Photos View of India

In and Around the Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh India.

 Looking towards the Ganga by the Ashram

 The sidewalk along the Ganga

The town street by the Ashram

Raja and the Cow

Looking over the Ganga

Jerome, Raja, and Ruby inside the Ashram (in front of our rooms)

Stella, Jerome, Ruby and Raja

Raja (our escort from Lucknow to Rishikesh) 

Street vendor giving Ruby a bindie

Mary, in front of the banks of Ganga

Stella and Mary in town

The main street of town

Fruit vendor on the main street

 Dog's view of the main street

Street vendors 

Roadwork 

Ayurvedic market on the main street 

Clothing store on the main street  

Few of the many cows that hang out on the streets

Fruit stand overlooking the Ganga

Motorcycles and cows

Fruit vendors

Locals

The Ganga

Man with a cart

Woman relaxing on the side of the street

Streetside musicians

Cows in the street 

Clothing stores

Monkeys

Lonely animals on the main street

The richness of poverty

Local shop workers

The Future of History

A couple of nights ago in Satsung with Sadhvi, someone asked the question, "How can I become unattached?" Sadviji sat in silence with the question before she began her response.

She gave two responses, in one of which she made the point that, in order to become unattached we have to stop thinking about becoming unattached. When we worry and think about how we are going to become unattached, we are still investing all of our energy and time worrying and thinking about the things we are trying to become unattached from. By doing so, we are pushing ourselves further and further away from whatever it is we don't want to be, or don't want to have anymore. We aren't pushing ourselves towards anything, we're only pushing ourselves away. So, in order to "detach" ourselves, we have to focus on the things we want to achieve, the things we want to be attached with. When we bring something good into our lives and focus on the things that bring us joy, and the things that show us our potential, and divinity, we can re-attach ourselves with that. There is no detachment that needs to occur. There is only re-attachment. When we are constantly focusing on things we want to be free of there is no way we're going to free ourselves, if anything we'll keep repeating the things we don't want by simply focusing on them too much.

This very moment I am sitting down and looking back at all the times I have walked away from my computer as I was in the middle of a history lesson. Everyday I study history; I study wars, famines, betrayal, and little victories here and there gaining people more power. Need for power, in my opinion, is fueled by entitlement and greed. There is a lack of gratitude, and a lack of contentment for those that strive for more power and more money than they need.

Why is it, that in history classes worldwide teaching general education, children are taught about the famines, wars, struggles, downfalls, sicknesses, and violence? Why, when this world today is striving so much to become peaceful and sustainable, that teachers and mentors worldwide would be putting images of disagreement, anger, and tension into the minds and imaginations of billions of children? And not only children, but teenagers as well; those that our future depends on.

Why not re-attach our focus and energy on teachings and practices that are peaceful? Teachers should be encouraging love and understanding; we should study sustainability and peace. If we create a generation that has no perception of anger, no perception of greed, and uses not forms of violence, but only forms of survival, then we would eliminate the fear and anticipation around relapsing war and sickness.

Along with the blunt disinterest I have for studying History I can only begin to think of all the things I could be doing with my time that makes me happy. There are so many things I could be doing that others, as well as myself, could benefit from. There's something wrong when I can only think about those things and not have the ability to do them.

I have what I need to do what I want. Possibilities are always endless. Freedom is something that many countries have fought for and killed for. Now that we have it, we can use it.

Raja's Last Day

Today was Raja's last day in rishikesh at parmarth niketan. Raja is the man who escorted my dad, Ruby, and I from Lucknow to rishikesh. This morning my dad woke Ruby and I up at 6:30 so we could spend time with him before he left. 

As soon as Ruby would say something in response to him, or simply put forth her opinion, he would say "My daughters are so smart! I am so proud of my daughters" (in the most enthusiastic Indian accent ); throwing up his hands with the biggest smile on his face, he would embrace us and laugh. I always had a smile on my face when I was around him, just from feeling the huge waves of love sent out from his heart.

After sat sung last night, Swamiji (one of the coordinators of the ashram) told us to eat in a separate room other than everybody else so we could be served personally. Now at every meal our food is brought to us, our servers bring us pots filled with the food that's already on our plates, offering more. They come with more chapati bread, more rice and more soup. It gets a little repetitive and sad turning down delicious food. We smile and they smile as they turn back to the kitchen. Then I think "I wonder if they've started making jokes about us, or betting who won't ask for more the next time they bring food out" 

The conversations that are sparked at our meal times are so random, yet on of the most inspiring part of the trip. Once I think of something or have an idea, it's just coming from me and doesn't hold as much potential or energy until I share it with someone else or someone else mentions something that completely verifies my intentions. It's like listening to my thoughts in a mirror as I spit something out it comes back renewed and developed into something nearly tangible and so inspiring. Most of my motivation is just out of conversations with good people. It could be something totally unrelated to what I'm working on but it gives me just what I need to create something new and keep going with a smile on my face and new ideas in my mind.

I don't think I've made as much eye contact with so many people each day as I do here. There's more understanding when I look into someone's eyes. There is a deeper communication that goes beyond any words. 

India, Day 2

At 3 PM we left after lunch and headed into town. The traffic was buzzing as if it had never stopped. The cars are like blood cells in a clogged artery. We were dropped off at Sanjay's house to exchange our U.S. dollars for Rupees.
Sanjay knows Amravati. Amravati (Katherine) is my kindergarten/life teacher and a very close family friend. They had both sat with Papaji for several years. He was so kind, as all of them are. When we were in his house he served us chai tea, nuts, potato chips and this odd (quite tasty) chickpea dessert. It was almost like shredded spoonfuls cereal, but it tasted much different. Indians covet their sweets. We walked behind him letting him lead the way through the ruckus of the city.

Today was different, we ventured out for the first time from our home. I don't think I would say I've had a culture shock, it's more just complete awe and an attempted understanding of what the locals lives are like. Everyday I learn something new. Not to worry, to be confident, to be radically self reliant, to trust, to be creative, have imagination, and love.

So much happiness is felt here among the people, from the people and reflected back back to the people.

There is a clear and evident ease and peace with every honking horn and speeding car.

This morning, Ruby woke me up at 7:25 to see the milking of several beautiful cows and their precious little calfs. We watched the milkers drain the full udders and fill metal buckets to the brim with fresh raw cows milk. I remember going to my kindergarden teachers house and milking her goats while having the sweetest conversations about when I was young.

I am adjusting still to this new environment. Everything I see opens my eyes even more. I am eager to wake and fall asleep, while in between I see things that are new and feel things that are unique.

This place holds a magic, some enchantment of sorts. 

Intuition

I have noticed the precise feeling of intuition that I am able to feel. I've noticed that whenever I don't follow my intuition I later regret it. When I find myself remembering certain moments of when I didn't do something that felt right to me I have to realize that I didn't go the way I could have and that's why I am where I am now. Gratitude and acceptance are two things that reset me in a comfortable place with myself.

So many times I have felt a gravitational pull towards things, and I have chosen to go in other directions. Sometimes I find myself being compelled by certain thoughts, possibilities, and places that I've been compelled by before. There are patterns that have been created and lost. I'm still not sure how a pattern is considered un-beneficial or bad. I know some patterns of mine are bad and yet it still takes time and convincing of my heart and mind to rid myself of those patterns. Most all things that circle around and reappear in my life with significance I notice them making me happier and being good to me. Intuition is strong.  

First Indian Evening

The smells that drift through the window are amazing. Everywhere smells like indian spices. Although there are some places that smell like cow feces and compost... All day long I can here people’s chants echoing through towns. Multiple people at a time will be chanting from different parts of the village making it sounds like i’m in a singing bowl. 

Raj Kumal is the kindest man who cooks our meals for us. He prepares the most delicious food that sends drafts through the window for hours. There is so much love expressed between people. No one bothers to worry or stress, and instead they stay aware. and understand others in such an intimate way. 

I remember My sister and I talking with our close friend about being homesick. We were saying that it only becomes prominent when your doing things that are no longer interesting to you. I don't see any boredom in the time that I will be here. There is no doubt I will keep busy, at least with my thoughts if not activities, observation and absolute awe. 

Next Page: India

INDIA 

Everywhere I look it's hazy. Like there's a fire surrounding me but no scent of smoke. The sides of the roads are marked with yellow and black stripes, there's lights lining the highway. 

At random places along big roads there are railings in between lanes. Men with scarves covering their mouths and guns over their shoulders stand watching cars pass over speed bumps.  

There is a smile on my face and no expectation for what is to come.

Looking back to all of the things I have done, places I've been, choices I've made had all played a part in me being present in India. Wow. I am so grateful!

It's a different world. 

Although there are lanes dividing the highway, cars swerve around each other using their horns as blinkers. Most wide roads don't even have lanes. 

The sirens sound like someone losing an arcade game. No stop lights. 

It's nothing like anything I've ever seen. People are at ease by nature. Going about their day. Calm. 

Arriving in Lucknow at 1:00 it smells more like the ocean here. There are fields with no fences that have roaming cows and goats. There are cows on the side of the streets. Driving through town we passed by spots that smell like compost and cows, but everywhere else smells like Indian spices and bustling lives. 

When I find myself hesitating to inhale because of the gross smell I take a deeper breath instead knowing that when I am not here I will want to remember every part of this trip and everlasting journey.