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Posted by Nayna on 11/6/2007, 1:02 pm, in reply to "Summer Yoga Retreat, August 23 - 27"
Hi Rifa
Hope all is going well and the mood in the UK has lifted somewhat since the days are lighter and longer, and you can go to work in flip flops and lighter clothing!
We are nearly finished on our trip now. Just winding up on our last 2 weeks - which will mainly comprise of shopping, shopping and yes, more shopping. Staying in Delhi for two nights before our flight, in the stifling 42 degress + temperatures, so its abit of a godsend that we have two nights free at the 5 star Taj hotel. Not my thing really living in poncy posh hotels, especially turning up in grotty travelling clothes and backpacks, but for the air con, I don't mind.
Well since I last wrote, I think I was in South India - Tiruvannamalai. A holy place, where alot of foreigners tend to converge to ask themselves the question 'Who Am I'? Alot of these intense people are followers of a well known sage Ramana Maharishi, who talks alot about finding enlightenment through self enquiry. This was my first experience of so many serious westerners looking for this goal of enlightenment, and found it a little tiring and desperate, not to mention serious! We just hung out, away from the 'mad lot', doing our own yoga and meditation practice, and sitting in the presence of this little old lady with really long dreadlocks, who comes out of her room twice a day to give people blessings (darshan). She was electric - so much power. She doesn't speak at all, having kept silence (Mouna) for the last 10 years.
As it was getting hot in the South, we took a packed local bus to Bangalore where we stayed for 2 nights. I spent one of these days in the company of the 'hugging mother' Amma from Kerela. She is known worldwide for giving her blessings (darshans) through loving hugs, whilst at the same time repeating something in your ear - my something being 'Amma, Amma, Amma'. I felt a little dazed post this meeting, but good all the same.
We took our flight to Delhi, and then onto the 'spiritual supermarket' town of Rishikesh, on the banks of the Ganges. Many crazy priests (Sadhus), lots of ashrams, heaps of yoga and other spiritual classes/courses, tons of cows and their dung everywhere, and yep lots of 'full-on' foreigners talking about the meaning of life, who am I, and what type of yoga they practice. In our eyes, even though we are kind of on a spiritual journey of sorts, this place, coupled with Tiruvannamalai really put me off 'spirituality' and its maze of contradictions - very confusing.
Despite all of this, we did like Rishikesh and stayed for 7 weeks - there was a small beach, and we did actually meet some very interesting people. The locals were very friendly, and the standard of living was very cheap.
I did do some courses - a mad 3 day meditation course following an Osho camp - Osho was this crazy swami from the 70s and 80s who is reknowned for creating scandal in the spiritual world - talks about sex etc. I wrote about him last year when I visited his ashram in Pune, and how there were all these people dressed in maroon robes walking around the city. This 3 day camp was a real eye opener at how people can get really sucked into spiritual/cultish things.....but its too much to describe here, so maybe it can be a topic of conversation when we meet in the UK. All I can say was that all the people on the camp - mainly indian men, were all perverts, trying to talk me into joining this cult....yukkkkk!!
Then I did another course, that was originated by a Romanian Swami - its a one month yoga course based on the Tantra philosophy. Although it was a good course, I only completed one week. Lets just say I heard many rumours about the Swami somehow bedding every female on previous courses, which resulted in him being deported from the country. Girls with boyfriends on the course were queuing to experience this mans 'talent' and experience the best 'O' ever! Not for me thanks!! He wasn't even nice looking!
The course that was life changing, and has somewhat changed my views on life, relationships etc is one run by a Californian lady. Though I have always put up barriers to courses run by westerners, this one seemed to appeal just by the vast amounts of positive conversations we had with others that had completed the course. To put into a nutshell, it was 13 day course, and the final understanding is that we all live our lives with a personal identity that we think makes us who we are today, but when we delve further into all these points of views, we find they originate from others points of views, belief systems etc etc. As we went further, it made me realise that nothing matters. All thoughts, emotions, beliefs - they are just empty things in the mind, that come and go - like clouds in the blue sky. The only thing that is permanent and real is the blue sky - our awareness. The course taught us that by resting in this awareness, we can learn to cope with all negative and positive situations/emotions, and not be affected. Sounds abit weird, but it does work. Its like not reacting and soon the feeling fades.....again, I think a topic to be expanded on when I return. All I can say is that I had alot of hangups based on religious hindu beliefs passed down by parents and relatives that I took to be me, ie guilt at sleeping with another before marriage, etc etc - but none of this matters - who made up these belief systems anyway!
So after our fill of more knowledge, experience and the stiffling heat, we left Rishikesh for cooler climates. After extending our visas at the Nepalese border, we arrived at the hillstation Nainital - I only wanted to visit this place as it shares my name. There were too many indian tourists, where its usually very tacky, and so we headed to Almora and then onto the beautiful Kasar Devi, where we have just finished 6 weeks. Its right in the mountains, in a small village, very serene, and we had our own place with kitchen - 1.50 pounds per night (bargain). I have always wanted a home in the mountains, where I can grow veg and chill out - this was it. I put up posters offering Reiki classes and treatments, though response to this was minimal, as most of the foreigners staying here were from Israel, and all mainly interested in smoking the local produce that can be obtained very cheap, and very fresh! So my teaching skills extended to knitting instead. I had a quick refresher lesson from a tibetan lady in the market, after which I bought many needles and different coloured wool, and started making scarves, as well as teaching numerous fellow travellers passing through. Where we stayed, there was a commune of various nationalities, and we all cooked and chilled out together like one big family - it was all very refreshing and enjoyable. I know how to make Jam, soft cheese, and bread!
Now, we are on the move. We have changed our minds many times about going further north into the mountains, but have decided to take the plunge, do the mad 2 day journey, and go to the Tibetan city of Dharamsala, where the Dalai Lama lives. We will spend about a week there (and I get to spend my birthday there too), after which we head home.
So, there you have it. I feel like I have done a full circle in terms of spirituality, and am back where I started, but abit more wise with the knowledge and experience. Its taught me not to be serious about stuff, and just to let things be as it is. Nothing matters. But I think the shedding and journey of the past two years was necessary to come to this light conclusion......ahhhhhh!
Once in the UK I am hoping to start my Reiki treatments and courses, and start the process on stress management consultations, and give yoga classes (Sivananda style). I have alot of material to put together, but am keen to get going. The business cards and Reiki certificates are all designed and printed. I will trade under the name 'Flow' - meaning going with the flow of life - like a river - and not being stuck at the banks of stress, sorrow and other negativities - hope you like it! If anyone knows of a web designer too - their advise and help would be much appreciated!!
So until I see you, take it easy and keep shining!
Let me know if you fancy meeting for drinks! (I haven't drunk wine since new years, and may well try to keep it this way - but lets see huh)!!
All my love
Nayna
xxxx
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