There have been a few times in my travels when I’ve walked into a place and immediately felt… something isn’t right.This was one of those stays.
As per the listing, everything looked fine. I even knew the host through some distant connection, so there was a basic level of trust. But the moment I entered, the space felt unused. The air was stale. Not necessarily unsafe but definitely low energy.
Clearly, the room hadn’t been lived in for a while. Even simple things like opening the aluminium framed windows revealed pigeon poop all over the sill. If I kept the windows closed, the house was aesthetically well made but feeling unused and dead.
I did consider refusing to stay here and heading elsewhere… but it was one of those times. Late evening, tired, many plans would get disturbed and no other place popped up in my mind as a preferred alternative.
The first thing I did was to change the bedsheet. Made the space a little more mine – creating movement, involvement, interest.
But that alone wasn’t enough by far.
I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay there comfortably unless something shifted at a deeper level. And thankfully, I had just the right “travel companions.”
I took out my Dhyanalinga yantra—a consecrated copper plate that has spent long periods in the temple with which I am most aligned.
Along with that, I had my akhand diya kit with me – akhand diya, tweezer, cotton wick, match box and a cleaning cloth! Woohoo!
Now, I usually don’t carry oil while traveling (it’s messy, and let’s be honest, it spills 😄). But as it happened, the house had some puja items lying around, including ghee. This was a Jain house… so, naturally they use only Ghee in their lamps. I used that to light the diya.
Even a little flame changes the space very quickly. It’s not just symbolic. It’s a living presence.
That night, with the yantra, akhand diya, and my presence, the space transformed…
By the next day, it was already better. Not perfect, but livable.
I stayed there for a few days after that. The trip didn’t need to be cut short. The situation didn’t magically become abundant—but it transformed enough.
It’s a wonder how small touches can transform our living space! I consult to create intentional spaces, know more here.
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