SURRENDER AND ACCEPTANCE WITH GRATITUDE, LOVE AND JOY

STILL IN RETREAT MODE

Still in retreat mode, (not hermit, at least not yet), recharging my batteries, relaxing into each day as it comes, accepting all that is sent my way with love, joy and gratitude.  No “must do”, “should do”, “have to do”. Not planning, not expecting, not resisting – finding the quiet in each situation, removing myself from venues or people with loud or toxic energies.

MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT WAS CLOSED…FOUND THIS NEW ONE “BY CHANCE” AND WAS BLESSED WITH THIS WONDERFUL WITH MY MEAL. SURRENDER AND ACCEPTANCE WITH GRATITUDE, LOVE AND JOY

AND FEELING GREAT! Whatever the reason is for my lowered energy levels, it is a blessing.  Lovely, calming people have begun to find their way to me, probably feeling kindred energies of tranquility.  And the “alone time” is wonderful for body and soul.

DAWNING OF A NEW DAY

SURRENDER AND ACCEPTANCE WITH GRATITUDE, LOVE AND JOY

KIDS AT RAMANA’S ORPHANAGE WHERE YOU CAN GET SUPERB ORGANIC MEALS AT THEIR RESTAURANT AND ALL THE PROCEEDS GO TO THEKIDS

I AM TRULY BLESSED, LOVED AND REMAIN GRATEFUL FOR ALL

with love light and JOY

namaste

Jane

FINDING THE QUIET PLACE OCT 9-14 2015 #9

FINDING THE QUIET PLACE OCT 9-14 2015 #9

EVERYONE has a smartphone/camera

I’ve been here a little over two weeks now, and as always, it has taken me this amount of time to find my balance. The past two weeks have been filled with great joys, but also some doubts about myself and my capabilities again…and falling back into that place is always a wake up call for me. Falling back into patterns of self-sabotaging behavior is something we all do, but I am blessed to be able to recognize it for what it is and nip it in the bud.

DIVINE LIGHT

I have put everything into perspective, including the complete non-desire to write, and realized, as always, that this is the amount of time I always need to adjust to change, of any kind. Even good change in a place I am completely familiar with.
And now that I have understood once again, that I am as good as, or even better than I have been on past sojourns here…life begins to settle in and I find myself completely at peace with myself.

RAM JHULA EVENING

However, I am still having some difficulty finding the QUIET PLACE this time, mainly due to all that is so disturbingly happening at home. I am finding ways to deal with that as well.
I have been blessed to have met a lovely new friend, (more to come), and to have already begun working. I am enjoying cooking for myself when I feel like it, but mainly enjoying the pleasures of having someone else prepare food for me, even if it is just steamed veggies or fabulous fruit salads.

RAM JHULA GHAT ON A QUIET EVENING

And of course, I am doing Reiki, meditation, pranayama and yoga EVERY day.
I will be posting further photos and stories as the days go by. Yesterday and today and am privileged to be an invited guest at the Mehandi (henna) and then marriage celebrations of the son of good friends, and will be writing about this as well.
Namaste
Jane

BLESSED SHIFT IN WEATHER FOLLOWING THE STORM OCT 15-16

BLESSED SHIFT IN WEATHER FOLLOWING THE STORM OCT 15-16 #11

STORM ROLLING IN OVER THE MOUNTAIN

WiFi back up and running….explanation below…hopefully will catch up on things here now with lots of great photos and videos from the fabulous wedding celebrations during the week…
We had a couple of evenings of serious thunder storms, rain much heavier than expected this time of the year, but the final result is a blessed drop in daytime temperatures, as well as really cool evenings and mornings, needing even a little shift in clothing. It is perfect walking weather, and I am now able to sit outdoors on the roof almost all day long, do my meditation outside in the morning, and if no one is around to see me, even my yoga.
I can now begin all the walks I so love to take here…but , thank God….I have lots and lots of work this past week and all through next week. So I’ve taken one day off, and on Monday will take my new friend out for her first real walk in Rishikesh and I’m sure we will have a lovely day together.

MIST IN THE MORNING FOLLOWING THE STORM

I’ve been without internet for two full days so far, which in many ways is a great blessing, but because I have so many lovely photos and videos to upload so that I can share them with you, it is also quite frustrating. But is also the perfect lesson in acceptance and gratitude for ALL that we experience. It truly is all GOOD.
This all another result of the storm…seems to have damaged the main optic cable and although they claim to be working on it, it is still not working.
So, I will enjoy the quiet time, enjoy my work, and all the lovely food I am eating…do writing as it suits me, and eventually this will all find its way to you.
For now, another lovely day winds itself down. Waiting for my friend to come up and I will be helping begin doing yoga for the first time (she is 75 years old), with the very gentle program I was given years ago here in Rishikesh and which serves to to this day.
Life is good, full and blessed. I am most grateful
With love light and JOY
Jane

LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
….and this is something which challenges me each and every time anew during my time in India.

with full Acceptance, Joy, Gratitude and FREEDOM FROM FEAR!

Less than two weeks have gone by and I’ve already received my first insights and wonderful, blessed understandings of what I am truly capable of, with complete Freedom for Fear in all new aspects of my life.
This has been an interesting almost two weeks…the time it usually takes me to acclimate to my home here in Rishikesh, to settle down energy wise, to regain my balance and of course recuperate from flying, long taxi ride, unpacking, shopping etc., etc., etc. And this time the weather was unseasonably hot, much too hot for my comfort, and no AC anywhere. It was not an easy few first days, but ever since has gotten easier by the day, and brought me wonderful new lessons about myself and what I am capable of.

TAPOVAN LIT UP AT NIGHT…MY FIRST TIME TO VIEW THIS ALONE

What has actually happened over the past few days, is the dispelling of age old myths about myself and my abilities, and exposing them for what they are: completely untrue (I am sickly, weak, lack energy, bad joints, poor feet which need special shoes, easily fatigued, weakened by the heat, etc ). In addition, I’ve finally gotten past a life long fear of the dark, especially being alone in the dark, which had been made even worse the past five years due to cataracts. The fear was so powerful, so overwhelming, that it was visceral – felt in my entire body, and simply paralyzed me. For years now, it has been difficult for me to see at night, and here in India, where there are no street lights in most places, making the dark total, I have not ventured out of my home area after around 4 in the afternoon, ever, being afraid of being caught out once the dark set in. It was extremely confining, and definitely frustrating and annoying.

MY SHADOW ON THE DARK MOUNTAIN ROAD

I’ve come back to India after two successful cataract surgeries…I see better than I have my entire life (been wearing eyeglasses since the age of ten-which I no longer need), and decided, among other things, to check out the night fear.
So, over the past few days just about all of the above has been tested, and passed with flying colors. I am nothing like what I’ve been led to believe my whole life….I can do ANYTHING…anything I want to do, anything I choose to do, anything I need to do, even if it is difficult or demanding…and do it well and with nothing worse than a headache or tiredness at the end.
I went walking in the heat of the day, much further than I ever allowed myself in the past, wearing nothing but flip-flops (no special, expensive shoes or sandals for bad feet, knees, hips, back), did all this despite a headachy feeling in the morning (which would normally keep me home, resting the whole day), and had a marvelous day out. My headache actually went away DURING all this…
And then yesterday, decided to go out after 4, and just enjoy! Which I did. No fear, no problem with the dark, (flashlight on my phone was all I needed for the dark mountain roads) and a glorious feeling of being FREE AT LAST to do what I want, when I want!!

DARK ROAD LIT UP BY PASSING TRAFFIC

Now this all might simple boring and no big deal to most of you reading this, but believe me, these are things which I have given myself several huge medals for for outstanding achievement! I haven’t felt this pleased and proud of myself in a very long time, and look forward to whatever the rest of this journey holds in store for me!

with full Acceptance, Joy, Gratitude and FREEDOM FROM FEAR!

…and just for fun…this is a shot of the very limited view from my room, through the other guesthouses which block it, of the Ganga at night

with love light and JOY

Namaste

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

MOST GRATEFUL -1000 LIKES!

Just a quick word to thank all my dear readers for this honor!  I will be back in India shortly and hope to be posting more frequently, both stories and of course photos!

Namaste!

Jane

Release, Recoup, Reorganize

Release, Recoup, and Reorganize

Springtime is a natural period for cleansing, rebirth and rejuvenation. We see it all around us in Nature and feel it instinctively in ourselves.  Just as the caterpillar must retreat into his cocoon for this period of quiet resting before metamorphosing and emerging as a butterfly, so we must have the patience to quietly accept this period of “non-doing” to completely move forward into whatever new wonders and adventures await us down the road.

May I be blessed with the Faith, Freedom from Fear and Patience to truly make the most of this beautiful resting phase.

….a place to rest, wind down and relax following a period of extreme turmoil, particularly in the areas of financial security and relationships. This place can be of great blessing if we can muster the patience to appreciate the blessings of this place joyfully and gratefully and of course with great Faith in the wisdom and compassion of God and the Universe.

It is imperative that I take proper care of myself during this transition in all ways…spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally, without becoming anxious or fearful.

I have no idea where the path is heading or even if I will continue along the same path I am now on.  Perhaps big upheavals are in store, or perhaps little changes which will slowly lead me in a new direction.

My natural curiosity and impatience make this waiting difficult and I need assistance in curbing them.  It is an essential part of my daily prayer and meditation session now to request this assistance from God, the Angels and other Enlightened Beings and Ascended Masters.

Springtime is a natural period for cleansing, rebirth and rejuvenation. We see it all around us in Nature and feel it instinctively in ourselves.  Just as the caterpillar must retreat into his cocoon for this period of quiet resting before metamorphosing and emerging as a butterfly, so we must have the patience to quietly accept this period of “non-doing” to completely move forward into whatever new wonders and adventures await us down the road.

“Sometimes doing nothing is doing something very Important”.

It would be wonderful to be able to peek through the fence, so to speak, and get a sneak preview of what lies ahead.  At times we may be given gentle hints if we are extremely mindful along the way. But not always.  Patience, and Faith, once again are the things we need to pray for most during this period of quiet “being”.

As a flower peeks through the fence, we would also love a preview of what awaits us

The unknown always brings up fears and these also must be acknowledged and released.  It is all part of the cleansing process which is preparing us for whatever the next stage in our life holds in store for us.

May I be blessed with the Faith, Freedom from Fear and Patience to truly make the most of this beautiful resting phase.

With love light and JOY

Jane

NOT in Rishikesh Today!

I should have been writing this post from my room in Rishikesh

and wishing you shabbat shalom from there.

But as things have a way of happening in life, things don’t always happen as we plan them.  And this is usually a blessing, sometimes in disguise, very often immediately understood (as is the case today).  But that doesn’t make it any easier sitting in one place when you expected to be someplace else.  So to ease the situation, I’ve decided to at least enjoy the blessings of my memories and here are just of few of them from Rishikesh, Dharamsala, Varanassi, Haridwar….there are of course endless memories, and perhaps over the next couple of months this is what I will be posting here….

So, from Israel, I wish you all a Shabbat Shalom…much love light and JOY

Disappointed and Very Sad

One of my favorite views towards Ram Jhula from one of my favorite restaurants.. 60’s Beatles Restaurant

Today I cancelled my ticket for this years trip to India.  It was something I knew I had to do for some time but kept putting it off.  I am truly heartsick at the thought of not “coming home” to Ma Ganga for another full year, but at the same time, realize that this too is a blessing in disguise.

Although truly sad and disappointed at the moment, I’m sure this is a blessing in disguise and I remain grateful to God and joyful and accepting of all things! !

another favorite view at Ram Jhula

Just to clarify, I had scheduled long overdue cataract surgery for April, upon my return from India.  But the condition has worsened to the point where I can barely see out of my right eye, and the left is getting worse by the day.  So no choice.  Must be taken care of.

I know that something wonderful is waiting for me and will simply continue to enjoy each and every day to the fullest, in full acceptance joy, gratitude, Faith and Freedom from Fear. Despite the momentary disappointment and sadness, Life is definitely beautiful and full of wonderful surprises!

much love light and JOY

Namaste

Jane

FALLEN LEAVES

I am not back in India as I usually am this time of year, due to some of the life changes mentioned in this post, but still wanted to share some of the beautiful Natural blessings which fill my life. Namaste

Not In India

The blessings of renewal, rebirth and rejuvenation in cyclical change

A colorful, exquisite, collective reminder of the impermanence of all things, of the necessity of never-ending change in the life of all living things…a gentle and loving reminder of the cycle of life and the exquisite beauty of, and Natural need for endings, which make rebirth and renewal possible. The inevitability of change which cannot be fought, which must be accepted as the blessing it is.

The leaves are a reminder of the precious blessings in each moment. Each with its own story and individual and unique beauty as it reaches the end of its cycle, making way for new and continued Natural beauty and creation.

I have been away for some time now, also due to cyclical life changes, which we must accept without fighting them…we cannot control these life changes and upheavals, and resisting them can only lead…

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