April
10, 2005
My Dear
Friends,
Greetings
from Phool Chatti Ashram. This beautifully situated ashram is 5
kilometers up the Ganges from Rishikesh. We were told about the
ashram from a Welsh lady we had met at Anandashram and ran into
while we were in Rishikesh. The ashram sits next to the Ganges where
rapids keep a constant sound of rushing water in the background. The
Channa River flowing on the other side of the ashram also joins the
Ganges right at this spot. This makes for a very peaceful setting.
What has
been an ongoing surprise since
Varanasi
is the spiritual power of the Ganges. I have been near, and in, the
Ganges in the past, but never before have I been so deeply aware of
its healing presence. Taking a dip in the frigid Ganges at this spot
is an invigorating experience. But once the body is dunked, it feels
wonderfully refreshed, from the inside out. We have been able to
directly compare this with a swim in the Channa River, which is
several degrees warmer, but does not have the same inner curative
power.
This has
been a welcome rest for the body from our previous weeks of travel.
Although we have had wonderful holy sites to visit, we have been
immediately afterwards bombarded by touts and other aggressive
vendors and beggars. Here we are isolated from everything but the
ashram and its guests. A welcome relief.
Earlier in
the week, we took an hour taxi ride from Haridwar to Rishikesh.
North of Rishikesh is Lakshman Jhoola where we spent one night. It
is an area of temples and a bridge over the Ganges to the east side.
Crossing the suspension footbridge, built in 1929, is quite an
experience all in itself. The narrow bridge has to accommodate
vagrant cows, aggressive bandit monkeys (on the lookout for any
colorful bags that might contain sweets or snacks they think they
are entitled to for passage over the bridge), hundreds of visitors
taking pictures in groups and gazing at the sites, and motorcycles
pushing their way through all the before mentioned occupants.
Our health
and stomachs have steadily improved and we are both in better
condition now than over the last several weeks.
We are
making preparations for making the trip to Dwarahat (as anyone who
has traveled to India knows, making the preparations is about as
much effort as the trip itself.) We plan to leave on Tuesday and go
the mountain route through Deoprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnprayag and
then on to Dwarhat. From Dwarhat we will go to Kausani to see Rob
Ivie (a devotee of Mother’s), deliver some books and lessons we have
brought for him, and do a house blessing, as he is just finished
remodeling it. From there we plan to go to Corbett National Park and
take an elephant ride. During this northern excursion we may not be
able to connect with email, as service there is spotty at best.
We thank you
for all of your love and good wishes. Many send emails apologizing
for sending them. Please, do not feel that way. We love to hear from
you, it is only that when computer services are non-existent or very
difficult that we may not be able to respond.
I take you
all with me every step of the way and pray that the blessings we
receive from our pilgrimage extend completely to you; through inner
attunement, I know this is true.
With all
love and blessings,
David
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Hickenbottom, January 2005.
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