2 hours late landing into Mumbai, caused by an unidentified misjudgment
on the part of Qantas as to the number of meals we will need. The
captain informs us that due to lost revenue, each of the fifty meals
we are waiting for will cost $1,500. I offer to go hungry and take
the cash, to no avail. Upon landing at Mumbai International, Emma
and I are surprised to find a driver waiting for us at the airport.
Our host Elijah has sent his driver Veerpal a lovely man, brown
skinned with a happy smile. We are not used to this side of India.
Veerpal expertly navigates the astonishing Bombay traffic, using
reflexes and the will of god to get us to Elijah's very posh apartment
in one piece. The flat is furnished with antique furniture donated
by the U.S. State department. Elijah works as a consular for the
U.S. Government and has had the place furnished with government
issued Victorian furniture.
The next morning, Elijah gives us his membership card to the Bombay
Swim Club, which has only recently begun allowing Americans to join
as we are considered to be the lowest caste. The first breakfast
in India is enjoyed in style, sitting overlooking the pre-partition
shaped grand swimming pool. The place is lined with rainbow-colored
pool chairs and perfectly manicured lawns. Emma and I are surprised
to find that there is no chai and no dosas. I am heart-Broken as
my first breakfast consists of toast and fruit salad, not what I
had imagined. No-worries, I am sure there will be many opportunities
for our cravings for South-Indian fare to be satiated.
After breakfast, we wander the streets of Breach Candy, the "posh"
are of south Mumbai and are greeted by the welcoming crowds, sounds,
and smells that let us know we are back in India. Heading into a
Rag shop, we try on outfits for India but nothing seems to be just
right. Then continue onto the Gateway to India, the Arc du Triomph
like structure. We step out of the cab and are immediately accosted
by hawkers and being my first day am lured into a scam involving
buying milk and rice for a mother who if I gave her money would
have her husband drink it away. The cost of the basic provisions
is 1076 rupees or about $15. I do not comply and gather Emma and
India and head strait for the Taj Mahal Hotel.
Part of this trip is the search for the guru. This guru takes the
form of Ramesh S. Balsekar, a man who lives in Bombay and gives
talks. People ask Ramesh questions about anything at all and he
answers the questions according to his concepts about life and happiness.
The basic idea is that we have freedom to make decisions but once
the decision is made, then that was the will of god. The following
are quotes from Ramesh and a short video
Formula for Daily Living
Humility within and tolerance for the other, contentment
within and compassion for the other, not as something to be
pursued, but as something that arises as a natural result
of the understanding that everything is a happening according
to the Cosmic Law for which no one is to blame, neither oneself
nor the other.
The Ultimate Insight
Knowing what can there be nothing more to be known? That
there never has been any objective “being,” that
no objective appearance can ever have the beingness of the
One Source; and that, therefore, no object can ever be the
Subject – doer of any deed.
You Cannot Commit a Sin
Whatever you seem to be doing is based on two factors –
the genes and conditioning in your body – which god
created. Therefore whatever you did was precisely what god
expected you to do – you cannot commit a sin.
Everything is a happening according to God’s well or
the Cosmic Law. Including consequences. No one is to blame
for anything.
I am That
According to me, “I am that” is the positive way.
The meaning is, of course quite clear, but the positive way
is a long path for the pilgrim and certainly can cause some
confusion: I am That, therefore, I can do whatever I like!
On the other hand, the negative way would be: I am only a
three-dimensional object and, that too, the appearance of
a three-dimensional object – therefore, nothing. I am
neither this nor That. I can only be a shadow, without substance,
of that which is all there is. This is the direct path.
The direct path is the negative way, along which no me-concept
can travel – how can a shadow travel by itself? How
can a shadow attain anything? This is sudden awakening.
The Ultimate Understanding
A “self”, the me entity – is an imagined
object pretending to be a subject – doer; and this mythical
monster is merely an extension in space and dependent on duration
– non-existent
What-I-am cannot be limited by any conceptualization –
spiritual or temporal. I am infinite and in temporal.
How do I See Things
There is no difference in the way I “look” –
subject regarding object – because looking is always
the same dualistic process conditioned by space-time limitations.
But I do know that phenomena are unreal without the slightest
doubt. At the same time, I know that phenomena are subjectivity
because there cannot be anything else.
In other words, I know that there is neither the seer nor
the seen but only a see-ing. I may be excused if I see this
seeing as “pure perception”
We wander up to the Tanks which is one of the oldest sections of
Bombay, this seems to be where the locals are. Some beautiful kids
bond with India and create a moment in time. as we run back up the
hill, the kids swarm around.
