Page 40 of The Love Thief

CHAPTER TWENTY - NINE Washed in Grace

For my last full day in Rishikesh, I decided to go back to Vashistha’s Cave to take a final dip into Ma Ganga to surrender the remainder of my pain, and perhaps to receive healing for my heart.

Once in the water, my hair fanned out around me like a halo of hungry tendrils soaking in the loving, pulsing energy of Mother Ganga.

Arms and legs akimbo, I became a floating angel immersed in this river of love and mercy.

The midday sunbeams warmed my face as I gave Her the last of my pain and suffering.

“Take me, Mother, take all of me. Release me from my past, from my fury, my suffering, and my need for answers. Let me surrender and merge into the safety of your arms,” I prayed.

Within me, I could feel my heartbeat and see the water turning to streams of light in my veins. I felt as if I was floating in a sea of love and mercy, wrapped in the arms of the Divine, cradled in pure joy and happiness. My heart was wide open and I had entered a dimension beyond thought.

Euphoric waves coursed through me and the current whispered words of love into my soul, and then a gentle voice spoke to me.

“Holly, this is how it happens. This is who you really are. This is who you have always been. Who you are is more than enough, as you are everything. You are safe, you are love, and you are loved.”

For the first time ever, I was finally me. The real me. And I also knew there was no just “me,” but that I am part of this loving, pulsing, “ is -ness” and there is nothing for me to do, nowhere for me to go, just a way for me to be . . . santosha .

Misery Level: Zero.