March 6, 2005
Greetings from Dwarahat. We are situated at the foot of Dronagiri,
the “headwaters” of our Kriya tradition, in that Lahiri Mahasaya
received his initiation from Babaji in these very same hills.
We saw Honor off two days ago as she is now in London and ready to
fly off to Vancouver. She left very reluctantly!
The blessings here of this hill region (hills here are 5,000-8,000
feet in altitude!) are palpable. Dronagiri has a spiritual power
that is truly wonderful.
Carla and I are well. Last night Carla had some of the giddiness she
had at the Ashram, but she still has the homeopathic medicine given
her by the wonderful Dr. Vimala.
It is now difficult for me to remember where I last left off for the
narrative of our travels, as internet access is very limited (I am
sending this via fax).
When we left Anandashram Swamiji was up at the two a.m. hour to see
us off, sitting on the porch. It is a poignant image in my mind as
we receded into the darkness as he pronammed to us. What love erupts
in my heart as I think of it.
In Delhi we were greeted in such wonderful fashion by Ashram
devotees, Santosh and his mother. We were fed like kings and sent on
our way by night train to Kothgodam.
There we wended our way by jeep up the steep and winding roads, past
Neem Karoli Baba’s Ashram, past a car crushed on the road by its
fall from the road hundreds of feet above and on past small villages
and lush green long needle pine trees.
At last we arrived here in Dwarahat at the Y.S.S. Ashram. We had to
shift from here for some days to Almora as there was a function here
that was attended by some 45 devotees and there was no room for us.
In Almora we had the fun of visiting the Bazaar, a very clean and
old lane made of slate, a school dating back to 1870 when the
British used this site as summer homes to escape the heat of the
lower plains. Honor treated Carla and me to a lovely lunch at a 5
star resort; the food would rival any of the world-class restaurants
and the views of the snow-capped mountains were without parallel.
Such a lovely gift.
We returned to Dwarahat where the Sethi’s have generously made us
guests at their house here, (that they seldom use; they live in
Delhi). After some difficulties the arrangements were finally made
for the keys from the swami here and we have settled into what is
most probably the nicest house in this town!
With hot showers, gas burners and large kitchen, a covered back
porch that looks right out onto Dronagiri, our bedroom has an
attached bath, a door to the back covered porch and windows looking
East to the rising sun (a thoughtful gesture by the swami here). The
house, little used, has needed some cleanup; it is our pleasure to
do this little service for the generous gift from the Sethi’s.
The weather has turned warm, a brilliant sunrise this morning. The
Arati song plays on distant speakers of a local temple; at sunrise
the conch shell sounds a joyful welcome of the sun’s return.
These are all the outer events. Within are the deep spiritual
experiences that cannot be included in this letter, but let it be
known that the promise I had from the inner prompting to come here
is amply fulfilling itself.
Like all pilgrimages, which are only life condensed, there are
oppositional forces. But it is for overcoming these forces we have
come, in order to enjoy Bliss unending.
We feel privileged to be here, doing this work: we pray you also
feel the blessings we receive here. Indeed, without your active
support none of this could occur, and for that support, materially
and spiritually, we are very much grateful.
While here, as always, you come into my mind. When I merge into God
more inwardly He guides my thoughts and you come into my mind
spontaneously. From that high Consciousness I feel blessings go out,
not according to any intention or power of what I would call my own,
but from that Infinite Supply from which all this universe has
sprung.
It is from that Spirit of love and blessings that I write to you and
pray that the Masters bless you always.
This next week will be the Mahasamadhi anniversaries of Master and
Sri Yukteswar. Please keep them in mind and you will receive great
blessings from these fully illumined Masters.
In Divine Love and Blessings,
David
The contents of this web
site, including the Cross and the Lotus logo, are Copyright.
© The Cross and The Lotus Publishing/Reverend Yogacharya David R.
Hickenbottom, January 2005.
All Rights Reserved. |
