ravi 1920 - 2012

i was fortunate..o so fortunate
to meet ravi shankar when i was living
in los angeles..1979.. per chance..?

one of my yoga students was his agent..
she asked if i would like to meet him..
does the pope dance with bears?
of course, of course..i squealed in delight..
i'll have him call you, she said nonchalantly..
ooo weeeee!

as i was luxuriating in my tub a few nights later
the phone rang - the message box picked up..
it was ravi shankar calling..
would i like to have lunch with him one day that week?
screaming, laughing, splashing ... o my o ...
i did not get to the phone in time..
though that message was saved for months!

after i had calmed down.. days later..
i returned his call & we had a date..

remember those american express ads?
where you are not really familiar with the face
yet when the name is tickered on the card, you go..
AH YES!

we walked to a restaurant in westwood from his hotel..

we spoke of music, gurus, our prayer malas..

we had a fine lunch and spirited conversation

about yoga, ragas and spiritual practice..

enjoying a quiet heart to heart at a tucked-in corner table ..

just a young blondie and a slight indian fella ~
after our meal, we were presented with the bill
& ravi placed his american express on the tray..
when the card went down..and around..
the whole place was a buzzin' and a poppin'..

don't leave home without it!

we planned a possible rendezvous in india sometime
when we were both on the continent..
our timing never matched up for that second meeting..

i remember his hands..
his eyes.. twinkling precious gemstones..
his simplicity and elegance
his laughter, his kindness ~

and life flows on within you and without you...