Introspective Journey

Greetings from New York

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 21:03:37 +0000

Yes, you read the title correctly - I am writing this posting from my parent's house in Brooklyn, New York. I surprised my parents by arriving at their home on the 20th of January, exactly 365 days after I left to begin my travels.

TSUNAMI

Thu, 30 Dec 2004 03:40:21 +0000

Dearest friends and loved ones,
Thank you all for the many concerened e-mails - it lets me know how much I am loved!!!

As you may have guessed, I am fine as I am miles away on landlocked Laos. I as in Khao Lak just over a month ago, and from what I hear that was the area that was hardest hit. I am certain the lovely bungalow I stayed at just meters away from the beach is no longer. I hope the many people that took care of us there are safe -- but unfortunately there is no way for me to determine that.

A dear friend of mine used to live in Phuket and only recently returned back to the US a few months ago. Below I have attached an e-mail that was sent to him from one of his friends who is still in Phuket. It is mind-blowing!!!

Let's all continue to think thoughts of health and safety for those directly impacted by this incredible act of nature.

All the best for 2005,
Jyll

Hoi Ann - A Beautiful Love Affair

Sat, 18 Dec 2004 11:43:16 +0000

Since departing from India in late October, I have been trying to determine the purpose of my travel for the second leg of this journey. Bored with the thought of simply being a tourist participating in the guidebook prescribed activities throughout South East Asia, I assume the deeper work I am meant to do involves bringing the mindfulness I have cultivated while in semi-isolation in India, into a more regular life routine.

Access to Fragility

Fri, 01 Oct 2004 13:54:41 +0000

The awesome mountains of Ladakh that have surrounded me for the last three months have motivated me to make the difficult and frightening ascent out of the protected valley where I have lived my life to the summit of the tallest peak to see what lies beyond. Believing that all of the introspective work I have done over the last few months and years have prepared me for this expedition, and being presented with the perfect opportunity and context to take this challenge now, I valiantly started my trek from base camp.

Nothing Stays The Same

Wed, 04 Aug 2004 12:56:59 +0000

During my six weeks in Kashmir I experienced the coming and going of the season of ripeness for cantaloupes and crunchy apples, only to be replaced by that of pears and pomegranates. Every week there was a new type of vegetable to try that was not ready for picking a few days prior. The beautiful yellow water lilies that could be found joyfully decorating the periphery of almost every field, island and houseboat on the lake had become few and far between, certain to be completely absent in a week or two.

Wonderland of Kashmir

Mon, 28 Jun 2004 07:52:20 +0000

I always thought Kashmiri people were unobjectively boastful when describing their homeland as "heaven on earth", that is until I arrived here on the 1st of June.

The Sufi Says. . .

Mon, 21 Jun 2004 05:12:47 +0000

It is fascinating to have been raised atheist and with no regard for religious or spiritual forces and then suddenly realize I have developed a strong faith in the realms beyond scientific proof or my own intellectual powers (please don't tell my parents).

The Monsoon Has Arrived

Tue, 08 Jun 2004 12:03:37 +0000

One minute everything is bright, clear, beautiful and warm. And then, with almost no warning the peaceful hill station of Bagsu (a quiet village just 10 km north of Dharamsala, where I took up residence for three weeks) is engulfed in strong gusts of wind, thick gray clouds, lightning, thunder, dampness, and cold. If I am lucky I have the time to seek shelter or put on proper clothes and gear before the sky opens, pelting the earth forcefully with a torrential downpour of rain and gumball sized hailstones. Often I am caught unprepared and forced to endure the storm unprotected, leaving me cold and wet to the bone.

The approach of the monsoon is an exciting change from the monotony of bright sunshine and crystal clear blue skies that I see everyday here. At the same time the rapid, forceful and unpredictable approach of these storms also leave me feeling vulnerable, unsettled and scared.

On Top of the World

Wed, 05 May 2004 06:04:48 +0000

When I departed for Nepal on March 4th, I had no grand expectations other than to climb a few mountains and visit a monastery. It is hard to believe that two months have passed that were filled with wonderful memories that have changed my life.

Found my path

Thu, 29 Apr 2004 16:21:12 +0000

On morning five of a ten day course on Buddhism, we were guided in a meditation on love. After quieting our minds by focusing on our breath, we were asked to think about all of the people who have contributed to the happiness we have experienced in this lifetime.

Do I stay or do I go

Thu, 29 Apr 2004 15:40:40 +0000

I have been lying here in the bed of my hotel room since 3am unable to sleep. Of course I have spent a portion of these waking hours thinking of the things I need to do like buying my ticket back to India, sending a package to NYC, calling Verizon to ask them to extend the temporary suspension of my cell phone for another 3 months, etc. However my mind and heart keep reminding me of Kruno's advice of "going deep."

The big 30

Wed, 10 Mar 2004 06:22:50 +0000

March 5, 2004

Today, on my thirtieth birthday, I wake up in Katmandu, Nepal. I flew into the cloud covered valley last night from Delhi.

MIA

Wed, 10 Mar 2004 06:19:42 +0000

It has been a while since I wrote but not due to a lack of wonderful experiences.

Life has given me exactly what I needed

Sat, 31 Jan 2004 10:24:03 +0000

It is a moving experience when someone you barely know can tell you something profound about yourself that you have spent most of your life discovering.

First lesson in non-attachment

Fri, 23 Jan 2004 18:59:02 +0000

I departed my apartment on the afternoon of January 20th en route to Newark Airport. I had not slept in days, yet I was energized with excitement to begin my journey.

The trip began instantly as my flight was cancelled, my bags were lost and I was forced to gain perspective on what I need for this journey we call life.