Loch Leven and Thornton

4/25/12

It has been good to get settled in to the cottage in Perth. I have ventured out several times. Yesterday I had a full day starting with a visit to Thornton and a round of golf on the first course I ever played, pulling the very same golf bag I ever owned. This is the first round I have played in many years, and I was remembering my golfing buddy Rev. Scott Morton who passed away recently at the good old age of 103. I was remembering the many sayings we had for good and bad shots as we went around the courses at Van Cortlandt Park, Split Rock, and Pelham, all in or near NYC. The rain has been very frequent here over several days, but while I played golf the sun shone and only a few short showers prompted me to put up my umbrella. Loch Leven is the delight to the eyes that it has always been, resplendent in its natural beauty and full of the resonances of history. Viewing the village of my teenage years this many years later brought back many memories. The starter on the golf course, Catriona, remembered my Dad officiating her wedding - adding a personal touch to my reminiscing.

 Loch Leven from the M90

The Lomond hills above Loch Leven

Leslie Baptist Church where I attended on Sunday evenings in my teenage years

 Glenrothes High School - where I was a pupil for four years.

The rugby pitch (in the background) that brought back memories of games played and my concussion after I accidentally ran into the goal posts during a match!

 The running track at Glenrothes High School

Loch Leven at the last of sunset. The skies have been magnificent over the past few evenings.

 Thornton Parish Church manse at 12 Strathore Road, home of my youth.

Thornton Parish Church

 First Tee at Thornton Golf Course

The Thornton Golf Clubhouse

My trusty Dunlop golf-bag (from age 12) carrying my Mizuno clubs - a good bit newer !

The sun continued to shine on my round of golf, even while dark clouds gathered around.

New York - Edinburgh - Perth

4/21/12

After a short hiatus, I am back to my blog. The turn around in New York went well. I fought to overcome jetlag and was partially successful (so that when I arrived in Edinburgh the shift was easier). I visited some of my various doctors for appointments. I went to visit my bunny rabbits in Brooklyn at the home of Marcie and Frank. Arnie and Izzy are doing very well - thriving in fact - certainly keeping their hosts on their toes and there have been few dull moments for them with these two to keep up with. The latest story with Izzy was that after being combed (they are both shedding right now) she picked up the comb in her teeth carried it to the edge of the enclosure and proceeded to push it through the bars of the pen, as if to say, "that's enough of that thank you very much!"  I met up at the conservatory garden in Central Park with Matt and Viola and Viola's mother Ella - all Baba lovers - and it was wonderful to see them and to convey the blessings directly from Bhauji to each of them. I met a few other friends over the three days and then made my way once more to Newark to fly out of the country, this time to Edinburgh where my brother Brian was there to meet me and take me to my Dad's home for the balance of the week.

Now for the BIG news!  My Dad has become engaged to be married to Jean Steven. The wedding will be on May 19 with both their extended families invited. I have been honored by my Dad's invitation to officiate, and after some considerable e-mail correspondence between Dad, Lynne Rogers who is one of the registrars for marriages in Edinburgh, Rev. George Whyte, the presbytery clerk in the Presbytery of Edinburgh, and myself the matter was resolved in favor of me being authorized to officiate. Though I thought at first that I had never met Jean, it turns out that I have. In Kelty, my first parish in Scotland, I both conducted the funeral of her late brother George Chalmers and also officiated alongside my friend the Roman Catholic priest Fr. Mike Purcell in St Joseph's church, Kelty in the marriage of her nephew Stephen to Pamela, both of whom I will meet again at this wedding. Jean was present of course on both occasions. It has been delightful to spend time with Jean three times this week, and even more delightful to see how much this new relationship means to both Jean and my Dad. It is truly a small world. Some of you may think that Scotland is a small place, but believe me even here that saying applies.

Needless to say this first week in Edinburgh has been full with wedding plans and brotherly conversations. This afternoon I have escaped to Perth to begin what my friend Suzanne in NYC aptly calls my "residency" in the Stable Cottage just off the Crieff road out of Perth. I am delighted with the cottage. Gwen, who with her husband Alistair, is the proprietor, was born and raised in Ross-shire, and indeed went to Logie Easter primary school which is neighboring to Kilmuir Easter primary school where I and my brothers went. We are looking forward to an evening when we can talk about our childhood in the north. She goes up to Muir-of-Ord every Tuesday to take care of her mother and shop with her. Her mother is 92 years old and still going strong.  Apologies that I have no pictures of Matt, Viola, Ella, Suzanne, nor yet of Jean. I'll sign off there as I go out to have an evening meal. 

Arnie and Izzy contemplating a dash through the cardboard tunnel

 Izzy pausing at the water bowl.

 Arnie, always so photo friendly.

Dad at his laptop, at home in Winton Park, Edinburgh

Stopping off in Kelty (between Edinburgh and Perth) I visited my friend Veronica Forrest at her Deli and was treated to some refreshments. Veronica is making the wedding cake for May 19 and I for one know it will be an exceedingly good cake!


    

Last Two Days in Delhi

 Pictured here visiting the Amarjyoti leprosy colony established by the Brotherhood of the Ascended Christ some 35 years ago. Their church is in the background. I spent time greeting them, shaking hands, sitting with them, receiving their hospitality of a delicious cup of chai, talking with them about the challenges facing their community.

With Fr.Monodeep Daniel, who is reviving the Brotherhood's pastoral work with this community, bringing them worship leadership every Sunday and pastoral care.

Inside the magnificent Sikh temple, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, in Delhi.

Before entering I took off shoes and socks, was provided with appropriate head covering, walked through a shallow ritual foot washing stream, ritually washed my hands, and then felt appropriately ready to enter the temple, where music and worship and continuous throughout the day.

The approach to the temple.
 

After a heavy thunderstorm during the day (my first rain in India) in which I got thoroughly drenched, I was on my way in the company of the brothers to a dinner invitation just outside the city. The sky was amazing after the storm and towards sunset. It felt like a special gift on the eve of my departure from Delhi.

 Another view of the skyline with a Japanese temple in the foreground.

Br.Dinesh at the dinner.  He was the one who assisted me most in my stay at the Brotherhood House  and in orientation to the city of Delhi.

 Kirsty Allan and her husband from Manchester, England who invited us.

 Fr. Ian and Fr. Monodeep 

Rob, (Kirsty's brother in law) and his fiancee, whose home we were visiting

Reflections in Delhi

4/10/12

Returning to Delhi by way of bus to Aurangabad, and flight to Delhi, I once again had a sense of returning home. Living conditions in the monastery are much more basic than the hotel rooms I have inhabited, but it has become home here in India for me with the community that live and pray and work here. And I actually like the simplicity of the house.

On Easter Monday morning I was delighted and blessed to be received as an Associate of the Brotherhood of the Ascended Christ in the 7:00 a.m. Morning Worship and Eucharist. I had applied for this before I left for Chennai. The brotherhood had met to consider. I had written my own Rule of Life (for my own context of ministry, as required) and it only remained to be received in worship, by Father Ian Weatherall, the Head. Later in the morning Kirsty (a physics teacher in training from London) and I accompanied Dinesh to visit one of the schools administered by the Brotherhood. Then in the evening yesterday I met up for dinner with Sanjolie and Namrata (whom I met on the cruise from Vaikom in Kerrala) at Moet, a favorite place of in theirs in the defence colony market. We had a great evening together over good food and wine.

 Today I am taking it easy. Towards the end of my trip I am learning deeper and deeper levels of "taking it easy." I think my main project today is to buy another simple suitcase to transport the stuff I have accumulated while here in India. I am fully expecting a big shock when I get back to working in West End and in New York. I really have adjusted to a gentler pace of life here - the only hectic aspects have been ones I have created for myself in my schedule or expectations of myself along the way.

Tomorrow morning I will accompany Fr. Monodeep to the leper colony in which he does his ministry on Sundays and through the week. I will be reflecting with him on the challenge facing this community who have had several setbacks in trying to rehabilitate themselves into the economy of the wider community.

My flight leaves Delhi at 10:30 p.m. tomorrow evening. Family and friends in Scotland will be in the land of nod. Family and friends in NYC will be on the point of falling asleep! I will arrive in NYC in the early hours of April 12 New York time.  

Some of the brothers at table (l to r) Fr. Solomon, Marshall Henry, Fr. Ian Weatherall, Fr. Monodeep Daniel, Fr. (former bishop) Collin Theodore

 A class in school

 Dinesh and Kirsty examining the science projects strewn over the table in the science lab.

 The science teacher discussing with Kirsty the level of difficulty in assembling this radio

 A student completing a Hindi poem of his own composition on the board, with his teacher, Mrs Anupama Saxena looking on.

With one of the finest of the teachers, Mrs Sanat Jahan. Her ability and gift as a teacher were evident the moment we entered the classroom. It was palpable in atmosphere.

With Namrata and Sanjolie in our reunion dinner.

  

Meherabad

4/6/12

The sequel to visiting Baba's childhood home is that in the morning while visiting the house when it was open to the public, there was no one to greet me at the door. I unwittingly trespassed into a part of the house never seen by the public (not even by Baba lovers I learned later), only to be greeted by a very angry woman cleaner who shooed me out in no uncertain terms. Though the Hindi was uncertain to me the tone and gestures and continuing ranting long after I had found the proper room were very clear. I don't know how many four letter Hindi words were used but I think I was well plastered with them! I was actually quite shaken up. Its been a while since I experienced such a tirade directed at me. Anyway Baba and I found some gentle humor in it. I was reminded of his work with the mandali both in harsh words and the kindest of gestures. Then I felt his warmth and humor as I looked at some photos in the room and captured this one with the perfect caption for me in the moment and my own image in the glass.

 A little bit of light relief after shaking in my shoes!

 

 Residential quarters in upper Meherabad

Above and Below:  a meeting with Bhauji - last living of the male mandali of Avatar Meher Baba and chair of the Trust who lives at the Trust Compound in Nagar.
Below: with Debjani

A photo of Baba in Marge's home (touched by Baba!) which she took a liking to because of resemblance with some artists' imaginings of how Jesus looked.

 With Paul and his mother Marge in Marge' home in Meherabad

I seem to have carried my honoring of the "no photography" at the Samadhi to an extreme. I have very few photographs from the two day visit, but the images are strong in my mind. I think I was very engaged in being present to the conversations and places without using my camera ... learning more about his message and focus and what it is that so many Baba lovers have found in him over the years, both in his company as Mandali and as those who have come to love him since he dropped his body in 1969.

On Holy Thursday, very appropriately and thoughtfully, Debjani arranged for me to watch a moving piece of film footage, called "Beyond Words" in which Baba's use of hand gestures to communicate [he was silent from 1925 till he dropped his body in 1969] and their skilled interpretation by Eruch are depicted together with Baba's frequent washing of the feet of lepers and providing them with blankets and food.

Had I not had a bus to catch early on Good Friday morning, Debjani had hoped I might have been able to attend for a second time the early morning Artis (prayer service) at Baba's Samadhi which she felt would have been appropriate to Good Friday. As it turned out my attempts to find both the church and Good Friday service times here in Aurangabad failed and so I marked Good Friday with my own private prayers and readings, which proved to be a very special time for me.  

Mumbai to Pune

4/2/12

I can't believe its April already. I arrived here in the cold of February! The bus journey was comfortable - Mercedez-Benz coach with A/C. Four and a half hour journey for $6.60. Getting to the bus stop was another Mumbai story. The pictures speak for themselves. Then in Poona I found my hotel by 4:00 p.m. so after a quick bite I was able to go out and explore by foot. It turns out I had chosen my hotel location very well for the Baba trail. After a few false turns and hesitations I found his home and then his high school and then the shrine of Babajan. I was hoping to find the neem tree and its site looking its natural self - no such luck - we westerners are no better of course - but it is cut down to a stump, covered in decoration and the shrine sight is build up with marble around her burial place! But with some amazing timing, unplanned by me, I arrived at Babajan's shrine not only at the appointed hour of the day for visiting the shrine 6:30 p.m. but also on the second day of the 81st annual week-long festival in honor of her (marking her death, or her transition to another life). The video I took captures the scene better than any photo, but it is hard to upload video. Tomorrow I will return to Baba's home in the morning when it is open for darshan from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00  p.m.. Later at 3:00 p.m. I will catch my bus to Ahmednagar.

 The room that I saw so much of in Mumbai, deserves a picture, as do my two trusty bags housing all my belongings

 Mirror mirror on the wall...

 My auto-rickshaw driver's posture kind of says it all

This proximity of vehicles is typical in the cities. Driver's instinct and mind reading of other drivers is key it seems

 The bus office clerk fancied my hat

 Meher Baba's family home in Poona

The high school which Baba attended (above and below)

 

Along the street in a Catholic church, familiar meetings in a familiar setting
 

 And not forgetting the special needs of women
  

Hazrat Babajan's shrine tomb in Poona (above and below). The haze is not on account of my camera. It is the effect of the light on incense.

 Three faces that clearly wanted to be pictured outside the shrine - so I obliged