Author Erin Reese reads the "Arrival" chapter from her #1-rated travel book, The Adventures of Bindi Girl. November 24, 2012, San Francisco. Special thanks to PL Interactive, Inc. for footage.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Ramesh’s Grace: A Simple Story of Waking Up
“You are not the doer!”
NEWS FLASH: December 1, 2012
Erin Reese releases “Ramesh’s Grace: A Simple Story of Waking Up” today on Amazon Kindle.
Dear friends:
I am releasing my first spiritual ‘single,’ a short story on Amazon Kindle, just in time for the holidays, the Solstice, and the big 2012 To-Do. The single, “Ramesh’s Grace: A Simple Story of Waking Up,” was written in honor of my beloved Teacher Ramesh Balsekar.
Erin Reese is a spiritual travel writer and the author of the #1-rated book, The Adventures of Bindi Girl: Diving Deep Into the Heart of India. In this short six-page piece, Reese shares a tale of awakening based on the grace of her guru, the late advaita sage Ramesh Balsekar (1917-2009). She sat with Ramesh in Mumbai, India during the last two years of his life, receiving transmission and non-dual teachings on the nature of reality.
Erin Reese is a spiritual travel writer and the author of the #1-rated book, The Adventures of Bindi Girl: Diving Deep Into the Heart of India. In this short six-page piece, Reese shares a tale of awakening based on the grace of her guru, the late advaita sage Ramesh Balsekar (1917-2009). She sat with Ramesh in Mumbai, India during the last two years of his life, receiving transmission and non-dual teachings on the nature of reality.
Awakening Is Timeless
Awakening is an appearance in time and space. It happens, or rather, it appears only in the Now. Perhaps this is one reason why I could not even name the date in which I realized that there was no separate self. It was sometime in mid-February 2011. I woke up and simultaneously ceased to exist, knowing there was no separate ‘me’ operating, no central Erin as a locus in time and space. This realization made me giggle with glee to the tips of my toes – and still does!
With gratitude
To all the teachers
Who helped me see
There is no me.
You can read more about this in the short story, Ramesh’s Grace, available now on Amazon Kindle.
I hope you enjoy it.
I hope you enjoy it.
In honor of the magical city of Mumbai where I met my guru on Thanksgiving Day, 11-22-2007, I’ve reposted my “Love Letter to Bombay” as a fun trailer, which you can watch here:
With love and grace,
Erin
P.S. For those readers wanting to deepen their understanding of awakening and being in the Now, I recommend listening to Eckhart Tolle's "Uncourse" free video series. In my opinion, Tolle is one of the best modern spiritual teachers - clear, funny, and precise. Here is the link:
It takes no time at all to wake up.
~ Eckhart Tolle
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Bindi Girl opens for Convergence: Tonight in SF!
Digested your Thanksgiving Dinner? Ready to shake a turkey tail feather?
For those of you anywhere near San Francisco, give thanks, come on down and get down at Convergence, a Dance*Music*Art Celebration hosted by LoveTech and Worldly. The Center is a unique community/art/healing venue located in an old church rectory in the Lower Haight.
Bindi Girl (c'est moi!) opens the night up at 8pm SHARP in the PlaySpace room with a reading from The Adventures of Bindi Girl followed by a Q&A on India quests 'n travels!
Be sure to stick around to hear amazing world-tech music from some of my favorite local artists, including Moldover and the legendary Cheb I Sabbah. NOTE: I'll be performing at 8pm sharp! Early birds, come on down!
Space is limited: Buy tickets here in advance - only $15
Saturday 11/24 8pm-1am
at The Center, 548 Fillmore St
San Francisco
Hope to see you there, or somewhere on Planet Earth, soon!
Love,
Bindi Girl
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Sunday, November 11, 2012
THE GUNAS: The energies of the physical and psychic universe
Namaste, friends:
You may practice yoga and meditation to awaken body, mind, and soul, but do you know about the gunas? No, the gunas are not beings from another planet. The gunas are the energies of the physical and psychic universe. They are very helpful to understand, for they describe the ever-flowing, ever-changing nature of Reality.
On a recent retreat at the Vedanta Society of Northern California, I copied down the following notes on the gunas from the celebrated text, The Spiritual Heritage of India, by Swami Prabhavananda, a beloved philosopher and monk in the Sri Ramakrishna lineage. I found the description illuminating and precise, and so thought to share them with you, too.
THE GUNAS: The energies of the physical and psychic universe*
The word guna literally means quality. Guna can also mean “the rope that bends.” Gunas are bundles of energies or forces which are never at rest. They are the material cause of the psychic and physical universe. One of them at any moment predominates. The three gunas are: sattva, rajas, and tamas.
- · Sattva informs all that is pure and fine.
- · Rajas informs the active principle
- · Tamas informs the principle of solidity and resistance.
All three gunas are present in everything, but one guna always predominates. For example sattva (also written sattwa) is predominant in sunlight, rajas in an erupting volcano, and tamas in a block of granite.
The gunas also represent the different stages in the process of evolution of any particular entity. Sattva is the essence or the form to be realized; tamas is the inherent obstacle to its realization; and rajas is the power by which the obstacle is removed and it becomes manifest. Sattva finally is the power by which a product manifests itself to consciousness.
How does this translate to qualities of MIND?
- · Sattva: tranquility, purity, and calmness
- · Rajas: passion, restlessness, aggressive activity
- · Tamas: stupidity, laziness, inertia
Rajas is the key to overcoming Tamas and moving into Sattva, i.e.
T+R =S
R+S =S
The ultimate is to transcend Sattva also and reach the Purusha, the unchanging principle of intelligence. Purusha is the real Self, which is above and beyond the gunas.
*From The Spiritual Heritage of India, by Swami Prabhavananda (Vedanta Society, 1962)
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Bindi Book Bash Update - let's do it again!
Thank you to all the friends and fans
who came to the October Bindi Book Parties!
Namaste,
Both the "Chai and Bindi Party" and the "Bindi Book Bash and Kirtan" were fabulous events. I got a real kick out of speaking bad Hindi with the Indian waitstaff at the San Francisco event, with Bollywood on the big screen behind me. It was great to share authentic and delicious chai tea and samosas with some of my closest friends in celebration of my book success.
Both the "Chai and Bindi Party" and the "Bindi Book Bash and Kirtan" were fabulous events. I got a real kick out of speaking bad Hindi with the Indian waitstaff at the San Francisco event, with Bollywood on the big screen behind me. It was great to share authentic and delicious chai tea and samosas with some of my closest friends in celebration of my book success.
In Marin the next day, we had a nice turnout at the YogaWorks book bash and kirtan with Mirabai and friends. I surprised myself as I read the first two mini-chapters of my book: "Night Flight" and "Arrival," as my own words brought tears to my eyes! I wasn't sure if it was the emotion of being on stage and reading, or the poignancy of the words I wrote, come to life 10 years later. But when I looked out in the audience, I caught sight of a few other Indophiles who were also choked up. This line had a particularly strong effect on me:
India will show you
the places in your heart
that must be purified.
 |
| Photo: Alix Rauh |
The India Q+A session was also moving. The attendees had powerful questions that made me stop and think. I loved sharing my experiences about surrendering to the art of long-term travel and pilgrimages, and my personal spiritual journey - diving deep into the heart of India. I can't wait for the next chance to speak about these topics in public, and I welcome the opportunity.
Thanks to your reviews and support,
Bindi is the #1-rated India travel book on Amazon.
Have you given Bindi a review on Amazon?
If yes, THANK YOU! If 'not yet,' please do so here. Every review helps an indie author to get the word out.
If yes, THANK YOU! If 'not yet,' please do so here. Every review helps an indie author to get the word out.
Thank you friends, fans and family.
Keep living your dreams.
With love,
Keep living your dreams.
With love,
Bindi
Friday, October 5, 2012
Saturday October 13 - Chai and Bindi Time!
Namaste, As a warm-up to the Bindi book bash and kirtan event, here's a Saturday 10/13 event for you San Francisco folks...
IT'S CHAI AND BINDI TIME!
Saturday, October 13, 2012 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Zante Pizza and Indian Cuisine, San Francisco Come share some chai and help celebrate the success of my #1-rated travel memoir, The Adventures of Bindi Girl, Diving Deep Into the Heart of India.  |
| Erin in Varanasi, India |
India will reveal to you
the places in your heart
that must be purified. 
~ Erin Reese, The Adventures of Bindi Girl
WHEN: Saturday, October 13, 2012. 3:30-5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Zante Pizza and Indian Cuisine, 3489 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA (near Mission/Noe/Bernal)
Public transport and weekend parking.WHERE: Zante Pizza and Indian Cuisine, 3489 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA (near Mission/Noe/Bernal)
Try their world-famous Indian pizza by the slice!
WHAT: Bindi Girl Book Bash and Tea Party (Chai!)
Arrive at 3:30 for homemade, authentic North Indian chai, compliments of Bindi Girl. At about 4:00 pm, we'll have Erin's reading of selected works, The Adventures of Bindi Girl book signing (copies available), and Q&A session - "Ask Erin" anything about traveling and living in India (survival skills, budget tips, yoga, spiritual sites, etc.)
Stick around for samosas, Indian pizza, and anything else your curried palate might desire!
An RSVP is appreciated. Email Erin.
Jai Ma.
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Erin Reese is the author of The Adventures of Bindi Girl: Diving Deep Into the Heart of India. She is a one-of-a-kind explorer, travel writer, and intuitive consultant. Living a nomadic life between continents, Erin is working on her next book, detailing her enlightening encounters with spiritual masters in India. For travel articles, spiritual inspiration, and updates, visit ErinReese.com.
Indophiles, Travelers and Yogis:
Want to arrange an India Q&A/book event with Erin at your space? Let me know! |
| Chai wallah, Kolkata (Calcutta) |
You're Invited! Bindi Girl Book Bash and Guest Kirtan
 | |
| At the "Beatles Ashram," Rishikesh, India |
"There are three trips you take to India:
the one you think you’re going
to have,
the one you actually have, and
the one you
live through once you go back home.”
~ Erin Reese, The Adventures of Bindi Girl
Namaste, everyone,
You're invited to the kick-off of my mini book tour! Come have some yogi fun and help celebrate the success of my #1-rated travel memoir, The Adventures of Bindi Girl, Diving Deep Into the Heart of India.
WHEN: Sunday, October 14, 2012, 2 - 4 p.m.
 |
| Erin in Mumbai |
WHERE: YogaWorks, 2207 Larkspur Landing, Larkspur, CA
Public transport and plenty of parking. Get a free week of yoga, too!
WHAT: Bindi Girl Book Bash and Guest Kirtan
At 2pm, Erin's reading of selected works, Bindi Girl book
signing (copies available only $15), and Q&A session - "Ask Erin" anything about traveling and
living in India (survival skills, budget tips, yoga, spiritual sites,
etc.)
At 3pm we have a very special guest kirtan with Mirabai! Share in divinely inspired chanting and singing, floating down the Ganges on a musical river of OM.
Suggested donation $10 (no one turned away).
An RSVP is appreciated. Email Erin.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Jai Ma.
Indophiles, Travelers and Yogis:
Want to arrange an India Q&A/Bindi book event with Erin at your space? Let me know!
Erin Reese is a one-of-a-kind explorer, travel writer, and intuitive consultant. Living a nomadic life between continents, Erin is working on
her next book, detailing her enlightening encounters with spiritual
masters in India. For travel articles, spiritual inspiration, and
updates, visit ErinReese.com.
 |
| Mirabai with harmonium |
Mirabai, our guest kirtan leader, was trained in jazz and folk, and found the bhakti path in
2002. Mirabai has studied Indian music and kirtan with Jai Uttal, Sargam Shah and Krishna Das. For events and more information and listening, visit MirabaiAndFriends.com.
"Kirtan" is the meditative chanting of ancient mantras enabling us to connect to the divine within." - Timothy Das
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