Heading towards sacred land
Feet touching the ground
Dirt between my toes
Tentatively taking steps
To places unknown
Temples buzzing with activity
Crowded with sincere devotees
Relaying nakshatras to priests
Placing sacred ash on foreheads
Going from one shrine to the next
Giving and receiving offerings
Flowers, milk and coconuts
Lighting diyas for blessings
Passing beggars as we go
Animals crossing paths
Mind spinning in the chaos
It slowly dawned on me
There is order to this chaos
Rituals internalise becoming familiar
A richness to the chanting of prayers
Bewilderment turning into wonder
I was floating along in rapture
Time stood still connecting to:
The soul of the land
Soul of the culture
Soul of the temples
Soul of the deities
Surrendering myself totally
Faith rising from deep within
Unfaltering devotion growing
Mythology is still alive here
Heavenly beings and stories
In every word, look, action
Breathing and pulsating
Within the faithful devotees
The land vibrating with them
White and red ash adorn foreheads
Honouring the masculine and feminine
Reflecting the power their union holds
Shiva and Shakti in a cosmic embrace
Goddesses, the strong will and force
Behind the divine action of the gods
Each planetary temple leaving a sacred imprint
Mars awakening fire and spirit of the warrior
Mercury quietening thoughts for higher intelligence
Bathing Rahu, a magical and trancelike experience
Emotions stirring in the humble domain of the Moon
Inner joy and radiant bliss shining like the Sun
Spiritual devotion expanding in the vicinity of Jupiter
Virtuous Saturn, provoking a faceoff with patriarchy
Entering the womb of Venus, breathing in her love
Ancestors chanting along in Ketu cleansing karmas
A celestial soul journey, pathway to liberation
Each temple spoke to my spirit
The diyas illuminating the way
Fragrant flowers leaving a trace
Baring my soul as I let it all go
Deeper and deeper in the journey
Shedding of layers continuing
Mind and body becoming still
Resonating with silence and peace
Gathering energies of celestial beings
Merging with them, visiting in my dreams
I’ll never be the same as before
The essence of my being
Still transforming
The seeker in me has calmed
For I drank nectar from the gods
The thirst has been quenched
There’s a fullness and lightness
Knowing it’s a momentary relief
Before a spark ignites again
Calling and whispering to me
Pulling at my heart strings
To go beyond planets and stars
To touch indescribable infinite space
A part of me remains
Circling temple shrines
Maybe it will wonder forever
Merging with consciousness
Or one day I will return
To the journey of my soul
~
By Manni Dillon - following a sacred trip to Tami Nadu, India 2023
Manni Dillon 