I love the fire ceremony. I think it brings me the same effects of meditation. I like how the sound of the conch brings me to most present moment, the gifts of flowers, ghee, milk and honey, the sound of crackling as the herbs burn, and how the fire continues to dance even when my eyes are closed. Having started the morning beautifully though, I would like to report that my 2 day experiment is complete. My conclusion: No more carbs at night. No more. My hamstrings were extra tight this morning. I felt sluggish and my poses seemed to have the consistency of oatmeal (with chocolate chips). I did get some wonderful advice from Rachel this morning and I think I'm well on my way to jumping through and longer headstands.
Michelle and I decided to skip the sun, sand, and sea to save our shoulders from burning. I attended Sanskrit class and the chanting and lectures. During the break, I had two veggie brownies (Jack bought me one). I enjoyed the snack immensely! After the class, I went for a swim in the pool. It started to rain but the water was so warm. After a good swim, I stayed in the steam room and then had another dip in the pool, showered and went off to our evening chants with Jack. It was beautiful - Om Hrim Sri Laksmi Bhyo Namaha... The mantra was for removing mists and the harmony came to me rather easily and then Jack fused it with a Irish poem of the same purpose and it was very beautiful.
He then spoke about tantra and how Krishna gave dark chocolate as the answer to one of the questions on how happiness could be attained. I could not agree more. And of course, right before we chanted our last chant, we were given dark chocolate. So yes, Lokaah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu.
* * *
By the way, for dinner, I only had three tablespoons of lentil soup. Let's see if I feel better during asana practice tomorrow morning....
* * *
Snippets (I was too engrossed to take down too many notes. I just like to let the words sink in):
The spinal column is where our consciousness sits.
Dreams are our memory's discharge.
What we need to do is be aware that we are functionally moving and witnessing at the same time.
If we keep this lesson, you can go on with our life without being tainted by life - you can be happy wherever you are.
On asana, asana practice is strenuous because it coordinates the mind, the physical body and emotions.
The posture, when practiced properly, will make you at ease in the posture (15 minutes in the asana to feel the curative benefits of the pose...)
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Day 10 (Aug 30)
We started with the fire ceremony, chanting and meditation (this time with Surya Bhedan). My practice started very slowly though, I felt somewhat tired. I think it's from eating carbs in the evening (i.e., two small servings of brown rice soaked in green curry).
After practice, I had two servings of papaya, green leaves with shitake, and michelle's left over scrambled egg and pechay. I had lots of pineapple and chrysanthemum juice, too. And a cup of organic coffee. That's when we decided to go for a swim in the sea. The weather was perfect, the water warm on the surface but cool beneath. We were happily floating (I am very, very buoyant) and, like silly little yogis, did the poses in the shallow part of the water. Jump backs, jump throughs, Mayurasanas are effortless in the water. Then we decided to paddle out and pretend to catch some waves using Simone's inflatable raft.
Here I raised my tankini to tan the stretch marks on my tummy, looking at the sky also stretch marked with cirrus clouds. The macrocosm reflects the microcosm, so they say.
We paddled from the boundary of rocks and back and just let the sun, sand and sea have its merry way with us. We went back for coconuts and summer rolls (oh so deliciously made. Sitaw, lettuce, carrots, cucumber, mango and wansoy in light egg wrapper and sprinkled with black sesame seeds. It comes with this fantastic tamarind dip). Then we took a dip in the salt water pool before taking a shower and coming to our afternoon session to finish chanting the Samadhi Pada. Jayashree and Narasimha are so funny. They always argue in jest and we all get a good laugh.
We continued our talk on pramana, viparyaya, vikalpa, nidra and smrti.
On all our so-called knowledge, wrong perceptions, illusions, sleep and memory. I knew that dreams could be borne out of memory but I learned today that they can apparently ease us out of our karma. (I'll type up some notes next time...)
I write this with a happy sigh. Glorious day. Even as I am quite toasted and covered in coconut oil.
In the evening, I had a bit of salad, a bit of soup, a roll of buttered wheat bread. And five chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Yes, five. They're not that big. Let your thumb touch your index finger. Jnana Mudra. There. Five of those. Energy locked in to keep me warm the whole night through. Let's see how I feel in the morning.
I have Jayashree singing in my head yet again...
After practice, I had two servings of papaya, green leaves with shitake, and michelle's left over scrambled egg and pechay. I had lots of pineapple and chrysanthemum juice, too. And a cup of organic coffee. That's when we decided to go for a swim in the sea. The weather was perfect, the water warm on the surface but cool beneath. We were happily floating (I am very, very buoyant) and, like silly little yogis, did the poses in the shallow part of the water. Jump backs, jump throughs, Mayurasanas are effortless in the water. Then we decided to paddle out and pretend to catch some waves using Simone's inflatable raft.
Here I raised my tankini to tan the stretch marks on my tummy, looking at the sky also stretch marked with cirrus clouds. The macrocosm reflects the microcosm, so they say.
We paddled from the boundary of rocks and back and just let the sun, sand and sea have its merry way with us. We went back for coconuts and summer rolls (oh so deliciously made. Sitaw, lettuce, carrots, cucumber, mango and wansoy in light egg wrapper and sprinkled with black sesame seeds. It comes with this fantastic tamarind dip). Then we took a dip in the salt water pool before taking a shower and coming to our afternoon session to finish chanting the Samadhi Pada. Jayashree and Narasimha are so funny. They always argue in jest and we all get a good laugh.
We continued our talk on pramana, viparyaya, vikalpa, nidra and smrti.
On all our so-called knowledge, wrong perceptions, illusions, sleep and memory. I knew that dreams could be borne out of memory but I learned today that they can apparently ease us out of our karma. (I'll type up some notes next time...)
I write this with a happy sigh. Glorious day. Even as I am quite toasted and covered in coconut oil.
In the evening, I had a bit of salad, a bit of soup, a roll of buttered wheat bread. And five chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Yes, five. They're not that big. Let your thumb touch your index finger. Jnana Mudra. There. Five of those. Energy locked in to keep me warm the whole night through. Let's see how I feel in the morning.
I have Jayashree singing in my head yet again...
Day 9 (Aug 29)
Pacasana. Kroucasana. Salabhasana A. Salabhasana B. Bhekasana. Dhanurasana.
Paul is an amazing teacher (amazingly funny, too). Hard core, he says as I blot the blood from a scrape on my left foot which I got from jumping not quite through. He did say to put band-aid though. When I finished the new pose, I looked at him for guidance. I say - What do we do now? And he says - Well, we could go for some coffee, blah, blah, blah. He lightens the otherwise uber serious uddiyanas in us.
As he moves me lower into the seated poses, he sings Om Mane Padme Hum (a tribute to my tattoo) and to Michelle, he chants, Go Hanuman! (a tribute to hers)...
After more chanting and a lecture on the Sutras, we had dinner and then our mini concert of chanting with Jack, Jayashree and Narasimha (who held the flashlight). It was beautiful, sweet. We encircled this.
Now to finally sleep.
Paul is an amazing teacher (amazingly funny, too). Hard core, he says as I blot the blood from a scrape on my left foot which I got from jumping not quite through. He did say to put band-aid though. When I finished the new pose, I looked at him for guidance. I say - What do we do now? And he says - Well, we could go for some coffee, blah, blah, blah. He lightens the otherwise uber serious uddiyanas in us.
As he moves me lower into the seated poses, he sings Om Mane Padme Hum (a tribute to my tattoo) and to Michelle, he chants, Go Hanuman! (a tribute to hers)...
I also did a photoshoot for my room mate. This is her. Ivana.
Now to finally sleep.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Day 8 (Aug 28)
Today, I was initiated in to Reiki II. This was one of the things I wanted to do during these two weeks but I thought I would not be able to since no one could join me. I was not disappointed though. In this journey, I have learned that God's timing is perfect. As He would have it, this was possible afterall.
I received my attunement facing the sea in the outdoor shala. It was a lovely day for healing. Tonight I will sleep with the symbols encircling me.
This is beautiful Claudia (who also introduced me to Reiki I).
I received my attunement facing the sea in the outdoor shala. It was a lovely day for healing. Tonight I will sleep with the symbols encircling me.
This is beautiful Claudia (who also introduced me to Reiki I).
Friday, August 27, 2010
Day 7 (Aug 27)
Seven days. I've been here for seven days. It seems fast and slow at the same time. We were taught to shift our attention from the lower back and third eye as we breathed through our meditation. It was very relaxing after I got over the few mental notes (and. now. shift. inhaaaale. and. now. shift. exhaaaale...) In Savasana, we rested with Om Mane Padme Hum in the background. It takes me a few minutes to get on my feet afterwards.
I'm still feeling the energy from my practice. Today, I worked on twisting. I like how Paul sings or hums songs as he walks around the room looking for that back, arm, leg to lift, pull, push or twist. I imagine these limbs calling him even as the limb owner is contemplating on whether to ask for help or rush to the next pose. He twisted me deeper in Janu C singing Don't You Forget About Me...
And yet, ironically, I forgot Setu Bandhasana. I was doing baby back bends for prep when Paul asked/reminded me. Oooops. Then he asked me if I've started 2nd series. Nope. And so he started me on the 2nd series today. I thought I heard the crowd cheering with confetti everywhere. Ah, citta vrtti moment. It must be from the thirst that kicked in during my Navasana - chug boat style. I like that move, says my funny teacher, it's like the funk, you know. See, that's why I work extra hard, save up and fly to Thailand. To hear Paul and his quips as I practice. I really do love having him as a teacher.
Anyway, Pasasana and Krouncasana, welcome to my practice! Please behave and try not to break anything... So I was on my feet seated, knees together, my right arm wrapping around and behind me. I bind. Paul says chin up... look at me...okay. Other side. The other side was a bit of a problem but I think I get it. So then I jump back do it again. It'll take some practice. I move into the next pose, seated with one leg bent back and the other raised. I think I like this pose. Paul moves my raised leg closer to my chest. Breathe.
Then I was off to my Salabhasana and Dhanurasana (purely for prep purposes). Then I was again doing my backbends. 3 on my own and 3 dropbacks. Paul says we'll clean up the poses over the next few days. I love that this class is small enough to give the much needed airtime with him.
---
I slept over lunch. It was Prof. Rao's last day. He insisted that it's very easy to tell the Sanskrit letters apart, and read consonants with vowels and consonants with consonants (which was our lesson today). We nodded our heads, not sure what to say. I'm sure, though, that I've come a long way from where I was in Sanskrit in just those few hours he's spent to educate us. I also love the Gita more because he's shed so much light on it - at least, for Chapter 6. So, thank you, Prof. Rao.
After the Gita, we had more chanting and Sutras. Prof. Narasimha made me finally understand Tada drastuh svarupe vasthanam. If I still the citta vrtti, I can be with myself. Funny how what we call our personality can be the barrier from seeing our true person....
In the evening, we had more singing. Here's Jack with Amra.
I'm still feeling the energy from my practice. Today, I worked on twisting. I like how Paul sings or hums songs as he walks around the room looking for that back, arm, leg to lift, pull, push or twist. I imagine these limbs calling him even as the limb owner is contemplating on whether to ask for help or rush to the next pose. He twisted me deeper in Janu C singing Don't You Forget About Me...
And yet, ironically, I forgot Setu Bandhasana. I was doing baby back bends for prep when Paul asked/reminded me. Oooops. Then he asked me if I've started 2nd series. Nope. And so he started me on the 2nd series today. I thought I heard the crowd cheering with confetti everywhere. Ah, citta vrtti moment. It must be from the thirst that kicked in during my Navasana - chug boat style. I like that move, says my funny teacher, it's like the funk, you know. See, that's why I work extra hard, save up and fly to Thailand. To hear Paul and his quips as I practice. I really do love having him as a teacher.
Anyway, Pasasana and Krouncasana, welcome to my practice! Please behave and try not to break anything... So I was on my feet seated, knees together, my right arm wrapping around and behind me. I bind. Paul says chin up... look at me...okay. Other side. The other side was a bit of a problem but I think I get it. So then I jump back do it again. It'll take some practice. I move into the next pose, seated with one leg bent back and the other raised. I think I like this pose. Paul moves my raised leg closer to my chest. Breathe.
Then I was off to my Salabhasana and Dhanurasana (purely for prep purposes). Then I was again doing my backbends. 3 on my own and 3 dropbacks. Paul says we'll clean up the poses over the next few days. I love that this class is small enough to give the much needed airtime with him.
---
I slept over lunch. It was Prof. Rao's last day. He insisted that it's very easy to tell the Sanskrit letters apart, and read consonants with vowels and consonants with consonants (which was our lesson today). We nodded our heads, not sure what to say. I'm sure, though, that I've come a long way from where I was in Sanskrit in just those few hours he's spent to educate us. I also love the Gita more because he's shed so much light on it - at least, for Chapter 6. So, thank you, Prof. Rao.
After the Gita, we had more chanting and Sutras. Prof. Narasimha made me finally understand Tada drastuh svarupe vasthanam. If I still the citta vrtti, I can be with myself. Funny how what we call our personality can be the barrier from seeing our true person....
In the evening, we had more singing. Here's Jack with Amra.
This time last week, I had just gotten here. I have so much to think about and also so much to be thankful for. What was that last song - I've got good religion. It's true. My religion is love.