Finding God

Ladies and gentlemen, I have found God. I know who he is, I have met him.

 

Yikes! Don't worry everyone, I'm not being serious. In all actuality, something about hearing that statement is really frightening to me. It's so mater of fact, so confident, so end of the line... So arrogant.

You know god and you have seen him, hmmm? Little ol' you, handing out pamphlets at the end of your speech with nothing to benefit yourself but to spread the message of love and good things. Reel 'em in with laughter, simple truths, dancing, robes, shaved heads, and with your strong presence. After everyone's smiling and soaking everything up like children, throw them the pamphlet about the course. The 7 day, articulately planned out course on how to be a better person and learn the truth. Not a free course of course, but you won't tell them that quite yet.

I know a salesman when I see one, I've been a saleswomen myself. If there is anything I have learned in my life, concerning god, its to be alert around the people who claim to know things with certainty about god. Be weary of the person who's trying to sell you something.

I should have started out the post this way,

Ladies and gentlemen, I have found a charlatan. Yet another person trying to sell you god. Yet another fisherman reeling in hungry fish, casting nets and taking what he can get.

All in all, he seemed a fantastic guy with possibilities of becoming a bit of a cult leader. You know, those types of people who have followers who go to seminars in fancy hotels in cities like LA. They know the secret to happiness, (so they say) and they'll teach it to you... for a fee. Whoever that guy is, I believe I have found one tonight. He is already holding seminars for large groups of businessmen, and I came across him tonight by a compelling situation of chance.

I've been looking for teachers, someone to teach me about Buddhism, meditation, Taoism, yoga, and pretty much anything related. And 'lo and behold, this Russian baba, who's flying into town for a seminar in Bangkok, decides to be a day late because he showed up here in Pai, to speak with us. Not on purpose mind you, but by chance. Because he dressed like a sheep at an airport, and someone spotted him believing they'd be getting the real wool. Lucky us! I know I was fooled at first. His appearance in my life, just as I was getting into town, seemed like fate at first, and he seemed so wise and aware.

Perhaps I'm being a bit too cynical towards this guy. He was knowledgeable in eastern philosophy and religion, far, far, far more so than I am. More than 85% of what he said was great advice as well. Simple and beautiful truths that everyone needs reminding of now and again. Like, don't be afraid to smile, be humble, remember to love, and all of those other great sayings you'll find on cheesy Facebook memes. He had passion for what he was teaching, he was engaging, musically talented, and he could very possibly have had nothing but good intentions.

But... There's that but.

And that, but, farted out, " I know who god is, I have met him."

I wish I could show you all a picture of this guy and his companion. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera on me when I went to this bahajan/satsang gathering. He was dressed like a monk, sang hare Krishna, and preached of Jesus Christ. My reaction at the end if it all? Sorry dude, I was a Mormon once, I am fully experienced with people who claim to know and see god. Maybe many who claim it, believe it, there is nothing wrong with that. But my opinion is that to claim to know, with certainty, anything related to the unknown, is stunting towards growth and possibilities.

My conclusion so far after this experience? God is still hiding, or maybe god is everything and nothing. whatever the case, people are still longing to connect, love, and experience life. There will always be charlatans and preachers and prophets who claim to know things, many of them do know great things, but always take it in with a bit of open minded cynicism. Or don't, it's totally up to you. :)

 

Hare Krishna,

Zazz

 

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Chiang Mai Train Ride

A little soul on a train all alone.

How do you draw a great expanse of space and time? How do you write of the sensation of speeding past beautiful scenes on a clicking bullet; all the while being oddly aware, but not fully comprehending, the lands, mountains, and oceans separating you from home, friends, and anyone who knows your name?

I am simply a little soul on a train in a great expanse of land full of many. And there is something wholly awe inspiring about that, something exciting as well as deeply lonely.

I plug my music into my ears and I can't help but cry from the shear beauty and power of this experience. Music, art, and literature are the tools we use to share and connect with the other humans around us. An artistic connection helps us not feel so alone in the world. But nothing can compare to the dizzying sensation of being completely in a moment.

I am not alone in my loneliness, therefore I'm not alone.

-zazz

Peter Bradly Adams everyone,

 

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Get Busy Living, Please

The Talented Nugget put together a video of the first two weeks of our travels.

Introducing: Nugget Zazz Adventures Video prt 1: Get Busy Living

Guest starring the beautiful Rachelle from London

( Prepared to be inspired and amazed!)

 

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Assume It's Illegal - Singapore

Nothing like stepping out of the airport, smelling that sweet sweaty smell of Bangkok and promptly obtaining your obligatory five mosquito bites in the first five minutes.

 

A drastic change from the clean idealistic city of Singapore. A city where you can't walk longer than five minuets without seeing someone scrubbing away at an already spotless window, fountain, or floor.

A city where it's not only illegal to jaywalk, eat food on the streets and litter; it's illegal to chew bubble gum in public. No seriously, it is.

Singapore has a plastic look which resembles the inside of a themed Vegas hotel, an atmosphere and attitude of stepping into a city scene of a Disney Channel original movie....and has the death penalty.

Singapore is a glorious place, but don't just take my word for it. Let me share with you all a lovely song which Nugget and I were lucky to hear while on the perfect island of Santosa.

 

 

 

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RIP potted plant

Zazz here,

I would like to take this moment to say farewell to the potted plant outside my hostel door, for it will surely die from all of the stomach acid that it has consumed today. I am terribly sorry plant. 

Today was a day from hell for Zazz. It all went by in a horrible blur of vomit, sleep, nausea, embarrassment, and other dreadful experiences that I'm sure no one wants to read about. Not sure exactly what it was, but I'm willing to place a bet on food poisoning. 

Poisoned, away from Nugget, and now a day late for my visa run, I have come out of this ordeal surprisingly happy. There is a silver lining to this story, and her name is Ally. A girl who has single handedly restored my faith in humanity. Yesterday I didn't even know her name and this wonderful girl went out of her way to take care of this gross sick girl she didn't really know. 

I had first met her from Ton Sai but didn't remember her name even as we traveled into Krabi and checked into the same hostel. This morning she had the pleasure of seeing me again while I was feeding the potted plant. She stopped to check on the poor plant and got me some water. Later, after one of my medicinally induced stupor sleeps and another round of barf-n-the-bag, I found a "party bag" of crackers, coconut milk, a roll, and a lovely note from her. 

I would like to publicly thank Ally for her kindness and her understanding that it really sucks to be sick away from home with no one to take care for you. It's really great to get a reminder of there being some truly great people in the world. I for one will be sure to pay it forward and do the same for any sick comrades that I might happen across in the future. Thank you Ally for reminding me that we're all in this together. 

In loving memory of Potted Plant

Krabi

Zazz here! 

It is official, I have found heaven on earth (If you could kill all mosquitos) and it is called Krabi, Thailand. Or more specifically, Ton Sai on Railay peninsula. 

This version of heaven doesn't include white clouds and harps. It doesn't even guarantee a warm shower or a full day of electricity. But who needs those things anyway? Ton Sai has rock climbing galore, Mama's chicken, the coolest collection of travelers, bioluminescent plankton, Chang beer, lots of kittens, and beach. What more could you ask for? 

'Tis Adolf Kitler. Meow. 

Nugget

Nugget Here.

Sarah Girl has brought to my attention my lagging skills on this blog. She is 1000% correct. So I am now going to burn that into the ground and post.

First of all...everyone watch our video. It shows all the damn good fun we are having. Its a lot. I am currently working on part two *Krabi, Tonsai and Railay.

So this is what Sarah and I decided......YOU ALL ARE GOING TO WIN THE LOTTERY AND COME OUT HERE RIGHT MEOW. (I thought if I used all caps, my nugget magic might work) No?.......piss.

We have slack-lined, juggled, danced, and met the most amazing humans. We feel like a couple of lucky ducklings I must say. But all in all.....we miss you all. And now we give you the giant-est air hug on the planet. Loooooooooooooooove youuuuuuuuuuu.

Heres us pointing to absolutely nothing. But hey, at least we are in front of a really cool tree.