Raja's Last Day

Today was Raja's last day in rishikesh at parmarth niketan. Raja is the man who escorted my dad, Ruby, and I from Lucknow to rishikesh. This morning my dad woke Ruby and I up at 6:30 so we could spend time with him before he left. 

As soon as Ruby would say something in response to him, or simply put forth her opinion, he would say "My daughters are so smart! I am so proud of my daughters" (in the most enthusiastic Indian accent ); throwing up his hands with the biggest smile on his face, he would embrace us and laugh. I always had a smile on my face when I was around him, just from feeling the huge waves of love sent out from his heart.

After sat sung last night, Swamiji (one of the coordinators of the ashram) told us to eat in a separate room other than everybody else so we could be served personally. Now at every meal our food is brought to us, our servers bring us pots filled with the food that's already on our plates, offering more. They come with more chapati bread, more rice and more soup. It gets a little repetitive and sad turning down delicious food. We smile and they smile as they turn back to the kitchen. Then I think "I wonder if they've started making jokes about us, or betting who won't ask for more the next time they bring food out" 

The conversations that are sparked at our meal times are so random, yet on of the most inspiring part of the trip. Once I think of something or have an idea, it's just coming from me and doesn't hold as much potential or energy until I share it with someone else or someone else mentions something that completely verifies my intentions. It's like listening to my thoughts in a mirror as I spit something out it comes back renewed and developed into something nearly tangible and so inspiring. Most of my motivation is just out of conversations with good people. It could be something totally unrelated to what I'm working on but it gives me just what I need to create something new and keep going with a smile on my face and new ideas in my mind.

I don't think I've made as much eye contact with so many people each day as I do here. There's more understanding when I look into someone's eyes. There is a deeper communication that goes beyond any words.