After visiting the Taj Mahal, Rhonda and I shared a car as far as the outskirts of Delhi, where she and the driver dropped me off at the YSS Noida Ashram before they continued on to Rishikesh. What wonderful fun and adventure traveling with Rhonda, even for such a short time. She gave her attention to every small detail and opened her heart to the people and places we visited. Thank you, Rhonda, for blessing me with your presence these last few days! What a gift to have this time with you.

My reception at Noida set the tone for my entire stay. I was greeted with the warmth of a family member arriving home, and even though lunch had finished, a kind gentleman led me into the dining hall and managed to get me a few cups of soup with toast. I settled into my room, made some tea and turned in early, for I wanted to be well-rested for Paramahansa Yogananda’s birthday celebration (Janmotsav) tomorrow. How fortunate to be here at this most sacred time — the same day he was born as Mukundu Lal Ghosh in 1893 in Gorakhpur.

The morning started as it does each day, with energization exercises, meditation, and a fine breakfast together. Many of the local devotees started arriving with families in the late morning, and at noon we began to serve food to the poor outside the ashram gates. This event drew a lot of people from around Noida, and I made many new acquaintances as we took turns serving those in need.

Afterwards, I strolled back onto the grounds and was soon approached by a young woman named Ishaaa. She was a university student and shared about how competitive it is to get into certain university programs where they offer only a few vacancies for the multitudes that apply. Soon a host of other people started gathering around us and chatting. So many warm, beautiful people. Guruji must be smiling, I thought, as he brought us all together in the endlessly expanding sphere of his loving heart.

I then met what must be a brother from another life, a long-term devotee from Bihar who shares the same name as Guruji! Mukund and I quickly became close as we shared meals together in silence and then walked circles around the grounds talking and laughing. Although communication was difficult at times, we managed to understand each other well and made plans to meet in February. He graciously invited me to his home where he would show me all the local temples and host me at his house.

“I am your personal guide!” he cried, and we both burst out laughing.

We also planned taking a train from his hometown to the holy town of Gaya, a significant place for both Hindus and Buddhists, for this is where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. Gaya is considered the city of Vishnu and Lord Rama and is called a “land of salvation.” Two days earlier when looking at the map and trying to plan a stop between Ranchi and Varanasi, my eyes fell upon this town, and I thought that I would stop here. Little did I know! This dance with the Infinite grows more and more joyous with each new step I learn, spinning freely in the infinite joy of letting go and opening my heart. Guruji travels with me and continues to expand my spiritual family.

Indeed, last night it came to me as I stared at Master’s photo before meditation, in the apartment of two new family members I will tell you about in my next blog entry. I came here thinking that this trip was mostly about me and deepening my attunement with Guruji. I am learning that attunement with Master means unity with the whole living universe, and that our spiritual family is everywhere if we open ourselves to the unknown, and if we embrace the gifts given to us in each new day, in every breath we take, to have gratitude for being able to take part in this great Cosmic Dance.

I am learning more and more as the teachings tell us: God is the doer. I am but a vehicle for the expression of his divine and universal love. What a joy to let go and play my part! Enjoy life! Spread love! That is how we will transform this world and prepare for the next to come.