Adjusting

Happy New Year~

I write from Kovalam Beach; 48 hours back in the (apparently) real world and still reeling. After 4 weeks in peaceful, disciplined, sattvic ashram setting, every little thing about life outside is abrasive. My sister and cousin have been waiting here patiently for my course to finish, and it is a joy to see them in India. We are trying to smile over all the little bumps of adjustment--but it's hard to convey exactly how much, of the littlest things, shocks me. (Just as, I imagine, so much of India shocks them but is now normal for me). Speaking before 9 a.m.? Having to choose food from a menu? Clothes strewn on the floor and un-made beds? Exposed bodies and the general, unending noise?

The background tune playing in my head: snatches of all the chants and devotional songs (kirtan), a comforting reminder of the sanctuary I've left, a literal bit of energy carried from there to here.

It's going to take awhile to make sense of the past month; of the events leading up to it and of where to carry it from here. I know at least that my experience of ashram life, and the Yoga teacher training course, were completely transformational--transformed to what, time will tell.

I am going to post themed installments over the next 2 weeks, beginning with "Auspiciousness," a reflection on the Mumbai attacks and my arrival at the ashram. Please check back in, and have a peaceful New Year.

Om Namah Sivaya.

LUNGS

Today was our day off. Saturday. "Off" meaning we rose for satsang at 5:30, did two yoga classes at 8:00 and 4:00, and will have satsang again at 8:00. (Off: no lectures....the knees and hips rejoice; that's only 3 hours of sitting today instead of 6!) 4 hours of free time in the middle of the day was absolutely overwhelming--too much choice, what to do--and I am looking forward to week two beginning tomorrow.

I chose not to go into Madurai. I don't think I'll leave the ashram until I have to. So...this post is probably it until January; the ashram internet connection is too slow. Sorry, folks, I'm very happily on retreat. The experience will be described in detail, here, next month.

In the meantime...Merry christmas, Happy New Year, Om Namah Sivaya.

Om Namah Sivaya

I'm in.
It's been one hell of a few days and I have rarely felt this emotionally, physically, mentally tired.
Not exactly the state in which one wants to begin such an intensive program...but it truly seems like the universe was sending messages along the lines of: the time is NOW.
Swami Govinanda calls me "lucky girl" and shakes his head in disbelief every time he sees me. I'll tell you why on Friday, our day off, when I'm heading into Madurai for a decent internet connection.

In the meantime...please drink a glass of red wine, several espressos, and eat a steak for me.

A la prochaine...