Now, buoyed by Atmananda's legendary strength, I rode the swells
beyond the breakers to where my feet dangled above the ocean floor.
After thirty minutes or so, we rode the waves toward the shore.
At this time Atmananda often disappeared beneath the surface.
We stood there in the waist-deep water, waiting, watching, and trying
to figure out his next move--when suddenly there was a scream!
Still underwater, Atmananda had seized and was tickling someone's
foot.
Then we sat on the beach, soothed by gentle currents of the herb-scented air.
I looked to the west. Blue on blue stretched across the horizon.
I looked to the east. White buildings gleamed behind a row
of tall, healthy palms. I remembered Atmananda's advice:
"If you want to live in a pretty world, just cry inwardly to Guru."
I could not help but feel that I had entered one of Dr. Seuss'
fantasy-gardens for children.
Atmananda drove us back to the Centre, where we gazed for forty minutes
or so at the Transcendental. Then we ate nachos--a perfect ending,
I thought, to a perfect day. I was so absorbed in having fun with
my new family, I did not think to contact my parents or my brother.
Several days after we arrived in southern California,
Atmananda took us on a bus tour of the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park.
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