Corrine Brown

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Myanmar 2012 Pilgrimage by Corrine Brown

Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is still very much third world - their domestic airport tax is US$1 and that is enough to tell you how "primitive" they still are!

Our personal yearly pilgrimage plight for the greater good is to reconnect with the Self, cleanse and recharge the soul and spirit during this spiritual process. We have taken this personal commitment to share with others less fortunate than ourselves, with unconditional love and gratitude.

Lipsticks, caps, stencils, playdough, colouring books, sticker books, lip balms, colour pencils, glitter pens, key chains, koalas, kangaroos, teddies, ink stamps, crayons, face paints and T-shirts were donated to the orphanage, fishing villages and local schools. Food and cash donations were offered to the monasteries and temples. In the monasteries and temples, we observed silence, the monks' rituals and had guided meditations with them.

At the orphanage, we spoke of Australia and showed pictures of her native flora and fauna. Australian toys such as koalas, kangaroos and wombats were handed out. The orphans sang us many songs and asked heaps of interesting questions. To our surprise, their English was excellent. We later learnt that the orphanage gets help from many charity organisations. It was an educational day for all. The children kept on singing even when we were leaving. They were innocently happy in their simple way of life.

The local schools and fishing villages were a huge contrast. We enjoyed this very much as it was much more challenging. No English was spoken or understood - we only relied on body language and lots of smiles and laughter. We used playdough to communicate by making shapes and sounds of animals we had created. The sticker and colouring books were a huge hit. It was so much fun spending time colouring in with them. When it was time to leave, the children just kept following us. As you can imagine, it was very difficult to walk away. It has been awhile since I recall having laughed and cried all at the one time.

The young monks at the monastery were quite mischievous - just like other boys at heart really. Being at a place of worship, they were a little more restrained than the kids in the villages - as to be expected. Nonetheless, we shared quite a bit of laughter together and as boys usually do, they teased each other whenever any one of them was the focus.

It is a very humbling human experience and it feels so amazing to be able to give and do what we have chosen to do; especially where life and living is so simple and gratitude given and received totally unconditionally. The priceless looks we observe on their faces - of surprise, of joy, of love cannot be explained. Their innocence, their openness and pure trust in a total stranger are rare in these times.

There are no words to describe this amazing experience - it is extremely soul gratifying. What I take away with me from this spiritual journey is being clearly grateful every day for the basic needs of living - fresh air, clean water, pure food and unconditional love.

Did I reconnect with Self? Yes indeed, and much more than can be possibly imagined. Create today. My words of love to all - everything I wish for myself, I wish for you. Blessings.

Special thanks to Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Volunteer Department for some of the above donations and to those who contributed money towards purchasing some of the above items as well as for temple donations….you know who you are!

View photos of the Myanmar 2012 trip


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