Be True To The Sense Of Wonder In Your Life

 

All thinking beings in this world are bound to wonder, at one time or the other, whether anything abides in this evanescent life. But not having the will to invest the passing sense of wonder with the seriousness of a persistent enquiry, the vast majority of people slip back to the routine of life. The rare ones who persist with the pursuit are the victors. Their prize, silent inner transformation of being, consciousness and bliss.

Having these passing moments of wonder, of an elevated sense of being, is part of being human. Focusing attention and realizing they are glimpses into our real nature is a gateway to a life lived with a powerful fascination of a living truth.

Arunachala calls us all

 

I had a conversation the other day with a young woman at a cafe I go to regularly. It didn't flow very well since she spent most of the time insistently relaying the progression of her spiritual life. Well, rather the chronology of her psychedelic drug use and resulting insights. Not a bad way to spend an hour however it then morphed into an infomercial selling her services. 

There are many Travelers I have met that are doing the same thing. Leaving their homes and comfort zones, having life changing experiences and then selling these experiences to others. Somehow it always leaves a slightly bitter taste. In many cases it is a version of Multi Level Marketing where the original teacher then becomes the teacher of teachers and so on creating a pyramid of never ending students flowing upwards.

I saw her again at the Friday night Bhagan session at the Nomad Cafe in Tiruvannamalai. We talked for a bit and I mentioned where I was renting a small apartment. Her comments made it clear that this was not the cool part of town and when I asked why she paused and pointed out that they were killing the deer to develop that land and those building there were too good. By this she meant they were well off Indian citizens.

I guess this is classism, or prejudice against a particular social class. It runs rampant here with travelers, hippies and western spiritual seekers. Such a perspective is ironic given the background of Tiruvannamalai as a pilgrimage site that grew up around the sacred mountain Arunachala. It is often said that people are drawn here by the power of Arunachala. If this is so it means that all are drawn here regardless of social class, place of residence or other qualities.

Yogi Ramsuratkumars' words come back to me, "If you want God alone, why do you accept the existence of anything else." Such a perspective comes after long and consistent practice of looking into the source of who we really are. To discriminate based upon outward qualities and not inner realities is an obstacle created by and cultivated within the mind that is focused outward. It causes endless passions, desires and disappointments.

Back in Tiru

 

The sacred mountain Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai , Tamil Nadu, India

This picture was taken in the early 2022 while riding my scooter in the countryside around the mountain. It doesn't take long to get away from the press of people, dogs, trucks, cars and two wheelers to a calmer environment. Believe me when I say India isn't for everyone. No shame in not being able to handle it!

So what am I doing back here in 2025? It's not your typical tourist attraction although thousands of people come here each month on Full Moon day to walk the 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) around the mountain participating in the Girivalam tradition. Like them, I am here for the spiritual experience.

There is a very real and important, some would say crucial, reason for focusing in this way. Life without it is a slog, with ups and downs, wanderings and self imposed goals (or those set by others). It is a way to answer the question "Is that all there is? By no means is this easy in the sense that you can apply some method like a lotion and in 3 easy steps find the source. But for many who have come here the power is felt as living truth and is transformative. 

And so, I have returned to Tiru once more to swim in the energy and grace of it all. As I soak it all in there is a sense of recharging, of being among like minded beings. A sense of being Home.

Bloom Where I'm Planted

 

Recently a friend asked me why I was happy living back in the United States when before I was planning to continue traveling in Europe, SE Asia and India. After a short pause I replied, reflexively, that I bloom where I am planted.

There are many interests that I can pursue no matter where I am. To be sure self-inquiry can be done anywhere. Once I have a bicycle and/or a motorcycle the world of travel opens up to me and my days are filled with wonder. Interactions with people are easy. A smile. A kind word and conversations open up in unexpected ways. 

Later in the conversation they said that this reminds them of a quality they have seen in me. That of being stable in my life; firm on my feet, as it were. Of course, this isn't how I perceive myself and can understand this interpretation given my inner sense of being. Always following the next right thing is the secret to this. One always knows what is not right although we may choose to act on it anyway. If it is the right thing then I am content with my action no matter what the outcome. It may cause difficulties to be sure. However, that requires discernment to evaluate the next right action, not regret the initial choice. 

The metaphor begins to break down when actions take us to another geographic location which happens continually when I am traveling. Anyway, I believe the intention of the saying is clear enough.