We climb the Chamundi Hills in Mysore

searching for the holy man

who dwells in a cave

on the summit and dispenses wisdom

to seekers of truth

Barefoot I bend over and enter

the deep cave of the heart

in search of the flame

that dispels the darkness that blinds

Sitting on a ledge in lotus position smiling

is sannyasin swamiji Jamanagiri

who in the glow of burning candles

and scent of sandalwood and incense

greets us with Sanskrit Vedic verse

and white lotus petals

He shares his Hindu vision of becoming

the lotus that rises from mud and water

blossoming in sun and air and moon and fire

the supreme spirit of Shiva

detached from the World, the Flesh and the Ego

Chanting in Sanskrit Vedic verse

He blesses me with white lotus petals

as we leave the cave of the heart with

love prayer and solidarity

paz tomas