March 6, 2005
Dear Friends,
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
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