Om Namah Shivaya

Om Namah Shivaya

I'll be grateful if you...

Jan 4, 2011

STILL LIFE: Gateway Buddha Cafe - A Spiritual journey at Rishikesh

Start of an interesting year in an interesting way. I took a week’s off from work to take on a spiritual journey towards Himalaya’s. Rishikesh has always been my favorite place to download all the negative energy that gets accumulated in me, while living in the concrete jungle of various metro’s and the cities over the year. Rishikesh, as some say, Devbhoomi (Land of Gods) is one place, where yoga took its roots and slowly over the time has become the world’s spiritual capital (Well!! according to some). Many of the India’s enlightened Yogi’s have lived here in meditation for years and given the world, many powerful spiritual and yogic techniques. 

For me, it is a place where the environment stills my mind and senses are calmed and the Ganges provides perfect backdrop for peace. Walking on the banks of river Ganges, I am able to search my innerself, deeper. Almost every year I visit this place as well as a very powerful temple Neel Kanth and some times have shared my experiences at the blogs. This time, instead of writing about the Rishikesh, Sivananda Ashram where I stay and its beauty, natural or spiritual, I am going to talk about a place called Little Buddha Café from where another one of my inner journey started… A search of spirituality through some pictures that I took this time … from the Gateway Buddha. 

I hope this journey gives you a sense of the place and the spiritual thread behind it all…
Holy River Ganges in Rishikesh - Himalaya


The Journey within
__________
The journey within
And the undulating path
River of time flows on

Shores travel along side
All the way long,
Before offering their very existence
At the altar of life
Along with the flow of time
Fabric of ocean is all consuming
All consuming cosmic design

My journey too
Churned in travails of senses
Some times I sink
Some times I surface, in little bit of light
Gasping for breath of life
Some times I wander, helpless
And some times totally lost

Slowly, under my feet
The road disappeared
Am I the destination?
______
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya



Now here is the journey with my Impressions along the way…. Hope you will enjoy it too…


Buddha Café offers one of the most beautiful views of the Holy River of the up and down stream. Its amazingly cozy place, very hygienic and great food with almost all the cuisines. The people are friendly here as well as they let you be in your own space without overtly disturbing your privacy.


View of Laxman Jhula

 Some come here to eat and some for the view like my friends from Belgium. Interestingly, as they say, some times you are called to a place, through cosmic design, to experience or to be gifted something unique. Due to bad weather, their flight got cancelled and they had nothing to do for few days, so decided to visit this place.

Friends from Belgium
  
Its here, I met another two great friends, who got me started on this another beautiful journey in search for spirituality.

Friends from Europe
  
We started discussing things spiritual, which is quite natural when you are in Rishikesh...;-) 
What is yoga meditation and how to become a Yogi or spiritual? 

And there is me too

Here with me is one very interesting friend who reads a lot and many years ago decided that he wants to travel and removed all the attachments that he carried that bound him to a place. He works 3 months and travels 9 months… no attachments to any thing. A perfect yogi!!!

On the way to Neel Kanth Temple
  
In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra talks about nature as something that provides everything for every one when the time is right or the person is ready.

This is my old favorite stream, on the way to Neel Kanth

As the water overflows when it’s full and moves to a direction of the least resistance. Just like this waterfall. It will find its own way to move and will never try to overcome the big boulders that come on its own way…

Stream on the way down...

The innerself is like the water, it knows its way… to move from point A to Point B, it’s just that we don’t let it. The unfortunate part is that some times we don’t even know that there is a point B. But the worst part is that most of the times we don’t know that we have to move from point A to Point B, that is what is imprinted as DNA in our innerself


Ganges near the beach, on the way to Buddha Cafe

As the river flows on its own way, to meet the ocean. Travelling thousands of miles it will meet ultimately the sea, where though in loosing its own self, becomes one with the overall supreme self… River knows its path, even when it was just a trickle at the source...


Street in front of the Guru Nivas of Sivananda Ashram, where I stayed
  
But many of us don’t really know our way, we look for it…  in many ways... Some are searching through the streets of Rishikesh

At Haridwar
  
Some have packed up and ready for the long journey… into unknown

Neel Kanth Temple
  
Some find it in doing Charity in temples

Haridwar
  
Some find it in throwing money to beggars…

Haridwar
  
Some think that taking a dip in the holy water will cleanse their soul…

Haridwar
  
Some worship River Ganges

At Haridwar

Some are just happy enough to live in that present moment, capturing memories for the future…


Rishikesh bathing ghat
  
Some through rituals of Sun worship on the banks of the river Ganges, after early morning bath…

Lord Vishwanath Temple, Sivananda Ashram
  
Some through the ritual of Bathing Lord Shiva by Holy water of River Ganges

Bathing Ghat Rishikesh
  
Some who are content enough not to go anywhere … just be where they are… at ‘A’ point

Bathing Ghat Haridwar
  
Some are, in essence, Karma Yogi, doing their own work amidst all the spirituality and rituals hanging around them…

The best view point of Ram Jhula from Sivananda Ashram
  
So many ways, so many paths… wondering how to find that inner path, like that river’s innate desire to be where it’s supposed to be in the end… from the Point A to Point B..

Ram Jhula from Sivananda Ashram 
  
There are many, many ways to grow, from the lower to higher plane of living, seeking out the light of life…

River Ganges on the way to Neel Kanth Temple
  
Yogi’s talk and some times guide. But some time they also just let it be, within you, for you to seek… and some times just let your inner desire grow into more intense, till the time, nature provides what you seek… the path or the Guru or just the higher level of being…

My friend Swami Yatidharmananda with my friend from Europe
At Guru Nivas of Sivananda Ashram, where I was staying
  
Or just let the fog lift’s from your seeking eye…

Another view of the Ganges from Sivananda Ashram

I am on a journey too… probably in search of spirituality


On the way to Neel Kanth Temple
  
And the path is still as difficult and unknown… as it was before, probably a little more light or a little more clarity on what is to look for...

On the way to Buddha Cafe - My favorite walking meditation route
  
Idol worship


Rudra Abhishekam - A powerful ritual for Lord Shiva
at Vishwanath Temple - Sivananda Ashram
  
Meditation

Sivananda Ashram
  
Service or Devotion

Swami Yatidhramananda chanting - Sivananda Ashram
  
Knowledge or Gnana

On the way to Buddha Cafe
  
Light or fire… Whatever being the method, ritual or process… All are ways to the same end of going to being higher self… evolution

The Aarti Lamp at Vishwanath Temple - Sivananda Ashram
   
May be through a focus on doing something… living in the present completely

A view of bathing Ghat at Rishikesh from my room at Gurunivas
  
Or being one with the nature all around oneself…

A view of Ram Jhula from bathing ghat
  
Or silently meditating, wondering what it is all about…?

Welcoming New Year's  with silent meditation
Samadhi Hall - Sivananda Ashram 
  
Yet wondering still…

At the balcony of Gurunivas - Sivananda Ashram
  
Waiting… waiting for something, some one to come and take one across the silently flowing river to the other end, where …

Bathing Ghat and the jetty where boats come and pick up passengers
  
There is light, a new sun rise…

Ist January 2011 Sunrise from my bedroom window at Gurunivas
Sivananda Ashram
  
Or just live life in the present, every day doing what comes to you in the morning with 100% sincerity, dedication and positivity and then forget about the results… live life as a Karma Yogi as Lord Krishna advised Arjuna in the Ancient Scripture "The Bhagwad Gita" …

Every day ritual of having my morning cup of tea at this stone
after bathing in the river
Who knows what’s the real way till the time one really realizes it within innerself… but that should never stop one from living… and from ‘being’ …
Just have your morning ‘cuppa’ everyday and cherish it …

ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya

41 comments:

  1. Shashi, there is not much I can say except...you have taken me on an incredible journey with your words and your photo's. your words are calm and sincere and speak truths

    I deeply thank you

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  2. Thanks for sharing your wonderful moments during your journey..
    I have not yet visited Rishikesh...
    but I wish to goo there soon... :)

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  3. Thanks Hope, I appreaciate and value your comment on this journey and my thoughts... Hope this has given you some more insight about the spiritual journey within...

    Dear Sumit
    I thank you and wish you that this year your wish to visit Rishikesh gets fulfilled.


    ॐ नमः शिवाय
    Om Namah Shivaya

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  4. Beautiful pictures along your journey. I feel a serenity about you. Many of your troubles have already been left behind. May your spiritual journey continue to be fruitful and peaceful.

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  5. Dear Sashi,
    Thank you for sharing part of your journey with us. This is the most beautiful post I have ever had the pleasure of viewing. Both your breath-taking photographs and your soothing, serene words have given me a peace this morning, at a time when my heart and mind was in turmoil. Thank you again, my friend. Please keep up the magnificent work...
    Peace and joy,
    Sheila

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  6. Thanks for sharing your photos and your thoughts. Its inspire me to go to Rishikesh, and surely i will make plan when i will be in India.

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  7. What a wonderful treat of photos you have shared and the "Buddha Cafe" how can one ever go wrong with a visit to it...beautiful....Happiest of New Years...bkm

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  8. Dear Shiela
    I am happy that this reached you at the time of your need. Some time things happen for a reason and I am sure that there was a reason of you to be here... Turmoil is nothing but a game played by mind to keep you engaged with your senses. Wish you Peace and happiness and have a great year.
    ॐ नमः शिवाय
    Om Namah Shivaya

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  9. Thanks Sonu for liking this one and I am happy that it inspires you to visit one of the most peaceful and spiritual place... Wish you make it to Rishikesh this new year.

    Cheers!!!

    ॐ नमः शिवाय
    Om Namah Shivaya

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  10. thanks BKM for liking this and hope you would enjoy your visit to this place some time ....
    ॐ नमः शिवाय
    Om Namah Shivaya

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you Shashi for taking us along on your trip to Rishikesh.
    I truly enjoyed the beautiful photos and your commentaries.
    What a wonderful journey you had my dear.
    I am always grateful that you share your thoughts...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks Tali

    I am glad that you are here. I did have a wonderful journey as well as great spiritual experience. I have always liked your clarity on various subjects as well as human feelings and emotions. I enjoy your paintings a lot too...

    ॐ नमः शिवाय
    Om Namah Shivaya

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  13. Loved being able to experience a little bit of your spiritual journey with you, Shashi. Simply wonderful--your photos are beautiful.

    I agree with Pantanjali's yoga sutras that say nature can provide everything we need--if/when we are ready.

    Thanks for sharing, Shashi.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks Bodhirose for coming over with me on the journey. Yes, nature knows every need. I am glad that you were here.
    ॐ नमः शिवाय
    Om Namah Shivaya

    ReplyDelete
  15. Buddha Prophesized about Jesus (Yeshua)
    Buddha's Date of Birth: approx. 563 Before Christ (BC)
    Buddhism. Buddhists believe that one most do “merit” in order to better one’s life. They know that people have sin, so each person tries to do “merit”to cover over his sins. But they know that their sins are too great. This is especially diffcult on poor people because they the know thet to do “merit” one needs mony. Tey way to get money is to be a powerful person, but meny powerful people steal and are not just. Often they sre corrupt and abuse their power.money received by doing sin to other is not acceptable merit money. Sosin continues because no one is able to have enough merit to take sin .... unless someone was so perfect he could have enough merit for himself and others.it i9s interesting that in the Buddhist scriptures of combodia,a prophecy regarding a “holy one” would come,one who would lead people away from the old wa, and introduce a new way.

    “When Buddha was traveling and living in thes world, there was an old Brahman priest who wore White robes who asked the Buddha, “How Will all men and all Brahman Continue in their merit-making so as to escape the results of sin?” The Buddha answered, “Even though all of you give alms according to the 5 precepts, the 8 precepts, the 10 precepts or the 227 precepts for 9 trillion years and you raise your hands and offer yourselves as a burnet offering, or you pray 5 times a day, you will still not escape the results of your sins . if you do this every day yoyr merit gained will only be equal to the smallest strand of hair of an unborn infant extremely small. You shall not enter heaven’s doors.”

    The old Brahman priest asked further, “what are we all todotobe saved?” the Buddha answered the old braham priest, “the results of sin and karma are very gret, heavier than the sky;thicker than the earth; and so high that it would be like an angel dusting the corner—posts at the temple compound with a cloth-post that are 18 inches high dusting themone time per year—until the posts were worn down, that’s how long it would take to and your sins.” The Buddha said further, “l have given up my high position and entered the priesthood. L considered that even though I sm good, I would have only a very small amount of merit at the and of the year. If I was given this same amount of merit for 100,000 epochs and live 10 more lifetimes, I would not be saved sin’s results even once.”
    The old Brahman priest asked further, “so what should we all do?” the Buddha answered , “keep on making merit and look for another holy one who will come and help the world and all of you in the future.’
    Then old Brahman priest asked “what will the characteristics of the holy one be like?” the Buddha answered him, “the holy one who will keep the world in the future will be like this ;in the palm of his hands and in flat of his feet will be the desing of a disk, in his side will be a stab wound ; and his forehead will have many

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  16. marks like scars. This holy one will be the golden boat who will carry you over the cycle of rebirths all the way to the highest heaven (nirvana). Do not look for salvation in the old way. And there is no salvation in it for sure.quit the old way. And there will be a new spirit like the light of a lightening bug wioch will come down from the sky above to live in all of yours hearts and you will be victorious over all your enemies. No body will be able to destroy you. If you die, you will not come back to be born in this world again. You will go to the highest heaven (nirvana).”
    Permission was granted to copy these Buddhist scriptures from wat phra sing in chiangmai province. The person who gave permission was phra sriwisutthiwong in Bangkok. It is guaranteed that this copy is accurate according to the original that there is no error in transmission, which is in the book of the district headman,the religious encyclopedia volume 23, book # 29, this inquiry was made on October 13,1954 A.D. (Buddhist era 2497).
    Buddha was correct about the uselessness of trying to earn merit. It is impossible.the Holy one Buddha said would come has come. About 500 years after Buddha left this world, the prophecy was fulfilled . when jesus chriest died on the cross to take away human sin, each hand and foot was pierced with a large nail leaving disk shape (john 20:20), his side was pierced with a spear(john19:34); and his forehead had many marks on it from the crown of thorns the romans put on him (john19:2). Jesus Christ opened up a new way of faith to relate to God so that the old ways of merit could be left behind Through Jesus alone, one can find escape from the impossibility of doing merit. Through Jesus alone, one can find perfect assurance that the highest heaven is opened by God’s grace.

    Christianity. Religions are people attempts to reach God, or create their own god. Religions are made by people doing good works or by obeying certain rules, humans have been trying to “get to God” for thousands of years. From the very beginning of time, the first humans sinned, and as a result, broke off a right relationship with God (Genesis 3). Every human since then has tried some way to reestablish a right relationship with God. Now there are many ideas and ways people try to connect up with God – such as Islam or Buddhism. None of these ways, but one, has God said will fix the human sin problem.


    Salvation: Your Relationship with God

    http://www.bibleprobe.com/buddhatoldofjesus.htm


    Read this entire true and powerful story by ex-Buddhist Monk Athet Pyan Shinthaw Paulu that tells of his dying, and what he saw.

    Read this story in English here:
    http://www.bibleprobe.com/backfromthedead.htm

    ReplyDelete
  17. ========= PANDIT DHARM PRAKESH SHARMA ============

    http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pandit+dharm+prakesh+sharma&aq=f

    ReplyDelete
  18. lovely places to be.
    Thanks for sharing,
    Happy New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dear Jingle
    Thanks and would love to be a part of it this time. As I was travelling I was not able to join in to any thing online as my travel took me to places where there was no connectivity... Now I am back and looking forward to great time at your blog and sharing thoughts from my journey's...
    ॐ नमः शिवाय
    Om Namah Shivaya

    ReplyDelete
  20. Dear Bhagvat Prasad Mishra
    Nice to have your thoughts...
    ॐ नमः शिवाय
    Om Namah Shivaya

    ReplyDelete
  21. "यीशु ने यह सुनकर, उन से कहा, भले चंगों को वैद्य की आवश्यकता नहीं, परन्तु बीमारों को हैः मैं धर्मियों को नहीं, परन्तु पापियों को बुलाने आया हूं।।"

    "क्योंकि परमेश्वर का राज्य बातों में नहीं, परन्तु सामर्थ में है।"

    Cancer Healing

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVBSGNr3bDA

    ReplyDelete
  22. मोक्षद्वार

    कहते हैं कि महाभारत धर्म युद्ध के बाद राजसूर्य यज्ञ सम्पन्न करके पांचों पांडव भाई महानिर्वाण प्राप्त करने को अपनी जीवन यात्रा पूरी करते हुए मोक्ष के लिये हरिद्वार तीर्थ आये। गंगा जी के तट पर ‘हर की पैड़ी‘ के ब्रह्राकुण्ड मे स्नान के पश्चात् वे पर्वतराज हिमालय की सुरम्य कन्दराओं में चढ़ गये ताकि मानव जीवन की एकमात्र चिरप्रतीक्षित अभिलाषा पूरी हो और उन्हे किसी प्रकार मोक्ष मिल जाये।
    हरिद्वार तीर्थ के ब्रह्राकुण्ड पर मोक्ष-प्राप्ती का स्नान वीर पांडवों का अनन्त जीवन के कैवल्य मार्ग तक पहुंचा पाया अथवा नहीं इसके भेद तो मुक्तीदाता परमेश्वर ही जानता है-तो भी श्रीमद् भागवत का यह कथन चेतावनी सहित कितना सत्य कहता है; ‘‘मानुषं लोकं मुक्तीद्वारम्‘‘ अर्थात यही मनुष्य योनी हमारे मोक्ष का द्वार है।
    मोक्षः कितना आवष्यक, कैसा दुर्लभ !
    मोक्ष की वास्तविक प्राप्ती, मानव जीवन की सबसे बड़ी समस्या तथा एकमात्र आवश्यकता है। विवके चूड़ामणि में इस विषय पर प्रकाष डालते हुए कहा गया है कि,‘‘सर्वजीवों में मानव जन्म दुर्लभ है, उस पर भी पुरुष का जन्म। ब्राम्हाण योनी का जन्म तो दुश्प्राय है तथा इसमें दुर्लभ उसका जो वैदिक धर्म में संलग्न हो। इन सबसे भी दुर्लभ वह जन्म है जिसको ब्रम्हा परमंेश्वर तथा पाप तथा तमोगुण के भेद पहिचान कर मोक्ष-प्राप्ती का मार्ग मिल गया हो।’’ मोक्ष-प्राप्ती की दुर्लभता के विषय मे एक बड़ी रोचक कथा है। कोई एक जन मुक्ती का सहज मार्ग खोजते हुए आदि शंकराचार्य के पास गया। गुरु ने कहा ‘‘जिसे मोक्ष के लिये परमेश्वर मे एकत्व प्राप्त करना है; वह निश्चय ही एक ऐसे मनुष्य के समान धीरजवन्त हो जो महासमुद्र तट पर बैठकर भूमी में एक गड्ढ़ा खोदे। फिर कुशा के एक तिनके द्वारा समुद्र के जल की बंूदों को उठा कर अपने खोदे हुए गड्ढे मे टपकाता रहे। शनैः शनैः जब वह मनुष्य सागर की सम्पूर्ण जलराषी इस भांति उस गड्ढे में भर लेगा, तभी उसे मोक्ष मिल जायेगा।’’
    मोक्ष की खोज यात्रा और प्राप्ती
    आर्य ऋषियों-सन्तों-तपस्वियों की सारी पीढ़ियां मोक्ष की खोजी बनी रहीं। वेदों से आरम्भ करके वे उपनिषदों तथा अरण्यकों से होते हुऐ पुराणों और सगुण-निर्गुण भक्ती-मार्ग तक मोक्ष-प्राप्ती की निश्चल और सच्ची आत्मिक प्यास को लिये बढ़ते रहे। क्या कहीं वास्तविक मोक्ष की सुलभता दृष्टिगोचर होती है ? पाप-बन्ध मे जकड़ी मानवता से सनातन परमेश्वर का साक्षात्कार जैसे आंख-मिचौली कर रहा है;
    खोजयात्रा निरन्तर चल रही। लेकिन कब तक ? कब तक ?......... ?
    ऐसी तिमिरग्रस्त स्थिति में भी युगान्तर पूर्व विस्तीर्ण आकाष के पूर्वीय क्षितिज पर एक रजत रेखा का दर्शन होता है। विष्व इतिहास साक्षी देता है कि लगभग दो हजार वर्ष पूर्व, ऐसे समय जब कि सभी प्रमुख धार्मिक दर्षन अपने षिखर पर पहंुच चुके थे, यूनानी, सांख्य वेदान्त योग, यहूदी, जैन, बौद्ध, फारसी तथा अन्य सभी दर्शन और उनका सूर्य ढलने भी लगा था, मानवता आत्मिक क्षितिज पर बुझी जा रही थी, तब परमेश्वर पिता ने स्वंय को प्रभु यीशू ख्रीष्ट में देहधारी करके ‘पूर्णावतार’ लिया। वह इस लिये प्रकट हुआ ताकि मानव जाति के कर्मदण्ड तथा मृत्युबन्ध को उठा कर क्रूस की यज्ञस्थली पर अपने बलिदान के द्वारा स्वंय भोग ले। उसने ऋग्वेद के ‘त्राता’ तथा ‘पितृतमः पितृगा’-सारे पिताओं से भी श्रेष्ठ त्राणदाता परमपिता के सम्बोधन को स्वंयं मानव देह मे अवतरण लेकर हमारे लिये नियुक्त पापजन्य मृत्यू को सहते हुए पूरा किया।
    मोक्षदाता प्रभु यीशू ख्रीष्ट निष्कलंक पूर्णावतार:-
    हमारे भारत देष आर्यावृत का जन-जन और कण-कण अपने सृजनहार जीवित परमेश्वर का भूखा
    -प्यासा है। वैदिक प्रार्थनायें तथा उपनिषदों की ऋचाएं उसी पुरषोत्तम पतित-पावन को पुकारती रही है। पृथ्वी पर छाये संकटो को मिटाने हेतु बहुतेरे महापुरुष, भविष्यद्वक्ता, सन्त-महन्त या राजा-महाराजा जन्मे लेकिन पाप के अमिट मृत्यूदंश से छुटकारा दिलाकर पूरा पूरा उद्धार देने वाले निष्कलंक पूर्णावतार प्रेमी परमेश्वर की इस धरती के हर कोने में प्रतीक्षा थी।
    तब अन्धकार मे डूबी एक रात के आंचल से भोर का सितारा उदय हुआ। स्वयं अनादि और अनन्त परमेश्वर ने प्रथम और अन्तिम बार पाप मे जकड़ी असहाय मानवता के प्रति प्रेम में विवश होकर पूर्णावतार लिया, जिसकी प्रतीक्षा प्रकृति एंव प्राणीमात्र को थी। वैदिक ग्रन्थों का उपास्य ‘वाग् वै ब्रम्हा’ अर्थात् वचन ही परमेश्वर है (बृहदोरण्यक उपनिषद् 1ः3,29, 4ः1,2 ), ‘शब्दाक्षरं परमब्रम्हा’ अर्थात् शब्द ही अविनाशी परमब्रम्हा है (ब्रम्हाबिन्दु उपनिषद 16), समस्त ब्रम्हांड की रचना करने तथा संचालित करने वाला परमप्रधान नायक (ऋगवेद 10ः125)पापग्रस्त मानव मात्र को त्राण देने निष्पाप देह मे धरा पर आ गया।

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  23. What a lovely collection of images, thoughts and moments of peace. Lovely Journey and the road ahead of you seems bright! Thanks for sharing!

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  24. Oh shashi - you have captured so many worlds and yet I know what is in the heart can never be poured out in full.
    Thank you for what you were able to put on paper.

    Moonie smiles

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  25. Sashi, I will want to return to this post and download some of my negativity. A wonderful photographic and poetic pilgrimage. Thank you for sharing and teach me more about your spiritual home.

    Mine: http://liv2write2day.wordpress.com/2011/01/10/passage-jingles-poetry-potluck/

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  26. This is so beautiful, and the haiku's in the beginning and end of your poem say it all.

    That Buddha café had a German bakery??

    Thanks for sharing this voyage through spirituality!

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  27. I love the last line, with you being the possible destination, rather than arriving at the destination!
    I enjoyed the photos too.

    http://jessicasjapes.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/my-best-friend/

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  28. love it shashi! here’s my new year potluck- http://fiveloaf.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/life/

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  29. My journey too
    Churned in travails of senses
    Some times I sink
    Some times I surface, in little bit of light
    Gasping for breath of life..

    cool, smooth sailing, Glad to have you share these vacation photos...

    A++

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  30. Viewing your photos is the closest I will ever come to your beautiful and mystical country, Shashi, but I almost feel that I have been there in a way, through your eyes. Your poem was excellent, as are so many of the verses I read from you on twitter. My thanks for what you share, and for bringing a bit of India to where I live, in a place that couldn't be more different yet holds the same journey.

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  31. I love the way you weave all the parts into one whole...always lovely to walk with the truth!

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  32. Dear ScentOfMyHeart
    Thanks for liking this journey and I hope as you wished that ahead there is light.
    Dear Leslie
    Yes I agree, there is so much out there to share on the way... thanks for liking the post.
    Dear Liv2write2day
    I hope that you come back and down load your negetivity here...;-) Thanks for liking the post.
    Dear InWeblogisback
    German bakery is kind of a brand name. they have one in Pune to, near Osho Ashram. Thanks for liking the post.
    Dear Jessica
    The last line is the essence. We have everything within us, but we keep looking all around. Thanks for liking the post.
    Dear Fiveloafs
    thanks for liking this will check yours today.
    Dear Jingle
    Thanks for the A++ I am glad that you are here again.
    Dear Hedgwitch
    I hope that some day you are more closer to these amazingly powerful places...Thanks for liking the verse and post.

    ॐ नमः शिवाय
    Om Namah Shivaya

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  33. Thanks for the lovely participation, Happy Tuesday!

    Potluck Week 17 Treat/Awards 4 You, Enjoy!

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  34. I am so happy I stopped by to take all of this in.

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  35. I am sad shashi.. didn't find my comment here.. I had spontaneously written a haiku..let me write again only now it is not spontaneous

    Heaven in front
    Of my eyes, ah, I can
    Smell the air..

    Very beautiful and full of peace.. loved it..

    I invite you to visit my page for my journey in verse.. your visits have always emboldened me.. thanks!!! Adding your page in my list to keep track and reciprocate..

    Regards,

    Ramesh

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  36. Love the ending of this poem. India is quiet a stunningly beautiful place. I so wish peace and freedom were world wide. No fears, no borders, no danger. What a wonderful adventure life would be to see the world and enjoy all our differences instead of fighting about them. Thank you for your comments on my blog.

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  37. shashi,Thread integrated of all aspects in an impressive way, and images enhanced very exciting and the whole journey at Rishikesh is truly remarkable.
    And I want to add one thing I like the new color theme and it's color..very delightful
    Thank you so mush and I am looking forward for more journeys, ...Can I suggest the next Journey Shashi? :))

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  38. Incredible photoblog, of Rishikesh and the ganga valley....kudos Shashi check out www.indiabackpacker.blogspot.com

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  39. Shashi,
    This is a beautiful photo essay on Rishikesh.
    Thank you so much!
    Troy

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  40. I so agree with your ideas! I found these photos, combined with your beautiful words, very nurturing, almost as if I had been there in person.

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