THE TREK-END DECEMBER 2015

THE TREK-END DECEMBER 2015

CHRISTMAS DAY …NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN INDIA SO MANY HOLIDAY MAKERS. ENJOYING THE BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY ON THE BEACHES OF RAM JHULA

The photos in this post are just some scenes from my last days here….

I have not done much blogging these past three months while in Rishikesh.  I did not feel the need to record and share the many amazing things that have happened to me on the journey this year, and I honored that feeling as much as possible.  This has been an exciting and rewarding three months for me, more than I could ever have imagined…

It was much more than the usual enlightening journey and opportunity to grow that India always is for me.

RAM JHLUA

This trip I was blessed with amazing synchronicities and opportunities to be of service in ways I could never imagine.  People from all over the world found their way to me for many reasons, but it is interesting that all of them, in some way, were dealing with a similar issue, one which I myself had been dealing with for some time and finally found closure here in Rishikesh via an Angel that was sent to me for my own healing and release.

GOOD MORNING LAXMAN JHULA

Being of service to so many, all of them very young, was indeed an honor and a privilege.  To be found worthy to be a channel for messages and information that these young people needed at this place in their own journey, was most humbling.

LAXMAN JHULA AS REFLECTED BELOW IN THE GANGA

 

RAM JHULA REFLECTED IN THE GANGA BELOW

I was also blessed with a balance of work, which brings me great joy, and leisure and pleasure time which also bring me great joy…being careful not to allow one to take away from the joy of the other.

Most importantly, however, this journey took ME so deep into MYSELF, to places I could never imagine reaching, as to be labeled a TREK rather than a trip.

VIEWS TOWARDS LAXMAN JHULA FROM RAM JHULA

It’s been an amazing trek for sure, and the ramifications of the discoveries made in these distant places will affect everything that comes after in my life.

RAM JHULA BEACH AND LOVELY PLACE TO SIT QUIETLY IN MEDITATION AND DEVOTION ALONG MA GANGA

And with this, I say goodbye for this trip, few as the posts may have been, they have been posted with joy.  Hope they brought you all some pleasure and joy as well.

ONE LAST BEAUTIFUL SUNSET

Namaste

With love light and JOY

Jane

THE PARADISE CALLED RISHIKESH

GOOD EVENING FROM RAM JHULA

Just a few photos from my walk home this evening. Rishikesh is a true Paradise.

These photos were all taken at Ram Jhula…either while standing on the bridge itself, or looking towards it.

I am so blessed to be here and so grateful for being able to

Namaste

with love light and JOY

Jane

NEW THINGS TO DO, AND NOT TO DO-NOV 12, 2015

NEW THINGS TO DO, AND NOT TO DO –NOV 12, 2015

GANGA REFLECTIONS

As are all my journeys to India, this one has been different as well, bringing with it its own blessings, discoveries, insights, meetings with lovely new people and doing new things (and NOT doing many other things).

BACK ROADS OF LAXMAN JHULA

Today is the day after Diwali, Festival of Lights (and NOISE!!!)….things are now gratefully calming down.

DIWALI AT SWISS COTTAGE

Today I took the boat across the river from one side of Ram Jhula to the other for the first time…even though I’ve been coming here for nine years!  I actually prefer walking around and across the bridge, but today, had the urge to try the boat.  It was lovely…took about one minute to get across.

BOAT RIDE ACROSS GANGA AT RAM JHULA

Been relaxing a lot near my room-much more than is usual for me, and feeling very at peace with it as well.

Tomorrow I am going to the Buddhist Temple, Stupa, Monastery, in Dehra Dun…something I do every year and probably would not do if my friend was not here.

I am definitely not feeling the urge, or need, to write at all, but feeling extremely at peace with all that is happening, and NOT happening.  I seem to be in a very much needed “there is nothing I must do” spot.  It is truly a blessed feeling.

I’ve had interesting insights and AHA! Moments this past week as well, thanks to two “angels” who were sent my way, named S and M…powerful understandings and closures as well as profound changes on all levels as a result…emotional, technical/practical/perceptive, and Spiritual.

GANGA VIEW FROM UPSTREAM ON BADRINATH ROAD

It’s been a blessed, enlightening and empowering journey so far, and there is still quite some time to go. 
I remain open and accepting of all that is to come, with joy, love, gratitude, Faith and Freedom from Fear.

LAXMAN JHULA AT NIGHT

Namaste
Jane

FEELING THE CHANGE NOV 6, 2015

FEELING THE CHANGE
Life is peaceful and pleasantly relaxed

RAM JHULA REFLECTIONS

The photos in this post don’t necessarily reflect the content of the post but they are from a lovely day out….and there are a couple of links to full albums at the end for anyone interested.  And there will be more, but fewer and at less frequent intervals…

GANGA OFFERING AT LAXMAN JHULA GHATS

For several year, it has been very subtle…slowly creepy up on me and almost unnoticeable. The past two years, the  change has been less than subtle to be sure…no longer creepy up on me quietly, but pouncing on me and taking me completely by surprise, unbalancing me, and drastically shifting my perspective and perceptions.

ALONG THE GANGA…LAXMAN JHULA

I’m talking about the natural changes associated with the human body and its eventual wearing down and slowing up – as any normal “machine” will do – over the years.  Because it is natural, it is easily accepted but still can be quite disconcerting at times.

MOTHER AND CHILD SEEN AT LAXMAN JHULA

I had begun to feel this the past couple of years at home, just performing my normal daily activities, as well as my main physical activities which are walking and folkdancing..

EVERYDAY SCENE FROM LAXMAN JHULA…SEE LINK AT END FOR FULL ALBUM

I KNEW things had changed, and easily came to terms with the “new me”.  I didn’t feel any great disappointment or frustration with the slowing down and changing energy levels.  Perhaps just a little surprise now and then.

DRESSED IN THE HEIGHT OF “LAYERED LOOK” FASHION ON A COLD RISHIKESH MORNING

But it is only now, sitting here in Rishikesh that I realize completely just how far these changes have come over the past 2 years since I was last here.  Things I could do easily, on a daily basis, now need a day of rest in between, and take much longer to do, draining my energies much more quickly.

A PARADISE CALLED RISHIKESH

It’s taken me a few weeks to come to terms with this but now that I have, I’ve settled  into my new routine quite happily.  I can still do everything I want to do, choose to do, or need to do, just at a slower pace.

RAM JHULA REFLECTIONS…SEE LINK AT END FOR FULL ALBUM

SHANTI SHANTI

HARI OM

NAMASTE

LIFE IS PEACEFUL AND PLEASANTLY RELAXED

photo album links:

LAXMAN JHULA SIGHTS

SUBLIME RAM JHULA

THINGS BEGIN TO SHIFT

THINGS BEGIN TO SHIFT

RAM JHULA

Things are starting to shift. This always happens when I am in India. The shift is more on an energy level, in perceptions of time, space and self. Many things are very subtle. Pretty much unnoticed from the outside at first, but powerfully felt within. Almost like a volcanic eruption… sudden, surprising and overwhelming.

everyday sight along Swag Ashram ghats

The photos in this post are part of the shift as I’ve realized I must do my walking alone if I am too truly receive the benefits of it on all levels. So I spent a beautiful day just roaming around Ram Jhula and Swagashram areas and ghats…and while there, taking photos of whatever took my fancy. I won’t post all of them here, but rather over a few posts.

Have you heard what happened to….???

One of the result of this shift is my really allowing myself to enjoy whatever suits me at the moment. I always have music playing, in one form or another – depending on my mood and my needs- I must have music in my life- to calm, to excite, to invigorate, to inspire, for romance, for fun, for dancing or just for its beauty. IT’s been interesting for me to note what strikes my fancy in music over the past few days…

say cheese!! Weekend tourists enjoying the Ram Jhula ghats

decisions, decisions, decisions

Finding my “aloneness” again is also a great shift. Always being surrounded by others-not always physically but mentally and emotionally – can be exhausting and draining , even when they are dear loved ones – of which I am blessed with many- 6 children, their spouses and my 14 grandchildren. And then of course my dear loving  friends. The “space” to be completely alone with ME is a rare occurrence – times are few and far between- I make a great effort to at least begin my day with just ME – but very often even this sacred time is snatched from me for various reasons. This space for me is a luxurious blessing, and I am at a place where I am now withdrawing from others around me here as well. Going within, alone, as much as possible.

weekend tourists

FOOD FOR THE FISH

along swag ashram ghats

on ram jhula bridge

dressed for the holiday weekend

tour group with guide

TRANQUIL RAM JHULA

Hope you enjoy the rest of these photos as much as I enjoyed experiencing them.

with love light and JOY

Jane

EARLY MORNING WALK #4 2015

October 1, 2015
EARLY MORNING WALK DOWN TO LAXMAN JHULA, ALONG GANGA PATH AND BACK ACROSS RAM JHULA

I decided the only way I would get past this spell of unseasonably, really hot weather, is to take advantage of the cooler times of the day. So this morning, I was already out walking at 6:30 AM and walked for 5.5 km with ease, and took lots of photos.

VIEW FROM LAXMAN JHULA EARLY MORNING

First of all, it was deliciously cool, even chilly, and down by the Ganga, the wind was so strong it was kind of scary walking across the swaying bridges. Look at these shirts which were hung up on the trees to dry, and apparently be ironed as well, and you can imagine the wind blowing off the Ganga….or this willow tree blowing in the wind

CLOTHES DRYING AND BEING IRONED BY THE WIND

WILLOW TREE ALONG THE GANGA NEAR RAM JHULA

But it was delightful…
Secondly, It was a whole new experience. After so many years of walking in India, I’ve never been out at this time of the day and it was a completely different experience. ALL shops were closed, very few people in the streets

EMPTY STREETS

LOTS of stray dogs which scared me a little as they kept approaching me…..but a while new world out there. Of course, no colorfully dressed woman in scores to photograph, but a I saw things which I’ve never noticed before on walks when I’m usually surrounded by people on all sides.

DOOR FRONT IN LAXMAN JHULA

And of course, seeing the town slowly come to life, mainly children going to school, street cleaners, several people bathing in the Ganga or setting up stands to sell to people later in the day…quite lovely to say the least.

STREET CLEANERS

SCRAP COLLECTOR

And the lighting on the mountains and Ganga and bridges was so different and beautiful to see.

NOTICE MOON SETTING OVER LAXMAN JHULA

VIEW FROM LAXMAN JHULA EARLY MORNING

RAM JHULA EARLY MORNING

SUN RISING OVER MOUNTAIN NEAR RAM JHULA

A VIEW FROM AFAR OF WHERE I LIVE

Hope you enjoy the photos in this post….look forward to doing this more often, maybe even tomorrow in a different direction.

I AM EXTREMELY BLESSED AND GRATEFUL

with love light and JOY

Jane

HOMESICK-June 13, 2014

Just in this kind of mood this morning. One of those days when I wish Rishikesh was closer, or I had more money and could just “pop over” for a week to visit, or both!

It’s been six months since I left, and it seems like forever.  But in just over six months I will be back, and hopefully that time will fly by.

Namaste
Jane

A Cow Story in Photos

This will be a story in photos of one particular cow, on one particular day, in one particular place, ….

But first, just a few words in general about cows and India.

Cows are everywhere in India.  It would not be India without cows. Cows roam the streets, walk on main highways, pop in to have lunch in restaurants, stroll through open shops, take naps in the middle of the street…there is no place where you will not find the cows.  The amount of photos of cows I have is exceeded only by the amount of photos of monkeys that I have!  🙂

Some cows seem mean

Some are regal

Some are motherly and loving

Some are just an integral part of the scenery

But this cow seemed to enjoy the energies along the Ganga, and to enjoy interacting with those who had come for prayer and devotion, or just for fun, along the ghats of Ram Jhula.

At first, she came straight up to me to say “Hi”….

Hi There… Namaste

She seemed to be most curious, and quite intelligent.

…and then headed down the steps to check out the other people and see what they were doing.

What’s This Guy Doing?

At one point she seemed to be posing for photos along with the tourists

Take My Picture Too Please

Or asking to be included in someone’s devotional prayers.

Say a Prayer for Me Too Please

In short….an interesting cow day….

There always seems to be something happening wherever you happen to find yourself.  The trick is to be mindful, to be grateful and to appreciate and enjoy everything to the fullest.

Namaste

Jane

The Magic of Ram Jhula Sunsets

During my recent sojourn in Rishikesh, I found myself drawn continually to Ram Jhula during the hours before sunset.  And the feelings of tranquility together with gentle Ganga energy never ceased to astound me.  Here are just a few shots to give you a feeling of the wonder of this place.

Ram Jhula in the Golden Glow of Sunset

I can visit Ram Jhula every day and never tire of the changing view.  This particular day was clear and sunny, although chilly, but the brilliance of the sunset was reflected on the bridge.  If you’ve ever been here, you will appreciate how special these views are.

Namaste

Jane