On Thursday, I was asked what I would like to learn in the future. That was an interesting question. At first, what came to mind were skills I already have, but haven’t done for years, e.g. knitting, crocheting, and quilting. And I’m a beginning gardener so I definitely have much to learn in that arena! While those answers would have been true, they didn’t seem like the one I was looking for.
During the last three days, I was at Amma’s Pacific Northwest programs. I reflected on the question from time to time throughout the experience. At one point I thought about how much I love the sound of drums. Many years ago I tried learning how to play the tabla and later the conga drum. With my timing issues, I didn’t get far with either endeavor.
When I went to lunch on the second day of Amma’s programs, I saw my friend Rajeshwari in the dining hall. She was conversing with a friend of hers and I joined them. They were talking about a recent trip to Africa. I knew Rajeshwari was from South Africa, and I have thought about visiting her there many times.
For as long as I can remember, I have felt drawn to go to Africa. While I have numerous places I consider Home, I have long sensed that Africa would seem like HOME! So often it is the African drums and dance that hit core places in me.
I have to admit I have fear of the level of grief I might experience if I open up that place inside of me. As I was thinking about that, the question, “What would I still like to learn?” came into my mind. Maybe taking a trip to South Africa will be part of that answer.
I started paying more attention to Rajeshwari and her friend’s conversation once I heard them talking about bees and other environmental topics. It turns out that Rajeshwari’s friend was Linda Weech, a woman who started an organization called The Children’s International Peace Project. She is doing incredible things in the world. I became very intrigued. The trip she and Rajeshwari had taken was to projects she was working on in the Congo.
When I came home from Amma’s programs, I googled Linda Weech and found a website and a video. I hope you are as touched by the video as I am.
What would I still like to learn? I know I will go where Spirit says go, and there I will learn what I need to learn. Perhaps I have just received some clues as to where that might be.
Written for Dungeon Prompts: I’d Still Like to Learn…
I love the drums as well, Karuna. My supervisor is taking classes and I was actually looking for times that worked in my schedule. that would be wonderful if you could visit friends in South Africa, Karuna!!
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I’m so glad the post made some sense to you. I accidentally pressed publish instead of preview. It was not finished and completely unedited! I imagine you have probably had that experience as well. It isn’t pleasant! Certainly is a way to get the motivation to finish a post fast though. I hope most people read the finished version rather than the unedited one……..
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I think you are a bit too hard on yourself, Karuna:) Whatever you write is from the heart. I was just talking to a new counsellor from BC…says it is a 2 hr drive to Seattle…hmmm, I am getting tempted to plan an escape some day.
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I think you would like it so much more in the northwest and there are Amma groups in Victoria and Vancouver. The person I mentioned in this post lives in Vancouver, even though she was born in South Africa.
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It seems that drumming is such a wonderful way of losing oneself whilst remaining absorbed attentively; a healthy way to free the mind from its habituations whilst exercising the body too.
H ❤
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I agree with you! I miss the days when I used to go to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco to listen to the drumming. Maybe sometime this summer I will go to Seattle Center on a nice day. People gather there to drum as well. I haven’t done that for years.
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Karibu Kenya (Welcome to Kenya!) I had gone for one boarding school inauguration in Nairobi which was a project by Amma foundation. I was invite by a devotee and went for the opening ceremony.
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I remember when that happened! I’m glad you were there. I’ve seen a video of the students and school.
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Oh you knew about it? Wow. I just tagged along with my daughters to show them how underprivileged children are being helped. Such a great initiative. And it turned out to be an adventure for us 🙂
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Amma comes to Kenya periodically. Maybe some day you will meet her! And maybe someday I will be there too. 🙂
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🙂
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I have never seen an African Dance or heard the beating of African drums that didn’t prompt me to want get up and move. Ah, but sadly the knees said, no. Your wishes all sound reasonable to me; and, I know you will fulfill them.
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I know what you mean about the drums prompting you to get up and move; I’m the same. Nice things about drums though is that it is also possible to go into a quiet meditational state when they play. I just need to make the space and time for that to happen.
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totally related to this piece. Enjoyed the comments as well!
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I’ve enjoyed the comments too. What about the post did you relate most to?
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