Things I've learnt this trip

1. Chinese massage helps relieve a cold or a fever.
2. If you're camping in India, always store a few bottles of water when available so you can still wash out the shampoo in your hair if they happen to run out of water. Thank goodness the bathrooms were roofless so that I could sing "Bathe in the waters" and wait for the rain when it happened to me.
3. Expect the unexpected. Surrender and try to see the humour in every uncontrollable situation.
4. Always carry an umbrella and a shawl with you. You never know when it's gonna be cold, or when it's gonna rain.
5. Don't take mandarines and Frooti's when you have diarrhea. They worsen it!

What a privilege it was to celebrate Shri Mataji's 85th birthday in Chhindwara, Her birth place. Coincidentally, March 21st this year was also Good Friday, Holi, Equinox, Persian New Year, as well as Prophet Mohammed's birthday. It was amazing to see a small village in the middle of nowhere transformed into a huge well-facilitated campsite to accomodate thousands of yogis in such a short time (we're talking about weeks).

The most memorable experience for me had to be my visit to Shri Mataji's birth place in Chhindwara. As soon as I set foot in the house, I was drawn towards the centre of the building, where Shri Mataji's shrine was. That's the little room where She was born 85 years ago. The vibrations were so amazing that everyone just wanted to sit down right then and there to meditate. As I namaskar to Shri Mataji's photo, I was struck with awe by the fact that I was actually walking on the same tiles that She used to walk as a toddler over 80 years ago. A three-level meditation hall was built behind the house for yogis to meditate. We meditated in there for a long time and we felt so peaceful that we didn't want to leave. I'm glad that we returned for a second time on the next day. The meditation was even better that day with a flute player playing some beautiful ragas in the meditation hall. We heard that Shri Mataij actually dropped by the house on Her way to the Nagpur that morning (March 23rd). No wonder why the vibrations were so tremendous!

Another unforgettable incidence in Chhindwara was on the night of the music program (March 22nd) when rain started to pour so hard that the pandal was all wet. The air immediately cooled down and it felt like a massive cleansing. All the mats we were sitting on were soaked with water so we all had to get up, when some started to sing and dance. Before long, the power went out as well, so the sound system and the lights all went out. Some yogis went onto the stage and played some really lively, strong rhythms on the drums and everyone in the audience couldn't resist dancing in the dark and in the rain with great joy as their hearts completely opened up. It was like a Sahaj "rave party". What a unique experience!

On the down sude, I heard that a lot of yogis (including myself) had diarrhea after the trip, if not already at the camp. I'm glad that mine came when I got home, where I had access to a nice clean bathroom! It was a bit of a nightmare at the camp as the bathrooms were about 10 mins walk from the foreigners' tents. There were about 10 closer ones but there was constantly a queue and rather filthy due to their high usage (sorry that's a bit too much info, but anyone who has been to India could tell you that). So you can imagine how disastrous it would be for someone who had accute diarrhea at the camp. On the bright side though, according to Sahaj Vidya, diarrhea is part of the clearing process, and is considered a good sign if it happens right after puja. It's clearing for the left side. However, Shri Mataji said if it happens over 20 times, then you are just sick! Anyway, you are your own doctor.

Jai Shri Mataji!

Videos:

• Holi Celebration in Chhindwara
• Shri Mataji's birth place (1)
• Shri Mataji's birth place (2)