All Roads Do Lead to Rishikesh

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!

Typical lunch or dinner at Parmarth

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.

Brunch at Little Italy

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!

Looking across the Ganga from the Other Side of Rishikesh

Street Vendors

Street Scene in Rishikesh

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?!

Elvis is 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!

Yoga Class Being Filmed for Documentary

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.

In Parmarth

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

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!

Rishikumars Processing to Ganga Aarti

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!

Bill Bennett and I Doing the Margie Leg!

The Camino Comes to Parmarth!

13 Minutes of My Day

Here is a video that I shot yesterday that shows you my room, walk to my office and my office. 

I think it gives you a good flavor of a part of my life.  Enjoy!

I Just Killed a Lizard

Another reminder that I'm in India.  I just sat down at my desk and found that I had inadvertently smushed a baby lizard at some point, I'm guessing today, under a a small stack of paperwork that's sitting on my desk.  Poor thing.  I guess we're now inextricably intertwined.  We also have a mouse that I think resides in here as well.  

I realize that I need to start taking more pictures.  That probably means I need to get out of my office more or take pictures of things that I walk by every day.  

My health has been improving day by day.  And I've also made some decisions to get ahead of the usual cycle that I go through with this type of sickness so rather than let myself drag it out and then take action, I got on top of it this time.  Yay, me!  It really has made the rounds of the ashram though.

Last Saturday at this time, there was a huge Lord Krishna celebration going on in the ashram for about 4 hours. Here is a picture of one of the Rishikumars dressed up as Lord Krishna and a couple of others from the ashram dressed as a couple of his wives, I believe.  I used to know more about Hinduism than I remember now.  Time to study up on the finer points!

On the way back from purchasing material a week or so ago, Pooja, one of the people who takes care of me, showed me the back way to the ashram.  It was so pleasant--nice and quiet and not the hustle and bustle that usually represents the market.  

Since it had been a month from the time I acquired my Indian sim card for my phone, it was time to update the charges.  I went back to the market store where I had purchased it but the owner was back in his home town as his father had died.  Being the oldest son, he needed to return and take care of the arrangements, etc.  But I discovered that I can pay for whatever I need for my phone online!  It's really amazing to think that you can just choose whatever services you want and it immediately gets added to your phone.  As I've mentioned, the coverage is so inexpensive.  And so many people have cell phones but more than half of the country has no or limited access to toilets.  This is one of the major initiatives that Swamiji has embraced for several years.  

One of my favorite foods thus far is kofta!  They're really yummy.  They look like meatballs but are made from chickpeas and served with gravy.  More, please!!!  

I'm a happy camper.  I got my other cabinet for my room.  Now I can hang some of my clothes!!! So what if it only took about 3 weeks?!  I can now totally unpack.  

I've realized that it seems like the whole world ends up in Rishikesh, sooner or later.  I've met people from all over the world here.  When are you arriving?!  

One of my new outfits that cost me $3 to have sewn!  

Eclectic Observations

I just looked at my notes for the past week or so and again, it's an eclectic collection of observations.  I've now been in country 4 weeks.  And I have been hosting flu-like symptoms the past couple of days. Apparently, I'm not the only one.  I've been given a tea mixture that has honey and all sorts of herbs to drink a few times--I think it's called cara.  Plus, kitchari, the Indian equivalent to chicken noodle soup but without the chicken or noodles!

I definitely need to take pictures of every day things to post so that you get the full flavor and understanding.  For instance, whenever I shower, which right now, due to the heat, is a couple of times a day, I have to squeegee the bathroom floor because the shower has no dividing wall. Living in the U.S. definitely is easier in many respects!

You may or may not be aware but the symbol that many of us think of as the Nazi swastika actually is a holy Hindu, Buddhist, and Jainist symbol representing auspiciousness.   The first recorded use of the symbol dates back to 10,000 BCE in the Ukraine, thought to represent the sun or the 4 aspects of nature.  The reason I mention this is that I've noticed the symbol in various places and on shirts.  

Everything takes longer here it seems, whether it's getting my computer fixed, which has had numerous hiccups, getting a cooler removed from my room or getting another chest put into my room just to name a few things .  I still contend that the climate has a lot to do with the pace.  I also have noticed that just because someone tells you that something has been done, it doesn't mean it's so.  I'm not sure if it's to avoid conflict, which doesn't make sense because sooner or later, the truth becomes evident.  I'm also not saying this trait doesn't exist in the U.S. but it just seems more evident here.

I took my first dip in Maa Ganga!  It was really refreshing.  Although we're closer to the source here, it's still not recommended to swallow the water.  It definitely helps to cool off though on these hot, humid days!

I had my first cappuccino and chocolate treat at the Honey Hut.  I believe it's actually a chain but it's right outside the ashram in the market AND it has air conditioning!  Heaven!  I will definitely be going back.

This past week Raksha Bandhan was celebrated.  Its when a sister ties a rakhi--a sacred thread on her brother's wrist.  It symbolizes the love and prayers for her brother.  And he takes a lifelong vow to protect her.  It's always on the full moon--Shravan Poornima.  We celebrated here at the ashram by tying rakhi's on the Rishikumars--the young boys who attend the Gurukuhl on site.

I went out for brunch last Sunday at a hotel called Sanskriti.  It's across Ganga in Rishikesh proper.  So that meant that I walked across Ram Jhula, one of the bridges that crosses Ganga. I won't say I felt totally safe but people cross it all the time so what are ya gonna do?!  On the return trip, there were lots of baby monkeys crossing on the cables.  A really cute sight was one baby hanging onto its mama upside down!  And the brunch was delish!  I'm not a fan of cottage cheese but the cottage cheese and tofu omelet was great!  

Monkey right outside my office

Another first was eating Gujarati food here at the ashram.  There are many folks from the state of Gujarat who come for about a month and they set up their own kitchen.  My colleague took me there for lunch a couple of times.  Their food is a little more sweet.  And they just keep coming by and offering you more and more!

We have lots of intermittent power breaks.  Thank goodness most computer programs save things almost instantly otherwise, I'd be up a creek!  Or I'll go to my room during the day and will go to turn on the lights and nada.  This is a daily occurrence.  

I got my laptop reformatted for Rs500--that's about $7.70!  Was it perfect, no but for that price, I can deal.

One thing I've noticed since arriving is that many Westerners that I know will ask me how long I will be here.  Interestingly, none of the Indian people ask me that.  Time is such an interesting construct.  

And finally, I heard my first helicopter since leaving Washington, DC!  When it's noticeable, you know it's not common.  Now chanting--it's become almost like background sound.  Yes, I'm living in India at an ashram!

My new friend Ishika!

And the moon looks just the same!

A day, more or less, in the life of Lalaji

My friend Rhonda asked me recently what a typical day was like for me and my job responsibilities. So, I think that's where I will begin this posting.  There's not a typical day but my schedule goes something like this:  Get up at 6am, if I'm going to yoga at 6:30am.  Yoga lasts until 8, by which point because it's monsoon season, I'm thoroughly drenched from sweating.  The yoga hall is on the grounds of the ashram but due to the size of the ashram it's a couple of blocks, maybe, from my room to the hall. I amble back to my room, peel my wet clothes off and stand under the shower using only cold water! I've only used warmish water once or twice since arriving for showers.  I'm sure I'll begin to use warmer water come January/February!

Serving rice pudding at bhandara 

I then get ready for work, donning my kurta and pants and if I remember, a scarf to kind of cover my chest!  I find that rather ironic, considering when women wear sari's their midsection is mostly exposed.  I walk to the main reception area, which is less than a block for my breakfast.  I need to take a picture of my meals and post.  And then I head to my office, which is less than 50 feet from the reception area.  

Interesting juxtaposition

I already have started accumulating way too many emails on my Parmarth account but I see my job as one of making Sadhviji's life easier, since I'm her assistant and she has a lot on her plate.  She's one amazing dynamo!  

I'm beginning to feel more grounded and knowledgeable about my new life.  Total comfort, no but a certain level of comfort for sure.  I'm really looking forward to beginning an on-line Hindi course.  It doesn't seem like Hindi is like any other language that I've studied!

So, I'm working and now have someone sharing my office who I supervise until around 1:00pm when it's lunchtime!  Lunch is served in the same location as breakfast and dinner.  And quite frankly lunch and dinner are very similar and breakfast is not too far behind.  Fortunately, they are giving me more fruits and vegetables than originally so that's a treat.  The diet is dal, rice, potato dish, one of the varieties of Indian bread and pickles.  On good days we get rice pudding!

View looking from the front of Parmarth looking
towards the back and the foothills of the Himalayas

I then may run back to my room to freshen up or just head back to the office.  Once in awhile I run to the market, that's right outside the ashram and pick up Nescafe, laundry soap, and whatever I might need but I also have people who can run errands for me, if need be.  However, I like getting out as much as possible just to experience life outside the ashram.  I had my first meal outside the ashram the other day--a delicious fruit salad with yogurt and grains.  

After lunch I'd love to go for a walk but it's so hot and humid right now, one doesn't want to spend a lot of time in the midday heat.  And by the time late afternoon rolls around, it's almost time for Ganga Aarti so I need to work on scheduling my down time during the day as I'm working 7 days a week.  

Around 6:15pm, I usually amble down to the Ganga ghat--steps leading to the Ganges--in front of Parmarth, for Aarti - the fire ceremony that we have daily.  Here's a link to our website that talks about aarti and you can even listen to the chanting. http://www.parmarth.org/aarti/  It's a really beautiful ceremony and a wonderful way to end the day in contemplation and gratitude.  

Some of the local cows

After aarti, if Swamiji and Sadhviji are here, we have satsang.  Often Sadhviji speaks and the clarity that flows through her is amazing.  You can hear some of her satsang's on our YouTube channel.  

After satsang is dinner and then I will come back to the office to maybe wrap up some things or get caught up on my personal email, Facebook, etc.  I usually head to my room around 10pm, sometimes later but I also want to keep an eye on this.  Once I return to my room, it's time for the second cold shower of the day!  And then I read a little bit usually and then it's lights out.  

In terms of my responsibilities, that's still in the formulation stage but I'm doing a little bit of everything that might relate to assisting Sadhviji, from overseeing the newsletter compilation to handling her personal correspondence to assisting with social media to hosting visiting groups.  As I said, I see my role to make her life easier so since she's involved in so many projects and programs with Swamiji or his blessing, life won't be dull!  And there's really not that many of us here on a full-time basis so that makes it even more interesting!  We have many people supporting us through seva (service) throughout the world but they also have regular full-time jobs and assist as they can.

Johanna, one of the pilgrims and me

I think that's given you a better idea about what my life is like.  

I'll just give a quick run down about some things I wrote down in the past week:  
I've had a hankering for cheese.  
One of my colleagues was shocked when I told her how old I was.  She thought I was 10-15 years younger.  Guess if I colored my hair, I'd practically be in my 30's!  
I hosted my first group--students from the Doon School--one of the top schools in India.
Saw lentils being dried on the floor in the hall under the sun.  
There's so much moisture in my room that mildew has formed on my travel kit.  So, I have Himalayan rock salt in a container--it's my natural dehumidifier!  Another example--I had a loose gel cap of some kind medication and it is now a jello cap!

Until next time--much love from the banks of Maa Ganga!

Random Observations

I've been jotting down things that I observe or notice in a notebook so that I can share them with you here.  I'm not sure there's a connection with any of them other than there are my observations.  So perhaps, this posting will be kind of random, let's see!

I purchased a sim card for my cell phone, which was an interesting exercise and ritual, that I believe I mentioned in a previous posting.  One of the men who works here at the Ashram took me to the market to the "Brown Bread Store," apparently aptly named for the wonderful brown bread they make and sell in the winter time.  We went to the back of the store and after awhile a sim card was produced which had to be filed down a bit so that it would fit into the holder for my phone.  And once it was filed down, voila, I was connected again!  We would have to bring the paperwork back because along with my passport and visa pictures, I had to have another picture taken.  All for a cell phone!  Now, for the best part--my cell phone service for the first month is around $22.00US.  I think we're being overcharged in the U.S.!!!  

Looking towards the back of Parmarth Niketan

It's so humid in my room that my q-tips are bending.  But I am still more fortunate than many people in the world.  I've just never had bendy q-tips before!

Animal roll call that has been seen since the last posting--lizards in my office, monkeys wandering into yoga, really big cockroaches, peacocks on the roofs as well as along the side of the road, and today I saw a monkey and dog playing together near my office.  

I miss ice, variety in food choices, and for some reason, one day I had a hankering for licorice!  

On a more spiritual level, someone I met thought my name was Gauri--the wife of Shiva. Here's a link if you want to learn more about her: Journey to the Goddess

Another crazy comparison to the U.S. is the price of drugs.  I paid $16US for 3 different meds--1 one is prescription and the other 2 are over the counter.  Sateside I would have paid that for just one of the medications.  

This past Saturday was Indian Independence Day.  It started with a flag raising ceremony at 8am, a tree planting that was a few kilometers away, and then we met up with Pujya Swamiji and the Gurukol students who were cleaning up trash that the Shiva pilgrims had left along side the road.  Next year there are plans to have trash bins, water stations and toilets set up.

Independence Day 

And the final tidbit for this blog is that my laundry was returned to me wrapped in newspaper.  Oh, I also got a laundry hanger--movin' on up--and I'm doing an experiment with charcoal in my room to see if it will help remove some of the moisture.  Kitty litter isn't available and I'm expecting a delivery of rock salt tomorrow, which will also be part of the experiment!

I want to say that I continue to be amazed at the work that Pujya Swamiji and Sadhviji do. They are totally committed to being in action with their faith and truly open their hearts and minds to all.  Their impact is huge.  It's also fun to see all the interesting guests that stay here.  Recently, Rob Wilson-Black, the CEO of Sojourners was here with his daughter.  

I've had a request to talk about a typical day for me and my responsibilities.  I think I'll cover that in the next posting.  Until the next time--much love!  And I'm still practising yoga!  

Tree Planting on Independence Day

Settling In

I arrived into Rishikesh and Parmarth Niketan, my new home, Thursday, August 6th, mid-afternoon local time, some 30+ hours after I started my journey from Washington, DC.  I managed to just grab a few cat naps within that time so it was pretty amazing that I was upright and functioning!  

I met with Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, the new boss of me, while my bags were being delivered to my room--this is not normal ashram hospitality!  But if you come visit me, I'll see what I can do!  :)  Sadhvi and I had already met when she and Swamiji were in DC in April and so it was more like a homecoming than "welcome to the office" type meeting, plus, geez, this is an ashram!  She asked if I wanted to eat first or take a shower.  I wanted to do both but my stomach won out!  Hence, my first real Indian meal.  It's all kind of a blur right now but it did the job. I eat my meals in a common area with other staff and some guests of the ashram.  

At this point, I went to my room for the first time.  For those of you who have traveled in Mexico, Central and South America, my room has that kind of a feel.  There's no a/c and come winter, no heat.  The bathroom is kind of like the command module I experienced when staying at a business man's hotel in Japan--very utilitarian and I get to squegee the floor after every shower into the floor drains.  But for now, cold showers a few times a day feel terrific!

After my shower I felt a lot more refreshed and went up on the roof of my building and took the following pictures:

Peace Tower at Parmarth with Mother Ganga in the background.

Close up of the front of Parmarth Niketan.

Very old banyan tree that is in the courtyard.

Looking back towards the foot hills of the Himalayas.

I attended my first Ganga Aarti, which is a daily ritual that is offered and practiced at Pamarth at dusk and open for all to attend. The following pictures were taken a day or two later but they give you a good idea of what happens:  

After aarti, when Swamiji is in residence, there is a satsung within Parmarth, usually led by Sadhvi.  Questions are taken from the group and the clarity with which Sadhvi speaks is inspiring.  Afterward, dinner is served.  This particular evening, after having been up for some 43 hours, I went to bed around 9:30.  I believe I mentioned in my first post that we're in the midst of monsoon season, right?  It did start raining during aarti--we continued on--and there was some incredible thunder and lots of rain during the night.  While I woke up intermittently during the night, I didn't get up until 11:30 a.m.  

I felt tired the second day--no, duh!  I had to wait for a plumber to come to my room.  Sink in bathroom had a leak plus some other mysterious leak in the bathroom as well.  Should I be concerned when the plumber shows up with a screw driver in hand?  Sink problem easily fixed.  And the rain stopped momentarily.  As you might imagine, everything is so lush!  They put a cooler in my window--a huge fan with water that runs through it--but Sadhvi felt that something smaller in the room might be better.  Something about water--it leaked as well!  At that point, I decided to just go with the ceiling fan.  

Everyone is wanting to be so helpful.  It's clear I need to learn Hindi.  I've started learning a few words but it's going to take persistence on my part.  Everything also takes longer than anticipated.  I'm learning to slow down my pace.  

The "orange boys," as we've dubbed the Shiva revelers, continue their reveling all night and it's impacting my sleep.  The ashram has quiet time from 10pm-6am but that doesn't impact what goes on outside.   I now have ear plugs, which help immensely.  It will actually be quite nice when most go home tomorrow.

Anecdote - saw 2 cats, one with a mouse or rat in it's mouth, proudly trotting towards what I imagine was some human they know so that they could show off their catch!  

Its been interesting trying to get an Indian sim card for my phone.  I had to get more photos taken for my application being a foreigner.  I guess a photocopy of my passport and visa weren't good enough!  Speaking of passport--I pulled it out and the pages were curled from the moisture!  

One of the staff took me shopping for proper Indian attire!  We went to the market that's right outside the front gate of Parmarth.  Interesting jostling with the orange boys, cows, and manure!  I got kurtas, the traditional long shirt/dress, and coordinating salwar--loose fitting pants.  I'll get someone to take a picture and I will post the next time.  We also picked up a tee shirt for me for yoga--of course it has OM on it!  We also stopped at a grocery stall and I picked up a few items--yes, I'm drinking Nescafe!  I need to buy a French press.   

And Mother Ganga continues to rise!

  

During aarti, when the lamps are lit, it's a very sacred rite and the devout feel blessed just to be able to brush the smoke from the lamp onto themselves.  One evening, I noticed one of the staff making sure that a young boy who with a disability had an opportunity to hold the lamp, it was very touching.  I also saw one of the young boys who live at the gurukul, on the grounds, on his own, assisted an older woman who was walking with a cane across the street between aarti and the ashram.  Last night I participated in a Yagna, which is offered during aarti but has a different significance.  At the end I received my first tika on my third eye.  

For the last two mornings I've attended yoga at 6:30 a.m.!  The most interesting thing that occurred both days is that the same dog wandered into the room and plopped himself down in the middle of the room and proceeded to go to sleep.  Talk about downward facing dog!  I guess he wanted to make sure we were doing it correctly.  I also saw monkeys up close and personal.  Which reminds me, the name of the train that I took from Delhi to Haridad is the Yoga Express!

Final picture of this post is a view from my office.  It looks like one of the bushes is a hibiscus bush and will soon be flowering.  

I can't believe I've been here less than a week.  It seems like I've been here longer and that's not in a good or bad way, it just is.