Kabaira philosophising

I had a relaxing afternoon yesterday and dinner with Bert and Lyn - it was nice chatting. I finished two more dives today, the ear held out, and I've finally reached 100 logged dives! Stephen said when he reached that milestone himself, he had to do the 100th dive naked. I decided not to inflict that on the local marine life!

I saw a turtle the size of a mini on my 100th dive - at first, I didn't believe my eyes. Apparently it's ancient and well-known around here.

It's me and the three canine amigos, sitting here scribbling - two of which are the most playful dogs I've ever seen. It's a good life here for them. There are also a lot of geckos.

So, my time here is coming to a close. What an intense blast of otherness I've experienced. I know it will fade quickly, as soon as I step back on the plane. I listened to the Moody Blues '"The Balance" earlier: this is what I believe - there is a balance, a connection between all things which touches me deeply. A brotherhood of all beings. For so many years and still now, I've tried to mould Christianity into a form that would match what I know in my heart to be true. I've only had limited success. God, the Great Spirit, the Universal Soul, is bigger than Christianity, much bigger. So must I be too.

Christianity has certainly changed things here: it has enabled the people to interact with the outside world, it's provided a kind of interface protocol. From what I can observe, what's reducing traditional beliefs more is the cash economy: dislocating communities, "developing" regions, exploiting resources.

There are Willy Wagtails here!

I do struggle with accepting that Christianity has done damage here - not because I don't believe it, but because loud, ignorant people (elsewhere) have that opinion. I wish to oppose them.

In a bit more than 48 hours, I'll see my beloved Nadia again. I can't wait.

I've been listening to Chris de Burgh's "The Risen Lord" - he does manage to capture something of Christianity's mystical side. There is such a strong, deep longing in me for this - for an unambiguous, eyes-wide-open connection with/to the Divine. A homecoming, a fulfilment. Only passing through the veil will ever give me this. Womb to tomb! If that's what awaits, it truly is a better world.