So, I was going to do a bit on the many benefits of pomelo. I still might, as I have a theme of sorts with beneficial plants, fruits, and natural medicines of my home here in Malaysia that I'm trying to follow. I subscribe to the follow plants McKenna model of life for the most part, with one exception. Myself!
This is where my miracle fruit post took a turn. A bit of background, last week I got married and found myself following not only my heart but the hearts of many diverse cultural and religious groups in attendance. There were too many people to please and like the song says, you can't please everyone so you got to please yourself. And, in this case the self part was happily sacrificed for the greatest good and the spirit of unification.
I found myself going through with ancient Hindu purification rites this time last week which culminated in me washing off all the rose water, sandalwood paste, vermilion, flower petals in a most exquisitely contemplative and intimate shower.
One of the offerings I received was a huge organic pomelo from my father in law. He told me that I should save the peel,pith, and skin as its good for many things. What things? I didn't know, and after a week of guests and celebrations I still didn't know. But, I found myself feeling very drained and remembering how charged up I felt from my post ritual shower, so I decided I'd bathe with this fruit.
This brings me back to the follow yourself creed, listen to your gut instinct and intuition. I didn't google anything. I just went into shaman mode. I took the peel and blended it with mineral water, I then strained it. Is this enough? Nope, I decided I'd add a bit of apple cider vinegar, some Himalayan salt and some turmeric. Finished? Nah, i recalled my wife telling me to use 7 different flowers of my choosing to shower with about a year ago when I was feeling crippled by equatorial heat. So, I walked out to my terrace and hand picked some beautiful flowers grown by yours truly. I then placed this concoction on my altar where a week before to the minute at sunset I began my journey into married life. Everything seemed in its right place, so I lit some incense and got into Shiva mode. I mixed my brew with hot water and slowly poured each pail over my body with a humble gesture of gratitude for all the things that were married into the water, my mind, my heart, and my soul.
For me this is what ritual should be. It should be personal, the espirit or breath of life placed into mindfulness and a desire to be present in the presence of all. There are no rules for SPIRITUAL awakenings or whatever you may wish to call the precious needs we all seek to transcend, just do you and enjoy the big ineffable it. Namaste