When travelling, new friends can be angels

Gratitude for friendship

My friends in the UK are spiritual allies and confidantes, especially in Glastonbury where the town functions as a loose sangha  or community of seekers.

I am grateful for the ongoing support, acknowledgement and inspiration of the many wonderful Avalonions I have met and especially those few for whom the days and weeks have deepened into months and years of knowing and relationship.

Like precious jewels, these friendships have been polished with understanding, tolerance, deep listening and mutual respect. I cherish my friendships.

Out on the road, so to speak in India,support from home comes largely through cyberspace and also the power of intention, I can remain connected to my friends through holding them in my mind and heart, sending a vibration of loving-kindness, of sincere wishing for their highest wellbeing and happiness, whatever the situations and circumstances.

I know that they are doing the same for me and it is a great feeling to rest into the awareness with profound gratitude.

Part of leaving home for extended periods is about trusting that it is safe to leave, that I am sufficiently internally well-resourced to take care of myself and that I am Divinely protected: the higher, loving forces of the cosmos are assisting me at all times.

And usually when travelling I will meet special people,  special in the sense that they seem to be the right person, in the right place, at the right time with exactly the right form of help or guidance that is required.

I had been ill for a couple of days. No fuss or drama, a digestive disorder that came and departed swiftly. On one level I might attribute it to the unrefridgerated, unpasteurised Yak cheese I sampled in a local bakery (pungent, creamy and delicious!)

From another perspective my immunity was weakened due to travel, change of climate and diet, lack of sleep and so on and my wonderful intelligent body was imposing a full stop and bed rest. What else to do but surrender?

I was semi-delirious and slept well, drifting in and out of consciousness as the nine day Navratri festival reached a climax. Yards from my room in the Sant Seva Ashram, an enormous effigy of Durga was lowered into the Ganga with an insane amount of fireworks, bells, clapping, chanting and devotional ecstacy. I could Emotionally as well as physically I was feeling exhausted, scared, lonely and fearful and tearful.

Grace and beauty: Ruth- Anne

The following morning, Ruth - Anne, a beautiful and graceful american who I had befriended on my first day in Laxman Jhula, knocked on my door to find out how I was doing.

Her eyes were clear, bright and friendly and she held me in a genuine loving presence, bathing me in her open, soft awareness. This was my medicine: a simple, yet profound act of caring and kindness.

I was deeply touched that this new acquaintance would pause her day, take time to show up for me, an act of true generosity. It was a tender moment, I felt my heart swell and receive the warmth and nurture being offered.

Ruth-Anne was my angel, I honour and thank her for her timely action. Maybe we are all angels for each other?

May we always continue to experience the gifts of friendship wherever we are !

Jennifer