Tibetan Yogi's and Ugyen's Goodbye

Today I went back to see my brother Ugyen for the last time..He will be leaving to go to Bhutan for a few years... maybe more... to work in a small developing monastery..He just graduated with his graduate degree yesterday in Tibetan language and teaching...I am so proud of him...He invited me for the day to celebrate with him before he leave to Bhutan..So I jumped on a bus and headed out to Kushnalagar bus station and than take a rikshaw to Bylakuppe so see my brother..By the way the bus ride is 60R and the rikshaw is 30R..That's under two american bucks for a 2 hour ride..so awesome..

I arrived and right away Ugyen greated me with a huge smile and hug...than we went off to the dorms so he could show me his degree...He can speak 5 languages..Bhutanese, Tibetan, Hindi, Kanada, and English..all fluently..so smart..He will began his PHD over the next few years while teaching at his monastery in Bhutan..He will travel once a year to do exams in Bylakuppe..He was number 4 in a class of 668 monks..So smart..

I took him to lunch in camp one and we had noodles and Pepsi..They are great together..Not together like mixed...I mean the perfect drink with the perfect food...We than went to the park and walked around for awhile..There is a park named Deer Park in Kushnalagar where the Tibetans go to do laundry and swim..It is so nice..There are deer at the park and you can feed them cucumbers and scratch their heads...It is perfect..



The sad thing is the local Muslims will beat up the monks and take their cell phones and steal their money..Ugyen was telling me of some stories where there have been monks found dead in the river that have been beaten and robbed...It was so sad to hear this...The monks will travel in pairs now and you very rarely see them alone walking on the street..I pray for his safety always and all the monks safety there in Bylakuppe...The Tibetans are kind and loving people...I am so humbled by their giving souls..


Ugyen and I went to the monastery and walked through the prayer wheels and he showed me how to pray while turning the wheels...you go clock wise and every time you turn a wheel and pray it releases your prayer and the prayers before yours...It is so beautiful..There are 1080 prayer wheels and it takes about an hour to walk through and turn them all...The view along the path is so beautiful and the time is almost not even time..It just stops..


We went back to the dorm and talked a little before I had to go..One of his brother monks who studies Tibetan Yoga came in to visit me...His name is Kelzang..We actually moved all of the beds out of the way and practiced sun salutations for about an hour...He did a great job but kept holding his breath...In Tibetan Yoga they hold their breath...In Ashtanga yoga it is about the breath and the flow...There was a little difference...I told him of my teacher Johnna at home in NC..I will take her to meet him next year...I think we will have a good yoga practice the group of us...Johnna..If you can get this guy to breath...I owe you dinner..hahaha...We had the best time..It was so perfect..


Ugyen and I walked a while and than he took me to the bus station in Kushalnagar...I said my good bye and he hugged me and smilled and we parted..He asked me to come spend a month or two in Bhutan next year...I said yes...I can't wait...I want to see where my brother comes from and his family and parents and the lives he is changing..


We have talked everday on the phone since he left...Everytime I  feel I miss him he calls me..It is so funny..If I think about my brother Ugyen...He calls in the next second..He is now home in Bhutan with his family for a few days before he leaves to his new monastery..I am grateful for his safe journey...


Peace and love my brother..

Tashi Delek...

My Brother Ugyen

I have been going to the Tibetan Exile in Bylakuppe over the last 11 weeks to find peace and have a break from Gokulam..I met a monk by the name of Ugyen the week I arrived in Mysore..We began emailing each other and talking on the phone and it turned out he lived a bit of each year in the Tibetan Exile in Bylakuppe..We arranged a meeting..right away we were like brothers..I have never had a connection like this with anyone in my entire life...It is so odd and so normal at the same time..


I arrived at the Golden Temple and called my monk Ugyen..He came down and right away i knew who he was..I had never seen a picture of him and there are thousands of monks at Bylakuppe..I see a stocky looking monk walking in the courtyard and I just walked up to him and said Hi.. I am Jonathan...There were several white tourists and he was walking in my direction as well..He said... I know... I was walking directly towards you..We are brothers you and I...and he just smiled..He put his arm around me and walked me back to the temple where we sat and talked for hours..


Ugyen is from Bhutan and always knew he would be a monk from the time he was very little..He has 10 brothers and sisters...It is so funny because we are so much a like..He loves to eat and comes from a big family and loves animals and most of his family are farmers and his mom is great at gardening and cooking...He asked me how my mom was doing one day and I asked what do you mean..He said he knew she was sick for a very long time and she is doing better now...I just dropped my mouth open because I had never mentioned this to him..He said in deep meditation you are very connected to your brothers and sisters and family..because we are brothers we are always together in the mind..another thing... when I think about calling him... my phone will ring and it will be him...This happens all the time..We are truly brothers in every way..


The first night I was there... him and the other monks who live with him made me dinner..They wouldn't let me do a thing..As soon as I walked in they had orange soda chilled for us to drink..His room mates were making rice and stir frying veggies and making authentic Bhutanese food...We had mushrooms and hot peppers and curried veggies...It was the best food I have had yet in India..They were all laughing at me when I took the first bite because they heard white people couldn't handle spice and they thought I was going to make a funny face..but than they looked at one another puzzled...Than one of the other monks asked if I was really white because I kept eating the hot peppers...Ugyen said no... and they all laughed..I felt so at home for the first time in so long..It was so perfect..


Later that night my brother Ugyen went with me to the bus station and made sure I got on the right bus..He was so worried about me getting home safely...I told him not to worry..He hugged me and smiled really big and asked me to come back in a few days...When I walked into my apartment back in Mysore I took out my phone to call him and the phone began to ring before I could get it out of my pocket...It was Ugyen...He said he was calling me to make sure I was home safely..I said yes and he wished me peace and a good night..


I am so fortunate...I have gained so much love from this trip..I already had so much love in my life..I can't imagine having more... but I do...I am so grateful..


Good night from Mysore

"Where There is Love... there is Life"...Ghandi

The other day I needed a break from the bustle of Gokulam so I walked down to the slums just to look around..It was not a plan I just started walking and ended up in the slums surrounded with a bunch of kids and elderly..The people were so inviting and beautiful..There houses were made of straw and mud and had thatched roofs of palm...I was with few friends and the three of us were in heaven...There was a young girl named Latta who was turning 15 in a few days and she invited us into her house and showed us around..It was pretty much a room the size of a large Western bathroom with a dirt floor and a bed and a little burner for cooking..There was a double sized bed where six of them slept and they invited us to sit on their bed and offered us tea and milk..Here they are poor when it comes to material possesions but rich in love and kindness..They have little but offer us so much...We were invited back to see the family in a few days to visit again on the little girl Latta's Birthday..

So a few days later we walked back to the slums with candy and pastries and cricket bats for the kids..We also picked up a few coconut pasteries for Latta and her family because of the special day..We were greeted with warm embraces and smiles and laughter..The kids went crazy when we brought out our cameras and jumped up and down with joy when we asked to take their picture..They just kept yelling photo..photo..photo..When you show them their photo they get so happy and smile really big..The people here are the beggers you see on the street and the men you see working to take away the garbage from the houses..I would have to guess they are of the low untouchable class..in reality the treat us better than some of the higher classes here in Gokulam..When I see these beautiful people I think of when Ghandi said.."If I am fortunate enough to come back and live another life on this earth...let me be of the lowest class of workers..These humble people... are the heart of India"...Ghandi was so right..These people are the heart of India..They didn't judge us..they didn't ask for anything..they just invited us into their humble home and offered us stories of their past and lovely food...They showed me a new side of humanity..This is unconditional love.  Ghandi also said once.."Where there is love...there is life"...Here in the small slums of Mysore there is love..and there is life..
 

 
Om Shanti Shanti

The Cockroach

You know one of the rules of being a yogi is non-harming other creatures of God..Ahimsa.. whether it be through something you say or something you do to cause harm to others..It makes you really think about what you say and the actions you do that involve not only people but animals and bugs as well...There are some guide lines I believe..Mosquito's carry disease so I think it is ok to repel them in any way possible...I think it is ok to kill a mosquito because if you don't it will feed on you and in doing so can cause you potential harm and the potential harm of other creatures and humans..moths or beatles..not so much..Birds and cows and dogs and even fish I think you should not harm....Please just bare with me here I'm going somewhere...You see I'm a little confused about one of Gods creatures on the chain of life..I'm not talking about politicians either..I said God's creatures..hahaha..I'm talking about the cockroach...It is harmless enough...It does carry disease but it doesn't bite (if it does don't tell me either way) and most of the time here in India there will only be one or maybe two that you see crawling in a corner or coming up through a drain pipe..I think the uneasy feeling you get from the Indian cockroach is that they are usually as big as a small bird..In fact to mention it I think they fly as well...So what do you do abou these creatures.


I was in led practice yesterday and I ended up in the bathroom because it is less crowded and it's like your very own little studio in there..You can still hear Sharath and he walks in every so often and gives you a little grin..I was surrounded with great energy from my fellow yogi's Tom and Andrew and David (from NC) and a strangely Baron Baptiste look alike...so it was a perfect place to be...I got through the point in my series where I stop and continued to watch the beautiful people around me practice until closing..I am so lucky here because Tom and Andrew are all the way through primary and it is a gift to see them practice the postures that are after the point where I stop..Not to mention David has a breath like music..it is so full of intense devotion and rythem..So beautiful..As we began back bends I began my finishing sequence and my giddiness continued...than... right before Utpluthi...I saw it...It was huge... It was black... It was at least 4 inches long ...It was very confident in a creepy way...It was the cockroach..at this point there was no drishti..no focus except for trying not to scream like a little school girl in a building with 150 people deep in breath and the most famous Yoga teacher in the world on the other side of the wall just 10 feet away from me..all I could do was breathe...I wanted to grab the fan cord next to me and smack the life out of the cocky(pun intended) guy..but I just sat there with my eyes on the enormous fellow and breathed...and he kept crawling right toward me..and than.. Shavasana...I'm mean seriously...come the fuck on...so I closed my eyes but on the inside I was freaking out...than it happened...I opened my eyes and Shavasana was over...I shot up and looked around and there was no cockroach anywhere in sight..I looked to the left and to the right and I saw nothing..It was gone...I did see a pile of clothes on the floor just above my head and guessed it had found a home in there but you know that's not my journey...hahaha...I got up rolled up my mat and walked out of the shala...When I got home I told Susie about my little adventure...She was also unsure about the sentence of whether we should exterminate a cockroach or not...So I have decided...as long as it is in another persons space I will respect the creepy fellow...but if it is in my space...It has to leave...maybe I won't kill it but I will remove it with gloves, a paper cup, a face mask, and if I can talk someone into it... their hands... I will attempt(loose words here) to stray from violence towards the creepy roach..but you know...I'm not being honest here..I'm probably going to bash his head in with a flipflop or spray the little fucker with some bug spray...If I start to lose sleep over this I'll figure something else out...

Nite nite..

Indian Hospitality

This week has been a long week here in Mysore..I have seen so much this week that I can only say my love for India is more intense than ever..I know I am constantly writing about how the Indian people are so beautiful but they really are and I am surprised everyday with the love they show me and one another..I was riding the bus this week into Mysore City to get out of Gokulum for the day..It was 97 degrees and I ended up on one of the older buses which is great because it shows you how we take so much for granted like cars and transportation with AC...The busses get packed tightly and you end up hanging out of the door of the bus holding on to the door rail so you won't fall out..This bus was very crowded but not to the point where you had to hang out a window or an open door..I was standing closer to the middle when the bus stopped and a young mother got on..There is no where to sit so she has to stand with her young child pressed against her chest...the next thing I know she hands her baby to a woman sitting down and pushes her way a bit further through the bus to make room for other people..The lady she handed her baby to holds him close and smiles very gently as she rocks the child back and forth...About ten minutes later the mother pushes her way back to the front of the bus and the lady holding her child hands back her little baby..The grateful mother nods and smiles at the lady who was sitting down holding her chlid and than gets off the bus..It was so beautiful..A mother can trust another human so much she will hand off her child to a complete stranger on a public bus to hold while she travels to her destination..I think this shows how magnificant and loving the Indian people are..I think to myself that this country is magical but in reality.... this country is just more evolved in many ways compared to other places in the world..


This week is also a bit sad because I am seeing some of the people I consider family now leaving and going back home..The shala is becoming more crowded and the faces are becoming more and more unfamiliar..I know I should practice detachment but it is hard because in reality I will never see some of these people again..It is bitter sweet because even though these people are gone in the physical reality I have many great memories that I will keep with me forever..I also know many of these beautiful people will be with me in my heart everytime I put my mat down and practice..I am beginning to understand the idea of connection in the spiritual way but there is the emotional attachment to the faces and voices that you get used to hearing and seeing on a daily basis..These people become your family when you need a safe place to go or just need to laugh out loud or sit and have coffee..It is a sad yet happy and beautiful thing..You know some people you have known before from another time..some people you have known for many life times...and some people you have never met and never will again..These people become your family...these people become part of your heart and part of your being...It is a lovely and special thing.
 

In saddness there is always a bit of happiness and in happiness there is always a bit of saddness..I will remember the joy in my heart when I think of the young lady on the bus on the way to Mysore City or the beautiful people I now consider my family I have met here in Gokulam..We are all family and we are all love...We are all one another in each other...and in one another we are love.

Om Shanti Shanti

Holi Festival..Festival of Color

Today was the Holi Festival..Festival of Color...It is the time of year that summer is here and love is in the air..Love of family and friends and community..There is music and parades of people on the street singing and dancing and running around sharing the love among everyone..There is an array of different colored powders (gula) that people will paint you with and fill water balloons with and throw on cows and people as they pass by..It is a celebration of oneness..there is symbolism in the colors meaning that we are all of love and peace no matter what color we are..It is a beautiful festival full of meaning and consolidarity.

We went into town today to eat Thali at the Hotel RRR...There were loads of locals painted in colors of purple and blue and orange and red and pink..It was such a beautiful sight..you could see groups of men colored in beautiful gula... hugging and walking arm in arm while laughing and playing on the street..There were all ages from young to elderly all colored and smiling..I walked into Bombay Tiffany Bakery to buy bread and the elderly man behind the counter was covered in purple..He asked me as I was leaving if he could paint my face and I said yes..he reached back behind the counter and pulled out some purple powder and placed his thumb print on my forehead and cheeks and smiled..It was beautiful..As we walked across the street I saw a group of about 5 college aged men walking towards me covered in hot pink, orange, and purple..I made eye contact and they smiled really big..A few seconds later I felt a huge embrace around me and I was surrounded..The oldest looking one had come over and given me a huge hug and embraced my face in his hands and before I knew it I was covered in purple..Vonya jumped out of the circle to miss the paint..They were so loving and happy..The treated me like family..It was beautiful..he gently caressed my face with his hands and painted my cheeks and face..than he rubbed paint on my hands and arms..They were all so happy and loving..than they hugged me again and wished me well..It was beautiful...As this was going on another gentleman was painting Susie up and down very loving and carefully..I looked over at her and we just smiled..This is what God is about...This love..this beautiful selfless love..I thought to myself..these are my brothers..these are my family..I love these people..I can't explain it..I just felt like at that moment the Indian people were letting me know I was part of their family...They were part of my family...This is my home...Susie and I have been gloating all day..The color on the bodies of the Indian people is just a fraction of the color that is in their hearts..All day we walked around and when people passed they would just look at us and smile really big..I know in their hearts and in my heart we were both thinking..Hello brother..sister..mother..father...you are loved..My heart opened up today and I feel the whole world jumped right in.


Tonight I went to get a chai at the coconut stand and a local elderly man just started talking to me..We sat and talked and just enjoyed the night air..It was another simple conversation in Mysore as the stars above twinkled in the night sky..There is so much going on all over the world but I'm safe here in Mysore..talking to a man under a tree having chai..I am so blessed and it is great..I have my family here and my family in America so no matter where I am I feel whole..Even in my feelings of home sickness I have a brother..father..sister..mother..to talk to here in beautiful Mysore...I am home here and I am home in America..I am home in my heart..I am at home in the heart of the Indian people..I am home.


Om Shanti Shanti

Children are God

Today I woke up at 3:20am for led practice and ended up going right back to bed..I was so tired and sore I couldn't function..My head was so heavy and to put it lightly I was just plain worn out..so I went back to bed and slept until 8:30am..When I woke up I was still kind of sleepy but my stomach was so hungry I needed to go get some breakfast..I now have an explanation..Yesterday I skipped my eggs in the morning..I think with my body type I cannot skip my protein source and function in this heat and while doing this much physical yoga..So this morning at breakfast I had 3 eggs and multigrain toast..I went home and rested the entire day until lecture at 4pm.


Today was the first lecture in two weeks due to moon days and other engagements so I was really looking forward to it..Sharath my teacher talked about yoga and the 8 limbs..He talked about how there is only one yoga..He said it was sad to see people in the west who put their name in front of a flow that contains some or part of the Ashtanga sequence and it is considered yoga..He said there is only one yoga and one yoga system and it is a science that works with the mind and the body..He also said that we have to practice the yamas and niyamas...Ahimsa..Satya...Sharath says to practice other yoga that is not true yoga is not satya and it is harmful for the body and there for is himsa not ahimsa..He said to always be truthful..There are a lot of people he says who come here and they want to be a teacher..There are a lot of people who come here and the already consider themselves teachers..You can not decide you want to be a teacher and become one in just a short amount of time...you cannot become a teacher until you are a student for a very very long time..If you say you are a teacher before you are ready to become a teacher you are not following th rule of Satya (truthfulness)..I loved this..I feel like it is fitting because all I hear around here is...Yea, I'm a yoga teacher...I can show you this..I can show you that..No one ever says.. I'm a student..I am happy to be a student and look forward to being one my whole life..When I am no longer a student than I don't want to live..


Sharath said there is a group of people who used to study under Pattabhi Jois and use that as a credential to teach yoga..In the yoga community his name is very big..One day Pattabhi Jois was on tour and there was a guy who came up to him not knowing who he was and told him he was a yoga teacher..Pattabhi Jois asked him who his teacher was..The man said... Pattabhi Jois is my teacher..Guruji asked this man..Have you ever seen this Pattabhi Jois fellow...and the man said..Well..Of course I have he is my teacher...Pattabhi Jois leaned forward and said to the man..Sir..I am Pattabhi Jois..The man appologized very quickly and went on to tell him he had to make money for his family and that is the reason behind the lie... But this is not satya and even though this man says he teaches yoga it is not yoga that this man teaches..


About this time Sharath's daughter walked into the shala and seemed upset..She just started yelling towards him..He asked her to come over to him on the stage..She was dressed in a yellow and silver costume and had just finished a dance performance at her school..She didn't see him in the crowd at the school so she was upset..He was there but he was not in the front..He asked her to perform for us..She started dancing and singing on the stage in the shala.. No shyness at all..It was so funny..We all hooted and clapped..Than she left..He went on to say in India it is against the law to find out what the sex of the child is before they are born..Children are considered God in India because they have no prejudice and they are so innocent..The child is considered innocent and of God until they reach early teens..I find this interesting..If you think about a child and the way a child acts it is so true..When a child doesn't get his or her way they will throw a tantrum or cry..a child will laugh and cry and scream and yell when he or she feels what he or she feels...As adults we are taught to stuff the emotions back down inside of us and than pay a therapist $125 an hour to bring it back up again..I think even though the childs way of dealing with the emotion is a bit annoying it is more logical..You see about 10 minutes later the child is ok and the previous issue is not and issue anymore..In an adult it is on their mind for hours or days or years..I think this is a very important lesson to learn about letting go of the shit that runs our life..It reminds me of Yoga chitti vritti narodha.. I think I might start throwing more tantrums..hahaha


I ran into Adam and Lissy on their way out of town..It is sad to see them go but I'm happy they have each other and the time we spent together..They are true love in a pure and unconditional way..I will miss them but have a part of them forever..They are very bright light so I know I will see them always if I look hard enough. To them I always wish them peace, love, and freedom.


Today was a good day in Mysore like always..I walked to Loyal World tonight and picked up a coke..On the way home I ended up giving the coke to a kid on the street..I figure it will mean more to the little girl than it will to me..I walked by my little dog friend that reminds me of my childhood dog  Dusty and than came home..Life is good and I'm happy in Mysore..


Om Shanti Shanti

Family and Food are Love

Today was such a good day here in Mysore..This morning I made breakfast after led and than Susie and I walked to get coffee at Barista..After having two coffee drinks we went to the market to get veggies for tonight's Vegan Raw dinner..Susie and Lissie made beautiful food for us to enjoy tonight..The have been preparing this dinner for the last two days...so I must say it was quite the experience..

I met a guy that looked familiar to me at the shala one morning..His name was Arthur and he looked like I have seen him before..I didn't make the connection until tonight at dinner..There were about 15 people there and he was there too..I asked him where he was from and he said NYC..I asked him if he taught classes somewhere in the city..Turns out he teaches at Yoga Sutra on the corner of 42nd street..I than remembered he was the teacher in my very first Ashtanga class in May of last year..It was so amazing..What a small world and what a funny connection..I think Mysore really is a magical place.


Tonight Susie and Lissie made a Vegan Raw menu of Lasagna, Antipasta platter with lotus wraps stuffed with eggplant chutney, fruit salad, and a carrot cake. Katie brought a beet and carot salad..there was also a chilled melon and cucumber soup...We ate off of banana leaves and drank soup out of coconuts..It was perfect..The sun was setting and the people around were family...I must say it was such a work of art..It was almost too pretty to eat..It was Jennifer's last night so it was a kind of going away party for her..Lissy and Adam are leaving Sunday so I feel like part of my family is leaving me and I'm a little sad...I know we will gather again one day so it is all good..we are all connected  in our hearts so we are always together..Tonight was so beautiful..Family and food.

As I was walking home I was passing the shala and I heard...Jon-a-ton...It was my teacher Sharath..He was just standing on the balcony of the shala watching the sun set..He said...did you eat dinner...I said yes..veggies and carrot cake..He said..No pizza... no chapathi..and laughed..He grinned really big and said Jon-a-ton you go walk now..I just laughed and said ok..I have lost 14 pounds since coming here..I think he is just encouraging me in his own way..I feel so happy when he says my name..I gloated for a mile and a half on my way to Loyal World to buy cookies and soda..What Sharath doesn't know won't hurt him....hahaha..I didn't eat them though..I like to keep some sodas here for the beggers and my rikshaw driver Kumar...I love it here so much because the people appreciate your kindness no matter how big or small..I am home in so many ways.


I am settled in now and all I can think about is how I'm in India doing what so many people never get the chance to do..I think about how lucky I am to have met the people I have met...I'm studying under the best yoga teacher in the world.... and he knows my name...I am eating some of the most pure and beautiful food you could imagine ever putting in your mouth...I'm in a place where magic happens every day... and I'm here right in the middle of it..I don't know how I got here or how my path turned in this direction but I am very grateful..I don't deserve this and there are people out there more deserving than me but I'm here...I am so grateful for everything...I hope I can make it up to the universe and serve and give back..In so many ways I think this trip has made me more human and at the same time connected me more to God. I feel awake for the first time in my entire life and it is beautiful.

Happy Days in Mysore

Today was a pretty relaxing day in Mysore..I'm not going to lie I thought I was going to die in practice this morning..My hamstring on the right side is giving me a little trouble..I think it is opening up a little more each day which makes it weak now but it will be stronger in the long run..I will try not to complain about my pain anymore though.. I talked to a really nice guy named Chris this morning and he taught me a great lesson..He was telling me of some people in India and around the world who cannot feel pain..The will fall and bust or break something and they don't ever know it until it is too late because they have no sensation of pain or pleasure..I think about how that must be and the fire in my legs is a gift. I couldn't imagine not feeling any sensation and going through life in that state..These people must have to really be present all the time..I think I take awarness for granted so I will try not to complain so much about little things.


I bound with the help of Sharath in Marichyasana A. I think with the loss of 7 kilos I can reach more so I'm binding much better. I also think I am getting more flexable and lighter in my movement..I know I feel the best I have ever felt..The last time I felt this good I was in highschool.

Walked to get coffee at Barista and stoped and watched a few ponies resting on the street. I love it here because you see ponies and cows and dogs everywhere. Most of them are pretty friendly..I like to keep a few biscuits in my bag for the dogs..They love attention of any kind. There is one on the way to Loyal World and he runs up to me every day he sees me..He reminds me of a dog I had when I was young named Dusty..He even has the same eyes..He is very loving and kind..I always squat on the ground and play with him for a few minutes each day..He is so loving..


I went to Mysore City Market and picked up some cabbage and carrots...walked around the streets and just watched the people in the area..I could do this every day all day..the different colors of vegetables and the different styles of Sarees and clothes of the locals...it is so good for the soul here just to take everything in and just be alone with no worries from home..Even in the simple things there is beauty in India...It is happiness in a way I never imagined.


Tonight I am just reading and resting..There is a mute guy that comes to our door and asks for money..I always give him water or a 7-up..He likes the soda I think the best..I figure it is nice for anyone to have a nice cold soda on a hot Mysore afternoon.. I have to admit I was annoyed at first when he first started coming to the door but I'm working on giving up that emotion...People are in your life for a reason even if it is for only a few seconds..Susie is making a big Raw Vegan dinner for Friday night and I'm just chilling..Life is good here in Gokulum..We are healthy and happy and wish for all of you the same..Sweet dreams and good night.


Om Shanti Shanti

We Are Family...

Today I realized that the Indian people are really a great lesson for Americans..Here it is great to be from the West..you have plenty of money and you can afford plenty of food and afford to stay in a very nice apartment for little money. It is so great to walk down the street and see people looking at you and smiling..You have children of all ages from a few years to late teens stopping as asking you...What Country are you from...Hewo..are you American...The people are so nice..Of course you have the greedy and the not so nice but the people of India in general are a nonviolent and very welcoming community..If you go into a store or cafe the people working are always going out of their way to help you feel at home in their little neighborhood..They will give you the best food and the prettiest of items to take with you for little money..Even when it is expensive in India it is really cheap for us..It is a country of many many wonderful things but the most beautiful thing in India are the people and the goodness in their heart.


The other day I was in the market and I came across a loud arguement by a pile of tomatoes..There was a lady who was caucasion and she was yelling at this really weak and sick looking elderly man...She wanted three tomatoes and was paying for them with a 500R bill..For those of you that don't know..three tomatoes are about 3 or 4 rupees...So of course the poor guy from the tomato stand is not going to have enough change to break a 500R bill..A lot of restaurants have problems breaking a 500R bill...So the nice elderly man kindly appologized to her and said he didn't have enough change to break her large bill..She continued yelling at him and told him he was an idiot and finally threw the tomatoes at his feet..the elderly man picked up the tomatoes and looked as if he had done something wrong walked up the the lady and handed her the tomatoes and said here..She turned and walked away..so I looked at her and she smiled...confused... I just looked at her with my mouth open..she said you have to know how to talk to these people they aren't like us...and... as I assumed... she was American...I told her that she made me sick to my stomach and she should be ashamed of her self..she just walked away...As I walked by the elderly man he just smiled at me.


There are a few more examples I could write about but I'm not going to give them power..I just think in America how many times have I seen a person from another country and asked them where they are from or even smiled and said hello..not very often..I hear a lot about people from other countries taking our jobs and spending all of our money...It kind of makes me sick..I think everyone that works pays taxes no matter what nationality they are in America..If you don't believe me just ask that guy FICA..If you don't know who I'm talking about look at your next paycheck..The fact is I'm a self-centered person not to be aware of my worldly neighbor living down the street from me or shopping in my local grocery store..Why have I not said hello..or even smiled..Well...I will now..not because I feel the need to... because I want to..I want to give back that warmness I feel when an Indian child asks me what country I'm from or takes the time to stop and smile or say hello...Aren't we all brothers and sisters when it comes down to it in the end?..If you don't think so than maybe you should do just that...Think more..If you don't want say anything...Smile..last time I checked it was a free emotion and it won't only make your worldly brother or sister feel better it will probably make you fell better as well..


So I am grateful for Mysore, India, and it's people..I am grateful for my own country and the lessons I have learned and continue to learn...I am grateful to be alive and well and be a part of a world where yes there is pain and evil...but there is happiness and love as well..I choose love and happiness and community because as Ghandi said years ago..I can be the change I want to see..So I will be the change I want to see...And I will be change with my wordly community.

Attack of the F@#k*&g Monkey's

So let's talk about monkeys...Yea monkeys..you see today I came home and found the Monkey mafia going through my garbage like an all you can eat Chinese buffet...I was walking down the street from the shala and saw a few monkeys sitting on the fence outside our apartment and thought to myself..oh..look..monkeys..how cute..Than I realized there were about 10 of them..I walked into my gate only to find all of my garbage strung out all over the patio...The huge head monkey was eating my sesame candy and the rest of his gang had found a pile of bad fruit I had thrown out. Needless to say they were not scared of me when I tired to scare them away..They just look at you and act like you're a yard plant....The leader of the pack was as big as a four year old child and fat...He grabbed a bag of candy and sat on the top of the stairs in all of his glory..Fat little Hanuman G can bite me..These guys are just plain nasty...Don't get me wrong I love animals but they are like the raccoons of India..Now I have to clean up a nasty rotten mess or pay some guy 20 rupees to make my patio clean enough to walk across.

I just registered for my 2nd month at the shala..My new practice time is 6:15 so I need to get up around 5:15..My practice time on Sunday is 4:30am now...This morning I was up at 3:30am. Not fun but not that bad either..It also gave me an excuse to have two coffees today. I bound in Marichyasana A today with the help of Sharath on both sides..I think I'm close to doing it on my own now..Johnna..When I get home you better start eating your Chapatti..You have my permission to kick my yoga ass..I kind of can't wait..Love you boo.


I have found you have to be careful walking on the street in India. Yesterday when I was walking back from my morning coffee I found a dirty needle on the side walk...I have heard people talking about the dirty needles but never seen one..We have them in America too so not like a huge deal..I am just being more careful...Mom..I didn't step on the needle and I'm not having relations with the monkeys so I promise I'm still free of diseases...hahaha. I did however see a monkey today with his hands around his balls but they were made of sesame(sesame candy)....hahahaha..Love you Mom..


So tomorrow I'm going into the market and shopping around for nice veggies. I have been making veggie dumplings from scratch..you know flour and water..I mean from scratch..I'm going to make home made Perogies tomorrow...Lots of cheese and potato..I can't wait.

I will cut it short for now..I am healthy and happy in Mysore...Mom sorry for the crass comments but I know you still love me...Sweet dreams.

Good Coffee

This morning I was very stiff and my hamstrings were on fire..I rushed through my practice so I could get home and rest. Sharath changed my practice time to 6:30am so I have to get up a little earlier so I can be awake before I begin. The lobby is almost empty now when I get to the shala in the morning..I forget I have been here a month on Friday and a lot of people were only staying for a month. I was fortunate enough to be able to stay almost 3. The next crowd will be arriving soon I'm sure. I already see some new faces. It is refreshing in a way.


Today all I could think about was the monks I saw yesterday. When I was in the market I saw a few monks today and I just smiled at them with a huge grin..They always smile back and wave. It makes me so happy to see the monks and their warmness. I'm going to try to get back to the Tibeten temple on Tuesday.


I finally broke down and went to a coffee house here in Gokulam called Barista..I have been there once already for a milkshake and it was over rated and too expensive. I figured I would try what a coffee house is known for and order a coffee beverage...My friend Makoto and my friend Kia were with me..It was Kia's idea to order the coffee..She frequents the place so I figured I would take her word on it..I ordered a decaf and the guy wanted to charge me 25 more rupees so I stuck to a regular.. I hope it doesn't keep me awake tonight. It was the best coffee I have had since I left the US..I'm going back at least a few times a week. Makoto suggested we grab some fruit in the mornings and pay for coffee instead of breakfast..I think he might be the smartest man on the face of the earth. I will try Coffee Day this week as well..They are supposed to have really good coffee too. I miss my Sunday's at Caribou but I'm very happy here with my Barista.. Mysore has everything.


Tonight I'm turning in early so I can get some extra sleep for in the morning. My caugh is finally calming down and I'm thinking tomorrow my practice will be pretty powerful..We have led on Friday and than we are off Saturday and we have a moon day on Sunday..Two days off in a row means I'm guessing our led class is going to be tough on Friday...I'm kind of looking forward to it.


I'm healthy and happy in Mysore. In the back of my head I'm already planning next years journey. I can't imagine being away from this place for too long..In my heart it is also my home..Good night and sweet dreams.

Love and Peace

Bylakuppa....

Today started out as a normal day of practice..I was so sore this morning and I wasn't in the mood for anything but sleep..I started practice slow and steady but all I could think about was breakfast..I got to Marichyasana A and Sharath came over to adjust me..On the left side I grabed my fingers for a few breaths and than I sprung out like a rubber band..Sharath said..Need more Chapati..I said..You told me no more chapati..He said..No..I need more chapati..than he just laughed...hahahaha..As I was leaving he walked out in the lobby and said..Jon-a-ton..you only eat one very very very small meal a day..I said...I already lost 6 kilo...He said..6 more..he just smiled at me..I am going to try to lose 6 more Kilo but I'm not starving to do it..I think it will happen..I'm determined but trying not to obsess about it..


After yoga I ate breakfast and Jennifer and Makoto and I went to Bylakuppa to visit the Tibiten village..This is one of the biggest exile communities for the Tibiten people in the world..We caught a bus for 51R and after a bump bump here and a bump bump there we arrived at Bylakuppe 2 hours later..We stopped and ate momo (Tibiten dumplings) and had a soda. They were some of the best dumplings I have ever had and I got 10 for 35R. I must say it was a great change from curry...We walked to the Golden temple just in time for the chanting..It was so beautiful...We walked for about 3 hours around the different camps and than to the shops in camp 1. Everything is so beautiful qnd peaceful..no horns or swarms of beggers...You don't even feel like you are in India..The Tibiten monks are so kind and their faces so warm and welcoming..We were the only tourists there today so it was nice..The monks would wave to us or just smile..I stopped in shock when I saw a small monk around the age of 9 or so playing with a toy gun..It was odd but this shows that even peaceful beings are a product of society..I felt at peace here and will try to go back at least once a week just to walk around and be by myself..At one point Makoto and Jennifer and I just stood and looked out at the green hills and didn't move. As we were passing a group of housing some teenage monks waved to us while listenng to rap music..People are people...no matter where they are from..We all love the same things and have the same needs..Pretty much we want to love and be loved..The Tibiten people are full of love...I wouldn't think twice about giving up everything and becoming a monk...There is so much beauty here in their way of life and theTibiten spirit...and it's so real.


Tonight my friend Elaine left for home..I already miss her and she is not even out of India yet..I feel like I have met my sister from another life..I know I will always carry her in my heart where ever I go...She is one of the sweetest and caring people I have ever met..She is pure and unconditional in her love.


So today was a good day..I had good friends and good food and a good visit at the Tibiten village. I am more grateful than you can imagine..I feel my heart is in a good place.. My heart is not heavy and I feel real happiness for the first time in a long time...I am so happy here. Good night from Mysore..


Peace and Love

Magical Yogi's and Monkey Love

Yesterday was led practice early in the morning. Usually on Sunday Saraswathi teaches the led practice. My teacher Sharath comes in and chants the opening prayer and than goes to his office to watch until he teaches the advanced class after ours. He came out yesterday and corrected one of my positions and smiled at me. I kept slipping yesterday because my mat was on the marble and not the huge rug in the middle of the room. It was an ok practice. After practice I stayed and watched the advanced yogi's..They were amazing. The sequence is the same until they get to Purvokanasana. I think that's the one...So much sanskrit. Than they begin all kinds of great stuff. I was amazed at how fluid they all were. It was such a great experience. There is a guy named Ethan that I couldn't take my eyes off of. His practice is so magical....He never makes a dull face or sound..He practices with a Buddha like face and fluid movements...It was just an honor to see someone of his ability pracitce..I'm very lucky..I'm in Mysore the home of Asthanga yoga and I get to see the beauty in the practice from people like Ethan and so many other beautiful and kind yogi's..This place is really school in so many ways.


I went to Santosha and ate a few eggs and too many sweets. Than I came home to do laundry...As I was walking out side to hang laundry on my roof I stopped dead in my tracks only to find a mafia of monkeys looking straight at me. I looked at my neighbor Jennifer who was watching them and just laughed...They all had coconuts..I walked up the steps to my roof and they just kept right on marching up with me...As I was hanging my clothes another group of monkeys were parading up the stairs..As I was looking at them prancing up the stairs I swung around and cut my head on the clothes line. I have all my shots so I won't get lock jaw...but forhead cuts bleed so much..I ran down and washed the area and slathered it with antibiotic ointment..I think I will live..Mom..I'm ok..Don't freak out...Love you..


I'm not eating after 3pm because Sharath wants me to lose a few more Kilo so I take a rikshaw into the market and walk around. I saw my friend Amber yesterday as she was dress shopping..She and I like the same music....we talked for a while about Chinese music in the morning and I must say her taste in talant is very good..hahaha...at least as good as mine. We both agree that Jay Chou rocks...She is from Taiwan and staying for 3 weeks to study at the shala. She is funny and has a very kind soul..


I have been spending a lot of time alone because I feel it is more appealing. Susie goes out with the girls and I must say she has a good group of kind and loving people around her.. I am enjoying my alone time and sometimes I hang with my friend Makoto and my friend Jennifer. We all eat breakfast together so we do see each other at least once in the day..


Tomorrow Jennifer and Makoto and I are going to a Buddhist Tibiten village..I really can't wait..I have been feeling the need to see and speak to the monks..I approach some on the street and they talk a little but soemtimes don't speak very much English..I feel so self-centered because American's always expect everyone to know English..Too bad I never really learned Chinese..It would be to my advantage..


So I'm happy and well in Mysore. I am home sick but it comes and goes..I really look forward to my practice in the mornings and my books at night..Life is really good here and I am very lucky.

Peace and Love

Peace..Love...and Kimchee

Today was the Friday led practice and it was so great. I was sore as get out but after the first three Surya Namaskara A I couldn't get enough. Sharath was very funny and light this morning but his holds were no joke. In the warm up he was at a steady pace....you think you are in for bit of a hay ride and than he gets you in Utthita Hasta Padagusthasana..1..2...Hey..you..in the purple...why you in hurry..are you hungry..3..........................................................................4....5.Get the point...I love it though.. He just smiles so big and you can here people grunting and bitching under their breath..or maybe just me...hahaha. Finally you get to Dandasanasa and the real work begins..I used to think the hard part was in the standing postures but I was more than wrong. All I'm going to say is Purvottasana to Marichyasana A is more effective than any treadmill or diet pill you can buy on the market..It doesn't only clean the shit out of your body either...when you think you have detoxed all you can detox your mind throws up all over your ego and before you know it your yoga mat becomes more valuable than the self help section at your local Barnes and Noble book store( or Sapna if your in the beautiful Mysore City). Yoga in general is a transformational tool..When you come to Mysore and began to really live yoga you learn it is just that..a way of life..not a 90 minute sweat it out to Madonna remix of Ray Of Light in a heated room at your community YMCA.


Today for lunch I had Korean food. Yes!!!!there is a Korean place in Mysore..I know....I flipped..I wanted rice so bad...I ordered a noodle dish and some veggie sushi..The server also brought out some kim chee and a scallion pancake..I was in heaven.I ordered an extra side of rice to eat with my kim chee....I will be going back before the weekend is over. I was so in love with the korean food I went to the market and found supplies to make Korean pancakes and kim chee. I can't wait.


So after my Korean food supply shopping trip my search for the last item on my list led me to the Chicken butcher...In mysore most everyone is vegetarian but there are some people that do eat meat..There is a Muslim population and a small western population that do eat chicken around here. I had seen this place and tried to avoid it but I really needed eggs for my pancakes..I sucked up my nerves and walked up the the butcher and asked for half a dozen eggs...He looked at me and said ..yes...yes...yes...It was only 16R for half a dozen eggs...that's like 20 cents..Crazy..When I got home I realized that the eggs I just bought were probably from the chickens that were killed today..Kind of makes me sick to my stomach...I'm going to try not to think about it. I tried to rationalize it by saying in India the are more humane about killing their chickens but it just creeps me out...It's kind of like saying slitting a throat is better than bashing some poor animals head in...Ok..enough about the chickens..I'm still making my Korean pancakes. (Where do you draw the line between greed and need).


I went home and relaxed and read my books..I keep facinating about Korean pancakes and kim chee.  Tomorrow I'm going to make kim chee and practice making my Pancakes..Wish me luck..
Peace, Love, and Kimchee...
Namaste,

Santosha's Cafe

This morning I felt much much better. I have started the Cipro and killed those little shits...I'm being literal here...I killed the shits...I must say I was worse off than I thought. I figured after a night of cramping and running back and forth I would go for some good old antibiotics. This morning my practice was really good. With the help of Sharath I hooked my fingers in the left direction of Marichyasana A...Sharath say..Jon-a-ton...no eating for you... a entire week...one week...hehehehe..you no eating...I looked up at him and as he was laughing I told him I haven't been eating..It was so funny.... He just continued to look at me and laugh. Now the question is...Was he serious? I don't know. I will be eating a breakfast and a small lunch and fasting till practice as my new schedule. I like to be light and empty when I practice. I am going to have to buy a few new pairs of pants though...Nothing is fitting anymore. I am shrinking a bit.

We found a new place to eat here by the apartment.  It is called Santosha's Cafe.  It is so good.  They have baked goods and great breakfast food.  It is my new favorite place to eat.  I had 2 poached eggs and toast with a macaroon for breakfast.  The food is so healthy and reasonable and made with love.  The guy who runs it is from New York and his name is Julian.  He is really cool and nice.  There is music playing and books and board games on the shelves.  It is very much like home.  I love it..


Now I went to get water from Shiva (destroyer of the wallet)..and as I was bringing it home I passed a man who was to not going to let me walk another step further with the water jug..I assumed he was one of Shiva's mafia...when I got home I grabbed the water jug and he was still standing at the door. I said..Ok..Thanks dude...That's all..He looked at me and say..I take empty water container..I told him Shiva had it already...He say..You likey watch..look my watchy..Hey..hey..you likey boogie...boogie...listen..Indian remix...(he brings out his phone and starts playing what sounds to be Indian porn music with goats screaming in the back ground)..I said ok bye...He looked at Susie and say...you..you have nice feet... What is your name...and you sir..what is your name..I said My name is Jack and her name is Elizabeth..bye...He say...oh..I know Jack...Titantic...you not Susie...Ryou be Rose..hehehehe you be Rose and Jack.. He was walking forward like he wanted to come inside..He began to look a little crazy so I said...Ok.. Bye now....I shut the door...So the guys can be a little creepy in India..but the moral the the story is Susie has nice feet...hahahaha..I mean Rose..hahaha.


So tonight we arfe going to a pot luck dinner at Katie's and Jennifer before she leaves to the airport.  I'm going to come home and rest.  No eating for me though..I have to get into Marichyasana A..I had Gobi Manchuria for lunch though...It is my new favorite.  All is happy and well here in Mysore..
Good night.

Utthita Hasta Padangushtasana

Yesterday was Sunday and I wasn't well in the morning. I have a chest cold from the air but this is normal until my lungs get used to my new surroundings. Add this to the diareaha and it isn't fun. Yesterday morning I skipped practice because I felt it wouldn't be safe for me to practice. I rested and ate bland food and have been nursing myself back into shape.


At lecture Sharath talked about people who were missing class. Right away I felt guilty but I know my absence was to take care of my health. Evidently people in the shala are not showing up because of laziness not sickness. After lecture I asked him his advice on skipping class on days when I was so sick. He said I was fine and to rest and be in class tomorrow. He gave me some tips on helping me get rid of my cold but it involved hot milk and Tumiric..I respect my teacher but that just isn't going to happen. Ginger tea and lemon are good enough.


This morning my practice was fast but actually improved from last week. I had diareaha this morning so I was trying to keep it together if you know what I mean. My lungs cleared out as I warmed up and I was feeling really good. When I got to Utthita Hasta Padangushtasana I just stuck my leg right out in front of me. I couldn't help smiling because my leg is so straight. All of a sudden I saw Sharath jump off the stage and trot over to me and smile. He grabbed my leg and raised it another foot higher. I lost me balance a little but that little guy is strong. He just held my leg up there and than opened it to the side...After 5 breaths he brought it back to the front but raised it another half foot and than after a few seconds let go....He looked at me with a smile and said....Jon-.a-.ton..Next side..Same ting...utter..side...Than I went through the rest of my practice and ran home to feed Seymore.


At 5:00pm we had to all be at the shala to here one of Pattabhi Jois's students of a long time ago talk to us about the Yoga Sutra's. They call him SwamiJi. He talked to us about how even though we are all different bodies we are the same self...our souls connect us not our bodies..He than thanked us all for not only coming to Mysore but staying on our path of yoga. He than blessed all of us and ended with a prayer.
 

I am home resting and preparing for tomorrow's practice. I still feel kind of shaky in the stomach but I am getting better. I am so happy to be here but still kind of home sick. I know when I leave here I will be home sick for Mysore so I'm trying to not think about it. Good night and sweetdreams.



Om Shanti Shanti