Anandwa- The Forest of Joy

Before leaving Anandwan, I wanted to take the time to share the beauty, the story behind this beautiful community that was created out of LOVE.

Anandwa was founded by Murlindhar Devidas Amte, better known as Baba Amte. He was born into a wealthy family possessing 450 acres of land in Goraj village near Warora. His father was a middle -government officer with conservative views about social class status and his children were forbidden to mix, eat or play with the family servants and other lower class persons.

However, Baba always found a way to play and mix with them and his mother would always cover him up for he could never understand why when they benefited from the fruits of their labour while they continued to live in property.

Over time, he grew up to be very educated man, had his own law practice and benefit from his wealth by having expensive cars, hunting, enjoyed music as well as the night life. He was known to be an activist, always fighting for the under dog, the poor, the vulnerable and organized an Union to protect the betrayed and neglected classes.

“He had endless compassion for the poor and this was the drive that moved him into making all the changes to better communities.”

The turning point in his life came when working one night, he came across a leprosy patient lying on the roadside gutter in the rain whose ears and nose had been totally eaten away by the disease and wriggling maggots were crawling all over his body.

Fear of infecting himself and his wife and children, he ran home without helping him. However, his mind would not settle as he continued to think of him and the position he left him in. After talking with his wife, he decided to go back and create a shelter and nursed him until he died in his arms. He was known as Tulsiram.

Eventually, fear took over and Baba could not forget the image of the leprosy patient lying on the roadside. That was the moment he became self-realized and understood his mission to overcome the fear of leprosy.

“As Baba Amte says, “that is why I took up leprosy work. ” Not to help leprosy but to overcome the fear in my life. The service rendered to leprosy was merely a by-product.”

Anandwa is the realization of the dream of one man through a unique journey of empowerment. A journey filled with trials and tribulations, lessons of mankind with upmost inspiration for humanity.

“Humanism consist in making people aware of the God-like qualities which God has implemented in their hearts”

Anandwa which means the Forest of Joy, has grown over 50 years to be the largest community of leprosy afflicted and challenged people in the world. It is the home to those who have been rejected by society, the lonely, wounded and the vulnerable. Here everyone is welcome with open arms to stay as long as they want to.

Below are pictures I took in the community, keep in mind when the government finally gave this land to them, it was filled with shrubs, wild animals, Cobras and scorpions.

“As Baba Amte said, a rejected land for rejected people.”

With his family and only six leprosy patients, they turned a rejected land into a community that has now flourished and not only become self sustained but also provide many resources to local communities. Over time the patients not only heal on a physical level but regain their self respect, dignity and pride.

“There is no better religion than the one that builds inside the human beings a sense of dignity and self-esteem.” Baba Amte

It was an amazing experience to be here, to understand how it got started and seeing the fruits of their labor make it even more precious. Everyone who lives here has leprosy but are cured. Once you are able to work, you become part of living in a commune and contribute to the community. They can earn extra money through work but salaries are very low since all the basic things such as food, shelter and necessaries are provided.

Since I’ve been here, I read three books on Baba Amte and found his courage and strength to overcome adversity to be inspirational. His mission to overcome Fear resulted in a humanitarian journey that many benefited from his overcoming.

“All thoughtful people strive for a deeper knowledge of self and of God. The key to such a deeper knowledge is creative humanism, the selfless service of our fellowman.” Baba Amte

When I reflect on my journey through India and my own fear in travelling alone, I think about his mission and it truly inspires me to follow my heart journey. When we face our fear, we our liberated from our limited belief system that follows and we regain a new perspective that open doors to new opportunities.

“By entering into ourselves we become aware of expectations which are inseparable from our innermost self; expectations which arise from the very centre of our being. We find that our hearts is set on total security, on a love that last, on unclouded happiness. To believe in God is to believe in ourselves.”

Being in this community has changed me, I find myself reflecting over my life and letting go of things that no longer matter. My life has become more simple which allows me to be more conscious of my environment. I walk in awareness, I breath in awareness, I live consciously in all of it. Something is changing!! As per the caterpillar, I feel I have now moved into the cocoon stage and I’m re-morphasing . Am I changing into something new or going back to being who I really am?

We are all on a journey and where do you begin? You begin just where you are….

 

This beautiful moth was in the washroom.  it reminded me of the cocoon stage and what comes out of that.

 

 

The Market– is on every Wednesday.  This is a chance for Anandwan to sale their products.  Only a few years ago the community did not associate with leprosy in fear of catching it nor would they buy their products.  Now the community depends on them for dairy, fruits and vegetables.  They have come along way.  We go to the market to get fruits, nuts, and treats.  It’s fun and is on until late at night.

You can get fresh fish, chicken and goat.  They kill and clean the animal right there.  Something one needs to get used to!

They have sewing rooms where cloths, linens, purses, sweaters, are made for the community as well as for the gift store. The gift store generates money for the community.

The tricycle below are given to those that are unable to walk, have no legs, disabled and provide a means of independence to individuals. They were created by the community.

All the shoes are custom made to fit the individual’s need

 

The Hospital

Below is the clinic that is set up like a drive through. The patients come and get their daily mess by the nurses.

 

Only wheelchair in the Hospital

 

 

 

Beautiful people in the community

Mother her and daughter both come in the morning to the wound clinic

 

Every morning I met this wonderful persone at chai.  He makes the shoes. His heart is filled with joy

 

 

 Last year a project was put together from well known Eye Dr. And they came and operated for free on 7000 people over a two week period.  While we were here, the patient came back for a follow up treatment, it was amazing to watch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These two beautiful ladies are labourers and worked so hard

They carry the bricks to the men, they were amazing to watch.  I was very curious and wanted to try so I did lolo!!   I was able to carry 5 bricks versus the 8-12 they carry.  They couldn’t believe I wanted to try, I gained a lot of respect from them just by this moment.

 

Meal time at the elders home

 

 

 

 

 

 

This beautiful lake had a layer of floating weed

 

 

 

Beautiful seen

 

 

 

 

Kitcheen, biggest pots ever that cook the rice for the community

Women getting the veggies ready for the meals

They they grow all the food here which taste so good

 Textile

 This amazing guy was running the machinery by sound since he was blind.

It is known that blind and deaf people are very gifted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They make their own mattress and rugs

They make all the uniforms for the kids

 

This this beautiful angel walk up to the age of 2 and then got polio and lost the ability to walk.  She lived at home with no friends, love or a life and was very depressed and discouraged. She was encouraged by a friend to go to Anandwan and came to try for 1 year.  Here she found herself, received a mobile bike when she can move around, learned sign langanguage and teaches the deaf to make the school uniforms.  She is one person I found with the biggest heart, filled with love and joy that is so infectious.  She has now been at Anandwan for three years and will never go back home, here she is independent, appreciated, loved and actually has a life in the community.  Just amazing story!!

What’s next

I am leaving for Tiru on Friday and will have no access for two weeks more.  Until then, may you continue to live in joy and gratitude.

 

 

 

Being in Service

We arrived in Anandwa a couple of weeks ago and began our service work. We were given the opportunity to do two practical, so I decided to choose wound management at the clinic and the Elders ward for women. I wanted a balance between growth, something pushi ng me out of my comfort zone and one that I was familiar with and would be comfortable doing.

Below are two of my experiences that left me moved and forever changed.

WOUND CLINIC 

The side effects of leprosy are wounds which are ulcers and can range in different size and forms that take a long time to heal. Since leprosy affects the nervous system, they are unable to feel or sense the areas affected which can be very dangerous for them. You often see those with loss limbs such as fingers, toes, hands or feet and a few resulted in an amputation.

The first day I arrived at the wound clinic, the man I choose to have as a mentor just finished wrapping up a foot with a bandage and turned to me and said in Hindi with hand signals, it’s all yours!!! I immediately stopped breathing and thought to myself, I don’t even know what I’m doing!! But moved forward and tried. It was obvious I didn’t know what I was doing and he pushed me aside and took over. I was thankful, yet at the same time felt totally useless.

With my hand signal, I told him I just want to watch. Eventually I tried again with his help but only once. Although I didn’t contribute to the extent I wanted to, I did feel blessed just to watch. It was quite overwhelming to see the deep wounds and to me all I could handle the first day was taking all that in

When we had our tour, the wounds I saw was very surfaced and when I was there, the wounds were incredible and hard to see. I often had to look over and slowly go back to looking again. I had never seen anything like it and quickly realized today was all about accepting, given myself the time to just embrace what I was seeing before I could be even ready to start. After all, I’m not a nurse or Dr. Just a volunteer!!!

Most of the wounds are on the feet, huge holes the size of your palm and so deep that you see the inside of the foot. Some ihave no feet, have completely loss the foot and what you see is like an elephant foot with an open wound with raw flesh. Others have wounds on their feet and hands which take longer to look after.

“But the common thing each patient has is joy, always greeting you with a warm Namaste”

At the wound clinic, they come to get cleaned up and re-bandaged before starting their day of work. The clinic opens around 5:45 – 8:30 and during that time 40 or more come through the assembly line to attend to their wounds and get extra bandages for the night.

The second day I was more excited and hoping my mentor would have the patience to teach me but to only be disappointed. When I arrived, he completely ignored me, was letting me know he didn’t want me in his personal space, in fact , irritated I was even there. I spent the whole time just watching and later walked away feeling so rejected, useless and so hurt. I couldn’t understand why he would be this way.

When I came back to my dorm, I shared my experience and allowed the emotions to come through and just cried. All I wanted to do was help and contribute but I could see it wasn’t going to be easy. That afternoon in meditation, I realized things are much different here, it’s not about skills or any contribution but about “TRUST”

“I had to gain his respect and trust before he would be ready to take the time to mentor me. All I kept hearing is ” don’t give up!!”

The next day was our rest day, it gave me a chance to process, get centered and grounded again. That evening, we had a guided meditation on LOVE and COMPASSION, how appropriate. We always get what we need just at the right time.

We had to reflect over a person that touched us, in neutral with and one we had a challenge with. The meditation included a mantra and steps which encompassed love and compassion towards that person , how amazing!!! So of course, I choose this mentor as the challenge.

First I visualized him in from of me and said the following to him: ” I am not a threat, I only want to learn from you. I came here to learn and would be honoured if you would take the time to teach me your craft”. I then said the mantra and encompassed him then both of us with love and gratitude.

The next morning – A miracle!! I arrived to see him happy and remembered the meditation and sent him more love. I was prepared to do the usual which was just watch but this time in gratitude and love versus frustration, feeling rejected or even boarded.

“I just stayed in the energy of LOVE”

I could see the patients were coming and I moved out of the way to let him work but instead he turned to me and gave me permission to go ahead and change the bandage. I was so surprise but excited at the same time. Another patient came and again he continued to just let me work. Wow, this is really happening I thought .. If and when I wasn’t sure, he would slowly come over and speak to me in Hindi like I understood and showed me how to do it. Eventually he walked out of the clinic and left me alone, watching from the door and I could feel his trust and confidence in me. I was so grateful, so focused and wanted him to be proud.

All of a sudden, he comes to me and shows me his hand, on the palm of his hand was something he wrote but I could not see it because I didn’t have my glasses on. So I asked him what it was. In Hindi he tells me it’s his name, wow!!! I felt so touched but could not show to much emotions for I had a patient I was in the middle of bandaging and three waiting. I knew we had reached a new level but could only process this when I was finished.

I left in gratitude and felt so honoured for the opportunity of learning. It was so much more than bandaging, it was all about TRUST. When he gave me his name that was the moment he accepted me, the moment he was open to my being there. All this time he was someone with no name. I cried in honoured and total appreciation for his teaching.

“You see, these people don’t have much to give; the only thing they have is their trust and their heart Within a culture that doesn’t show emotions, that is a true gift!!!”

I now see him as Patti Guru, in Hindi patti means bandage and our time together with this beautiful mentor named Jamguar is so precious. Each day he continuous to show me his craft and in appreciations I bring him a treat each morning. We now work together as a team and even though there is an obvious language barrier, we have come to fully understand each other in ways only we would understand.

I am so grateful I didn’t give up, didn’t let my sense of rejection blind me but instead tapped into love knowing there was a deeper reason for this experience and trusted it would be shown to me.

“This has opened my heart and touched me more that he will ever know”

THE ELDERS- The women’s ward

In the afternoon, I spend my time with the women given them massages, oiling and braiding their hair or cutting their nails. Sometimes I just walk around and offer hugs, kisses and more hugs or just hold their hand.

This of course sounds all easy , something anyone can do but you need to better understand the environment. There is up to 4-10 ladies in a room. Some room are dark with no light while others are lucky to have openings and sun can come through. Some areas are cleaned but not our standards of course, while others make it very hard to just be there due to the smell. Most of them sleep in sheets that are filled with pee, wholes, flies and some areas can be overwhelming. It is not unusual to find some of them have lice as well.

It truly moves you and shakes your whole existence for it is beyond what you would see in the West. But, what makes you go and want to go back to see these beautiful women is the love they show in pure appreciation for any attention. They always greet you with Namastes that leaves you breathless and wanting more.

When I first started, I was a little nervous for I was going to be alone and felt a little insecure even though I am a certified aromatherapy massage therapist.

“For you see it wasn’t about doing massage as much as the “unknown” of what I was about to face”

But when I walked in the room and saw their beautiful faces, I instantly felt at home and the rest just happened. I fell in love with them and felt so much compassion that I couldn’t even see their environment for the love blinded me and all I could see and feel was their heart.

“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”

― John Lennon

I felt so blessed and honoured to have this opportunity to just nurture and love them. The gifts in return was amazing, I was able to practice the little Hindi I knew and they thought me more. Even if you can’t speak the language and there is an obvious language barrier, LOVE always finds a way. We found a way and our time included laughter, joy and so much love. Other women would hear us and would come in and I ended up nurturing six women that afternoon.

When I returned, I felt confident and had a plan. I was first going to re-connect with the women from my first visit and then move on to other rooms. When I arrived, the joy in them was overwhelming, It felt so good and again I was grateful. This time I braided their hair and cut toe nails and left them with hugs and kisses and reassured them I would be back.

From there I moved on to other rooms and came upon a women who was very resistant. Everything in me told me to stay, just take the time to talk with her. Eventually she opened up to a massage ” malish” in Hindu. I started with the legs, slowly moved up to the arms and then I put a little oil in my hand and gently massaged her face.

She closed her eyes and I felt such trust coming from her and so much love came pouring out of me to her and it was at that moment when she opened her eyes and a tear came along with others. I could feel her heart softening and accepting the love I was giving her. I then came close to her and kissed her forehead, it was a moment I will never forget. I sat beside her and held her, took her sari to dry her tear and we sat in silence.

“It was so profound and again another miracle, another blessing I was given to help me expand my heart even more.”

They say India will change you, it’s not in the ways we think but in your heart, the place that all change matters. I find myself whimpering as I reflect over some experiences that have moved me beyond my understanding. It’s true, my heart will never be the same.

I trust this is part of God’s plan and trust I am exactly where I need to be at all times.

With endless gratitude and love

Manon

 

 

 

 

Somnath, India

After a 20 hour train ride, an Indian bus ride and taxi, I arrived in Somnath December 1st and went right into a week of silence and meditation retreat with no access to the outside world. It was a wonderful way to give myself permission to just rest, breath and get grounded again. My time also included walking around the commune getting to know the locals as well as spending time by the water, I found the water so calming but also useful in helping me process.

The first two days I was in my head, hard to calm down after all the travelling but also missing connecting with everyone. It was also a great reminder how dependent we are on our cell phone, emails, IPad or laptops.

It seems life gets congested with all of the outer world and here it’s all about your inner world. “Unplug” from the outside world and “plug in” your inner world.

MBy day three I had a major shift which changed everything. I felt liked I finally arrived and was ready to embrace my time in Somnath. It is also in this silence I better understood my desire to be in service.

Each day after that my insights and awareness became more visible which allowed me to become more aware of what was happening inside. The teachers gave amazing talks which always seems to be fitting to where I am and gave me clues to the next step.

The big  question was ” What do you want to do with your wild life?

I have chosen to now live in my purpose, the path of Enlightenment. What does that look like? For in order to create a world that is filled with love, harmony and compassion, it must start with ourself. So who am I?

What if you were to remove all that you think you are, your labels, limitations that control you, what then? If you were to have a blank page, who would you describe and what part of yourself?

In order to better understand who you are, you also need to be inclusive of your anger and resentment so you can transcend them?

What are the boundaries of your heart?

     Release your love, release yourself!!

In order to embrace my new life, my path, I must know who I am and what I stand for. Silence and meditation truly allows you to see all aspects of yourself, its not about judging but about love. You are not all that!! Becoming self realized is about returning back to the beginning which is LOVE.

We can learn to respond with love and create an environment that is more harmonious and inclusiveness but it starts with ourself. I am learning the deeper meaning of going within, tapping into those areas that are hidden behind being “busy” and continuously doing and not having enough time to “feel”.

So the question remains ” what do you want to do with your life and how do you want to live it? I am choosing a life where I can contribute in service. I want to learn how to love at a deeper level in order to respond from that place and in return will benefit from the changes. I am gaining more insights on the “how” which will eventually become the knowing..

“When we learn to better understand the limitations around our heart and let them go, we release the love that is waiting to flow out for ourself and others around us”

As you can see Somnath was crucial to help you get ready for Anandwan, first by better understanding who you are and what you stand for and second by recognize your limitations around your heart in order to let them go and release the love and compassion that is needed to be in service.

The message I continue to hear is kindness, love and compassion, first with oneself which will automatically transform to others.

 When we release all the obstacles within ourself, the flow of love flows freely out of us on to others and ourself.

 

ABOUT SOMNATH

Somnath is a rehabilitation centre for leprosy and was created in 1967 in the Chandrapur district of Maharasha and is affiliated with Anandwan. Its a beautiful small commune village in the South and has about 500 people or more with cured leprosy patients. Although it is a commune, people do have their own little place within the village.

Leprosy is a very mis-understood disease that can be cured. However, in the Indian community, those with this disease are usually outcast, rejected and excluded from families. In this community, the goal is to rebuild the family unit, therefore placing elders with younger members in order to establish a new family. With time the family unit does get created and a sense of family is re-established.

“Over time, new families have been created through marriages and the community is now growing harmoniously”

Somnath has a large farm land which covers 850 acres growing mostly wheat, soya bean, rice, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage and more. Everything we ate was naturally grown and so good.

The message I continue to hear is kindness, love and compassion, first with oneself which will automatically transform to others. When we release all the obstacles within ourself, the flow of love flows freely out of us on to others and ourself.

NAMASTE

As a Hindu culture we are always greeted with Namaste and here there is many different types of Namaste due to the physical challenges. Some are seen as both hands in prayer position, others only one hand to the heart while others are said with the Indian head bobbing both side.

On the second day we arrived, we were taken on a tour and as I got out of the bus/ambulance/school bus, I was greeted from a women with a heart shape Namaste. I wondered how she did it so I got closer to only see she was missing most of her fingers and when she brought both hands together it shaped into heart. Wow!! I was so taken back that I could hardly hold my emotions in my inside voice. It fluttered my heart and I will never forget this special greeting.

ATTACHMENTS

After a few days of silence and meditation, it seemed I was forgetting things or mis-placing them. I wondered if I now had “sometimer,s”or was this a sign of truly letting go and being in the moment? I’m sure this sounds familiar to many of you!!

I was sitting on this swinging chair and used my scarf as a pillow and fell asleep. As the bell rang for meditation, I struggled to get out of the chair and when I finally did just headed towards the meditation. That night when I went to use my scarf I couldn’t find it and looked everywhere to only remember I left it behind and when I went back it wasn’t there. Now I felt bad about misplacing my scarf for it was my favourite one. For some reason I just couldn’t let it go, was looking for it hoping it would reappear but mostly felt bad about being careless. Unfortunately, I couldn’t let it go and had a hard time relaxing in meditation, so silly right?

Every other day we had a one on one with the teachers and although I did share profound insights, I also shared about this silly situation to only find out the following. The teacher help me see it was not about the scarf as much as the idea I had made a mistake.. Wow, so true!!!

Attachments come in different forms and can hold us back from the present moment of experiencing joy. It’s not always obvious so we think it’s the actual situation versus what’s behind it. In this case it was the idea of possibly doing something wrong.

What would it be like if we didn’t go in that place of “right” or ” wrong”. What would be left?

Most of us have experienced this in a work environment, relationship or a friend? Although it seems like a small thing, it was a huge awareness which allowed me to look into other areas of my life.

Below are pics from Somnath

Train ride to Somnath. We shared the area with a family that had a baby. Wonderful experience

 

Here is my home and bed in Somnath.  Although malaria is very low right now due to the cool season, it’s best to sleep with a beautiful Barbie mosquito net anyway.  Lolo

 

 

 

Somnath is so beautiful. This water received one of the crystal given to me from one of the elders in intention to bring healing.

All the buildings are made manually, they make the bricks the old fashion way. They work with no hard hat, work boots, work gloves, tools, equipment, not even a shovel. They work with their hnice ands, bear feet and when they want to move something they lift it up and put it on three or more logs and the logs get rolled and the brick gets moved. What ever tools they have they made themselves. It’s amazing to watch and they are very fast.

 

Everyone is doing something to enhance the community. Kindness and compassion can be felt throughout the whole community.

 

 

 

Welcome to the kitchen staff. As you can see they don’t have all the luxury we have yet their food is all grown and handled by them with such love. They always work together in a team , always happy and so much joy

The dishpit, so amazing to watch them

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farmers bringing their cows to the water. Farming is a huge business for them and bring money to the community

 

 

 

Farmers also use the cows to help them carry things. They are working cows!!

 

 

 

Kids do go to school and the uniforms are made from the community. Some of these kids were scared of me, they never saw a white person. In order to get a picture I first had to show my iPad and show them some pictures in order to gain their trust in me. Only then did they let me take a picture, to cute

 

Women are the water carriers. There are many areas throughout the village for them to access clean water. The water jug depends on where you are located within the village. This one is outside of the commune in the farm area

 

 

 

 

These ladies are in the commune

 

 

 

 

Locas and villagers. Most of them haven’t since a white person nor an iPad. Out of respect I always ask before taking a picture and show it back to them. Their reaction is priceless and so humbling

 

This meditation room when empty was a storage room for onions. The paintings are made from the orphanage kids

 

This amazing lady kept the commune area cleaned. They are called sweepers.

 

The moon was so beautiful and brought me back home as I thought about all my drumming community. Although it made me homesick at first, it did become a sense of comfort

 

Every night there is a fire in the farmers field with a guard to watch for animals as well as a fire in the middle of the commune with a fire keeper to look for wild animals such as panthers and tigers. Lucky for us none came.. This reminded me so much of the sacred fire and I would spend some time just looking at the fire.

The farmers make these incredible homes from hay versus hay barrels. All the work is done manually, there is no machine.

 

SUPPORT

Please know your support is so appreciated. I often look over the messages as a great sense of comfort, inspiration and hope and carry the following with me on my journey.

 

I leave you with the only English message I found, so profound!!

 

Now leaving for Anandwa where I will begin my volunteer work

Much love,
Om Shaanti