Careless Abandonment at Dalai Lama's Temple

Frozen train carts led us to Dharamshala so we hitched onwards to Dalai Lama’s temple at Mcleod Ganj. The palatable energy on the grounds immediately possessed us, til I found myself spontaneously crying when my eyes reached Buddha’s. I looked over, Shiv was crying too. And another man and elderly woman. All crying- indescribable intensity. Something washed over us, unfolding all our wrongdoings leaving only clarity and peace to enter. I didn’t know if I wanted to laugh or cry, trembling.

And by the madness of surrender we couldn’t leave the temple. We sat in the cold garden and I began to dance, Shivendra hummed a tune. Finally we broke in ecstatic dance and laughter. We were alone with our joy, pouring it into hysterical movement. People watched us, first with curiosity, until they too joined us, dancing to the songs we were creating. Affected by our infectious elation.

Then as if willed by our happiness, the clouds shifted and the Himalayas entered in sight, cast gold by a falling sun. We departed the temple as if in an illusion, as though the grey clouds that hung over our spirits during a sleepless night had moved beneath our feet. Steadying us down the mountain in gentle, rhythmic steps. We slept in an ashram that night, preparing for our trek the next day. Chasing the mountains, surrendering ourselves to the glory of adventure.