Namaste Family and Friends.
We finished up the ashram program with a nice Puja ceremony, in which we chanted a mantra 108 times before burning our worries away. Then we left the rushing Ganga and drove down to Haridwar. We stayed here last night and watched the news of the Mumbai attacks - a crazy way to come back to the world indeed. Scary, but luckily it's far from where we are, and the last terrorist inside the seiged Taj Hotel was captured. Let us take a moment to think of the people affected there. Unfortunately for us: our trip to the Taj Mahal has been cancelled for safety reasons. But, today we plan to travel to Chandigarh and chill out and see this awesome "Wonderland-like" rock garden and catch a movie as well. Then, it's back to Delhi before boarding the plane back to America, (and then Canada). So we love and will see you soon.
SHANTI BAHAR!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
The group is A-OK
This is Ethan here, just wanting to reassure any worried parents in the light of the Mumbai tragedy that the group is doing well and are meditating their way through Thanksgiving at an ashram about 280 miles from Mumbai. They don't have access to the internet at the ashram at the moment so I'm making this quick post: the group is OK and they are quite safe.
Please stay tuned for their own post once they emerge from the ashram.
Yours,
Ethan Knight
Please stay tuned for their own post once they emerge from the ashram.
Yours,
Ethan Knight
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Rishikesh!
Our first few days in Rishikesh were very relaxing. We were able to explore the yoga capital of the world and reflect on our experiences in India thus far. Some of us took the opportunity of the clean Ganges water to wash our sins away. We dunked in the water 3 times, as is customary in the hindu culture. The water was cold and clear, but very refreshing.
We also had the opportunity to go white water rafting. Our guide Sunil made the adventure through the rapids safe AND fun! After a long day of rafting, we jumped off a 20 foot rock into the chilly water.
This week, we are going to be immersed in the ashram experience. Our schedule will consist of yoga, meditation, contemplative walks, lectures, and simple meals. It's most likely that we won't have internet access this week, so don't expect to hear from us. Don't worry, we'll be sending our positive meditation vibes your way!
Peace and LOVE.
SHANTI
We also had the opportunity to go white water rafting. Our guide Sunil made the adventure through the rapids safe AND fun! After a long day of rafting, we jumped off a 20 foot rock into the chilly water.
This week, we are going to be immersed in the ashram experience. Our schedule will consist of yoga, meditation, contemplative walks, lectures, and simple meals. It's most likely that we won't have internet access this week, so don't expect to hear from us. Don't worry, we'll be sending our positive meditation vibes your way!
Peace and LOVE.
SHANTI
Saturday, November 15, 2008
DALI LAMA SPOTTING ::12:05PM::
So now that the majority of us are certified Thai Massage therapists and Basic Healing practitioners, not to mention professional musicians, we have the time and energy to greet the Dali Lama as he pulls into his Temple after long travels. He has returned to his home in India! We are very fortunate to be here during the time of his presence although speeches will only begin after our departure.
McLeod Ganj is a holy holy place; filled with many opportunities to develop skills in massage, mediation, music, cooking, and other Tibetan + Indian trades. Heather and Mychal are now certified in Basic Full Body Thai Massage, Ashley and Sofia are now Basic healing and meditation practitioners (meaning they can scan, clean, and energize the Chakras in the body), Will has been studying more Sitar, Jack some cooking and music lessions, and Adam trekking high into the gorgeous mountains surrounding us at all times. We have also been studying yoga with a firm man with the skinnest legs and the shortest shorts to compliment them, whose name is Vijay. Hawks fly by during our roof top sessions as they try and gain height on the majestic mountains.
How could I forget to mention!! We have been living with Tibetan families and experiencing first hand the lifes of the Tibetan people in exile. We all seem to really be enjoying our stay with such compassionate people and the MOUNDS of delicious Tibetan food we recieve daily. All of our families are completely different; some with many brothers and sisters and others with only a amla (mother). It's been a rewarding experience thusfar, and tonight we give thanks to our familes for welcoming us into their homes as we praise them in Tibetan tradition; placing a symbolic white scarf over their heads and exchanging gifts.
Tomorrow marks the start of free travel, where us students take the reins and put our travel knowledge to the test. We meet our bus in Dharmsala around 5pm tomorrow and head towards Rishikesh, where we hit the ganges for some rafting and settle into our Ashram living. With a little less then some blessings to offer more, I leave you with the feeling of our contentment and well learned trades and experiences here in MC Ganj.
Shanti bihar!
Namaste,
***shanti***
McLeod Ganj is a holy holy place; filled with many opportunities to develop skills in massage, mediation, music, cooking, and other Tibetan + Indian trades. Heather and Mychal are now certified in Basic Full Body Thai Massage, Ashley and Sofia are now Basic healing and meditation practitioners (meaning they can scan, clean, and energize the Chakras in the body), Will has been studying more Sitar, Jack some cooking and music lessions, and Adam trekking high into the gorgeous mountains surrounding us at all times. We have also been studying yoga with a firm man with the skinnest legs and the shortest shorts to compliment them, whose name is Vijay. Hawks fly by during our roof top sessions as they try and gain height on the majestic mountains.
How could I forget to mention!! We have been living with Tibetan families and experiencing first hand the lifes of the Tibetan people in exile. We all seem to really be enjoying our stay with such compassionate people and the MOUNDS of delicious Tibetan food we recieve daily. All of our families are completely different; some with many brothers and sisters and others with only a amla (mother). It's been a rewarding experience thusfar, and tonight we give thanks to our familes for welcoming us into their homes as we praise them in Tibetan tradition; placing a symbolic white scarf over their heads and exchanging gifts.
Tomorrow marks the start of free travel, where us students take the reins and put our travel knowledge to the test. We meet our bus in Dharmsala around 5pm tomorrow and head towards Rishikesh, where we hit the ganges for some rafting and settle into our Ashram living. With a little less then some blessings to offer more, I leave you with the feeling of our contentment and well learned trades and experiences here in MC Ganj.
Shanti bihar!
Namaste,
***shanti***
Friday, November 7, 2008
Adventures In Bir!!!
Hello devoted readers! Namaste!
Our stay in Bir as turned out to be an incredibly pleasant one, full of self discovery and exploration. We lodged up in the 'Deer Park Institute', which is a center for anceint Indian wisdom! The days were started off with a hearty breakfast (provided by the staff of 'Deer Park') followed by a few brief introductary lessons into meditation, which proved to be extremely calming and a great start to the day. From there, the group would explore the vast cultures of Bir by venturing into the small town and perhaps purchasing a cup of chai at 'Friends Cafe'. We would then head back around noon for another home cooked meal at 'Deer Park'. After lunch, we engaged daily in what is known as "Karma Yoga". This is summed up briefly by participating in work around the institute. Jobs such as farming, handicrafts and cooking were given as options. Many experienced Buddhist monks visited 'Deer Park' during our stay, and we were lucky enough to be able to listen to their infinate wisdom on Buddhist philosophies.
Along with our extremely postive experiences at 'Deer Park', the group also engaged in many excursions. The girls, accompanied by Adam and Heather, took a hike up to a local waterfall, which included a small goat throwing lesson, given by a few locals, as the animals could not cross a small creek without a little air under there hoves.... :)
Next the group headed up to 'Billing Ridge', which is world renoun location for paragliding. Once we reached our destination, literally hundreds of paragliders from all over the world made their way up to the peak of the mountain. We watched eagerly as they set off on their flights, drooling at the thought of what the experience might feel like. Finally our last day held the most enjoyable excursions, a hike to a local hot spring. After an hour and a half car ride, followed by an hour hike we reached our destination. Beautiful green scenary all around us and only the drivers to share the suiductively warm water with, the entire group enjoyed themselves throughly. The accompanyment of peanut butter and jam sandwiches only made the experience that much more enjoyable. And yea is was reasonably expensive J. (ask your son/daughter about J once they get home lol)
And this brings us to now! :) Bir has been a great sanctuary to rest our weary minds, bodies and souls, but we are all excited for our trip to Mcleod Ganj, which departs at 9:30 tomorrow morning. Only the future knows what it has instore for us!
Shanti Bahar!!!
Sending lots of love back home
The best group in all the land.... :)
Shanti
Our stay in Bir as turned out to be an incredibly pleasant one, full of self discovery and exploration. We lodged up in the 'Deer Park Institute', which is a center for anceint Indian wisdom! The days were started off with a hearty breakfast (provided by the staff of 'Deer Park') followed by a few brief introductary lessons into meditation, which proved to be extremely calming and a great start to the day. From there, the group would explore the vast cultures of Bir by venturing into the small town and perhaps purchasing a cup of chai at 'Friends Cafe'. We would then head back around noon for another home cooked meal at 'Deer Park'. After lunch, we engaged daily in what is known as "Karma Yoga". This is summed up briefly by participating in work around the institute. Jobs such as farming, handicrafts and cooking were given as options. Many experienced Buddhist monks visited 'Deer Park' during our stay, and we were lucky enough to be able to listen to their infinate wisdom on Buddhist philosophies.
Along with our extremely postive experiences at 'Deer Park', the group also engaged in many excursions. The girls, accompanied by Adam and Heather, took a hike up to a local waterfall, which included a small goat throwing lesson, given by a few locals, as the animals could not cross a small creek without a little air under there hoves.... :)
Next the group headed up to 'Billing Ridge', which is world renoun location for paragliding. Once we reached our destination, literally hundreds of paragliders from all over the world made their way up to the peak of the mountain. We watched eagerly as they set off on their flights, drooling at the thought of what the experience might feel like. Finally our last day held the most enjoyable excursions, a hike to a local hot spring. After an hour and a half car ride, followed by an hour hike we reached our destination. Beautiful green scenary all around us and only the drivers to share the suiductively warm water with, the entire group enjoyed themselves throughly. The accompanyment of peanut butter and jam sandwiches only made the experience that much more enjoyable. And yea is was reasonably expensive J. (ask your son/daughter about J once they get home lol)
And this brings us to now! :) Bir has been a great sanctuary to rest our weary minds, bodies and souls, but we are all excited for our trip to Mcleod Ganj, which departs at 9:30 tomorrow morning. Only the future knows what it has instore for us!
Shanti Bahar!!!
Sending lots of love back home
The best group in all the land.... :)
Shanti
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
