A Journey Down Under

A Journey Down Under

“We are a nation of immigrants. And like every other immigrant, we’re here because we want to build a better life.”

— Malcolm Turnbull

This past April, I took my first journey through Australia — the furthest south I have ever travelled — and it truly felt like a gift, a quiet and generous treat from the One above.

I had the opportunity to travel anti-clockwise around the entire country: landing in Brisbane and visiting the surrounding areas of the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Bangalow, and Shailer Park; then flying up to Darwin in the north, Perth in the west, down to Adelaide, Melbourne and its surrounding areas, then further south to Hobart in Tasmania. From there, I flew back to Canberra, the capital, followed by a drive to Wilton, and finally arrived in Sydney. I certainly clocked up some miles on this trip.

What struck me again and again was just how vast, diverse, and, of course beautiful Australia is. Every city is enhanced by its rivers or waterways, which bring a sense of calm and serenity so needed in the midst of busy city life. And yes, there was also that subtle feeling of being “way down under,” almost at the edge of the world. From changing climates to dramatically different landscapes, each place had its own character and rhythm, and yet beneath it all there was a beautiful consistency in the people.

Everywhere I went, I experienced a deep sense of kindness, gentleness and friendliness from the Australian people. There is something very open-hearted about the Australian spirit — inclusive, welcoming, natural, and easy-going. “No worries” seems to be their unofficial chant.

In many cities, I noticed posters saying, “This one’s an Aussie,” featuring faces from all backgrounds — Black, Asian, White, and many others — a simple but powerful reminder of unity in diversity. There is a genuine effort to bring everyone together as one Australian family, consciously choosing acceptance and celebrating the fact that everyone belongs. Each person contributes to and appreciates the country that has become their homeland, whether by birth or by adoption.

Australia is home to an array of animals rarely seen in the Northern Hemisphere. Lilly the koala was the highlight of my trip — she was quiet, well-behaved, innocent, and, most of all, irresistibly cute. Rodney also appears in the photos — the friendly kangaroo I met at the Yarra Valley Retreat Centre.

Australia has four retreat centres, all surrounded by the bush. They attract a rich variety of animals and birds, and the sights and sounds are both unique and soothing. You literally live amongst the animal kingdom. The vastness of the Australian landscape captures the heart.

Something else that touched me deeply was that almost everywhere I went, public programmes began by acknowledging the Aboriginal peoples, the traditional custodians of the land. There was a quiet respect in that — a humility and an awareness that we are guests, and that there is a history and sacredness to the land that long predates us.

We truly are “the new kids on the block.” People from many cultures have chosen to make Australia their home, and it was heart-warming to witness this spirit of inclusion.

“We are just visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love … and then we return home.”

— Australian Aboriginal Proverb

In practical terms, it was quite a journey of four weeks: 10 flights, 12 different beds, and visits to 15 towns and cities — a great deal of constant movement. The body held up well, as it always does, offering support and co-operation, especially when one is engaged in Godly service. And internally, there was a deep sense of stability and contentment.

Wherever I went — primarily to the Brahma Kumaris centres — the essence was the same: love for God, love for spiritual knowledge, and a shared effort to move forward together.  This spiritual attitude is what truly unites us. It reminded me that when the foundation is spiritual, when the connection is heart to heart, geography, culture, and language no longer matter. Whether we are “up above” or “down under,” we remain part of the same family — moving together, growing together, and sustained by the same love.

What I bring back with me is not just memories of places, but impressions of hearts — simplicity, sincerity, and a gentle inner strength.

With gratitude to the whole Aussie family, who made these lovely memories possible.

It’s Time … to appreciate the beautiful world in which we live. Whether the view is from the north or the south, the east or the west, loving our world is a wise choice.

© It’s Time … by Aruna Ladva, BK Publications, London, UK.