A journey to peace

I had been lucky enough recently to set foot in mount Abu, a home to Raja yoga and the Brahma Kumaris. It was the kind of experience that makes all the effort worthwhile. It was the kind of experience that leaves you speechless and overflowing with love, peaceful and content, strong and stable. Fittingly, the retreat was called "Inner Peace, Inner Power".

As I walk into the pleasantly mild morning breeze I am surprised at how much at home I feel. It feels familiar, safe, welcoming like a mother's embrace. I am greeted by two lovely Brahma Kumaris with a pure twinkle in their eyes, the kind you only find in the eyes of those dedicated to the spiritual path, determined to walk as far as they could during this lifetime yet calm and perfectly content in the spot their feet are planted now. I now know I had been invited, I now know I had no choice but to go, mount Abu called, and my soul willingly answered.

In my days in mount Abu, it felt like my eyes had been swapped with someone else's. I began to see beauty wherever I turned: In the eyes of the Brahma Kumari who handed me a dark pink rose to welcome me. In the softness of the hair of an old person that seemed magically genderless. In the colors of the Saris of the women  who cleaned our rooms. In the thoughtfulness of preparation for our arrival. In the echoing sound of the flute as we stood silently in the valley hugged by the cold morning breeze on our silent mornings. In the ability to feel a deep connection, love, gratitude, friendship and compassion to a complete stranger. In the enthusiasm in the eyes of the yogis who cooked our meals every morning. In the energy of the children traveling miles to entertain us. In the innocence of the village children as they reached out for their biscuits. In the magic of meeting a Dadi. In the ability to feel the closeness of God, and the ease of calling Him Baba. In the feeling of feeling the same and different, myself but transformed.

Meeting beautiful souls, being surrounded by pure love, finding perfectly aligned signs wherever I turned can be too much. Gratitude can be overwhelming: it can fill you with humility, love and lightness you're not used to having rushing through your soul. You feel little and great at the same time, powerful yet tender.

If you would like to visit Mount Abu or to begin your Raja yoga meditations, visit the Bahrain Meditation Center which offers free Every evening from 7.00pm - 7:30pm For more details contact: 17-712 545

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