Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender to the Divine)

I left the ashram yesterday and headed back to Madurai. It was an emotional departure but necessary and overdue. It didn't take long until I was feeling good and happy about the situation. For the first 15 minutes or so, I sat in the taxi van gazing back at the mountains saying goodbye internally and releasing a few more tears to top off the buckets that I left there.

Once we (the driver and I) began our descent down the steep narrow grade I closed my eyes, smiled, and immediately felt so free. I remembered my first day, in a different taxi cab, climbing up these mountains, clutching my bag, eyes bulging with fear, and gripping the seat as I was tossed around by the turns. Now, in spite of all the circumstances and heavy emotions at the ashram, I left evolved in a some way. I felt so relaxed and I let my body flow in the back seat, as the driver dodged cows, top-heavy buses, potholes, and did I mention the sharp turns? We even stopped at the same tea place that the taxi driver stopped at before. I sat in the exact same chair. The first day, I sat there in fear and confusion and had no idea what was happening or what the taxi driver was trying to do. Now, this time I laughed at myself for thinking that way. All we were doing was taking a break and stopping for tea for Godsakes! See what the mind does.

Anyway, I arrived in Madurai yesterday afternoon. Most of the time, I have been hanging out at the Maneekshi Temple (a few weeks ago we took a "feild trip" here from the ashram). The temple covers about 2 hectares, is over 2,000 years old, and is where Shiva and Pavarti were married! One of the most sacred temples in India, that is, if you praise Shiva. Yesterday, I wandered around in the temple and then sat there until sunset. I woke up this morning and went straight there again. It can get crowded; Hindus are chanting and praising everywhere you look. Unshakable faith and trust in God (Shiva, divine consciousness) radiates throughout the temple walls. It is just a beautiful place to be.