[claire]Fierce Claire vs Ram Dass

[Susan & Isaac]

Dear Claire/Tara,
You are frequently in my thoughts, but especially so this past week for 
two very different reasons.  The first was that I was really ill for 
about two days with terrific stomach pains and headache.  I have no idea 
what caused it, but I got to the point where I was thinking "I can't 
take this any more", but of course, one has to, and you came to mind.   
 It made me wonder how you  get through those times, when it sounds as 
if your pain medications are not helping that much.  The only thing I 
found that helped was to ask my husband, Isaac, to massage my head. 
 This seems to break the "spell" somewhat.  Have you found any thoughts 
or states of mind that help you get through bad patches?  I think we are 
all destined to go through these very difficult physical periods sooner 
or later in life (way too soon in your case, my dearest).  Any clues we 
can give each other should be left along the path...Of course you can 
see that I still believe that you know the answers to all life's 
dilemmas...I miss you very much.
    The other quite different reason I was thinking of you was that 
later in the week Isaac and I went to a concert of some of Bach's sacred 
music for chorus and orchestra. It was tremendously moving.  It really 
doesn't matter what faith (or lack thereof) you subscribe to.  Joyful 
music sent out into the world touches something universal in us .  I was 
wondering if you and others at the ashram would enjoy hearing those 
cantatas if I could get a CD to you somehow.  Do they have CD players at 
the ashram?  Forgive me if that's a dumb question....I also don't know 
what the mail situation between here and there is.
    Lastly, I wanted to pass along this quote I just read from Ram Dass. 
 Do you remember that we were talking about Ram Dass and his film 
"Fierce  Grace" at the studio right before you left for India?
"Our thinking minds deprive us of the happiness that comes when we are 
living fully in the moment."(Ram Dass)  This is particularly hard to 
fathom when one is in pain, but I think there's still truth there, if I 
could only grasp it  (or perhaps not grasping is the point - oy yoy, my 
head is starting to hurt again from trying to think about not thinking - 
somebody stop me!).
    Anyway, keep that popcorn popping....
I send you much love and many healing prayers,
Susan Bass