It all started on that beautiful Sunday morning, the 14th of January 2018. Looking back, our meeting was divinely ordained.
I shouldn’t have been in Mumbai that day. And if yes, certainly not in Gordon House Hotel in South Mumbai.
And Clau and Blanca told me, when I met them in Guatemala a year later, that they too had made the change of the hotel at the last moment.
And again it was a coincidence, that we were at the same long table at the same time for our breakfast.
Clau is a shy young lady, not like the extrovert Blanca! And when we met, a year after our first contact in that boutique hotel in Mumbai, Clau told me that she had heard a voice in her head telling her to talk to me!! She had said hello and told me that I had very peaceful aura about me! And then she asked me what do I do? And I told her about our YSS (Yogoda Satsanga Society of India) cruise the previous evening, my Guru – Paramahansa Yogananda, and the Autobiography of a Yogi. And that was the beginning of a beautiful and loving friendship, which eventually led to my visiting Guatemala a year later.
First and last I had heard of Guatemala, before this, was in my childhood when I used to collect stamps, about 55 years ago!! I love traveling but visiting this country wasn’t even at the bottom of my wish list. It just wasn’t there! But it happened. And I am so glad that it did.
It was such a beautiful and enriching trip around the world. Pune->Mumbai->Los Angeles->Guatemala->Los Angeles-Brisbane->Mumbai->Pune. Three very long flights and a very long stop over in Auckland. Every place I visited and every person I met was so different from the other. Australia and Guatemala are poles apart! 180 degrees!! And Los Angeles another story of divine love and friendship altogether!! But this trip strengthened the world view I have had for many years now. And that is:
People, at the core of their hearts, are same all over the world. Everyone wants some love, some respect, some appreciation…..every one wants to be happy …..they have similar fears, worries and insecurities…… However different people may look and whatever language they may speak; and whatever may be their food habits and lifestyles; essentially they are all same.
This is a brilliant article. Thanks for sharing the experience.
Lovely post Ashok. Long time, no see. How have you been?
You know what they say, if it’s meant to happen, the universe will conspire! Happy Hearts day!
Amazing post…. truly enjoyed reading it! 🙂
Thank you so much 😊
Very eye catchin n absorbin
That is so sweet. Thank you so much 😊🤗
You are a natural story teller. Im a fan 🙂
Thank you so much 😊
This is not just an article but it’s like something we read the story. Beautiful Article. Keep it up.
https://travelcuddly.com/happiest-countries-to-live-in-the-world/
One of the most wonderful bloggers I have come across❤…I am a beginner and when I read these most enriching blogs of yours…It makes me feel so amazing and so happy that it can’t be expressed through words…Your travels have great teachings and some very important life lessons…Thank you for these amazing blogs sir😊
Thank you so much 😊
What a lovely post!
I LOVE THIS…
Check out on our website @https://odel.uonbi.ac.ke/ for english classes
Thank you so much 😊 That was the beginning of my blogging journey 😊
All through 2019 I was traveling and writing 😊
I love this! Awesome pictures! Blessings! ♥♥
Sometimes we connect with some people instantly and make lasting friendships. Everyone’s equation with the same person will be different and it’s always great to keep an open mind and feel the aura and feeling they bring us…this is a beautiful post about friendships and nurturing connections ……wonderful travel pics too…
Stay blessed and thanks for sharing Ashok 🙂
Thank you so much 😊
So beautiful to see the light on the horizon.
Excellent pictures!
Tour grand-daughter Noorien Misbha shitted on my posts that had no concern to her. Will you tell her to mind her goddamn business and don’t be dumbfuck about something irrelevant to her??
Why the fuck is she such a hater. That’s seriously disgusting.
eventually we are all the same and until we don’t realize that we can’t unite as humanity and until we don’t unite we can’t be all truly content…
Thank you soooo much Jackie 💖🤗
Beautiful words about friendship. I am always awed by your beautiful photos.💝💝💝
Thank you so much Kinge for your kind words. Much appreciated 🙏
When we are grounded the universe has a way of taking us to the right Place at the right time and meeting the right people.
So true, at the core of our beings there is love. We yearn for more love, we desire to share it and for our love to be recognized.
The same peaceful aura you have is reflected in your writing. Very peaceful. Would love to travel far and wide someday to
Love these so much. So incredible seeing.
https://www.phototrims.com/
Thank you so much Sanchita 😊
Nicely penned thoughts.
Thank you so much 😊 God willing you shall see all the beautiful places you desire to see.
Your blog doesn’t open 🤔
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful journey and sharing it with us. I do love to travel. I will consider myself lucky if I get to go to these amazing places . Loved the pics.
Thank you so much Swarnali. Your blog doesn’t open
Beautiful post Ashok.
Beautiful. Thank you so much
Well said. Just a little request of my opinion on it.
…Essentially we are all same.
Only this change happens after enlightenment that we start looking/watching ourselves too in third person. J Krishnamoorthi said it as ‘when the watcher is being watched’.
Nanak said in Japuji ‘ जे तिसु नदरी ना आवई। ते बात ना पूछे के’ the God will ask first question that ‘have got enlightened?’ if the answer is ‘no’ then he will not listen to any of your achievements in material world.
Thank you so much 😊
Totally resonate with what you say at the end about people across the world being just the same even though they are so different. I keep thinking the same always. 🙂
Thank you so much 😊 🌹
Wowwww… Amazing reading 🙏🙏
Thank You so much Sheila for the visit and your kind words!
Stay safe. Stay loved
What a great journey! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much Peter 😊
The photos look amazing. Thank you for sharing.
True Arvi. Thank you so much 😊
It is true that people everywhere are the same. They want love, recognition, and dignity.
Yeah I know friend 🤗❤️🖤💫
That was the beginning of my blogging journey 😊
😊🤗
Waaaaahhh 💜✌️
😊🌹
You are welcome. 🙂
Thank you so much Kitty 😊
Beautiful post about humanity and places. 🙂
Thank You Wintermoon. Your blog is beautiful 💖🤗
Thank you for taking me on the journey with you. Great thoughts and photos! 🌻
Thank you so much Ayesha 😊
Such a lovely post! Great pictures too 🙃💕
Thank you so much Namita for your read and your appreciation. I am so glad it touched your heart.
such heartwarming post. I felt peace and serenity spreading within me while going through it.
Thank you so much Dilip. I appreciate it
A beautiful post and great comments. Your observations on humanity being the same across the world is very insightful Ashok.
I look forward to exploring other posts in your blog.
Bye and best wishes to you.
Dilip
😊🤗
Same here! 🙂
Thank you so much Nanchi. Good to know you
Wow! What a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing. Really liked reading your experience. Take care! 🙂
Thanks for the concern my friend. Under lockdown but at peace 😊
Helping by praying and sending positive thoughts
How are things at your end? I hope my, my blogger friends are doing fine and helping out people in need!
Thank you so much Nina. Love and blessings 🤗
These are such beautiful words of friendship! I wish everyone could see the world this way. If so, it would be so much better and we would all be so much richer for it.
That is so sweet of you Eilidh. Thank you 💕
Beautiful, Ashok. And your peaceful aura is shared through your writing too. We are very lucky that you gift us with that. Thank you! 🥰
Thank you so much my dear friend 😊🤗
What a well-written, uplifting and interesting post with such lovely photos! Yes, at our core, we’re all the same. Our differences are just window dressing. 😊
Oh…I don’t know what that must mean. 🤔
Am getting a message : problem following this site
Hey Ashok……missing your posts. Please write again soon. Would love to hear about your recent travels.
I have not written in a real long time. My mini mini new post is here, https://myeclecticinspirations.home.blog/2019/11/12/how-to-spend-a-good-afternoon/
Just wow!
This year has been exceptionally good for me. Have traveled to 5 continents 😇
Thank you so much Betul. Love 🤗
This is so nice! Indeed everyone is the same and traveling is the prime way of realizing that!
Thank you so much Manoj. Have been off WP for a while and Ganesh Chaturthi is around the corner and I might take a while to respond.
Thank you once again
Hi Ashok Ji, I have nominated you for The Liebster Award
Here’s the link
https://believestrong.wordpress.com/2019/08/31/the-liebster-award-3/
😊🤗
Thank you so much Ayesha
Beautiful post! It put a smile on my face 😀
Thank you so much Chocoviv
Beautiful memories
Thank you so much. Yes great memories and am still in touch with my friends there. My travels start again next month 😊
I’m smiling reading your post. What a beautiful reflection on a beautiful journey. Seeing these photos, they felt very warm and affectionate. I bet you have some wonderful memories from each. ♥
Thank you so much Chocoviv 🤗
Great post!
👏
great, keep going
Thank you so much Denise. That was my first post 😊🤗
Great post, such beautiful photos
Thank you so much 😊
Lovely post!
Thank yuh so much. That was my first post 😊❤️
Loved the photography in this post!
Thank you so much Cherryl for your kind words. If you and I become kind and loving we would have done our part 😊❤️
You may like to read my post : Love is a One Way Street
You are so right – we humans are all pretty much the same deep down, our needs and heartfelt desires are all the same, we’re all moved powerfully by the same thinks too – kindness/love/music/pain/injustice – shame we can’t all just get along😉🙏
True… We all are uniquely the same!😃
You are welcome. Love and Peace to you as well! ❤🌟
Thank you so much Marta. Absolutely yes. Love and peace
Lovely post, travel and photos, Ashok. Couldn’t agree more with you. We humans should focus more on our similarities than on our differences, what brings us together, just accepting differences and respecting them. Yes, from India to Guatemala and everywhere….
That is so awesome Sandra. Thank you so much 🤗
Beautiful words, I use to ignore the voice in my head. Not anymore. I know who’s voice it is. 🙂
I’m extremely pleased to uncover this site. I wanted to thank you for ones time for this fantastic
read!! I definitely loved every part of it and I have
you saved to fav to see new information on your blog.
❤️️
😊🤗
I can’t wait to read more about your journey! Awesome!!!❤️️❤️️
Thank you so much Kelley. It was that trip that started me to blog 😊🤗
It sounds all so exciting!!!❤️️
Thank you so much 👏 oh yes it is so fulfilling
How wonderful that you bring peace and love into the world and get to travel touching people’s lives.
Thank you so much Roy
Lovely photos
Nice post. 🙂
👍🏾
Yes, it is.. Flemish name..
Glad to meet you Vernon. Yes we are all the same. Thank you for your kind words
You do have a great spirit.
😁
We are all the same.
I am grateful I can identify with others.
Thank you so much. That was my first blog – three months back😊 Is your name Lieve?
Very beautifully written. What better reason to travel than meeting up with friends.
This was my first post – 3 months back 😊 my son had forced me into blogging
Yes. Thank you Ilona 😊🤗
Looks like you had wonderful experience🤗
Oh yes. There is always a reason. So good to connect with you.
Thank you so much for stopping by and going through the posts.
Love Ashok
I just found this post, and I snuggled into it. I don’t believe in “coincidences.” I think there’s a reason we find and connect with the people who are important in our lives.
Love your pictures and your philosophy. Namaste.
Really enjoyed this read, looking forward to more.
Thank you so much Vee. I am your reflection. A big hug 🤗
You are such a beautiful soul
👏
Well done! Keep posting!!
Thank you so much. That was my first post 😊
A beautiful story! love the Photos.
Thank you so much Eddie. Appreciate it
Thanks for presenting this beautiful post! Lovely photos, lovely thoughts
Thank you 🙏
Beautiful 🙂
Thanky you very much for following my blog!
I hope you enjoy what you read!
God bless!
Exactly. When one has eyes that see, that one will see the Divine in All That Is. ☺️
I can relate to that😊 Nature is God ❤️🙏
I do meditate. Just not like the very strict method taught by SRF. There are also many moments I fall into Bliss when I am out within Nature and my camera. I cannot explain it. I am transported into another realm. I know my pictures speak for themselves as to what I just said here. (smile) 💞
And this is my wow moment 😊 You have made me so happy Amy. You are my first SRF contact in this space.
Please start to meditate again. Everything else is just a play, an illusion. God IS the only reality.
Lots of love back to you
When I read your post and saw that your Guru is Paramahansa Yogananda, I said “oh wow” out loud. I studied for years within the Fellowship of Self-Realization and I learned SO much. I eventually stopped when I saw the “Eye of God” in a meditation one day, for I knew if I continued on this Path, I would do nothing else in my life but meditate. The moment I saw what I did, my Soul immediately cried out, “HOME!” I can feel your “peace” through your words. Bless you from my Heart for maintaining an aura of Peace in this world of conflict. Yes, many people are the very same when we “operate” from our Heart centers. Much Love to you this day. 💜💜💜
❤️❤️
I quite agree that not only all human beings but all creatures yearn for care and love. It’s universal. This realisation comes only for those who look for it. Thanks for sharing details of your beautiful journey.
God willing you shall Lavina. And yes I do hope to keep sharing more in the days and weeks to come🤗
Much as I would love to visit these places in my lifetime, thank-you for giving a glimpse through your travel diaries and albums in the meanwhile 🤗