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<\/a><\/p>\n John-Roger with the group in India. Muriel Moore at front center.<\/em><\/p>\n My most lasting and unique experience on our trip to India was having the feeling of being completely and totally encapsulated in layers and layers of Light.\u00a0 It was a feeling of Absolute and Complete Protection.\u00a0 I have to laugh because I had a headache on the day of our departure which quit instantly when we boarded the plane. \u00a0Perfect health and wellbeing stayed with me until we again disembarked in Los Angeles three weeks later when I again picked up my headache.\u00a0 It seems that expansion of my \u00a0consciousness had been accelerated due to our India trip.<\/p>\n First thoughts upon driving around in Bombay–\u201cNational Geographic–its come alive!\u00a0 The ox carts are moving, the people are talking, and I can smell the warm unmistakable earthy aroma that is not unpleasant, but must be only peculiar to India.\u00a0 It\u2019s three dimensional.\u00a0 It\u2019s all around me!\u201d<\/p>\n The excitement and dread of my first night in India.\u00a0 Cement floors, bare bulbs, tin washtub for bathing, no screens on open windows, overhead revolving fan, canopy mosquito netting over the bed and no sheets.\u00a0 Covering myself with my own coat, like a security blanket because it was my own and familiar.<\/p>\n The heavenly taste of hot strong Indian tea mixed half and half with hot, frothy milk in a pitcher, with plenty of raw sugar.\u00a0 Small tree-ripened bananas, papayas, orange juice, chapati and chutney.<\/p>\n Much to my surprise, I felt a very real meeting ground, on a silent level, with those Indians that we came in contact with.\u00a0 As a whole, my impressions were those of a calmness and gentleness displayed by the people.\u00a0\u00a0One met the exceptions as we do in our country, but I truly felt a peace which I didn\u2019t interpret as apathy but as acceptance and a general feeling of good will.\u00a0 This may in part be colored by my feelings of being enfolded in Light, but whatever, those are my lasting impressions.<\/p>\n The little boy, Gida, on the beach of the Indian Ocean with a sparkle in his eyes.\u00a0 He would rub his tummy and say, \u201cNo mamma, no papa\u201d, and beg for money.\u00a0 Only to be caught up short in a later conversation when J-R asked where his mother was and he replied, \u201cAt home\u201d.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think he saw it as lying, only as part of his job!<\/p>\n The sadness as one is greeted in Bangalore by a young boy of about twelve who is totally blind.\u00a0 The uncanny gentleness of his touch as he passes by, finding his way.\u00a0 The word spread from the taxi drivers that this little boy really needed the help.\u00a0 The tears that spring to my eyes when I \u00a0see the sweet joy on his face as I secretly press some coins in his hand.\u00a0 Secretly, because we might be overwhelmed by other young beggars who are better able to fend for themselves.\u00a0 A shadow in my heart as I see him walk away into the dark by himself, up a lonely road, without even a stick to guide him.\u00a0 A \u201cGod bless you\u201d and \u201cI\u2019m sending the Light to you for your Highest Good, wherever you are, whatever you are doing.\u201d<\/p>\n We slept on the floor of a porch.\u00a0 Awakening in the Ashram was a beautiful experience.\u00a0 Hearing the runners in one\u2019s sleep, chanting in counterpoint to other runners in the commune.\u00a0 Drifting back to sleep until sun up when one went noiselessly to be blessed by Baba as the sun rose and he stood silently on the balcony.\u00a0 A multitude of people, but one could have heard a pin drop.\u00a0 A beautiful way to begin the day.<\/p>\n Previous to that, I went to a store that specialized in sari fabric.\u00a0 It was so colorful.\u00a0 I would point to one and the man flung it out in a sweeping gesture until there were fabrics on fabrics.\u00a0 A beautiful display, it was a rainbow of exotic hues.\u00a0 I chose one and then they measured me for the little top that is worn with it.\u00a0 Coming back in two hours to pick it up; sewn by a little Indian man sitting cross legged on the floor with his sewing machine.\u00a0 Wearing a sari for the first time, giving a questioning look to an Indian woman at her door at the Ashram.\u00a0 \u00a0Gesturing, how the heck do I put this thing on?\u00a0 A gracious smile and kindly hands winding, patting, and pulling in mysterious ways and finally a finished product.\u00a0 Feeling somewhat self-conscious when appearing before the others and hearing a gracious comment from the ever perceptive John-Roger, saying something like, \u201cYou really look very natural in that sari.\u201d\u00a0 Feeling very grateful for his perceptiveness.<\/p>\n Watching J-R, knowing his spirituality, but being constantly astounded on how beautifully he handles and moves around in the physical.\u00a0 Boy, can he ever handle his 10% !!!!<\/p>\n The encounter between J-R and Baba\u2014feeling that much went on that I didn\u2019t know about\u2014perhaps may never know about\u2014but was curious to know about!<\/p>\n Baba was small, giving the appearance of being larger, graceful, gentle and impish.\u00a0 The most surprising thing to me was his sense of humor, and that I could respond to.\u00a0 The astounding moment when Baba manifested rings, necklaces, pendants, statues, candy and sacred ash.\u00a0 Seeing it, mostly believing it, and being equally astounded that my own innermost response is one of \u201cThat\u2019s really interesting, but it doesn\u2019t really matter, I like him anyway as a person.\u201d\u00a0 Which is pretty nonchalant at best!<\/p>\n Sitting on the steps of our quarters and having, what were to me, informal seminars by J-R.\u00a0 No words to express that one.<\/p>\n