My
day unfolds in a satisfying way for me. I am awoken by some force just in time
to go to the marketplace . The dark sky at 4:30 feels safe and gives a sense of
morning and not evening. The road is still quiet except for a few others
walking to the market and some trucks now and then. I like the market at this
hour…not too full of people, but full of fresh produce and fish and flowers.
Shopping in the dark gives it a special feeling, as if hidden, in another
world. After returning home and putting the purchases away it is just before
the first light of dawn and the short walk through the forest to the sea is like a passageway to the new day. All of
the roosters, dogs, cows pigs and birds are singing out announcing the new day
in joyful harmony.The shore is empty of people and perfect in its' natural
state. There I sit and enjoy the colors
of the clouds, the sea, the rising sun and the fishing boats coming or going.
Each morning the shore offers me different choices of seating arrangements; sometimes on the sand, or on a
big rock or on the leaves, or a tree trunk…depending on the tide from the night
before. After meditating and doing qigong with the strong and full energy of
this place I am ready to return home and start the day in the house. I have had
4-5 hours of my quiet time alone. I put the rice up to cook and sweep the house
and take a shower. I cut a small part of banana leaf in order to prepare the 18
rice offerings that I will place around the surroundings in gratitude and
recognition of the nourishment we receive each day in order to come closer to
serving god.
Making
the rounds throughout the house and on the grounds gives the alone time I need
for giving attention and intention to each area that nourishes us; in the
kitchen the fire, water, rice. In the bedrooms; a good nights sleep. In the
clinic; the nourishment received by being a channel for healing others and
supporting the family. In the living room the nourishment of our togetherness.
Outside; the nourishment from the symbolic altar and the connection with a
loving higher power.
Sitting
down with fresh papaya from the neighbors' tree afterwards is a satisfying and
pleasurable breakfast. Then whatever I have for the day; into the village to
arrange or buy something, or help out with broom making, or preparing offering
items…a time of handicrafts and creativity and peace.
By now I am ready to prepare a hot meal of
rice, tofu, and some vegetables along with nice spicy sambal. The food is
delicious. I love it. The chili peppers, eggs, coconut oil, coconut, and some
of the spices, comes straight from the garden. It takes a few minutes to stir
fry or steam the food and then I sit out on the porch eating with my fingers
the food in my bowl as I look out at the flowering trees, grass, and fruit
trees that surround the house.
By now the kids are around and it is time to
play, laugh, have some fun either making mandalas on the floor on the porch, or
playing with plastilina, or any other creative endeavors that arise. Their
happiness and original ideas always surprise me. It is a pleasure to spend time
with them. Slowly I am filling in the space of their mother who no longer lives
with them. It is nothing I would be able to replace but in spite of limited
verbal communication, our mutual love for each other nourishes all of us. It is
a joy to spend time hoola hooping by the sea, walking through the forest,
making snacks, collecting glass shards and shells, or whatever. Sometimes we
even prepare the offerings together with them collecting the flowers from the
garden and helping make the little banana leaf cups that are then filled with
the flowers. I love watching how they
mimic their mother and father, as they have witnessed them doing these actions
for years.
And
then it is again time to sweep the house, take a shower (which is actually just
pouring cold water from a big plastic cup onto me in the tiled bathroom. So
refreshing and simple. Then again making the rounds of the offerings to give
thanks for a day lived in peace,, health and harmony.
Amen.
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