An unexpected lesson from the rhythm

by Ana Timotijevic (Malta)

A leap into the unknown Sweden

That day It was a cheerful and fresh morning. Droplets of water were still on the grass, and the smell of freshness was in the air. I looked at his innocent eyes, they told me, getup, lets play. I went outside of our collective dormitory and took a walk with the dog in the nearby wood. Birds were walking up, as I was greeting our neighbors. There, we were all neighbors, living and sleeping together, sharing the same space, but we came from all corners of the world. This village, just thirty kilometers away from Stockholm, was our chosen home. Two months ago, when I bought a one-way ticket for two-day long bus drive, I didn’t know what to expect when I reach my destination. I arrived in Sweden at one past midnight and I had no one waiting for me at the bus stop, by the time that became clear to me, everyone has had left. I encountered a beach nearby, sat by the shore and listened to the waves as I was waiting for the first sights of the morning. Me, my bag and a bit of luck on my name, roamed around the city. I had a paper with an address in my hand and hope within my heart, paving my way. Eventually I have found what I was looking for and I have entered the building. I wanted to know how I can get to the Korshnas Gard, a village where the Hare Krishna temple was located. I was looking forward to meeting my high school friend that was residing there. After two busses and a few more hours, I have found the temple and the community that I was looking for. My friend greeted me with open arms and a big smile. I knew that it won’t take long until I start to call that place my home. I was accepted by others, like a well-known part of the family. I have spent my days getting to know the community, understanding it, from the daily rituals to the food and free time, I have left my previous way of living behind me for a while and I have started a new page. Every minute of my life there was a beautiful dance of the unknown and thrilling. It was on that cheerful and fresh day, that we went to the Stockholm, outside of our usual visit hours. When we arrived, I have noticed that they were preparing for a show, that I was going to be a part of. I haven’t had any thought what I will do, but I have decided to let go of the control and trust the emersion in my current reality. We have been given oriental hand drums and we followed the collective rhythm. Our bare feet were swaying on the pavement and our linen garments were flowing around our bodies. Quickly the rhythm flowed in my veins and the mantras we were singing, have had occupied my thoughts. All the confusion that I had has vanished and I was fully preset in the moment. Tourists and passengers were stopping to take a photo or to dance alongside us. I have felt that I had something to give to them, a value, which I wouldn’t have had, by myself, alone. Perhaps that was the feeling of unity, or a simple and childlike happiness that the repetitive drum rhythm and dance ignites inside of you. I knew at that instant, that something inside me has changed. And at once, more than ever before, I feel that I have value with me that I can, and I am obligated to, give out to the people.