mebtravelling

I really was SURPRISED BY JOY.
I kept hearing about letters between C.S. Lewis and Bede Griffiths, the most famous (and most recent – he died fewer than 20 years ago)of Shantivanam’s 3 founders, so I decided to visit Shantivanam’s library to see if I could find a collection of Lewis’ letters, and among them see if I could find one to Father Bede. I’d been told that the library, awooden temple-like wooden, contained Bede’s library.

Once inside, I found a place that smelled like a library, if you know what I mean: musty, Indian-dusty, i.e. wonderful. I walked around – somebody has catalogued, like a Twin Cities used bookstore: Theology/Scripture; French Language/French Literature; English Literature/English Poetry… I walked over to the English Literature, scanned the shelves of Lewis’ works, and pulled out one of about 10 that had “Letters” in its title. I’d set my canedown on the cement floor and had settled in for a good long search ,but the book fell open, and I’M NOT KIDDING, to “Letter to Dom Bede Griffiths, OSB, on the occasion of his ordination.”

Poster advertising Conference

I’ll send an email about the conference on Organic Farming and Human Rights; if you don’t receive it, and have any interest in knowing more, send along a note. In the meantime, I can only say this: it was one of those days that reminds me I MOST ASSUREDLY CAME TO INDIA FOR THE MYSTERY.

Sister Agnes moves very fast; here, she is off to change her sari before the Conference. Scheduled for 10, it began shortly after The Chairman arrived -- shortly after 11.

The real object seems to be to Run around as fast as you can – while yelling – in case you’re not already sweltering ( I don’t discount the possibility of major projection on my part).

Just 1.5 kms from the ashram – I rode [on the back of] a motor scooter – a lively ICM nun runs a daycare for the elderly, a preschool, tailor training, as well as typewriter and computer skills centers.

Elegant and talented, Sanjevey spends his days in Eldercare. He sings beautifully - this photo shows him finishing one of his chants. He has been blind for years.

The preschoolers were inside eating their snack, mostly thali (which always looks to me like tapas-in-a-metal cup)

"I am four!"

I moved 2 days ago, and to the untrained eye the room looks little different. However, beyond the (mosquito-netted) bed is a delightful 1/2 room with…right! No more hole in the floor for me…The Plaza couldn’t have made anybody happier than this Upgrade has made me.

Posted from my Android

In many ways, “Bless” [sic] is half the reason I came here. I went out for the morning, to meet the children and teachers. The flowers, the ceremony, lovely if overwhelming. Great hope for the future (next week): some work out there.

I was met at the door…

The children, pre-school through age 10, are astonishingly beautiful.

As always, willing to stand on my head to be understood

Me, trying to read the puzzle on the board. Boy, recognizing a photo-op.

This morning’s walk down the road to Ananda behind Sisters ML and S became this video! (I realize it doesn’t look like much, but those treetops had to be 50 feet above my head)

Tell-tale sign: the bamboo ladder

Heading down after three minutes’ work

(the photo of him hauling his burden – and almost entirely hidden by it! – refuses to print, so you must take it from me…amazing)