Our 16 day voyage to India ended on Monday and, as always, re-adjusting takes time. India leaves such a mark on it's visitors, and digesting new experiences is a process that requires some reflection. A marvelous first week in the peace of Basunti in the Kangra Valley, followed by enriching encounters with people and places in McLeod Ganj and then Rishikesh, offered atmospheric contrasts and different ways to live yoga in every moment - even when the yoga turned out to be Tai Chi Chuan!
We were living yoga on all levels throughout our journey: beginning with learning to accept that visa problems and bureaucracy are part of Indian reality, and moving into the realization that practicing yoga is not defined the same way by all practitioners. Simply being in a group is one form of practice, easier for some than for others, and noticing how much our material surroundings affect our sense of comfort and happiness adds another dimension to understanding one's self.
But we all agreed that nothing could beat the inspiring beauty and energy of sunrise meditation and hatha yoga under the majestic circles of hundreds of birds on the rooftop at Basunti, or alongside the Ganges River in the early morning breeze. How marvelous to be able to practice so close to nature, and now our challenge is how not to feel caged in by our urban walls at home!
Love and light,
Susan
Friday, March 26, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Our Dharamsala Dharma
McLeod Ganj (Dharamsala) is a wonderful Himalayan mountain station with a strong Tibetan Buddhist influence, due to the Dalai Lama's presence which has attracted thousands of Tibetan refugees. The place has a soft and gentle atmosphere, and it is hard to be in a hurry here.
One of our group members had to leave early to attend to his dying father, and he made it home with only fifteen minutes to say goodbye. We asked the monks of Tse Chok Ling Monastery to perform a special ceremony in honour of the deceased in their marvellous Tara Temple. This puja allows the soul the support to make the best possible transition to the next life. What an amazing feeling to have been able to be present to the beautiful intentions of all these monks here in McLeod Ganj, while meditating at a distance with our dear friend who was sitting with us thousands of kilometers away. Such is the power of the spirit of love.
One of our group members had to leave early to attend to his dying father, and he made it home with only fifteen minutes to say goodbye. We asked the monks of Tse Chok Ling Monastery to perform a special ceremony in honour of the deceased in their marvellous Tara Temple. This puja allows the soul the support to make the best possible transition to the next life. What an amazing feeling to have been able to be present to the beautiful intentions of all these monks here in McLeod Ganj, while meditating at a distance with our dear friend who was sitting with us thousands of kilometers away. Such is the power of the spirit of love.
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