Wild-wild Crete

Namaste.

Crete has allowed me to gain perspective- internal and external.

I live in a small village named Somatas.We are talking small here- 20 houses. I haven't counted them, but it feels like 20 or less.

When taking a shower, I can see goats from the bathroom window. When washing the dishes, I can see the goats again and the ocean. A blue I cannot describe in English (in Greek, they have many different words for the color "blue" and I can see why). Bluer than Brazil. It must be the goats. From my office, when having deep debates with my computer while writing my thesis, I can see mountains outside, brushed with olive trees all over.

Distance from the big city has given me the chance to explore and find my pace back again. Ahhh...The joy of having a cup of fresh goat (there they are again) milk, welcoming the warmth of the sun on my skin, watching the steam going up and up in spirals.

To massage my feet with olive oil. To listen to the winter wind in the wild- wild Crete (I have to listen, it is mandatory in the village where I live). So, I simply do. To stop to listen to the wind.

To finally have time to enjoy my hatha yoga practice, to do poojas and ...yes, to not have to rush through my sadhana: twice a day. De-light.

Wild- wild Crete is quite powerful and its winter rains, thunders, rainbows and winds have brought me strength and clarity. They have brought me perspective.

Perhaps, for those of us who cannot take time away and engage in a cup of goat milk , the best means to regain perspective may be Upasana (or to sit close to the heart). To remember, to know. In the hope that one day that knowing will become so deep, that it will remain present and active even when being far from wild- wild Crete, or far from my meditation cushion.

From my meditation cushion, where I have my eyes closed, I can see the stars, the mountains, the ocean , the moon, the sun, the flowers and my people, my beautiful people. All at once. All one.

May all beings be free from anger and envy. May all beings be happy. Truly happy.