What a day I had yesterday, full of synchronicity and joy. Was up at 7 to make it to an 8 o'clock free yoga class at Prem Baba's ashram (where I had tried my first kundalini class last year). There are several free daily activities there besides satsang, and Saturday morning was gentle hatha-trika yoga. It was only a one hour class, and I couldn't believe how soon we were in savasana (final relaxation). It went by so fast compared to my regular 2-2 1/2 hour classes here. Then I walked further up the hill to the Honey Hut for breakfast, a modern cafe where I sipped on Honey cafe latte and munched on a honey blueberry muffin while reading the honey fact booklet on the table. It's a spot I've been a few times, which Cindy and Loraine loved. I had planned to wait around till 11 to attend satsang, and then around 2pm walk up to Tapovan for the International Ayurvedic Herb Festival I had seen advertised in Prem Baba's hall. Sounded like the perfect accompaniment to my course and readings. But since I wasn't sure exactly where or how far the location of it was, and not wanting to do too much walking in the hot midday sun (yes, the heat is here!), I decided to head out in search of it right after breakfast, and risk not being back in time for satsang. I could come back to Prem Baba anytime, but this was the last day of the festival. So, off I went in search of Maa Yoga Ashram.
Walked uphill towards Tapovan (a more fancy - this is relative, of course - part of town that I had only been to once or twice) until coming to the main road that would lead back to RamJhulah if I turned left, but when I asked for directions, I was told to go right. Walked for a while until I finally started seeing signs for the ashram. More walking, more signs, more walking, more signs... until the very end of the civilization section of the road, before it turned to just forest, the road leading further up into the mountains. The ashram was tucked away down a side road, with a beautiful view of the Himalayas, away from the noise and hustle & bustle. I walked into the reception area, inquired about the herb festival, and the response was a lowered gaze, and "Ohhh, please sit down mam." Turns out the festival had been cancelled and was postponed until next month. Bummer. Or so I thought. The friendly Pradeep told me about some of their other services, programs and trainings, and I flipped through some pamphlets and pics. As I did do, Dr. Amrit Raj, the founder of the ashram and 4th generation ayurvedic specialist came in to greet me and offered me a tour of the building and grounds, and asked if I'd like to sit and chat with him in the garden. Well, sure! Pradeep took me for the tour, showing me the beautiful yoga hall on the top floor with a gorgeous view out the large windows, their 6 guestrooms, treatment rooms, and the organic garden outside. Then I met Dr. Amrit under a parasol in the garden, for some sweet lemon water and a chat. At first, he just asked me if had any questions about ayurveda, how long I was in Rishikesh for, whether I was interested in any trainings, consultations or panchkarma (extended ayurvedic cleanse) and after a short exchange, he asked me what my heart wanted. You mean, in general, in life? So I told him. Then he asked me what my heart wanted right now. And again, I told him. He sat contemplatively for a moment and said, "Here's what has come to the back of my mind. Since you do not have much time left but seem to have a sincere and genuine interest in learning more about ayurveda, and to use this information for the benefit of others through your sharing and teaching, here's what I propose. Come by here every day or every second day until you leave, I will teach you about ayurveda, and in exchange, you can help me write some articles for The Times of India (newspaper) and other magazines and websites about health and well-being. How does that sound to you? How do you feel?" How do I feel?? I could hardly believe my ears! I knew immediately that this was a perfect proposal for me. (Last year, during my astrology appointment with Prateek, he told me I should use my creativity for writing, particularly in the the form of articles...) He said I could help with generating ideas and topics, make sure the articles are well written in English, and that he would fill any medical, ayurvedic details. I told him I already had several things planned for my last two weeks, so I didn't think I could make it every day, but that every other day sounded great (not to mention it was an hour walk there and back from my guesthouse). So we scheduled our meetings, and he invited me to stay for lunch or dinner anytime I came, asked me to guest-teach a yoga class to his current teacher training group, and said his parents (also ayurvedic doctors) were visiting next Saturday and invited me to be there to meet them. He then had to go (he was speaking to Mooji's sangha that afternoon - and has also worked with many other famous people worldwide), but invited me to stay in the garden to browse some of the previous articles he had published in collaboration with other writers, so I could get an idea of what we'd be working on. When I asked him if there were any particular topics he wanted to tackle, he said, "Whatever arises naturally from the heart. Let's see," and he was off. I sat there in an overwhelmed and excited daze, hardly believing the encounter that had just taken place. And also thinking about the synchronicity of it all. Seeing the ad that morning after yoga in Prem Baba's hall; heading there earlier than planned (he would already have left for Mooji's had I arrived later), the festival being cancelled (probably wouldn't have had the opportunity for a one-on-one chat had it been taking place). So I stayed for about an hour after he left, reading (great!) articles, enjoying the peace and calm, and examining the many different ayurvedic plants and trees growing in the organic garden. I was filled with inspiration, the perfect medicine and cure for my low and heavy energy from the day before.
It was very hot on the long walk home, so I stopped several times. First at a little shop where I bargained for two beautiful summer dresses. Then further along for lunch at the East-West Cafe, a spot I had heard a lot about and walked by many times, but had never been to. It was awesome. If the Beatle's ashram had a cafe branch, this would be it. It was straight out of the sixties, its walls covered in colorful "hippie" paintings and quotes, like those inside the huts and buildings of the Beatle's ashram. And stopping that day at a resto called East-West particularly resonated since Dr. Amrit had spoken, during our chat, of the importance and beauty that could come from the harmonious joining of the two. Walked a little further down the road, stopped at internet, and then made the last leg of the journey, along the road from LaxmanJhula to RamJhula (which usually seems like a long walk, but after the distance I had gone that day, felt like a quick stroll).
Back in my room for a short rest before meeting Swati at 5pm to go to Children of the Ganges. We stopped at the small convenience store next to Amit's shop to buy treats for the kids, as we always do when I go, but this time Arnav suggested we get them waterguns for Holi instead of the usual cookies or chocolate. Great idea! Bought 20 small pichkari and a bag of colored powder. Filmed several of their dances last night as I chatted with Swati, then distributed their gifts and gave them a pink powder forehead blessing for Holi. And then it was their turn to cover my face with the pink stuff! And that night, I finally made the effort to learn all of their names (not always easy to remember Hindi names!). Went to internet again after school, and on my way back, I stopped at the convenience store for water and raisins, and two of the little girls from school, Riya-13, and Kushboo-12, were there buying balloons to fill with water for Holi ("small" Holi is tonight, Sunday, and "big" Holi is tomorrow morning). We were heading back in the same direction, so we walked together and chatted, and they invited me to come "play" Holi (water and powder fighting) at their home on Monday morning. When I said I didn't know where they lived, they said, "Come, we'll show you, it's close!" So I followed, and was invited in. They live just two minutes from my guesthouse, in a makeshift roadside tarp-covered home. They excitedly led me through the entrance, where the rest of the family - mom, dad, Kunal (their little brother who also attends C of the G), another little sister and another little brother - sat on the bed in the one-bedroom home watching an Indian version of "America's Got Talent". I was greeted with big warm smiles, and, of course, immediately offered chai. We chatted, the girls asked me to take pics of their home and their family, and we continued watching the impressive dance talent of Indian kids auditioning on TV. At 10pm, I wished them goodnight, and the girls insisted I come back on Monday morning for Holi. I promised to do so. Kushboo walked me to front gate, and Riya waved from the yard, where she was washing our teacups in the dark. I walked home with a huge grin on my face, my heart overflowing with love for these beautiful people.
What a day, what a wonderful day.
(Sorry, haven't been writing long posts this year, but I couldn't resist this time!)
One last thing. Here a few words from Prem Baba, who had also spoken about merging the East and the West in one of his recent satsangs:
"Join therapy and meditation, join East and West, join roots and wings, intuition and reason."
And finally, the website of Maa Yoga Ashram: http://www.maayogashram.com/
Walked uphill towards Tapovan (a more fancy - this is relative, of course - part of town that I had only been to once or twice) until coming to the main road that would lead back to RamJhulah if I turned left, but when I asked for directions, I was told to go right. Walked for a while until I finally started seeing signs for the ashram. More walking, more signs, more walking, more signs... until the very end of the civilization section of the road, before it turned to just forest, the road leading further up into the mountains. The ashram was tucked away down a side road, with a beautiful view of the Himalayas, away from the noise and hustle & bustle. I walked into the reception area, inquired about the herb festival, and the response was a lowered gaze, and "Ohhh, please sit down mam." Turns out the festival had been cancelled and was postponed until next month. Bummer. Or so I thought. The friendly Pradeep told me about some of their other services, programs and trainings, and I flipped through some pamphlets and pics. As I did do, Dr. Amrit Raj, the founder of the ashram and 4th generation ayurvedic specialist came in to greet me and offered me a tour of the building and grounds, and asked if I'd like to sit and chat with him in the garden. Well, sure! Pradeep took me for the tour, showing me the beautiful yoga hall on the top floor with a gorgeous view out the large windows, their 6 guestrooms, treatment rooms, and the organic garden outside. Then I met Dr. Amrit under a parasol in the garden, for some sweet lemon water and a chat. At first, he just asked me if had any questions about ayurveda, how long I was in Rishikesh for, whether I was interested in any trainings, consultations or panchkarma (extended ayurvedic cleanse) and after a short exchange, he asked me what my heart wanted. You mean, in general, in life? So I told him. Then he asked me what my heart wanted right now. And again, I told him. He sat contemplatively for a moment and said, "Here's what has come to the back of my mind. Since you do not have much time left but seem to have a sincere and genuine interest in learning more about ayurveda, and to use this information for the benefit of others through your sharing and teaching, here's what I propose. Come by here every day or every second day until you leave, I will teach you about ayurveda, and in exchange, you can help me write some articles for The Times of India (newspaper) and other magazines and websites about health and well-being. How does that sound to you? How do you feel?" How do I feel?? I could hardly believe my ears! I knew immediately that this was a perfect proposal for me. (Last year, during my astrology appointment with Prateek, he told me I should use my creativity for writing, particularly in the the form of articles...) He said I could help with generating ideas and topics, make sure the articles are well written in English, and that he would fill any medical, ayurvedic details. I told him I already had several things planned for my last two weeks, so I didn't think I could make it every day, but that every other day sounded great (not to mention it was an hour walk there and back from my guesthouse). So we scheduled our meetings, and he invited me to stay for lunch or dinner anytime I came, asked me to guest-teach a yoga class to his current teacher training group, and said his parents (also ayurvedic doctors) were visiting next Saturday and invited me to be there to meet them. He then had to go (he was speaking to Mooji's sangha that afternoon - and has also worked with many other famous people worldwide), but invited me to stay in the garden to browse some of the previous articles he had published in collaboration with other writers, so I could get an idea of what we'd be working on. When I asked him if there were any particular topics he wanted to tackle, he said, "Whatever arises naturally from the heart. Let's see," and he was off. I sat there in an overwhelmed and excited daze, hardly believing the encounter that had just taken place. And also thinking about the synchronicity of it all. Seeing the ad that morning after yoga in Prem Baba's hall; heading there earlier than planned (he would already have left for Mooji's had I arrived later), the festival being cancelled (probably wouldn't have had the opportunity for a one-on-one chat had it been taking place). So I stayed for about an hour after he left, reading (great!) articles, enjoying the peace and calm, and examining the many different ayurvedic plants and trees growing in the organic garden. I was filled with inspiration, the perfect medicine and cure for my low and heavy energy from the day before.
It was very hot on the long walk home, so I stopped several times. First at a little shop where I bargained for two beautiful summer dresses. Then further along for lunch at the East-West Cafe, a spot I had heard a lot about and walked by many times, but had never been to. It was awesome. If the Beatle's ashram had a cafe branch, this would be it. It was straight out of the sixties, its walls covered in colorful "hippie" paintings and quotes, like those inside the huts and buildings of the Beatle's ashram. And stopping that day at a resto called East-West particularly resonated since Dr. Amrit had spoken, during our chat, of the importance and beauty that could come from the harmonious joining of the two. Walked a little further down the road, stopped at internet, and then made the last leg of the journey, along the road from LaxmanJhula to RamJhula (which usually seems like a long walk, but after the distance I had gone that day, felt like a quick stroll).
Back in my room for a short rest before meeting Swati at 5pm to go to Children of the Ganges. We stopped at the small convenience store next to Amit's shop to buy treats for the kids, as we always do when I go, but this time Arnav suggested we get them waterguns for Holi instead of the usual cookies or chocolate. Great idea! Bought 20 small pichkari and a bag of colored powder. Filmed several of their dances last night as I chatted with Swati, then distributed their gifts and gave them a pink powder forehead blessing for Holi. And then it was their turn to cover my face with the pink stuff! And that night, I finally made the effort to learn all of their names (not always easy to remember Hindi names!). Went to internet again after school, and on my way back, I stopped at the convenience store for water and raisins, and two of the little girls from school, Riya-13, and Kushboo-12, were there buying balloons to fill with water for Holi ("small" Holi is tonight, Sunday, and "big" Holi is tomorrow morning). We were heading back in the same direction, so we walked together and chatted, and they invited me to come "play" Holi (water and powder fighting) at their home on Monday morning. When I said I didn't know where they lived, they said, "Come, we'll show you, it's close!" So I followed, and was invited in. They live just two minutes from my guesthouse, in a makeshift roadside tarp-covered home. They excitedly led me through the entrance, where the rest of the family - mom, dad, Kunal (their little brother who also attends C of the G), another little sister and another little brother - sat on the bed in the one-bedroom home watching an Indian version of "America's Got Talent". I was greeted with big warm smiles, and, of course, immediately offered chai. We chatted, the girls asked me to take pics of their home and their family, and we continued watching the impressive dance talent of Indian kids auditioning on TV. At 10pm, I wished them goodnight, and the girls insisted I come back on Monday morning for Holi. I promised to do so. Kushboo walked me to front gate, and Riya waved from the yard, where she was washing our teacups in the dark. I walked home with a huge grin on my face, my heart overflowing with love for these beautiful people.
What a day, what a wonderful day.
(Sorry, haven't been writing long posts this year, but I couldn't resist this time!)
One last thing. Here a few words from Prem Baba, who had also spoken about merging the East and the West in one of his recent satsangs:
"Join therapy and meditation, join East and West, join roots and wings, intuition and reason."
And finally, the website of Maa Yoga Ashram: http://www.maayogashram.com/
wow - what a wonderful blog and wonderful day :-)
ReplyDeletekeep doing what you do!
Thanks Liv! Each day seems more incredible than the last :)
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