Namaste,
Though I am thousands of miles away from the River Ganges, it seems Mother Ganges is already helping me. My pilgrimage has already begun, even if it takes me years to get there. Basically I saw a documentary about Varanasi, maybe 9 or 10 months ago, and ever since then I have been thinking about the city, the river and the goddess. I knew I had to prepare myself for this journey, that the journey itself is an act of preparation, purification, cleansing as much as taking a dip in the holy river.
After this short time I already look back on the person I was 6 months ago and the progress that has been made is remarkable. It has not been easy, not in the slightest, but I am slowly getting there. I won't go into too many personal details, but my life is now meat-free, fish-free, liquor-free and other intoxicant-free. Though I'm not totally free of nicotine, I've cut down to 4 or 5 cigarettes a day and can see the end in sight. I have also faced up to 2 or 3 incredibly difficult situations in my life, some of which go back decades, and I am now working through them. I still have stressful money difficulties, but I am back working, too (albeit on terrible pay). Personally I consider this a minor miracle and my life is heading in the right direction. Thanks, from afar, Banaras.
If anyone can share scriptural references to the river, their own stories about Ganga Ma, their experiences with pilgrimage to Varanasi or the Ganges, or pilgrimage as a state of being, that would be much appreciated.
All best.
P.S. I feel a bit silly posting this, but that's something else i'm working on - getting over my ego!
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