2012?

Much has been said about the year 2012 and what will happen in our world. Who knows what the truth is, all I do know is that it's been a tough year for many of us with all manner of challenges...

Tough times are very often a catalyst for change, a prod to question our usual patterns of behaviour or look in a new direction and perhaps it was this wave of energy that made us look towards the East and consider a holiday way out of what is 'normal' for us.

It started, as these things often do, with a chance remark which turned into a major project. We researched flights, hotels, food, drivers, we poured over maps, we read about culture and customs, we talked and talked and talked and talked until finally our holiday of a lifetime was arranged down to the last detail. 

All around us are challenges and difficulties like never before but in the middle of all that Sri Lanka called promising excitement (mingled with fear), adventure, peace, luxury, warmth and 16 days of escape.

Why Sri Lanka? Quite simply, it called to us. I don't know why, perhaps it is the fact that 70% of the people there are Buddhists. Since a teenager I've been drawn to the Buddhist philosophy, the Middle Way. 

"To truly walk the Middle Way is to traverse this world in the knowledge that we are already enlightened - we just have to enlighten ourselves to who we really are!"

Although not Buddhists both Feisal and I have practiced meditation for many years and live in the understanding that we all have a spark of divinity within us just waiting for the right conditions to enable us to blossom into who we truly are. 

We wonder, will 2012 be that year?