Coincidences

Do you believe in coincidence? Is there such a thing? I remember hearing a quote by Albert Einstein who said that coincidence was God's way of staying anonymous! (I find it strange Albert Einstein believed in God, given today's general rejection between scientists.)

It has been suggested that there are no 'real' coincidences. Every moment is the unfolding of our destiny. In the West it is easy to find fault with that reality. Perhaps, because we are attached to our identity so much, it's easy to get caught in the idea of being separated from life and others. Life is exceedingly hard in that reality and as a result we block ourselves from the flow of 'unfolding destiny.'

Another reason I like India, (!!!) is that energy is a consistent flow. Nothing becomes stagnant, even in the worst conditions. The concept of 'time' doesn't exist. There is no 'full stop', definitely no 'semi-colon', probably not even a 'coma', there is no punctuation, except what happens and what is. This allows the unfolding reality of 'destiny' that's so steeped into the fabric of life.

The first day I arrived at the Beach-house I unpacked my bag, lay on my bed and for a while dozed off, listening to the eternal sounds of the sea. The cool shade of coconut trees sheltered my room and dappled light filtered inside. It was very relaxing. No other sounds. No other people. At evening time I walked along the little pathway to another house where food was served. Guests from the neighbouring bungalows came and we congregated together.

The first night I was tucking into my extremely delicious, spiced green beans, when Sue, a kind woman I know from London appeared. It was an extraordinary moment and a big surprise! We know each other through another woman called Simone.

It's a long story how I got to meet Simone and I won't bore you with the details! Lets just say it was 'chance' in the making. Simone has a big, beautiful house in London and every two weeks (if she is in town) she holds a puja (a form of worship). In one of her rooms, she has created a Baba Temple, including a large effigy from Shirdi, of Sai Baba. The space always accommodates meditation and a warm sense of peace.

As it happened, Sue informed me Simone was in Shirdi and once in Mangalore, I texted Simone saying I was on my way. She replied saying she might leave soon but to text once I was there, in case otherwise.

I mentioned in a previous blog about the difficulty finding a ticket to Mumbai but once I scored a seat on a government bus, I relaxed back and waited to see what would transpire upon arrival. I had no idea whether I was going to get a taxi, wait all day for a bus, or what....?

The bus detoured around bendy roads, alongside waterways, it was scenic but what could have taken a couple of hours to Udupi, took about five. It was a long journey but I chatted to my neighbour who was returning to work after the holidays. His mother lived and worked in Nottingham, UK as a nurse. He worked in I.T and during bouts of silence played football on his ipad. I told him I lived in London, nearby a football club he recognised.

During the journey I remembered funny stories about tourists and taxi drivers and I didn't want to be ripped off with money, petrol or a round about excursion. On the outskirts of Mumbai, I descended from the bus and called Milind.

As it happened he had an empty apartment five minutes away from the junction I was standing in!! He gave me directions and I met a lovely woman who had the key. I showered, rested, practiced yoga, went shopping and met Milind later in his offices. We booked a ticket on the train for Shirdi and went out for a bite to eat.

Could it get much better?

Yes!

I drank a couple of cocktails and we ate Chinese! Conversation returned to our previous episode about philosophy and the meaning of life. "Because if we don't ask that question, nothing else will make any sense. We can become a great scientist, doctor, actor, musician but if we don't ask that question, 'Who AM I?' there's no point to anything."

I appreciated why I needed to see him again. The conversation hadn't ended from before!

Once on the train, a non-stop journey to Shirdi, I met my travelling companions, Insia and her husband who happened to be filmmakers!

Hahaa... the funny world of coincidences!!

So there we go. Ticketee boo.

And I met Simone in the evening for tea.