 Welcome to Living Your Intention!
We never return from a journey unchanged. But to what are we being summoned? Perhaps we do not yet know to what new ventures we are being called, but we do know we are called to listen and wait.A goal for my newsletter is to introduce you to others who have discovered their personal path for living intentionally. Some of the people you will read about are strangers to me. Others are friends. One such dear friend was called in a new direction and listened with his heart. I'd like to introduce you to Brad Berquist. I hope his story will inspire you as it did me. Your comments and ideas are always welcome and appreciated! Hinda
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My Feet Were Bare
by Brad Berquist
 Removing shoes is a sign of respect before entering a Hindu temple. The heat seared into my bare feet as I began to climb the flight of marble stairs to get to the temple entrance. I had no idea how extremely hot marble gets in 100-degree direct sunlight. I found myself climbing faster and faster. It felt as if I was walking across burning coals. Upon reaching the top, I sprinted across toward the shade of the doorway where my Indian friend, Aju, was waiting for me. He was laughing. When I reached him I said, "You just wanted to see how fast an old man like me could move." Then, I was laughing too.
I was on a hilltop in central India, in a town called Sri Sailam. In the distance I saw the Golden Temple housing the sacred image of the Hindu God Shiva, known as a lingam. Shiva is one of the 12 most sacred lingams in India. Earlier that day, my friend and I had decided to hike around this pilgrimage town where we came upon a hill covered with small, ancient temples. My favorite was a temple consisting of a mound of mud and stone, beautiful in its primitive simplicity.
 Continuing on the path, we came across a small house where we stopped to get relief from the sun. About a dozen local villagers were resting there in the shade. They welcomed us and gave us water from a cistern. What a blessing it was to be welcomed with cool water! The man who appeared to be the leader wanted us to take a picture of them. Of course he wanted to be in the center. We were happy to oblige. We took our leave to explore some more of this hilltop with sacred sites everywhere. I was on a spiritual high.
Here in this pilgrimage town I was the only Westerner. This is a common experience for me in India. I was in India for the third time, staying in the eastern city of Bhubaneswar, southwest of Kolkata (Calcutta). In a city of over one million people, I did not see any other Westerners for over three months. I love not feeling like a tourist and having the time to get to know people as they go about their daily lives.
 Why India? I've been attracted to it since I was a teenager, reading their sacred scriptures and studying their philosophy. India is unabashedly different. When Mark Twain went to India in the 1800s, he traveled to the city of Benares. He said: "Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together." He understood.
My first encounter with India was about five years ago. Just before my 50th birthday I decided I was going to at last see the country that held such fascination for me for so many years. How to do it?
 First I realized that I would be traveling alone. No one I knew had either the time or the inclination to take this journey with me and I knew I wanted see as much of the country as possible in one month. I purchased five travel books on India. This turned out to be beneficial because each book had a slightly differently flavor, allowing me to compare advice about different places. Planning a trip is almost as fun as going on it - anticipation is a wonderful feeling. I spent many happy hours sitting in my backyard, poring through the guidebooks and writing down every possible place I wanted to see.
From the dozens of places I chose, I began to narrow down to where I would actually travel. I studied a map of India and calculated the number of days it would take to get from one place to the next. I then researched online for travel agents in India and proposed my itinerary with them. I finally located one I felt I could rely on and, before I knew it, I was in Mumbai (Bombay) on the start of my love affair with India.
 India is a land of mystery, of contrasts, of color. I love seeing the colorful and beautiful saris the women wear to the markets and temples. I watched bullock carts of the kind that were driven 5,000 years ago on a road next to wind turbines from the 21st century, generating electricity. In Varanasi people come down to the Ganges River to bathe and worship at sunrise. I knew I was witnessing a scene performed for thousands of years - going back to the time of ancient Egypt and Babylon.
 I ate with Tibetan monks at their monastery which was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama. I crowded with pilgrims to touch the stone image of God at a golden temple and danced with children during the festival of Holi while they sprinkled me with colored powder.
Traveling to India allowed time away to ponder my life. For some time I had been on a merry-go-round, feeling helpless and stuck in a manager's job that provided a good income, but little satisfaction. I wasn't happy and, in fact, felt as if I was slowly dying. I was 54 years old with no clear career options and certainly too young and too poor to retire.
 My previous trips to India were both moving experiences for me. On my first trip, in the eastern state of Orissa (southwest of Calcutta), I met Aju and we became dear friends. When he subsequently invited me to return and stay with him and his family for as long as I wanted, I couldn't imagine how I could make that happen. And even if I did, what would I do when I got back?
In November 2009, I decided to take the plunge. I would go for five months. After purchasing my plane tickets, it all became real. I told my family and coworkers of my plans and was delighted they were supportive. This was encouraging, as I had feared that they would think I was crazy. I know at times I thought I was.
So I was off to India for an extended journey. Aju rented a place for me to stay that was just a short walk from his home. It looked like a mini-Taj Mahal, complete with marble floors and verandahs overlooking cows grazing in the pasture. I was completely surprised by it and by how relatively cheap it was.
 Before I could spend a night there, however, a Hindu priest (shown at right) was hired to conduct a ritual to bless my house. I thought it would be fun to watch the ceremony. Little did I know that I was to be the chief participant. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, I was periodically instructed to add sacred offerings to the fire (such as clarified butter) while saying, "Sva Haa" (roughly translated as "so be it"). After the two hour ceremony, I found that I could barely get up, to the amusement of everyone there.
It was during this time I made the decision to quit my job and start a charitable foundation to help educate the children of India. With the assistance of a friend in the U. S., I started a non-profit educational foundation. I wasn't sure exactly what I would be doing, but I knew my friend Aju would help, as he and his wife are teachers.
 Once that decision was made, my remaining time in India felt as if guided by the Universe. I discovered a school down the road from where I lived that would benefit from the help of my foundation. I will never forget the children spontaneously touching my feet as a sign of their highest respect.
About this time, I happened to attend a festival to celebrate the culture of the Adivasi people of India. It was a festival that would change my life!
"Adi" means first, and "vasi" means people. These are the original inhabitants of India, somewhat like the aborigines of Australia. They have a unique lifestyle that has flavors of Africa. They live in the forests and mountains of India, comprising 10% of the population - which amounts to about 100 million people! They are the poorest of the poor, and many of them currently face exploitation by various corporate interests who want their lands for the valuable minerals.
 I learned that Adivasis grow their own varieties of rice (over 200 types) in the traditional way practiced for thousands of years. All organic, all heritage rice. My trust in the universe was unexpectedly rewarded as I realized a new career path - importing organic rice grown by the tribal people of India. Just as coffee today is often "fair trade" (the growers are assured of a decent price so they can live and flourish), I thought that I could do the same thing with rice. I would introduce Americans to varieties of tasty heritage rice that is unimaginable to them, with such unusual names as Mad Rhinoceros, Black Cumin, Fishbone, Ocean Sand, and Protector of Cows. I would also devote a percentage of the profits back to my foundation.
 I've never been an importer, nor do I have any experience as a vendor. But, my desire to help the Adivasi people, and to introduce Americans to varieties and tastes of rice they have never imagined existed, is so strong that I am confident I can overcome any obstacle.
Life is like a web, each event connected to another. I was on a train platform in rural India. It was around midnight, hot, and I was waiting for the train that would take me to the next city on my tour. There were a few lonely street lamps around me with insects flying around the yellow light. I started a conversation with a young man who was eager to practice his English skills. He asked me if I was afraid of getting lost. After all, he said, India is a big place. I said "No, I am not afraid."
Later, as I sat on a bench thinking through our conversation, I realized that adventure does not begin when you reach your destination; the journey itself is the adventure. Here on this platform, waiting for a train late at night in a far away country, my journey had begun. I also realized there is no fear when you are on your life's path.
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Thank you so much for your interest in Living Your Intention!
I would love your feedback, and look forward to hearing from you!
Please know that I am grateful for your presence.
Many blessings,
Hinda Abrahamson
"A mind that is stretched to a new idea never returns to its original dimensions." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
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Intention
The purpose of this newsletter is two-fold: to share ways to incorporate the art of Feng Shui in daily life and to share travel experiences. Each of these, in its own way, can support mindfulness and intentionality as we navigate our life's journey.
I hope that you might encounter a new idea, a new resource or a new viewpoint. Perhaps some small insight will answer an unspoken question, provide a helpful tip, motivate or inspire you or simply give you a moment to escape from the demands of your day.
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| About Hinda
| Hinda Abrahamson is passionate about Feng Shui and travel. A certified Feng Shui Consultant, Hinda is a founding member of and serves as Vice- President of the Feng Shui Institute of the Midwest. Through her business, Intentional Spaces, Hinda consults with individuals and businesses on applying the principles of Feng Shui to office, home and landscape. Her intention is to assist clients in exploring ways to create a balanced and harmonious environment that reflects individual personality and life style. Using this powerful ancient art of placement, she provides valuable guidance for clients when they are selling, purchasing or building a home, planning a major remodeling project or redecorating.As a Fashion Feng Shui Facilitator, Hinda assists with wardrobe choices so you can:better reflect your authentic self, support your personal energies, and eliminate closet clutter.For private consultation, speaking engagements, or for customizing a workshop for your group, contact Hinda at (952) 938-0894 or email:Hinda AbrahamsonBelieving that travel expands our thinking and provides respite from busy lives, Hinda offers you the opportunity to plan your next travel experience at:Intentional Travel
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