Planting Seeds From My Inner-Self

Unlike yesterday Indian surprise, today’s surprises are all good and uplifting! But let me start at yesterday – the last day of 2011!

We made our way to Konni (again through near-collision traffic which I’m now already used to) where Varkey George, the sixth member of our team, joined us. Varkey grew up in Konni and his family is preparing for the wedding of the last unmarried cousin in the family, so we had the opportunity to attend the groom’s “last supper” where we met dozens of very interesting family members, including Prem Koshy, who will be our host in Bangalore next week.

I have long looked forward to the day that I can face or touch my favourite animal – the elephant. And now I had that opportunity to do so! Plus I got a ride on an elephant’s back. But our visit to the local elephant sanctuary was unfortunately not an uplifting experience… majestic animals, chained by their feet, showing signs of stress, continuously swaying from side to side while they wait for… nothing!

But thanks to the kind help of the hotel staff, who organised four King Fisher lagers after the town already shut down, we could end 2011 with a positive thought by lifting our glasses on new friendships made during this trip! How fortunate am I to be travelling in the company of such lovely people — curious, informed and happy are they indeed!

And then today, the first day of 2012, arrive with pleasing Indian surprises.

First we attend the wedding of Varkey’s cousin. It is a Christian wedding, however the church proceedings are heavily influenced by Hindu ritual – rich experience for the outsiders we are. More than a thousand people come to the wedding lunch. They are all fed with the most lovely briyani dish. There is seemingly no bad meal in India!

In the afternoon we go for a swim in the river-bend where Varkey played as a child, a stone’s throw away from the start of thick rain forests in the national park. We visit his mother’s house on her rubber plantation, where we are served the most delicious banana fries and cashew nuts.

Prem leads us in group meditation where we “plant seeds” from our inner-selves. What a lovely alternative to making new year resolutions! No empty promises… just three seeds I planted for myself, my loved ones and the universe! I’ve planted my seeds and will be sure to water them and nurture the growth in the coming year.