We climb the Chamundi Hills in Mysore
searching for the holy man
who dwells in a cave
on the summit and dispenses wisdom
to seekers of truth
Barefoot I bend over and enter
the deep cave of the heart
in search of the flame
that dispels the darkness that blinds
Sitting on a ledge in lotus position smiling
is sannyasin swamiji Jamanagiri
who in the glow of burning candles
and scent of sandalwood and incense
greets us with Sanskrit Vedic verse
and white lotus petals
He shares his Hindu vision of becoming
the lotus that rises from mud and water
blossoming in sun and air and moon and fire
the supreme spirit of Shiva
detached from the World, the Flesh and the Ego
Chanting in Sanskrit Vedic verse
He blesses me with white lotus petals
as we leave the cave of the heart with
love prayer and solidarity
paz tomas
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