Independence

Boston, The Esplanade

3am. New York City shines from the bridge, as always. This time we won't stop by though, because we are heading to New England.
The streets seem to run too fast under the wheels, specially when there is calm within. Sitting in a funny crossed legs position on the seat of the car, in deep meditation by looking at the tip of the nose, I spend my time as my husband drives.
Seven hours on the road, before getting to Boston at dawn and greeting the sun with the Aquarian Sadhana chants.

What is this trip about? Independence: the red freedom trail in Boston is long but already walked by others before me, so I just follow the steps.
July 4th, parades and fireworks on the Esplanade. Rainbow flags, Harvard clothes, beer (and tomb) of Sam Adams, demonstrations against the NSA to the sound of "no more spying!" and "restore the fourth!" to make me aware of the US a little more.

Here we drive again: scenic drive towards Cape Cod, town after town, along meadows, ponds, colonial houses, white churches, graveyards, windmills, restaurants specialized in lobster rolls and seafood that I will never try since I am vegetarian. Beaches, lighthouses, sand dunes, until reaching the furthest point: here Pilgrim Fathers stepped on the American soil for the first time. I realize I have always been a pilgrim.

Independence and freedom sustain diversity in the little streets of Provincetown, crowded by the proud gay community.
"Love is equal" on the mirrors of some shops. "Rainbow pride" on several boards and many flags. "Be confident, own your sexuality, get tested for free" to fight the HIV. "Unattended children will be given espresso and a free kitten", reads a sign hanged on the door of the shop right next to it. Leashed pigs, wrapped in the American flag, draw the attention. Art galleries along the sidewalks are just a frame of this multicolored and original picture, expression of total freedom and creativity.

From the pink atmosphere of Provincetown we dive into the unknown darkness of Salem: fear and hysteria can still be felt at every corner of the town. Both authentic spirituality and fake shows for tourists exorcise the visitors' fears.
Witches are wise and radiant women who love life. Unfortunately, the witch hunt is not past history, because certain human beings are still dominated by fear and they keep on judging "different" what they can't control.

Curtains are down, lights are off: do we really need to put make up on our face? It comes out there is equality in diversity: uniqueness is something different, something that makes us recognize that the other is you.
We are ourselves, still we wear masks. We are free, still sometimes what we think to be a bright sign from the sky is just some fake fireworks: seductive lights but not really enlightening. Independence is something else: it is the freedom from our fears and the courage to express ourselves by following our true identity, our pure creativity. It is the unique way we have to communicate as authentic, liberated human beings.

*"Sadhana" is the daily practice of yoga. The Aquarian Sadhana is based on Yogi Bhajan's kundalini yoga teachings and includes the chanting of seven mantras, each one calibrated to sustain human beings through this time of deep transformation that we are living, the age of Aquarius. For further information: http://www.3ho.org/3ho-lifestyle/aquarian-age.

Boston, Freedom Trail