Date: Thu Oct 26, 2000
Subject: Happy Diwali!

Hi folks,

Right now I almost feel like I'm in a warzone - all around me are explosions in every direction. It's Diwali, Hindu New Year, the Festival of Lights. For Hindustani people it's Lakshmi Puja and for Bengali people (which is a significant population in Varanasi) it's Kali Puja. The city is decorated with lights and everyone is lighting firecrackers. It seems that there's less action this year than when I was here at this time of year 4 years ago - then the explosions seemed to build up over a few days but this year it's all happening tonight. When an 'atom bomb' goes off just outside the window it's a bit nervewracking...

Life goes on as usual for me here - quite fun lately. A few people have left since my last note about the occupants of Munna House. (BTW I forgot to mention Lorena, a Mexican woman who lives in a separate part of the house - she's putting together an art exhibition which we'll be allowed to see in a few weeks.) With the arrival of Simon from (South) Africa Munna House has become truly global, with folks from every continent (if you count Mexico as both North and South American). And with the arrival of Morgan and Ayaka it's become a bit of a djembe house as well as a tabla house. There are a few Japanese (about 95% of my friends are Japanese these days) djembe players around so we've had a few jams lately which I've been longing for. Last week we had 3 tablas lined up with 3 djembes - these are quite small travellers' djembes to the balance was a lot better than I'm used to in Australia. And the other night the whole bunch of us were jamming in Nice Restaurant (our local eating establishment) while waiting for dinner, which went down pretty well with the festive Hindu population.

At the same time, there's been quite an atmosphere of practising in Munna House - the remaining 4 tabla players and a santoor player are almost competing at times to see who can practise the most. Some days the sound of tabla never stops.

Myself - now that my health is bouncing back from that dreadful summertime flu, I'm getting around 5-6 hours practise each day, and continuing to learn very special things from Guru-ji. In fact, I'm most chuffed about what I'm practising lately and I'm sure all you folk will enjoy the change when you hear it...

BANG BANG BANG - sometimes it's deafening here tonight, all these fireworks. Another one just went off in my ear just out the window.

Must be off - I'm soon to go to Guru-ji's house to receive Kali Puja prasad (blessed offerings), which means a most excellent dinner. Today I was there helping to do the annual big cleanup in preparation for the ritual - another part of my guru-bhakti (service to guru).

Love to all,
Shen
Aum Mani Padme Hum