the yoga sutra of travel: 1.3

"TADA DRASTUH SVARUPE VASTHANAM"

Tada=then, at that time; Drastuh=The seer, soul, atman, to see; Svarupe= in his own nature, own form, essence; Avasthanam=abides, standing, being in a state, resting

Then the seer abides in his/her own essence (nature)

The ending word of this line really stuck out to me. What is our nature or essence? In regards to this trip, at any location would I find an essence that really speaks to me about the nature of a place and its people?

One of the things I enjoy most about travel abroad is everyone in the world makes a better cup of coffee than Americans. Sorry my fair and lovely home, but alas american coffee is just sad and weak next to individually crafted cups made with love everywhere else I go. Brian and I enjoyed the perfect cup along with a simple and amazing breakfast before heading out on the ferry from Devenport to Auckland. A morning commute on the water is a delightful change of pace from sitting on route 80 stuck in traffic in the Poconos. 

Everyone we have met so far has been extremely outgoing and very helpful. Each person has really gone out of their way to share places and events that we might enjoy and get us all of the relevant information for us to find anything we need. Smiles and gracious welcomes are plentiful and feel really genuine. There is a pulse to the community with out rush or anxiety. 

We spent most of the day bouncing around Auckland. We ran across an art installation that was displayed in a set of old silos the art was great, but the way they re-purposed the old silos was even more impressive. The city really seems to have a knack for reinventing itself while keeping a touch of its history in everything it does.

The cities and smaller towns are all built on and around a variety of vulcano sites. Some are old and have out lived their activity. Others are dormant, but could wake up (scary thought in the back of ones mind). We took a good stout walk up to the top of Mt. Eden and gazed upon the old crater at the top. It was much different than expected. I didn't see any volcanic rock or remnants of ash, rather the crater was an extremely deep and very steep grass filled hole in the top of a small "mountain" which was more like a very large hill. As I stood at the top I could see the various grassy hills that were also sleeping volcanoes. 

We have only been here for two days so I do not yet have a true handle on what I feel might be the full nature of this very special place. There are many reflections from various cultures that have settled here and at the same time a subtle unique nature that is still making itself know to me.

To discover more I will continue to step toward being the witness. Observation is key. Not only to see the essence of this place but maybe find a little more about my own true nature. My body now is not the same as my body as a child so the essence of me is clearly not in the physical. Thoughts occur and fall away. I may experience sadness, but sadness is not who I am, nor is any other temporary thought or emotion. This is why we being to release judgement about the rise and fall of these ephemeral moments. To discover who I am I find more questions currently than answers and more things that I am not than what it really means to be me. At the same time I somehow feel a little bit closer to my essence as I clear away the list of definitions that had once created a cage about who I thought I had to be. 

Who are you New Zealand? I am excited to uncover your mysteries and your truths. Who am I? I am eagerly dancing into previously avoided territory. I will not cling to any idea of who I am or what this place can show me. I will sit in observation, lean into the witness and be open to it all.