Author: Bhagavati (Sharon) Nani

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Time machine

I’ve discovered that I have a time machine right here on my laptop. You might know it by it’s other name: Youtube.

I didn’t intend to travel in the time machine tonight. But someone had posted a short video of a Japanese a cappella group doing a Steely Dan cover…and someone else had posted in the comments a link to a Russian band that covers the band Chicago.

Well…! Chicago was huge when I was in high school. In fact, the one and only rock concert I ever attended was the very first “Day on the Green” in the Oakland Coliseum with Chicago and the Beach Boys (and yes, I realize that I am totally dating myself). 🙂

After revisiting a number of Chicago’s hits, I saw that this amazing band, Leonid & Friends, also covers Blood, Sweat & Tears — my absolute all-time favorite band growing up. (Did I ever mention that throughout high school I played saxophone in jazz bands?)

After listening to a few of the covers, I simply had go to the source and find some real Blood, Sweat & Tears recordings. And, oh my! I hadn’t listened to those tunes in I don’t even know how many years, but they are just as powerful and dynamic and satisfying to me as ever!

And I suddenly understood the important part these bands (Chicago; Blood, Sweat & Tears; Earth, Wind & Fire; Tower of Power; etc) — with their jazzy harmonies, intricate rhythms, perfect intonation, and tight ensemble — played in establishing my musical foundation.

To see what I mean, check out Blood, Sweat & Tears’ recording of God Bless the Child. The level of musicianship is simply incredible.

How fascinating to be able to travel back in time and — through music — reconnect with my younger self.

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Ready or not

Saw this on Facebook and it really hit home. I’ve allowed too many opportunities to pass me by because I didn’t feel “ready”. But waiting to feel completely “ready” can become a way to avoid ever actually living one’s life.

It reminds me of a quote I heard years and years ago: “Don’t die with your potential intact”.

Ready or not…just GO!

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Reality (part 2)

Then there are those who are absolutely convinced that their “reality” is The Only Reality. I don’t have any studies to back this up, but my guess is that a lot of the people who fall into this way of thinking have only lived in one place (usually a small one).

An example that comes to mind is a gentleman from the intensive Italian course I attended for five months when I lived in Lugano. He was Swiss-German but had lived in Boston for two years, which — in his mind at least — made him an expert on all things American!

He was convinced that he knew about all of America based on his brief experience of Boston. When questions about America came up in class, he would answer them. Despite having lived all my life in America, I was roundly ignored (oooh, it used to make me so mad)!

But you see, he fell into the trap of thinking that what he was able to see, touch, hear, and taste was the sum total of “reality”.

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Present reality

The early morning view from our little studio apartment in Aldesago during our last hours in Switzerland.

What a dramatic difference between my Tuesday morning “reality” and my Wednesday morning “reality”!

My reality for a month was mountains, lakes, lush greenery, and lots of people (all speaking Italian!); then this morning I’m back in the reality of forested hills, dried up grass, rustic living, and a very quiet, tranquil environment.

It’s easy to think that one’s present reality is the only reality, because it looks and feels so…well, real! Which is why traveling the world is so useful; one begins to perceive that there are an infinite variety of “realities”, depending not only on location but also the perception and perspective of each individual.

Towards the end of a solid month in Lugano I had to concentrate hard to remember details of our apartment here at the Village; it almost didn’t seem “real” any more!

I love the concept of the Divine Lila, or “God’s play”. The great masters tell us that this is all God’s dream, and — in fact — it sometimes seems to me as though my other “realities” have gone away while I’m away from them. It’s kind of fun to play with that thought: when I’m not there to observe it, does my apartment just dissolve back into undifferentiated bliss?!?

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En route

Okay, this is one of “those” posts. I started writing after we had arrived in Copenhagen, having completed the first leg of our trip. Now we’re in Chicago, about to board our flight to Sacramento.

I’m quite certain I won’t have the energy or bandwidth to write once we arrive home sometime around midnight, so this is it!

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Basta!

It’s going on midnight. We leave super early tomorrow. The last three days have been full to the brim with activity and our stomachs have been kept full to the brim with delicious food! As sad as we are to leave this, our second home, we’re pretty much ready to take a break from eating!

Saturday
As usual we had lunch at Silvio’s house (that’s Ramesha’s dad, who loves to feed us when we’re here). Not so usual is that there were two desserts: homemade cake with figs from the garden and pine nuts (thanks, Graziella!) and homemade tiramisu (thanks, Fulvio!).
For dinner we were invited to the home of the Sala family, just outside of Como. It took three years to arrange, but it was an absolutely delightful evening, which also featured two desserts (a custard cake with fresh fruit and another cake with marmallata (jam) using fruit from the Sala family’s garden!

Sunday
Lunch at “Ristorante Silvio” featured handmade gnocchi di zucca (gnocchi made with pumpkin) and only one dessert (thank goodness!).
We went to dinner with Fulvio (Ramesha’s brother) and had the final pizza of the trip (yum!).

Monday
Lunch was a simple — but delicious — pasta al pomodoro.
For dinner we were at Dudo and Karin’s for bruschetta, insalata, and more pasta.

I should mention that lunch almost always includes a plate with a variety of Swiss cheeses — and I don’t mean what we Americans think of as “Swiss cheese”! I’ve never seen that cheese in any Swiss home in the fifteen years that I’ve been living in/visiting Switzerland. No, this is a selection of cheeses from different regions and it’s sooo good!

[By the way, “basta” in Italian means “enough!”] 🙂

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It’s almost time

It’s almost time to say our good-byes; almost time to fly home to California in order to return to “regular” life.

It’s always hard to leave our Lugano family and dear friends, despite the fact that we’re going back to be with other family and dear friends! In fact, we are extremely fortunate in that wherever we go there are people we love, and who love us in return.

We’re sad, but we know in our hearts that — truly — there’s nothing to be sad about: we’re carrying all the people we love with us in our hearts, wherever we go.

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The daily view

I’m going to miss seeing this view during my walk to and from the car every day. Three more nights and then home to California!

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Lots of pics

It’s taken an extra day to share my touristy pics due to yesterday’s post being in honor of Swami Kriyananda’s discipleship anniversary.
But now…back to Wednesday’s tourist adventures!

Part 1
Cappuccino and brioche with Peter and Aanadi in Locarno.

Peter is the choir director for Ananda Assisi, and Aanadi is an accomplished artist.
Al Porto Café Lago, situated on Lago Maggiore in Locarno.

Part 2
Santuario Madonna del Sasso. A long ways down…and back up! It’s very touching to see the many expressions of gratitude for answered prayers; “G.R.” stands for Grazia Ricevuta (or Grace Received) through the intercession of the Madonna. I have lots more photos of the beautiful interior, but they’ll have to wait for another time…

Looking down on the Santuario Madonna del Sasso.
The Madonna as she appeared in a vision experienced by the Franciscan brother Bartolomeo d’Ivrea on the night of 14/15 August 1480. 
Grazia Ricevuta plaques.
Another expression of Grazia Ricevuta are paintings depicting the specific misfortune but showing the Madonna watching over and resolving the situation.
Yet another example of Grazia Ricevuto: silver heart tokens of gratitude.
The view from the Santuario.
The back side of the Santuario as we started climbing back up the hillside.
One of four or five sections of stairway we climbed after visiting the Santuario.

Part 3
Ascona, where we celebrated our 15th anniversary next to Lago Maggiore. We ate a delicious pizza in company with a cute (and fearless) little bird!

Lakeside in Ascona.
Another view of the lake in Ascona.
The little bird who joined us for lunch; he hung out with us for quite a while!
Very European!
Beautiful wall in Ascona.
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Discipleship

Honoring Swami Kriyananda on the 71st anniversary of his discipleship. I’m so grateful to Swamiji for demonstrating what it means to be a true disciple.