Janet Light in India

En route to New Delhi via Japan and Korea. Pilgrimage began for me at Hanakapi'ai falls 3 days ago. Surrender to Tara's wisdom and compassion, passport somewhere between DC and Kauai, my perfect husband and dear Jeffery and I made a pilgrimage of our own to the moist heart of mother Kauai. Cascading falls blowing millions of droplets, showering us with the knowledge of our purity. A vortex of energy and peace. Mamaki, goddess of water, Wisdom Dakini of purity whose enlightened activity is a crystal clear mirror reflecting natural truth. The sharp energy of angers pure expression! May the heat of hatred and war be soothed in the sublime waters, powerful and yielding, insistent and consistent ever changing flow....We know who we are this moment, AHHH. Of course the documents supporting my travels awaited me when we arrived home, tired, fulfilled, sore mussels and glowing minds.

This day I was baptized by the beauty of Kauai, anointed in preparation for this journey. A white bird perched on an uppermost branch, just glancing at us assuring me of protection. The waters falling with such power and grace, spray spiraling in swirls dancing our dreams awake. Michael filled with confidence in my confidence in answering Taras call. Oh Tara call me ever more in moments to come and in memories of this magical nurturing day. A gift to carry with me and touch all with Kauai's grace. She is important in this day of the rising of the goddess, the feminine Buddha wisdom. I will dance her Taras praises world wide and till the end of my days in the warm salty & sweet waters of Dakini realm, Kauai.Now I fly with Trishana, Leah and Anela and Theresa to join the full, ever voluptuous mother mandala in Delhi. SOHA!

Oct 18th, moments before the opening ceremonies for our pilgrimage of Peace. It has been a marvel meeting these wonderful women, sharing the sensation of sangha, a bonding beyond personality, aversions and attractions. We share the motivation of healing. Empowering, taking responsibility for our gifts by developing our capacity to respond in loving compassion, wisdom and power. Gathering, gathering......oh mother your daughters are gathering, Hold us in your great compassion, shower us with your love and confidence. Accept our dance as an offering of the highest motivation. We strive to be your reflection in every moment recognizing you as ourselves in each others eyes. OM TARE!

Disembarking from the buses we approach Hazrat Inayat Khan's memorial. Rising like a lotus out of the depths of samsara. From the mud at the bottom of the lake of humanity it blossoms above in splendid beauty. Approaching via a wide chain link fenced path way we are greeted by countless local peoples. "Hello, hello," they say in English. Palms turned up, some wide eyed and smiling, some suffering too much for such a smile. My heart aches, yet I know pity is not what is needed.

Perhaps this is a place to give on the streets, symbolic of my willingness the interface with this unthinkable life, to benefit beings in a small precise way. I t is so human, so rich in honest need. I did not feel sadness really. What appears to be a dump spreads ten feet deep and one hundred yards square just beneath the tomb. People with barrels stand in it, searching for something to fill an everyday need. Nourished by devotion, the temple sits a top a graceful flight of stairs, hung with foliage. All is clean and shinning inside the court yard. We enter the shrine through lattice doors, a rainbow of women bonding through prayer and singing on this first day of our pilgrimage of peace. What an excellent display of duality, our perceptions and the reality of human suffering interwoven with the beauty of the temple and the joyous recognition of all beings light.

Quietly gathering on soft mats provided by the temple, Anahata begins to lead us in soft songs celebrating love as it is showered upon us by the Sufi message of love, harmony and beauty. Separation dissolves, sweetness descends. Hazrat Inayat Khans tomb is infused with his love and commitment to all beings. It is a place in the middle of a teaming city where his grace touches this earthly plain for all time.

A man arrives, apparently, very familiar with the temple and not at all intimidated by our colorful presence. Paying homage he finds a spot behind in a back corner. His energy is gentle and grateful. Infused with this great love and inspired by the sea of devotion and gratitude for our journey ahead, we stand and hold hands ready to dance and sing. Spinning song after song full and humble. And the middle aged Arab looking man joins us in the dances of Universal Peace. What a gift, shinning faces glistening in tears, eyes sparkling and soft.

On leaving through the gates after signing a guest book and making offerings the Gentleman is outside, chatting with some of us. With joyful gestures he answers our inquires, telling us that he is from Afghanistan! He has lived in India many years and visits the shrine often to perform his devotions. Islam, He says, gesturing emphatically, is Not about killing and guns. This is not the Muslim tradition. Islam is a tradition of the heart he assures us. Adorned with beautiful beads, obviously a support for his practice, he is a messenger reminding us; all is well, all is good. It is amazing, this offering on this day when Afghanistan and the Islamic religion is targeted with so much confusion and fear and anger. Yes, sacred tradition can not be stained by a few confused and suffering persons.Our time at the temple of Hazrat Inayat Khan is balm for our minds and hearts. As we leave through the corridor of human squalor, we stop and connect ever so subtlety offering rupees, and a smile, a nod, not too much, their lives so disparate from ours yet our needs are the same, to love and be loved. To be accepted as the incarnation of all that is good and possible. I am grateful for the opportunity to wade through this mud, the thickness of human limitations and just right here exactly, above and amid, the shining memorial of a man, a Master who is a beacon of light still, and his lineage a guide for our every heart. How to love, truly.

Janet Light