November 10. Bangkok
I'm here! A long and somewhat arduous trip, of course, topped by the always exciting customs rituals, designed with the exhausted and clueless foreigner in mind! I finally got through the last gateway, my heavy backpack, daypack and little guitar stacked on a cart, feeling lost and wondering if the promised pick up would arrive. Thinking "there's always taxis, always hotels" if I'm stranded and friendless at 10 pm in Bangkok . Then I heard a chorus of voices somewhere calling. "Betsy, Betsy", and saw five smiling Thai women in T-shirts and jeans, and three bouncy little children, jumping up and down and waving. We raced toward each other and the children surrounded me with hugs, unaffected and sober bows, and a beautiful garland of jasmine and roses. I burst into tears.
My month in Thailand has been arranged for me by Ajahn Jayasaro, an English- born monk, in Thailand for 50 years and known to so many I meet along the way. I met him through Ajahn Pasanno, who I know through my work at Spirit Rock. He planned practically every step for me, with great intuition about where I would be welcomed as a dharma singer, and where my life would be enriched by my host communities. Deep bows to the wonderful Ajahn Jayasaro!
They take me to my the first of A. Jayasaro's magical destinations, Sathira Dhammasathan, a verdant Buddhist retreat and practice center, created out of a vacant lot in very urban Bangkok, by a renowned Thai nun, Mae Chee Sansanee. A former beauty queen, she took robes over 30 years ago and gradually developed this spiritual urban refuge, an eclectic tangle of pathways,waterfalls and waterways, small cave like buildings and large modern glass and wood structures, which houses a group of young girls living as novices under the tutelage of a number of white robed adult nuns, and visitors like myself. It is open to the public and often hosts special day or weekend events, including- of special interest to my Spirit Rock friends-a monthly family day. I learn that they have a busy schedule planned for my 5 days there, with public events with visitors, parents and kids, some radio broadcasts of the music, and an interview, plus a visit to sing at a kindergarten nearby, which seems a blend of Waldorf, and Buddhist.
It slowly dawns on me that I am a much anticipated special guest, treated with great respect and care. In part, this is the Thai way, generous, kind, and completely devoted to making the guest comfortable. And in part it is the billing A Jayasaro gave me, (renowned western Buddhist singer--who knew??-) and author of "Breathing In,Breathing Out" which is known in so many Buddhist communities around the world. This is all disconcerting, unfamiliar, and at first uncomfortable, but I endeavor to step into that identity and channel that person they think I am. It's great to not be planning it all myself, and I'm just choosing to go with whatever happens without judgment, as little resistance or doubt-and trust whatever's happening is exactly what it supposed to be happening. Between incredible heat, humidity, and jet lag, all I have the strength to do is roll with what is happening, pray and cross my fingers that I don't fall on my face! So far so good.
I'm here! A long and somewhat arduous trip, of course, topped by the always exciting customs rituals, designed with the exhausted and clueless foreigner in mind! I finally got through the last gateway, my heavy backpack, daypack and little guitar stacked on a cart, feeling lost and wondering if the promised pick up would arrive. Thinking "there's always taxis, always hotels" if I'm stranded and friendless at 10 pm in Bangkok . Then I heard a chorus of voices somewhere calling. "Betsy, Betsy", and saw five smiling Thai women in T-shirts and jeans, and three bouncy little children, jumping up and down and waving. We raced toward each other and the children surrounded me with hugs, unaffected and sober bows, and a beautiful garland of jasmine and roses. I burst into tears.
My month in Thailand has been arranged for me by Ajahn Jayasaro, an English- born monk, in Thailand for 50 years and known to so many I meet along the way. I met him through Ajahn Pasanno, who I know through my work at Spirit Rock. He planned practically every step for me, with great intuition about where I would be welcomed as a dharma singer, and where my life would be enriched by my host communities. Deep bows to the wonderful Ajahn Jayasaro!
They take me to my the first of A. Jayasaro's magical destinations, Sathira Dhammasathan, a verdant Buddhist retreat and practice center, created out of a vacant lot in very urban Bangkok, by a renowned Thai nun, Mae Chee Sansanee. A former beauty queen, she took robes over 30 years ago and gradually developed this spiritual urban refuge, an eclectic tangle of pathways,waterfalls and waterways, small cave like buildings and large modern glass and wood structures, which houses a group of young girls living as novices under the tutelage of a number of white robed adult nuns, and visitors like myself. It is open to the public and often hosts special day or weekend events, including- of special interest to my Spirit Rock friends-a monthly family day. I learn that they have a busy schedule planned for my 5 days there, with public events with visitors, parents and kids, some radio broadcasts of the music, and an interview, plus a visit to sing at a kindergarten nearby, which seems a blend of Waldorf, and Buddhist.
It slowly dawns on me that I am a much anticipated special guest, treated with great respect and care. In part, this is the Thai way, generous, kind, and completely devoted to making the guest comfortable. And in part it is the billing A Jayasaro gave me, (renowned western Buddhist singer--who knew??-) and author of "Breathing In,Breathing Out" which is known in so many Buddhist communities around the world. This is all disconcerting, unfamiliar, and at first uncomfortable, but I endeavor to step into that identity and channel that person they think I am. It's great to not be planning it all myself, and I'm just choosing to go with whatever happens without judgment, as little resistance or doubt-and trust whatever's happening is exactly what it supposed to be happening. Between incredible heat, humidity, and jet lag, all I have the strength to do is roll with what is happening, pray and cross my fingers that I don't fall on my face! So far so good.