Today’s the first day of the rest of your life

As I write this, it’s day 18 out of 28 at the ashram.  A lovely time, though quite a different experience than the teacher training course days of 2006.  Those days were filled with memorizing Sanskrit chants & names of asanas (yoga postures), preparing practice lessons to present to small groups, and studying.  These days, there are more lectures to sit through, more karma yoga to attend to, and more unusual shuddikriya (cleansing techniques) to attempt.

As far as classes go, it seems less personalized than before- there are currently two classes in session.  The days have been a journey within, seeming like a retreat.  I don’t feel as connected to the place and other students this time around.  There’s a great sense of detachment, which is wonderful.  There no longer exists the novelty of being a first-timer.  Logically, rather than soaking it all up like a sponge, I’m doing more inner work than I previously had the capacity for. 

Being unsure of the next move, there are signs that I must to be receptive to.  I’ve been writing down the vivid, sometimes disturbing, sometimes comical dreams that have graced my sleep for the past few weeks.  Though I’ve given seated meditation a go, daydreams and gazes out into nature and up to the sky have been, as usual, more effective. 

As the second day of a three-day-silent-stretch winds down, I embrace the moment.  I’ve acquired a mass of new music and am listening to the pleasing, gentle, New Age-y sound of a group named Bliss. 

If your friends jumped…

I have some sweet photos, but for some reason they're not showing up... I'll get them online in two weeks or so... 

Before the official start of class, we had a half-day to go out and about.  A group of us shared a taxi to the nearby village of Trimbakeshwar.  Just a few kilometers away; its edges and lights are visible from the ashram.  We were dropped off on a main road in the center of town and walked toward the temple that contains one of only 12 Shiva lingams (a special stone monument for Shiva, the God of destruction, the god of the Yogis). 

Street merchants offer grass to feed the cows, flowers and sweets for the temple, and Om bindis (markings placed between the eyes that offer protection and bring awareness to the inner strength that lies in that Ajna chakra area).  We decline the vendors, instead heading around the temple to a chai stand.  As we wait at the street side counter, we watch the man make the sweet drink- boiling the milk, adding spices that include plenty of fresh grated ginger, and sweetening with sugar.  Yum. 

 After a nearly glorious glass of gingery chai (because the only truly Glorious glass of anything comes from Marlboro ;) off we went towards the green, rolling hills.  We circled around a large pond and heard a man ask, “Which country”?  As we paused to answer, he informed us that we were in front of the President’s house, the President of Trimbakeshwar, Mrs. Sujita Sanjay Shikhare.  I asked if we could take a photo, and he invited us in for a view from the balcony. 

 The house was nice, seemingly new, and he led us up to the second floor.  Out on the balcony, there were a few men preparing for a puja (the blessed Hindu ceremony that involves a small fire and colorful flowers as offerings). 

 After photos, the man invited us inside and led us to a room.  There were nearly 50 or 60 people inside who were finishing up what appeared to be the first part of the puja. 

After a moment, they proceeded out to the balcony.  We were then taken up to the roof where we walked around admiring the solar panels and the view, peeking down to watch the people out on the balcony. 

 As we headed out and thanked the man for graciously welcoming us into the house, we asked how to get to the ghats (steps along the bank where people tend to congregate for washing away sins from the soul and dirt from bodies & clothes) of the holy Godavari River.  The man pointed, and we headed again towards the hills.  The path took us to a gorgeous body of water that was probably part of the river, but seemed like a lake.   

Across the way, we saw a group of boys jumping into the water.   I had to check it out.   We carefully walked across the cement-pillared wall that seemed to be a dam, meeting up with the boys.  The water looked relatively clean, the platform wasn’t too high, and there was one taker in the group to join me.  Rather than jumping from the highest point, where the boys were diving from, we opted to jump into the same area, but from the top of the railing.  Panty & camisole clad, in we went.  Best jump ever.   

First day, second time around

4 years later, 4 years older, at the same ashram in the heart of Incredible India.  Then, it was the Teacher-Training Course, now I’m attending the Advanced Course.  Some things have changed; teachers & volunteers come and go, buildings have been added to accommodate growth.  Some things remain the same, such as the incredible meals (though the food is even more delectable) and the silence that must be kept while enjoying them. Surrounded by green rolling hills, the air here is fresh and calm.  There’s a constant chorus of birds during the day, taken over by the buzzing, chirping insects at night. 

After a 30-minute ride from Nashik city, we pulled up to the quiet ashram.  A man raised the gate to let the vehicle, piled high with bags, enter the grounds.  There was never a gate here before, let alone an armed Indian Army guard.  I suppose everyone feels safer now.  All bags must be inspected.  Really?  What the hell!?  Though a zip-loc bag of baking soda was ignored, each book was carefully fingered.  After lunch, I settled into the room I share with a Canadian, Northern Irish, and Egyptian. 

Vegan Cocoa Banana Muffins

For my delicious vegan version, I substituted:

*WHEAT FLOUR for all purpose flour

*BROWN SUGAR for white sugar

*1 TBS lemon juice mixed in 1 cup soy milk for buttermilk

*maple syrup for vanilla extract

Here's the original recipe from Vegetarian Times:  

Nutritional Information

Makes 1 loaf, 3 miniloaves, or 12 muffins

Amount Per MUFFIN:

Calories	172
Protein	3g
Total fat	7g
Carbs	26g
Cholesterol	1mg
Sodium	176mg
Fiber	2g
Sugars	11g

Vegetarian Times Issue: March 1, 2008   p.78

Mashed banana binds to flour the same way eggs do, creating moist treats that are low in fat and cholesterol. To make this loaf even more decadent, prepare a Chocolate Drizzle. Melt 1 oz. chopped bittersweet chocolate in double boiler or in microwave at low (20 percent) power. Drizzle over cooled loaf or muffins.

Ingredients

Makes 1 loaf, 3 miniloaves, or 12 muffins

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 3/4 cup mashed banana
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 9- x 5-inch loaf pan, 3 6- x 3-inch miniloaf pans, or 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in bowl. Whisk together buttermilk, mashed banana, oil, and vanilla in separate bowl. Fold buttermilk mixture into flour mixture.
3. Scoop batter into prepared pan(s). Bake large loaf 50 to 60 minutes, miniloaves 35 to 45 minutes, or muffins 18 to 22 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in pan(s). Unmold, and cool. Drizzle with Chocolate Drizzle if desired.

Do you ever...

...look into the mirror and see your new, same, different 1000th self?  
Do you ever stop back-and-forth questioning between a life of devotion and a life of the worldly ways?  
And don't you really just love the path you're on, the way it's all cleared out from time to time... 
the adventures that still lie ahead 
and the teachers you'll meet 
and the teacher you'll be
the road you will dance upon
the roads you won't see.


and who you are and what it is and where it's at 


And the people I've loved and
the people I have yet to love.


And the answer... it's always a very big, grateful YES.

Pedestrian Paris... a perfect day

 the walk:  Pantheon/Jardins Luxembourg/Jardins des Tullienes/Montemartre

“GO IT ALONE” is often my motto.  In that mode, I don’t get the pleasure of sharing the experience, seeing new things through the observations of others, or fun conversation.  On the other hand, when I’m solo… I’m able to walk as far as my long legs will carry me.  For four days in Paris, I was paired up with a dear sweet friend who was kind enough to give me enough walking to keep me sane. 
[Jen in Montmarte]:

 

We booked an apartment through Yellowstay.  Ours was conveniently located just north of the Seine River in the area of Hotel de Ville and the Pompidou Center.  On our first full day, we opted for a riverboat cruise through Bateaux Mouches, embarking from Pont de l’Alma, not far from the Eiffel Tower.   For those who aren’t so enthusiastic about walking, it’s 10 Euros well spent for viewing a high volume of buildings, monuments, and bridges. 
[view from the riverboat]:

 

The next day, it had to be walking.  The main points of our route:  The Pantheon, Luxembourg Gardens, Tullienes Gardens, and Montemarte. 

We started heading south on Rue Saint Martin, which turns into Rue de la Cite.  Crossing over the Seine, one could easily take a quick detour on Ile de la Cite (turning left, heading east) to have a look at the great gothic architecture of the Notre Dame Cathedral and its grounds which contain a fountain and beautiful varieties of roses. 
[roses @ Notre Dame]:

 

Staying on Rue de la Cite we passed by Sorbonne, the historic University of Paris.  Just past the university, we hung a left on Rue Soufflet.  Going southeast, it was a short walk to the Pantheon.   Though the innards of the great domed Pantheon are no doubt a feast for the eyes, contain the remains of Rousseau, Voltaire, Marie Curie, and Louis Braille among others, and were the location of Foucault’s original pendulum, we did not go in (lame, I know!).  Instead, we circumambulated its magnificence while enjoying the fresh breeze and blue skies of a lovely spring morning.   
[the Pantheon]

 

Back onto Rue Soufflet, we strolled west through the Jardins Luxembourg.  The garden is the perfect calm in the middle of a monster city, with its numerous shaded benches and gentle fountains.  From the west side of the park, we took Rue Guynemer, crossed over Rue de Vaugirard, and followed Rue Bonaparte, continuing north.  Turning left to go northwest on Boulevard Saint-Germaine presents the opportunity for some upscale shopping and window gazing.  At a large roundabout we took a right on Rue du Bac, which led us north again towards the river.  Crossing at Pont Royal took us directly to Jardins Tullienes.  Here’s another lovely, wide-open, manicured garden meticulously landscaped to emphasize its variety of flowers and trees. 

 

By then, we were hungry for lunch.  Exiting the north side of the park via Rue des Pyramides, we quickly found a suitable café at the corner of Rue Saint-Honore:  La Rotonde des Tuileries.  The usual sidewalk seating of cafés provides a great resting place for people watching, and this was no exception. 
[cafe lined streets of Montemartre]:

 

Two blocks north of the café, we hopped on the metro to Montmartre for a stroll through the northern hilltop district.  Montmartre is a quaint, artsy part of town that lies around the jaw-dropping Basilica of the Sacré Cœur.  Around the area, we passed by the one-time studios of Van Gogh and Picasso.  We wanted to see the Dali museum, but it was closed.   For a refreshing snack on that warm afternoon, we delighted in cones of creamy, fruity gelato while browsing the works of artists in Place du Tertre.  There, I bought a reasonably priced colorful oil painting of a local café-front.  We once again headed around to the Basilica to enjoy the view of the city.  Down the stairs, we stopped to enjoy live music and watch a highly coordinated free-style footballer performing atop a narrow pedestal. 
[freestyle footballer, Iya Traore]: 

We descended down the hill towards the metro station, stopping at a small nearby park to take a look at the Wall of Love.  Written on a black brick wall is “I love you” in more languages than I could count.  We hopped back on the metro, headed back to the apartment and took a rest. 
[the wall of "I love you"s, Montmartre]:

 

For the ideal ending to a perfect day in Paris, we went to the nearby grocery and fruit market, stocked up on wine and food, and walked down to the riverbank for a picnic.  As we savored the wine, figs, cheese, olives, baguette, and nuts, I removed my Chacos and she wore Converse… we were satisfied from head to toe.