Don't you just love it when you meet someone by accident :)
We had just said goodbye to our last guests - when a man in full motorcycle leathers and luminous jacket showed up at the foot of my stairs asking for a room. Greeting me with namaste he introduced himself as Tim, and explained he practised meditation. - He seemed to know a lot about me and what we did at the Pansiyon - I quickly trawled through my memory thinking 'Do I know you?' and 'Where had we met in the past!'
As we were in the process of closing, I was reluctant to offer a room as I'd just said goodbye an hour or so earlier to our last guests . He was tired and had travelled a long way, and persuaded me to give him a room, it was for just one night as he was en-route to Konya in the morning.
Half an hour later as I finished making up his room, Tim reappeared minus the motorcycle leathers, and proceeded to unload his bike – I was surprised to see a beautiful old Enfield motorbike, obviously loved and cherished by him.
We met later in the garden and started to talk about his travels. Tim's journey had started in Scotland and if I remember rightly, his route followed Newcastle to Amsterdam, down to Italy, to Greece then across to Cezme - following the coastal road and arriving in Side on route to Konya.
I was curious of the attraction in Konya and he said he wanted to visit the site of Rumi. Tim was really passionate about Rumi and his wonderful poems and was on a pilgrimage to his home, which still exists there.
As we spoke it turned to that Tim and I have a lot in common. - He once ran a guest house in Scotland (so when I was reluctant to offer him a room he understood the end-of-season feeling!) It also transpired that he teaches meditation in Scotland with a meditation style the same as mine - his thoughts, his learnings, his teaching is in complete parallel to what I think and practice - it was amazing!
My friend Liz, who had be assisting me for 5 weeks, joined us, and sat astonished, as this wise, interesting, man shared his knowledge. Liz looked at me and said 'Wow! Tim's work is exactly what you have been teaching us over the last 4 weeks…!'
Not unlike myself, Tim had a huge life style change at the age of 57 - as a result of a busy working life in the UK he became sick and was finally diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – in recovery from this illness, a friend offered him to accompany her on a day out – Tim followed her to a bookshop specialising in spiritual books – Not being a spiritual person, curiosity got the better of him, and after a discussion with the shopkeeper Tim bought a book that would change his life – for the better...(unfortunately, I cannot recall the name of the book)
While reading the book, it became clear that there was more to life than just existing in the human body… For many many years Tim had worked under such stress and anxiety that he thought it was normal, until his body started to fail. This one book really opened his eyes to learning to get in touch with himself, to start listening to his own body and to get in tune with his breath - he knew if he didn't start to take notice of his body his health at just 57 would remain as it was.
The author of the book has an ashram in the Himalayas, Tim made contact and booked himself onto what would be the beginning of a life changing journey! - over the years he has visited various ashrams (including a month of Vipassana Meditation) to continue his studies and practice – Tim's stop in Side, was just part of a journey that was once again taking him East through Turkey, Pakistan, and to Northern India to the Himalayas
What was so poignant about meeting Tim, was that after an hour or so chatting together, we discovered we had so much in common about meditation, mindfulness, breath work and the deep connection with self - that for me, after teaching and guiding for the last 6 months, was the perfect gift of wisdom I could of received.
As Tim and I shared our knowledge together, I truly believe that our meeting was meant to be. He has such a lovely outlook, living a present, compassionate, life - with gratitude for every day - we laughed and smiled and I was so touched by his presence.
We have taken a very similar path to reach full health and happiness - My life change came through my first yoga class and guided meditation course, learning to breath correctly and to not be a slave to my mind, and for Tim it was the breath and meditation. His journey took him to places far and wide whilst mine has been through self study, Yoga and mindfulness to heal and re-connect with this beautiful body we live in.
Thanks Tim for the visit, and I hope our paths cross again sometime in the future.
And Tim thanks for passing and sharing this poignant poem by Rumi. It totally is with each new arrival, and I love and learn so much from all the guides that come holiday with us here in beautiful Side.
I am going place a few copies around our Yoga centre/Pansiyon.
THE GUEST HOUSE
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honourably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
-- Jelaluddin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks
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