To be in the presence of Pujya Swamiji is to feel a freedom and gentleness from him that is unlimited, every expanding, vast and so deeply grounded in knowledge that thoughts of any issues or problems melt away as the snow in spring. This thawing of the heart is so difficult to articulate since the intergration of wholeness, remembrance takes it time like a garden whose life is welcomed in stages leading to a blooming that leaves one speechless in the greatness of life.
The three camps were attended by many people from all over the world including Indian nationals from the various states. In camp one we focused on one verse from the Bhagavad Gita, in camp two we focused on two and in camp three we focused on ten verses. They were all a surprise for us and Pujya Swamiji who prefaced and shared his toughts before leading into the study and deep meaning of each of the verses...
The day's began with the invitation to attend the temple for morning puja followed by meditation lead by Pujya Swamiji. Breakfast was at 730am and the first class of the day was from 830am-930am. One had the choice to then attend a yoga class before the next morning class held from 1130-1230pm. Lunch was then served and the afternoon had Vedic Chanting and Sanskrit classes available in various levels. From 5-6pm the next class with Pujya Swamiji was held and evening puja and aarti for Mother Ganga was 630-715pm. Dinner was served at 730pm and the evening would end with Satsang and Bhajans from 830-10pm. The days were fruitful to say the least...
Each camp would end with a Guru Puja to Pujya Swamiji. This event saw the gathering of every in the hall after the last morning class. A couple would be selected to perform the ritual of washing the Guru's feet and making offerings to him in gratitude for the teachings shared with all. Donations were accepted so as to continue to fund the ashram and all it's charitable works spearheaded and nurtured by Pujya Swamiji.Pujya Swamiji would then give prasad to everyone when the crowd individually offered pranams of gratitude and the gift of their donation.
There were a few days where a Bandaram was also held leading up to the end of each camp. This was an event when all the Swami's and Sadhus in the area and around, joined together until a huge tent set up in the open space between the temple and the lecture hall. Here they were all given blessings of Pujya Swamiji, served luch by the ashram staff, given a new shawl and money from Swami Suddananda who is the director of the ashram. It was an amazing to see the rainbow and hue of orange among the hundred or so who came and witness the clear depth in their eyes, foreheads covered in sacred ash and various puja markings symbolizing their life of renounciation...Rishikesh itself is the home to so many who slept under Mother Moon with the rushing Ganga as their host and neighbor...
During the closing of the second camp Pujya Swamiji inquired about me while I was offering him my pranams and accepting his darshan. After I answered his questions and had a photo snapped of us, I moved on with my day greatful for those precious and intimate moments. Later, Swami Aparokshananda approached me to say that Pujya Swamiji had asked about me and that I should meet with him. This was moving for me and I immediately wondered what the karma was in this relationship. It was during the closing of the third camp that I had the courage to create a puja offering for him and request a meeting. This was a special time and we talked about a few things I had on my mind with such a clarity and gentleness received from Pujya Swamiji...
Pujya Swamiji left the day after the last camp and I am profoundly grateful for all that I have received. I will meet him in May in Coimbatore for another two month camp of Vedanta studies which I am immensely joyful about...
xoxo
Om Santi Santi Santi Om
Jennifer
Friday, May 2, 2008
Maha Sivaratri at Sri Swami Sivananda Ashram .... March 4, 2008
Maha Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivaratri (Night of Shiva or "Great Night of Shiva") is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha (as per Shalivahana) or Phalguna (as per Vikrama) in the Hindu Calendar (that is, the night before and day of the new moon). The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael (Bilva) leaves to the Lord Shiva, all day fasting and an all night long vigil.
Here the evening began with leaving the Dayananda Ashram at around 630pm for the alnight celebration. We climbed out of the ashram at the gates to enter Sivananda Ashram. Through the gates and up, up, up the stairs to the temple at the ashram. The charming, clanging and drone of the bells rang throughout the night preceding the chanting of a few hundred people gathered in the temple. Surrounded by flowers and two gaint banana plants which formed an entrance to the inner temple (the banana plant is auspiciously used to symbolize prosperity), the gaint marble temple was surrounded with pictures of Sivananda in all his glory...
Throughout the night bhajans and devotional hymns to Siva were shared and the melodies between the musicians had that magical quality of other worldness about them. The priests in the inner temple with the deities of Siva, the Siva Lingam, Krishna & Radha, Ganesha and others were intoxicated in chants that had been going since the evening before. Flowers and offerings, aarti and the chiming, the ringing of the giant bells took place numerous times with an intense rhythm and sound that reverberated throughtout every cell of one's body.
The lines would then form so as to give individual offerings and receive prasad from the temple priests. This carried on and on until the final celebatory offerings at 430am with the wave of joy, the requests of prayers and wishes to be bestowed on each and everyone's intimate request to Lord Siva - to destroy all that in one's life that is preventing the evolution and growth towards the fullness of life and the reaching of one's potential...
Next the lines cued to the dining hall where a full, and I mean full, prasad of food was given. Tali plates were heeped with various dishes and I did my very best to consume it all without waste and the understanding of this precious gift...
Manisha, Subash and I walked back from Sivananda Ashram to Dayananda Ashram and the 25 minute walk was a reprieve from the night's activity with time to settle the beauty shared by all...
I look forward to next year already.......
xoxo
Om Namah Sivaya
Jennifer
Here the evening began with leaving the Dayananda Ashram at around 630pm for the alnight celebration. We climbed out of the ashram at the gates to enter Sivananda Ashram. Through the gates and up, up, up the stairs to the temple at the ashram. The charming, clanging and drone of the bells rang throughout the night preceding the chanting of a few hundred people gathered in the temple. Surrounded by flowers and two gaint banana plants which formed an entrance to the inner temple (the banana plant is auspiciously used to symbolize prosperity), the gaint marble temple was surrounded with pictures of Sivananda in all his glory...
Throughout the night bhajans and devotional hymns to Siva were shared and the melodies between the musicians had that magical quality of other worldness about them. The priests in the inner temple with the deities of Siva, the Siva Lingam, Krishna & Radha, Ganesha and others were intoxicated in chants that had been going since the evening before. Flowers and offerings, aarti and the chiming, the ringing of the giant bells took place numerous times with an intense rhythm and sound that reverberated throughtout every cell of one's body.
The lines would then form so as to give individual offerings and receive prasad from the temple priests. This carried on and on until the final celebatory offerings at 430am with the wave of joy, the requests of prayers and wishes to be bestowed on each and everyone's intimate request to Lord Siva - to destroy all that in one's life that is preventing the evolution and growth towards the fullness of life and the reaching of one's potential...
Next the lines cued to the dining hall where a full, and I mean full, prasad of food was given. Tali plates were heeped with various dishes and I did my very best to consume it all without waste and the understanding of this precious gift...
Manisha, Subash and I walked back from Sivananda Ashram to Dayananda Ashram and the 25 minute walk was a reprieve from the night's activity with time to settle the beauty shared by all...
I look forward to next year already.......
xoxo
Om Namah Sivaya
Jennifer
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Freedom......
With the departure of Mother Maya and the promise of her return next year, I realized that I now ad a week on my own to do as I liked!
I made a new friend in a Brahmacharya, Subash, a monk awaiting his enter into Sannasyin, and we spent a great deal of time together along with other friends during this time...
I was shifted to another ashram just behind the Dayananda Vedanta Ashram where they have a beautiful cow and her newborn calf, a little boy...so beautiful...
Monica, from Bolivia, needed a place to stay and she had attended both the conference and the studies with Mother Maya so I had no problem offering my room to her as I had another bed...
Monica and I spent alot of time out walking around Rishikesh visiting Ram Juula and Lakshman Juula, both places with numerous shops and lots to see! We found a couple of wonderful restaurants cooking ayurvedically and enjoyed our meals there immensely!
It was wonderful to have time to ourselves to digest, process, experience and rest after such intense periods of study and in preparation of the fast approaching one month camp with His Holiness Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati on Vedanta studies.
We frequented Mother Ganga and morning pujas at the temple in addition to morning snanum dips to wake us up!
The days included time for studies and enjoyment of afternoon naps. The sound of the bell rings through the ashram signaling meal or teatime is ready! We scurried over to the dining hall for a hot cup of masala chai tea and bathed in the cool shade of the Banyan trees by the garden...
The week was coming to a close and the intensity of the ashram was definitely picking up with the arrival of the international participants. There are to be 242 participants in the first of the three camps with the addition and subtraction of those that couldn't make it and those in the area wanting to drop in and behold the teachings of Swamiji. Numerous students from Japan, Brazil, various states in India, Portugal, Germany and French arrived with a few Americans as well. Many of them adorned in white Kurta outfits as white is the symbolic color of peace and clarity imbibing positive energy and flow for a student.
Subash took me to a lovely shop in Ram Juula area and bought lovely material so as I would have a few white outfits made by his tailor. So kind and thoughtful...
One of the most special events of this week was attending Sivaratri celebration at the Sivananda Temple with a number of friends here at the ashram. This deserves a discuss all on it's own....
Om Namaha Shivaya
xxooxx
Jennifer
Love and blessings
I made a new friend in a Brahmacharya, Subash, a monk awaiting his enter into Sannasyin, and we spent a great deal of time together along with other friends during this time...
I was shifted to another ashram just behind the Dayananda Vedanta Ashram where they have a beautiful cow and her newborn calf, a little boy...so beautiful...
Monica, from Bolivia, needed a place to stay and she had attended both the conference and the studies with Mother Maya so I had no problem offering my room to her as I had another bed...
Monica and I spent alot of time out walking around Rishikesh visiting Ram Juula and Lakshman Juula, both places with numerous shops and lots to see! We found a couple of wonderful restaurants cooking ayurvedically and enjoyed our meals there immensely!
It was wonderful to have time to ourselves to digest, process, experience and rest after such intense periods of study and in preparation of the fast approaching one month camp with His Holiness Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati on Vedanta studies.
We frequented Mother Ganga and morning pujas at the temple in addition to morning snanum dips to wake us up!
The days included time for studies and enjoyment of afternoon naps. The sound of the bell rings through the ashram signaling meal or teatime is ready! We scurried over to the dining hall for a hot cup of masala chai tea and bathed in the cool shade of the Banyan trees by the garden...
The week was coming to a close and the intensity of the ashram was definitely picking up with the arrival of the international participants. There are to be 242 participants in the first of the three camps with the addition and subtraction of those that couldn't make it and those in the area wanting to drop in and behold the teachings of Swamiji. Numerous students from Japan, Brazil, various states in India, Portugal, Germany and French arrived with a few Americans as well. Many of them adorned in white Kurta outfits as white is the symbolic color of peace and clarity imbibing positive energy and flow for a student.
Subash took me to a lovely shop in Ram Juula area and bought lovely material so as I would have a few white outfits made by his tailor. So kind and thoughtful...
One of the most special events of this week was attending Sivaratri celebration at the Sivananda Temple with a number of friends here at the ashram. This deserves a discuss all on it's own....
Om Namaha Shivaya
xxooxx
Jennifer
Love and blessings
Sacred Reality Tour with Sri Swamini Mayatitananda - February 21 - 25, 2008 Sri Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati Vedanta Ashram, Rishikesh
We all met at 2pm in the afternoon on February 21 to make our way across to the other side of Mother Ganga River in the continuance of studies with Mother Maya held at her Guruji's ashram, Dayananda Vedanta Ashram.
Bags abound were carefully placed in the rickshaws that were to be manually carried by the porters. These men are small, strong, sinewy and with a light of happiness and joy in their eyes. Off we went leaving the glory of Parmath Niketan Ashram and the profound experience of the International Ayurveda & Yoga Conference in our hearts and memories.
The journey to the travel bus, hired for our time with Mother Maya, was on an uphill back road and we assisted the porters by pushing from behind as the weight of our bags was immense. Monkeys abound with no fear to close in on the baggage carts that awaited at the top of the hill! Mother's with their little ones holding on tight swung from tree to tree and joined their community of monkeys hanging out on the brick walls surrounding the road. Such humour in watching their sparkle and ease in approaching for the odd banana and snatching anything lose or bags that were easy to carry!
The travel bus followed the windy road up, up and up further still, with views of Mother Ganga in the distance and the town of Rishikesh in all it's busyness. The street taking us down into the ashram was sooooo narrow one wondered if we would need to levitate the rest of the way there! How would it be possible to moneuveur our way past the goats, the cows, the rickshaws and the sounds of laughter from the children beholding these western faces!
Well, we did arrive and rooms were arranged. Bags unloaded and a much needed rest on the bed to acclimitize for the next five days of wonderment... We were all given private rooms which was really lovely and I set up my altar first thing and smugged the room with fresh sage I brought from home as well as lit my beautiful beeswax candle while initiating this time with some Vedic chants.
Orientation shared the outline of the journey ahead and the Guru protocol as well as the protocol while here as a vistor to the ashram. Distance was to be kept from the Swami's and Swamini's as well as the Vedic priests and pranams (the bowing forward and touching of the right foot with the right hand while stating 'Om' or 'Hari Om') as a sign of respect offered to all that were met.
A sample of our daily schedule as follows -
Morning snenum (dip in Mother Ganga) - 330am - 430am
Early morning Tea/ Coffee - 430am onwards
Morning Temple Puja & Arati- 515am - 615am
Breakfast- 730am
Wise Earth Ayurveda Japa Meditation with Mother – 8am – 830am
Vedanta Discourse: Living Ahimsa with Mother – 900am -1030am
Lunch- Noon - 100pm
Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites -100pm -500pm
Afternoon Tea/ Coffee -300pm
Evening Temple Puja & Arati- 600pm - 700pm
Dinner- 730pm
Although Morning and Evening Arati at the Ashram were not compulsory for us to attend, Mother strongly encouraged that we make it a point to attend these profound Vedic ceremonies. She did not wish us to miss such a unique opportunity to offer the necessary sankalpa for our and our family’s wellbeing. It is rare to find the perfection of Shakti (awakening of Mother Divine power) with which the Pujaris (Vedic priests) of Pujya Swami Dayananda’s Ashram conduct these ancient rites.
On our first day out, February 22, we visited two Devi temples that were divine and that are connected by rope bridges - Manasa Devi and Chandi Devi in Hardwar: Although, over the recent years, Hardwar has become a tourist hot spot with people selling everything on the promenade as you venture in to the city. We also took Arati at the Mother Ganges in Hardwar, a holy city where thousands of Hindus gather every evening to receive the Darshana of the Goddess Ganga. We had the opportunity to join in the offering by floating a dipa on a sacred leaf down the Ganges River. It was heavenly and it is hard to capture the words with which I can express such a moving experience...
The evening Satsanga with Mother (on 2 evenings) 8:00pm-9:00pm was always enjoyable to ask all the necessary questions that one had been holding onto.
Our pilgrimage, while in the Holy City of Rishikesh, was in seeking the Darshana of Lord Shiva. We will visit Neelkanth (Nilakantha)-a very famous and sacred temple of Lord Shiva, located approximately s 25 kilometers by road (or a 10 kilometer hike).
The second Shakti Pitham we also visited, on another day, was Kunjapuri: A most serene Shakti Pitham, located approximately 32 kilometers from Rishikesh which Mother visited and blessed and took the Darshana of the Goddess many years ago.
The sites all held such a powerful feeling of peace and once again the winding roads were unimaginable in regards to how we managed to reach the top unscathed! For the most part I was concerned about the brakes on the way down!
Mornings on the Ganga River chanting with my japa mala set the day and more and more the time with Mother and the other Sadhakas opened my heart and mind to a remembrance of my dharma here in this life - to help and be of service to others...
The days cumilnated with a morning group photo of all Sadhakas and Mother Maya before she headed off to her next place of duty... Mother has booked our studies for next year here at the ashram from March 16 - 29, 2009 and I will definitely be here...
Jai Jai Ma!
Om Namaha Shivaya
With love and blessings
Jennifer
Bags abound were carefully placed in the rickshaws that were to be manually carried by the porters. These men are small, strong, sinewy and with a light of happiness and joy in their eyes. Off we went leaving the glory of Parmath Niketan Ashram and the profound experience of the International Ayurveda & Yoga Conference in our hearts and memories.
The journey to the travel bus, hired for our time with Mother Maya, was on an uphill back road and we assisted the porters by pushing from behind as the weight of our bags was immense. Monkeys abound with no fear to close in on the baggage carts that awaited at the top of the hill! Mother's with their little ones holding on tight swung from tree to tree and joined their community of monkeys hanging out on the brick walls surrounding the road. Such humour in watching their sparkle and ease in approaching for the odd banana and snatching anything lose or bags that were easy to carry!
The travel bus followed the windy road up, up and up further still, with views of Mother Ganga in the distance and the town of Rishikesh in all it's busyness. The street taking us down into the ashram was sooooo narrow one wondered if we would need to levitate the rest of the way there! How would it be possible to moneuveur our way past the goats, the cows, the rickshaws and the sounds of laughter from the children beholding these western faces!
Well, we did arrive and rooms were arranged. Bags unloaded and a much needed rest on the bed to acclimitize for the next five days of wonderment... We were all given private rooms which was really lovely and I set up my altar first thing and smugged the room with fresh sage I brought from home as well as lit my beautiful beeswax candle while initiating this time with some Vedic chants.
Orientation shared the outline of the journey ahead and the Guru protocol as well as the protocol while here as a vistor to the ashram. Distance was to be kept from the Swami's and Swamini's as well as the Vedic priests and pranams (the bowing forward and touching of the right foot with the right hand while stating 'Om' or 'Hari Om') as a sign of respect offered to all that were met.
A sample of our daily schedule as follows -
Morning snenum (dip in Mother Ganga) - 330am - 430am
Early morning Tea/ Coffee - 430am onwards
Morning Temple Puja & Arati- 515am - 615am
Breakfast- 730am
Wise Earth Ayurveda Japa Meditation with Mother – 8am – 830am
Vedanta Discourse: Living Ahimsa with Mother – 900am -1030am
Lunch- Noon - 100pm
Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites -100pm -500pm
Afternoon Tea/ Coffee -300pm
Evening Temple Puja & Arati- 600pm - 700pm
Dinner- 730pm
Although Morning and Evening Arati at the Ashram were not compulsory for us to attend, Mother strongly encouraged that we make it a point to attend these profound Vedic ceremonies. She did not wish us to miss such a unique opportunity to offer the necessary sankalpa for our and our family’s wellbeing. It is rare to find the perfection of Shakti (awakening of Mother Divine power) with which the Pujaris (Vedic priests) of Pujya Swami Dayananda’s Ashram conduct these ancient rites.
On our first day out, February 22, we visited two Devi temples that were divine and that are connected by rope bridges - Manasa Devi and Chandi Devi in Hardwar: Although, over the recent years, Hardwar has become a tourist hot spot with people selling everything on the promenade as you venture in to the city. We also took Arati at the Mother Ganges in Hardwar, a holy city where thousands of Hindus gather every evening to receive the Darshana of the Goddess Ganga. We had the opportunity to join in the offering by floating a dipa on a sacred leaf down the Ganges River. It was heavenly and it is hard to capture the words with which I can express such a moving experience...
The evening Satsanga with Mother (on 2 evenings) 8:00pm-9:00pm was always enjoyable to ask all the necessary questions that one had been holding onto.
Our pilgrimage, while in the Holy City of Rishikesh, was in seeking the Darshana of Lord Shiva. We will visit Neelkanth (Nilakantha)-a very famous and sacred temple of Lord Shiva, located approximately s 25 kilometers by road (or a 10 kilometer hike).
The second Shakti Pitham we also visited, on another day, was Kunjapuri: A most serene Shakti Pitham, located approximately 32 kilometers from Rishikesh which Mother visited and blessed and took the Darshana of the Goddess many years ago.
The sites all held such a powerful feeling of peace and once again the winding roads were unimaginable in regards to how we managed to reach the top unscathed! For the most part I was concerned about the brakes on the way down!
Mornings on the Ganga River chanting with my japa mala set the day and more and more the time with Mother and the other Sadhakas opened my heart and mind to a remembrance of my dharma here in this life - to help and be of service to others...
The days cumilnated with a morning group photo of all Sadhakas and Mother Maya before she headed off to her next place of duty... Mother has booked our studies for next year here at the ashram from March 16 - 29, 2009 and I will definitely be here...
Jai Jai Ma!
Om Namaha Shivaya
With love and blessings
Jennifer
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Land of the Rishi's...Rishikesh International Conference on Ayurveda & Yoga February 21 - 25, 2008
So here we are in the foothills of the Himilayas with an atmosphere that is both one of calm and chaos...
Rishikesh appears to be inundated with the amenties offered of larger cities as well. The opportunity to buy and browse is on many streets that have grown over the years with the ever increasing visits of the foreigners and pilgramages of pilgrams throughout the years.
Rishikesh, the holy city in the Himalayas , is located in the district of Dehradun in the north Indian state of Uttaranchal. The name takes the meaning from Rishi (Sage) and Kesh (Mount), meaning the Mountain of Sages ; or the spiritual abode, the home of spirituality. Rishikesh is supposed to be the starting point for the spiritual journey to the four important pilgrimage centers...
On the night of arrival I was blessed to share a room with Blanca and Renee at Parmath Niketan Ashram, the venue where the International Conference on Ayurveda & Yoga is to be held. Grateful am I to have such lovely friends who generously accomodate me until morning when my room across the hall will be ready. We all stayed up chattering away and shared storied since last meeting at the Ancestral Conference with Mother Maya in Massasschuetts last October.
The following day we are greeted with a lovely cool morning and head out to Rishikesh market but stop at Madras Cafe for a lovely nutritious meal. Then we are off down the road with the cows, the monkeys, the street dogs, the pigs, the three wheel cycle rickshaw, the auto rickshaw, the scooter, the motorbike, the bicycles, the transport trucks, the cars, vans, SUV's and all else in search for a bank that my friends can change currency at. It is a level of busyness and musical dance that begets such respect for the efficiency shown on such a narrow road!
The heat got to us all and therefore the luxury of an auto returning to the Ram Julla bridge is necessary! At this bridge, where we were let off the previous evening, we make our way pass the numerous and unending shops that spill out onto the street and then in crossing the bridge one beholds the Mother in her glory...
The Ganges River is said to be revered and is the sacred physical incarnation of the Divine Mother. Every evening on her banks and all along her journey to the Bay of Bengal, she is honored and worshipped in the ritual of Aarti. This ritual involves prayers, chanting, offerings of flowers, fire (in the form of dipa candles which are actually lit pieces of camphor sometimes sitting in ghee or wax), bhajans (sacred songs)all with deep reverence and honoring for all that a Mother provides. In this case, it is a river that nourishes, nutures and sustains a people and all the lands that rely on her for their survival, their life...
Back at the ranch, I am moved across the hall to my room overlooking the Mother Ganga river...how beautiful. The room itself is sparse, austere and simple in it's offerings but with a generous space for my beloved roommate Ellen and I to share in splendor. Ellen is a lovely woman, also a devotee of Mother Maya and a happy grandmother. Such a blessing to have her presence with me there.
All the Wise Earth Sadhakas (seekers/students) of Mother Maya are in rooms within the same area on the third floor of this building at the ashram. My neighbor is Mother Maya herself! The great Dr. David Frawley and Dr. Robert Svoboda are also a couple of doors away with a few amazing Swami's and Swamini's rounding out this 'dorm mate' situation! It is amazing to think that this opportunity to share space with your guru, along with other Masters of Ayurveda and Yoga, Swami's and Swamini's, Sadhu's and Saints exists to place us all in the remembrance of oneness, equality and understanding of that which is more then 'title', more then 'success in a material aspect'. A great blessing in friendliness and love...
And so we are off to the beginning of the conference for which I share a link describing the keynote speakers (http://www.ayurvedaconference.com/keynotespe.html). The evening begins with Aarti on the bank of Mother Ganga and Puja (blessing ceremony)to commemerate the occasion and honor with reverence this special time and coming together of such great teachers. The sharing that will happen from both sides between teacher and students opens up the possibilities for a deeper understanding and commitment to perserving the sister sciences of Ayurveda & Yoga.
This celebration was amazing and so moving with it's devotional offerings. It is so challenging to find the words to capture how the soul is stirred with these rituals for it is something to experience within oneself, it's own awakening and surrender to the sraddha and believe in the fragility, the preciousness of life...
After the Puja and Aarti we enjoyed a lovely dinner in the dining hall. The venue itself, set on the grounds of the ashram, the largest ashram here in Rishikesh, it clorful in its pure white, gold, yellow and orange drapery throughout the tents that house the Ganga confernce tent for keynote speeches, the dining hall and the Expo of vendors supplying offerings of innumerable ayurvedic and yoga products including sacred study texts and beautiful handloomed shaals to comfort in the evening under Chandra, Mother Moon...
The opening ceremony which included the glorious introduction of all the keynote speakers and how the conference will unfold. It is incredibly moving for me and I feel so tremedously blessed to have this precious opportunity.
The events include morning and evening Homams (fire rituals where 108 special ayurvedic herbs are offered in honor of the ultimate healing power of nature) on the banks of the River Ganga (Ganges), including a Dhanvantari Homam (an oblation ceremony for Lord Dhanvantari – the God of Healing) and a Maha Mrityunjaya Homam (an oblation ceremony to invoke the healing powers of Lord Shiva, Rudra Abhisheka (a special offering to Lord Shiva) on the banks of the Ganga, chanting of devotional songs and mantras on the banks of the Ganga, evening Arathi (worship), where oil lamps are floated on the Ganga, cultural programs in the evening on the banks of Holy Ganga.
The location of this ashram faces the west and as the hot Indian sun sets, Aarti begins with the chanting, the songs, the fire, the oil lamps, the offering in a magnificient ceremony of devotion...a challenge to sum up in words but I do have pictures to share...
The days schedule is a sample of below and includes my awaking at 4am for personal practice, a snenum (a dip in Mother Ganga)...
5 - 7am Homam
6 - 7am Mantra/Pranayama/Dhyana (meditation)
7 - 8am Patanjali Yoga Sutras & Ayurveda, Modern Concept of Ancient Indian Knowledge, Shri. Mukunda Stiles, Dr. N. Gopalakrishnan
7 - 930am Registration
930 - 1030am Inaugural Session
1045 - 1215pm Wise Earth Ayurveda's Inner Medicine Healing, Sri Swamini Mayatitananda
1215 - 115pm Re-Awakening Intelligence in the Consciousness Era : Value of Traditional Knowledge Systems, Dr. J. M. Sampath
230 - 330pm Ayurveda and Yoga Psychology, Dr. David Frawley & Ms. Shambhavi Chopra
345 - 445pm Ayurveda and Yoga Psychology - cont:,Dr. David Frawley & Ms. Shambhavi Chopra
500 - 600pm Asana classes - Shri. Mukunda Stiles, Ms. Shakta Kaur, Ms. Sama Fabian
600 - 630pm Ganga Aarti
800 - 900pm Cultural Programme - Sant Venu Gopal Goswami
So that gives a sample of my days and hopefully clarifies why I hadn't ventured to update my blog during that week and the coming days!
The information and the presentation was wonderful from the speakers. Their sharing and wisdom, profound...
During our breaks we would venture to the expo, take some needed rest in our dorm rooms and enjoy a cup of masala chai tea...
The presentations had not only us as international delegates and participants as the monkeys always seemed to know the important parts of the speech and made their presence known with their little heads popping out from the roottop to take in the view! Always to the roar of laughter and the understanding from the speaker that patience and concentration would get us through it!
The time flew by in moments of deep insight and community sharing and I loved every minute of it... The speakers were gracious and so incredibly respectful of the Sastra, the scripture, and each other, for which they had shared in such a powerful way...
Rishikesh is amazing in it's manner of meeting another. Always the greeting conveys such respect and love from the heart. The hand is brought up and rests on the heart with a 'Hari Om', 'Om' or a prayer in Anjali Mudra (hands in prayer at the heart) with the gentle 'Namaste'...it is deeply touching to me and holds my heart so...
And so the moments, the days unfolded and soon it was time to pack up our things for the next faze of the journey here with our beloved Guruji Mother Maya at her Guruji's ashram, Dayananda Vedanta Ashram. This would be another journey that blesses one's heart and mind with such clarity for the practice of Ahimsa, nonviolence, and the beauty of life...
With love and blessings always...xo
Om Om Om
Shanti Shanti Shanti
Jennifer
Rishikesh appears to be inundated with the amenties offered of larger cities as well. The opportunity to buy and browse is on many streets that have grown over the years with the ever increasing visits of the foreigners and pilgramages of pilgrams throughout the years.
Rishikesh, the holy city in the Himalayas , is located in the district of Dehradun in the north Indian state of Uttaranchal. The name takes the meaning from Rishi (Sage) and Kesh (Mount), meaning the Mountain of Sages ; or the spiritual abode, the home of spirituality. Rishikesh is supposed to be the starting point for the spiritual journey to the four important pilgrimage centers...
On the night of arrival I was blessed to share a room with Blanca and Renee at Parmath Niketan Ashram, the venue where the International Conference on Ayurveda & Yoga is to be held. Grateful am I to have such lovely friends who generously accomodate me until morning when my room across the hall will be ready. We all stayed up chattering away and shared storied since last meeting at the Ancestral Conference with Mother Maya in Massasschuetts last October.
The following day we are greeted with a lovely cool morning and head out to Rishikesh market but stop at Madras Cafe for a lovely nutritious meal. Then we are off down the road with the cows, the monkeys, the street dogs, the pigs, the three wheel cycle rickshaw, the auto rickshaw, the scooter, the motorbike, the bicycles, the transport trucks, the cars, vans, SUV's and all else in search for a bank that my friends can change currency at. It is a level of busyness and musical dance that begets such respect for the efficiency shown on such a narrow road!
The heat got to us all and therefore the luxury of an auto returning to the Ram Julla bridge is necessary! At this bridge, where we were let off the previous evening, we make our way pass the numerous and unending shops that spill out onto the street and then in crossing the bridge one beholds the Mother in her glory...
The Ganges River is said to be revered and is the sacred physical incarnation of the Divine Mother. Every evening on her banks and all along her journey to the Bay of Bengal, she is honored and worshipped in the ritual of Aarti. This ritual involves prayers, chanting, offerings of flowers, fire (in the form of dipa candles which are actually lit pieces of camphor sometimes sitting in ghee or wax), bhajans (sacred songs)all with deep reverence and honoring for all that a Mother provides. In this case, it is a river that nourishes, nutures and sustains a people and all the lands that rely on her for their survival, their life...
Back at the ranch, I am moved across the hall to my room overlooking the Mother Ganga river...how beautiful. The room itself is sparse, austere and simple in it's offerings but with a generous space for my beloved roommate Ellen and I to share in splendor. Ellen is a lovely woman, also a devotee of Mother Maya and a happy grandmother. Such a blessing to have her presence with me there.
All the Wise Earth Sadhakas (seekers/students) of Mother Maya are in rooms within the same area on the third floor of this building at the ashram. My neighbor is Mother Maya herself! The great Dr. David Frawley and Dr. Robert Svoboda are also a couple of doors away with a few amazing Swami's and Swamini's rounding out this 'dorm mate' situation! It is amazing to think that this opportunity to share space with your guru, along with other Masters of Ayurveda and Yoga, Swami's and Swamini's, Sadhu's and Saints exists to place us all in the remembrance of oneness, equality and understanding of that which is more then 'title', more then 'success in a material aspect'. A great blessing in friendliness and love...
And so we are off to the beginning of the conference for which I share a link describing the keynote speakers (http://www.ayurvedaconference.com/keynotespe.html). The evening begins with Aarti on the bank of Mother Ganga and Puja (blessing ceremony)to commemerate the occasion and honor with reverence this special time and coming together of such great teachers. The sharing that will happen from both sides between teacher and students opens up the possibilities for a deeper understanding and commitment to perserving the sister sciences of Ayurveda & Yoga.
This celebration was amazing and so moving with it's devotional offerings. It is so challenging to find the words to capture how the soul is stirred with these rituals for it is something to experience within oneself, it's own awakening and surrender to the sraddha and believe in the fragility, the preciousness of life...
After the Puja and Aarti we enjoyed a lovely dinner in the dining hall. The venue itself, set on the grounds of the ashram, the largest ashram here in Rishikesh, it clorful in its pure white, gold, yellow and orange drapery throughout the tents that house the Ganga confernce tent for keynote speeches, the dining hall and the Expo of vendors supplying offerings of innumerable ayurvedic and yoga products including sacred study texts and beautiful handloomed shaals to comfort in the evening under Chandra, Mother Moon...
The opening ceremony which included the glorious introduction of all the keynote speakers and how the conference will unfold. It is incredibly moving for me and I feel so tremedously blessed to have this precious opportunity.
The events include morning and evening Homams (fire rituals where 108 special ayurvedic herbs are offered in honor of the ultimate healing power of nature) on the banks of the River Ganga (Ganges), including a Dhanvantari Homam (an oblation ceremony for Lord Dhanvantari – the God of Healing) and a Maha Mrityunjaya Homam (an oblation ceremony to invoke the healing powers of Lord Shiva, Rudra Abhisheka (a special offering to Lord Shiva) on the banks of the Ganga, chanting of devotional songs and mantras on the banks of the Ganga, evening Arathi (worship), where oil lamps are floated on the Ganga, cultural programs in the evening on the banks of Holy Ganga.
The location of this ashram faces the west and as the hot Indian sun sets, Aarti begins with the chanting, the songs, the fire, the oil lamps, the offering in a magnificient ceremony of devotion...a challenge to sum up in words but I do have pictures to share...
The days schedule is a sample of below and includes my awaking at 4am for personal practice, a snenum (a dip in Mother Ganga)...
5 - 7am Homam
6 - 7am Mantra/Pranayama/Dhyana (meditation)
7 - 8am Patanjali Yoga Sutras & Ayurveda, Modern Concept of Ancient Indian Knowledge, Shri. Mukunda Stiles, Dr. N. Gopalakrishnan
7 - 930am Registration
930 - 1030am Inaugural Session
1045 - 1215pm Wise Earth Ayurveda's Inner Medicine Healing, Sri Swamini Mayatitananda
1215 - 115pm Re-Awakening Intelligence in the Consciousness Era : Value of Traditional Knowledge Systems, Dr. J. M. Sampath
230 - 330pm Ayurveda and Yoga Psychology, Dr. David Frawley & Ms. Shambhavi Chopra
345 - 445pm Ayurveda and Yoga Psychology - cont:,Dr. David Frawley & Ms. Shambhavi Chopra
500 - 600pm Asana classes - Shri. Mukunda Stiles, Ms. Shakta Kaur, Ms. Sama Fabian
600 - 630pm Ganga Aarti
800 - 900pm Cultural Programme - Sant Venu Gopal Goswami
So that gives a sample of my days and hopefully clarifies why I hadn't ventured to update my blog during that week and the coming days!
The information and the presentation was wonderful from the speakers. Their sharing and wisdom, profound...
During our breaks we would venture to the expo, take some needed rest in our dorm rooms and enjoy a cup of masala chai tea...
The presentations had not only us as international delegates and participants as the monkeys always seemed to know the important parts of the speech and made their presence known with their little heads popping out from the roottop to take in the view! Always to the roar of laughter and the understanding from the speaker that patience and concentration would get us through it!
The time flew by in moments of deep insight and community sharing and I loved every minute of it... The speakers were gracious and so incredibly respectful of the Sastra, the scripture, and each other, for which they had shared in such a powerful way...
Rishikesh is amazing in it's manner of meeting another. Always the greeting conveys such respect and love from the heart. The hand is brought up and rests on the heart with a 'Hari Om', 'Om' or a prayer in Anjali Mudra (hands in prayer at the heart) with the gentle 'Namaste'...it is deeply touching to me and holds my heart so...
And so the moments, the days unfolded and soon it was time to pack up our things for the next faze of the journey here with our beloved Guruji Mother Maya at her Guruji's ashram, Dayananda Vedanta Ashram. This would be another journey that blesses one's heart and mind with such clarity for the practice of Ahimsa, nonviolence, and the beauty of life...
With love and blessings always...xo
Om Om Om
Shanti Shanti Shanti
Jennifer
Friday, February 22, 2008
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti ... Rishikesh
We arrive in Rishikesh...
Hiro gets off at the Main Bus Stand in the entrance of the town and I continue on to the bridge at the edge of Mother Ganga where I run into three of my friends here from the Wise Earth School also attending the International Conference - Ayurveda & Yoga 'Where Science Meets Consciousness' for five days as well as the following five days with our Guru, Mother Maya, for the Sacred Reality Tour here in Rishikesh and the surrounding areas. What good fortune! After popping my bags on the same manual rickshaw with the very strong and sweet carrier, we head towards the bridge that takes us across to Parmath Niketam Ashram where we are to stay for the first five days in attendance of the conference.
Walking over the bridge which does not allow cars or autos, (cows, dogs, people, sadhus, seekers, scooters and motorbikes are ok!) one first hears Mother Ganga rushing before you see her in her glory. It is a power that has been revered, is nightly crowned with the arrati puja and a gift that keeps on giving to the plains, the lands, the peoples throughout this area on route to its mergance with the Bay of Bengal.
I have run out of time to continue at this moment but I will...be back...
With love from the Land of the Rishi's and with deep gratitude for all
Om
Jennifer
Hiro gets off at the Main Bus Stand in the entrance of the town and I continue on to the bridge at the edge of Mother Ganga where I run into three of my friends here from the Wise Earth School also attending the International Conference - Ayurveda & Yoga 'Where Science Meets Consciousness' for five days as well as the following five days with our Guru, Mother Maya, for the Sacred Reality Tour here in Rishikesh and the surrounding areas. What good fortune! After popping my bags on the same manual rickshaw with the very strong and sweet carrier, we head towards the bridge that takes us across to Parmath Niketam Ashram where we are to stay for the first five days in attendance of the conference.
Walking over the bridge which does not allow cars or autos, (cows, dogs, people, sadhus, seekers, scooters and motorbikes are ok!) one first hears Mother Ganga rushing before you see her in her glory. It is a power that has been revered, is nightly crowned with the arrati puja and a gift that keeps on giving to the plains, the lands, the peoples throughout this area on route to its mergance with the Bay of Bengal.
I have run out of time to continue at this moment but I will...be back...
With love from the Land of the Rishi's and with deep gratitude for all
Om
Jennifer
Hyderabad...
Many things in life cannot be explained...We typically want to know and are at times impatient...I know I can be in that mind space at times.
It was nice to take pause with friends for a few days and I had the opportunity to visit some amazing sites there as well...
The days were met in coolness which was a divine experience...So welcomed after the heat of the south.
It was interesting to see how much I needed to rest upon arrival to Hyderabad and I tried my best to honor that request from the body.
I did visit the temple there but was informed that foreigners Nadi Leaves are kept in Tamil Nadu state. That is where Chennai is located and so I will have to wait until I head back there for that invetigation ala 'Sherlock Holmes'...
Spending time with Manyam and his family, whom took me to the temple for Nadi Leaves, gifted me with the opportunity to meet their guru fondly known as 'Baba'. This was a unique experience to say the least and I was asked back again prior to my departure. We went back again and Baba and I shared in private conversation. The long and the short of it is that he has invited me back to stay with him for awhile so as he can share his teachings with me. An unordinary invitation from an, apparantly, extraordinary healer...I hope for a translator because he speaks Telugu! I have decided to return and head back in April after short visits to Varanasi and Agra...
I left Hyderabad on an early, early train at 625am heading back to Delhi. It was on this train that I noticed my continuing train to Hardiwar was not for the following day when I was to arrive in Delhi but the next day. I really did not wish to spend a day in Delhi to be honest. It would be a great deal of energy and cost to move away from the train station, to a hotel/guesthouse and then back again. I was able to cancel my ticket with a small loss and then rebook another ticket onward that same day.
After checking my baggage into the cloakroom there at the train station, amongst the scurrying mice, I headed out to find an auto to take me to Connaught Place for lunch. I was hungry after not having ate since the previous afternoon.
Down a dark alley among a dozen or so fading signs I found a cyber cafe to respond and send some emails then it was off to catch the next train to Hardiwar leaving at 325pm!
This time all I took was a chair coach as the trip was only 4 hours and I shared my area with Hiro, a photographer from Japan also heading to Rishikesh. He is taking photographs of Mother Ganga from Rishikesh to Kolkatta (Calcutta) where she returns to the Bay of Bengal in full flow of sacred reverance.
After arriving in Hardiwar Hiro and I hired an auto to complete the 45 minute journey further north to beloved Rishikesh. The temperature reminds me of a cold winter night in Vancouver but feels even colder when I remember where I have just traveled from. The auto is thrusting forward in full speed and I wrap my shawl around me even tighter including my head. Having never experienced the 'Outback Journey' I get a sense that it is probably like this! We travel so fast I am trying to acclimitize to the new place I am in, the place I have dreamt of, the place I have sought, the place I have yearned to see, to smell, to feel, to witness and a smile creeps across my face as though I am 'in the know' of a fabulous secret...
It is a beautiful, humbling feeling that is a challenge to articulate. I only wish I could show you my heart as it is flowering, blooming and beating to the song that has carried me here for an experience, an unfolding of collective understanding, love and surrender...
Om Namaha Shivaya
Jennifer
It was nice to take pause with friends for a few days and I had the opportunity to visit some amazing sites there as well...
The days were met in coolness which was a divine experience...So welcomed after the heat of the south.
It was interesting to see how much I needed to rest upon arrival to Hyderabad and I tried my best to honor that request from the body.
I did visit the temple there but was informed that foreigners Nadi Leaves are kept in Tamil Nadu state. That is where Chennai is located and so I will have to wait until I head back there for that invetigation ala 'Sherlock Holmes'...
Spending time with Manyam and his family, whom took me to the temple for Nadi Leaves, gifted me with the opportunity to meet their guru fondly known as 'Baba'. This was a unique experience to say the least and I was asked back again prior to my departure. We went back again and Baba and I shared in private conversation. The long and the short of it is that he has invited me back to stay with him for awhile so as he can share his teachings with me. An unordinary invitation from an, apparantly, extraordinary healer...I hope for a translator because he speaks Telugu! I have decided to return and head back in April after short visits to Varanasi and Agra...
I left Hyderabad on an early, early train at 625am heading back to Delhi. It was on this train that I noticed my continuing train to Hardiwar was not for the following day when I was to arrive in Delhi but the next day. I really did not wish to spend a day in Delhi to be honest. It would be a great deal of energy and cost to move away from the train station, to a hotel/guesthouse and then back again. I was able to cancel my ticket with a small loss and then rebook another ticket onward that same day.
After checking my baggage into the cloakroom there at the train station, amongst the scurrying mice, I headed out to find an auto to take me to Connaught Place for lunch. I was hungry after not having ate since the previous afternoon.
Down a dark alley among a dozen or so fading signs I found a cyber cafe to respond and send some emails then it was off to catch the next train to Hardiwar leaving at 325pm!
This time all I took was a chair coach as the trip was only 4 hours and I shared my area with Hiro, a photographer from Japan also heading to Rishikesh. He is taking photographs of Mother Ganga from Rishikesh to Kolkatta (Calcutta) where she returns to the Bay of Bengal in full flow of sacred reverance.
After arriving in Hardiwar Hiro and I hired an auto to complete the 45 minute journey further north to beloved Rishikesh. The temperature reminds me of a cold winter night in Vancouver but feels even colder when I remember where I have just traveled from. The auto is thrusting forward in full speed and I wrap my shawl around me even tighter including my head. Having never experienced the 'Outback Journey' I get a sense that it is probably like this! We travel so fast I am trying to acclimitize to the new place I am in, the place I have dreamt of, the place I have sought, the place I have yearned to see, to smell, to feel, to witness and a smile creeps across my face as though I am 'in the know' of a fabulous secret...
It is a beautiful, humbling feeling that is a challenge to articulate. I only wish I could show you my heart as it is flowering, blooming and beating to the song that has carried me here for an experience, an unfolding of collective understanding, love and surrender...
Om Namaha Shivaya
Jennifer
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Goodbye South India, Tamil Nadu - Hello Central! Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Leaving Mamallupuram...it's heat, it's humidity, it's unfortunate and sad piles of garbage which seems to create ditches along side the ditches from which many four paw species (including the locals) excavate what treasures may be found, it's cows roaming the beaches, it's mystical and majestic temples, it's pounding sounds of stone carvers lining the streets and shops, it's gypsies with babies on hips and volumes of beads for sale weighing down their fragile and thin skinned arms, it's foreigners lingering and lusting the locals, it's primitive and modern osmosis of beauty and ugliness...
I awake not to early having actually rested deeply for a few hours which the body seems to have rejoiced in. I will not miss the weather at all...
Finishing my practice, my prayers and such, a knock at the door brings the lovely sister and brother I meet yesterday and we enjoy breakfast together at 'The New Cafe' here in the Lakshmi Guesthouse where I have roomed.
Goodbyes for now and I pack my things heading to Rajan's shop for a last minute visit. Rajan and I have a chat and I share my photos from home. He came buy last night after I had already left my room to take me to a local wedding but we just missed each other. I will be back in September to visit again...
Rajan kindly drops me at the bus stand and awaits the arrival of my bus back to Chennai with me. It has been a joy to share time with him and I am most grateful for his generosity and kindness. We shall keep in touch...
Only standing room on the big old bus for now and away we go to the city. Ladies all around smile, gentlemen sleep, peer out the windows and nod their greetings. A nice 10 minute rest stop half way there gifts the stretching of legs and the vacancy of some seats. The drone of food offerings from the locals invites you to a snack. The air carries the smells of fresh chapatis, grilled chicken and the like for those in need. Groups stand around with small bill rupees in hand awaiting their turn for satisfaction of one's appetite. A thatched canopy propped on perfectly placed polls shades the tables and chairs offering a refreshing pause. The grill is a massive piece of stone with small holes on the bottom sides big enough for the kindling to fit and for the fire to grow and expand in it's greatness...Along the side stands a lonely sink and tap which is alone no more as we all take generous amounts of time soaking our steamed faces, our necks and arms. What a delicious relief...
Onto the bus again to finish the journey inward amongst the many. Chennai is met and I am happy to experience the heat without the humidity!
I head right to the New Woodlands Hotel and buy some juice, water and biscuits for the train as well as enjoy my lunch at Krishna Restaurant amongst the old friends I have found in the wait staff there. Then onto the KYM to take care of some last minute paperwork before heading across the city to Egmore train station.
A bit of time before the train is to load and a nice chat with a couple of young men from Hyderabad. They have come to apply for US study visas but were rejected. They had hoped to complete their MBA at New York University but now are entertaining heading to Australia.
As the time of departure approaches so does the activity level within the station and the train of course. I manage to get everything in before others in my berth arrive so that big ass bag of mine has a chance to get settled under the seats!
An Indian gentleman, living between India and Houston, Texas, and his 3 year old son (what a cutie!) are also in my berth as well as 2 other Indian families.
Sooooooo many questions in curiosity of me! A young Indian man, living in Iowa, here now for his marriage to a distant relative, acts as translator. His face says it all with such happiness and excitement as he has not see his fiancee since last year and in hours they will meet again!
It is a very interesting ride along with the hustle and bustle of people moving up and down the corridor, numerous languages being spoken, conversations and laughter being shared. This train will be for 14 hours with a number of stops along the way...
One of the families I meet, the father is a palm reader and his daughter Shanti is very keen on his reading my palm! They share their information as they have access to another area where I can find out more information from a temple about my entire incarnation in this life! I am thrilled as this is something I was searching for before but one has to be invited to the correct temple where the scrolls (they are also referred to as the Akashi Files)are protected and have been for thousands of years.
Apparently, the scrolls are written on palm leafs with sacred sanskrit characters. The scrolls are moved every 20 days, revolving between the temples. It is said that the scroll can only be matched to a person by their thumb print and the correct answer to a few questions about your present life. Should the answers and the thumb print match, the temple priest will proceed to read the scroll which contains all information about your past lives, your present and your future...I am to call Manyam tomorrow morning at around 8am when he will then give me the address of where to take an auto. Arriving at the temple, we will see what happens. My 'scroll' may or my not be there...
We arrived alittle late in Hyderabad, around 8am and I do not have the information to get to Muneera's house. I checked my email before leaving Mamallupuram but it was not there yet. To rushed upon my arrival to Chennai I relaxed knowing that I could figure it out when in Hyderabad. Little did I realize that the 'internet' isn't just 'available' at anytime. After hailing down a young man to help me with the typical 'Hello, do you speak English?' line, we were off in search for the needed email. I left my bag in the cloakroom at the train station among the dust and the history of British Colonial days gone by. We found a cafe soon, got the information and were off in an auto to that part of the city. I dropped the young man at the corner for his college and headed the rest of the way myself.
As I waited at the corner for Muneera's brother Ali to meet me, 5 camels with men, some with legs astride, and boys, heads covered in colorful scarf's, appeared walking along the street in comfortable unison! I stood in awe of a sight that seemed quite misplaced but only in India! In awe the moments and the hoofs passed before I thought of 'Oh! My camera!' and down into the bags I dug around as they slowly passed by. To late... I missed them this time but Ali told me that traveling to the Old City would reveal lots of camel sightings! He also spoke of a park near by that is more of an open forest. Since it rained this morning, wild peacocks would most likely be out to see in the early evening to do their 'raindance'! I shall definitely head there shortly after Muneera's arrival...
Muneera is to arrive shortly. It will be so nice to see her. She was delayed in her arriving and so yesterday I just rested among her family and in the quiet my bedroom
while here.
It was raining hard when I awoke this morning and now the sun is streaming gently and softly through the window...
Until we meet again, all my love!
Om
Jennifer
I awake not to early having actually rested deeply for a few hours which the body seems to have rejoiced in. I will not miss the weather at all...
Finishing my practice, my prayers and such, a knock at the door brings the lovely sister and brother I meet yesterday and we enjoy breakfast together at 'The New Cafe' here in the Lakshmi Guesthouse where I have roomed.
Goodbyes for now and I pack my things heading to Rajan's shop for a last minute visit. Rajan and I have a chat and I share my photos from home. He came buy last night after I had already left my room to take me to a local wedding but we just missed each other. I will be back in September to visit again...
Rajan kindly drops me at the bus stand and awaits the arrival of my bus back to Chennai with me. It has been a joy to share time with him and I am most grateful for his generosity and kindness. We shall keep in touch...
Only standing room on the big old bus for now and away we go to the city. Ladies all around smile, gentlemen sleep, peer out the windows and nod their greetings. A nice 10 minute rest stop half way there gifts the stretching of legs and the vacancy of some seats. The drone of food offerings from the locals invites you to a snack. The air carries the smells of fresh chapatis, grilled chicken and the like for those in need. Groups stand around with small bill rupees in hand awaiting their turn for satisfaction of one's appetite. A thatched canopy propped on perfectly placed polls shades the tables and chairs offering a refreshing pause. The grill is a massive piece of stone with small holes on the bottom sides big enough for the kindling to fit and for the fire to grow and expand in it's greatness...Along the side stands a lonely sink and tap which is alone no more as we all take generous amounts of time soaking our steamed faces, our necks and arms. What a delicious relief...
Onto the bus again to finish the journey inward amongst the many. Chennai is met and I am happy to experience the heat without the humidity!
I head right to the New Woodlands Hotel and buy some juice, water and biscuits for the train as well as enjoy my lunch at Krishna Restaurant amongst the old friends I have found in the wait staff there. Then onto the KYM to take care of some last minute paperwork before heading across the city to Egmore train station.
A bit of time before the train is to load and a nice chat with a couple of young men from Hyderabad. They have come to apply for US study visas but were rejected. They had hoped to complete their MBA at New York University but now are entertaining heading to Australia.
As the time of departure approaches so does the activity level within the station and the train of course. I manage to get everything in before others in my berth arrive so that big ass bag of mine has a chance to get settled under the seats!
An Indian gentleman, living between India and Houston, Texas, and his 3 year old son (what a cutie!) are also in my berth as well as 2 other Indian families.
Sooooooo many questions in curiosity of me! A young Indian man, living in Iowa, here now for his marriage to a distant relative, acts as translator. His face says it all with such happiness and excitement as he has not see his fiancee since last year and in hours they will meet again!
It is a very interesting ride along with the hustle and bustle of people moving up and down the corridor, numerous languages being spoken, conversations and laughter being shared. This train will be for 14 hours with a number of stops along the way...
One of the families I meet, the father is a palm reader and his daughter Shanti is very keen on his reading my palm! They share their information as they have access to another area where I can find out more information from a temple about my entire incarnation in this life! I am thrilled as this is something I was searching for before but one has to be invited to the correct temple where the scrolls (they are also referred to as the Akashi Files)are protected and have been for thousands of years.
Apparently, the scrolls are written on palm leafs with sacred sanskrit characters. The scrolls are moved every 20 days, revolving between the temples. It is said that the scroll can only be matched to a person by their thumb print and the correct answer to a few questions about your present life. Should the answers and the thumb print match, the temple priest will proceed to read the scroll which contains all information about your past lives, your present and your future...I am to call Manyam tomorrow morning at around 8am when he will then give me the address of where to take an auto. Arriving at the temple, we will see what happens. My 'scroll' may or my not be there...
We arrived alittle late in Hyderabad, around 8am and I do not have the information to get to Muneera's house. I checked my email before leaving Mamallupuram but it was not there yet. To rushed upon my arrival to Chennai I relaxed knowing that I could figure it out when in Hyderabad. Little did I realize that the 'internet' isn't just 'available' at anytime. After hailing down a young man to help me with the typical 'Hello, do you speak English?' line, we were off in search for the needed email. I left my bag in the cloakroom at the train station among the dust and the history of British Colonial days gone by. We found a cafe soon, got the information and were off in an auto to that part of the city. I dropped the young man at the corner for his college and headed the rest of the way myself.
As I waited at the corner for Muneera's brother Ali to meet me, 5 camels with men, some with legs astride, and boys, heads covered in colorful scarf's, appeared walking along the street in comfortable unison! I stood in awe of a sight that seemed quite misplaced but only in India! In awe the moments and the hoofs passed before I thought of 'Oh! My camera!' and down into the bags I dug around as they slowly passed by. To late... I missed them this time but Ali told me that traveling to the Old City would reveal lots of camel sightings! He also spoke of a park near by that is more of an open forest. Since it rained this morning, wild peacocks would most likely be out to see in the early evening to do their 'raindance'! I shall definitely head there shortly after Muneera's arrival...
Muneera is to arrive shortly. It will be so nice to see her. She was delayed in her arriving and so yesterday I just rested among her family and in the quiet my bedroom
while here.
It was raining hard when I awoke this morning and now the sun is streaming gently and softly through the window...
Until we meet again, all my love!
Om
Jennifer
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Mamallupuram.....
Exiting the city of Chennai in an auto rickshaw took almost 30 minutes and as the air thickened as well as the traffic, I counted my blessings for this sweet escape...
Help from a kind gentlemanat the bus stand ensured that the correct bus was taken. At first I was rather shy about the actual elbow activity from the bodies crowding the bus door but after missing the first opportunity to get on and needing to wait for the next one I realized that it is merely the necessity of a successful entrance aboard your chariot! Without an hesitation, expect to protect the pregnant mother ahead of me, I jumped in there like Muhammud Ali and 'ta da!' off I was to a land of palm trees and the seaside...
I crawled my way past the bodies on the bus and sat in the very back with a couple of young men. The usual question, 'Madam, which country?' was answered and in return I had a couple about the price of the bus and the estimated time of the trip.
It was a boiling day in the city and the wind through the small bus window provided some solace after the 'fight' to another land...
As we moved further and further down the coastal highway the more the groups of palm trees appeared. Soon on my left the ocean appeared in it's magestic turquoise green and blue hue that cooled my overheated spirit even in the distance...
Fishing boats dot the coastline and with the meditative mission of the fisherman to repair damaged nets. Dogs play under the trees and some relax lounging in the sand...The road is shared with flocks of lambs, herds of cows with their colourful horns of yellow, red, green and blue adorn with bells which all join together in harmony as they leisurely wander by, mouths chewing and eyes luminious...
I arrive at the bus stop to the entrance of Mamallupuram and immediately take an auto into the little village. It is somewhat like a mini version of Chennai in some ways in a secluded setting with a great deal of similarity.
The Lakshmi Guesthouse has a room available and so I take it for 2 nights at 450rupees a night. I have intuitively decided that I will not head down to Pondicherry and will instead just rest here as much as possible for the two days...
As I am unpacking, a rainstorm comes in and for 30 minutes the village is drenched! How refreshing it felt at first until the humidity follows it like a bad dream...
There are many, many foreigners here as this is a big tourist time apparently. Lots of Brits, Aussies, Germans, French and Americans around with the sounds of Bob Marley carried in the air...
I make my way out and go for a walk around ending up in a shop where I buy a few shirts as the clothes, although cotton or cotton/hemp mix, are so heavy and the heat for me is sweltering at around 35/36 then adding in the humidity. Here I stay for a couple of hours trying things on in the piles and piles of offerings...
The shopkeeper was really very hunger and so he told me that he trusted me and asked if I would mind if he went off to have his lunch. Off he went while I locked the door and continued to go through the very light weight clothes there. I so appreciated that he had such trust in me (maybe just his belly!) to wonder off and leave me in seclusion with the ceiling fans blowing away my cares...
Having a nice long chat with the shopkeeper and collecting my buys, I headed onward to my room for a glorious long cold shower and quick change. Then a walk down to the beach...
Mamallupuram is reknown as the world's stone sculpture capital and that is remembered the closer one gets to the beach where the sounds of pounding and carving perk interest in visiting the many, many shops that carry every deity and symbol which holds interst...I meet a nice gentleman named Rajan and we, along with some french people who he is teaching how to sculpt, have a nice chat together. He has made so many sculptures for groups of people involved in yoga. I really want a statue of Patanjali, the sage who wrote the Yoga Sutras which are the basis of yogic philosophy, but will wait and get it later as I do not feel like lugging it along...
Ragan and I had dinner together. He took me to a place where I could have some salad and some vegs. Lots of seafood available of course but I am not interested.
After relaxing for awhile in the ocean air I head back to the room in hopes of a restful sleep...
No luck...I wake numerous times as the heat for me is unbearably, uncomfortable.
After a nice shower I head for some breakfast and meet Rajan at his shop. We were to head south around 15km on his motorbike to visit some temples and the tribal peoples in the area. Quite a spontaneous gesture that I appreciated. Rajan has a government charitable trust, Aroundhyen Charitable Trust (ACT), which supports the assistance of this tribe.
I had dreamed and prayed for a monsoon while here and low and behold just before we entered the village that contains some of the biggest temples in south India, a downpour nourished and drenched every part of my being with such delight! Thank goodness we were close by as the roads filled with water so very quickly although every drop was a gift to me!
There while the rains came down we scooted in the temple entrance, which was enormous, with the locals to await it's end. I was in heaven...The main temple we were to visit has 550 steps to climb to the top but with the waters gushing down the rows of stairs, it was now impossible to do. Rather, Rajan took me to another group of mindblowing temples where the carving is just incredible...One area set off on it's own was currently being visited by a mother lamb and her baby and as well a local gentleman had taken up the top platform of a large piece of sculpture, which was to represent a turtle, for an afternoon nap...
After spending sometime inside admiring and gasping at the details as well as winessing a puja, a spiritual offering to Shiva at this temple, we set off again since the rains had stopped.
Along the roadside locals riding bicycles heaving with goods, as well the children dressed in their colourful wraps, waved and shouted out greetings for which smiles are exchanged and the heart flings open...
Meeting the tribal peoples was a great honor. We arrive to the giggles and screams of joy from the children. Everyone knows and loves Rajan. His selflessness and kindness has found a trust in their hearts.
The elders arrive and I am introduced. Thatched huts rest among the palm trees and the silence in this area away from everything is welcomed. It is very hot here... One water pump between the 30 families. There is a small one room schoolhouse there constructed with the gift from a german and italian lady. A plaque on the wall outside is in remembrance of their generousity...I would like to help as much as I can...I have taken pictures of the tribe and enjoyed fresh coconut from one of the elders. When it is time to go the children all gather for final pictures and flowers are lovingly placed in my hair. Each and everyone wants a turn to hold my hands and even just to look. Fingers trace the veins hidden under the white, white skin that is definitely vanilla in flavour compared to their rich chocolate veil...'Pens, pens', are a big request for their school and Rajan promises to bring them on his next trip.
We leave yet my heart and my thoughts remain there for quite sometime.. We moved across the rice paddy fields where the farmer, head draped in a scarf, guided his bulls through the water and trails so perfected placed in the fertile soils. The back of a motorbike is the way to connect with the world around and everyone in it. Waves are returned and smiles are shared...I have to say this is the most moving day I've experienced since leaving home and I am so grateful for it...
Back in the village I move on to find sustanance as I haven't eated for some time except for the wonderful coconut. I meet a lovely lady from Israel at the restaurant and she introduced me to her brother so as to download the pictures I have collected so far. I haven't taken that many but the one's I have are nice!
Tomorrow I head back to Chennai to catch my train and continue on...
All my love till then and forever...
Om
Jennifer
Help from a kind gentlemanat the bus stand ensured that the correct bus was taken. At first I was rather shy about the actual elbow activity from the bodies crowding the bus door but after missing the first opportunity to get on and needing to wait for the next one I realized that it is merely the necessity of a successful entrance aboard your chariot! Without an hesitation, expect to protect the pregnant mother ahead of me, I jumped in there like Muhammud Ali and 'ta da!' off I was to a land of palm trees and the seaside...
I crawled my way past the bodies on the bus and sat in the very back with a couple of young men. The usual question, 'Madam, which country?' was answered and in return I had a couple about the price of the bus and the estimated time of the trip.
It was a boiling day in the city and the wind through the small bus window provided some solace after the 'fight' to another land...
As we moved further and further down the coastal highway the more the groups of palm trees appeared. Soon on my left the ocean appeared in it's magestic turquoise green and blue hue that cooled my overheated spirit even in the distance...
Fishing boats dot the coastline and with the meditative mission of the fisherman to repair damaged nets. Dogs play under the trees and some relax lounging in the sand...The road is shared with flocks of lambs, herds of cows with their colourful horns of yellow, red, green and blue adorn with bells which all join together in harmony as they leisurely wander by, mouths chewing and eyes luminious...
I arrive at the bus stop to the entrance of Mamallupuram and immediately take an auto into the little village. It is somewhat like a mini version of Chennai in some ways in a secluded setting with a great deal of similarity.
The Lakshmi Guesthouse has a room available and so I take it for 2 nights at 450rupees a night. I have intuitively decided that I will not head down to Pondicherry and will instead just rest here as much as possible for the two days...
As I am unpacking, a rainstorm comes in and for 30 minutes the village is drenched! How refreshing it felt at first until the humidity follows it like a bad dream...
There are many, many foreigners here as this is a big tourist time apparently. Lots of Brits, Aussies, Germans, French and Americans around with the sounds of Bob Marley carried in the air...
I make my way out and go for a walk around ending up in a shop where I buy a few shirts as the clothes, although cotton or cotton/hemp mix, are so heavy and the heat for me is sweltering at around 35/36 then adding in the humidity. Here I stay for a couple of hours trying things on in the piles and piles of offerings...
The shopkeeper was really very hunger and so he told me that he trusted me and asked if I would mind if he went off to have his lunch. Off he went while I locked the door and continued to go through the very light weight clothes there. I so appreciated that he had such trust in me (maybe just his belly!) to wonder off and leave me in seclusion with the ceiling fans blowing away my cares...
Having a nice long chat with the shopkeeper and collecting my buys, I headed onward to my room for a glorious long cold shower and quick change. Then a walk down to the beach...
Mamallupuram is reknown as the world's stone sculpture capital and that is remembered the closer one gets to the beach where the sounds of pounding and carving perk interest in visiting the many, many shops that carry every deity and symbol which holds interst...I meet a nice gentleman named Rajan and we, along with some french people who he is teaching how to sculpt, have a nice chat together. He has made so many sculptures for groups of people involved in yoga. I really want a statue of Patanjali, the sage who wrote the Yoga Sutras which are the basis of yogic philosophy, but will wait and get it later as I do not feel like lugging it along...
Ragan and I had dinner together. He took me to a place where I could have some salad and some vegs. Lots of seafood available of course but I am not interested.
After relaxing for awhile in the ocean air I head back to the room in hopes of a restful sleep...
No luck...I wake numerous times as the heat for me is unbearably, uncomfortable.
After a nice shower I head for some breakfast and meet Rajan at his shop. We were to head south around 15km on his motorbike to visit some temples and the tribal peoples in the area. Quite a spontaneous gesture that I appreciated. Rajan has a government charitable trust, Aroundhyen Charitable Trust (ACT), which supports the assistance of this tribe.
I had dreamed and prayed for a monsoon while here and low and behold just before we entered the village that contains some of the biggest temples in south India, a downpour nourished and drenched every part of my being with such delight! Thank goodness we were close by as the roads filled with water so very quickly although every drop was a gift to me!
There while the rains came down we scooted in the temple entrance, which was enormous, with the locals to await it's end. I was in heaven...The main temple we were to visit has 550 steps to climb to the top but with the waters gushing down the rows of stairs, it was now impossible to do. Rather, Rajan took me to another group of mindblowing temples where the carving is just incredible...One area set off on it's own was currently being visited by a mother lamb and her baby and as well a local gentleman had taken up the top platform of a large piece of sculpture, which was to represent a turtle, for an afternoon nap...
After spending sometime inside admiring and gasping at the details as well as winessing a puja, a spiritual offering to Shiva at this temple, we set off again since the rains had stopped.
Along the roadside locals riding bicycles heaving with goods, as well the children dressed in their colourful wraps, waved and shouted out greetings for which smiles are exchanged and the heart flings open...
Meeting the tribal peoples was a great honor. We arrive to the giggles and screams of joy from the children. Everyone knows and loves Rajan. His selflessness and kindness has found a trust in their hearts.
The elders arrive and I am introduced. Thatched huts rest among the palm trees and the silence in this area away from everything is welcomed. It is very hot here... One water pump between the 30 families. There is a small one room schoolhouse there constructed with the gift from a german and italian lady. A plaque on the wall outside is in remembrance of their generousity...I would like to help as much as I can...I have taken pictures of the tribe and enjoyed fresh coconut from one of the elders. When it is time to go the children all gather for final pictures and flowers are lovingly placed in my hair. Each and everyone wants a turn to hold my hands and even just to look. Fingers trace the veins hidden under the white, white skin that is definitely vanilla in flavour compared to their rich chocolate veil...'Pens, pens', are a big request for their school and Rajan promises to bring them on his next trip.
We leave yet my heart and my thoughts remain there for quite sometime.. We moved across the rice paddy fields where the farmer, head draped in a scarf, guided his bulls through the water and trails so perfected placed in the fertile soils. The back of a motorbike is the way to connect with the world around and everyone in it. Waves are returned and smiles are shared...I have to say this is the most moving day I've experienced since leaving home and I am so grateful for it...
Back in the village I move on to find sustanance as I haven't eated for some time except for the wonderful coconut. I meet a lovely lady from Israel at the restaurant and she introduced me to her brother so as to download the pictures I have collected so far. I haven't taken that many but the one's I have are nice!
Tomorrow I head back to Chennai to catch my train and continue on...
All my love till then and forever...
Om
Jennifer
Friday, February 8, 2008
Time to focus....
Here in Chennai the world moves fast, noisy, fully and completely with nailbiting swerves in the back of an auto rickshaw provided you are ready for the intensity...
Ladies are draped on the back of motorbikes and scooters. Their sari's light up the view in a rainbow of colour and some clutch a baby to their waist while the other hand is free to hold the cellphone to the driver's ear! Like a tight rope walker their confidence in the circus of it all is humbling to say the least!
Visiting the KYM (Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram)on Monday and meeting Radha was lovely... There she sat, goddess like in her sari, with a delightful and warm welcome for me. We setup class times for the week while I was here. Chanting with a familiar face, Akhila, would be for 2 hours a day and more classes could be scheduled with another teacher if I liked. As well, I was to have my Yoga Therapy consult with the doctor and have my asana classes with Radha.
Everything went really well and I have begun learning a new chant. My Sanskrit is coming along as well...It was a great challenge as the environment demands you have even more attention! The sawing machines and building all around you, the fans above, the busyness and sounds of life in the world outside meet you and invade your space, your thoughts...One must let it all go and dive deep into the sound and recitation of the task in front with firm and steady kindness to one's self...
The program designed for me is very strong. It focuses on my concerns and I am curious about it's unfolding. When I meet Radha in Austria again in April we will review as well...
The days were busy with studies in my room in the morning followed by brunch and then taking an auto rickshaw to the school for the majority of the afternoon.
Chris Brown from the UK is also here and although we had different classes, we would meet in the evening and spend dinner together. I also have met a lovely lady, Joelle, from the south of France at the hotel. Visiting for awhile with friends, they may join us for dinner this evening.
Tomorrow Sri TKV Desikachar will be giving a lecture in the morning at 815am. I am soooo looking forward to it! It will be the first time I am to meet, informally of course among the crowd, and experience his sharing. I am grateful to be here for it.
The afternoon will see me heading down the coast a couple of hours to the spiritual place of Mamallupuram where I will spend the day. On to Pondicherry the following day to experience that former Portuguese town. I have been told they are both lovely places...
Monday I return to Chennai as my train leaves from Egmore Station at 5pm heading to Hyderabad. I have the good fortune of visiting there with Muneera and her family for a few days. Abit of site-seeing together I suspect...
It is warm, really warm here with the added humidity... Days are usually around 35 or so and apparently summer has begun early this year...
I decided to focus on my studies while here this short time and not do any site-seeing within the city. Another time...
I'm off now to head back for solace in the silence of my room which I am most, MOST, grateful for!
Much love and blessings to you all
Kiss kiss
Om
Jennifer
Ladies are draped on the back of motorbikes and scooters. Their sari's light up the view in a rainbow of colour and some clutch a baby to their waist while the other hand is free to hold the cellphone to the driver's ear! Like a tight rope walker their confidence in the circus of it all is humbling to say the least!
Visiting the KYM (Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram)on Monday and meeting Radha was lovely... There she sat, goddess like in her sari, with a delightful and warm welcome for me. We setup class times for the week while I was here. Chanting with a familiar face, Akhila, would be for 2 hours a day and more classes could be scheduled with another teacher if I liked. As well, I was to have my Yoga Therapy consult with the doctor and have my asana classes with Radha.
Everything went really well and I have begun learning a new chant. My Sanskrit is coming along as well...It was a great challenge as the environment demands you have even more attention! The sawing machines and building all around you, the fans above, the busyness and sounds of life in the world outside meet you and invade your space, your thoughts...One must let it all go and dive deep into the sound and recitation of the task in front with firm and steady kindness to one's self...
The program designed for me is very strong. It focuses on my concerns and I am curious about it's unfolding. When I meet Radha in Austria again in April we will review as well...
The days were busy with studies in my room in the morning followed by brunch and then taking an auto rickshaw to the school for the majority of the afternoon.
Chris Brown from the UK is also here and although we had different classes, we would meet in the evening and spend dinner together. I also have met a lovely lady, Joelle, from the south of France at the hotel. Visiting for awhile with friends, they may join us for dinner this evening.
Tomorrow Sri TKV Desikachar will be giving a lecture in the morning at 815am. I am soooo looking forward to it! It will be the first time I am to meet, informally of course among the crowd, and experience his sharing. I am grateful to be here for it.
The afternoon will see me heading down the coast a couple of hours to the spiritual place of Mamallupuram where I will spend the day. On to Pondicherry the following day to experience that former Portuguese town. I have been told they are both lovely places...
Monday I return to Chennai as my train leaves from Egmore Station at 5pm heading to Hyderabad. I have the good fortune of visiting there with Muneera and her family for a few days. Abit of site-seeing together I suspect...
It is warm, really warm here with the added humidity... Days are usually around 35 or so and apparently summer has begun early this year...
I decided to focus on my studies while here this short time and not do any site-seeing within the city. Another time...
I'm off now to head back for solace in the silence of my room which I am most, MOST, grateful for!
Much love and blessings to you all
Kiss kiss
Om
Jennifer
Monday, February 4, 2008
A sea of memories to the south... Chennai
Abdul was kind to get me to the train station just 30 minutes of so before we were to leave...he also stayed and bartered with the porter who with erect spine and mindblowing ease, balanced my cumbersome, heavy, bag on his head like an apple!
Through the deep and noisy, unending crowd of people we found our way up, up, up the flights of stairs to the right platform and to the car and seat that was to be my home for the next 30hrs. 50 rupees was to be the payment but since he loaded my bag into the car it rose to 100 which was easy to agree to as the troubled load was his not mine and I was grateful...It was with the assistance of a translater that I found out about the inflation!
Settling into my side of the cabin, with all eyes of interest focused as though I was waving gold, I took time to try and find a home for the bags that held the precious books of study and the comforts of home...
It was through conversation of my cabin mates that I found out I was on an express train which would arrive in Chennai late Saturday evening and not Sunday morning as I expected. Hmmmm... I wondered about the room situation...oh well, it will work it's way out I guess.
We were off just a few minutes after 4pm and the cool air, the pollution and crowds of Delhi were left behind...for now.
My cabin mates included Stanny, an Indian gentleman (my translater as mentioned!), who has just 1.5 years before entering the Priesthood and who teaches Sociology at the University in Delhi, and three gentlemen in the Indian Army. So it appeared that I was to be in good hands and free of any sins should anything happen on our adventure across the country into the heat of the south! HAHA
Numerous conversations were enjoyed together with the necessary translation! Poor Stanny, we worked him!
There was interest in my whereabouts, why I was wearing the wristband that was in honor of Shiva, what I did, how long was I to be in India, where was I next to travel and so on. I returned the curiousity being mindful of proper etiquette.
Ahhhh the train....where do I begin?
As if out of a movie set, it appeared to have been giving it's service to hundreds of thousands, for hundreds of years...Everything appears to have a history, a story and the bathroom (one's squatting and agility is tested completely!), provided an opportunity to step out and open an adjoining door with the welcoming fresh air from the countryside.
We were prepared with fresh linen, blanket, pillow and towel for journey all from a gentleman who stared just a little tooooo long and who in the evening after appearing to consume to much alcohol, decided to stop by my bunk for a look but thankfully was not alone and his friend ushered him along. Needless to say, I barely slept until the wee hours of the morning when my body could stand no more.
I had the left side, two bunks to myself, fortunately for everyone as I left my belongings on the bottom and slept on the top. The bottom converts to a bunk from 2 seats should that have been needed and I was grateful for the use of it all quite selfishly!
We left on a sunny day and although the light was only with us for a couple of hours, the views of the outskirts of the city startled the ego in me...The shantytowns seemed to grow out of the sides of the tracks with tin roofs, some thatched huts but mostly plastic encirclements housing what appeared to be multiple families. Half clothed children played by the rails, small groups of cows and pigs fed amongst the hills and hills of garbage where the locals also searched among the ravaged remains of history for that which could possibly assist in some way... The heart was heavy for this witnessing of a poverty that one has seen in photos, perhaps in thoughts or dreams and most definitely heard of but which can never be prepared for...
Meandering along the route south, we were served abit of afternoon tea (and sweet lime juice!), then dinner a little later. Conversation was welcomed as one doesn't realize that they are traveling alone sometimes until the joy of sharing with another arises and then the spilling out of thoughts and questions have found a home...
Morning I am woke by one of the service lads who has bought breakfast. I make my way down the few steps from the top bunk to set myself properly for the day and the unstable movement of the train seems to act as an alarm clock with it's jolting forward while the necessary 'squatting' session is experienced fully! Thank god for the stern handle placement in 'just the right place' to hold one with care during the deed! Our car is right beside this communal vessel and it's smells are one to linger a little to long at times along with the hacking and the spitting of all the unwanted...
And in the sunlight we move across the plains...
Small villages sprout up on the outskirts of the larger cities, most of which we stop at to pick up more pilgrams on the journey.
The earth appears to be parched and sucked of any soothing moisture, begging for the monsoons which will not soak the farmers dreams with rain for yet another few months.
Stanny and I enjoy (at least I did!) talks off India. He has invited me to Darjeeling when I return as they have a hospice, a school, farms and numerous projects for the local children there. I had mentioned that I was to head to Rajisthan but after a discussion of the heat there I have changed my mind. As it will reach upwards to 40c, I cannot fathom my body at all in that environment so after a quick stop in Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, I will take the Darjeeling Limited into the terraced hillside mountain area of Darjeeling where the temperatures will be much more pleasant for me to stand. Stanny also has friends in Nepal so help while I am there may be poosible too. Chris and I can experience Rajisthan together!
Fields of mustard spread and sparkle like fireflies, lighting up the otherwise monotone land with a brightness of which only the sun could compare to...
As we move further south, the palm trees begin to appear like their own little tribe. Some on their very own and others in a hundled group around a delicious looking basin of water sheltered by their shade and enjoyed by the water buffalo, the dogs, the overheated farmers, the daily washing of the women and flocks of birds who dance on the surface. Some palms appear pregnant with coconut and others rise from the earth standing naked, offering a home for the tired migratory birds also traveling deep to the south...
Napping in the shade of the fields of corn and hundreds of banana groves, the farmers tired bodies are easily felt. The news has shared that the suicide of farmers in India is up 40%. The GMO seeds sold from the US along with the pesticides have abused and raped the soil of future crops, only after yeilds of harvest for maybe 2 years.
The woman are crouched deep into the fields of rice paddies with heads holding baskets of their future and babies playing not to far off...Some are deep into ditches along the rail, helping to create an irrigation channel for the few water basins that seem constantly diverted from their home...
And so the sites and sounds continue on the rails with stops including the exit to the chai-wallah before the steam horn bellows it's command in continuing the journey...
The train will arrive in Chennai late by one hour it seems and although this is news to most, I welcome any knowing of arrival...
As we enter Chennai the movement in the car increases as does the noise, the conversation and the singing of cellphones (most are set to a well known Indian song that is a pleasure to here over the western rap usually experienced back home!).
Stanny has kindly taken this inexperienced gal under his guidance and has helped to get a porter that carried my bags to the prepaid taxi area outside the massive train station in Chennai.
The station is an intense experience with volumes and volumes of people and movement in every possible direction with an unbelieveable stretch before you can exit. The eyes dart everywhere to the people, the colours, everywhere! People are sitting in large groups, lying on the ground with their belongings, meeting their family and friends, legions of small coffee and food stalls abound on the sides and the entire place is lit like a football stadium. Stanny said that it becomes more busy and congested like this the later the trains are.
The heat has hit me...the warm air is so different from the cold, if you can call it cold by our standards and experience, that I had in Delhi.
Stanny haggles the price down to 350rupees for a prepaid taxi to the New Woodlands Hotel where I am to stay.
Long story short, it was as I had thought that the NWH was fully booked but at least they could confirm my week long booking beginning on the 3rd. I stayed at President which was 3 times the price but welcomed as I was exhausted when I arrived.
Having shifted to the NWH I am feeling more settled and the crowds, the traffic, the horns, the heat and the smiles of India are integrating in their own speed without effort and without urgency...
The food is lovely although still abit hot for me. Why peppers when there is already so much heat in the air!
I have visited the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram and beloved Radha was at Vedavani for me to set up my lessons with the delightful Akhila. I have also set up a Yoga Therapy consult with a few classes while here to attend to certain concerns in the precious body. I will stay to study until Feb 9 when I will head south for a couple of days and I am thrilled to be here.
25 years ago, just shy of my 12th birthday I found a book on yoga. That book spoke of a legend named Krishnamacharya who bought yoga to the west in the most complete and holistic manner. It has been a dream all these years, more intensely as time progressed, that I visit the place of this great master and study in this tradition, this lineage...that day has arrived... and so I humbly prostrate and bow to the teacher of teachers who captured my attention and my heart as a child...and with that, the whispers and dreams of that child are at once silenced with this blessing...
Om Srigurubhyo Namaha
Honor and gratitude to the teachers
Hoping this finds you and yours happy, healthy and peaceful
With love
Jennifer
Through the deep and noisy, unending crowd of people we found our way up, up, up the flights of stairs to the right platform and to the car and seat that was to be my home for the next 30hrs. 50 rupees was to be the payment but since he loaded my bag into the car it rose to 100 which was easy to agree to as the troubled load was his not mine and I was grateful...It was with the assistance of a translater that I found out about the inflation!
Settling into my side of the cabin, with all eyes of interest focused as though I was waving gold, I took time to try and find a home for the bags that held the precious books of study and the comforts of home...
It was through conversation of my cabin mates that I found out I was on an express train which would arrive in Chennai late Saturday evening and not Sunday morning as I expected. Hmmmm... I wondered about the room situation...oh well, it will work it's way out I guess.
We were off just a few minutes after 4pm and the cool air, the pollution and crowds of Delhi were left behind...for now.
My cabin mates included Stanny, an Indian gentleman (my translater as mentioned!), who has just 1.5 years before entering the Priesthood and who teaches Sociology at the University in Delhi, and three gentlemen in the Indian Army. So it appeared that I was to be in good hands and free of any sins should anything happen on our adventure across the country into the heat of the south! HAHA
Numerous conversations were enjoyed together with the necessary translation! Poor Stanny, we worked him!
There was interest in my whereabouts, why I was wearing the wristband that was in honor of Shiva, what I did, how long was I to be in India, where was I next to travel and so on. I returned the curiousity being mindful of proper etiquette.
Ahhhh the train....where do I begin?
As if out of a movie set, it appeared to have been giving it's service to hundreds of thousands, for hundreds of years...Everything appears to have a history, a story and the bathroom (one's squatting and agility is tested completely!), provided an opportunity to step out and open an adjoining door with the welcoming fresh air from the countryside.
We were prepared with fresh linen, blanket, pillow and towel for journey all from a gentleman who stared just a little tooooo long and who in the evening after appearing to consume to much alcohol, decided to stop by my bunk for a look but thankfully was not alone and his friend ushered him along. Needless to say, I barely slept until the wee hours of the morning when my body could stand no more.
I had the left side, two bunks to myself, fortunately for everyone as I left my belongings on the bottom and slept on the top. The bottom converts to a bunk from 2 seats should that have been needed and I was grateful for the use of it all quite selfishly!
We left on a sunny day and although the light was only with us for a couple of hours, the views of the outskirts of the city startled the ego in me...The shantytowns seemed to grow out of the sides of the tracks with tin roofs, some thatched huts but mostly plastic encirclements housing what appeared to be multiple families. Half clothed children played by the rails, small groups of cows and pigs fed amongst the hills and hills of garbage where the locals also searched among the ravaged remains of history for that which could possibly assist in some way... The heart was heavy for this witnessing of a poverty that one has seen in photos, perhaps in thoughts or dreams and most definitely heard of but which can never be prepared for...
Meandering along the route south, we were served abit of afternoon tea (and sweet lime juice!), then dinner a little later. Conversation was welcomed as one doesn't realize that they are traveling alone sometimes until the joy of sharing with another arises and then the spilling out of thoughts and questions have found a home...
Morning I am woke by one of the service lads who has bought breakfast. I make my way down the few steps from the top bunk to set myself properly for the day and the unstable movement of the train seems to act as an alarm clock with it's jolting forward while the necessary 'squatting' session is experienced fully! Thank god for the stern handle placement in 'just the right place' to hold one with care during the deed! Our car is right beside this communal vessel and it's smells are one to linger a little to long at times along with the hacking and the spitting of all the unwanted...
And in the sunlight we move across the plains...
Small villages sprout up on the outskirts of the larger cities, most of which we stop at to pick up more pilgrams on the journey.
The earth appears to be parched and sucked of any soothing moisture, begging for the monsoons which will not soak the farmers dreams with rain for yet another few months.
Stanny and I enjoy (at least I did!) talks off India. He has invited me to Darjeeling when I return as they have a hospice, a school, farms and numerous projects for the local children there. I had mentioned that I was to head to Rajisthan but after a discussion of the heat there I have changed my mind. As it will reach upwards to 40c, I cannot fathom my body at all in that environment so after a quick stop in Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, I will take the Darjeeling Limited into the terraced hillside mountain area of Darjeeling where the temperatures will be much more pleasant for me to stand. Stanny also has friends in Nepal so help while I am there may be poosible too. Chris and I can experience Rajisthan together!
Fields of mustard spread and sparkle like fireflies, lighting up the otherwise monotone land with a brightness of which only the sun could compare to...
As we move further south, the palm trees begin to appear like their own little tribe. Some on their very own and others in a hundled group around a delicious looking basin of water sheltered by their shade and enjoyed by the water buffalo, the dogs, the overheated farmers, the daily washing of the women and flocks of birds who dance on the surface. Some palms appear pregnant with coconut and others rise from the earth standing naked, offering a home for the tired migratory birds also traveling deep to the south...
Napping in the shade of the fields of corn and hundreds of banana groves, the farmers tired bodies are easily felt. The news has shared that the suicide of farmers in India is up 40%. The GMO seeds sold from the US along with the pesticides have abused and raped the soil of future crops, only after yeilds of harvest for maybe 2 years.
The woman are crouched deep into the fields of rice paddies with heads holding baskets of their future and babies playing not to far off...Some are deep into ditches along the rail, helping to create an irrigation channel for the few water basins that seem constantly diverted from their home...
And so the sites and sounds continue on the rails with stops including the exit to the chai-wallah before the steam horn bellows it's command in continuing the journey...
The train will arrive in Chennai late by one hour it seems and although this is news to most, I welcome any knowing of arrival...
As we enter Chennai the movement in the car increases as does the noise, the conversation and the singing of cellphones (most are set to a well known Indian song that is a pleasure to here over the western rap usually experienced back home!).
Stanny has kindly taken this inexperienced gal under his guidance and has helped to get a porter that carried my bags to the prepaid taxi area outside the massive train station in Chennai.
The station is an intense experience with volumes and volumes of people and movement in every possible direction with an unbelieveable stretch before you can exit. The eyes dart everywhere to the people, the colours, everywhere! People are sitting in large groups, lying on the ground with their belongings, meeting their family and friends, legions of small coffee and food stalls abound on the sides and the entire place is lit like a football stadium. Stanny said that it becomes more busy and congested like this the later the trains are.
The heat has hit me...the warm air is so different from the cold, if you can call it cold by our standards and experience, that I had in Delhi.
Stanny haggles the price down to 350rupees for a prepaid taxi to the New Woodlands Hotel where I am to stay.
Long story short, it was as I had thought that the NWH was fully booked but at least they could confirm my week long booking beginning on the 3rd. I stayed at President which was 3 times the price but welcomed as I was exhausted when I arrived.
Having shifted to the NWH I am feeling more settled and the crowds, the traffic, the horns, the heat and the smiles of India are integrating in their own speed without effort and without urgency...
The food is lovely although still abit hot for me. Why peppers when there is already so much heat in the air!
I have visited the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram and beloved Radha was at Vedavani for me to set up my lessons with the delightful Akhila. I have also set up a Yoga Therapy consult with a few classes while here to attend to certain concerns in the precious body. I will stay to study until Feb 9 when I will head south for a couple of days and I am thrilled to be here.
25 years ago, just shy of my 12th birthday I found a book on yoga. That book spoke of a legend named Krishnamacharya who bought yoga to the west in the most complete and holistic manner. It has been a dream all these years, more intensely as time progressed, that I visit the place of this great master and study in this tradition, this lineage...that day has arrived... and so I humbly prostrate and bow to the teacher of teachers who captured my attention and my heart as a child...and with that, the whispers and dreams of that child are at once silenced with this blessing...
Om Srigurubhyo Namaha
Honor and gratitude to the teachers
Hoping this finds you and yours happy, healthy and peaceful
With love
Jennifer
Friday, February 1, 2008
Goodbye Delhi...
About to head to the train now for a day and a half trip to Chennai.
The noise, the pollution, the puppies and dogs, the 'Madam, Madam, here, here..', the young boy who has kept me away from the touts and the unnesscessary will all be missed. I need to move on and so I shall sail across the land of raw extremes to the far south in search of confirmation that I am on the right track with my studies and a reprieve from this city of contradictions...
Love and all that good stuff;)
Om
Jennifer
The noise, the pollution, the puppies and dogs, the 'Madam, Madam, here, here..', the young boy who has kept me away from the touts and the unnesscessary will all be missed. I need to move on and so I shall sail across the land of raw extremes to the far south in search of confirmation that I am on the right track with my studies and a reprieve from this city of contradictions...
Love and all that good stuff;)
Om
Jennifer
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
India....
Where does one begin...
The flight from Vienna?
I was deeply engaged with the head of a german woman... Let me explain! Her hair was arranged in such an interesting manner that is reminded me so very much of a fluffy whipping cream. I cannot tell you how fascinated I was with this act of artistry!
Ok, so a long and rather uneventful flight to Delhi... Not that I needed it to be eventful as I appreciated the calm before the storm so to speak.
The airport is being redone and the business of coming through customs gave time to take in the nets hanging from the ceiling, the rubble off to the side and the consistent haze in the air with a layer of dust/dirt coating everything...
I had time to change money while waiting for my pickup and then I found the slender Indian gentleman sent to collect me.
I walk outside to the thick presence of sandalwood incense in the air and the air is quite cool. 'A bit of a walk madam', he prefaced the journey out among the crowds and the parked vand, old cars, firepits with small crowds warning hands and drinking tea, all seeming to have its own efficient purpose and direction ... and yet, directionless... Exit the parking lot into on coming traffic woke me even more!
Ah, the car is in sight amongst the hundreds... My side, the left passenger side, appears to have a 'history'. I'm sure that concaved door was straight when it was purchased!
Everything is in and we are off around and beside the mounds of rubble from 'construction' (which appears to be everywhere) and the odd blanket covered body that steps out from the bush into the roadside.
Horns seem to have many various purposes - 'move out of the way!', 'I'm here', 'hello!', 'watch it', and really just for the fun of it. There seems to be a synphony playing everywhere with levels of pitch, intensity and length improvising a song!
It wasn't long before a sale of a visit to Rajisthan arrived in the minimial conversation. 'You take my number for deive but it secret for us. Promise, no tell boss. I trust you... and so on...' I tried to change the conversation and ensured that I would 'think about it'.
I was told, I have read, I have experienced the stray dogs before in Asia but nothing can ever really prepare you for the experience of seeing them everywhere... Near the street vendors they patiently wait for any generosity, between the streets among the bushes they sleep, amongst the crowd of the streets with the lotus eyed cows they meander and search for what appears to be unsearchable...and everywhere there lingers the scent of 'survival'...for everyone.
Arrival at the hostel/hotel would be a surprise for everyone and included a call to the shopkeeper. I was at a different place then had thought I had confirmed. After the shock wore off and I confirmed that the place would do with no visible 4 legged friends I tried my best, fully clothed, to settle into my sleeping bag for a few hours sleep as the shopkeeper was to meet me in the morning to confirm if indeed there was an error. It was 1am and I had been up since 4am when leaving Salzburg. My body so desired to surrender...
Knock, knock, knock on the fragile door at 930am woke me but not from any deep, luxorious slumber so I attempted to gather myself...
Tea and toast out in the sun on the patio rooftop with the shopkeeper Ringo confirmed that I was in the right place and errored in MY communications with two different people. I can handle this for 2 nights though. It kindo reminds me of the shacks I stayed in while in the Everest Region of Nepal many years ago...
Ringo is a certified tourism guide and has helped to secure my train tickets south to Chennai where I will head off to next.
There is a young Nepalese boy, probably 11 or 12 years, that has been somewhat assigned to me for help in coming here to the 'Cyber Cafe' and so forth. A few rupees in his pocket is worth the companionship and assistance to a lone foreign woman.
Well, it is 150pm and I am hungry... perhaps time for some chapati and tea...
Satisfied that craving and on to pick up a few things in Connaught Place. I am then advised that the better quality, hand loomed items that serve the test of time are found elsewhere. Clothing in the market is relatively inexpensive but quality does not appear.
Abdul, cousin of Ringo's, takes me to a shop where I buy a few proper, modest outfits for the ashram's and visits around. I also managed to deal a good price on a sari for more special occasions. They are creating it as ready to wear sari with hooks and pleating 'all in the right places for us western girl's' and they shall deliver it to my little room tomorrow afternoon. It was not my intention to buy so much but the understanding that the south will be more expensive with less selection pleased me (and I hope Chris too!). Helen, the very successful (obviously if she works her magic on others as on me!), said, 'Don't worry madam, as soon as he lays eyes on you in that sari he will ask for my address to have 5 more sent to you! I will give you my number for him to make easy the request!'. HAHA.....I hope you're right Helen!
Almost 830pm and I am tired... All my love and blessings to you all...
Om
Jennifer
The flight from Vienna?
I was deeply engaged with the head of a german woman... Let me explain! Her hair was arranged in such an interesting manner that is reminded me so very much of a fluffy whipping cream. I cannot tell you how fascinated I was with this act of artistry!
Ok, so a long and rather uneventful flight to Delhi... Not that I needed it to be eventful as I appreciated the calm before the storm so to speak.
The airport is being redone and the business of coming through customs gave time to take in the nets hanging from the ceiling, the rubble off to the side and the consistent haze in the air with a layer of dust/dirt coating everything...
I had time to change money while waiting for my pickup and then I found the slender Indian gentleman sent to collect me.
I walk outside to the thick presence of sandalwood incense in the air and the air is quite cool. 'A bit of a walk madam', he prefaced the journey out among the crowds and the parked vand, old cars, firepits with small crowds warning hands and drinking tea, all seeming to have its own efficient purpose and direction ... and yet, directionless... Exit the parking lot into on coming traffic woke me even more!
Ah, the car is in sight amongst the hundreds... My side, the left passenger side, appears to have a 'history'. I'm sure that concaved door was straight when it was purchased!
Everything is in and we are off around and beside the mounds of rubble from 'construction' (which appears to be everywhere) and the odd blanket covered body that steps out from the bush into the roadside.
Horns seem to have many various purposes - 'move out of the way!', 'I'm here', 'hello!', 'watch it', and really just for the fun of it. There seems to be a synphony playing everywhere with levels of pitch, intensity and length improvising a song!
It wasn't long before a sale of a visit to Rajisthan arrived in the minimial conversation. 'You take my number for deive but it secret for us. Promise, no tell boss. I trust you... and so on...' I tried to change the conversation and ensured that I would 'think about it'.
I was told, I have read, I have experienced the stray dogs before in Asia but nothing can ever really prepare you for the experience of seeing them everywhere... Near the street vendors they patiently wait for any generosity, between the streets among the bushes they sleep, amongst the crowd of the streets with the lotus eyed cows they meander and search for what appears to be unsearchable...and everywhere there lingers the scent of 'survival'...for everyone.
Arrival at the hostel/hotel would be a surprise for everyone and included a call to the shopkeeper. I was at a different place then had thought I had confirmed. After the shock wore off and I confirmed that the place would do with no visible 4 legged friends I tried my best, fully clothed, to settle into my sleeping bag for a few hours sleep as the shopkeeper was to meet me in the morning to confirm if indeed there was an error. It was 1am and I had been up since 4am when leaving Salzburg. My body so desired to surrender...
Knock, knock, knock on the fragile door at 930am woke me but not from any deep, luxorious slumber so I attempted to gather myself...
Tea and toast out in the sun on the patio rooftop with the shopkeeper Ringo confirmed that I was in the right place and errored in MY communications with two different people. I can handle this for 2 nights though. It kindo reminds me of the shacks I stayed in while in the Everest Region of Nepal many years ago...
Ringo is a certified tourism guide and has helped to secure my train tickets south to Chennai where I will head off to next.
There is a young Nepalese boy, probably 11 or 12 years, that has been somewhat assigned to me for help in coming here to the 'Cyber Cafe' and so forth. A few rupees in his pocket is worth the companionship and assistance to a lone foreign woman.
Well, it is 150pm and I am hungry... perhaps time for some chapati and tea...
Satisfied that craving and on to pick up a few things in Connaught Place. I am then advised that the better quality, hand loomed items that serve the test of time are found elsewhere. Clothing in the market is relatively inexpensive but quality does not appear.
Abdul, cousin of Ringo's, takes me to a shop where I buy a few proper, modest outfits for the ashram's and visits around. I also managed to deal a good price on a sari for more special occasions. They are creating it as ready to wear sari with hooks and pleating 'all in the right places for us western girl's' and they shall deliver it to my little room tomorrow afternoon. It was not my intention to buy so much but the understanding that the south will be more expensive with less selection pleased me (and I hope Chris too!). Helen, the very successful (obviously if she works her magic on others as on me!), said, 'Don't worry madam, as soon as he lays eyes on you in that sari he will ask for my address to have 5 more sent to you! I will give you my number for him to make easy the request!'. HAHA.....I hope you're right Helen!
Almost 830pm and I am tired... All my love and blessings to you all...
Om
Jennifer
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Ready, Set, Go.....
Sooooo it's my last day in Salzburg for awhile folks!
I went to bed early last night (8pm) so as to awake by 4 and head out to the train station by 5am. Mission - buy a calling card and call my beloved and my family. An easy task non? English anyone...anyone...anyone? Ok so I got the cash from the bank machine, I bought the card from the very, sign language only, distressed shop lady and attempted (many, many times) to complete a very simple task of making a phone call. Ah, 'no good, no English'. Help from a couple of people and and an hour trying any configuration on that damn card still lead nooooo where so off back to the hostel I went.
The sight of an angel sitting behind the desk! It appears that the wrong country code was being used as the operator at the train station assured me that I was to use 0032 instead of 001. I can handle that....at least I didn't lose the 12€!
I made a quick call to my momma and since everyone else is asleep I shall call later today. My sister has her first appointment with the doctor today checking on the babe due in August!
The morning after breakfast was spent doing some paperwork and resting. I headed out for a bit of lunch and a stroll picking up a few things for the journey tomorrow.
I look forward to connecting this evening with my family and my beloved Chris. Packing and organizing everything will also be done as my flight tomorrow is rather early at 830am via Vienna to Delhi.
One moment at a time of course but I must admit that the dream has become a reality and in my heart I feel my spirit sing gratitude for this blessing, this adventure and the journey of a life unfolding....
All my love
Ciao
Jennifer
I went to bed early last night (8pm) so as to awake by 4 and head out to the train station by 5am. Mission - buy a calling card and call my beloved and my family. An easy task non? English anyone...anyone...anyone? Ok so I got the cash from the bank machine, I bought the card from the very, sign language only, distressed shop lady and attempted (many, many times) to complete a very simple task of making a phone call. Ah, 'no good, no English'. Help from a couple of people and and an hour trying any configuration on that damn card still lead nooooo where so off back to the hostel I went.
The sight of an angel sitting behind the desk! It appears that the wrong country code was being used as the operator at the train station assured me that I was to use 0032 instead of 001. I can handle that....at least I didn't lose the 12€!
I made a quick call to my momma and since everyone else is asleep I shall call later today. My sister has her first appointment with the doctor today checking on the babe due in August!
The morning after breakfast was spent doing some paperwork and resting. I headed out for a bit of lunch and a stroll picking up a few things for the journey tomorrow.
I look forward to connecting this evening with my family and my beloved Chris. Packing and organizing everything will also be done as my flight tomorrow is rather early at 830am via Vienna to Delhi.
One moment at a time of course but I must admit that the dream has become a reality and in my heart I feel my spirit sing gratitude for this blessing, this adventure and the journey of a life unfolding....
All my love
Ciao
Jennifer
Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart...and stuff
A glorious sunny day was welcomed after the rain, the cold and the fact that I don't really have proper winter clothes with me!
After a leisurely breakfast with Ann and Pam we parted ways for now as they headed out for home, Ann to Scotland and Pam back to Sussex (with eyes open I hope!!!). That's an inside joke folks so you need not scratch your head about it!
I rested for the better part of the morning and then made my way out to stretch the limbs along the cobble stone streets of the Old City. It took awhile to find a place to lunch and even though I was terribly hungry it was still very hard to adjust to the fact that smoking is allowed in restaurants. The table I selected was far, far away from everyone but a couple of gentlemen were soon to plop down beside me and lit up as the first course was served. MMMMMM, delicious... that fresh, Marlboro taste with extra butter please! I still have not, and probably won't adjust to this... How in the hell did I waitress all those YEARS in bars and clubs where everyone smoked is beyond me!
So, after I finished my cigar sandwich I decided to check out Mozart's birthplace and residence museums. It was as charming and thought provoking as I had thought it would be. Of course, the thought of seeing it with Chris arose only to be shaken off with a laugh since I'm sure he would be waiting for me at the pastry shop outside fiddling with his camera and sooooo just wanting me to, 'Take your time and enjoy yourself'... A second piece of strudel and cafe' would be the key point here...
Salzburg is a beautiful city... views from the river take in the majestic Hohensalzburg Fortress. It commands such a present.
The streets in the Old City beckon for one to 'remember' and for me it is not hard to get lost in the history which seems to whisper from each nook and crainy. The stories themselves seem to speak to you with the baroque architecture, religious monuments and precious detail in every door, every placement of stone which has carried the weight, the secrets, of times we can only imagine...
It was a busy day flowered with divine moments and strolls along the river. Time to rest as tomorrow I have some other things to prepare for.
Be well
Love and blessings
Jennifer
After a leisurely breakfast with Ann and Pam we parted ways for now as they headed out for home, Ann to Scotland and Pam back to Sussex (with eyes open I hope!!!). That's an inside joke folks so you need not scratch your head about it!
I rested for the better part of the morning and then made my way out to stretch the limbs along the cobble stone streets of the Old City. It took awhile to find a place to lunch and even though I was terribly hungry it was still very hard to adjust to the fact that smoking is allowed in restaurants. The table I selected was far, far away from everyone but a couple of gentlemen were soon to plop down beside me and lit up as the first course was served. MMMMMM, delicious... that fresh, Marlboro taste with extra butter please! I still have not, and probably won't adjust to this... How in the hell did I waitress all those YEARS in bars and clubs where everyone smoked is beyond me!
So, after I finished my cigar sandwich I decided to check out Mozart's birthplace and residence museums. It was as charming and thought provoking as I had thought it would be. Of course, the thought of seeing it with Chris arose only to be shaken off with a laugh since I'm sure he would be waiting for me at the pastry shop outside fiddling with his camera and sooooo just wanting me to, 'Take your time and enjoy yourself'... A second piece of strudel and cafe' would be the key point here...
Salzburg is a beautiful city... views from the river take in the majestic Hohensalzburg Fortress. It commands such a present.
The streets in the Old City beckon for one to 'remember' and for me it is not hard to get lost in the history which seems to whisper from each nook and crainy. The stories themselves seem to speak to you with the baroque architecture, religious monuments and precious detail in every door, every placement of stone which has carried the weight, the secrets, of times we can only imagine...
It was a busy day flowered with divine moments and strolls along the river. Time to rest as tomorrow I have some other things to prepare for.
Be well
Love and blessings
Jennifer
Monday, January 28, 2008
Goodbye Piesendorf...Hello Salzburg!
And so we closed the seminar with questions, discussion and with that we convened for lunch ... Lot of hugs goodbye and gathering of luggage with groups settling in for departures in various directions.
I was to head to the glorious Salzburg for my two days of transition before I am off to Delhi via Vienna. 130pm was our pickup time and so through the rain we were off for the hour and a bit of the drive. Dropped our bags at the hostel and took a taxi to the Old City. There is a delightful chocolate shop, 'Devan', in the central square where we devoured decadent cakes and tea ... a lovely beginning to the afternoon.
Leisurely wondering the cobble streets, lights abound, sounds and baroque style buildings entertained above with the secrecy of history whispering around us... I think I could hear Mozart himself composing!
After enjoying dinner Cilla settled off to the airport to catch her flight back to the UK. The three musketeers remaining went for a little walk and found a coffee shop not to far away where we enjoyed some tea and I had some strudel! We went on back to the hostel where Ann and Pam confirmed their flights and then Maria also made her way to the train station.
I welcomed the evening and settled into bed ... a busy day and the end to something soooo special...
Ciao Ciao for now dear ones...
OMing with Mozart
Jennifer
I was to head to the glorious Salzburg for my two days of transition before I am off to Delhi via Vienna. 130pm was our pickup time and so through the rain we were off for the hour and a bit of the drive. Dropped our bags at the hostel and took a taxi to the Old City. There is a delightful chocolate shop, 'Devan', in the central square where we devoured decadent cakes and tea ... a lovely beginning to the afternoon.
Leisurely wondering the cobble streets, lights abound, sounds and baroque style buildings entertained above with the secrecy of history whispering around us... I think I could hear Mozart himself composing!
After enjoying dinner Cilla settled off to the airport to catch her flight back to the UK. The three musketeers remaining went for a little walk and found a coffee shop not to far away where we enjoyed some tea and I had some strudel! We went on back to the hostel where Ann and Pam confirmed their flights and then Maria also made her way to the train station.
I welcomed the evening and settled into bed ... a busy day and the end to something soooo special...
Ciao Ciao for now dear ones...
OMing with Mozart
Jennifer
Sunday, January 27, 2008
This is the end... for now
And so, yet again, we move towards the completion of a time well spent, new friendships and good wishes are caressed with the end of this session nearing...
A glorious day of sun, cool, crisp and invigorating wind strengthen our spirits to keep on track. With only 10 Sutras left to discover we began the day with the ritual of chanting the Sutras. One side of the class chanted and then the other, it was quite lovely. As we approached lunch, only two Sutras remained and so Kausthub decided that a longer break should be enjoyed to the joy of some of the Swedish ladies as they desired a sunny afternoon stroll. We were to meet again at 4pm. Some set up to take a sleigh ride with one of the locals and their glorious steeds. I noticed a couple enjoying such a romantic ride together and the trot trot trot of the horse brought back childhood memories.
I decided to relax and take a leisurely nap this afternoon, enjoy my book, gaze and admire my bedroom balcony view of the mountains in no haste to leave. I am glad to have a couple of days in Salzburg to transition from this profound experience and into another world.... India...
May this find you well, peaceful and happy!
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om
Jennifer
A glorious day of sun, cool, crisp and invigorating wind strengthen our spirits to keep on track. With only 10 Sutras left to discover we began the day with the ritual of chanting the Sutras. One side of the class chanted and then the other, it was quite lovely. As we approached lunch, only two Sutras remained and so Kausthub decided that a longer break should be enjoyed to the joy of some of the Swedish ladies as they desired a sunny afternoon stroll. We were to meet again at 4pm. Some set up to take a sleigh ride with one of the locals and their glorious steeds. I noticed a couple enjoying such a romantic ride together and the trot trot trot of the horse brought back childhood memories.
I decided to relax and take a leisurely nap this afternoon, enjoy my book, gaze and admire my bedroom balcony view of the mountains in no haste to leave. I am glad to have a couple of days in Salzburg to transition from this profound experience and into another world.... India...
May this find you well, peaceful and happy!
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om
Jennifer
Friday, January 25, 2008
Turn around, Turn around and around....
We are approaching the end... I guess that is the case always... The end of a moment, the end of any hour, the end of a project, the end of a day ... and so we are met with Divya Chandra (divine moon)...
Speaking of Chandra, she is doing really well! Always with a sparkle of wisdom to share with the class, her wealth of experience and understanding of the Sutras and yoga philosophy is revered with great humility by us 'young ones'!
It appears that Howard is doing well, stable and still in Salzburg. He and Pat were to return to the UK on Sunday, leaving with the rest of the group, but he is unable to fly at this time. Pat was investigating the insurance they have so as to make alternate plans for them or at least a clear understanding of exactly what options were available for them. A 'nightmare' she has said...
On with the rest of us and the clarity bestowed with the next 20 Sutras ....
May I share one with you? This one really touched me (as do they all!)...
from Chapter 2 Yoga Sutras Sadhanapadah -
saucatsvangajugupsa parairasamsargah (transliteration from sanskrit)
saucat - thro'cleaniness
sva-anga - one's own body parts
jugupsa - disgust
paraih - other's (body or others)
asamsargah - disconnect or detachment
What does this mean?
- Patanjali is sharing that through cleaniness we develop digust for our own body parts and disconnect from others. Essentially, the more the focus on the 'outside', the cleaning of your 'outside', the more you forget to clean the inside. In this you will only continue to bring focus to the imperfections, the defects that you will continue to find in yourself and therefore in others as well. During this process one becomes superficial and disconnects from other's because of the view of their imperfections or defections as well (critical, self righteous and arrogant attitude). If one begins to clean a plate because they see a spot it is highly likely that they will find another and another and another until they become so distracted with the unending 'defects'. The more we realize that we have defects as do others (just the fact of aging can be an example, as youth slips away we can become more concerned with the outer appearance of things - hence the billion dollar industry in plastic surgery industry, cosmetics and creams galore!). It is, therefore, the wise who with this realization, recognize that disconnection or detachment from this notion of cleaning and being obssessive over the body, brings inner harmony and contentment with what is, allowing connection on a deeper level with one's self and all others. Clean is a relative perception...
Pretty cool...The great Patajali had psychosis down long (thousands of years!) before Freud!
So, I just want to say that I am showering....HAHA... I'm not obssessing is all...
Hoping this finds you all well and in peace...
With love and good smells from Austria... HAHA
xo
Om
Jennifer
Speaking of Chandra, she is doing really well! Always with a sparkle of wisdom to share with the class, her wealth of experience and understanding of the Sutras and yoga philosophy is revered with great humility by us 'young ones'!
It appears that Howard is doing well, stable and still in Salzburg. He and Pat were to return to the UK on Sunday, leaving with the rest of the group, but he is unable to fly at this time. Pat was investigating the insurance they have so as to make alternate plans for them or at least a clear understanding of exactly what options were available for them. A 'nightmare' she has said...
On with the rest of us and the clarity bestowed with the next 20 Sutras ....
May I share one with you? This one really touched me (as do they all!)...
from Chapter 2 Yoga Sutras Sadhanapadah -
saucatsvangajugupsa parairasamsargah (transliteration from sanskrit)
saucat - thro'cleaniness
sva-anga - one's own body parts
jugupsa - disgust
paraih - other's (body or others)
asamsargah - disconnect or detachment
What does this mean?
- Patanjali is sharing that through cleaniness we develop digust for our own body parts and disconnect from others. Essentially, the more the focus on the 'outside', the cleaning of your 'outside', the more you forget to clean the inside. In this you will only continue to bring focus to the imperfections, the defects that you will continue to find in yourself and therefore in others as well. During this process one becomes superficial and disconnects from other's because of the view of their imperfections or defections as well (critical, self righteous and arrogant attitude). If one begins to clean a plate because they see a spot it is highly likely that they will find another and another and another until they become so distracted with the unending 'defects'. The more we realize that we have defects as do others (just the fact of aging can be an example, as youth slips away we can become more concerned with the outer appearance of things - hence the billion dollar industry in plastic surgery industry, cosmetics and creams galore!). It is, therefore, the wise who with this realization, recognize that disconnection or detachment from this notion of cleaning and being obssessive over the body, brings inner harmony and contentment with what is, allowing connection on a deeper level with one's self and all others. Clean is a relative perception...
Pretty cool...The great Patajali had psychosis down long (thousands of years!) before Freud!
So, I just want to say that I am showering....HAHA... I'm not obssessing is all...
Hoping this finds you all well and in peace...
With love and good smells from Austria... HAHA
xo
Om
Jennifer
Dancing Queen....Having the time of your life....
Nestled among the glorious mountains with the church bells ringing out at 6am, a cascade of feather light snow welcomed the morning and the sun again graced us with it's presence...
Up early seems to be a habit that my body enjoys. The first to wonder the halls and behold the day's activity feels almost as though I am sneaking up on Santa and the gifts yet to receive.
Feeling much better as the allergy that affected me so deeply for the previous days is almost completely healed. I had accidentially given myself an oil massage with neem oil rather then brahmi oil the morning after arriving in Salzburg with terribly painful side effects of a rash over my entire body... poor thing has had me itching like crazy with fear that I was even at times disturbing my delightful roommates! Oh well.. it is on the mend and I am so grateful for time.... it does heal everything non? HAHA
Howard, our friend from England, was taken to hospital with chest pain this morning. By afternoon he was taken by helicopter to Salzburg for examination and tests. Apparently since the two exams from morning and afternoon were different, it appeared that he had a mild heartattack. He has had immediate surgery to unblock two arteries that were causing the chest pain and high blood pressure. Having to stay there over night we are still awaiting news of his recovery and everything has come back into balance with the relief of the surgery. His beloved wife Pat has been nurtured and nourished by the sanga with assistance and comfort during this time. She appears to still be in good spirits and the return of our friend is looked forward to.
That said the day and it's unfolding of Sutras clearly mirrored our hearts concerns and the desire for freedom from all and everything that contributes to our, and the world's suffering...
With love
Om
Jennifer
Up early seems to be a habit that my body enjoys. The first to wonder the halls and behold the day's activity feels almost as though I am sneaking up on Santa and the gifts yet to receive.
Feeling much better as the allergy that affected me so deeply for the previous days is almost completely healed. I had accidentially given myself an oil massage with neem oil rather then brahmi oil the morning after arriving in Salzburg with terribly painful side effects of a rash over my entire body... poor thing has had me itching like crazy with fear that I was even at times disturbing my delightful roommates! Oh well.. it is on the mend and I am so grateful for time.... it does heal everything non? HAHA
Howard, our friend from England, was taken to hospital with chest pain this morning. By afternoon he was taken by helicopter to Salzburg for examination and tests. Apparently since the two exams from morning and afternoon were different, it appeared that he had a mild heartattack. He has had immediate surgery to unblock two arteries that were causing the chest pain and high blood pressure. Having to stay there over night we are still awaiting news of his recovery and everything has come back into balance with the relief of the surgery. His beloved wife Pat has been nurtured and nourished by the sanga with assistance and comfort during this time. She appears to still be in good spirits and the return of our friend is looked forward to.
That said the day and it's unfolding of Sutras clearly mirrored our hearts concerns and the desire for freedom from all and everything that contributes to our, and the world's suffering...
With love
Om
Jennifer
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Here Comes the Sun little darlin'....
Missed yesterday's post as a lonnnnnggg dinner conversation and research consumed the remains of energy in a rather fatigued body, mind and spirit...
And so I shall share what was experienced in the glow of the mountains and the sun's return in glorious, quaint Piesendorf.
The beginning of Chapter 2 welcomed us into the discovery of that which creates our suffering. A longing to know has it's bite though, for when we know we then have the responsibility to 'do'. There is a very obvious different feeling and energy in the class amongst the students. Many are the questions and long are the discussions which gives rise to another and yet another... We traveled on to complete the first 18 Sutras which for many was to much, to fast... Perhaps tomorrow will ease in it's intensity and quantity. It was beginning to look alittle like 'Lost in Translation'! HAHA
Chandra's wrist is feeling pretty good and she is taking good care. She is such a lovely soul with careful and wise consideration in her sharing.
The magnificent mountains presented themselves in full view and tea breaks included basking in her rays on the balcony.
There are many others staying on here at the hotel and I can only imagine their joy on the ski hills today...
Hope this day was met in joy, good health and peace for each of you...
Namaste
Jennifer
Kiss Kiss
And so I shall share what was experienced in the glow of the mountains and the sun's return in glorious, quaint Piesendorf.
The beginning of Chapter 2 welcomed us into the discovery of that which creates our suffering. A longing to know has it's bite though, for when we know we then have the responsibility to 'do'. There is a very obvious different feeling and energy in the class amongst the students. Many are the questions and long are the discussions which gives rise to another and yet another... We traveled on to complete the first 18 Sutras which for many was to much, to fast... Perhaps tomorrow will ease in it's intensity and quantity. It was beginning to look alittle like 'Lost in Translation'! HAHA
Chandra's wrist is feeling pretty good and she is taking good care. She is such a lovely soul with careful and wise consideration in her sharing.
The magnificent mountains presented themselves in full view and tea breaks included basking in her rays on the balcony.
There are many others staying on here at the hotel and I can only imagine their joy on the ski hills today...
Hope this day was met in joy, good health and peace for each of you...
Namaste
Jennifer
Kiss Kiss
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Let it Shine ....
I awoke at 4am having gotten to bed by 9pm after a delicious oil massage and steam to assuage tired muscles and spirit...
A clear morning with light snowfall and a melody of church bells by 6am echoed across the valley and mountains ... quite dreamy and precious.
After settling in to complete the last few Sutras of this first Chapter there were numerous arrangements as to how to spead the afternoon as it was to be a time of freely discovering and playing here and around Salzburg for most. I have stayed to leisurely rest, read and just follow my moment to moment fancy with a nice cup of tea. By now the rain had been with us for a few hours and the thought of venturing outside had no appeal to me at all.
Tonight shall be another early night with what appears a tradition of massage and glorious steam (I MUST have one in my future home!!!) prior to cuddling up with my fantastical duvet and enjoyable book.
I hope that you are all well and keeping in good health and balance ... remember to let your little light shine, ok?! HAHAH
Love and peace
Om
Jennifer
My dear friend Debra Deen had shared this delightful song with me a long time ago and the childhood memories came flooding back ... enjoy
See this Little Light of Mine (remember to 'light' your thumb for special effect!)
See this little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
See this light light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
See this little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, all the time
Won't let (distance) snuff it out
I'm going to let it shine
Won't let (distance) snuff it out
I'm going to let it shine
Won't let (distance) snuff it out
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, all the time
See this little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
See this light light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
See this little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, all the time
A clear morning with light snowfall and a melody of church bells by 6am echoed across the valley and mountains ... quite dreamy and precious.
After settling in to complete the last few Sutras of this first Chapter there were numerous arrangements as to how to spead the afternoon as it was to be a time of freely discovering and playing here and around Salzburg for most. I have stayed to leisurely rest, read and just follow my moment to moment fancy with a nice cup of tea. By now the rain had been with us for a few hours and the thought of venturing outside had no appeal to me at all.
Tonight shall be another early night with what appears a tradition of massage and glorious steam (I MUST have one in my future home!!!) prior to cuddling up with my fantastical duvet and enjoyable book.
I hope that you are all well and keeping in good health and balance ... remember to let your little light shine, ok?! HAHAH
Love and peace
Om
Jennifer
My dear friend Debra Deen had shared this delightful song with me a long time ago and the childhood memories came flooding back ... enjoy
See this Little Light of Mine (remember to 'light' your thumb for special effect!)
See this little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
See this light light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
See this little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, all the time
Won't let (distance) snuff it out
I'm going to let it shine
Won't let (distance) snuff it out
I'm going to let it shine
Won't let (distance) snuff it out
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, all the time
See this little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
See this light light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
See this little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, all the time
Monday, January 21, 2008
It's gettin' hot in here....
I didn't sleep that well last night...Got up this morning at around 5am to practice and felt that today would be challenging due to the lack of deep rest.
Last night I did have a nice oil massage and steam but still the sleep didn't really come... Cross my fingers for tonight!
And so we ended on Sutra 44 in the first chapter today. As mentioned there are 51 in all for Chapter 1 and it looks like tomorrow afternoon we have off as a break between the beginning of Chapter 2. Looks like the class is ready for a breather....
Chandra, a 76 yr old Indian woman who has being living in Italy for a number of years and is a long time student of this tradition in addition to a family friend of the Desikachar's, fell this morning and broke her wrist. What a sport though ... she raises her arm to assist with the circulation and gets right on with the work! Not to mention she can chant the sutras no problem without a book reference!!! I am sitted beside her and have been secretly praying that some of mad skills rub off!
We have also got Howard from the UK here with his wife. Both long time students and yoga teachers in the tradition, Howard is 71 years old and a retired Priest ... it's all quite inspiring to say the least.
There are other interesting 'professions' here as practitioners/students/teachers of the tradition - a lawyer, a scientist, a physicist, golf pro, a young Italian lady who completed her PH.D in world religious studies all as examples of the diverse and yet interconnected fascination and discipline of this work with it's transparency in how it translates to everyone.
These moments and experiences shared are unfolding in a wonderful and profound manner which I am enjoying immensely...
The weather here has been interesting...there was more snow, more sunshine and it was colder when I was here in November. Perhaps tomorrow's afternoon break will gift everyone with the desired snow day they seek.. yet the Sutras teach us to be aware and reflect on desires, even if it is for a snowy day in Austria! HAHAH
Be well...
Om
Jennifer
Last night I did have a nice oil massage and steam but still the sleep didn't really come... Cross my fingers for tonight!
And so we ended on Sutra 44 in the first chapter today. As mentioned there are 51 in all for Chapter 1 and it looks like tomorrow afternoon we have off as a break between the beginning of Chapter 2. Looks like the class is ready for a breather....
Chandra, a 76 yr old Indian woman who has being living in Italy for a number of years and is a long time student of this tradition in addition to a family friend of the Desikachar's, fell this morning and broke her wrist. What a sport though ... she raises her arm to assist with the circulation and gets right on with the work! Not to mention she can chant the sutras no problem without a book reference!!! I am sitted beside her and have been secretly praying that some of mad skills rub off!
We have also got Howard from the UK here with his wife. Both long time students and yoga teachers in the tradition, Howard is 71 years old and a retired Priest ... it's all quite inspiring to say the least.
There are other interesting 'professions' here as practitioners/students/teachers of the tradition - a lawyer, a scientist, a physicist, golf pro, a young Italian lady who completed her PH.D in world religious studies all as examples of the diverse and yet interconnected fascination and discipline of this work with it's transparency in how it translates to everyone.
These moments and experiences shared are unfolding in a wonderful and profound manner which I am enjoying immensely...
The weather here has been interesting...there was more snow, more sunshine and it was colder when I was here in November. Perhaps tomorrow's afternoon break will gift everyone with the desired snow day they seek.. yet the Sutras teach us to be aware and reflect on desires, even if it is for a snowy day in Austria! HAHAH
Be well...
Om
Jennifer
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Quiet of the mind...
There is a story about time that goes something like this ....
Once there were three yogi's meditating in the Himilayas. Ten years had pasted when the first yogi opened his eyes and said, 'Geez, it's a little cold!'. He closed his eyes and began meditating again. Ten years passed and the second yogi opened his eyes. He said, 'Yes, it is a little cold isn't it!'. He closed his eyes and again began meditating. Again ten years passed before the third yogi opened his eyes and said, 'Will you two shutup!!!'. And so the concept of time was a large focus of our studies today with an acknowledgement to that which is 'the interpreter and the interpreted'....
A heated day I tell you!
One of the Swedes shared that she was born in Pakistan at which Kausthub joined in that they must have a connection through brothers and sisters!' HAHAHA Always with a quick one he is!
I am beginning to get an idea of the depth of the Sutras and their profound ability and application in all areas of life. It is astounding to know that they were written thousands of years ago and yet they are just as accurate and flexible in their description of our humanity.
As we move forward the conversations are more dynamic and the understanding and clarification that they are NOT religious in their translation or writing is breaking down walls so to speak. It is definitely causing the 'crowd' to surrender all that was brought so as to here the real story that Patanjali saw, understood and shared somewhere in a time when such 'light' was uninterrupted from the distraction of our modern 'progression'! HAHAHAH
Be well dear ones...
Ciao
Om
Jennifer
Once there were three yogi's meditating in the Himilayas. Ten years had pasted when the first yogi opened his eyes and said, 'Geez, it's a little cold!'. He closed his eyes and began meditating again. Ten years passed and the second yogi opened his eyes. He said, 'Yes, it is a little cold isn't it!'. He closed his eyes and again began meditating. Again ten years passed before the third yogi opened his eyes and said, 'Will you two shutup!!!'. And so the concept of time was a large focus of our studies today with an acknowledgement to that which is 'the interpreter and the interpreted'....
A heated day I tell you!
One of the Swedes shared that she was born in Pakistan at which Kausthub joined in that they must have a connection through brothers and sisters!' HAHAHA Always with a quick one he is!
I am beginning to get an idea of the depth of the Sutras and their profound ability and application in all areas of life. It is astounding to know that they were written thousands of years ago and yet they are just as accurate and flexible in their description of our humanity.
As we move forward the conversations are more dynamic and the understanding and clarification that they are NOT religious in their translation or writing is breaking down walls so to speak. It is definitely causing the 'crowd' to surrender all that was brought so as to here the real story that Patanjali saw, understood and shared somewhere in a time when such 'light' was uninterrupted from the distraction of our modern 'progression'! HAHAHAH
Be well dear ones...
Ciao
Om
Jennifer
Yoga Sutras... for LIFE!
Well, sorry to have missed this post last night, January 19 as my body felt like it was experiencing 'jetlag' once again!
I made it through the day but barely hung on in the second half of the session, hoping and praying that the eyes would stay open, the body upright and the mind, if at all possible!, focused. Poor Kausthub, I was not an honor student in his 'presence' yesterday!!! HAHAHAH
And so the Yoga Sutras begin -
'Atha Yoganusasanam' ......This is the vow/commitment between teacher and student to teach and learn on this path no matter what the challenges that will present themselves. Upon reflection one understands that to overcome suffering they must face their suffering and all that is creating their suffering. One must be here NOW in the pursuit of any goal. The baggage from the past must be left and not projected into the future. What has happened is good for learning only and the future must not be looked upon either. The significance is NOW. Start with this intention. Often we are to focused on what we will get rather then the process...
Wow.... just a tad heavy to begin! But good old Patanjali, the sage who wrote the Yoga Sutras, knew that this is necessary and applicable in all relationship, in all of life and so it has inspired me to reflect on my life, decisions I've made and that which has unfolded.
Our studies are held in a very comfortable and beautiful space that had been added on to the main house in the last couple of years. This is the place where Frederike's, the owner of the property and my 'schoolmate', mother spent her last days. It holds a certain energy as one can imagine and the back drop view is that of the glorious Alps rising from the earth in a thunderous applause of splendor and strength. Not too shabby!
Class is held in the morning from 9am-12pm with a nice twenty minute tea break which is the joy of everyone especially the English! We join again after lunch at around 230pm until 530pm and again we have a nice little break when the windows and doors are swung open and the fresh mountain air lifts our tired spirits. Today we completed the first 14 Sutras of 51 in this first Chapter. The second chapter has 55 Sutras and this is where the studies will end for the first module with the final Sutras of Chapters 3 & 4 delved into next January when we shall convene again.
Kausthub is a wonderful teacher, eloquent, funny, polite and some what controversial with his modern approach to sharing such an ancient text. You can especially feel the 'heat' when the questions of 'God and Jesus' are directed to the Italians! Always with a hint of lighting a firecracker he feigns that it was just 'open for discussion'! Needless to say there is never any fear of boredom of course, just the signs of jetlag!
We broke from the end of studies and most found their way to dinner but neither I nor my roommate Kelly had an ounce of appetite. Rather, we chatted a short while and drifted to sleep by about 630pm. I awoke at 1130pm, got up, prepared myself 'properly' for bed, a fresh set of teeth that is!, and jumped right back under the covers. Not abit of the warmth created from my evening 'siesta' had time to leave before my return! And on I slept until 4am nestled in the cocoon of a feather duvet (these feathers must be imported!) ....
Here I leave you for a short while ... Be well
Kiss Kiss
Ciao
Jennifer
I made it through the day but barely hung on in the second half of the session, hoping and praying that the eyes would stay open, the body upright and the mind, if at all possible!, focused. Poor Kausthub, I was not an honor student in his 'presence' yesterday!!! HAHAHAH
And so the Yoga Sutras begin -
'Atha Yoganusasanam' ......This is the vow/commitment between teacher and student to teach and learn on this path no matter what the challenges that will present themselves. Upon reflection one understands that to overcome suffering they must face their suffering and all that is creating their suffering. One must be here NOW in the pursuit of any goal. The baggage from the past must be left and not projected into the future. What has happened is good for learning only and the future must not be looked upon either. The significance is NOW. Start with this intention. Often we are to focused on what we will get rather then the process...
Wow.... just a tad heavy to begin! But good old Patanjali, the sage who wrote the Yoga Sutras, knew that this is necessary and applicable in all relationship, in all of life and so it has inspired me to reflect on my life, decisions I've made and that which has unfolded.
Our studies are held in a very comfortable and beautiful space that had been added on to the main house in the last couple of years. This is the place where Frederike's, the owner of the property and my 'schoolmate', mother spent her last days. It holds a certain energy as one can imagine and the back drop view is that of the glorious Alps rising from the earth in a thunderous applause of splendor and strength. Not too shabby!
Class is held in the morning from 9am-12pm with a nice twenty minute tea break which is the joy of everyone especially the English! We join again after lunch at around 230pm until 530pm and again we have a nice little break when the windows and doors are swung open and the fresh mountain air lifts our tired spirits. Today we completed the first 14 Sutras of 51 in this first Chapter. The second chapter has 55 Sutras and this is where the studies will end for the first module with the final Sutras of Chapters 3 & 4 delved into next January when we shall convene again.
Kausthub is a wonderful teacher, eloquent, funny, polite and some what controversial with his modern approach to sharing such an ancient text. You can especially feel the 'heat' when the questions of 'God and Jesus' are directed to the Italians! Always with a hint of lighting a firecracker he feigns that it was just 'open for discussion'! Needless to say there is never any fear of boredom of course, just the signs of jetlag!
We broke from the end of studies and most found their way to dinner but neither I nor my roommate Kelly had an ounce of appetite. Rather, we chatted a short while and drifted to sleep by about 630pm. I awoke at 1130pm, got up, prepared myself 'properly' for bed, a fresh set of teeth that is!, and jumped right back under the covers. Not abit of the warmth created from my evening 'siesta' had time to leave before my return! And on I slept until 4am nestled in the cocoon of a feather duvet (these feathers must be imported!) ....
Here I leave you for a short while ... Be well
Kiss Kiss
Ciao
Jennifer
Friday, January 18, 2008
I have arrived... and so it begins!
I don't know about you but packing is not something I am that great with... I thought it would be easy and did not imagine the difficulties in decisions of necessities vs wants! Poor Chris stood at the helm of forcing decision as the weight of my baggage increased and then some! The last day at home was somewhat frantic with loose ends to complete, people to confirm notice and endless thoughts of what lay ahead in this precious and most humbling journey... So sorry not to have connected with those that I mentioned I would as the hours counted down I was innundated with 'oh, I thought I had done that already! yikes!', moments........
Chandra, Mother Moon, lit up the sky and in her cooling, poised glow I remembered to be with the breath, stop snapping at my beloved Chris!, and have sraddha, faith, that every angel needed in every moment will appear...This I am most certain of... Is that an Oprah line.... Hmmmm
The journey began early in the morning of January 16 with a flight to Frankfurt via Montreal and then on to Salzburg when I stayed, slept rather!, in a familiar hostel, the Yoho, with only one drunk roommate this time from Melbourne, Australia... She hadn't intended to get drunk she said, it just happened and so my 'wakeup call' at 2am just 'happened'!
After a rather light breakfast, I decided to move on to Piesendorf instead of staying in Salzburg as my checkout time was 10am and a train was available at 11:04am. After this module of study, advanced study of chapters 1 & 2 Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, ends on January 27 I will be in Salzburg until January 30 anyway so I can relax and leisurely take in the city then.
I arrived in Piesendorf and at the hotel/hostel where the studies are held, at around 130pm. Lunch was being served and so with an invitation from the host, and my study mate, Frederike Sugimoto, I joined a small group of students that had arrived as well as our teacher, Kausthub Desikachar, for some much needed sustenance. Having transported my rather heavy luggage from the train station and getting a little workout! Thank goodness most will be staying here as I have my Europe and India attire sharing space!
The afternoon was spent making myself at home in room 104 and resting. It is the same room I shared with my american friends in November during the first module of study with the Vedic Chanting Teacher Training group. This time it is with Pam from Sussex, England, who has been a student of this tradition for a very long time (maybe she will share some secrets!) and Kelly from Melbourne, Australia, who is a teacher in this tradition and a student of Kausthub's with the Yoga Therapist 4 year course. Ahhh... I dream of completing that someday too!
I feel quite at home....
Dinner was shared at 7pm and 8pm we met in the hall for orientation and introduction of the 'international' class. Again, I am the lone 'maple leaf' here! There are four couples though which is quite unique and interestingly the four men in the group of 34 are the spouse who 'in some way or another were introduced or forced into yoga by their mates'! HAHAHAH
Of those four men one is a teacher in the tradition (he has also just published a handbook on Vedic Chanting for teachers and students and just happens to be a student of my chanting teacher Radha as well) and the others are incredibly curious to pursue their studies... Hey Chris, what do you think? Nudge nudge!!!!
Like the Vedic Chanting Sanga (community, group), this group is a mix of culture, language, age, experience and passion. There are numerous Swedes here! I think 6 at least if I remember correctly, lots of English, German, Italian, a couple of Scots, a couple from Estonia, a number of Aussies, Nauca from Tokyo, French, Mexico City, Spain, Belgium and a few Americans, Ria is from New Jersey but has lived in Munich the last 20 years! There are around 5 of us under 40 years with rest of the group spanning upwards to 75 years! How inspiring!!!
And so it all begins as everything does, from the beginning and although I feel quite restless in a deep, profound and gentle excitement, I welcome the unfolding of a chapter that has not yet been written, has not been seen and has not yet been felt but is honored with gratitude for its existence and its moments which shall open in their own time in their own environment and with their own trust just as the flower bud blossoms in the wake of the sun....
I hope this finds you all well and I send my love from afar only in geography, not far at all in the heart... Thank you for sharing this journey. It is possible only because of the love, kindness, support, devotion and compassion of my beloved partner and friend, Chris and the cheering on, of course, with unending love of you dear friends.
Ciao and good night
Om
Jennifer xo
Chandra, Mother Moon, lit up the sky and in her cooling, poised glow I remembered to be with the breath, stop snapping at my beloved Chris!, and have sraddha, faith, that every angel needed in every moment will appear...This I am most certain of... Is that an Oprah line.... Hmmmm
The journey began early in the morning of January 16 with a flight to Frankfurt via Montreal and then on to Salzburg when I stayed, slept rather!, in a familiar hostel, the Yoho, with only one drunk roommate this time from Melbourne, Australia... She hadn't intended to get drunk she said, it just happened and so my 'wakeup call' at 2am just 'happened'!
After a rather light breakfast, I decided to move on to Piesendorf instead of staying in Salzburg as my checkout time was 10am and a train was available at 11:04am. After this module of study, advanced study of chapters 1 & 2 Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, ends on January 27 I will be in Salzburg until January 30 anyway so I can relax and leisurely take in the city then.
I arrived in Piesendorf and at the hotel/hostel where the studies are held, at around 130pm. Lunch was being served and so with an invitation from the host, and my study mate, Frederike Sugimoto, I joined a small group of students that had arrived as well as our teacher, Kausthub Desikachar, for some much needed sustenance. Having transported my rather heavy luggage from the train station and getting a little workout! Thank goodness most will be staying here as I have my Europe and India attire sharing space!
The afternoon was spent making myself at home in room 104 and resting. It is the same room I shared with my american friends in November during the first module of study with the Vedic Chanting Teacher Training group. This time it is with Pam from Sussex, England, who has been a student of this tradition for a very long time (maybe she will share some secrets!) and Kelly from Melbourne, Australia, who is a teacher in this tradition and a student of Kausthub's with the Yoga Therapist 4 year course. Ahhh... I dream of completing that someday too!
I feel quite at home....
Dinner was shared at 7pm and 8pm we met in the hall for orientation and introduction of the 'international' class. Again, I am the lone 'maple leaf' here! There are four couples though which is quite unique and interestingly the four men in the group of 34 are the spouse who 'in some way or another were introduced or forced into yoga by their mates'! HAHAHAH
Of those four men one is a teacher in the tradition (he has also just published a handbook on Vedic Chanting for teachers and students and just happens to be a student of my chanting teacher Radha as well) and the others are incredibly curious to pursue their studies... Hey Chris, what do you think? Nudge nudge!!!!
Like the Vedic Chanting Sanga (community, group), this group is a mix of culture, language, age, experience and passion. There are numerous Swedes here! I think 6 at least if I remember correctly, lots of English, German, Italian, a couple of Scots, a couple from Estonia, a number of Aussies, Nauca from Tokyo, French, Mexico City, Spain, Belgium and a few Americans, Ria is from New Jersey but has lived in Munich the last 20 years! There are around 5 of us under 40 years with rest of the group spanning upwards to 75 years! How inspiring!!!
And so it all begins as everything does, from the beginning and although I feel quite restless in a deep, profound and gentle excitement, I welcome the unfolding of a chapter that has not yet been written, has not been seen and has not yet been felt but is honored with gratitude for its existence and its moments which shall open in their own time in their own environment and with their own trust just as the flower bud blossoms in the wake of the sun....
I hope this finds you all well and I send my love from afar only in geography, not far at all in the heart... Thank you for sharing this journey. It is possible only because of the love, kindness, support, devotion and compassion of my beloved partner and friend, Chris and the cheering on, of course, with unending love of you dear friends.
Ciao and good night
Om
Jennifer xo
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