HARI OM

February 3, 2010

Greetings from India.  The Kumbh Mela (largest spiritual gathering of humanity on the planet) has officially begun!  There are 7 Akharas (think Diocese in Catholicism) under one Shankaracharya (think Pope) for all of India; each Akhara officially enters Haridwar in a huge “parade” (elephants, horses, bands, dancers, and many, many swamis and babas and holy people (think monks).  The parade route takes about 7 hours to walk!

Juna Akhara is the largest and is the one of which Mataji’s Guru and his lineage is part.  They have a base here in Haridwar, and yesterday we (I think we were nearly 20) went for a visit and got to have “darshan” (sitting in the presence of) with the Swami who is the head of Juna Akhara.  He did Mataji’s final initiation into full Sannyas (renunciation) and is obviously fond of her and her family.  He is a VERY tall man, ageless and raceless in appearance.  Universal-looking.  And yet so “normal” and relaxed standing and talking to you.  His face radiates love and peace.  After the first sitting with him, I realized as I walked away that every cell in my body had softened and relaxed.  I was smiling for no reason, just smiling.  Later we met him again and I was introduced to him by Mataji.  I had nothing to say – no questions, no thoughts really.  I just stood there smiling.  (Not like me as most of you know.  I did manage to tell him my name and answer his questions to me!).  I remember Yogi telling me one “definition” of samadhi (a deep state of meditation) is “the state where all questions are answered.”  It felt a bit like that.  The bliss lasted all evening, through the parade, even back at the ashram and into dreamland.  Today I still feel quite peaceful and content.  Later they served us all Chai (Indian tea – traditional hospitality).  Still later he presented us all with Rudraksh Malas (special prayer beads).

My Guru-sister Deborah (the one many of you met at the studio in December) arrives here tomorrow AM.  We will go back to see more of the Swami so she too can meet him.  I am eager to see him again!

The ashram is filling up.  The construction they began last year while I was here is mostly done and there are 8-10 new double rooms and the ashram will be completely full by the beginning of next week! This more than doubles the maximum number of people/guests they can have at one time.  I don’t know how they will manage – and of course we all will. 

The familiar routine is peaceful – I arise at 3:30 AM, bathe, go to morning puja about 4 to help set up.  Then I get about 45 min of meditation at the fire pit before the chanting and then chai.  Then more meditation – unless something is going on and it’s too hectic.  The workers (for the organic gardens, the cows, etc.) all arrive before dawn.  And with the Kumbh Mela, there are guest swamis and babas arriving at all hours to visit – sometimes for 30 min sometimes for several days.  Then I take a short jog along the Ganga River and welcome the sunrise.  Next I get to do asana, pranayama, and meditation – sometimes with Mataji and sometimes on my own.  She talked yesterday of doing a special class working with some kriyas and the chakras for Deborah and I when she arrives.  That would be “way cool!”  Afternoons are for seva (selfless service) and Mataji has several projects for me.  Evenings are “aarati” (literal translation: coming to dissolve – so where you go to dissolve into union with the Divine) and then meditation or kirtan (singing). 

To my students, I hope you are all getting a bit of practice in – even 15 min a day makes a big difference!  Even if all you can do it sit quietly and focus on your breath for 10 minutes before going to sleep will make a difference. 

To family and friends (the non-yoga ones!) I send hugs and greetings.

Not sure when I will get to post again – its likely to get pretty full now as we head toward Shivratri (the holy night of Shiva) also the date of the first of four “holy bath” days of the Kumbh Mela.  (Feb 12) 

Om Namo NarayanBlessings of the Universal Consciousness (Divine One)

Dharmi

March 21 , 2009

I realize I am way overdue for a blog entry (its being written but this one is slow in its development…) so I thought a short update and to announce the official unveiling of the book would be a good check in!  (book info was in the email)

Spring is moving into summer ripeness here – new fruits ripening in the growing heat and intensity of the sun.  Fruits in the world (like mangoes!) and fruits of practice (like santosh!) Low/mid 80’s in the days and high 60’s at night… no humidity.  A breeze every afternoon. 

I am in a new room – new to me and newly constructed.  It’s out behind the main ashram- right over the cows.  It has a really lovely view of the Ganga. (holy river)  As I lay in bed the moon light floats through the jungle (not yet fully leafed out again) and I can see the sparkle on the Ganga beyond.  All sorts of birds and animal sounds – and bells and prayers from nearby ashrams.  (some, like our neighbor, chant 24/7 God’s name! “SITA_RAM SITA_RAM”)  And if I look out the front windows I see the gardens of flowers and vegetables here – that’s the way I face for morning asana (yoga postures). 

My friend/guru-sister Deborah was here for 3 weeks and left about a week ago.  So I am again settling into a rhythm of long solitary morning practices, main meal at noon, afternoon work, evening practice and Aarti/puja.  Then either meditation with Mataji, or on my own – or twice a week kirtan (devotional singing – like on the CD’s I love to listen to). 

Last night we had an impromptu concert from a visiting Baba.  A treat!

I am intending to post this to the website with a couple photos – one is from “Holi” – a holiday on this full moon, (named for Holika - a demonness who was burned - so its about burning negative energies) There is puja in the villages (fire ceremony to burn negative habits, energies, etc) tuesday night and then wednesday is "play" - sort of like Mardi Gras for a day - although its "colors" - ie people throw colors on everyone - paint if you are unlucky - and something less toxic and less permanent ideally - delivered from water balloons, squirt guns, buckets, handfulls - who know what else!  I was warned to wear old clothes and that my hair will be colored for a few days!  It gets way out of hand in the cities and streets - and no one is allowed to complain!  Here we also used henna and tumeric – not toxic but definitely staining!  And we used cow dung melted into water (this has been aged in the sun and has no odor – its antiseptic!)  The water balloons the kids rained down from the roof were deadly! Even Mataji participates to an extent, and later in the day Sadhus come- eat a special meal we prepare – and then throw color!  It’s now a week and 2 hair washings later and I still have a few yellow and green highlights!  The photo is me throwing yellow color at someone.  It was grand fun – and very tiring!

The other photo is Mataji, Deborah, and I at Neelkanth – a Shiva Temple that we 3 plus one more took a day trip to.  Its up in the Mountains, and there is a temple to Bhuvaneshwari (the Goddess whose yantra symbol I made for my 50th birthday) – and beyond that 2 special caves with Sadhus.  We made a whole day of hiking – Mataji leaning on me for assistance most of the way.  It was a truly wonderful day!

OM NAMO NARAYAN to you all – I promise another note soon to follow!!

Darcy/Dharmi

New Years, 2009

Hari OM and Happy New Year!

What a wonder start to the New Year of 2009!  (Never mind that I am sitting in layers of fleece and wool – including a blanket – and typing with gloves on!)  My part of the book is done – I am only waiting for the return of the internet (and phone) and the last piece from our French assistant and cover designer!  We even have an ISBN number & bar code – it feels so official!   It should be available to purchase over the internet to be shipped to your door in – well whenever God and the Indian officials fix the internet!  I will let you know in case any of you are interested.  (I also plan to bring a few copies home with me in June.)

For the start of the new year, we did a special ceremonial fire after morning worship – invoking the divine, chanting, and making offerings to God for the well-being and health of those present, the wider community, and the world (that means you too!).  Mandakini (a daughter) led this one and explained as she went which helped a lot!  It took about two hours.  Then we had “halwa” – a special sweet for ceremonial days – I LOVE it!  I have now learned how to make it and will share it!  The rest of the day was quiet and people began to leave. 

We are down to only 4 of us “guests” here, and one leaves Monday.  I will then go into the one room with a bathroom attached and not come out or talk to anyone for at least 10 days.  And no computer! I will also fast from food (in addition to speech!) part of the time and eat one small simple dish a day for the rest of the time.  Fasting on many different levels.  I look forward to the time mostly separate from the outer world, and the opportunity to deepen my practice, perhaps finally settling into the place where the mind is quiet and the bliss is full.  Who knows – I may not want to come out!

I continue to be inspired by Mataji’s presence, actions (or lack of), and words … her very being.  New Year’s morning the whole guest community (all 10 of us!) showed up for 5 AM Aarti and, after we chanted the 12th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Mataji gave us her Darshan – her viewing – of the essence of this chapter.  I wished for a tape recorder!!  When she speaks about the Gita it is so simple, so practical, and SO compassionate!  I will try to share with you some of what struck me, which I hope will be supportive to you wherever you are on this journey called life. 

The Gita is not Hindu scripture – it is not based really in any “religion” – its teachings are universal.  Essentially it tells us the meaning of life and how to live a good life!

The first thing she said which struck me with its clarity and rightness, (& obvious once stated!), is that Dharma (right – living, living according to Divine law) is to live a spiritual life, to believe in God (by whatever name – but believing in a Universal Source for all of creation).  To deny this is to live by materialism alone.  I always cringe at the word “materialism” (especially this time of year!) but it has an even broader meaning here:  materialism is the belief that the only thing real, the only underlying reality of life, is the material world of the five senses.  “I am nothing more than this body, and will be only dust when the body is gone.”   From this perspective, getting all the “things” you can and living to gratify your personal senses makes sense – after all what else is there?  But if you are spiritual – believing in that Divine Source – then “I am not this body – I am the soul, and this Eternal soul returns to its Source when the body is just dust.”  If we believe this, then living merely for short-lived material pleasures is ultimately unsatisfying.  (Actually since we all have a soul, even if we don’t believe in it, and this soul always longs to be re-united to its Source, we all eventually feel the emptiness of mere material, sensual pleasures.)  We seek meaning to our lives, our work, our relationships.  We seek to do things for the benefit of others – simply because it feels good (not because we fear being a “sinner”). 

So – in the 12th chapter of the Gita, God is talking to Arjuna (who is really us!) and explaining how to come to be “with God.”  First, fix your mind on Me 24/7 – but that’s impossible to do if you have families and a job.  So do practice – it doesn’t have to be hours a day by any means – something that is realistically sustainable each day given your responsibilities.  Mornings are most important – do a few sun salutations (not just the exercise – but as an offering!)  Or go for a short walk offering your body and breath to the sun, to God!  Sit a little (10 minutes even) and harmonize your body/mind with the Universe.  (Chant OM or a name of God, or listen to your slow steady breath for 10-20 breaths, for example.)  This makes you centered and calm to start the day and you then bring this peace to the people with whom you interact, spreading a bit of your light.  (Better that spreading stress, anger, sorrow… right?)   Then at the end of the day, light a candle, let go of the day’s troubles: offer all that happened, the good and the bad, to God, sit quietly, and watch your breath (or meditate).  You’ll sleep soundly and wake rested!  Again this can be 10 min or 30 min. 

If you can’t even do this, then let your work be a sacrifice (sacrifice by the way means to make sacred!): do work that serves others, their health, well-being, or spirit.  If your work doesn’t directly serve others in this positive way – then even “secondary” work is ok, as long as you are working for more than to satisfy selfish sensual pleasures (i.e.: materialism).  Perhaps your work is to feed and clothe your family, or to earn money so you can go on pilgrimage to a holy place, or to take a class that helps you know your Essential Self (ie soul) – like yoga!  Giving part of what you earn to charity is also recommended, although if you can give directly (ie with your time or talents) that is even better. 

One thing I love about this is that there is something here that EVERY ONE OF US can do!  No matter how busy or complicated our lives are, we can find a way to remember Dharma – to live according to the belief that we are part of something much larger than our little selves. 

I find that I get awfully preoccupied with my worries, my pains, my wants, my, my my…. And nearly all are related to the limited physical realm.  When I look around me, living among the Indian people – where Dharma is taken for granted, where even the cement truck has Kali and Shiva painted on the side or front, where the electrical parts store is “Shakti Electronics” (Shakti is the Divine Feminine – the power/energy to the “masculine” Consciousness), where 100’s of Sadhu’s (monks essentially) stream by each evening for a free meal at a nearby ashram – all in far fewer layers than I, many with limps and horrid posture (read: back/hip/knee pain!), with either no shoes or shoes that can hardly be said to fit, but all smiling and looking totally at peace … It becomes very hard to maintain the selfish, “comfort required,” me-me-me habits of this western mind.  I think of all I am grateful for in my life, how I already have everything I need, how blessed I am to be able to devote my life to spiritual living – instead of thinking how cold I am, how much my shoulder hurts to move, how far away my sweet puppy dog is, etc. 

Here in India you can’t go anywhere without seeing and hearing some name of God – you are constantly reminded of your own divinity (the soul within).  And then last night, as I came down to brush my teeth, Mataji was the only one still up – and somehow when she spoke to me, she seemed to answer an unarticulated question: there is no need to be frustrated by a “lack of progress,” by not being at the “goal” yet.  That in fact I/we are already Enlightened (One with God), there is no place to get to, we are/I am already there.  The arrow, the target, the path, the archer – all are the same.  Being on the path IS the goal, there is nowhere to get to.  So be content with where you are – that is the secret.  “Yes, but” I say (– my perennial response, now simply more sophisticatedly worded –) “its such a paradox”: what you say is true AND the longing to experience Enlightenment is what gives the willpower and courage to say “no” to the momentary pleasures and distractions that keep us from knowing God!  Well yes, she says.  But that’s nature: the spring longs for the ripe fruit of summer, the summer longs for the letting go/dropping and decaying of the fullness, the winter of asceticism longs for the first sprouts and promise of spring.  Yet each gets their desire without doing anything – spring comes to winter, summer to spring, fall to summer.  The flower first grows its stems and leaves – it would be stupid to wish for the blossom first!  (She said it with a little giggle she has: we both know I am a little bit stupid!!)  But more than stupid, it causes suffering – for the rose to desire the blossom to come first would cause it to suffer – but to follow its “dharma” (its individual purpose) means the blossom comes effortlessly, in the right time, the natural unfolding of its true nature!

So – my blessings to you all for this bright new year – may your blossoms unfold with the passage of time as you follow Dharma!

OM Namo Narayan

I bow to the Divine within all of you.

Photo is of me with Mataji, Mandakini (one of her daughters), and Indra - our amazing cook!

Thanksgiving Day, 2008

Hari OM!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Its strange to think that today is Thanksgiving Day.  (or will be when you get up and read this!)  A day many of you spend with family or special friends, sharing good food and good company.  Or perhaps fasting and sharing food with those less fortunate through local shelters and kitchens.  However you celebrate, it’s good to take time to reflect on what you are thankful for…. (I often forget in the hustle of traveling or cooking or cleaning….)  Here in India the daily practice is a little different – yet leads to the contentment and gratitude we seek/celebrate at Thanksgiving.  We call it “Santosh” – self-contentment.  Santosh Puri Ashram is named for Babaji – who was named Santosh Puri – and his santosh was legendary.  In all circumstances – famine, flood, being beaten by thugs, as well as the birth of his children, a glorious day, a new calf being born – always he was santosh underneath.  Even if he used anger for teaching – it wasn’t’ Him that was angry – He was santosh, the anger was a tool.  We all have the capacity for santosh– how often do I think “if only I had xyz, then I would be content!” or if only it was sunny today, or warmer, or my other friend had come to dinner as well, or….. we are full of desires, which keep us from experiencing santosh. We want only the light and not the darkness, only the joy and not the suffering.  (But what IS light without darkness??)

Indians have a saying, “by God’s grace I am healthy today”  or “by God’s grace I sold all my goods at market today” or ‘by God’s grace the storm came and blew down my tree” or … you get the picture.  A visceral reminder that all is divine, and all is changing too – what is here today will not be tomorrow.  So accept what is here now, and be contented.  (I think this is one reason why you see such incredible poverty and hardship here, and yet mostly the people are happy – at least outside the big cities with their western influence.)  I was walking along the other day, whining to myself about my right hip/knee/foot which are still giving me pain.  It was nearly 5pm – when a local ashram gives a free meal to any sadhu (like a monk) who comes – so literally hundreds come from all directions – so walking then is like walking in a sea of orange!  I noticed that many were missing limbs, or crippled, or simply really bad posture and spinal misalignment, no one (if they had shoes at all!) had shoes that fit – and yet they all had a look of utter peace on their faces.  Most live outside, have only the cloths on their backs, eat only this one free meal a day, walk for miles to get here, etc. – and yet no one looked pained, or worried about getting food, or unhappy with their lot in life, how far they have to walk, how their bodies feel, etc.  Yes, most chose this life – and who knows how much they did or didn’t give up to live it, but for me it was a lesson in how contentment is really a choice from inside, and I noticed all the “requirements” I have in me to be content!

From the Indian perspective, there is always a reason or some act of balance behind everything since nature seeks balance – whether that balance is to be achieved in the next hour or the next millennium!  Because of the belief in karma – (simply put: actions have consequences) and reincarnation (ie it takes many go ‘rounds to get this human life thing right and return to our original Divine nature/essence), calamities are seen as balancing acts to cancel out bad karma earned previously – even in another life – so we are grateful to have our slate a bit more balanced (leading us closer to re-union with Divine)!

One of the things Mataji reminds me of is that suffering brings us closer to God.  Think about it: when everything is wonderful and we are happy and fulfilled – how often do we think about, let alone worship and thank the Divine for our life and good fortune?  But when calamities hit, or there is a big setback in our plans and dreams, or even a death close to us – then we wonder why God did this, or we pray for guidance and peace of mind, or seek solace and comfort from that force in the Universe which is Universal, which knows and loves all, which is steady and peaceful above all the storms and mischigass (sp?) of life?  Sometimes life’s calamities bring gifts, silver linings, as we say, (remember in Sound of Music where the Mother Superior told Maria that when God closes a door, s/he opens a window).  Perhaps the biggest blessing is that we can realize that this higher force/the Divine is with us through the “good” and the “bad.”  And even when life is full and good – we still want something else …. We may not even know what!  Perhaps thanksgiving is a time to look inside as well as outside for what we are grateful for, to find the soul/peace/love/divine within – and experience contentment – regardless of what the outer circumstances are.

So my practice is to accept what is offered, what show’s up, with santosh, with contentment, neither wishing for something else nor getting all excited if it seems just what I wanted.  Not wanting more of something I like (too much of a good thing is no good as we all get reminded on Thanksgiving!!) or looking for something different – not comparing to my expectations  - and eventually not having any expectations or desires!  You might say – “what’s wrong with getting all excited or really enjoying something you like?”  Nothing!   But everything we like will eventually be gone or be less satisfying (the first piece of perfect pumpkin pie is ALWAYS better than the second – right?!) and something we don’t like is bound to show up.  Then we are disappointed.  So doesn’t being always content sound pretty good?  You enjoy whatever is while it’s there, thank the Universe for its offering, good or bad, and are still content when its gone and something else is there.  Santosh.  It’s a life long practice!

So my Thanksgiving wish to you all is Santosh.  May you be contented with life however it is showing up to you in the moment.  Let the soft warm glow of contentment flow over you!  (and sorry if this is too long!!)

OM Namo Narayana

I bow to the Divine within all.

Darcy

Wednesday, October 20, 2008

This is a long one folks!  I promised to share my experiences of Navratri (and Devi Mahatmya) and include some pictures.  This actually occurred the first 9 days of October, and now we are gearing up again already for Divali on the 28th!

Devi Mahatmya is a scriptural account of the “creation” of Durga (and Her 9 forms she takes on) and Her salvation of the gods.  Essentially – the gods get kicked out of heaven by the demons, they pray to God and Durga is created.  She first appears beautiful, bearing magical weapons, and riding a fierce tiger.  She vanquishes the demons, the gods are deeply grateful and thank Her profusely.  She gives them a “boon” (a wish granted) and they ask Her to return to them whenever they are in need.  She agrees.  Time passes, a new baddie takes over, and the gods cry out to Mother to save them.  She comes, vanquishes several armies of demons, their generals, and finally the baddie himself.  So Navratri is 9 days, one day for each demon leader She slays.  People generally “fast” (see below) the first 8 days, and on the ninth day there is a 2-3 hour ceremony around a sacred fire pit, more chanting and feasting for all.  All the ashrams feed and offer gifts to 9 young girls (virgins) in Her honor.  The local girls go to several ashrams usually and get royally treated!  

First some explanation of what this all “means” and then something of my personal experience.

India and Hinduism are monotheistic – all these gods (and demons) are merely forms and names for different aspects and qualities of the Divine (the Formless One who is much too vast & comprehensive for mere names and forms).  Often the stories are really teaching us about ourselves.  Here, the gods and the demons are all US!  (Remember Pogo comic strip of the 60’s: “we have met the enemy and he is us.” ??  My Dad’s favorite quote!   We are really so often our own worst enemy!)  Anyway, so we all have good intentions, good wishes, selfless inclinations, etc.  yet we all can get sucked into bad moods, bad habits, overindulging in (fill in the blank), etc.  So we all have the divine spark/light inside and we all have a bit of devil too – and sometimes the demon (bad, lazy, angry, greedy, selfish…) part of us gets the upper hand and we get kicked out of heaven (happiness).  The lesson is to turn to God/Supreme Consciousness/Great Mother/Buddha/Allah/Higher Self… whatever name you use – for help.  The Indians (and many cultures) use the Great Mother Herself – because for most of us our first memories of “help” are of Mom, patching up a skinned knee, cooking us our favorite food, helping with homework, giving loving advice, etc.  So it’s natural to turn to Mother.  But sometimes the beautiful all powerful Mother Durga isn’t enough and fiercer forms are called for – enter Kali and other less “attractive” forms.  But She, in any form, is deeply compassionate for Her children and takes care of the baddies.  So the lesson is to surrender to Divine and you will be taken care of.  This doesn’t mean you will experience no troubles in your life – often our “troubles” are what shape us into the people we are, give us the skills and experience and wisdom we need to live our lives most fully.  But even when it’s tough we are not alone and Mother is on our side.  The Indians/Hindus have great faith in this and so this influences the culture to be much more accepting of ‘what is’ than are Western societies.  The upside is that they weather calamities, bad luck, poverty, etc much more “gracefully” and with less suffering than we do!

Now – about “fasting” – I thought fasting was just not eating!  Lordy its so much more complicated!  Generally most people do one of 2 things re food for Navratri: they eat only 1 time a day (no snacking!) or they eat 2-3 meals but no dairy or cultivated grains or legumes (and of course they are vegetarians already).  I elected the no grains version and so ate simple veggies and fruit.  Sometimes they make a chapatti out of something like buckwheat where the “grain” is really the flower of the plant.  I was quite happy.  That was the easy part!  But fasting also means, fasting from habits or thought patterns – e.g. not thinking of/wishing for what you are not eating, or a whole day of fasting on “violent” thoughts (e.g. not judging anyone or yourself harshly, not swatting mosquitoes, etc.)  Fasting simply on the “outer layer” (i.e. not eating) really doesn’t count for much here! 

Now – how we marked the days.  After the normal AM things (arising for 4am meditation, 5am worship, 6am tea) at 8 (or so) we started the Devi Puja (worship).  My “jobs” in prep were to sweep and pick up the puja room (which was one half of the dining hall), and to pick fresh flowers and decorate the altar.  There was a visiting Baba (an elderly holy man who has been connected here for many years and comes every few weeks to teach Gangotri more about ayurveda – India system of health and wellbeing.)  He wanted to chant the Devi Mahatmya (the scripture) – 13 plus chapters and 5-6 other “parts” that go before and after – each of the 9 days.  Mataji usually does 3-4 chapters a day and so only 3 or so times through the book during the whole festival.  But she looked forward to this.  The entire book and its accompanying “services” are all in Sanskrit (the swirly, arty letters) and as far as we know there is no transliteration to our alphabet.  So I couldn’t chant with them.  But Mataji said that there was always one person who didn’t chant, whose job is to do jappa (repetition of the mantra on a mala which is essentially the same as a rosary – the prayer beads I wear around my neck) continuously through out the chanting.  Great!  I learned the mantra (a prayer to Durga – about 17 syllables) and that was my job!  3 or so hours in the AM and 2 or so in the afternoon.  I have done lots of jappa over the years, but not so much and with so much focus!  And with the continual chanting of the others, the bells (Mataji rang a bell after each chapter), incense … it was truly remarkable!  You become (mostly) immune to flies and mosquitoes, immune to pain in your legs from sitting cross-legged on a pad on the floor essentially without moving, (getting up is a challenge!), and just filled with “other worldly” energy.  At times waves of love and gratitude simply washed over me… stay with the mantra, … waves of pain would wash over … stay with the mantra … worry about Jessie (I had just learned she was having health/emotional trouble) … stay with the mantra … a dozen or so donkeys clomping by the window bringing materials for a building project … stay with the mantra … sweating like a pig (it was HOT!)… stay with the mantra.  Bliss always came back.  I began to find myself in bliss more and more as the days passed – even when not in the puja.  I was a little sad when it was all over!  (oops!  There’s that attachment thing again!)

One day Sveta (a south Indian woman from NYC who has been here the last couple months) got us all inspired to do a traditional Gujarati (her family’s region of India) stick dance that the women do during Navratri.  This was new for the ashram.  She engaged some of the “kids” (young and old) to decorate/paint some bamboo sticks (about 15 inches long).  Indra (our cook) and Mataji’s daughters pulled out the saris they had and we all dressed each other up in beautiful saris and danced to Sveta’s instruction.  We were quite colorful!!  For those of you that remember my days Morris dancing in Michigan – this was a bit of déjà vu!!  The ancient Celts actually migrated up from the Indus valley (now north central India)– and lo and behold! The stick dancing forms had some remarkable similarities!  It was fascinating!  And HOT!  And a great antidote to all that sitting!   We did more with the 9 girls we feted on the last day. 

The tenth day the ashrams feed swamis from other ashrams (something about Hanuman) – I must have been too blissed out to get the details – but we fed about 40 swamis (holy men and women, all dressed in orange).  So it was a very full 10 days – no book editing, or other work.  Lots of cleaning to keep the ashram looking beautiful for guests.  I eventually learned a few of the chants in Sanskrit (Mandakini – one of Mataji’s daughters) transliterated a couple and I typed them.  The local bookstore is trying to find me a transliterated version so I can follow along next spring (Navratri happens twice a year). 

The next 10 days Mataji taught a new and wonderful course about the chakras, and I have embarked on a seven month program (one month on each chakra) of practice and study.  Some people left, and now a new course has begun, new people arrived ... and Mataji and I have turned our attention to the book.   HARI OM!

Pictures: top left: chanting and jappa (Mataji and I in front, Babaji and Gangotri closer to the altar; top right: dc in sari and Devi Yantra at altar; lower left: Yagya fire ceremony; lower right: Gujarati stick dance with girls (and Sveta & Mandakini)

Wednesday September 16, 2008

Hari OM!

I have been in India nearly 3 weeks now and still acclimating!  Days are in the low 90’s and 100% humidity.  I arrived at the Ashram at 4:30 am, went to morning prayers at 5, and class started at 6 am!  This course is a 3-week intensive called “Clinical Yoga.”  We do cleansings (neti – the nasal wash – is BY FAR the easiest!!!) from 6-730am, have tea, then asana 8-10, lunch about 1030.  Then we have time for rest, karma yoga (chores around the ashram, etc.) until the next class at 1-3pm.  Tea again, and Pranayama class from 430-6.  (I usually manage to fit in a dip in the Ganga to cool off!!)  Each 2 days the focus is on a different disorder (e.g. back pain, asthma, hypertension, constipation, etc.) and asanas and afternoon lecture follow the theme, and ayurveda (Indian system of medicine).  Supper is at 6, aarti (evening worship) at 7, meditation at 830pm.  Unless its Tuesday or Saturday – then we have kirtan chanting in the evening!  (see photo below - Mataji is playing the Harmonium!  perhaps close to an accordian - keyboard and pump)

It’s a really full schedule.  The cleansings this time in me have been intense – like my body knows I will be here long enough to really let go!  

We are a group of about 16 students for this course – from US, France, Mexico, Israel, Holland, Norway, Germany, Spain, Singapore, Belgium…and an Indian woman from NYC!  I think that’s it!  Its a wonderful group!  English is the common language – I feel very privileged – all the teaching and much of the conversation is in my native tongue!  

Last Sunday we went on a group trip up to Musoorie (a “hill station” in the Himalayas) and then on a hike up to a temple – at 3000 meters!  It was lovely steep hike.   And we got to sit a bit and meditate at the top.  And – it was actually cool!  A few hours of not sweating!!    (image below- I am center bottom with brown shawl)

In a few days a new course will start (one I have already taken) and the current group will go (or most will) and a new group will arrive.  Then I will turn my attention to work on Mataji’s book that I am helping to edit.  She wants to self publish it here – by February!!

Saturday August 30, 2008
Saturday August 16 was my 50th birthday and I celebrated entering the “3rd Ashrama” of life – where its time to retreat to the forest (well I already live in the forest!), to an ashram to deepen study and to withdraw from the hustle and distractions of a householder life!

So I had over 20 wonderful people here – friends, family, students – to help celebrate.  We did a traditional Indian ritual (as close as I could understand and replicate!) that included creating a mandala from colored flour, sand and rice and flowers, and lighting candles.  Each person lit at least one candle and offered something to the fire that they were ready to let go of.  And I was blessed beyond imagination!  (Literally awash in blessings and flower petals from people’s summer gardens!)  And of course we shared wonderful food and conversation.

A wonderful send-off as I leave for India tomorrow Sunday August 31!

Hari OM!

HARI OM
Tuesday August 12, 2008
I haven’t yet left for India – but Yogi (my first teacher) always said that the preparations are the beginning of the journey! In that case I have begun! I just spent a glorious day with Sharon (the replacement me) doing the fall schedule, flyers, website updating, etc. Oh and selling my car and teaching two classes. The end is in sight though!

Saturday is my 50th birthday and I will celebrate with my community – family, friends, and students- and it will also be a send off of sorts!

I feel so grateful for all the support I am receiving to make this incredible journey possible.

More to come! Stay tuned!