From South India to North Mississippi

It all seems a bit surreal to have traveled and experienced such extremes in the past few weeks.  I arrived back in LA at the beginning of this month and am spending the end of it at home with family in Mississippi.  

To be honest, I’m not sure I was really ready to be in LA again.   That’s why I quickly left. Or at least that was one of the reasons. The other being that I was giving a yoga workshop in Mississippi and I had to.  Upon my re entry I felt like all I wanted to do was isolate myself and process all that happened over the last 6 months. However, there just wasn’t time for that. I had a lot of work to do to prepare for my first teaching experience.  And not just one class, but a weekend workshop.

It sounded overwhelming at first, but as I started to prepare I realized I had learned so much I wasn’t sure I could pack it all in over a weekend.  However, as it always does, it worked out fine.  I think I got more out of it than anyone who attended the weekend.  Everyone was so sweet and complimentary. I don’t think I could have chosen a more supportive group of students than these kind, gentle southern souls.  Folks down here sure know how to make you feel welcome.  

So now what? I have no idea, but I’m having a great time gradually figuring it out.  Or not.  I think India has helped me to loosen my control grip on all those life detail things. I’m learning that it’s easier to simply adapt somewhat of a generic plan, move in the direction I want to go in, and let the magic fill in the blanks.  This plan worked for India, why not anywhere else.

I feel like I’m open to doing or going anywhere right now.  Mostly I want to teach yoga, meditation, and perhaps chanting. I’m so excited about the upcoming Krishna Das workshop next month. I do see myself leading Kirtan(sing and response chanting) in the near future. So this is a great way to start.

In the mean time, I know that I’ll need resources so I’ve started my own corporation.  This will give me the freedom to work intermittently and have time to develop my yoga teaching practice and anything else that may arise. Then there’s always the possibility of going back to India. Even though I don’t feel compelled to do that right away. However, all doors are open and possibilities are endless. I’m so happy to be exactly where I am, doing and not doing exactly what I’m doing. It’s good to be here.

 

BALI HIGH!

This could quite possibly be the most outrageous setting that I, or anyone for that matter, could sit and write a blog entry.  I’m sitting on the deck of my cottage at the summit of a mountain overlooking the entire Munduk valley in Northern Bali.  So many beautiful rice fields with the deepest, richest color of green I think I’ve ever seen. It’s about 70 degrees with a nice soothing mountain wind blowing.  Hinting of an approaching afternoon rain shower.  If this is not paradise I don’t know what is. How have I managed not to have come here before? I’ve talked about it for years but never managed to make it for one reason or another. I suppose now was simply the perfect time. And perfect it is. There simply aren’t enough superlatives to describe it.

I had originally planned to visit Bali on my way to India, but I couldn’t work out the itinerary in time. Thank Goodness. I’m sure I would not have appreciated its magnificence, as much had I not spent the last 5 months in India. I walk around with my mouth agape, constantly.  It IS the Garden of Eden.

Yesterday I started the day with my yoga practice, had breakfast at the cottage “restaurant”(see picture), went on a waterfall trek that was described as steep, slippery and challenging.  (No wonder my guide and I were the only ones there-which just added to the… uh, well indescribable moment.), took a long nap during one of those soothing afternoon rain showers that Bali has everyday, woke up in time for my massage, ate a terrific dinner at the restaurant which had an equally stunning vista, and finally and rather climactically, enjoyed an evening without electricity. Total darkness with nothing but a kerosene lamp and the sounds of nature.  I think without a doubt it was the most perfect day I’ve ever had.   What a nice explanation point on this journey of a lifetime!

I’m so grateful, so blessed, so fortunate, so humbled, and so happy to be indulging on these stunning sensory pleasures.  I guess this is the love portion of my “Eat, Pray, Love” saga isn’t it.  Quite simply, I don’t think my heart could be any more full of love that it is right now.   Especially when I think of all the people in my life who’ve contributed so much in helping me get where I am today, both literally and figuratively. Such a nice note to come home on.

SARVE BHAVANTU SUKINAH SARVE SANTU NIRAMAYAAH SARVE BHADRANI PASYANTU MA KASCHID DUKHA BHAG BHAVET

OM-May all be happy, May all be free from disabilities, May all look to the good of others, may no one suffer from sorrow. 

OM SHANTI (peace)