Tag Archives: spirituality

My grandmother’s wallpaper as embedded wisdom code

Posted on March 6, 2022 by subincontinentia

Did you plant a secret wisdom code in your childhood and set it to sprout at a crucial moment years later? Continue reading →

Posted in epoche | Tagged Nisargadatta, philosophy, spirituality, witness | Leave a comment

The shedding

Posted on October 29, 2021 by subincontinentia

I sat alone with this giant heap of past, a groaning gunny bag,I sat alone, unpacked it piece by fragile piece, with bomb disposal careThe childhood fears, the faces, feelings all, the leaps to trust, to pain, to shy awayFaded … Continue reading →

Posted in epoche | Tagged death, ego death, poetry, spirituality | 4 Comments

Prophet on the 259

Posted on May 10, 2019 by subincontinentia

When he got on the bus, his stench was enough For all eyes to fall footward and arms to fold inward Sainsbury’s bags stacked between rows of cold knees planning evenings as tables for tea and TV. “We’re all sleeping!” he … Continue reading →

Posted in epoche | Tagged homeless, London, North London, poetry, spirituality | 3 Comments

The end of the inner selfie

Posted on December 15, 2015 by subincontinentia

We have come to regard the universe as little more than our personal Paparazzi, with lenses zooming in and out in relation to our activities on the World Stage. Every ‘click’ is another reassurance that we are somehow solid, permanent and important. It is our misery that deserves the most attention. It is our happiness that is the most desirable. But how is this possible on a planet of almost seven billion people? Continue reading →

Posted in epoche | Tagged advaita, auto rickshaw, Buddhism, celebrity, constellations, desert, Desert Fathers, extras, India, Jaisalmer, Jesus, Jodhpur, journal, Milky Way, non-duality, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Paparazzi, philosophy, Qawwali, Raj, Rajasthan, self-inquiry, selfie, solo female traveler, spirituality, Swami Atmananda, Thar desert, travel, travel writing | 1 Comment

Journey of a neopilgrim – Kedarnath (part 3 of 4)

Posted on October 4, 2015 by subincontinentia

‘Anything you are attached to, give that. Go to the places that scare you.’ Machik Lapdrön In the high plateau under the gaze of snow-capped mountains Puttiah ambles away in the direction of the temple. I wonder where he plans … Continue reading →

Posted in epoche, Rose Apple Island | Tagged female traveler, floods, Himalayas, Hindu, Hinduism, India, journal, June 2013, Kedarnath, natural disaster, pilgrim, pilgrimage, Shiva, solo traveler, spirituality, Tandava, temple, travel, trek, trekking, Uttarakhand, yatra, yatri | Leave a comment

Journey of a neopilgrim— Kedarnath (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on September 22, 2015 by subincontinentia

September 10th, 2015 ‘Pilgrims recognize one another by a capacity for wonder, and a gut-level discomfort with bigotry.‘ From Pilgrim’s India The sun has not yet risen but my mood is already quickening. I dress fast, having prepared my pack … Continue reading →

Posted in epoche, Moving on...., Rose Apple Island | Tagged Chota Char Dham, floods, Himalayas, India, June 2013, Kedarnath, landslides, mountains, natural disaster, pilgrim, pilgrimage, solo female traveler, spirituality, temple, travel, travel writing, trekking, Uttarakhand, yatra | Leave a comment

Journey of a neopilgrim – Kedarnath (part 1 of 3)

Posted on September 14, 2015 by subincontinentia

‘There is no happiness for him who does not travel, Rohita! Thus we have heard, Living in the society of men, the best man becomes a sinner….Therefore, wander!’ Indra (Protector of Travelers) to a young man named Rohita September 9, … Continue reading →

Posted in epoche, Moving on...., Rose Apple Island | Tagged altitude, Badrinath, Bhotiya, Chota Char Dham, femal traveler, floods, Ganesh, Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganges, Gangotri, Garhwal, Garhwali, Gaurikund, Himalayas, Hinduism, India, June 2013, Kedarnath, landslides, natural disaster, Parvarti, pilgrim, pilgrimage, Rishikesh, Rudraprayag, Sanskrit, Shiva, Shravan, solo traveler, Sonprayag, spiritual, spirituality, temple, travel, travel writing, trek, trekking, Uttarakhand, Yamunotri, yatra, yatri | Leave a comment

Radical friendship and the end of the guru

Posted on August 29, 2015 by subincontinentia

Again I catch a glimpse of a recalibration of the politics of the knower, the known and the as yet unknower/unknown. I see Liberation Camaraderies replacing Mystical Theocracies. Continue reading →

Posted in epoche, Rose Apple Island | Tagged adventure, Bodhgaya, Buddhism, disciple, enlightenment, friendship, Ganges, guru, India, Kumare, Laxman Jhula, liberation, Mahabodhi, Rishikesh, saddhu, solo female traveler, solo traveler, spirituality, Tibetan Buddhism, travel, travel writing, Upaddha Sutta, Vikram Gandhi | 6 Comments

Hitchhiker’s guide to duality

Posted on August 19, 2015 by subincontinentia

Surely, the man wasn’t going to tear Prem’s arm out of his socket while he was driving! Even cannibals must have some code of honour, even if they are short on table manners. Continue reading →

Posted in epoche, Moving on...., Rose Apple Island | Tagged adventure, aghori, Buddha, bull elephants, cannibalism, crush car, dangerous, Dehradun, elephant, forest, India, monsoon, Rajaji National Park, Rishikesh, Rishikesh-Dehradun highway, River Ganges, saddhu, Sal tree, solo female traveler, spirituality, taxi, travel, travel writing, tuskers, Uttarakhand | Leave a comment

Rakesh and the seventh stone

Posted on December 29, 2012 by subincontinentia

‘In the arms of Mother Ganga, To sleep the sleep of the stainless once more.’ Rakesh grew weary of fishing for customers, his line coming up empty each time. It was getting dark now, and the lights along the ghats … Continue reading →

Posted in Kashi, Moving on.... | Tagged adventure, Asia, cobra, fable, fairytale, fiction, Ganges, India, kashi, magical realism, myth, short story, spirituality, story, travel, Varanasi | 4 Comments