I am silent and still, trying to listen to you… Hoping to hear you speak to my heart… Wishing I was flawless, perfect and pure, Wondering what life trials I’m destined to endure. Constant effort… Constant thirst… Constantly striving to put you first. Feeling unsettled, like something is not right, It is a spiritual war […]
After a full day of carrying sand and stones up the hill to the village pipal tree, our Japanese students postponed their bath and dinner to climb the hill once more for bhajans with our local ladies. The only word to describe the Batwadi Bhajan Band is “ecstatic”. They love any excuse to sing and […]
Today is Sunday. On Sunday children around the world usually like to enjoy their day off from school and relax…but not the children of Batwadi Sonar. As soon as the Japanese students showed up to do seva this morning, all the village kids were waiting for them. Most of the kids got to help a […]
O Divine Mother, whose grace guides my steps, I bow at your feet O Divine Mother, whose blessings are showering upon me, I bow at your feet O Divine Mother, whose teachings bring me up, I bow at your feet O Divine Mother, who erases the dust that covers my eyes, I bow at your […]
Today was the Japanese students’ first full day of seva in Uttarakhand and the task of the day was getting rocks and sand from the riverbed up to the village of Batwadi Sonar in preparation for building them a community hall. Sand and rocks are some of the main raw materials used for building new […]
The single road in Chandrapuri is crowded on a normal day. Add three bus loads of Japanese students, every school age child, banners, drums, trumpets, garlands, and you have true chaos. Soon the local children started to slip through a narrow lane between buildings. The parade began, up the steep path to the secondary school. […]
Last night the Japanese student volunteers arrived in India after a long flight from Tokyo. After a few hours rest in the Delhi Amrita Vidyalayam, began their long journey to Uttarakhand. As soon as they stepped off the train in Dehra Dun they met by the City Magistrate Mr. Girishji, honored as official state guests […]
Although we have already done a large groundbreaking puja for this house, another simple puja with just the workers is done before the brick masons begin. Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu three times, prasad for everyone, and the walls start to rise. – Scotti
When you live near water, hearing its sound becomes part of your life. A fisherman living in a coastal village will hear the tides of the ocean like his own breath. Someone living along the banks of the Ganga will hear its never-ending flow like their own heartbeat. These sounds are usually a constant and […]