New to Ananda Marga

They’d been traveling in India
Together for quite awhile
And they welcomed me like family
Open hearted, with a smile

Together we left India
It’s beauty and its pain
Heading for the mountains
Which soothed the soul like rain

For ten days we climbed the Himalayas
Weighed down with heavy packs
Challenged with blisters, aches and pains
And dust from mules and yaks

We learnt to all love cabbage
When there was not much else to eat
And assanas in sleeping bags
When the cold was hard to beat.

Challenges brought us closer
As we helped one another along
And clash was always balanced
By laughter, love and song.

Slowly I felt a change within
Like new sight for the blind
Fetters began to loosen and drop
From my heart and mind.

Maybe it was the mountains
Their majesty and their awe
Such power and such beauty
That made my spirit soar.

Or maybe it was sadhana
Finding strength and truth within
Sitting quiet and open
To the purpose in everything.

Or perhaps it was the love we shared
Inspiration drawn from friends
A new faith in humanity
On which so much depends.

As I left with namaskar
Joyful despite a tear
I gratefully thanked whoever it was
Who had quietly guided me here.

Jayagiita, Australia