Every April as I wrap up another season in India I am faced with repeating destinations in northern India since I have already visited what is temperately available at this time of year. Wanting to shake things up a bit with a new spot, I decided to head to a southern Thailand beach for something different. I have been to Thailand before but only to the tribal jungle areas north of Bangkok. Delicious cuisine, clean clear blue ocean water and white sand beaches were waiting for me.
With almost 2 1/2 weeks to spend the duration of my time in India, it appeared pretty much instantly as I arrived that I had made a very very interesting choice. My entire time in Bangkok, Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan provided for me challenging appearances in my consistent search for authenticity and depth in experience. The Thailand traveler scene was a particular smack in the face to follow up such a gorgeous experience of beauty and depth while in Rishikesh...and other areas of India for that matter. I've thought about how I can sum things up and explain the circumstances in a blog and I have decided to follow the famous old saying of "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all".
All the appearances of my reality in Thailand, while ugly in their manifestation, were blessings for me as I continue to practice the wonderful teachings I received through Great Freedom in both Goa and Rishikesh. The lack of a supportive community and ease of harmony in my tangible preferences were gone in Thailand and so I was able to REALLY put to test all I had learned through Great Freedom.
Whether I am surrounded by beautiful friends in familiar home surroundings or if I am in a new stimulating place with opportunities of fresh experiences or if I am in a seedy place surrounded by ugly addicted characters obsessed with a surface meaningless life or if I am sitting in unmoving traffic for hours ...there is ONE consistency in EVERYTHING and that is that I am unchangeable in my core self and this is reliable so no matter what dynamic appears around me or whatever strong opinion gets stuck in my mind I am a sustainable source of love, peace and wisdom within myself...no matter where I am and who I am with or not with
Rishikesh is one of my favorite places in the world.
It offers so many aspects of quality and inspiration that nourish the diversity of what encourages my flowering.
Fresh air, spirituality, roaming affectionate cows, hungry leaping and climbing monkeys, travelers from all corners of the globe, Indian pilgrims visiting the temples, beaches, the clear origin of the Ganga River and amazing chai. As I sat at one of my favorite chai spots along my walking route from Laxman Jhula to Ram Jhula the chai walla asked me what in Rishikesh I shop for more than anywhere else in India and I told him “chai”. It really is so perfect…whether on a stroll or not sure what else to do, I can always stop for a delicious hot chai. At whatever chai walla I sit, in front of me flows by the “India movie”. The cast of characters featured are: bag laden travelers arriving and leaving, the cows butting horns to win the affection of the baba with the extra chapati, the 20 member extended family slowing their pace to a crawl to look wide-eyed at a tall, blue eyed white woman (looking right back at them), and the beggar who smiles and persistently loiters nearby hoping I’ll offer him the opportunity to also enjoy a hot chai for the movie.
Whenever I had a free afternoon I enjoyed more than anything to slowly make the slow wander between Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula. “Jhula” is the Hindi word for “bridge”. The holy Ganga River flows directly through Rishikesh and on either end is a large bridge. This trip along the path to Ram Jhula was most definitely all about the journey rather than the destination. Actually I never stayed in any place longer than any other place so in a sense the entire destination, rather than what appeared to be a trip to Ram Jhula, was actually the entire wander itself. The calves and cows along the route are so special and sweet. I am inspired by their ability to stay placid and unaffected by all the stimulation whizzing all around them. Spending many hours watching them (they are the star supporting characters in the India movie) I realized there is one part of their body they are unable to reach with their horns or tongue. Yes I found their sweet spot: the neck and back of head. It was so sweet and amazing for such a lifelong city/suburban based gal like me to have constant access to massive cows for giving a loving neck rub…and for them in turn to bow their heads down to lick my calf with returned affection.
My home base, the place where I could ground myself and take a breather from the movie, was my guesthouse. As my 3rd season, I’m a bit of a regular there…and the same goes for several Italians. With endless love for these warm hearted and animated people I respectfully refer to my home as the “mafia guesthouse”. We would sit together, sometimes upwards of 30 people all at once…and only 2-4 people there who do not speak any Italian (including myself)…as they would all vie for center stage in telling some elaborate tale. I came to find that I didn’t necessarily need to know what they were talking about thanks to their theatrical gestures and speaking tones. Slowly, after a few days of sitting with them, I began to speak more and more with my hands and would catch myself speaking to people with my hands in constant motion…even when I was outside in the great outdoors beyond the gate of the mafia guesthouse.
Beyond the Indian culture, the fresh and beautiful nature, the playful animals everywhere and the lively travelers I shared many a chai with, there was a much bigger draw for me to spend over 3 weeks in Rishikesh this season.
Backtracking a bit, I can say that this journey in India this season has diverted to paths I never anticipated I’d take, not to mention even realizing they existed in the first place. I usually enter into every journey with swirling ideas in my fantasy of what lays ahead of me. Of course, I realize that what will actually transpire never is as I expect at the onset. But this season has been profound in introducing to me approaches to life that has brought me clarity and peace while continuing to grow with practice.
The cow in the movie…standing in the middle of the chaotic and busy street…stands unaffected as a jeep (crammed full with 30 Indian pilgrims) lets out a piercingly loud horn blaring inches from the cow’s ear to “encourage” it to move out of the way. Yet the cow doesn’t flinch, other than swatting some flies with the flick of its tail. The heifer, still in the “movie”, amidst chaos and stimulation, fully in the thick of it all yet so peaceful. Wow. Who knew you could learn so much from a cow?
I was introduced to the teachings of Great Freedom during my stay in Arambol back in February. Ever since, I have continued the practice which has intensified my curiosity as I see and feel the benefits. The majority of my time in Rishikesh was spent continuing the teachings of Great Freedom through daily involvement, including various courses. This is the first time in years, if ever, that I have felt so connected to one teaching or practice and immersed myself so fully. Without realizing what I was seeking through my life, while having so many ideas of approaches in life that are authentic and meaningful, I feel like I have found harmony in this teaching unlike any other practice I have ever come across. The affects on me have been heightened awareness, joy, compassion and love for all people. I feel like I have finally found a sustainable and effective way to regulate imbalanced shifts of heightened emotions and drama that prevent me from actualizing my potential.
Ready to take this outward and onward, I’m here in Delhi wrapping up some business for dwanjabi that is completely inspiring…and...I’ll just say it: Fucking cool. Get ready people, I’ve got some killer fashions for the 2009 season!!
So much love to all… Resting…loving…clarity…openness…peace & fulfillment to everyone
