Introduction......

Hello.... it's pouring with rain here in Edinburgh, but the leaves on the trees are so lush and the air is dripping with the unfolding of new life. I'm planning. Preparing for the trip that begins at the end of May. Not that I really know where I'm going......

This is a journey of inspiration. You know that wonderful experience when your mind is quite calmly doing its own thing and then...whoosh!....some bright idea pops in and you feel a great upsurge of energy. So easy to dismiss these moments, but when I'm free enough to pay attention, they become clues on a path, lights in the darkness of the unknown.

This is a mad idea really. Set out from home base in Edinburgh, with no idea where you're going, and take with you 20 small statues of Tara, a video camera, passport and dictaphone. Take these Taras to wherever in the world you are "instructed" to go. Your instructions will come through spiritual practice, intuition and coincidence. Have complete faith and live the journey with the intention of doing Tara's will.

OK!

Why 20 small statues? Well, the Tibetan Buddhist deity of Green Tara is described as having an entourage of 20 other Taras - each one having her own particular activity in the general field of fearless compassion and liberation from suffering. Whilst the central figure of Green Tara embodies all the qualities and activities of all the Buddhas, it can be helpful to pray to a specific Tara if there is a very specific problem.

So - that's just a bit of background. Enough for today.