This morning I walked into the Arushi Children’s Home for girls all prepared to take a Guided Healing Meditation Workshop on Self Love. What I wasnt prepared for was the amount these strong, fearless, cheerful young girls taught me.
Here’s where it began:
www.salaambaalaktrust.comThe Arushi Children’s Home for Girls is a residential shelter under the aeges of the Saalam Baalak Trust. Around 40 girls under the age of 18 live here under the supervision and care of a dedicated team of trained and compassionate people who ensure they are safe, nurtured and empowered. https://www.salaambaalaktrust.com/full-care-residential-programme.phpThe Apeejay Anand library was a sweet haven of knowledge with books for all age groups. “Show them all the beauty they possess inside“ Whitney Houston“I love myself just as I am” “I love the people no one loves” “I love only God. I see God in me” The girls revealed such powerful answers about themselves in the writing and sharing exercises. Embrace yourself. You are perfect just as you are.And here we are. Thank you for the lessons you taught me in return. Lessons in courage, strength, hope, acceptance.Thank you to all my friends and family members who helped me with the stationery and the goody bags. Rohan, my little brother in heaven. This was for you:)
One of my greatest teachers in this lifetime, and I suspect many more has been the Buddha. I wish I had known him when he walked this earth or at least got a glimpse of him in a crowd.
Many years ago I woke up from a dream where I met a slightly Asian looking man dressed in robes. I kept peering at his face in the dream, saying to myself how familiar he looked. When I did wake up, I realised I had seen the Buddha in my dream. Needless to say my whole day was made:)
There are a number of Tibetan Buddhist mantras I listen to and would love to share the one which touches me the most.
The Great Compassion Mantra
Namo Ratna Trayaya, Namo Arya Jnana Sagara, Vairochana, Byuhara Jara Tathagataya, Arahate, Samyaksam Buddhaya, Namo Sarwa Tathagate Bhyay, Arhata Bhyah, Samyaksam Buddhe Bhyah, Namo Arya Avalokite shoraya Bodhisattvaya, Maha Sattvaya, Maha Karunikaya, Tadyata, Om Dara Dara, Diri Diri, Duru Duru Itte We, Itte Chale Chale, Purachale Purachale, Kusume Kusuma Wa Re, Ili Milli, Chiti Jvalam, Apanaye Shoha
If that
flight to Delhi had not been delayed in 1998 I would never have picked
up my first book by Deepak Chopra entitled “The Path to Love”. He
simplified and expressed the wisdom of the Ancient sages in a way that
was so engaging and empowering. I understood everything he said. And for
the next few hours till my flight I didn’t realise I was on board to a
new destination altogether. A destination inside myself.
Two years later in 2000 I was at the airport again, this time in a queue to board a flight to Singapore. There was a sudden shift of energy when a middle aged man strode past me purposefully, dressed in grey with the most intent expression. It was Deepak Chopra boarding the same flight as I was. His energy was electric and had the air of a man compelled to teach as many people about themselves as he possibly could. One of his tools his gratitude. And I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to this amazing man. Thank you 🙂 May you remain blessed:)
