Since my first trip to India in March of 2008 for a 500 hour yoga teacher training program with my teacher Yogi Vishkvketu ji of World Conscious Yoga Family, I am on my way there for a 5th time. It marks my third anniversary on the day of departure this time around March 2, 2011 and arriving March 3 from that very first trip March 4, 2008.
Honestly, I never imagined I would be back, let alone 4 other times. I came to that conclusion that I probably would not come back because I was going for a yoga teacher training course. I wanted an immersion with an Authentic Teacher in an Authentic Place and done. Who knew?
I am not going to get into the whole history between trips as I have written about it but it is just not that. I have been feeling that it may be some time that I will go to India again. Not sure why. Just feeling. I am going for 6 1/2 weeks. Two and half weeks with a group that I am co leading and teaching but then I will take a month for personal reflection, study and some holiday time. It has been a challenging year for me and I really need a break and India is where I run too. I have some things booked, a meditation course, spending time with a beloved Swami and teachers but also there is a good chunk of time that is unaccounted for. We will see. I will figure it out when I am there.
The feeling that is accompanying this decision is that I feel I need to shed some layers and get some clarity as life has been a bit foggy. Actually this is an oxymoron because India can get a little dusty and foggy??? Hmmmm....maybe I just need a hand to shake some of it off.
So Dharamasala is one of my stops where I will take a meditation course and from there I am not too certain. Will visit some friends and their family for a few days which I am quite looking forward to.
Going back to feeling that I won't return for sometime. A friend mentioned to me, well there are plenty of other places to go and yes, I do agree, but I just don't travel to India for a vacation. This is something deeply spiritual and profound and like there is something there but at the same time I am not chasing to find something. Always with an open mind, no expectations, no judgement...just "we will see"...it usually works for me.
There has been some huge shift and some small over the years...shifting and sliding along. One thing I must say from all these trips is that I find certain things intolerable. Things that I once thought were part of human nature, everyday life...just has no place in my life anymore. The word "hate" makes me cringe. How often do you hear people talking about good news...okay..things happen in this world. That is life. I am not saying being in denial, but I am finding that people are addicted to being miserable and are totally oblivious. They live in this blanket of illusion. We are right and everyone else is wrong. Strong opinions flying here and there never stopping to think maybe there is another side to the story. I just listen but it just drags me down. I obviously have to learn something here or I would not be irritated by it.
India has taught me patience in some manner and a more go with the flow and ultimately the universe is going to decide what is going to happen anyways so why fight and get so upset?
Going back to living in the cloud of illusion. That is what separates us. We live in Canada and we think we should look, act, dress a certain way, others do that in their country or community. People have perceptions of others and way things should be and if doesn't fit into their status quo...well it is just wrong and silly and offensive. So they get together and gossip about it ... getting back to what they are comfortable with.
On a positive note - shifts are happening around us...doesn't take going to India for it to happen. People are starting to realize that they are just not happy with the way things are. At the end of the day we are a drop of water in one big ocean.
So Ham
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