1006 posts since 2008

Photography & Travel Archives

Welcome! Sharing my reflections on the spiritual path.
Join me on a profound journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.

Dec 29, 2013

Beauty in Bloom: A walk through the Madurai Flower Market

One of the most aesthetically beautiful parts of our meditation retreat to South India is our visit to the local flower market in Madurai. It is one of the biggest markets in all of India and provides exports of many different species of flora. Though it is an effort of the local Madurai community, the market itself has won international recognition for the quality and abundance of plants it...

Dec 19, 2013 Photography & Travel

2013 Highlights: Runner-up Flight of the Year

So, yesterday in my reflections of 2013 I listed all the places that I have traveled to this year and picked the best plane flight. Plane flights are normally not that exciting but I have to say flying over the North Pole, Siberia and Mongolia was unique and very special to me.
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Dec 17, 2013 Photography & Travel

2013 Highlights: Being at the World's Largest Festival

When a festival happens once every 12 years you don't want to miss it. The Maha Kumbh Mela festival is the world's largest festival and took place this time in Allahabad, North India. The last time this festival took place I was a monk in a monastery in Hawaii and therefore could
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Dec 15, 2013 Spiritual Adventures

The Goddess of Madurai and her temple

This spectacular temple is a sacred place of pilgrimage for Hindus the world over. The hallways and chambers are crowded from dawn to dusk, filled with pilgrims eager for darshan (sight) of the Goddess Meenakshi in the sanctum sanctorum. Pilgrims come to offer prayers, to have
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Dec 12, 2013 Spiritual Adventures

Respecting your elders...including the cows

Chidambaram is an ancient pilgrimage place where for thousands of years pilgrims have come to discover their higher Self. Even the famed yogi, Patanjali, visited here and worshiped God in the form of Nataraja (Hindu god Siva in his aspect of dance). Chidambaram is one of my fav
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Dec 9, 2013 Spiritual Adventures

Selfless love in Chidambaram

One of the most powerful parts of our South Indian Spiritual Adventure is our trip to the orphanage in Chidambaram. Located just a few minutes outside the center of town, the orphanage is a true place of nurturing, good will, and infectious love. The orphanage provides shelter,
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Nov 24, 2013 Photography & Travel

Gorgeous Prague in the Czech Republic

Our visit to Prague was charming in all of its quaint romance. Though the winter chill has set in, the city remains picturesque with its countless old and beautiful buildings. Prague is a city in which one could walk for days simply exploring the cobblestone alleyways and lamp-
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