Sahayak's Blog

Tribute to Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007)

Sahayak Plowman — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:40:30

Sri Chinmoy.

Many remembrances shall be dedicated to this most distinguished son of India's greatest spiritual teachings and traditions: meditation teacher, spiritual Master, humanitarian and world visionary, the revered yogi, Guru Sri Chinmoy. Each a testament of how this gentle, wise, quietly spoken, universally loved, admired and respected spiritual leader has inspired the lives and touched the heart's of so many.

As a disciple I have many personal experiences and reflections on how Guru had, is and shall continue to have such a profound influence on my life. I feel that what Guru would want from me now at this time of loss and reflection and for all of his disciples, distinguished friends, admires, well-wishers and the countless numbers of individuals around the world who have been touched by his message and inspired by his example, is our collective joy.

The passing of Guru

Sahayak Plowman — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 15:19:10

At a time of great personal loss and the inability to fully express what this loss means, I draw strength, gratitude and happiness from all that Sri Chinmoy has brought into my life and the live's of his students, and his friends from the international community who gather in New York at this moment to pay their respects to the heart and life of this greatly admired and loved peace advocate and humanitarian.

Some immortal words spoken by Sri Chinmoy's I share with you all.....

"I know that God can be seen. I know that God can be felt. I know that God can be realised. I know that each human being, with no exception, will grow into God's transcendental Vision and His Reality absolute."

Fine dining

Sahayak Plowman — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 17:23:48

It was all hands on deck, or should I say 'all hands in the kitchen' for members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre Brisbane when they catered to the apetites of 44 members of the Brisbane Vegetarian Society..

Apache spirits

Sahayak Plowman — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 01:27:48

Back in 1994 as a new disciple of Sri Chinmoy I had been invited to photograph the runners of the Sri Chinmoy Harmony Run as they journeyed across the varying terrain of the US. We ran through fourteen States before I had to return to Australia. On my last day with the team I ran my first marathon through New Mexico, and on that run I felt the overwhelming presence of the Apache spirits...

Who's old?

Sahayak Plowman — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:17:15

I recall an amusing incident with Sri Chinmoy and many of his students at a recent celebration in New York..

Overcoming a stroke

Sahayak Plowman — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 22:11:13

I am drawn to write this article after once again being totally inspired by an elderly gentleman who lives near by..

Who are you?

Sahayak Plowman — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 15:31:08

Who are you? Have you ever stopped and pondered this question, or is it too difficult to contemplate. Let me be sincere when suggesting that you may not be who you think yourself to be! Unless of course you have been sincerely meditating for a number of years.

Please let me continue..

The unknown volume

Sahayak Plowman — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 12:38:38

I find that every now and then the greater universe guides me to a bookshop to purchase an unknown volume. On my last such calling I found my hand reaching for the book - The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

United Nations Concert

Sahayak Plowman — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 13:25:59

Several hundred privileged guests witnessed a most intimate and extraordinary concert at The United Nations in New York this August. The guest performer was the renowned Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov the musical icon from Russia (Purushottama is known as the Bob Dylan of Russia). The name Purushottama meaning ‘the one who is beyond all limitations' was given to Boris by Sri Chinmoy. A few hundred of Sri Chinmoy's students were at this concert, as were many hundreds of Russians living in the New York area, Russian diplomats, embassy staff and officials, and Sri Chinmoy.

Inspirational gift

Sahayak Plowman — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 14:42:59

Whenever I travel to New York to see my meditation teacher Sri Chinmoy I always carry with me a spare copy of Sri Chinmoy's Heart-Garden. I have found over the last couple of years since the books release that I invariably find myself chatting with someone at the airport or to the person sitting next to me on one of the flights.

Inspiring stories - Sri Chinmoy Radio

Sahayak Plowman — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 08:33:39

Last year I recorded two short inspirational stories, one about my elderly parents, the other about my uplifting experiences high in the sacred mountains of western China. To my surprise both of these stories have now been released on Sri Chinmoy Radio

Flight delay - spiritual inspiration

Sahayak Plowman — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 08:35:15

On a recent trip to see my meditation teacher Sri Chinmoy, I and nearly 200 other passengers were delayed for 2.5 hours on the tarmac of Los Angeles international airport waiting clearance for take-off to continue our journey. Given the fact that such a delay in normal circumstances would have caused only minor disruptions to travellers, this one at the end of a 13 hour flight across the Pacific was looking to be very frustrating, especially when all one wants more than anything else is a soaking hot shower and a good lie down. I was beginning however to realise that this 'delay' was anything but frustrating....

Sri Chinmoy's Heart-Garden, continued success.

Sahayak Plowman — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:58:33

The very popular book Sri Chinmoy's Heart-Garden is now listed on Amazon Books.com. The world's largest online book website has added Sri Chinmoy's Heart-Garden to their comprehensive list of Sri Chinmoy's best selling titles.

The grumpy old man!

sahayak — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 23:58:26

Remember this poem when you next meet an older person, one who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within.....we will after all, one day, be there, too!

The world within and without..

sahayak — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:10:06

"If we use the heart, immediately we become part and parcel of the substance and essence of what we are seeing..."

Seeking quietude?

sahayak — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:33:24

Finding quietude away from the mind's busyness...

We all have beauty, try not to judge..

sahayak — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 02:13:07

Regardless of which path we follow we can all be inspired by our fellow spiritual traveller's. A timely reminder not to be judgemental...

Are you a crack pot?

sahayak — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:26:02

A lovely story from a very dear friend, sent at a time of personal reflection, a message for us all...gratitude Krandan!!

Am I a Fireman yet?

sahayak — Mon, 28 May 2007 14:59:08

A very moving story of a little boy's dying wish and the compassionate heart's of a bunch of loving firemen...

The Sultan's private Museum

sahayak — Fri, 25 May 2007 23:35:45

I recall a number of years ago when Sri Chinmoy and many of his students were visiting Brunei that a number of us had the opportunity to view the private Museum of the Sultan of Brunei.

The puppy

sahayak — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 06:11:26

Well I don't think it makes the slightest bit of difference what age you are, but when I see a puppy my heart melts. My theory has been tested well and truly lately, thanks to a six weeks old Golden Retriever owned by some very good friends of mine.

What is DVT?

sahayak — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 21:35:25

Many of you will be unfamiliar with the term DVT, unless of course you have a medical degree. DVT or as it is commonly called Deep Vein Thrombosis is a condition where blood thickens or clots in a deep vein, usually in the lower leg. This condition I too would normally be unfamiliar with except for the fact that I recently suffered from this potentially serious condition after flying to New York.

From beef producer to vegetarian

sahayak — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 19:14:21

Who would have ever thought that a dinky di Aussie raising beef cattle on a 200-acre farm would ever become a vegetarian? Well it's true; they'll be no more steaks on the BBQ for this well and truly converted meat eater!

Inspiration In Jail

sahayak — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 23:47:21

This is the journey of a remarkable person one who I have never met, but one who I was privileged to teach meditation to while he was in jail. Then after his release he continued his spiritual search at the Chenrezig Buddhist Teaching Institute in S.E. Queensland, Australia. For the sake of privacy I shall not reveal his real name, calling him Tom instead.

It all began when my sister Ann asked if I would like to correspond with the son of bushwalking friends of hers. She explained that Tom was a drug addict and was serving the first of a three-year prison sentence. He had recently become interested in Buddhism after borrowing books from the prison library. My sister felt that my awareness of eastern spiritual traditions and meditation techniques would help develop Tom’s spiritual interest.

Precious moments

sahayak — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 04:00:06

Once again I find myself packing, travelling to spend precious weeks with my spiritual and meditation teacher, Sri Chinmoy.

Its time to reflect….on my spiritual teacher’s compassion, love, concern and efforts to offer his oneness- vision in service to the aspiring heart of humanity..

Watch your step

sahayak — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 12:51:40

There are certain hazards you face when you work alone in the Australian bush. I spent a few years cutting timber for property owners in the Maleny range area, supplying posts and rails and firewood for their potbelly stoves.

Courtesy Australian Museum

I only cut standing trees ones that had been marked by the forestry rangers, those deemed to be sick or stunted, I could however freely cut all dead trees. I was chainsawing blocks off a large fallen tree when I heard the sound of an approaching 4WD vehicle. This deep into the forestry reserve it could have only been the rangers. I looked up to see them stop ahead of the log I was cutting.

Beyond ego

sahayak — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 07:53:03

My flatmate Atul was unusually quiet yesterday afternoon. As I sat to eat dinner he told me that he attended a work conference that day, where one of the delegates dominated the group discussion period, interjecting repeatedly and showing little respect for his fellow presenters. Atul was shocked by his inconsiderate actions never experiencing this type of behaviour before. I told him not to be too surprised, it was a display of ego.

The following morning Atul's feelings really touched my heart and I began to reflect on the negative power of the human ego.

Oneness-Hearts

sahayak — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 03:41:12

Recently at the Sri Chinmoy vegetarian restaurant in Brisbane 'My Heart Garden', we had a reservation for dinner from a group of forty one Seventh-Day Adventists.

Heart-Garden in Japan

sahayak — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 17:27:02

A friend of mine Harashita, from the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Tokyo recently sent me this message -

Wildlife artist

sahayak — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:57:37

A very good friend Barry Ingham is an extraordinary wildlife artist. He also is a great supporter of budding young artists.

Out to sea

sahayak — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:38:21

While working as an administrator for two remote Aboriginal communities in the far north of Queensland, I was priveleged to witness the traditional hunting skills of a few of their elders.

A group of Aboriginee men who I became good friends with invited me to go 'fishing'. We drove to an isolated beach late that afternoon with their wives and children and camped for the night.

My first horse - part 4

sahayak — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 01:27:56

As 'baby' matured I began to take her for longer rides. She was still fairly green but was becoming more confident within herself and her surroundings. Directly opposite our property was the entrance to a very large Macadamia nut farm. Hundreds of acres of long rows of mature trees, separated by wide aisles of thick lawn.

My first horse - part 3

sahayak — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 18:01:32

I had taken 'baby' to a friend John to be 'broken in'. She had been away for a week when I received a call to come and have a ride. 'Baby' was saddled and tied to the inside of the round yard. John and been breaking in a dozen horses that week and they too were now being ridden for the first time by their owners, he invited me to join them. 'Baby' stood quietly as I mounted and asked her to walk forward with a gentle squeeze of the legs. Wow this felt great, this was the first time I had been on her back.

My first horse - part2

sahayak — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 07:53:47

'Baby' grew up in a creche of other mares and foals on the farm. When old enough I began to show her in halter classes at local horse shows, where she began to get quite a name for herself, winning first place on many occasions.

As she grew she blossomed into a fine looking mare, showing that typical quarter horse muscular development. I would stable and rug her during the 'showing' months to improve her general condition. Then after the show season I put her back out into the paddocks with the other horses for a spell. It was during these times that she began to display her true personality, and we developed a strong bond.

That gate

sahayak — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 22:15:06

Living hundreds of miles from the nearest hardware stores Australian graziers out of necessity have learnt to improvise. In my Museum travels I have opened many variations of the wire gate, each seemingly made from whatever is found lying around at the time, left over wire, leather, timber rails and metal loops and straps - each gate a testimony to ingenuity and resourcefulness.

Every 'bushy' has built one

I have sketched the simplest design. They're normally around two metres wide and made as a loose wire frame that becomes taught once it's stood in its foot stirrup and tensioned with a timber or steel leverage bar.

The saddest moment

sahayak — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 16:51:04

Early each morning as I walked down to feed the horses accompanied by my dogs, I would open an assortment of old wire and wooden cages that safely housed the ducks, chooks and geese for the evening.

Goose and gander.

As I did so there was always lots of honking, quacking and chirping as birds flapped their wings and gathered around the barn door for their morning feed of laying pellets.

Showing chooks

sahayak — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:03:25

On the farm I became very fond of the chooks, they are such simple and gentle creatures with quite distinct personalities. I had a call from a good friend who was breeding a variety of bantam chook called - Indian Game. When I first saw them I was amazed at how stocky and muscular they were, the real Bill Pearl's of the chook world.

Rooster

I was so taken with them I bought three hens and a rooster and commenced my own breeding program. I had some early successes so was encouraged to show my best birds at a local chook show. Its amazing to realise that they do have judged competitions for chooks.

Rotten eggs

sahayak — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:31:40

I had about thirty free range hens of all shapes and colours that layed copious quantities of eggs around the stables and chook pens. Every day I would retrieve as many eggs as I could find. However hens would still regularly appear with clutches of day old chickens.

To check their freshness collected eggs were always floated in a tub of water in the kitchen. The fresher eggs would sink, the older eggs float. These older eggs I fed to the dogs.

and more eggs...

On reflection

Sahayak Plowman — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 16:44:59

There are times when I pause, when my life affords me the opportunity to reflect on all that it is. Not from an outer worldly perspective but from an inner spiritual viewpoint, of an inner knowing, a quiet assurance and indomitable faith...

A matter of heart

sahayak — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 15:54:50

Two photographs - one B/W the other colour of bracken ferns. The colour photograped by Phoolanjaya from the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Dunedin, New Zealand. The other by yours truly from the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Brisbane, Australia.

A direct shaft of light highlites the ferns fronds.

Night or day

sahayak — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 04:04:15

Two pictures taken of the same house, one during the day the other by moonlight. Can you pick which is which?

A little bit of a clue, look for the amount of detail in the shadows! One was shot at 1/60th sec, the other shot at time exposure of four hours.

The 'ol farm house daylight or moonlight?

Dodging and burning

sahayak — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 01:48:13

This is one of my favourites, a tranquil rock pool surrounded by thick rainforest. It seems to be a fairly straight forward shot. But now that I am using B/W film the final print took two hours to perfect.

A tranquil pool under the rainforest canopy.

The dingo fence

sahayak — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 00:51:19

Shot dingo's are hung on the fence.

I spent some time in the far western regions of Queensland taking some snaps for an article I was writing for Geo Magazine. This article was on the life of the hardiest of 'bushies' who maintain the longest man made structure in the world - the 5,309 kilometres of the Dingo Fence. The fence snakes its way from Jandowae in eastern Queensland down to the N.S.W. border then down across into S.A. ending near Fowlers Bay on the coast.

Thailand

sahayak — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 16:59:14

I visited the magnificent kingdom of Thailand for the first time in 1989. The challenge I posed for myself was photographing such a vibrantly colourful country in B/W film only.

Here are some of those pics -

The serene Buddha.

My first horse - part1

sahayak — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 04:03:16

One of the most memorable periods of my life were six years spent on a 200 acre 'hobby farm' in the beautiful range country of Maleny, one and a half hours drive north of Brisbane.

Glasshouse Mountains from Maleny.

As a 'city slicker' this was the first time I had worked closely with a menagerie of farm animals - horses, cattle, chooks, geese, ducks, cats, dogs and a goat.

How many jobs?

sahayak — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 02:10:01

At fifty four years of age, life has taken me in many directions, each turn providing employment in a new area. Just for the sake of it I thought I would jot them down before the the ol' memory fades. (not in order)

Time to reflect

Panic amongst the dinosaurs

sahayak — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 13:51:17

Imagine hundreds of small herbivores feeding on the lush vegetation next to a freshwater lake. The comparitive harmony of this prehistoric scene is suddenly transformed into one of panic when a large predator attacks. With jaws snapping he greedily lunges amongst them, their only defense is to scatter, stampeding across the muddy foreshore.

Photo - Courtesy of Queensland Museum.

This unique event is recorded as a 'geological time capsule' by the tracks left behind by Queensland dinosaurs.

Life in the desert

sahayak — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 01:32:27

As you know I have been privileged to spend months at a time camped in our remotest regions. During that time, particularly while travelling with Museum scientists I have grown to understand and love its rich diversity.

The Spinifex Pidgeon

When you drive into the Australian outback, you are travelling into an ancient landscape. A world quiet separate from the rim of our moister coastal regions. The outback is an immense area of low rainfall, its topography generally flat. An arid landscape where life has been evolving over millions of years.

Nature's overwhelming silence

sahayak — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 13:51:39

Have you ever been in a place where there is complete silence? Not the silence around towns and cities in the early mornings before the day begins, or the 'silence' in the serene sounds of nature.

The salt crust of Lake Eyre.

I mean TOTAL, absolute silence. The silence I guess you would experience if you were floating in the vastness of outer space. A silence so overwhelming and penetrating that your ears ring.

The biggest snake

sahayak — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 04:50:37

We were driving to Roma in S.W. Queensland, vehicles laden with equipment and supplies for two months of fossil collecting, when we stopped at a small country town with the unlikely name of Muckadilla, for lunch.

Sandwiches in hand I climbed the slope of a large earth dam wall some distance from the vehicles. From there I looked out over the mulga scrub that stretched to the horizon.

I was about to sit down to have lunch, when I saw the biggest snake I had ever seen about 2mtrs away. This snake was ENORMOUS, and more alarmingly one of the deadliest in the world, the King Brown Snake. I froze, and watched with relief as this beautiful specimen slid into a hole in the dam's wall.

Face to face

sahayak — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:35:50

Another story from the Simpson Desert - I and a team of scientists were undertaking a series of excavations looking for a whole array of prehistoric animals.

In one area I was recovering dozens of early kangaroo jaws that were deposited tens of thousands of years ago in beds of loose white sand. These beds had subsequently been lifted as layers in a series of small hills.

A 'big red' amongst spinifex grass

Near the crest of one of these hills I was working by myself in the coolness of early morning. Each scoop of my hand revealed dozens of lower jaw fragments. As I continued to work I noticed an unusual sound. I paused for a moment to confirm the direction of the sound, but silence. Then I heard it again, what was it?

I looked around but everything was quiet. Then after a few minutes I heard it again, this time realising that it was coming from the top of the hill I was working on.

On the top was a small hedge of spinifex grass, I climbed to the top and began to peer over to the other side. As I did so I large male red kangaroo also rose to see what he had heard. Then suddenly there we were face to face, about one metre apart!

I think I was more surprised than he was, as he continued to stand revealing the full height of his powerful frame and broad and muscular chest.

I sat in awe and watched as he turned and slowly hopped off between the line of distant sand dunes.

Wow could he have been the cosmic guardian of those jaw fragments?

A mysterious animal!

sahayak — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:26:14

One of my first Museum field trips was into the depths of the Simpson Desert in Central Australia, with a team of Paleontologists from various Australian State Museums.

Endless rows of dunes dotted with spinifex bushes.

We collected firewood each evening to cook our meals. On one such occasion I walked into the sparse expanse of desert dunes trying to find some twigs or branches to burn.

Suddenly I noticed the tracks of a very unusual animal. Was it a wounded kangaroo or some other unusual creature that I was totally unaware of? I wanted to get the attention of my fellow campers, but did not want to call out in case I scared the animal away, so I continued to follow quietly. Perhaps they would lead to a burrow! Wow this could also be a very rare, or as yet an undescribed animal.

I then noticed that the tracks were heading directly back to camp. Perhaps now they would see the animal I was tracking. Closer and closer to camp I followed, then I suddenly realised what I was tracking - the marks of a branch that one of the scientists had just dragged back to our roaring campfire!

I quickly did a U turn, never admitting to anyone, until now the stupidity of my search!!

The Dance of Light

sahayak — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 14:22:54

Tracks, patterns and textures.

Just off the coast of Brisbane Australia, on the boundary of Moreton Bay lies Moreton Island National Park. The island consists of a prominent rocky headland and lighthouse and 37klm's of golden sand deposited over millions of years by coastal currents. This popular area attracts fishermen, holidaymakers and campers, all escaping city life just two hours away by barge.

Mt. Tempest the highest point of the island is the highest stabilised sand dune in the world. Standing at 285m and covered by natural vegetation it dominates an island of immense beauty. The island's ocean side stretches as far as the eye can see, a continuous stretch of open ocean beach and magnificent surf. Navigatable only by 4WD vehicles, its the southern end of this largely undeveloped paradise I have a particular photographic interest in.

Such a variety of textures.

The Man from Oodnadatta

sahayak — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 02:43:43

You may well ask: Where is Oodnadatta, or what is Oodnadatta? Oodnadatta is an aboriginal word meaning 'blossoming of the mulga' (Mulga is a woody shrub that grows in the arid regions of Australia). Australians will know it as the name of an isolated settlement lying deep within the heart of Australia's southern desert region. The northern most point of the railroad supplying all manner of goods to the early settlers and mining camps, and for the transportation of livestock back to the coastal city of Adelaide, a thousand miles to the south.

The central boxed area of the padre's parish.

Oodnadatta was also the base from which Australia's first 'patrol padre', my grandfather, Robert Bruce Plowman (1886-1966) from the Australian Inland Mission founded by the Rev. John Flynn, left with his string of six camels, dog, provisions and trusted aboriginal tracker Dick Gillen for their epic five month 2,500 mile return journey north to Tennant Creek, within the 160,000 square miles of his parish. An area 39,000 square miles greater than the combined areas of England, Scotland and Ireland. This immense area had a white population of only four hundred, and an aboriginal population of approx. 8,000.

As a six year old, I knew my grandfather to be a proud old man. He was arthritic, stooped in stature, carried a cane, suffered from failing eyesight, wore thick black rimmed glasses and preferred to be called 'grandfather'. I recall a thick tweed jacket he wore and being lifting onto his boney knees, and being fondly told about his beloved camels and his many adventures.

As an adult I have the greatest admiration, respect and love for this well known Australian pioneer and author. Partly because of the time I have camped in the remote areas he travelled through. He wrote four books - The Man from Oodnadatta, Camel Pads, Larapinta and The Boundary Rider. He was known as the 'Man from Oodnadatta', but was affectionately called 'the padre'.

The padre 'upfront' with Dick Gillen at rear.

The conditions he had to endure, his strength, courage and tennacity, and the personal suffering he encountered while travelling in the harshest of Australia's central desert regions is the stuff legends are made of. But he was a quiet and humble man, a presbyterian padre: the only link that hundreds of isolated miners, settlers and their families had with the outside world. So isolated were their camps and stations, that he had seen most on only a handful of occasions, in the five years (1912-1917) that he served in this voluntary role. One can only imagine how excited they would have been to see him!

Wolfram mining camp.

He speaks of members of his parish - "five months of meeting fine men and finer women. Men of clear eyes and big hearts; wholesome men, generous and self-reliant, honest and dependable, morally and physically courageous; men of outstanding virtues, yet not without faults; but men guiltless of meanness and trickery and knavery; men's men. Fine women of quiet courage and infinite patience, meeting the experiences of the day as they came, and not anticipating trouble; of rare gifts of hospitality and home-making; women more than worthy of their menfolk".

The 'heart' of the padre's parish - The Simpson Desert.

And others speak of Oodnadatta - "Oodnadatta, July 26, 1899 Here we are right up in Central Australia as far as the railway goes and when we looked out of the train windows this morning it really looked as if we had come to the end of the world. Just close around us, half a dozen, white, low, one-storied houses of wood with iron roofs, a hotel rather larger than the rest, a railway station, a most primitive little school and besides that, nothing to be seen but dreary red soil, not a plant, a tree, or shrub to be seen, but far away in the distance, a slight rise in the ground of some hills…" Audrey Tennyson, 'Vice-Regal Days', p.46

Australia's regal flyers

sahayak — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 14:03:54

In my photographic travels I have been blessed to spend countless hours watching Australia's unique wildlife. On two such trips I had the rare chance of photographing two of Australia's most regal predators.

On the wet floodplains of Kakadu National Park, in the northern most area of Australia I witnessed the power and gracefulness of the White Breasted Sea Eagle. Kakadu is jointly managed by the local aboriginal people who call the White Breasted Sea Eagle - 'nyak nyak'. I was awakened early one still morning by the loud 'screech' of a female as she began her early morning search for food.

Photo: Sahayak Plowman

Silently soaring down from a high perch, upon her outstretched two metre wings, she was searching with an alert eye for her favourite fish - fresh water barramundi. Sea eagles hunt on the wing, flying close to the waters surface they search for the slighest movement, then thrust their outstretched talons into their unsuspecting prey. Then with a powerful flap of the wings they lift themselves clear and circle back to their nest, to feed a solitary chick.

I watched in awe as she made repeated passes, on one occasion flying so low that her wing tips touched the surface of the water. Then finally success, suddenly with a splash she had her prey tightly clasped in one of her talons.

A place of pilgrimage

sahayak — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:29:19

A short hour and a half drive from Brisbane, just passed the quaint country town of Rathdowney, is a turn off to Mt. Barney. The road hugs Mt. Barney Creek then winds it way through the foothills of some of the most spectacular climbing and trekking regions of S.E. Queensland, Australia.

Mount Barney as seen from the approach road.

The area is predominantly open farming country, mostly beef, dairy and hobby farms that back onto the Mt. Barney massif. This massif comprises peaks of seven separate mountains, all within a World-Heritage listed park. As far as mountains go Mt. Barney is not that high, around 2000m, but it is the highest and one of the most rugged within easy driving distance of Brisbane.

The area has also special significance with the original land owners, the aborigines. Mt Maroon for example was originally known as Wahlmoorum (Yuggera language meaning 'sand goanna').

Life as a kid in Australia

sahayak — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 15:13:33

For me the greatest aspect of being an Australian was my carefree childhood, growing up under clear sunny skies. Like most Aussie kids I spent most of my time outdoors playing cricket, kicking a football and holidaying at the beach. I had plenty of good mates, an insatiable appetite, a bike, skinned knees and a freckled face. Such fond memories of my childhood complete one great chapter of my life.

Then when I reached my early teens my father and I would pack the family sedan each weekend, and drive to distant gem fields to fossick for semi-precious stones. We nearly always found one good specimen that dad would carefully wash, then wrap in cotton wool and place in an empty matchbox. This he would proudly show mum on our return. Mum never came with us, she was a city girl scared of snakes and spiders, but loved to see our sparkling finds. During these weekends away I developed a deep love for the beauty of the Australian landscape. Our travels took us to many areas. When in the mountains I would sit beside flowing streams, mesmerized by the movement of the crystal clear water as it passed quietly by. I wondered where this stream might have started its journey, and where it would end.

Sunset - Central Australia

While driving across wide open places I remember feeling the hot wind blowing in my face, and seeing the rolling countryside stretching into a distant heat-haze and shimmering mirage. When we stopped for lunch I would always look for the comfort of a large shaded gum tree to rest against. In the towering branches above I would often hear the 'screech' of parrots, or the loud piercing calls from a flock of galahs, as they too sheltered from the midday sun.

My love of the Aussie bush continued to grow as an adult, particularly when I worked for the Queensland Museum. My job, and it's hard to imagine that anyone would call this work, was to spend 3 months each year in the remotest regions of inland Australia, digging up dinosaurs! Can you imagine that for a job, yep that's what I did for eight years!

In all those years I never slept in a tent. I would make up a bed-roll next to the fire each night, and settle down. In the early hours of the morning I would be awakened by the fall of damp dew. I would then roll over and gaze up in absolute wonder at the millions of stars that shone so brighly in the infinite expanse above. This is an experience like no other, it is absolutely breathtaking to witness.

After returning from research in the field we would rustle up some 'tucka' and 'boil the billy', quietly settling back to watch the vibrant reds and golden yellows of sunset. We had the largest campfires. I took great pride in making a good fire, one that had a thick bed of coals for cooking raw potatoes wrapped in foil, or baking Aussie bread, known as damper. The coals also served as an important source of warmth against the cold desert air, for when I lay out my bed-roll.

All of these are fond experiences and binding memories. Awarenesses that began with weekends away fossicking, expanding further during my time away from the city and now concluding with the greatest awareness of them all - all that surrounds me is an extension of myself!

When I look back, I realise that when I pondered my existence while watching the mountain streams, witnessed the vastness of the open plains, the beauty of the star-filled sky and the stillness of the ebbing coals I was simply witnessing aspects of my own spiritual self.

Now when I sit to meditate I am re-inspired by my life's travels within Australia's timeless landscape ...

Eternal soul's

sahayak — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 07:44:43

Sadly, in March 2006 both of my parents passed away. They died of natural causes, my mother, Margaret Alison Plowman, died on my birthday two weeks after being diagnosed with cancer, she was 83, and my father, Hugh McDonald Plowman, died after a long illness eleven days later, the day after my mother's funeral, aged 85. The way that Mum and Dad departed so closely together was certainly an event of immense personal loss, but it was also one filled with the highest spiritual blessings, as both are also students of my meditation teacher, Sri Chinmoy.

As a young married couple, 1949

It was their time to be called, their earthly frames tired and spent, their eternal souls are now together for an indefinite period. As a spiritual seeker I could not have prayed for a more divine ending for my parents. They were married for nearly 60 years, raising three healthy children, now both can rest, re-united in Heaven's silent embrace.

I have drawn strength and understanding of death since the passing of a dear friends wife, who was also a student of Sri Chinmoy, a number of years earlier. In both instances now I am so grateful for the privilege to have felt the most serene and powerful blessings from my spiritual teacher.

Together on the high seas.

In the outer world, the finality in the deaths of my parents was certainly an event like no other. My life has been full of so many experinces, but nothing really prepares you for that moment. Since then I have undergone periods of grief, loss and emptiness, and have found that time does distance you from the impact of the event. From the higher spiritual reality however, I have only felt love and guidance from them in my prayers, and have recieved their reassurance, courage and strength on a number of occasions during my meditations.

And looking back after nearly a year, I find that my life is a tapestry of child-hood memories and recollections in their final years.

Children

sahayak — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 06:13:28

As adults simplicity and joy are two of the ideals we strive for in living a spiritual life. As a student of Sri Chinmoy I manage my own business as a domestic handy-man, many of my clients have small children. Of late I have been noticing how much joy my little friends bring into my life. In fact these children are the highlite and delight of each working day. There are always lots of smiles and laughter each time I visit.

We play so many games together when I am tidying up their toys, gardening, vacuuming and cleaning, each home and yard becomes a playground for 'Hide-n-Seek', 'I Spy', 'Batman and Spider Man' adventures and countless fun-filled moments, including of course re-plays of Ice Age 1 and 2 - if these happy times aren't reward enough, I actually get paid as well!!

Just prior to Christmas I suggested to two five and a half year old girls who had never met, to exchange Christmas greetings. I clean both their homes and have often told each girl about the other. I was so thrilled to see how spontaneously each embraced the idea, and how beautiful and colourful their creations were, particularly how excited each was to give and receive their hand-made offerings. Pieces of plain paper decorated with smiling stick-figure drawings of themselves and their brothers and sisters, cut-out and glued Christmas trees and stars all brightly coloured with their own pencilled names. I had as much, if not more joy in delivering their gifts as they did in making them, I really felt like Santa!

To add to this shared joy each child was waiting for me at the their front doors to again show me their cards when I returned to their homes after Christmas. The postiveness of their happiness was still as powerful weeks after the initial exchange, particularly after receiving so many Christmas presents from their parents.

All of my little friends soul's are so simple and natural in their joy, spontaneity and purity, all are such precious and unique examples of God's Love and Delight, I learn so much from their enthusiasm, each fills my heart with such freshness. For me, the simplicity of this open-hearted exchange of good will, that brought so much happiness to these two sweet-hearts is something that will forever remain with me.

The daily blessings these children bestow upon me are priceless, my experiences of the depths of the joy they bring, I believe is due to the simplification of my life through my regular meditations. Where else in this hectic world are we able to escape the complicated mind, to fully appreciate all that is wondrous in God's Creation, if not in the silence and depth of our own spiritual heart, where we can return again and again to experience the simplicity and joy of our own child-like nature.

Child's Joke - What did the two eyes say to each other? Just between you and me something smells!

See also: Aphorisms by Sri Chinmoy to bring hope, joy and inspiriation into ours and children's hearts.