Father Spirit: the Messenger

In typical India fashion the current flows via a snarled tangle of electrical wires dangling haphazardly, but here at “Mammas” I notice clean couplings and spliced wires all precisely twisted. Sitting in this tidy alcove I muse on the past weeks and the range of my experience.

Guest house culture is calm, worlds away from roaring trucks and bustling streets bursting with busyness. I returned from Varanasi the 3rd, and hanging out here has been good respite. The afternoon of the 4th I reconnected with Felix while settling into this neat place. Comfortable under the leafy canopy I’m struck by how dissimilar our connection looks compared with our roadside introduction.

Nine days before getting reacquainted a giant truck took out the motorcycle Felix and a man named Ben were riding in a head on collision. I round the corner a minute later and witness a man face down on the pavement while one struggles to sit. The active person is Felix, and he asks that I check the other guy’s pulse as he bandages his own leg. Felix works to resuscitate him despite his own injury being to the bone, but it seems now that Ben must have died on impact given the magnitude of his head injury. This past Friday was the first I’d seen Felix since parting at the ambulance Nov 25th. I’m glad we now have a connection different from our first.

One day separates the accident from Ram Das hopping our train as it departs Haridwar for Varanasi. Ram Das is a religious hermit I met last year and watching our connection as it deepens is an honor. His decision to travel with Pop, Bikku, Aaman and I has meant leaving all his possessions but a letter I wrote and the blankets he carries. The rest he leaves to fate in his tent tree-house. His only explanation is, “It is the will of God.” Our time together was rich, though the 25 hour train ride proved especially challenging in terms of Dad’s care.

A day passes. The sun rises red breaking a hazy gray mist to redeem the sky and unveil the azure India reliably boasts this time of year. The creek of twine oarlocks provides accompaniment to bells of a thousand tones. Drifting down the Ganga Ram Das takes off his blanket to wrap Pop in it. He and I exchange a smile while I think about sacrifice and the reward it offers. Later Ram Das guides the tour of a home he left some 30 years ago, we meet his family and he takes our leave.

I’m grateful for the break Bikku and I planed in the return trek to visit my friend Shekhar. His kindness, encouragement and hospitality are of great benefit and Dad and I enjoy rest in his family’s home. A school assembled of expectant smiles greets me on the 2nd. Though my man took some liberties with the translation I’m still glad I got to share with them.

The support I’m receiving both here and from a wider audience is really enabling more then I could hope. In many ways it is this spirit of support that characterizes the overall thrust of our project. I’m glad to receive it and trying to honor what is being poured in. I hope the film can also represent the essence of it all.

Pop and I will be keeping company with those here at “Mammas” guest house until the 13th when we head to the plains and fly out of Delhi on the 15th. This place draws a good crew and most everyone is eager practice in the right spirit. The opportunity to participate, practice and hopefully portray right relation is exciting and a privilege. It’s agreed that Bikku’s lens offers a good tool, and there is much to tell. Serving Dad, drawing encouragement and helping to inspire the same offers a practice of substance. Father also inspires more then can be said with his word. Pop’s demeanor sometimes speaks of esteem and gratitude, but at times he’s tired and I’ve had to push him on which kills me. He is resting more now that were a bit settled again. The adventure has been epic, and I’m also grateful for a slower pace for a bit. What can I say other than I’m grateful, It’s a pleasure and blessing.

If you’re a “fan” of the project and our effort to film it you can chime in on Facebook now
www.facebook.com/pages/Father-Spirit-The-Messenger/188509296430?v=info
will bring you to the page where you can post us. (The Facebook page itself is just a link)

Love to All,
-Jonathan