India *2

It's been one week since I arrived in Tiruvannamalai, yet time here has taken on a different feel. I'm enjoying wandering up this sacred mountain full of butterflies, monkeys, spiraling hawks, and incredible views. There is an overwhealming spiritual feeling here which draws many westerners (yet hardly any Americans). The strange thing is, most of these westerners avoid eye contact and rarely smile. Perhaps they are so caught up in the struggle of their spirit quest they forgot all of life is a waking meditation. The Indians on the otherhand honor your eye contact and smile back. The main Indian teachings profess that all is god/ultimate reality/Self/Truth/Coinsciousness. That explains the loving respect eyecontact, as well as the trash everywhere. If 'All is One' there is no difference between nature and garbage. I just wander around town with my sketchbook and camera, capturing little moments of this colorful life. I'll probably stick around a few more days and move on. I have met a magical little sadhu who wants to show me around...