It's great to be back. I had thought I would not be able to get here from Bangalore in time for weekly registration on Monday. I figured that would be good, since it would give me a week to settle in, before setting a shaky foot in the shala practice room. Imagine my chagrin when we arrived with plenty of time to register! Unable to think of any good excuse not to, I hitched a ride with Fábio to collect money from an ATM and go to the shala.
Just like last year, I had a paranoid thought that when I tried to register, Guruji would not allow it, saying something like, "No, you not allow here. You not serious student." Of course, nothing of the kind happened. Sharath even gave me a present. (a new official AYRI yoga mat). I think the yoga world may be the only place where the class fuck-up becomes a teacher's pet.
The welcome I received from Sharath, Guruji, Saraswati and their staff helped quickly dissipate some other weird feelings. Re-experiencing some of the sights, sounds, and even smells of Mysore, my neighborhood, and my house had a haunting effect on me when I first got back. They revived memories of strange occurrences from my first two trips, not all of them pleasant, and a lot of them regrettable.
After two days, including two luxuriously sweaty practice sessions, whatever was left of that negativity has been excorcized. I'm feeling happier than ever before. The sun is shining from a cloudless blue sky, and my housemate is cooking Gnochy for lunch. (Gnochy is not a fellow student, an animal, or even Indian food -- it's a vegetarian Italian dish.)
Yesterday we had lunch at the home of one of the Brahmin women who cook wonderful endless meals for ashtanga students, at about the equivalent of $1.30 each. The following was overheard during lunch:
Student A: "You know, 80% of the Buddhist monks don't even practice anymore. The monasteries are full of homosexuality."
Student B: "Well at least they're practicing something!"
Perhaps another reason I'm happy is that I don't miss the ice storms in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Before I left, it was sub-freezing for days.
One thing I do miss is our weekly sangha in Waynesville, so another Mysore sangha is being organized. If anybody is interested, please call me on my cell at 9880 016 441. We have not yet set the time or day. Here's the low down on the sangha concept, from last year:
The idea is that it is good to have a gathering of ashtangis and others where we do not sit at different tables or in different neighborhoods, where we can meditate together, and unburden our crazy minds in a space that is perhaps more conducive of respect than a café, a party, or a coconut stand.
Sangha (or “sangam”) is Sanskrit for “community” or “meeting.” It once referred to a gathering of buddhist monks, but now has a broader meaning. I belong to one in North Carolina, and the meeting of the sangha has become an important part of my week. In this case, it means a weekly gathering where we do a half-hour seated meditation, a short walking meditation (indoors), a short reading from a spiritual text, and a respectful discussion of anything. It usually lasts for an hour and a half or less. There are no “leaders.” Just a rotating “ring-reader” who rings the bell and does a reading of his/her choice.
All are welcome!
(For anybody worried that this might be a forbidden and dangerous pranayama class, or something like the Dead Poets Society, it is not. Sharath read the notice in advance, and said "this is good.")
Just like last year, I had a paranoid thought that when I tried to register, Guruji would not allow it, saying something like, "No, you not allow here. You not serious student." Of course, nothing of the kind happened. Sharath even gave me a present. (a new official AYRI yoga mat). I think the yoga world may be the only place where the class fuck-up becomes a teacher's pet.
this had me chuckling. it reminds me of the time i was on that ride at the amusement park which is a circular spinning tube. force of gravity pushes u against the wall. floor falls out.
i was sure i'd be the 1 person who defied the laws of gravity! ;0)
antonia.
welcome to mysore, russell. i have no idea what you look like and i am being somewhat domestic lately but if u c me and recognize me pls. say hi. i entered yr cell into my fone just now. happy new haircut!
Posted by: antonia | January 05, 2006 at 02:08 PM