Riveted

Riveted. Sometimes, we hear a piano played beautifully in a music store or catch a glimpse of the morning sun or  see a stranger with a lovely smile and for a while, we are riveted. 

The breath naturally slows down for a while. We are finally present - our mind's eye refocusing away from the constant blur. When I think about all the talks on the beauty and importance of the Now and how our mind has created ways to veil it, I pay attention to the moment's taste,  vision, touch...and I see clearly for a while.

May we be constantly riveted.

Passage on the passage...

This blog has been quiet and the daily entries of the trip to Mysore left unfinished, at least here. For my love of words, sometimes, the story spills like paint on canvass and whatever was meant to be painted is now covered in splashes of color. What was meant to be an impressionist painting has rightly morphed into abstract. Something like that.

Despite the incomplete journal entries, I was blessed with the opportunity to write an article about (one facet of) the experience.  It was a challenge even then, and although abridged, I am happy to share a small part of the journey out there.

The vastness remains in here. For both, I am grateful.

Here's the (shorter) online version: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/49015/my-passage-to-india

Day 25: Last Friday Led

This is my last Friday led class for this trip. I walked with Soraya at 430 am in the morning for her 6 am practice. She feeds the dogs everyday and sweetly makes time for that before practice. My practice time is at 730 am but I do not want her to walk alone. There's news about women being harassed by this long haired crazy man around Gokulam...

I was very early for the 730 am class and got the top step fir the first time, together with Helena from Switzerland and Becky from New York. Karen followed and soon the steps were full. I no longer want to write about the incident on jumping the "queue" but it caused quite a stir and a few snickers as we waited. Practice begins before we step on the mat...

And I loved my practice. I was in between Becky and this other beautiful lady and I felt light and open. I listened to Sharath's voice with gratefulness.

* * *
After practice, I began looking for my my bronze and brown Fitflops. Someone must have not noticed the color or needed a change because I got silver ones in its place. I hope I get them back on Sunday led...

Breakfast was at Anokhi's with Karen and Andrea. French crepe, omelet and coffee masala. My tummy still felt extremely strange. I walked quickly back to my room...

After I rested, it was time to pack up to take Gela's old room and after settling down, I did my laundry.

I lost my wedding ring. It must have slipped off my finger while I was doing the laundry. I frantically looked for it, stuck my hand and incense stick down the drain and finally broke down and cried to Sor who cried with me. The ring has a beautiful story behind it...

I tried not to think about it over dinner with Annriika, Lisa, and Cecilia at Metropole. I tried not to think about it as we went to that strange place in Lakshmipuram. I tried not to think about it as I slept.

It's one of those beautiful/strange days in this beautiful/strange place. I tried not to be sad at the end of the day.

Day 24: No Escape

We are now up to 8am and Sharath placed me on the first row despite the stage being empty for a while.
I felt the lightness return. I did my backbends on the floor and when I came up, there he was. Right in front of me.

I bowed my head. I am sorry about yesterday.

I know. You cannot escape like that. I'm watching you, that's why I'm here now. You do.

A string of sentences. He stood right in front of me as I dropped back and came up thrice. Then he held me for crossed arms.

I am truly amazed at how he manages to pay attention to each person in such a full shala, with students coming and going for 7 hours straight from early morning till close to noon.
***
Gela is leaving and we spent the afternoon together...

Day 23: Heaviness

I woke up with a heavy head and felt my joints aching with the flu that won't leave. Sharath called for Philippines but no one wanted the stage. I normally would be fine there except I was fighting this fever.

I took the stage. Soraya was across me. For the first time since I got here, I needed a spritzer for Garbha Pindasana. I moved through the tenderness and heaviness. I did seven backbends on the floor, thinking to get up then begin dropping back but the pounding in my head resisted.

After practice, I was by the door and sought out Sharath.

You not crossing....(he said a lot more). He was smiling but serious.

I motioned my hand to touch my neck. Fever...I bowed my head.

That afternoon, we went to the shala then went for Chai and cookies at Karen's place. My head still felt heavy but it was relaxing spending time with the ladies especially as Gela is about to leave.

In the evening, I did my Reiki self treatment. I needed Light for this heaviness.

Day 22: Moon Day Rest

I have been in and out of these fevers. Each moon day and rest day truly calls for rest.

In the afternoon, my head ached terribly and I slept, slept, slept...

Day 21: Maha Shivaratri

It was another happy practice. Mysore is bubbling with the spirit of Mahashivaratri. The colors were extra vibrant. In the market, garlands and bilva leaves were plentiful. We had another lunch at Adil's home and Henna hand painting after.

This was done by Adil's sister.

It was such a special night as Raju took us to temples and we walked the temple streets and palace grounds with bare feet. We were dressed auspiciously in white, taking milk and holy water with our hand.
On the night of Lord Shiva, may we cleanse our deep seated karma debts and may all our good wishes be blessed.