When we venture on spiritual retreats, we schlep our stress, jobs, endless to-do lists, and technological ties with us. It takes a while to lay all that stuff down, unless you’ve perfected the art of carefully stashing it at baggage claim for the return flight …
What is Sabbath? Depending upon our contexts, we all have different ways of defining Sabbath. For some, it is a day of rest, for others, a day of worship, ritual, and study. For others still, it is a day of strict unplugging–of stripping away all …
In preparation for a presentation at my weekly creativity group meeting, I pulled together some excerpts from the sample chapter of Saffron Cross. The following is the book’s summary and pieces from the chapter on our Indian ashram honeymoon. I look forward to your feedback–good, …
Fred and I are home and feeling India’s true distance (7,000+ miles). Since settling back into our routine, (and experiencing significant reverse culture shock) I’ve begun to ask myself these questions: “How do you successfully paint India’s portrait?” “How do help the reader feel the …
Thanks to the rhythms of ashram life, our daily schedule has emerged. 5:00 a.m. – Wake up, dress, and prepare ourselves for prayer/chanting (japa) at the temple (Krishna Balaram Mandir). 7:15 a.m. – Arati at the temple (worship). 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast at MVT restaurant …
After yesterday’s adventurous three-hour car ride from Delhi, we have finally arrived in Vrindavan. The journey here was overwhelming. Fighting the Delhi traffic, morning smog, people, horns, rubble, trucks, and animals was more difficult than I had anticipated. Vrindavan is far more peaceful than Delhi. …