Inspired and touched beyond words. . . . . . . . .

In 2 months I will be heading back to SA - and my life will resume in a completely different and transformed way.  Having time away and with all the incredible experiences I have had these past 5 months has given me a perspective different to anything I have had before, and I knew that this was going to happen and was behind the planning and creating this adventure.

Leaving Corfu was a turning point for me.  I loved my time there, I loved Greece, meeting my family and being at Buddha Hall connecting with such beautiful people, opening my heart and really realising who I am in a deep, essential way.  I feel whole and thinking back to the past 5 months of travelling and being in so many countries where I was not able to communicate, and yet have made the most incredible connections and have inspired so many people. 



And so I was in Spain.  I am physically tired of travelling, feeling a bit over stimulated by all the amazing places, buildings, sacred sites, architecture and so much more, that I have seen.  The extreme heat I experienced in Moscow, and then Greece and in Spain really drained my energy and after the exceptional heart opening of Light of Love (LOL), I felt a bit lonely arriving in Spain.  But, I had met a couple from Barcelona at LOL - Yolande, a Criminal Judge and Francesc, a Property Lawyer who live in Barcelona, and they welcomed me and took me out and really took care of me for my first 24 hours in this unbelievable city, Barcelona.  This was amazing, being  with this amazing couple,  still glowing in the LOL energy, showing me the sights in an Audi A3 Cabriolet with the top down, really sexy car :-).  We went for the best Sangria, went to the most exceptional restaurant, Da Greco, where I got to eat food like I never tasted before - out of this world.  Owned and run by Tony, who has collected art-deco furniture, artifacts, sculptures, mirrors, chandeliers from all over the world.  The next day Yolande and Francesc took me for Paella and it was so amazing - I have to say here that in Spain I had the best and the worst of food and this Paella and the meal at Da Greco were food hi-lites for me.  Having such  amazing people, who went out of their way to give me the most amazing taste of Barcelona again reflect to me the joy and light that I am reflecting as its so beautifully reflected back to me.  Thank you so much Yolande and Francesc your generosity and kindness is so appreciated.

And then I met Gaudi - now I have heard about Gaudi, and was told by so many that I had to see his work when in Barcelona, but I never in my wildest dreams realised what an experience of genius and illumination I was about to encounter.  His work with connecting with nature and sacred geometry, his architecture, creations that are illuminated and so beautiful that they touch a space deep within that is hard to express in words.  This was certainly an experience of the Sacred for me, and I was deeply touched by this work.  Le Strada Familia was something to behold, each pillar, mural, turret, piece of architecture, mosaic is a beacon of light and genius that shines so brightly in Barcelona.  One of many, many masterpieces created and designed by this exceptional human angel.  The Guell Park, built and created in total harmony with nature, and evoking stories of dragons and magic, each structure and building resonating such beauty and extraordinary design.  This was an incredible man indeed.  And I am so grateful for the experience of witnessing some of his work.  

From Wikipeadia " Much of Gaudí's work was marked by his four life passions: architecture, nature, religion and love for Catalonia. Gaudí studied every detail of his creations, integrating into his architecture a series of crafts in which he was skilled: ceramics, stained glass, wrought ironwork forging and carpentry. He introduced new techniques in the treatment of materials, such as trencadís, made of waste ceramic pieces.After a few years under the influence of neo-Gothic art and Oriental techniques, Gaudí became part of the Catalan Modernista movement which was reaching its peak in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work transcended mainstream Modernisme, culminating in an organic style inspired by nature. Gaudí rarely drew detailed plans of his works, instead preferring to create them as three-dimensional scale models and molding the details as he was conceiving them. Gaudí’s work enjoys widespread international appeal and many studies are devoted to understanding his architecture. Today, his work finds admirers among architects and the general public alike. His masterpiece, the still-uncompleted Sagrada Família, is one of the most visited monuments in Spain. Between 1984 and 2005, seven of his works were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Gaudí’s Roman Catholic faith intensified during his life and religious images permeate his work. This earned him the nickname "God's Architect" and led to calls for his beatification.

After Barcelona, I traveled to Santander where I was due to catch the ferry to Plymouth, and honestly it was just too much to explore much more.  Feeling overstimulated, overwhelmed and needed time to allow my experiences in Corfu with Deva and Miten and the with Gaudi to sink in - I have just needed peace and quiet since then, in preparation for my next 2 months and for all the past 5 months to sink in - its been remarkable and extra-ordinary, each place having its own essence and own story, I think it will take me the rest of my life to really process all that has transpired for me during this journey and there is still so much more to come. 

I know the question of where was my favourite place is going to be asked, it already has been, and its an interesting question as each was different, each was amazing, each was challenging and each touched my soul and my heart in many different ways.  And I have made the most amazing friendships that will be with me forever from USA, to Sweden, to Germany, to Russia, to Latvia, to Bali, to Spain, to Italy and to Greece and especially Corfu.  And now to England and Scotland - my light and my words and my energy and rhythm is spreading - how blessed and incredible and inspiring is that knowledge.



My plans for the next 5 years are clear for me and its amazing to have a 5 year plan, that can change in any moment and is not set in stone,  but has given me a feeling of excitement and much to look forward when I get home.  And that is happening sooner as time flies by and I arrive back in SA on Thursday 1 November.  Over the next months I will share my plans as they are grounded and manifest, and my 
sacred divine journey will continue when I am in  
                                     South Africa, which is so exciting and amazing for me.


And now I am exploring the very magical and sacred Cornwell, and being here where they have had very little summer is such an amazing contrast from the extreme heat that I experienced over the past few months.  I can feel my energy slowly returning and although I miss the sun so very much, I am grateful for the coolness and misty moments.  

Until next blog, be blessed and love and light to you all.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti 
xxxx

In the Light of Love

I  begin this post with the absolute beauty and heart opening experience of my first time in Buddha Hall in Corfu, with Deva Premal, Miten, Manose, Maneesh and Osho energy.

What a beautiful experience of singing mantras, collective energy and so much open heart and love resonating – it was so amazing to be in this energy, to witness my heart opening and feeling something so familiar and real – and I experienced a re-opening, stepping into my heart and the collective heart, and being completely present in each moment.  Moving, and singing, responding to the music and the rhythm in a way of absolute spontaneity and it was wonderful.


And Osho’s discourse was about Zen – about the bridge between the Buddha and the Zorba energy, the heavens and the earth, he ended the discourse by saying ‘God exists right now within’    ………… and it was such a beautiful moment after those words, of absolute silence and feeling that truth right then and there.  And my heart opened some more and I knew in that moment that this is such a sacred and honouring gift I have given to myself to be in this place at this time sharing and being in this beautiful, light filled energy.  Of Love in its open, pure, collective form.

Its Sunday morning and there are 140 people sitting around Deva Premal, Miten, Manose and Maneesh,  who perform and play the music, sing the mantras and hold the energy of the group so beautifully with the voices and music. We began at 10 after registration,  and the first mantra Deva begins with is Gayatri Mantra and my tears began to flow.  This is the mantra that first introduced me to Deva Premal and sitting in this magnificent hall with all the beautiful people singing the most incredible mantra was a moment of absolute completeness for me – a moment where I felt completely connected to ALL and in absolute perfection.  What an absolute GIFT.

Gayatri Mantra
Om bhur bhuvaha svaha
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dhimahi
Dhiyo yonah prachodayat
Translated :
Praise to the source of all things. It is due
to you that we attain true happiness on all
planes. It is due to your transcendent
nature that you are being worshipped and
adored. Ignite us with your all pervading
light.

This workshop has come to me in the time of great shift for me, on my sacred adventure, in absolute perfect timing.  I feel its an opening for me, an opportunity to reconnect with Osho and with myself as Nidhi,  in my perfection.  To be in such beautiful, supportive, love energy with deep connection and to have the space to allow it BE as it is.  And the tears are flowing as I allow myself to melt into the love and acceptance of what I have created for myself.
At the end of the first day of this amazing space, and as I look back to the day past and what has transpired and how amazing and at peace I am feeling, there is a deep inner smile and a contentment.  Grateful for the beautiful people I have met and connected with, and so looking forward to tomorrow.  As I float off to sleep, the resonance of the singing is within me – OM   OM   OM ……….

    

As the week progresses so does my process and I can feel the layers being shed and the shift happening for me.  Meeting and deeply connecting with people from different places and one various journeys, all spiritually connected to the beauty of signing the mantras and being in the Light of Love, is so amazing and belonging to a Spiritual Community makes the journey so much more powerful.  And this is so blessed, we sit in circles, around these bringers of light, of love, of spirit, of Osho, of mantras in such a deeply, beautiful way, and the voice of the group singing together returning the love and the light is such an enriching and enlightening experience.  And it sounds so magnificent – so powerful and so beautiful.  To be a part of this is just amazing and I am so humbled and honoured by this experience and filled with deep gratitude. 

“Remember, until you become a Buddha you have wasted your life. Buddhahood is your flowering, your fragrance. A tree is fulfilled when it blooms, and a man is fulfilled when he releases the fragrance of Buddhahood, when he becomes luminous; then he comes to know who he is. In knowing that, all is known. In knowing that, God is known. In knowing that, truth is achieved -- you become the truth, and truth liberates. Truth is freedom.” OSHO.

As each day of the workshop passes the process gets deeper and there is a melting and flow that begins to happen with everyone – this is such a beautiful, transformative process and the feeling that I have received and was reiterated by Miten, is that of belonging to a Spiritual Family.  This is what this is, with so much light just pouring out of and within each an every person from the musicians, all the people involved is the smooth running and organisation and the participants, each growing more and more beautiful each day.  I saw it in my face, in my eyes, the shift, the opening, the flowering and the feeling of so much love, light, peace, bliss and so much more.  There have been so many moments this week where there were no words to express what this experience has been. 

Each day we met at 09h00 for breakfast, and the first session beginning at 10 until 12h30.  Lunch time – and this is where we were presented and fed the most delicious, nutritious, vegetarian food made with love.  The food and the people who prepare it is filled with the same delicious, juicy energy surrounding and deep within the ‘buddafield’ and it has been incredible to hang out, swim, laugh, cry, hug and melt with people who have loved, are loving and discovering and re-discovering Osho.  And not all are Sannyasin, but people who come year after year, to sing and celebrate with Deva & Miten and enjoy the delights of Corfu, filling their cups and opening their hearts in preparation for the busy lives for the next year.  There are doctors, lawyers, administrators, healers & body workers,  business men and women, teachers, co-coordinators, counsellors, people who have retired, each with their own individual story and life journey all gathering and celebrating and sharing so much love.  And the next session begins at 20h45 in the evening, just as the sun is setting, and we sing, chant, feel and allow silence and dance in celebration.  Each session was different, each incredibly special and unique in its energy, and we sang and learnt so many mantras, each resonating with its own essence and beauty.

            

Deva, Miten, Manose and Maneesh sit in the middle and the music, the songs, the flow, the love and the light that comes from the 4 of them, filtering out into the hearts and cells of each participants body, and the group swaying, singing, dancing, feeling and responding to the love, the rhythm, the voices, the music is such a symbiotic dance of such beauty and magnificence.  So beautiful – and for me a gift that I so want to bring back to South Africa and share.  I had a vision on at the last session yesterday of this bridge of light moving from Corfu, Buddha Hall, to South Africa, imagining people standing swaying, singing, connecting and the opening of hearts that I know heals and brings people together.  Its a vision, and its clear in my mind’s eye and in my heart that this is happening as I write this.  I will do everything in my power to continue spreading this music,  this light and this beauty and if possible arrange for them to visit SA and spread this incredible light and love.  The seed is planted and now I will water it, nurture it, love it and it will flower and become manifest – this I know.

        

And now my journey continues and I am preparing to visit Spain for the next 7 days.  What fun – And I am sure those days will be filled with their own essence and energy too.  Its an interesting space, coming out of such an amazing workshop, being filled with so much love and celebration and energy and then dealing with life as it presents itself.  I made the most incredible friends at this workshop, really connected and bonded with people who I touched and who touched me in such a beautiful way.  There is something so unique and exceptional about meeting people in a space of love and connection, there is no judgement or story attached to the meeting, just a space of sharing, of feeling and allowing love to flow and this is how I am moving forward on my adventure with deep, beautiful friendships and people who have touched my life in such a special way.

I have said this before and I will repeat it many times, I am filled with so much gratitude for this incredible journey that I AM on, for each experience, moment, meeting.  And this gratitude expands my heart and opens my inner space so much to welcome new experiences and the space is endless, and so Am I !

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Shalom & Namaste

Yasses from Greece & Corfu

Landing in Athens was one of the most happiest moments on my adventure, speaking to the taxi driver on the way from the way from airport, walking the streets in Plaka, at the foot of the Acropolis, and connecting, smiling, feeling warmth - both from the people and the extreme heat from the weather, was so joyous for me and I was so extremely happy and contented to be here since the moment I arrived.  It was like coming home from a really hard day, taking off your shoes and just breathing out - ahhhhhhhh.

Everyone here speaks English, the people are all sizes, shapes, cultures, its happy and full of 'kefi'.  

"Kefi is a hard-to-translate word which has been described by various Greeks as meaning the spirit of joy, passion, enthusiasm, high spirits, or frenzy. Kefi takes many forms. The custom of smashing plates is considered an expression of kefi, when the soul and body are overwhelmed with an exuberance that must find an outlet. The frenzied maenads - in ordinary life, Greek matrons - following Dionysus in ancient times were probably expressing a variety of kefi, as was the iconic image of Zorba dancing on the beach in Crete in the film "Zorba the Greek".

And its that 'kefi' that has put a rhythm and a smile back into my heart and my soul.  Athens, especially where I stayed, is an incredible temple to humanity, to archaeological mastery, to feeling the stories, the mythology of days gone by, long long ago.  The stories of Athena, Zeus, Dionysus, Asclepius, Apollo, and a myriad of other Gods and Goddesses, the ancient buildings and sites reflecting these times, adds an essence to Athens that touches the ancestral soul of all.  And coming from Africa, the land of the beginnings of humans and its rich natural heritage and monuments is one thing but seeing and feeling this old architecture, seeing how communities lived here 1000's of years ago and seeing the ruins that are constantly being uncovered was phenomenal and breathtaking.  

A visit to the The Acroplis Mueseum (http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr)  was such a amazing experience and I spent hours and hours there looking at and absorbing the incredible pieces that have been discovered and preserved.  I found it touching and I felt a deep respect for the work that has been undertaken and how majestically it has been put together and presented.  An absolutely incredible experience.  And just walking around the streets of Plaka, I came across ruins from Hadrian's library, the temple to Zeus and various arches and pillars that are there representing these stories and a rich history that is precious.

I spend 3 night in Athens in extremely hot temperatures and it feels like it was a lifetime.  I experienced much in the 2 1/2 days and got to do quite wonderful things and act like a real tourist.  On Sunday evening I went on a cultural night tour of Athens, was supposed to go to a museum of Traditional Greek Musical Instruments (which ended up being closed due to a sudden emergency) and went to a traditional restaurant with live music and Greek Dancing which was much fun and a wonderful experience to get up and dance with people from all different countries and places, eat yummy food and just experience a taste of life, the Greek way.  

On Monday I went on a One Day Cruise, to 3 islands - Hydra, Pesos and Aegina - and it was such fun, and something that I think I could only manage for 1 day as its very commercial.  I met a lovely lady from USA who lives in Israel, Tina Brown and a French couple who work and live in Mali and Ghana.  

At our first stop Hydra I wanted so badly to swim and off I went with Tina in tow, to find the aquamarine clear water and a place pointed out to swim.  As I was getting into the water, I slipped on the rocks and hurt the toes on my left foot really badly - what a bummer.  It has turned out that I have fractured my one toe and bruised the other and it has been a tricky and difficult experience not being to walk around this week - but experience and an incident that got me to stop for a moment and take stock as to what is happening and why I am not present and paying attention.  On a metaphysical level the specific 2 toes represent water and fire - emotions and relationships and the message is about worrying about the future - an apt lesson as I have been a bit preoccupied with what I am going to be doing and where I am going to be living when I get home and obviously not so focused on now !  And NOW I AM HERE - In Corfu and Present !

My reason for visiting Corfu originally was 2 fold - one was to meet my family and two was to attend a workshop with Deva Premal, Miten and Manose - In the Light of Love to be held at Buddha Hall in Corfu.  And I arrived in Corfu on Tuesday and was met by my family and what an amazing experience that has been.  I found my clan, a warm hearted, open, generous family that I resonate with and felt so comfortable with immediately.  My cousin had left SA in around 1952 to go study and work in UK and met, feel deeply in love and married a local Corfu woman and they had a daughter, who grew up in Greece and the UK, and presently works in Athens. They took me for lunch on 2 days, showed me some of the sights, and on Thursday evening I went to dinner with Sasha and her friend Dora to a restaurant at the old fort, right next to water, where we could see many of the boats docked and the ferries moving between the main land and Corfu - it was a magical night. 

August is high season in Greece and in Cofu and the weather has been unbelievably hot with temperatures reaching in excess of 39 deg some days.  Because of my very sore toe, and the heat I have been taking it gently and easy and wandering around Corfu enjoying the buildings and the shops and spending time in the air-conditioned flat watching some wonderful movies and just enjoying my time.

And now its Saturday and I am in Magoulades (Souli).  I am staying very close to Buddha Hall in a Leela House with a Greek lady, Niskriya who works with sound healing and is a Shamanic healer. This evening I went to a meditation session with Deva Premal, Miten, Manose in Buddha Hall where, for the first time, I witnessed their incredible energy in person.  They sang and played their music, and the hall was filled with people, all singing and sharing this beautiful, light filled energy and space of love.  And it was so amazing to be there, to witness this music and singing, be part of a collective group of people shining so brightly and to feel Osho's energy - I am so touched and excited about the week ahead and the workshop that I am going to be participating in.

My blog posts from Greece and Corfu are divided into 2 - this is the first one.  

The next will be filled with Light of Love energy and it will be from a different space.  
I cannot express this in words but it is with the gesture of an open heart and with such beauty within,  that I say Nameste, Om Shanti Om.

Hi-lite, shift and right click on these 2 links and choose "Go to ......." to see Deva Premal and company singing and sharing their beauty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EEFSB0zyE0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=vSR1L9IN03g