relativelyLocal

23/04/2025

To be able to show up fully as oneself is a privilege (hosted by ) provided us. What a we had, disrupting dominant culture, just being who we are!
I have been a part of so many retreats where we process old traumas, be completely vulnerable, share personal stories we previously kept secret, heal old wounds... And in all of those retreats, I have left thinking "this would have been so much better if I wasn't the only (or one of few) qu**rs in the room". Well here it is, the retreat I've always wanted / needed.
What an honor to be one of the presenters, with plenty of space to participate in other facilitators' workshops as well. What an amazing group, gathered from so many corners of India, spanning the entire gender spectrum and multiple generations.
Truly one of my best times in India thus far.

23/04/2025

My last adventure before I head back to the States... I was so blessed this past week to join folks from all over India, gathering at the in . Here is a glimpse of our around the residence, monestaries and temple of the ... a guided tour by

18/02/2025

Jan 9th - Feb 6th 2025

18/02/2025

18/02/2025

Jan 9th - Feb 6th 2025

25/12/2024

Letting go of things has been a practice of mine the last 14 years.
These prints are 20 year old. Two of my favourite images I've ever shot in Ujjain, . 35mm film, scanned and retouched negatives (because usually the film I'd get developed in small town India would come back with lots of scratches), digitally printed on watercolor paper, and mounted on foam core.
Left- Shri Mahant Mera Puri, during a . Someone who has become an important elder iny life ever since.
Right- walking down the to take their dip in the river.
Both images shot within minutes of each other.
They used to hang from the ceiling in my Brooklyn loft for years. I thought they had been long since abandoned. Yet my friend kept them in her storage unit.
So I have emotionally let go of these twice.
I'm on the plane heading back to India, feels like a next chapter is turning. Completing 24 years since my first kumbh mela in in 2000-2001.
I'll be back in taking my in the soon.
Reach out if you'll be there.

11/11/2024

Around this time 24 years ago, I was preparing to attend the greatest gathering in the history of the world
To say it was life changing is an understatement.
Some of the best photos I have ever shot was within the first few weeks of exploring the in .
Here is a collection of six prints I just uncovered today, stashed in a friend's attic in VT. I thought these were long gone, toss out somewhere, left on the side of the road in NYC or something. Alas here they are, shot on 35mm film, printed manually.
I'll be returning there soon... Reach out if you want to join.

06/04/2024

My first glimpse of the snow peaks brought me to tears the first few days... Eventually I got used to seeing the Himalayas so up close, got used to carrying such a heavy backpack, got used to walking knee deep in snow, got used to keeping up with these kids (most half my age). My knees hurt going down steps. My glutes hurt going up. My stick helped with balance. My teammates gave me acceptance (for being the only videshi), and support (for being the oldest). I found some solid collaborators.
This course was mostly review, I had done all of this in the late 1990s (when I was their age). Reading the paper maps, navigating with a compass, understanding the contour lines, it all came back to me, slowly slowly with each day. Somedays I walked with full surrender. Somedays I walked with full awareness of our route. As we entered terrain I was used to traversing, the puzzle pieces, of how small everything looks on the map compared to how big everything is in the real world, began to click together in my mind. I know where I'm going now.
It was challenging but doable and upgraded my level of confidence to lead groups here.
I hope you would like to join me someday... For trekking, yoga, meditation and cooking along the amazing trails in Uttarakhand. Who's down?
Still waiting on some folks to upload/ share their pics (phones were not allowed - my phone is my camera). More to come. Everything was so incredibly stunning. Stay tuned ...

15/03/2024

When I was in my early twenties living in Boston, I got involved with the Appalachian Mountain Club, doing trainings towards being an outdoor educator. I knew about NOLS. Always wanted to do a course with them, used to day dream about working for them...life took me in other directions...
Fast forward some decades... I first treked from Taptkund Mahadev Mandir to Jhuni in 2015. We stayed at Tara Singh Takuli's home, who told us he and his family support as hosts and porters. 😯 Dream re-sparked...
In 2017 I found myself passing through Ranikhet, made a stop off to visit their office. Ravi told me about this trip leader course and at the time I thought it was out of my reach financially. But kept it in the back of my mind.
On Tuesday, March 12th, I turned 49... And joined this trip leader course.
We have just completed three days of where I have not only dusted off my skills, I've met some amazing people I'm looking forward to collaborating with.
Last night we divided up our group gear and packed up our bags. In the first slide you see me withy personal gear (before receiving my share of the group gear). My bag weighs 22kg. More than I've ever carried trekking in the Himalayas.
We will be 15 days out in the , and basically in the back yard of where I've been living since 2015. I will be offline throughout the trip and also not.have a camera. As a this will be a bit of a challenge and detox... I will just be present not concerned with capturing and posting
I can't wait to be able to guide you around here after this trip levels up my skills.

02/01/2024

Jan 1st walked 12.5k with
#2024

21/12/2023

If you have yet to sit in satsang with Alaknanda Puri, now is your chance...
Don't miss out in experiencing the wisdom of the Gita that pours out of her channeled through the divine.
Dec 30 & 31 4-6pm IST via zoom
Donation based The Living Gita Satsang

31/10/2023

https://www.youtube.com/live/WAPQZLANWLg?si=oQj4rJPSd6v60Ugg
Mangalanand Puri ke samadhi live stream

A Celebration of Life