Shanti time

Sheena awoke
and decided it was time
for a change

She went down to the Chillum Den
and into the Quiet Sitting Room
and sat
quietly
for a while

♫ ♫ ♫

The songs of birds
came through the open windows,
and Sheena listened
until she felt she knew each one

And then she got up
and went for a walk

♫ ♫ ♫

The scent of a wild rose
drifted across Sheena’s path,
and so she stopped
and smelled some flowers
for a while

♫ ♫ ♫

A trail of ants
winding up and down
the trunk of a Plumeria tree
caught Sheena’s attention,
and so nearby she sat down
and observed
for a while

♫ ♫ ♫

Beti,
would you like to buy some cherries?
asked a cherry walli

They look delicious

Try one

Mmmm,
they are delicious!
I’d like half a kilo, please

So the old woman
wrapped some cherries
in a large green leaf

What do I owe you?

Today they’re free
on the condition
that you eat them mindfully

Sheena agreed,
thanked the woman
and continued on her way
down the path
and into a forest

♫ ♫ ♫

Sheena sat down
on a large flat stone
and began to eat the cherries
mindfully

♫ ♫ ♫

Remembering the film
Rivers and Tides,
Sheena began to gather
twigs, feathers, seeds and stones,
and then she created
an ephemeral work of art

♫ ♫ ♫

A dog appeared
and lay down next to Sheena,
and she then pet him gently
for a while

♫ ♫ ♫

The dog got up
and waited
for Sheena to do the same
Then together they walked
back towards the town
slowly

♫ ♫ ♫

The dog stopped
in front of a semi-wild home
and lay down in the tall grass
among some wildflowers

Sheena knocked gently
on a small blue door
and it slid out of sight
She walked into the house
and over to a circle
of flickering candles

Would you like to draw?

Sure

And so Sheena stepped into the circle
chose some pencils
and began to draw

♫ ♫ ♫

It’s beautiful

Thank you

I’m going to the Chillum Den soon
to make music with some friends
Would you like to come?

Okay

And so Sheena
and her friend
walked over to
the Chillum Den

♫ ♫ ♫

Hi, Sheena

Hi, guys

Want to play with us tonight?

I don’t play anything

Would you like to
tonight?

Okay

Here,
take the maracas
and shake them gently
like this

Sheena’s friend shook
the maracas
for a few moments,
and then he gave them to her
and she shook them
while her friends played,
and they all made music
for a while

♫ ♫ ♫

Sheena,
we have never before experienced you
in such a shanti mood
for such a long time
You have been a pleasure
to be around,
so tonight you are the guest of honor
Please boom the chillum

Sheena took the offered chillum,
said, Boom Shiva, silently
and then boomed the chillum
and smoked
with her friends

♫ ♫ ♫

This is a really nice chillum

Daniela
Italian clay
I only bring it out
on special occasions

It’s beautiful

And it’s yours

No,
I can’t accept
such a generous gift

We insist
Welcome to the Shanti Club

And then Sheena
and her friends
enjoyed a gentle and quiet night
together

♫ ♫ ♫