I almost missed class today. The alarm rang, and I lay in bed thinking, "why do I have to go to class? I don't feel like going. I need more sleep. Why can't I do my own practice on my own time? Who am I trying to please by going to class? My teachers? My friends? If I don't want to go, why should I go?"
These sorts of questions should not be answered while lying in bed. I thought about the vow that I made to myself, not to anybody else, to never miss class, no matter what else I may do wrong. I thought about last year in Mysore, and how unhappy I was when I started skipping classes. I thought about how in any case, I needed to pee.
So I stood up, and things started to get clearer. Why on earth would I want to miss class? Ashtanga vinyasa yoga, even in the led classes, is the best thing in my life. Has there ever been a class after which I did not feel good? No. Can I say that about anything else that I do? No, although drinking a nice big glass of scotch comes superficially close.
More importantly, for me Ashtanga is the flywheel in my machine. My fuck-ups have less impact, and they do not allow me to spiral too far out of control, because of the steady momentum of my practice. I agree with those who tell me that with a steady practice, my bad habits slowly are going to fall away, or at least become minimized. I have to believe that. I feel like I've tried everything else, and besides, I can see it happening, gradually.
Also, there is something else I want to say about ashtanga being not a punishment, but a reward. Yesterday was a day off from class (no class on Saturdays), and I really missed it. I felt incomplete, lacking in energy. I fell into slacker mode all day, and was nearly crushed by boredom, although there was so much to do. I even ate a bag of "Masala Munch," with "Extra Chatpata" and "Extra Masti" (sort of a supercharged Indian version of Cheese Doodles, without the cheese), to try to have some excitement. I am rambling, I know, but what would a blog be without rambling? Something with a more pleasant name, i think.
that's what i think of also if i have to go to class. But then i think,"why did i choose to study, instead of work?" :)
Posted by: echa | January 23, 2005 at 11:38 AM
"Driving in India"
For the benefit of people visiting India and daring to drive on Indian roads, I offer a few hints for survival. This is applicable to every place in India except Bihar, where life outside a vehicle is only marginally safer. Indian Road rules broadly operate within the domain of Karma where you do your best and leave the results to your insurance company. So here are the driving hints:
A. Do we drive on the left or right of the road? The answer is "both". Basically you start on the left side of the road, unless it is occupied. In that case, go to the right, unless that is also occupied. Then proceed by occupying the next available gap, as in chess(No wonder the game originated here).
B. Just trust your instincts, ascertain the direction, and proceed. Most drivers don't drive, but just aim their vehicles in the intended direction. Don't you get discouraged or underestimate yourself. Except for a belief in reincarnation, the other drivers are not in any better position.
C. Don't stop at pedestrian crossings just because some fool wants to cross the road. You may do so only if you enjoy being bumped in the back. Pedestrians have been strictly instructed to cross only when traffic is moving slowly or has come to a dead stop because some minister is in town. Still, some idiot may try to wade across, but then, let us not talk ill of the dead.
D. Blowing your horn is not a sign of protest as in some countries where we honk to express joy, romance or just bare lust (two brisk blasts). Here, it may be to show your resentment, frustration, or just to mobilize a dozing cow in the middle of the bazaar.
E. Keep informative books in the glove compartment. You may read them during traffic jams, while awaiting the chief minister's motorcade, or waiting for the rain waters to recede.
F. Night driving on Indian roads can be an exhilarating experience. The roads do not have shoulders, only occasional boulders.
G. Truck Drivers are the James Bonds of India and are licensed to kill.
H. Often you may encounter a single powerful beam of light about six feet above the ground. This is not a super motorbike, but a truck approaching you with a single light on; usually the left one. It could be the right one, but never get too close to investigate. You may end up proving your point posthumously.
I. During the daytime, trucks are more visible, except that the drivers will never signal. Often you will observe that the cleaner who sits next to the driver, will project his hand and wave hysterically.
J. Occasionally you might see what looks like a UFO with blinking colored lights and weird sounds emanating from within. This is an illuminated bus, full of happy pilgrims singing bhajans. These pilgrims go at breakneck speed, seeking contact with the Almighty and often meeting with success.
K. must add a positive point also. Rash and fast driving in residential areas has been prevented by providing a "speed breaker" which is two for each house. This mound, incidentally, covers the water and drainage pipes for that residence and is left untarred for easy identification by the corporation authorities, should they want to recover the pipe for year-end accounting.
Good Luck and God be with you and fun in there while you can ! :)
Awesome Mysore Blogs Russel ~!
Posted by: Vikas | January 25, 2005 at 04:13 PM
hi
i really like your cite
i´ll go to india this june ,for around 8 months
the photos- are great ,those in the tibetan monasteries of Bilakupe....
can you advice me about a route for the journey
and another personal experiences?
by
Merce
Posted by: maria mercedes | April 19, 2005 at 02:54 AM