Red Tiles on My Roof
June 19, 1995
Dear Parents,
Divya conveys her namaskars. I was in Anandashram from 1-14 June, then arrived in Shanti Ashram on 16 June. So nice to be back! Peaceful and quiet.
First thing I did was meet the police. In their wonderful Indian way, they changed my application for one year visa into last year’s extension (which I already had from Anantapur, May 1994 till May 1995), then angrily shouted why I had not come for extension, now I was illegal and had to leave India etc. Due to experience I took the situation lightly, argued for a few minutes then became humble, “Forgive my mistakes,” etc and gave them nine more photos, six more application copies and requested a decent extension this time. They again (just like last time) said, “No problem,” and told me (just like last time) that they’d post the extension in a few days. Only time can say the outcome.
Meanwhile, in the ashram red tiles were being installed onto my cottage roof so I am housed in the next-door house. The roof is finished but they have also started to put a cement bench in front of the house. Now the workers have taken a two-day holiday, leaving it half done. India! Again, only time can say if they’ll return to finish or not. See – I also have construction karmas!
From 1-10 July there will be a big yagna in Kakinada, put on by Jeeyar Swami who used to live here. Every day 108 priests conducting countless homas and pujas. Many residents from here are planning to attend. I have not decided my program yet – as I'm enjoying so much the quiet here. Jnaneswari will be in Kotagiri Hill station until 15 July they say. She has written me three beautiful letters.
All for now! Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.
Love,
Divya
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Letters from Shanti Ashram, India
SpiritualI lived in India from 1984-2005, and wrote to my parents regularly about my adventures in Indian ashrams. From 1984-1993 and again 2001-2005, I was living in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, and I am adding all of those my "Letters from India" book, whi...
