Realization of My True Nature

True nature is your essence, your real self, your spirit, your soul.

It has always existed. It was never born, it will never die, it will always exist. 

It is the divine spark you were born with. 

It is pure. It never changes, and it is always with you.

It is hidden beneath ego, experiences, thoughts and emotions. Like clouds that cover the sky above, when the clouds clear, the blue sky is revealed, it was alway there, it was just obscured by clouds. True nature is obscured but it is always there.

When I was taught meditation, I was introduced to the nature of mind. 

My mind used to race like a chariot pulled by wild horses. I was the charioteer with no control over where my thoughts raced. With meditation practice I learnt to control my thoughts, I tamed the wild horses and steered them in whatever direction I chose for them to go. I became in charge of my mind. 

With more practice I learnt to still my thoughts completely. The true nature of mind is emptiness, without the fluctuations of thoughts and emotions. 

I cleared away ego and I realized the radiance of my true nature. I connected with the purity of the creation of the universe. I connected with the purity of my own essence, my true nature.

In the years since, I have seen my true nature many times. I know it is always with me. I think it's the reason people love to meet me around me around the world, it makes me glow and my heart fill with energy. 

It doesn't judge, it just observes. It is unaffected by what happens in my life, it is unaffected by emotions. 

I had a moment in class on Friday when my thoughts became still, my mind became empty and I focused on my true nature. I saw it as I had seen it many times before. 

Then I had an enlightening moment of realization...Everytime I see my true nature, it always appears the same, it has never changed. 

It was a deeply profound experience to actualize what I was taught and what I teach. It was different to be experiencing it than just to know it. It became wisdom, not knowledge.

I saw that thoughts  and emotions could circle around it, unaffecting it, it just observed them. It has been observing my life since I came into consciousness but nothing has ever affected it, it remains as the pure energy I was born with. 

For the rest of my extrordinarily busy day, I moved easily in and out of true nature, going with the gentle flow of the universe. When I was with people I could carry on as I usually do, when I had me to myself I rested in my true nature, watching the world happening around me, in the moment.

I had a very happy day. I'm glad I had the extra energy of the universe to draw on because I had to do a lot of stuff.

The story of the lost luggage

This is a story that comes in three parts. I give some suggestions as to the moral of the tale.

Part 1

It begins in Rome. I arrived in winter clothing from Australia and could not bear the heat a moment longer. As I waited for Wiwa, I quickly changed on the stairwell.

I did not need all my stuff for a week in Greece. A traveller had left behind a slightly broken bag & I packed some of stuff into it and left it with Wiwa at the hostel, la Controra.

I also had a back pack to take on the plane. But ummmm I forgot it. Just as well, I thought, I would be hot walking up to the bus stop. The only thing I would really miss in it was the phone charger. I easily bought another in Santorini and all was right with the world again. My nerves subsided, my beloved phone would still be able to function, I could still be a part of the world.

No probs. I bought a tourist beach bag with a cat on it  and the typical white Greek buildings with blue roofs.
(I'm using it now as my handbag. And I have the golden shoe box with the golden shoes I bought for the wedding - I have the important stuff with me.)

After a week touring The islands of Greece and Athens I flew back to spend a week in Rome. I repacked and took what I thought I needed for a week in Tunisia, including the beautiful dress I bought on Paros that had been altered for me to wear to the wedding. I had a spare dress also in the luggage and shoes I had bought in Rome - high orange shoes that would go perfectly with either.

So I'm running a bit late by the time I leave the hostel. I'm quickly adding someone to facebook and answering a message from Wiwa to say I'm about to leave - she is already in Tunis and will be waiting for me at the airport.

I'm running a bit later as I have to wait for the bus. And I'm running a bit latter still because an accident on the express way is holding up the traffic.

But I get there before they close the check in gates and arrive at the boarding gates with 5 minutes to spare. Time to buy a packet of chips at the vending machine - though guys - I wish someone had mentioned to buy the VODKA!

Part 2
I land at Carthage airport. But my luggage does not. Poor Wiwa is outside the gates waiting for me but it takes me about 2 hours from the time my plane touched down till the time I can go out to see her.

She is allowed back through to help me fill out my luggage claim, to help with the language. The lost luggage claim guy was really cute, I asked Wiwa if I could invite him to dinner. Wiwa translated to me that he was not used to people being nice to him in his job as they are usually angry. It wasn't his fault my luggage was misplaced, there was no reason to be angry, it would not make my luggage appear. Anger only makes everyone feel bad.

There was a big family and friends dinner that night. Luckily I had put on a pretty dress that morning, white with butterflies. I wore it for two whole days and to the party. That party was extraordinary.

So there's me with one dress and everything that was essential packed in my hand bag. It was like a magicician's sack, when ever someone needed something, I magically pulled it out of the bag. Bandaids, the right shade of lipstick, hair band, head ache tablet, what ever, the bag had it.

The next afternoon provided me with with my own very special treat. I waited patiently. Youseff had told me that something was being organized and I would be able to go somewhere to buy some things.

There didn't seem to be anywhere I could buy nickers or even a toothbrush. We were staying in a sandy beach apartment. Right on the white sands of Korba beach. I had washed my nickers and dried them in the hot sun on the terrace before anyone else got up. Haha!

After lunch, Wiwa, beckoned me as she and Youseff bundled into the back of the car. I ran upstairs for my shoes and bag and set off with Youseff's mum and dad in the front.

We went to an extraordinary bazaar, just like in the movies. Sisha, carpets, dresses & clothes, trinkets & jewellery.

I had about an hour and half on my own to do some serious shopping.

First on the list was golden shoes. Then a swim suit. I couldn't find shorts but I got a perfect traditional dress that I wore for the next 3 days. It was so airy, it stayed fresh. I also bought a fridge magnet for my around the world collection. And a pink sheet that doubled as a towel, dress and bed sheet. (Everything dries really fast in the hot white sun).

Then we all set off on a special task. It is the tradition of their culture for the grooms family to buy the bride a necklace.  We hunted in every jewellery shop. I think they knew where they wanted to get it from in the end but needed to see others too. What they bought in the end was exquisite.  Gold encrusted with dismonds and earings and bracelet to match. So suitable for my Tunisian Princess.

And it was a special time for me to spend with her and Youseff's family.

We passed a lingerie shop & I got 3 pairs of underpants. I felt much better knowing I now owned underware.

While they were in the shop buying the jewels I went for a skulk around. I found another lingerie shop with a girl who helped me buy a strapless bra. She was amazed that I had a Tunisian friend and had come for the wedding.

I needed a strapless bra because the whole miracle of this lost luggage story is that in the luggage in Rome I had left behind a beautiful dress. I didn't think I would need it.

We had called Anna and asked her if she could go by the hostel and get it out of the bag. Which she did, and it was lucky she did as she hadn't remembered her passport and she picked it up at the same time.

The beautiful  $1.50 silk dress from the op shop looked stunning amongst my other stunning girls at the wedding.

Eventually we went to a supermarket and I was able to buy some shampoo and razors and toothbrush. The girls all lent me little things like sunblock and soap and body lotion.

We went back to the market with the others another day. I bought a pink sun hat and a beach bag to put all my stuff in.

It was so liberating not having my luggage. I didn't have the responsibility of dragging around a great big bag of stuff. (Mostly shopping I had done in Rome and Greece hehe).

When, after a few days they phoned Wiwa to say the luggage had eventually arrived at the airport we decided to leave it there. I was doing better than fine without it and it was too far to go and get it.

After we vacated the beach house, there were 4 of us left. I booked a tiny place in Tunis for the night. I thanked my lucky stars I didn't have to drag my heavy bag through the narrow winding cobbled alleyways. I only had a purse and a beach bag.

Eventually I was reunited with my baggage at the aiport. It was stored safely in a big room filled with luggage.

I took it to Sicily and then flew to Rome early in the morning. Then I got the train to La Controra to get the rest of the stuff that was being minded there and said good bye to Minu. Back to the airport in good time to book my luggage to fly back to Sydney.

Part 3
You might think this is the end of the saga. But you would be wrong.

When I arrived in Sydney, guess what?
My luggage didn't arrive with me. Haha. Free as a bird. I travel for a month all around the Mediterranean and arrive back with a small back pack and a beach bag.

And the moral of the story?
#Practice non attachment to material objects.
#The universe will provide you with everything you need just when you need it.
#Don't carry your baggage around, metaphorically speaking.
#Or my favorite, let someone else mind your baggage for you.

FREEDOM!!!!!

P.s. in my bag i have with me is a statuete I bought in Greece of Nike, winged Goddess of Victory.

Day 15 to Tunisia

I woke up 10minutes late and kept getting later and later. I made it to the plane 5 minutes before boarding time. 

Plenty of time.

I've met some really interesting people this trip. Yesterday at breakfast up stairs was quiet and I got to know a really interesting boy who is studying art. He's a dancer. 

In Tunisia I discovered they speak French when I arrived and Tunisian Arabic. I've been studying Italian. But my friends all speak in Italian. If i concentrate very hard i can pick up what they are saying.

I also discovered that my luggage didn't arrive with me. It is fortunate that I was wearing a pretty dress with butterflies on because we went out to dinner and dancing at a night club. 

It was amazzzzzing! First there was a band. They played so well. Then me and Anna and her friend, Diago came with me to wade in the pool. We were at a resort. It helped my feet to recover. They aren't used to so much walking, miles & miles & miles every day.

I feel so loved. We dance and hold hands and dance all together. These are my girls. It is strange to have to come so far for a girls night out, I don't know why it is but it just is. It is so wonderful to see them again and meet new girls with us too. I love them all. 

And the boys are Youssef's friends from Lebanon. And some family friends. We danced and drank and sat on the wall and talked and laughed and we're all together so happy.

I sat with with Wiwa's brother Karim, in the back seat of the car coming home but they took him away from me before we arrived. Sad face. I love Karim.

Day 14 Last day in Rome

The group was splitting up and moving onto different cities. A couple of them had a few hours to fill in but it was super hot outside, too hot to wander around. I suggested we could go up to the Borghese gardens where the leafy trees make it lovely and cool. They liked the idea but needed a few more minutes to get ready.

I went back down to my room to do a few things like hanging my washing to dry in a different spot and put on deodorant. When I went back up to meet them, they had gone without me. I was a bit hurt. I had taken such good care of them. I gave Natasha pawpaw cream for her mosquitoe bites and insect repellent and I'd given them both Indian head massages and I went out and bought them all pizza before getting in the fountains. But we had such a fun time in the fountains.

Anyway, my true gang was there, Danny arrived and Minu made us yummy scrambled eggs. I thought of going to the forum or shopping but it was too hot. I packed my suitcases and slept most of the day. It was good. And I did a session of yoga for Minu.

We had a plan for the evening so I needed to save my legs and my energy.

Me, Minu and Danny set off to find our way to the highest spot in Rome. We would have preferred to go on the bus but we ended up walking or we would have missed the sunset. It was a pretty long climb and we made it just in time to see the entire city laid out below turned orange.

Coming down was definitely easier than going up. We had dinner at Trastevere again, it's the nicest part of the city, more for Roman's than tourists. 

My tiramasu tried to kill me! All day long Minu had been trying to convince me that it is easy to die and I disagreed. And then I inhaled the cocoa on top of my desert and couldn't breath! But I lived to tell the tale. Though now I must agree, it is easy to die!

We stopped to listen to some beautiful music. I bought their CD'S for us for yoga and talked to the girl for a few minutes. It was another one of those instants that a spirtual connection is formed in a moment.

We walked down to the edge of the Tiber where they have music and stalls. It was really great. We stopped to smoke shisha. 

We were lucky to get the bus back and there was an adorable baby who blew kisses to every single person on the bus. She was so cute.

Ben had asked us to meet him at the hostel to drink wine but we didn't get back in time.

Minu had to stay up to wait for a check-in that didn't arrive. We went to bed early for once at 1 o'clock.

Day 13

In the morning after frolicking in the Roman fountains we all gradually surfaced and we made a plan to go to the caro comes.  But as it took Natasha so long to get ready and we didn't want to leave her behind, time gradually slipped away and we wouldn't have had enough time to see them before they close for lunch.

I had a brainwave that we could go to castelo St Angelo. We were at the right bus stop and then a lovely shaded walk along the Tiber.  

We had plenty of time to explore the fort and met Patrick on the terrace under the angel at midday. 

Then we went to Trastevere all together for lunch. A big happy bunch of travellers. All different personality types and from different countries. It was fun.

We spent the late afternoon back at the hostel resting - well that's what I  did. 

In the night Minu cooked us dinner and they drank wine and vodka, playing drinking games. I had beer. I got a bit sick of drinking by now. 

I sent Wiwa a message saying I would see her tomorrow and she replied she thought it was the day after. She was right. I had entered the wrong day in my diary. I wasn't leaving, I had another whole day in Rome. Lucky that she made me check or I would have gone to catch the plane!

Day 12 Ostia

I was so proud of myself, I found my way to Ostia all by self. I got the metro from Barberini, changed lines at Termini, changed to a train then got on a bus (because everybody else was) and ended up the beach at Ostia.

They have a funny attitude at the beach, they just lie around on deck chairs under umbrellas. No one swims and if the do they just stand in the water, which is not very deep. I did not like this attitude so I had a swim far out and back then caught the bus back to the train.

I travelled 4 stops to Ostia Antica and walked to the ruined city. It is like Pompeii but much better preserved. There are many buildings to see, street pavements, mosaics and some headless statues. Lots of stairs to climb and alleys to explore. I spent quite a few hours walking around in the sun under my blue parasol quietly exploring.

When I came back to Rome we spent the evening in the hostel together drinking wine. We kept wanting to go out but not going. Eventually about midnight I got starving and took off to buy pizza. I brought them back to share. I was overwhelmed by their love! Because I brought back pizza! Haha. I had a beer too because I was a bit sick of wine.

About 3am we did go out for some fresh air and ended up bathing in the fountains. We tried to get in the Trevi Fountain but we only got as far as our feet before the polizia stopped us with their whistle, though we tried to pretend not to hear. We went and found some more friendly fountains. We had so much fun 😂😂😂

Day 11 Rome

Today is short. I went to my most favorite place in the world. The Villa Borgese Gallery and gardensee.  This gallery is the best I ever been in. It never disappoints me, I am always surprised and refreshed when I come.

I was never allowed to take photos before and had to sneak them before the guard came up saying "no photos".
this time I was allowed to take as many as I liked so I have hundreds.

And as I stayed till last I even had me time alone with my favorite sculptures and slipped in a little bit of yoga. That took guts! I put the camera on timer an a chair. Just once I asked a Chinese couple to take one for me with my favorite painting. I didnt think they would mind because Chinese people love to tare photos.

I had lunch in the gardens then slept the rest of the afternoon.
In the night I went with my friend Anna to her work at a hotel, she was waiting for a family to check in. We ordered pizza on the way and they brought it up for us.

On the way home we went through Piazza Navona, home of the fountain of the four rivers. It is unbelievable that in all my visits here I have not been there before. I feel better now that I have. It is the picture on my favorite place mat at the studio.

We called in for a gelato at a shop with 100 flavors and walked all the way back to the hostel and bed.