June 2010 – Spiritual Journeys Past and Future

Hello and Welcome Everyone,

So many things have changed in the world over the past month – it seems these days it is more and more difficult to keep apace with not only world affairs but in our own personal lives.

Yet again I have had a busy month with clients and I begin June with some inspiring new ideas for courses and developments that I will be able release at the end of July and into August.

In the meantime, I am planning a  spiritual journey  in July which will see me head off to the UK again. During this trip I am attending a seminar/retreat and revisiting old haunts and favourite spiritual places such as Glastonbury, Tintagel, Avebury and Stonehenge. I do like to get my “fix” of the energy in these wonderful places each time I go to England, however I do always try to visit places I have not previously seen.

This year will visit  the Quoits and the standing stones in Cornwall and I will also spend some time at St Michaels Mount (the starting point of what is known as the “Michael” or “Dragon Line”). My journey will also see me back in London where I am will be caching up with clients and colleagues. 

It occurred to me that I had not previously posted photos from my journey to Angkor Wat in Cambodia late last year. Cambodia is such an interesting (and poor) country but the people are beautiful and gentle in spite of the horrific past that they have endured. As we travelled through the country we could see the way the people lived and their preferred mode of transport – the motorbike! They were everywhere and used to transport every conceivable item and personages!

           

Preferred mode of transport for the holy....
…and not so holy ( but green)

 

The highlight for me was stepping across the threshold of the temple at Angkor Wat with our local tour guide and feeling the energy shift dramatically. It was like breaking through a membrane as we crossed the line between the outer temple and the inner sanctuary.

This now Buddhist Temple was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu and built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. The temple is an outstanding example of the classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia and its outline appears on its natinal flag.

Angkor Wat - one of the famous viewsA monk at Angkor Wat

The monks and children were happy to have their photos taken ( I always asked first to be polite) and it has been difficult to choose the ones to show you here.

Having fun by the moat that surrounds Angkor Wat

 

Monks at Angkor Thom

 

The photos of the carved goddesses are actually known as as apsaraor vidhyadari. The Apsara are heavenly maidens who were sent by Indra the  Lord of Heaven) from svarga (the  heavenly worlds located on and above Mt Meru) to seduce the meditating chaste monks and holy men.

Heavenly Apsaras
A Dancing Apsara

 

I do recommend the journey to the temples of Angkor if you have the opporutnity, as they are, for me, one of the great spiritual sites I have visited. 

Another Angkor Thom carving

 

One of the faces at Angkor Thom

 

I send you all warm wishes,

Ruthie 

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