February 5, 2008

Yes, we are alive and well, and still in India!

We've been unable to send lengthy letters for several months, due to lousy internet connections wherever we went.

We are currently in South India, on a beach near the town of Gokarna on the coast of Karnataka state. Since we last wrote, we have been to Jageshwar and Nainital, and spent 6 weeks in Brindavan in the north. Then we spent 6 weeks in the southern state of Kerala at Anandashram.

Our time at Anandashram was so profound and deeply personal that I can't imagine trying to describe it. So that will be left for later.

We came here to Gokarna's Kudli Beach with the intention of staying a few weeks, then going to a couple of other places before ending our journey at Tiruvanamalai and the ashram of Ramana Maharshi. But on arriving in Gokarna, Shivaya and I both felt we wanted to stay here until going home. We've now been here about 3 weeks, and have 3 more weeks left of our 6 months before going back to the U.S. This has been the perfect environment for reflecting on our India journey, contemplating the blessings and teachings that have been given to us through these experiences.

A wonderful surprise was receiving a visit from my son, Jacob, after we had been here a few days. He had been with us for a couple of weeks while we were in Kerala, then headed north to Benares. After some time there, he decided to come back to the south briefly before going home, to join a friend who had also come to Gokarna.

We are living now in a charming little round cottage with a bedroom, bathroom, and porch, situated in a colorful jungle garden about a hundred yards from the beach. The ocean is shallow and warm, with gentle waves--perfect for just floating in the water and rolling with the current. The beach is about a half mile long and made of very fine, golden sand with occasional streaks of black sand from the abundant volcanic rock. There are about 15 very simple cafes, and about as many guest houses along the beach, which cater to the small international tourist scene. It is a very mellow, humble place, very conducive to meditation and reflection.

I'll try to write at least once more before we leave Gokarna. In the meantime, here is a short letter I wrote from Anandashram on New Year's Eve, but was unabe to send. Tomorrow I will send the letters I wrote describing our time in Jageshwar and Brindavan, but was also unable to send.

Our time in India has been magical and transformative, and we hope this is reflected in our lives on our return to America. We are beaming this magic to you from the depth of our hearts, with all our love.

Pranams,

Uma and Shivaya