Dharamsala | GRRRL TRAVELER

Love Letter #13: Silence

Filed under Dharamsala, Love Letter Postcards by Christine Ka'aloa on July 7, 2011 at 4:08 am {4 comments}

McLeodganj, Dharamsala, India

Dear Love,

Words and thoughts often get in the way of us achieving our greatest potential for awakening.

My destiny is out there! Occasionally when I travel, I dance upon a wave of a feeling that takes me to where I should be next. The feeling is subtle, light, playful. But just before that feeling rests within me, outside thoughts enter in, pushing me to define the why’s and to exact outlines towards my goals.

In that instant, I’ve been thieved of my own greatness.

Life should be simpler.

What do I want to do next?

If there are no words, no thoughts but only feelings and impressions, I know my truth. Silence is hardly silent; it’s loud enough for the heart to hear its own buzz-call to ignite action. Then each day, each person, vision or place, holds a transformative power for me; and I realize:

Everything has led up to this moment for me to just Be.

Om Shanti,

GRRRL

Love Letter #12: Passion & Voice for Tibetans in Dharamsala

Filed under Dharamsala, Love Letter Postcards by Christine Ka'aloa on June 8, 2011 at 9:54 pm {2 comments}

Temple Road, Dharamsala, India

Dear Love,

Something is burning. Is there a fire?

In McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, I witness the passion and suffering of Tibet, as its monks and people suffer and protest daily for its freedom. Another monk falls to self-immolation. The community mourns. Who will hear their cries beyond the walls of Dharamsala? Tourists? Fellow Tibetans?…

It’s the quintessential paradox:

If a tree falls in the woods but no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

What is a voice crying for help, if it cannot make its way beyond the thick forest? A passion can be fiery, but that’s not always enough. Its voice must be able to spread like wildfire to have a bigger effect. It must spark beyond the home, beyond its small community. It must reach the ears and touch hearts of others, to gain the notice of the larger world outside–

Free Tibet!

Sometimes, it just needs the help and push of good media coverage. Will someone please, get out there to rescue it?

Burning,

GRRRL

When Tibetan monks get downright passionate!

Filed under Dharamsala, Interesting People by Christine Ka'aloa on May 26, 2011 at 1:39 pm {5 comments}

We all have this idea that Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns have very stoic , temperate and reserved personalities. Afterall, walking Buddha’s Middle Path (of compassion), doesn’t exactly lend itself to the appearance of being excitable, emotional or argumentative. Yet, monks have their moments and in their monk clan, they reveal themselves to be absolutely human when it comes to “the art of debate”!

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I’m visiting who… the Karmapa?

Filed under Dharamsala, Interesting People by Christine Ka'aloa on May 23, 2011 at 12:55 pm {6 comments}

Picture of the Karmapa as a boy. (Dharamsala, India)

Who are we seeing? I asked

The Karmapa.

My party of yogi friends chimed in.

Who?

The name didn’t stir recognition for me.

His gaze was intense for such a young-looking face.

Piercing. Penetrating, as if he could see right into you…

Standing in the long queue, I could feel the excitement around me. He was just in the next room, visible through the open door.

The foreign traveler in front of me was so in awe and smitten that she bowed her way all the way while backing out the door!

A little excessive, I thought. After all, he wasn’t Buddha! Still, a part of me wondered if I should follow suit. How does one address or approach a Karmapa Lama? Bow profusely, prostrate myself, fold my hands in simple Namaste prayer ? I had no (more…)

Getting Sick in India

Filed under Dharamsala, I Survived! by Christine Ka'aloa on May 17, 2011 at 8:18 pm {12 comments}

“Amoebic Dysentry“.

Sitting in Dr. Marwah’s office, a stone’s throw from the Dalai Lama’s estate I stared at the picture he drew before me This was my diagnosis. I had a parasite in me– no wonder I’d been feeling like I was eating for two people!

I was told to take my Cipro, along with a six-day supply of Metrogyn (aka Flagyn) and given a food list of No-No’s: NO milk, NO chocolate, NO fried or oily foods, NO butter or cream. (more…)

Do Bollywood Stars Haggle in India?

Filed under Dharamsala, Glam Around the World by Christine Ka'aloa on April 9, 2011 at 8:27 am {6 comments}

The vibe in the Indo-Himalayan air of Dharamsala was electric.

Walking back from the Dalai Lama’s temple, a large crowd was gathered around a local shop. Cellphone cameras were out clicking, digital cameras flashing… people were jumping up up to tip-toes to get a better view.

Could it be… the Dalai Lama?

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Yoga TTC & Volunteering: Dharamsala with a purpose

Filed under Dharamsala, India by Christine Ka'aloa on April 7, 2011 at 2:49 am {13 comments}

Finally, rooted to a month of purpose!

I’ve been in Dharamsala for the past week, hiking, learning to cook Tibetan food, meeting people, exploring the Dalai Lama’s temple and my surroundings; but today, I got to drop my bags!

I have my own “apartment”. I like to call it that.

For the next month of my Yoga Teacher Training Certification program, I’ll have a room with a mini kitchen, a spacious bedroom with a TV and dressers, a lounge area and an outdoor balcony. It’s quite a swank pad!
Best of all, I finally get to root down!