Serendipity

Early morning cooking. A fist full of lentils, some okra, some jasmine rice, some onions and garlic. A little sauteing action. Still enchanted with the subtle spiced flavor of Ethiopian Nit'ir Qibe, I twirl out my jar of magic butter, pirouette over to the stove and somehow choreograph a most unconventional breakfast. And knock knock, my friend drops by unexpectedly. Probably smelled the food. That happens. And on this particular lazy Saturday, we eat our buttered lentils, jasmine rice with scallions, okra in a light tomato sauce and lemony and sweet red cabbage while watching a DVD called Maha Sadhana, or 'Great Practice'. Sri Dharma Mittra presents jewels of yoga wisdom. It is a discourse of sharing his more than 50 years of practicing yoga and a life in service of self realization. 'He looks alot like Ricardo Montelban,' I think, but then I am struck by his radiating love. I am totally absorbed in his discussion of yoga philosophy and practice, and am amazed by his pretzel poses.

Later, a spur of the moment trip to Omega Institute. We duck into the bookstore just in time to avoid the torrential rain. After the cooling off storm, we explore the winding paths all shimmer and glitter. Dark evergreen trees, heavy and soft drop delicate crystals along the way. The spider's webs, crocheted fantasies illuminated by the rays of the late afternoon sunlight. A rainbow in a grassy clearing. The people stop and admire. The flowers greet us with with their sweet scents and cheery faces. The crisp crunch of the wood chips below foot. Art in nature. Surely the fairies must be hard at play here. I am fully expecting to meet up with them. Miniature masterpieces tucked here and there. On a tree stump in the cool shade a tuft of moss, a ringlet of small stones and a clover flower erect in the teeniest vase. Each stone step opens and closes into a new experience and vista as we make our way up through the forest to a wooden sanctuary poised on a hilltop. Little zen stone pilings are perched on a wall of a pond. These sacred artistic expressions compelled me to create a small sculpture as well. We rest on a wooden bench listening to the sound of trickling water. Bright orange koi swimming happily. 'Am I Alice? Is this Wonderland?' I ask as I notice the colors and sounds of all of nature intensifying around me.

I see the walking meditators, the spiritual journey men and women, the yogis and yoginis. Oh yes, there is Rodney Yee, Seane Corn, and Gurmugh, three of the yogis that I recognize from my DVDs at home.

I feel as if I've found the key to some lost kingdom. I remember what I have been longing for. The beauty and peace of art and nature.

Hungry again. The cafeteria has some decent, wholesome veg food including salad fixings, veggies and pasta dishes, even gluten free pasta. As I pour myself some cool water at the beverage station I feel a loving presence to my right. I look up to notice it is none other than Sri Darma Mittra, The yogi from the DVD this morning!

A day like this cannot be planned but divinely ordered. Serendipity!