Saturday, January 21, 2012

from karachi enroute to chiang mai

I sit at Karachi airport and recall...the last three weeks in karachi, have been a flow...from a wedding high to a melting of souls...many encounters, sharing and caring that accompany the highs and lows of human emotions.

The sun was always shining, providing a comforting warmth in the coolness of the mild winter.

Yoga happened, for me personally, either inside or out in the garden, the sun always on my face. The full moon yoga at Binas’ with the warmth of the candles and the coolness of the floor, and a request for another session. We managed a 3 hour workshop, in the immaculate lawn and around the pool of Binas’ home. How generous of Bina to open her heart. The enthusiast yoginis enjoyed, as we flowed, paused, moved into the techniques of asanas, and partnering in our practice.. The final savasana, all in their surrender, around the cool water of the swimming pool attested to the benefit each person realized in the practice...

Shared meals, open conversations and honest connections...the basis of truth...each moment i felt i was flowing...i watch the conditioning of families, culture and conditioning, completely aware of myself, inside out, and find continue to accept, sensing what each moment requires.

The trip to Mohenjodaro, began with one passenger, a woman who refused to sit next to a man, she convinced another female passenger to sit next to her, and created a loud commotion when questioned...I chuckle, and comment to the man next to me, a perception that women in Pakistan are indulged and get away with such behavior. No judgement on her, so why was I witness to this, is this a reality I was creating, possible, for after all, I am seeing myself in all that arises. This started an interesting conversation with Ali, my fellow passenger...Ali shared some pictures of a village, which spoke volumes, a reflection of the reality of how people live and think. The four basic needs, are not close to being met. An education is needed, not only the formal schooling. What about the life skills which we all learn to live harmoniously, contributing to our well being and the well being of others, this is far from being their focus. I am intrigued, and asked to be kept in the loop regarding a new project that promises to bring electricity and water to a village....

This conversation continues in a different form, as I travel from Sukkur to Mohenjodaro, walk around and spend time chatting with the local visitors to the museum and the excavation sites. Overheard comment in the local dialect, even though I am dressed in the local attire, they consider me an alien, the surprise look on their face when i turn around and start to speak to them in Urdu....they confess that my hair made them think that I was a foreigner, I smile in my head, “so natural is alien, interesting.”

The guide is with me in the excavation site, he is well versed in the history and clearly explains the life, infrastructure, living styles and the physical layout of this 5000 year old civilization.
The simplicity of the local people, their warmth, and enthusiasm as they follow me in groups, walking alongside, listening, apparently fascinated with a woman, from their own country traveling on her own. Phone numbers are exchanged, amongst laughs and jokes, and I say I will visit them when I return to Mohenjodaro...Humans, we befriend, we want to hear the story of the other, it helps to connect to know ourselves...

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

in Karachi - 2012

i have been in this city for a week…it seems longer….

The first few days were a whirlwind of sleep and time adjustment surrounding wedding celebrations…the best part is always the reunion, those moments with family and friends…the wedding comes with its own energy…beautiful bride and the groom…in this case the groom is known the bride is a new addition to the family…beautiful couple,Ammar and Saba.

Indulgence is one word that can describe the time here…a friend takes me out for lunch and asks me "can you live in an invisible prison?"…hmmm, this was soon after a conversation in which he thinks that it is time to return to this land…i agree when he says that here you have roots, and the roots have their off shoots grown into a tree that will always provide shade…i am intrigued, as i listen to him…he is clear when i share with him my desire to travel in Pakistan, travel solo as a tourist…he looks at me and says "face it irum, in this country,you are the wrong sex to take on that adventure"…
i am still thinking in my head "thank you for showing me this challenge"…

The city has spread, there is technology, there is development and there is more traffic…i am protected, living with family, in a bubble, i have returned to this bubble…and i find no conflict, i am allowing life to happen, there is a surrender…

We sit in the courtyard of a cafe, listening to music, three friends having a quiet dinner after a yoga session…"you have a different energy about you"… "i just met you in Toronto, 2 weeks back and you were vibrating"…"and now?" i ask as i smile…the other friend agrees…i share with them, that its intentional, i am aware of what is happening…there i was pouring, now i am absorbing; watching and aware for any internal conflict…i have returned to the grounds of my conditioning…who am i , will be made clear, through the awareness and confirmation and verification of "who i am not"…its a testing ground…i hold on to the line "thank you for showing me this challenge"..

Sunday, January 1, 2012

what about 2011??? some "thank uuuus"

Moving between dimensions…from 3D to 5D…the year in perspective…

January rains at Rancho Margot, Jafer and Catherine wrapped up their visit to the ranch…

The girls, big and small all five of us, Liz, Cade, Brianna, Ivannia and myself trotted off to Quepos, Manuel Antonio…the trip which is considered done in five hours we made in nine, so whos' counting when one is having fun…the journey and the destination, the morning skinny dipping in our private pool, the sand and the sun and yoga on the beach…the extra Pina Coladas, and one extra day thanks to Julia who stayed back one more day to share yoga with the Ranch guests…I am sure Juan had something to do with it, all in all we came back recharged…

And Briannas' teacher training continued into February…and the month brought new friendships, deep connection, and a sparkle with Anayancy and Mark…five days and relishing each moment…the fun and excitement at the ranch continued, small stuff makes you happy, or un, when people live in close proximity…

Asim and Kamila made their trip in March, Kamila was the photographer for over 200 pictures, of Brianna, as we worked on our Yoga Teacher Training Manual…The highlight was the trip to the 500 year Ceiba tree…

and more moments sharing with people at the ranch, guests, volunteers, employees, the owner and his family…each encounter turns into a story, a life of its own…Rosalie and Fran came for a yoga retreat, a few moments a yoga session, a conversation, sharing a few hours in the huerta pulling weeds and planting "dil"…and a "dil" (heart) connection was made which culminated in yoga teacher training in Maryland DC, with four other yoga teachers…Mary came back to the Ranch in August and found her own transformation; all through the relationships and the experiences in the space called Rancho Margot.

The time spent with Ivannia and Mario, three weeks of deepening, learning and sharing yoga…these practitioners became coaches and facilitators of yoga session as they completed the formal 200 hours required to share the practice.

Summer of 2011 spent in Toronto, brought closures and openers both…

we shared more yoga, including a full moon ritual at the harbourfront, the savasana was accompanied by the beautiful bansuri played by Anwar, as Naureen, Bina, Mamta, Talat, Micha and Katie lay on the grass in their own surrender.

Travel to Spain and Morocco, where I am sensing I will return, to explore to share the beauty of Morocco, practice yoga, and healing sessions in the desert. Abdel, will be our guide, the plan has to manifest. Selim and Hafsa in Fes, a promise made "till we meet again", is to be honoured.

I spent three hours with my uncle and his wife in Christchurch, as I hugged them goodbye, the vision imprinted was "a return to the train station, and seeing them at the other end of the platform, their warmth glowing around them"…

I also got a chance to spend some time with Seema, Batool, Malka and a brief evening with Karim and his wife. Yes many warm wishes for Hashim, what a trooper he is, irrespective of the illness, his spirit shines through…Seema and her warmth and love keeps drawing me back. Malka and Batool, two women who face their own challenges, and keep smiling, only question that these three girls have is "what can I do for you"…

Sandy and Jennifer, thank you for following your calling to share the 3 weeks of yoga, you will continue to share the practice with others, your source of guidance will always come from within…

Paula, Hannah, Jackson, Will…we had a beautiful time together, you became a family, a part of me stays with you…every yoga session, has your energy…amazing, eh!!!

Juan and Liz, for the home away from home that you have shared with me, casa de vida will continue to share its energy with many lives…

Jeremey, Gaelle and Tzion, it was wonderful to have you a part of the Ranch energy…

I look forward to spending more time with you Lisa and Bjorn, new community members, souls of peace...

The last few weeks of 2011 spent in Toronto with Asim, Kamila, Jafer and Catherine, Nimmi and her family, have recharged and reignited the connection with home.

Ignacio, Karla, Mark, Anayancy, Cade, and Frederick, thank you for being you. Our stories continue…

As the year has ended, I feel enriched; the love I shared with those who opened their hearts, and the connection made and renewed stays…the attraction, friendship, the soul and love connection, has now become my identity…through loving you "i am, and i am not" ~rumi~