The Elephanta Caves Adventure: Lessons in Connection, Kindness, and Balance
January 15-17
To be honest, I haven’t been writing much over the past few days. Life has been busy, and I’ve been caught up in my feelings. Something about putting it all into words makes it feel too real, and part of me hasn’t been ready to sit with everything that’s been happening. But now
that I’m reflecting on it, the past few days have been full of experiences that deserve to be shared.
Between massages, kirtan, and harmonium practice, the highlight was a field trip to Elephanta Caves in Mumbai. I almost didn’t go. It was our day off, and the choice was
between relaxing at the Eco Village or embarking on an 18-hour journey involving eight hours of bumpy bus rides, a questionable ferry, and trekking through ancient caves. I leaned toward staying back, but after celebrating Jose’s birthday the night before, a few friends convinced me to go. Reluctantly, I set my alarm for 4 AM, packed my bag, and committed to the adventure.
The Bus Ride There
The bus ride began in the dark, just before dawn, as we headed out into the early morning stillness. I was already second-guessing my decision to come along. Exhausted and slightly regretful, I settled into my seat, wrapped my neck pillow around me, and put on my sleeping mask. My goal was to sleep as much as I could during the four-hour ride, but the bumpy roads made that nearly impossible.
At some point, the sky began to lighten, and when I pulled off my mask, I realized we were on an overpass crossing the Arabian Sea. The sight of the water stretching endlessly on either side of us was breathtaking. Someone handed me a tiny banana (such a precious gift to wake up to), and I tried to mentally prepare for the day ahead.
Our first stop was Starbucks, and thank God for that because my bladder was about to explode from all the water I’d been drinking. I ordered an iced hibiscus herbal tea—my safe, caffeine-free go-to. It was interesting to see the Indian Starbucks menu, which featured so many foods I’d never seen back home (though none were vegan or gluten-free).
Even this early in the day, I started to feel a bit off. Groups were forming, and I felt like the kid left out at the lunch table. Most of the people I’m close with had opted to stay back at the Eco Village. Thankfully, Chief (Brian) and his wife Lori graciously adopted me for the day, and I felt a little more grounded having them by my side.
The Ferry and the Island
From Starbucks, we walked to the Gateway of India to catch the ferry to Elephanta Island. The architecture in Mumbai was stunning—a mix of Italian and Jerusalem-like styles. Once we boarded the ferry, Raghunath whipped out his harmonium, and we broke into a full-blown kirtan session. It was one of those unforgettable moments: the perfect weather, birds swirling around the boat, and the energy of Krishna infusing everything.
After about 15 minutes of singing, I drifted to the side of the boat, craving some quiet. Tyler came up and joined me, and we started talking about superpowers—the ones we’d want and the ones we believe we already have.
I told him I’d want the power to fly, to feel weightless and free from the limits of gravity and the pain in my body. He asked about my current superpower, and I answered, “Feeling deeply.” (Though, sometimes I wonder if it’s more of a curse than a gift.) Tyler told me he thought I was a great singer, which completely caught me off guard. Compliments like that still feel hard to accept.
I’ve realized this resistance to compliments ties back to the heart chakra, Anahata. When it’s blocked, it’s hard to receive love or even recognize our own worth. Compliments challenge the ego’s narrative of unworthiness, and instead of accepting them, I instinctively reject or question them. Maybe the spiritual work here is in softening—learning to receive love as a gift to the divine within me and allowing myself to truly believe it.
The Caves and What Happened After
When we arrived at Elephanta Caves, the first thing I noticed was the vendors—so many of them—selling fruit, candy, and trinkets. I grabbed a whole cucumber with tajin (probably the closest thing to a pickle I’ll find here) and some sour-coated fruit I couldn’t name.
The trek up to the caves was long and steep, with what felt like endless stairs. About halfway up, I started to feel dizzy and nauseous. One of the girls in the group noticed and bought me a coconut water. It was such a kind gesture, and I was deeply touched. This trip has been full of small moments like that—people showing kindness without expecting anything in return.
At the top, the monkeys were out in full force. I saw one drinking Sprite, another engaging in some, uh, intimate activities, and one that nearly attacked someone. Monkeys in India are truly another breed of intelligent, and I often wonder if they’re more evolved than us in some ways.
The caves themselves were fascinating, filled with ancient carvings centered around Shiva. We only had about 30 minutes to explore, which wasn’t nearly enough time. Half the time was spent with the security guards enthusiastically taking photos of us with dramatic effects. While it was fun, I wished we had more time to absorb the history. Maybe one day I’ll come back with a retreat group of my own to fully explore and learn more.
After descending from the caves, we had some time to shop. I tried to keep my purchases small, but I picked up postcards with paintings of deities and a tiny Kali statue. Dr. Sunny D from the Ayurvedic clinic (I miss him so much) once told me I should always carry a representation of Kali when traveling. Even though she’s always in my heart, having a physical manifestation of her presence feels grounding.
From there, we headed to Chowpatty Temple, where the flower festival would take place later in the week. We had a few hours to eat and wander around. Most of the group went to the only restaurant nearby, but there weren’t any seats left. My stomach was still unsettled from the sour fruit I’d eaten earlier, so I wandered off to explore with a few friends instead.
I stumbled into a boutique, not intending to buy anything, but I ended up finding black, lightweight harem pants for Bali. Then I saw a beautiful white scarf with gold embellishments, a matching halter top, and a skirt. I tried them on, and they fit like a glove.
At first, I hesitated because the skirt alone was $57 USD—expensive by Indian standards. But in the bigger picture, I couldn’t even get a pair of Lululemons for that price. A friend reassured me that I looked like a vision and reminded me that I didn’t have any traditional Indian outfits. It was totally my style, so I decided to splurge and bought the pants, skirt, halter, scarf, and a ring for $157 USD.
After that we went to dinner, while it was difficult to order literally anything that was vegand gluten free, i eventually settled for some soup and vegetables (while everyone around me ate delicious looking meals). Another moment i truly remembered how difficult it is to eat the way i do in india. I was ready to leave... not just the field trip but honestly, the country.
The Long Ride Home and Reflections
The bus ride back felt endless, with traffic stretching the four-hour drive into six. But I struck up a long conversation with Jose and Laurel, and the time passed more easily. Laurel, battling stage 4 breast cancer, shared her struggles with healthcare access, and I felt so deeply for her. Having lived with chronic pain myself, I know how isolating and frustrating it is to navigate a system where healing feels like a privilege instead of a right.
Finally, we made it back close to midnight. Exhausted, I was touched to find Trish had left a fruit salad with papaya hanging on my door. That simple act of kindness felt like grace, and it reminded me how much love surrounds us when we’re open to receiving it.
Spiritual Reflections
Looking back on this adventure, I see a recurring theme of connection, kindness, and balance.
The kindness of others—from the girl who bought me coconut water to Trish leaving fruit for me—reminded me of the innate goodness in people. These small gestures often feel like grace in action, moments where we witness the divine working through others.
The conversations with Jose and Laurel highlighted the power of shared vulnerability. Pain and challenges—whether physical, emotional, or systemic—can isolate us, but they also create opportunities for connection and empathy. From a spiritual lens, they teach us that healing isn’t just an individual journey but a collective one.Finally, the exhaustion and the day of rest that followed were powerful reminders of the importance of balance. Life is a constant dance between effort and surrender, activity and rest. Listening to my body and honoring its needs felt like an act of self-love, a way of realigning with my own energy.
In the end, the Elephanta Caves adventure wasn’t just about exploring a historical site. It was about embracing the fullness of the human experience—the beauty, the discomfort, the connections, and the lessons.
With love & gratitude,
Eve AKA kali grayce
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