Did you know that people eat on metal dishes here and drink out of metal glasses? It's apparently more sanitary. And of course, they never break!
I had Sunday brunch a couple weeks ago at a restaurant that's just out the back of Parmarth called Little Italy. I ordered the bruschetta, which was very nummy. I eat fresh veggies and fruit whenever I can because most of the meals served at the ashram include all cooked veggies. And the pancake that accompanied it was interesting, since no eggs are allowed here, but it was still good. And while the cappuccino wasn't as tasty as the Honey Hut, it was still a welcome treat.
I went to the main market of Rishikesh across Ganga from Parmarth. If one doesn't walk across Ram Jhula and take a taxi or rickshaw and travels by car, it takes a good 45 minutes to get to the main part of Rishikesh. Oh, my gosh, the noise! My senses were totally assaulted. Everyone honks, whether it's needed or not so the cacophony is overwhelming. It really helped me to appreciate the relative peace and quiet that we have on this side of the Ganga, other than when there's a constant barrage of music as is going on right now in the room next to me right now. It's another religious celebration!
Pooja was accompanying me and she needed to look for shoes and so we stopped at several shoe stores. Who knew that Elvis was in the house?!
We also stopped at every kitchen stall to ask if they had a French press for me. No luck.
I've reached that point in my stay where the rose coloured glasses have come off. But having lived overseas before and in many different cities and states, the adjustment to that phase has passed pretty quickly. I'm now more an observer and can think, "Isn't that interesting?" One of the things I have become aware of though is how my judgements of others gets triggered. GREAT practice for me to come back within and out of my head!
And it seems every day there is one lesson or another for me, whether it be in learning the fine points about how the ashram runs, relationships, etc. But isn't that true in any situation in life?Just because I'm now living in an ashram that doesn't remove the human equation. Because of the spiritual energy here things may seem more pronounced but ultimately, it's all an opportunity for our continued return to source energy.
Our office mouse made himself known to me the other day. I have a plastic bag hanging by my desk for recyclables and I heard this crinkling. I looked and there he was scurrying around in the bag. So little and cute but I decided he needed to be out in his habitat and so I emptied the bag outside. A little while later I noticed a cat around the corner. Wonder if the mouse was a meal for the cat?
I hosted a Swiss TV crew that was here for a couple of days to interview Pujya Swamiji and Sadhviji. Truly, the world does come by! They are filming a documentary about 3 guru's in India and it will be shown on Swiss TV in December. I sat in on their interviews and it was a delight to hear Pujya Swamiji talk about when he met his guru for the first time and the ensuing years. He was very animated and razor sharp.
Later in the day, I had my first one on one conversation with Swamiji, It was interesting how that happened. We were waiting around after satsang so that the crew could say farewell to Swamiji. One of the pilgrims came up to me and said that she wanted to talk with Swamiji but was afraid. Essentially I told her that when it was meant to happen, it would. When I returned to my office, Sadhviji called to say that Swamiji was ready to talk with me. I said that I hadn't asked to speak with him. Anyway, I went and it was beautiful having the few minutes with him. Later when I was brushing my teeth in my room, I remembered the conversation that I'd had with the woman about talking with Swamiji. Crossed signals or was she voicing a desire that I had?
Although we still have many hot and humid days, we are beginning to have more cool days with less humidity. That is very welcome!
Another sevak has returned. His name is Siddharth. He apparently does seva here about 8 months out of the year and then returns to Gujarat to work in his business the other 4 months. And of course, I know his cousin in America! She is a Soul Coach as well, lives in DC and we met a few years ago.
Aarti always has a different energy when Swamiji is not here. The other night a major Bollywood singer attended and performed. Bollywood comes to Parmarth! Then last night we had a special observance to encourage the implementation of the UN Global Goals that World Leaders will be signing today. It was called #Light The Way and #Prayer for Everyone. It was again an excellent opportunity for me to practice mindfulness when one of the ashram folks hijacked the mike and droned on for what seemed like an eternity!
Finally, The Camino comes to Parmarth! This week I was given a heads up by my Facebook friend and fellow Camino alum, Marguerite Bennett, that Bill Bennett was coming to Rishikesh and that she wanted he and I to take a picture doing the Margie Leg--her signature pose. I thought, hmmm, that name sounds familiar and sure enough, he and I had communicated about something else when I first came to Parmarth. Long story short, we met, he and his wife were leading a tour group of 7 other Camino veterans and we spent the last couple of days meeting up at meals. So, the Camino does continue to give and all roads do lead to Rishikesh!
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| Typical lunch or dinner at Parmarth |
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| Sifting Rice at the Ashram |
I had Sunday brunch a couple weeks ago at a restaurant that's just out the back of Parmarth called Little Italy. I ordered the bruschetta, which was very nummy. I eat fresh veggies and fruit whenever I can because most of the meals served at the ashram include all cooked veggies. And the pancake that accompanied it was interesting, since no eggs are allowed here, but it was still good. And while the cappuccino wasn't as tasty as the Honey Hut, it was still a welcome treat.
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| Brunch at Little Italy |
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| Looking across the Ganga from the Other Side of Rishikesh |
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| Street Vendors |
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| Street Scene in Rishikesh |
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| Elvis is in The House! |
I've reached that point in my stay where the rose coloured glasses have come off. But having lived overseas before and in many different cities and states, the adjustment to that phase has passed pretty quickly. I'm now more an observer and can think, "Isn't that interesting?" One of the things I have become aware of though is how my judgements of others gets triggered. GREAT practice for me to come back within and out of my head!
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| Yoga Class Being Filmed for Documentary |
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| In Parmarth |
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| Indian Pilgrims at Parmarth |
Our office mouse made himself known to me the other day. I have a plastic bag hanging by my desk for recyclables and I heard this crinkling. I looked and there he was scurrying around in the bag. So little and cute but I decided he needed to be out in his habitat and so I emptied the bag outside. A little while later I noticed a cat around the corner. Wonder if the mouse was a meal for the cat?
I hosted a Swiss TV crew that was here for a couple of days to interview Pujya Swamiji and Sadhviji. Truly, the world does come by! They are filming a documentary about 3 guru's in India and it will be shown on Swiss TV in December. I sat in on their interviews and it was a delight to hear Pujya Swamiji talk about when he met his guru for the first time and the ensuing years. He was very animated and razor sharp.
Later in the day, I had my first one on one conversation with Swamiji, It was interesting how that happened. We were waiting around after satsang so that the crew could say farewell to Swamiji. One of the pilgrims came up to me and said that she wanted to talk with Swamiji but was afraid. Essentially I told her that when it was meant to happen, it would. When I returned to my office, Sadhviji called to say that Swamiji was ready to talk with me. I said that I hadn't asked to speak with him. Anyway, I went and it was beautiful having the few minutes with him. Later when I was brushing my teeth in my room, I remembered the conversation that I'd had with the woman about talking with Swamiji. Crossed signals or was she voicing a desire that I had?
Although we still have many hot and humid days, we are beginning to have more cool days with less humidity. That is very welcome!
 |
| Ganga between Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula |
Aarti always has a different energy when Swamiji is not here. The other night a major Bollywood singer attended and performed. Bollywood comes to Parmarth! Then last night we had a special observance to encourage the implementation of the UN Global Goals that World Leaders will be signing today. It was called #Light The Way and #Prayer for Everyone. It was again an excellent opportunity for me to practice mindfulness when one of the ashram folks hijacked the mike and droned on for what seemed like an eternity!
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| Rishikumars Processing to Ganga Aarti |
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| Prayer for Everyone and Light The Way |
Finally, The Camino comes to Parmarth! This week I was given a heads up by my Facebook friend and fellow Camino alum, Marguerite Bennett, that Bill Bennett was coming to Rishikesh and that she wanted he and I to take a picture doing the Margie Leg--her signature pose. I thought, hmmm, that name sounds familiar and sure enough, he and I had communicated about something else when I first came to Parmarth. Long story short, we met, he and his wife were leading a tour group of 7 other Camino veterans and we spent the last couple of days meeting up at meals. So, the Camino does continue to give and all roads do lead to Rishikesh!
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| Bill Bennett and I Doing the Margie Leg! |
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| The Camino Comes to Parmarth! |
<3 thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cat!!! Much love!
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