It is festival time here in Marjim, Goa, where the people celebrate all the gods – if you are Hindu, of course. I am staying in a guest house of a family which includes Mama Bhakti, Babba Papa, Munna, and Swati. They celebrate the Goddess Lakshmi as their main deity.

It is my 60th birthday today, and I am marking the entry to my 6th decade with this self-retreat. I am resting between the dark and the light, asleep in the late afternoon, and up around 2:30 am. It is an auspicious time to meditate, read, write, and practice before starting practice at the Shala at 6 am.

I am reminded daily why I love being here. The kindness and generosity of India’s people is a practice to take in of itself. Checking in Monday to the guesthouse was a matter of fortune – or just the magic that happens here – as my hotel was not a good choice. The family treats me like family, which is in keeping with their values of treating quests like a god.

Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours on the back of a motorcycle driving from bank to bank to no avail. Neither my bank card or credit card work. In the end, tired and feeling very vulnerable, my guest house family, whose rent did not get paid, offered me money, food, and solace.

That is my practice here – allowing my heart to widen and accept help and generosity from others. Today they arrived at my door with flowers and some sweets. I will celebrate the sweetness of humanity, embrace the shadows and dark and practice love, acceptance, and generosity given and received