Written in the Stars

Behold, one of the many powerful astrologers I crossed paths with on my recent trip to India. And  I don't mean the man, I mean the bird, the Parrot Astrologer, who, with small, green, Yoda-like precision, here picks the card revealing my fate. "Situation over. Problem solved," declared the Parrot's master upon eyeing the card.  That made me laugh, wishfully, although the card did provide an introduction to the brother of Ganesha, Murugan, who is also called Kartikeya. "Seven years from now, good time for you, good time for your family," proclaimed the Parrot Keeper, a positive prophecy I could easily live with. Far-off, somewhere in the night, a dog barked and a baby cried.

The Indian Astrological focus came about in part because the recent trip was orchestrated by none other than James Kelleher, a learned Vedic astrologer and world renowned reader. As a student of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, James ended up assisting his astrologer M. K. Gandhi. a colorful background that fueled several great rambling bus talks on the power of Vedic astrology. James explained aspects of the Kuta System, the traditional Hindu computative method of measuring two peoples' level of connectedness in a relationship. The 0-36 Point System measures primarily the compatibility between the Moons and Nakshatras, the Moon showing emotional affinity and the ability to function as family. Of course there are many aspects to a successful relationship, but the guides say anything below an 18 could portend an inauspicious union. 21 and up I understand gets the arranged thumb's up. 

While Indian Parrot Astrology was a fun tourist experience, this true, age-old, star studied method to see if two people are suited or bondable is a constructive study, a look at the potentiality for unconscious levels of rooted connectedness between two souls. It's interesting too how rich the psychology of our modern families and relationships have become, given the primary reason for such relations, according to James per Swami Sivananda  was "just for basic needs", or security, for survival. Regardless, a reading can be very valuable in showing how two people are wired, and how they might be wired together. The Baggage Claim Department as James calls it, the place where personality patterns are revealed, chemistry considered, and challenging planetary periods negotiated with grace.  

India's Girl Power

Do you remember the term Jet Set? Am I dating myself here? I remember hearing that phrase as a kid, the expression labeling an international social group of wealthy people who travelled the world to participate in social activities unavailable to the common man, or ordinary people. I love traveling the world and exploring far-away cultures. But do you know what (or who) I equally enjoy? Ordinary people! Ordinary people are where the money is at, I jokingly say. The money or the Dong or the Sol or the Rupees.

I learned this during my first true international excursion  to Vietnam ten years ago. Like the Viets, Eastern Indians are modest in spirit, with a sweetness reminiscent of the silver foiled Haldiram’s candies they passed on at the start of the trip - royal traditionalists of the finest elements. Reserved like the Vietnamese, they're quieter and less playful. 

A bit of chiding brought their playfulness out:

“Sir, may I tell you something, sir?”

Me: “But of course sir, what is it?”

“You, with your beard, sir. You appear to be… Abraham Lincoln.”

Me: (laughing) “Oh, sir, it’s a fine compliment, sir (love the sir thing, it’s so cool). You do know sir, that Abe Lincoln was our Mahattma Gandhi, yes? And if I take a closer look here at you, with perhaps a Doti (the traditional white wrap garment) and the iconic specs, a similar resemblance, no? (Much, much laughter).

Much laughter coupled with much head warbling, as the Indian’s share their own funky, original head jiggle. The Bobble as its referred to "can be a nod, shake, slow turn, raise or spasm of an Indian’s head”, informs an online source. True! Researching, I was happily surprised  to discover The Indian Head Bobble defined by Wickipedia:“The head bobble, or Indian head shake refers to a common gesture found in South Asian cultures… the motion usually consisting of a side-to-side tilting of the head in arcs along the coronal plane. A form of nonverbal communication, it may mean ‘Yes’, ‘Good’, ‘OK’ or ‘I understand’, depending on the context. Many different styles define the move . As my dear friend Sherif – and I made some dear friends on this trip – put it so comically: “Did you see THAT guy? I thought he was going to snap his own head clean off.” The warble is downright endearing, and so I thank India again, with a deep bow, along with a vertical, horizontal, and circular neck motion.

Comedic, soulful exchanges lit the way from arrival to departure. On an in-country jaunt that had us on IndiGo Airlines, the former advertising creative in me noticed their snappy marketing, with decent copy and engaging ideas. Having their air hostesses sport buttons that read Girl Power was one of their better ideas. “I want you to know how much I like your pin,” I told one of the sky stewards. “You gals appear very empowered and this looks like a great gig for you, traveling your own land and being of service to people.” What I didn’t know at the time was that India’s Girl Power is an entire movement, inspired by female leaders, many rape victims themselves, on a mission to combat a culture of rampant disrespect and harassment.

When we disembarked, Shanti (meaning Peace in Hindi) was at the door smiling wide. “Sir, I want to thank you for your kind words. I appreciate what you said to me. And I’d like to give you my pin.” Baby Ghat back. My Goodness, Om Namo Shivia, like an arrow - or sharp pin - to the heart, I’m still glowing now as I recount the story (I lingered at the luggage carousel, but unfortunately this was a group trip). My plans to marry Shanti and move to New Delhi aside, I sported that pin proudly all over India, down and all around with the collective, worldwide healing of the feminine Divine. And not just in Hollywood folks. Or Bollywood for that matter. Namaste.

!ncredible !ndia

Behold The Asian Elephant Blessing at The Kundrakudi Temple near Cheiitinadu, southern India. In an awesome exchange of energy, for a small batch of bananas and a few Rupees, I experienced what I've dubbed The Laying on of Trunks, perhaps a symbolic method of invoking the Hindu Holy Spirit. From elephant benedictions to fire ceremonies along the Ganges, exploring ancient temples to taking part in ritual Poojas, from visiting the homes of saints and ashrams of yogis to swimming in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, the last minute trip turned into a life-changing odyssey. Much to say of my extraordinary experiences in !ncredible !ndia (!!), “The cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, grandmother of legend, and great grandmother of tradition,” per Twain.

Connecting excitedly with my meditation teacher Shinzen Young upon my return, Shinny explained: "There are two groups of people in this world - those who have lived in India, and those who have not." Three weeks of residency was all it took to get it, and a ten-year visa good through 2028 certifies that The Republic of India was personally not one and done. Having misssssssed the dancing cobras of Rameshwaram, I'll be back. And I know a guy. That said, a walk down a side-street in Varanasi would feel like a movement back into the middle ages. And a visit to Temples in Kumbakonam felt like stepping back into prehistoric times.

The trip was organized by learned Vedic astrologer James Kelleher and led by the venerable Rajiv Tomar of India's Mystical Journeys. More on those cats shortly, especially the latter Bengal Tiger as I like to call him. Having traveled little, truly getting started now, mid-life, the small slice of new landscapes I've experienced have helped me to develop new eyes. And as far as I can see, exotic lands have their rituals and traditions, their foods and ways of seasoning life, their understanding of their relationship with creation and The Creator. But at the heart of all nations - at the center of the center of the earth’s myriad of belief systems and many creeds - are its folks, its relatives, its sentient beings. And India’s appear world-class. From South Haven. Michigan USA by way of Mahabalipurnam, Kanyakumari, and Tiruvannamalai, India, more shortly my good people.