Friday, July 21, 2017

New Bloom


It was 12-years ago when I started this blog, thanks to Yoo-mi and Mark's timely nudge.  The last few years I'd nearly forgotten it exists.  Today I crossed its path again, searching for photos of the Shinko La Pass and re-called I had posted some.

The blog is a literal time-machine, one that takes me back to the start of a rich inner and outer learning journey -- On Fire, She Answers, Christmas Eve, and Not Even a Glance.

But it's a heart and mindset that seem unattainable now.  Too many deadlines.  Too many causes to care about. Too much information.  Too much heartbreak.  A few too many decades -- I turned for 40 this year. :)

Perhaps I'm wrong. Maybe it is attainable, but the required speed of absorbing experiences now is too fast. The illusion of never enough time to reflect, introspect, share.

Since my last post, I've worked in endearing corners of south/southeast Asia, albeit often only to spend time with my laptop :), but getting in some micro hydro visits, and precious moments with awe-inspiring ground-level practitioners.

What makes me re-connect with Inner Urja?  At 2:30am Yangon time? :)  I'm not sure.

Amidst the heavy writer's block, it seems unreal that I could have nurtured a blog.  The inner waves were rough then too, but in the earlier posts I sense complete presence and deep compassion to everything that comes.


I accept that I cannot go back to being the person I was 12-years ago.  And why desire so?

Just like the Brama Kala that blooms at midnight and only once in that life, that Dipti remains only in the form of transformed energy, passed onto the next moment.

What matters is Now and how present I am to it.

If I listen closely to the rhythm of the monsoon rain, the stillness of the early morning to come, the dhamma that imbibes this city,

If I note the random waves of stillness, anxiety, and Grace within,

I'll see that I'm always blooming.  May we all keep blooming.







Sunday, January 22, 2012

Field Trip with Gram Vikas Management











Gram Vikas Project Offices in Kalahandi

Narahari Babu's "svarg' at the Baffala project office, prolifically demonstrating organic farming methods for nearby villages.



Chicoooo!

Nearby village youth being trained in masonry work.



Monday, January 16, 2012

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Hunnar Shaala

Hunnar Shaala is one of my most favorite NGO's, led by a Sandeep Virmani and Kiran Vaghel and several other phenomenal managers. They focus on indigenous building/construction methods and water management and many other interventions for rural and urban marginalized communities. The thread that links all their work is that they want to learn from locals and help them see they already know what is required.

My sister has been working there for a year now. I just visited their office and her work in the slums of Bhuj.

Hunnar Shaala has a website (http://hunnar.org/) but I think it could do a much better job of showcasing all their excellent work. Anyone interested in helping them update their site?


They have a beeeeautiful new office that uses the building techniques they promote.



Kiranbhai (who helped greatly with some innovative Kalahandi work) and I share a laugh near their new workshop.


We're standing next to a rammed earth wall.


Another one of Hunnar Shaala's strength is to network effectively and efficiently with other groups to make lasting changes. Here is a community worker from KMVS that works with my sis facilitating slum housing in Bhuj.

Transition back to Bhawanipatna

Time goes,
Settings change,
Eyes, heart, mind rest.
All looks new...again.

Feels good to be back ... and adjusting.



Been nice to catch up with buddies in town. Here's Kumari. She's been sweeping for Gram Vikas for some time now. Her husband left her years ago. She has two beautiful kids and a gorgeous smile, melodious voice, and huge heart.


Here is Podur, one of my many favorite cycle rickshaw-walas. The best part about Bpatna is that there no autos! (Well, i did see one before I left in Aug.)



And the best part of town are the daily and weekly market scenes (taken from Podurbhai's rick).




Friday, September 02, 2011