mahadev's Guestbook

15th August 2016

Tradies are the same the world over...
interesting story!

From Blog: TRADIES* SPECIAL EDITION of the BLOG: Indian window (a portal by another name) installation beats all time record

13th August 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Slip sliding away
Dave fell in Nepal and had sore ribs for nearly 4 months. It is one of those mementos where you realize as much as it hurst it was close to being much worse. The mella is a fascinating part of the culture and glad you shared the story.

From Blog: Devotion and Keeping up with the Thakurs* ...and then he fell off the mountain

9th August 2016

manisha
non-member comment

a few words
just a few words after reading your few lines. loved at the stark nakedness of your text. loved how you were not there trying to hide your emotions or how to make them sound better or any other way. you just were flowing with your words and presented to us on a plate, just the way they are. and brilliant quotes, paul. thank you again.

From Blog: FILLING THE GAPS WITH EMPTINESS: Crisis of meaning? What crisis?

9th August 2016

mahadev
Paul Joseph Drielsma

thankYOU
Nice comments Manisha ... and your opinion means a lot to me.... really x

From Blog: FILLING THE GAPS WITH EMPTINESS: Crisis of meaning? What crisis?

8th August 2016

taracloud
Tara Cloud

Still in Arequipa
Hi Paul, Yes, thanks, I got your email, but I'm massively behind in writing letters and blogs. Seems so much easier to read blogs and Facebook and comment. But still in Arequipa, having dealt with broken bones and holes in my lungs. Will write, just having a bit of a block--sorry, but soon, I really will write. Thanks for asking.

From Blog: Devotion and Keeping up with the Thakurs* ...and then he fell off the mountain

8th August 2016

taracloud
Tara Cloud

The panoply of life
How wonderful to participate/be included in such an important, colorful community ceremony in your beautiful valley. So interesting that a person of low caste casts the new god, and to learn of the "god race" amidst our stereotypes of "pious, mountain folk." I imagine that family, community and religious connections and obligations are sufficiently strong that these people know the meaning of their life and their place in its unfolding--perhaps a minimum of existential angst here. So glad stinging nettles (horrible as they are) were the worst part of your very scary fall--I broke both arms in my last one. As usual, I so enjoy your introductory quotes.

From Blog: Devotion and Keeping up with the Thakurs* ...and then he fell off the mountain

8th August 2016

mahadev
Paul Joseph Drielsma

email
Hi Taracloud... did you see my email? Was just interested in what you are up to and where.

From Blog: Devotion and Keeping up with the Thakurs* ...and then he fell off the mountain

7th August 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Inner meaning
What really has significance and matters? Only you and answer that on your path to filling in the gaps. Sorry to hear about your mother. That is tough. She is dealing with her own gaps...at least we think so. There is so much none of us understand. For us life is about sharing it with people so glad to hear your friends are coming to disrupt your silence for a bit. Enjoy, embrace and experience.

From Blog: FILLING THE GAPS WITH EMPTINESS: Crisis of meaning? What crisis?

6th August 2016

Lynn Ringland
non-member comment

Ahh, Life!
Glad to see you back on The Blog. Went to see Chekhov's Three Sisters last night at the Seymour Centre. You guys have a lot in common! Glad you woke with a smile. X

From Blog: FILLING THE GAPS WITH EMPTINESS: Crisis of meaning? What crisis?

6th August 2016

Kuan Yin
Karen Johnson

Retirement of gods
Several years ago I visited the Kuan Yin temple in Georgetown, Penang. Outside the temple is a massive old tree, and nestled among its roots are statues of deities of all sorts. Ganesha is next to Kuan Yin, and Guan Yu makes an appearance, too. I thought this was a little strange, but it was explained to me that the tree served as sort of a retirement home for the gods. If your household got a bigger, more elaborate god, or if you moved in with someone else, you could bring your superseded god here. This way the god would always have company, and incense could be burned and offerings left. I have no idea if this is actually true, but I rather like the idea of a retirement home for gods where they could all share in the offerings and prayers.

From Blog: Devotion and Keeping up with the Thakurs* ...and then he fell off the mountain

6th August 2016

mahadev
Paul Joseph Drielsma

God retirement home
Hm...I will put the idea to the Jaa religious council for consideration. :)

From Blog: Devotion and Keeping up with the Thakurs* ...and then he fell off the mountain

5th August 2016

Geetika
non-member comment

Very interesting read Paul. I enjoyed it thoroughly.. big hug

From Blog: FILLING THE GAPS WITH EMPTINESS: Crisis of meaning? What crisis?

4th August 2016

taracloud
Tara Cloud

Self-torture in paradise
Those rascally questions of meaning can suck the happiness right out of us! But, like you, I think it's a dance that we just learn to do with more grace--the awakening with a smile and accepting everything in the present moment, and then somehow sliding into the questioning angst, and back to the present again. I think I'll need a few more lifetimes until I'm able to let go of that. But in the meantime, how compassionate that you stayed with your mom (with lots of juicy challenges, I imagine), had a great ride back home (fab photos), and live surrounded by beauty. Namaste.

From Blog: FILLING THE GAPS WITH EMPTINESS: Crisis of meaning? What crisis?

4th August 2016

Marguerite
non-member comment

Brilliant
I wagged class to read this blog :).....................and it is, as the title states BRILLIANT - with hugs!!!

From Blog: FILLING THE GAPS WITH EMPTINESS: Crisis of meaning? What crisis?

4th August 2016

mahadev
Paul Joseph Drielsma

thanks
As always.. my most consistent and complimentary subscriber..... it means a lot to me to get this feedback... now back to class with you :) x

From Blog: FILLING THE GAPS WITH EMPTINESS: Crisis of meaning? What crisis?

4th May 2016

Maria
non-member comment

The 5 lari bath
Hello Paul, I was actually referring to the Abastumani bath :)

From Blog: Down, but not Out in Georgia Pt 6: Chilling out in Abastumani....in search of Hot-Springs

5th May 2016

mahadev
Paul Joseph Drielsma

Abastumani
Oh... sorry ... yes Abastumani is about 30 km north of Akhaltsikhe which is the place with the very big fort (apparently the second largest in the world?).... You can get there by local mini-bus. The hot springs there: One lot of private bath rooms is in a run down ex-soviet place and could be OK but did not look all that inviting. The other is a large indoor pool which I think you can also pay to get into. I actually did not feel inspired to use either.... My only hot spring bath was in the old Roman bath house in Tiblisi. BUT I did stay about 2 weeks in Abastumani and enjoyed my time there a lot... just nice country and nice people. I got a clean and OK room in the multi storey hotel opposite where the farmers market is held a few times a week. It was old-world charm with the people I met.

From Blog: Down, but not Out in Georgia Pt 6: Chilling out in Abastumani....in search of Hot-Springs

3rd May 2016

Maria Zantkuijl
non-member comment

Location
Hello Paul, can you tell me where i can find this hot bath, so it will save me time to search? thanks so much.

From Blog: Down, but not Out in Georgia Pt 6: Chilling out in Abastumani....in search of Hot-Springs

4th May 2016

mahadev
Paul Joseph Drielsma

Hot Baths in Tiblisi
Hi Maria Very easy to find.. in the old part of Tiblisi. This site gives you more information about them: https://mycustardpie.com/2015/05/15/how-to-visit-the-sulphur-baths-in-tbilisi/ There you will find both the expensive ones and the local cheap ones (where I went)... watch out if you wear silver.. it turns dark from the sulfur :) Good luck.

From Blog: Down, but not Out in Georgia Pt 6: Chilling out in Abastumani....in search of Hot-Springs

3rd May 2016

Maria Zantkuijl
non-member comment

Location
Hello Paul, can you tell me where i can find this hot bath, so it will save me time to search? thanks so much.

From Blog: Down, but not Out in Georgia Pt 6: Chilling out in Abastumani....in search of Hot-Springs

29th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Life is a grand journey
We always find your blogs insightful and passionate. You are on a quest and the journey takes one to so many places. This location seems peaceful to you even though some emotional was stirred. You may sit back and wonder what you were to learn by being invited but not included in the music? You've posed so many good questions in the blog and everyone must seek the answers.... Continue on your path to peace and self-fulfillment. Life is short and must be experienced.

From Blog: There is no path. Paths are made by walking ..

29th February 2016

taracloud
Tara Cloud

Yep, the path is not easy and if you meet the Buddha on it, kill him.
Congrats on getting into that slice of paradise, but sorry you suffered when there. Pema Chadron (Tibetan Buddhism) says that whenever we meditate in order to get to our "better" selves, we're being violent to ourselves. The key is just accepting ourselves as we are, just as we can then accept others just as they are. Very compassionate. Pretty disillusioning the Zen master's comments, but as you say, we can all have a bad day. And that "What am I doing with my life" is a killer--I too know it. But really to love yourself and others and to stay present, accepting the angst and everything. What else is there, really? Best wishes and I respect your journey. Namaste.

From Blog: There is no path. Paths are made by walking ..

29th February 2016

mahadev
Paul Joseph Drielsma

back at ya
Thanks for these words and your insight Tara... nice and so nice you take the time. One day we are sure to meet.... other than this space. Hope you are traveling well .... I wonder? Still in South America? Sounds like SA is to you what India is to me.... same same but different? x

From Blog: There is no path. Paths are made by walking ..

28th February 2016

Marguerite
non-member comment

Stunning
I love the tranquility depicted in these photos.................Glad you enjoyed your stay and that you have all those exciting travels ahead of you. Zen hugs!!

From Blog: There is no path. Paths are made by walking ..

16th February 2016

Samuel
non-member comment

Hi
I do not kjnow if you remember me, but I ran into you at Puskar. Just dropping a line to say hello!

From Blog: Of Swamis and Gurus and Madness

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