming. Stillness. Grace and Gratefulness. Image above: Sacha Dham 2023
Terre de Sacha
Shiva in Laxman Jhula