Back after a long break

Since my last entry, I have been luck to be able to visit friends and family in the USA and UK. September, October and November flew by and I am so great full for the warm welcome and hospitality of so many good people. I feel very fortunate to truly have wonderful friends and family. So I must say a huge thank you and send big cyber hugs to everyone who loaned me their couch or spare bed over the past two month and remember when ever I ‘settle down’ you are most welcome anytime.

My original idea for this year was to go back to the USA in October and start job hunting again, however I felt I had still much to do, as well as learn in India. So I am very happy to say that I am able to extend this phase of life and will be able to stay in India and Nepal for another 10 months. Yahoo! The skeleton plan is to take more teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to do more courses in yoga and meditation, learn Hindi as well as visit Nepal to do volunteer work. So let’s see what happens this time, who I bump into and what karma ripens.

On returning to the west I was also nicely surprised that quite a few people had actually followed this blog and asked if I would do this again. So I am happy to keep going with this but I would really like to hear from you readers. So if you have any questions about India, ant me to write on a subject or comments then please do let me know. In this way we can have a more interactive experience and I will be more inspired to keep writing. Thanks!!

Bodhgaya Bihar

First port of call on landing will be Bihar the most poor, lawless and corrupt state in India, but also home to the most important pilgrimage site for Buddhists, the place of Buddha’s enlightenment. Weird how such a holy site representing the full and positive potential of a human being is surrounded by the worst of human nature. The towering, carved stupa, Bodhi tree with gold leaf offerings on its bark and tranquil flower garden grounds are starkly contrasted with the street mayhem of shoeless cripples, lepers and old people begging in tattered clothes, pushy street sellers and child pick pockets. This pilgrimage season will see the most people ever to decent of the tiny village of Bodgaya, I get excited just thinking about it.


 His Holiness the Dalai Lama will confer the 32^nd Kalachakra initiation. Tibetans believe it is good to receive this initiation three time to ensure a good re-birth, well I probably have a lot to rectify in this life so this will be my 7^th time and I hope they are right. Millions of pilgrims will be coming from Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Ladhak and Arunachal Pradesh in North East India as well as countries from all over of the world. Living conditions will be sparse such as tent cities, mud hut restaurants and basic, basic toilet facilities. Food supplies may be going scarce and for sure you would not want to drink the water. I am sure to re-united with long time Dharma and local friends and for sure make some new friends too.

For small Bodgaya video of the temple  try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk-9Ez3xICY

For info on Kalachakra try    http://www.dalailama.com/teachings/kalachakra-initiations
http://kalachakranet.org/       http://www.kalachakra2012.org/