Mindfulness in a Group

Yesterday, from 11 AM to 4 PM, I took the time to be mindful with the group of people - called the Sangha - following Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings.
We met at a beautiful place called Anandgram, which is a retreat for artists and writers - a place to contemplate and create. I have been there several times over the last 15 years, for lunches, meetings and retreats. Under a beautiful tree, straw mats were spread on the ground, on which were placed cushions to soothe the sitting. Shantanum, who led the day's mindfulness, spoke about people's pre-occupations and anguish over the Mumbai attacks and how we can heal. We read from Thay's (as Thich Nhat Hanh is fondly called) teachings and meditated - the basis of which is breathing in and out..
This was followed by a walking meditation through the very well envisioned and l planted space, stopping to admire the trees, and ended up at the patch where we would be planting seeds - herbs, flowers and vegetables. We all planted them; I chose the Indian mustard seeds, which would bloom in the spring. Children also participated in the planting. This, many said later, gave them the feeling that they were doing something to rejuvenate themselves and planting hope for the future.
It was time for lunch. There was a long table laid out with food that we all - about 50 of us - had brought. I took mixed vegetables - broad green beans, carrots and potatoes - and parathas (bread Indian style), oranges and apples. There was plenty for everyone, and O.P. Jain, who created Anandgram, contributed rice and guava juice. We ate in silence, sitting on the ground in a circle. For those who have a hard time being on the ground, chairs are always provided.
After lunch we did some sharing and almost everyone talked about how they dealt with the Mumbai attacks and what peace being part of the Sangha brought to them. Before we left, we walked over to the trees that had been planted by a Sanga group three years ago and to a tree planted by Thay, six weeks ago. We offered marigolds.
As people began to leave, some of us chatted by the organic stall that one of the Sangha members helped organise - he is a naturalist and part of an organic movement. He had organised the organic seeds. I bought some apricot face scrub, apricot kernel oil, ramadana (amaranthus) and red chilies. Some of the things I wanted to get were already gone. Next time.
It was such a beautiful way to spend a Saturday -which is usually spent in shopping, driving around crazily etc. For me, its my Clinic day. As we were getting ready to disperse Shantanum asked if this was a good time to meet. Several people suggested later in the day may be better. Others said it would be getting dark as winter was setting in. The truth is, as I said later (and I thought this), there is no good time for everyone. One has to make the time. Sometimes it is not possible, but if we want to, we can do it. It's up to us.
The next gathering as a large group is next month. I look forward to it. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Nature Bazaar, Revisited

I went back to the Nature Bazaar (see previous posting) with my friend Krish yesterday. It was a very balmy day - which means slight sun, slight haze and thus, inclination towards slight movement!

Our friend Krish, arrived on Saturday and yesterday we set out at about 2.30 PM after a cup of home made vegetable (delicious) soup and toast. We made a stop at the petrol pump to get a punctured tyre fixed. Krish made a purchase of cashews at the In and Out convenience store and I added a chocolate bar to it. We found parking at the back entrance of Dilli Haat and went into the Bazaar. The tickets are Rs. 15 for adults (less than US 50 cents) and we had to get our bags checked.

Being Sunday, it was very crowded. It was often hard to get to the stalls because of the people. I saw that my missing soap stalls had returned. And, Krish came excitedly talking about poo paper. What is that? Its paper made from the poo of elephants and camels, in this case. I said we must see it on the way back. We proceeded to the recycled paper stall - bags - computer and carrying bags - so lovely. As you can guess, I wanted them ALL!!

We saw a stall with animals, homes, trees, all made from coconut husk and string. I wanted all this too. We walked to to where I had seen the Bangladesh stall with the fine kantha work. This is like quilting - on silk, wool and cotton - and they offered scarves, shawls, bed covers and more shawls. Trish got into a conversation (as she lives in Bangladesh) with the organisers. Yesterday there was a man with lots of facial hair (turned out he was the Indian consultant to the project) and a German woman (who I had spoken with the other say). We exchanged business cards and promised to stay in touch, as she was moving to Delhi.

Krish wanted to buy some Delhi blue pottery (actually made in Jaipur) and we did that, stopping on the way, admiring various stalls, watching people and enjoying ourselves. I met several people I knew and we stopped to chat. The sun - whatever there was of it - was going down and we decided it was time for tea. Before that I bought a lovely piece of cotton made in Andhra Pradesh, a state in the middle of the country. I wanted to get more but I decided to order it on the web. So, I picked up the picked up the brochure to check them out, later when summer comes around.

We decided to stop for tea and momos - a Chinese delicacy a bit like dim sum, chicken, vegetable or mutton wrapped in a flour roll and steamed. It's served with a hot sauce and a bone broth. We each had a plate (8 momos to a plate) and hot tea. Delicious! Slowly, we wound our way to the back entrance, stopping to buy bars of handmade soap, some poo paper products (I got a notebook with the Delhi metro map) and a small 2009 calendar.

The photos I am sharing are mostly of things I liked - textiles. My friend Krish is in some of the picture and I think you will see that. The last three pictures are of the Bangladeshi stall and work I wrote about in a previous post and here. The red shawl is made int he Northeast of India, very close to the Chinese border, as are the bead necklaces that Krish is examining.

It was such a lovely afternoon, said Krish and as we drove off to see a movie with another friend. We both liked many of the same things and it was good that we were able to share the joy of these beautiful hand made products, among other things.

I hope you enjoy the pictures too.