Menory Lane - Kolwan E

This is an ANL 'redub' taken from the lengthy letter produced at the time. It is being broken into dated entries here and some piccies being added.  This was a definite highlight in the two years!  Did you miss the start - go back four days.  This post a little 'supersized' in order to complete the set and on Tuesday's Me-now-views there will be a further display of piccies.  Thanks for sharing this special visit with me!!

13/11/2012

After morning vedanta class, we had no other schedule today in celebration of Diwali. The day was cooler and a tad overcast but very pleasant nevertheless. I spent a goodly part of the morning outside for a change, hanging with my li’l bros and bird watching. Late morning I began sorting the photos already taken on the visit .

Now everyone has climbed the big hill to Ganapati Mandir for puja and dancing. I sent my camera with Sunone. Meanwhile, I have lit the 6 little deepas I brought with me, set the incense going and have a peek out the curtains every so often to see if I can glimpse some of the show of fireworks from the town. They’ve been banging and flashing for 3 hours already. Have caught sight of a couple of pretty rockets, but they are mostly ground-based crackers and things, so only really seeing sky-flash – am glad not to be too near though, with all the noise. As the show has picked up, the loud speaker broadcast singing of bhajans has dropped away. Anyway, today really has been a holiday and am feeling very relaxed.

14/11/2012

…………….thinking, thinking…………

How is it that we even contemplate the possibility of eternity and immortality? Something must have triggered such concepts - and it is not that we have a cosmos that SEEMS ageless, because it has been established that said cosmos has a use-by date! There is a knower of the knowledge and it is that we have to connect with.

As humans we are able to note and record the births and deaths of our children and ancestors. To do that we ourselves have to be present… but at this level we also have to accept our own birth and death - - - as bodies. What is it in us that is aware of it all? As jiva we certainly cannot know our own birth and death - but atma has ensured that the memories retained in mind from previous births reveal themselves to us throughout this birth itself - albeit that we also don't recognise them as such, for they will come out in the form of desires, talents, hatreds, etc. (vasanas resulting in prarabdha). Those who have no insight regarding previous births will still say that this is the only existence there is; but ancient wisdom and experience of countless others from each successive generation has proven otherwise.

This I suppose only highlights the fact of differing rungs on the spiritual ladder and, with some, leads to elitism and secretiveness of "the Knowledge". Vedanta doesn't do that, it just sits and waits for seekers to find it. When we are ready, it is there.

From this you will see that we are going into some very deep areas with Advaita Makaranda – this is the gristly stuff I have been waiting for! Not that there haven’t been lots of contemplative moments in previous readings, but we have reached a point in the course and our understanding whereby our brains have been ‘elasticised’ and are capable of expanding even further – like one of those snakes swallowing an antelope.

Just when you think you’ve thunk your greatest thought, you’re taught to see the thought behind the thinking…

17/11/2012

Okay, I swear the dew drops this morning were actually ice crystals. It was officially “parky” last night and even the two blankets were feeling thin. It was equally cold on morning of the 15th, but it didn’t stop a number of our more adventurous spirits from climbing the local ‘peak’, led by Samvid-ji. 

Now we are on the downward run of our three weeks. All are starting to sigh deeply and look

longingly at the hills and fields – At Diwali, some local ladies came to get clean water for food preparations. How elegantly they flowed, like the fluid they carried.

On Diwali night a few of the group went into Kolwan to visit three of the nearby temples (tiny places compared to ours of course, but holy places none-the-less). In the process they met several of the locals, as well as viewing the mud construction work of some of the children. The local custom is to create Siva-ji’s fort and all the creatures that surround it. This is quite a prosperous little place and many of the cottages wore satellite dishes. (As do many of the shanties next to Sandeepany I should tell you.)

Many of these people also keep dogs as pets. You may recall from our first visit here back in January I had snapped a very regal looking fellow with big collar and bell? I mentioned Moti the Mutt (gardener’s dog) earlier. Kalpana also found a lovely black Labrador waiting for its master outside one temple and one family had a treasured calf, no doubt with a view to milk supply in the not too distant future!

19/11/2012

Oops, got interrupted the other day and never got back. Allowed myself an hour yesterday of birding (Sunday) but then had to closet myself as was nominated to write up the entire summary of Vakya Vrtti – took me until this arvo to complete it. In between keeping up with Ad.Mak.

Had a bit of crack-up yesterday at lunch when Samvid-ji approached and said “amma you’re looking so well, it is good to see… you should phone Acarya-ji and tell him we need to stay here!” (indicating his own desire to remain at Vibhooti). Just one problem, I said. No telephone. But I appreciated the sentiment. 

The atmosphere is redolent with a sense of

‘clinging’ which is of course totally un-vedantic. Release that attachment people! You may get a sense of the stress-freeing effect of the place from this piccie of Kraziegal and myself sitting on the verandah of Yashoda. Even though the study has been intense, it has not left its lines upon our brows. Those of us who have cameras are going crazy, snapping anything and everything for the memory box.

I have decided that will send this tomorrow (20th) from the WiFi facility down the hill – I just like the idea of it being “postmarked” from Vibhooti. What to say, I’m romantic that way. That means this will be the final entry of the ‘Kolwan diary’. 

Hope I haven’t bored the sox of yez all. It’s hard not to be excessively enthusiastic when surrounded by the awesome.

With love and blessings

From Gurudev’s Footprints,

Yamini.

Here ends the revisit to a wonderful experience.  On Tuesday, check out some more images from this incredibly beautiful place.  Hari Om!

Menory Lane - Kolwan D

This is an ANL 'redub' taken from the lengthy letter produced at the time. It is being broken into dated entries here and some piccies being added.  This was a definite highlight in the two years!  Did you miss the start - go back three days.

07/11/2012

Thinking caps on please! We are getting into the nitty-gritty of HOW to think. This text is challenging any complacency that may exist; we can easily listen and, on intellectual level, accept what is heard. If arguments are plausible, then we are inclined to ride along with them. But if we are truly thinking about what is being said and trying to apply the logic to our own perceptions, then we are forced to find that questions arise. Invariably our experience is at odds with the arguments being put forward. The key argument arising in this text is that which we find in Ramana Maharishi's writings such as Upadesha Sara, whereby the postulation is for the drishti-shrishti vada - that is, the world is nothing but a projection of mind. We kinda get the idea when we think of the movie on the screen or the land of dreams - but once asked to accept that the world we find waiting for us each and every morning is a long and continuous 'soap opera' we get a bit jittery. The brain tends to bend sideways and take a sniff at the tail!

Yesterday, found the body taking 2 hours sleep from 12 – 2pm and I have to say it did me the world of good. Also slept exceptionally well last night – put on two of the gorgeous, heavy wool blankets I found in one of the cupboards plus my hottie, so was well snug.

Also got rid of a heap of wind, which lightened things a bit! (Pardon my saying so). The food here is superior to Sandeepany’s I have to say. It is, however, a bit rich in oil and I suppose one has to readjust. Bloating abominable, so took a day off it yesterday and instead had one of my cuppa soups and noodles plus fruit. This plus the rest seemed to restore some inner balance and today am generally much improved. Not the hip, though. It’s really nagging at me and will just have to continue taking my time on the paths. There are just rather too many steps involved, sadly. My little bro’s have been fantastic however, carrying my bags and meal plates for me. Sunone has taken the camera and is getting to places I can’t for piccies. The place is alive with Lord’s wonderment. Just standing in one place for 10 minutes gives an abundance of viewing.

10/11/2012

A couple of high-thinking days have just passed by. Here is a glimpse from my notes to give you an idea of what’s-a-happenin’ round here. (skip this if you are prone to air-sickness…)

Verse 6, then, undauntingly sets out to prove the all-pervasiveness of atma. As far as you think the sun and moon are, 'I' extend further - to the ends of the 'known' universe - and there is the crux of this matter. As long as it is known it is because it is illumined by Me, otherwise it does not exist. If you say Self is here only, then how can it be said to illuminate the cosmos? It would imply that the cosmos is making itself known therefore would make the inert conscious and Me inert also and that is clearly a ludicrous thought! Consciousness is not inert. I am consciousness. Thus everything that is not Me is illumined by me in order for it to be known. To overcome the sense that I am here only, requires us to understand the presence of consciousness without upadhis. Shruti (Brahma Gita) says, "on its own it cannot shine, this inert world; only connecting with consciousness can it shine - all inert things borrow my light, which is of the nature of consciousness".

OBJECTION! Jiva and Brahman as you say are one - but I still have difficulty in accepting that, at all, there is any Brahman!! To say these 3 limitations, (space time and object) are present and then to say Brahman is present within them all without being in any way affected by them is impossible - it must , like everything else, be conditioned by them and is therefore itself a false concept. I say so because time and space exist and as soon as two objects are present, one displacing the other, vastu paricchedha occurs, that is other objects surely manifest.

Response: No - please understand that all space time objects are SUPERIMPOSITION - your argument is still founded in delusion of the space-time continuum. Space itself is a superimposition. Pramana says "from that atman, space came"…

...But that shruti says it was 'born' which makes space an effect and this is not superimposition, but a result. With this limitation I say again there is no Brahman.

Then again I will establish that space IS superimposition………………...

(end skip)

Yes well, so it goes on… now couple this with Kamlesh rattling on about a recent theory of origin in particle physics that posits the rubbing together of two elements resulting in the ‘release of space’ (Higgs-Boson)… arè babrè, is science finally catching up with God?! I tell you again, science fiction has nothing on these sanskrit teachings. In Ramayana alone there are talking monkeys (the missing link?), flying rickshaws (helicopters?), brahmastras (nuclear weapons), engineering feats, communication between all creatures…

In our current life we base everything on experience – “taste it and see” – and for a large part of transactional living that is fine. But in terms of proof of spirit it has no basis and indeed can be misleading. We are inclined to experience, seek an explanation of that experience and then something to justify both the experience and the explanation. This often results in misinterpretation and indeed, can lead one completely away from the intended path.

Vedanta takes things the other way. Shruti, yukti, mukhti – means, the word that says this is the way of things, the logic which ratifies that and then the advocating of practices to make the theory into experience. This is what makes it the science of life.

Anyway, that’s enough of that for now or I’ll be alienating the audience! Suffice to say that one

"You doooo want to give me that
roti in your pocketses!"

is feeling the full immersion in THIS experience. Being surrounded by such peace and beauty is surely adding to it – don’t think I mentioned that the minute we arrived I was approached by a lovely little (mostly) Border Collie of red colour and pale eyes? She is resident here although not in the same way of Krishna and Kaneya. Very sweet and affectionate. Today also one of the gardener’s had brought their rambunctious and LARGE puppy (dalmation cross at a guess) who honed into yours truly all unsuspecting. Lovely beast, but needs some serious training about when to climb and when not. I managed to get him sitting in return for cuddles but really, was a bit surprised they were allowed to bring him on the premises. Nice to see a well-kept pet nonetheless. The local cat has also made himself known. Hey ho. This is part of one’s prarabdha (fate), no doubt.

During the days it gets comfortably warm, but boy does the temp drop when the sun hides. Have seen some spectacular sunrises and a couple of beaut sunsets. Certainly gets under the skin this place.

Menory Lane - Kolwan C

This is an ANL 'redub' taken from the lengthy letter produced at the time. It is being broken into dated entries here and some piccies being added.  This was a definite highlight in the two years!  Did you miss the start - go back two days.

04/11/2012

So, gently back into routine with a 5am wakeup. 7am class, but had to allow time to get there – everything is so widely set apart, which is fine, but it requires planning. It appears that we may have some adjustments, based on Swami-ji’s opening comments. Am quite glad really as the workload was looking a tad ominous, to be honest. The afternoon class here will be 4-5 instead of 4.30-5.30 and there are a few other minor changes but don’t think anyone is bothered. The place is blissing us all out! We all came out to a fog-ridden sunrise that was quite beautiful, haunting even. Then glorious sunshine and a rosy sunset over the hills. Despite the fact that now one’s ears have adjusted and found that there are many sounds in the silence, it is one of the most peaceful settings I have ever had the joy to visit. Similar experiences came from being in the Cairngorms and the west coast of Scotland and also at Kata Juta/Uluru and other such places. Stunning.

Breakfast was idlis with really good sambar and lunch today was a spectacular cauliflower and peas dish with more of that yummy dhal and rotis… for the first time since I arrived in India, I went back for seconds!!  So much for the packed box... It will get used in the evenings though.

After lunch I had a wee stroll around some of the flatter parts of the settlement then back into the room for more study. That is going to pretty much be the norm I think. We all got a bit of fright when we were handed Ad.Mak. bhashya in total sanskrit – not a word of English in sight. We have Guru-ji’s version also, but we are studying from the sanskrit only. This is a lesser known work and is designed for more senior students who are striving through the contemplation stage of vedantic study. It assumes the presence of questions and doubts; there are those who intellectually know that Brahman is all – but unless one is living the experience of being Brahman, then it must be said that doubts/blocks are present. If they were not, then it could be said that one is realised.

Okay. Pooped again.

05/11/2012

Having one of my less better days, mood-ways and physically. Had not expected the walking here to be quite as much of a challenge as it is turning out to be - the paths are cobbled and need to focus on balance, also many gradients and steps to be negotiated, plus distances are significantly more than they are at Sandeepany. All this lends to the beauty of the place, but for this body it is proving rather taxing - and we are only four days in. It is not just the physical effort required - the concentration on my feet is tiring and realised that my whole body is tense with keeping upright!

Advaitananda-ji was commenting on the nature of the student who may be querying the need for this text, perhaps not thinking that they have any doubts or questions on the matter of being Brahman. Indeed there are those - like myself - who rarely if ever ask questions; this can mean one of two things. Either they were attentive and receptive enough to have fully understood - or they are too lazy to think! Generally, though, it is simply that they do not recognise what is represented in doubt. He gave the clear and brilliant example of holding up his watch and asking if anyone had any doubt as to its being, indeed, a watch. Of course not.

As clear as we were about the nature of the watch, so we need to be about our true nature being Brahman.

Which means that everyone in that room (I suppose) would have to now admit to doubt. As long as one is not in the full state of understanding True Nature, there IS doubt - even if it has not formed itself into a question.

In short, we have to get honest. As long as we are not Brahman, we are in doubt.

Getting honest comes with some discomfort in as much as one is again questioning one's spiritual fortitude. Not the intellectual, interestingly (as once I might). This text is already doing what I suppose swami-ji was pointing out above and whether it is that, the physical condition, or hangover depression from the monsoon fever I don't know, but felt really fragile today. It came to me that part of this is due to the very tranquil surroundings, by which I mean, it is my inclination to sit in nature anyway and preferably in solitude. Thus, finding myself in an environment which I would choose, but with restrictions to its full enjoyment due to time-tabling, I acknowledge some frustration. The best part of the day is sitting in here with the window wide open and watching the tableau of grasses brushed by breeze, several different bird and insect species, listening to their songs - and I swear I heard the butter fly…

It was cold last night. Needed the hottlebottle.

Menory Lane - Kolwan B

This is an ANL 'redub' taken from the lengthy letter produced at the time. It is being broken into dated entries here and some piccies being added.  This was a definite highlight in the two years!  Did you miss the start - go back one day.

03/11/2012

Slept early and well despite a couple of wakeups during the night. Didn’t get my VS work done after all as the eyes were falling out by 9pm… big journey and heaps of country air I suppose.  Breakfast this morning was one of the few that I cannot eat due to its cementing effects in lower regions, so thank goodness for the goodies box!  At lunch there was okra stew – another that does not agree with me so simply took the chapatti and dhal – which were of superior quality I must say. One could find the lentils in the sauce and the roti so thinly rolled they melted in the mouth. I could happily live on just that for the rest of my stay.

Took some more rest post-brekky until 11am, when I set off down the hill towards the main office and shopping area – yes shopping. Vani is an enormous outlet for Chinmaya Publications and CORD** items, whilst there is a newish separate outlet now for ‘cultural’ items; very pretty and quality items of jewellery, home décor etc. At 11.45am we all headed into Maruti Mandir, (Sri Hanuman temple) for chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama. This temple is by the main entrance. Ganapati Mandir right at the top of the hill is out of bounds for yours truly unless I can persuade the wallah with the golf buggy to provide a lift!  On that note, I only jokingly put in the remark and, yesterday, regarding the infirm – but today it came true. After lunch, I went to view the Jeeva Darshana, which took quite some time and effort (there are seats inside, but are low and no handles to push oneself up with, so just as much bother as continuing to stand) – so by the time I emerged at 3.30pm, the old hip and pelvis were screaming a bit. Tried flagging down the mentioned buggy bloke, but he said he was late for a meeting (-!-) so I just sat down on the wall and rested. An older gentleman I had met at Sandeepany rode by on his scooter and offered me a ride… at the same time another very pleasant fellow walking down said not to worry he’d get the ambulance…

I must have been looking really in need.

The old fella was determined he was going to do the good deed so on I got and thoroughly enjoyed the scoot up the hill – only to find there was an actual ambulance chasing after me!!!!  Ramchandra Menon is the manager of maintenance here and part-time ambo, apparently. Anyway, it’s nice to know the care is there.

Thus it was I rolled back in my door by 4.30pm. Showered, washed hair and clothes (there are no auto facilities here so daily hand-washing required) and settled in for the evening. Am definitely on country go-slow time though. Even typing this is proving to be a demand on the brain. Hope I can get it functioning at speed for our first session with Swami-ji in the morning. The 'darshan' had required more of one than expected; talking headphones with full commentary as well as lots of written displays and the thing is enormous.  Loved it, but realised that listening and reading together don’t really work for a midlifemudhead so will revisit once, maybe twice more, to ensure I get maximum out of the exhibit. Definitely, as all have said before me, the room with the wax Gurudev leaves the strongest impression – I admit to spontaneous tears, which were a little unexpected.

Have spotted two birds not seen at Sandeepany (though one of them Sandeep says he has seen there). There are many different flowers, some native wildflowers and a few cultivars – all with blooms still on the plants. That will change now we are here; already our South Indian 'wifies' are pulling them to pieces, despite all the signage saying don’t. Having said that, I have in this matter become a hypocrite – for there is an abundant yellow shrub from which I have a plume in my room, given that none can be seen in the vista from my window. To be accurate, I didn’t do the ‘actual picking’, one of the SI sisters did it for me. Don’t think that avoids making me an ‘actual hypocrite’ though!

**Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development, a program of empowerment in self-employment focused particularly on women.

Menory Lane - Kolwan A

This is an ANL 'redub' taken from the lengthy letter produced at the time. It is being broken into dated entries here and some piccies being added.  This was a definite highlight in the two years!

02/11/2012

A thought-flow journal of the 3-week trip to Chinmaya Vibhooti Ashram of the 15th batch Vedanta Course from Sandeepany Sadhanalaya.  Such adventures away from our closeted life in Mumbai are to be treasured. Not to mention that there will be a heap of vedantic activity to keep us focused.

Vibhooti is Guru-ji’s great project for a hill-station ashram which pays homage to his Guru, (and our Gurudev), Sri Pujya Swami Chinmayananda.  It is situated in the Sayadhri hills of Maharashtra, by the town of Kolwan, some 3.5 to 4 hours’ drive from Powai and about one hour from Pune.  The countryside is stunning, very rural and as we drove here this morning, the hay and straw harvest was happening – hand cutting and stooking as well as good old basket threshing of the seeds from the stalks – at a distance I would guess it was wheat only, but India does grow some different grains. Yours truly travelled with other ‘elders’ in a minibus with well sprung seating – but very cramped.          We

stopped a couple of times to stretch the limbs. One was in the village of Powainagari, where I picked up some bananas and sitaphal from one of the several fruit stalls. Six pieces altogether for 15 rupees – around 30c aussie. The ‘nanas were warm and sweet from sitting in the sun and the sitaphal (custard apple) at perfect ripeness. These formed part of my picnic lunch whilst others had the food on offer at the ashram.

We had left nearly an hour behind schedule from Powai (so what’s new?!), but being in the wee vehicle we made good time – some hair-raising moments on the road as our driver was determined he was going to deliver us first… Arrived at Vibhooti around 12.45pm. As the others popped into Annashree (Honoured Food), I made up my sandwich - (had bread in my bag.  Doesn’t everyone?)

Then we got our keys and settled into our rooms. I am in 103 of Yashoda – dang, it would be have been fun to have 102 here as well as at Chinmaya Vihar! But actually, I think I got the better room insofar as the main window here faces away from the main settlement right over Kolwan to the hills.  Sigh.  As I type at 4.15pm there is chanting of names of lord coming from loud speaker somewhere in town. It’s carrying some 2 miles. That’s how quiet it is here. Actually, it would have been called silence, but when sitting in such a calm, lots of small stuff makes itself noticed. Many birds and can even hear the insects! Just now there was the merest sprinkling of rain and would never have noticed at Powai, but heard the few drops hitting the leaves of the large grasses outside the window. As the evening progresses, the loud speaker gets more animated and I suspect the entire population of Kolwan is sitting entranced at some open-air theatricals. It is Friday night after all.

The buildings here are of high (Indian) standard – there are several different halls of residence each of two levels only. Yashoda has only 15 rooms and I think this is the norm for each bldg… but each of these rooms can sleep up to five visitors.  Anyway, I have one of these beauties all to myself!  Most are doubling up, but a few of us classified as ‘infirm’ (HAH! images of ambulances) have scored single status.

As had to defrost and switch off the fridge before coming, I carried with me some cheese, tomatoes, spread and curd that was too much just to dispose of. Oh yes -and bread!  Had purposely bought a bagful of oranges and pears, so as to have at least 10-12 days of fresh fruit still. Not likely to be allowed out to Kolwan to resupply. Packed a box of dry goods such as noodles, crackers and packet soup so that have backup if food not suiting – or just can’t face the walk over to food hall. Everything is significantly more distant than we’re used to and also over different gradient.

Have brought the hot water bottle – even now at 6pm am sitting with shawl over shoulders and the legs are starting to feel chilled. Will need to pull out a couple of the blankets from the cupboard over there to ensure comfy sleep tonight.

Before leaving for his own business down at CIF, Acarya-ji spoke with us all and outlined our schedule here. We will not be having vedic chanting early morning, but at midday instead. Vedanta will be twice daily, time to be confirmed by Swami Advaitananda who is the acarya here. Sanskrit is to be Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday we will have in that 10-11am slot, self-directed discussion groups on the text by Adi Sankaracarya called Vakya Vrtti. Having completed Vedanta Sara – intense but rewarding – we should now be able to draw out lots from this text based upon our understanding from that. We will be asked to make presentations on it when we return to Sandeepany. In addition, we have 4 tasks to complete based upon Vedanta Sara AND we are to prepare an assignment on Atma Bodha (from the beginning of the year!)  So if anyone thought they might be having a holiday at Vibhooti, that was wiped out thoroughly! The text to be studied with Advaitananda-ji  is Advaita Makharanda.

We are having tomorrow free to settle in, see the sights (such as Jeeva Darshana – a diorama exhibit of Gurudev) and generally refresh ourselves, ready for the fray that begins on Sunday.

Menory Lane - Again Part 5

It is Sunday and after a week of reviews of the ANLs from pre-blog days, we have actually reached the very long and detailed "Kolwan Diaries".  This warrants breaking down for blogging purposes and can fill a week of posts all by its self.  Thus I will not start it here, but leave you with one very small, pertinent, snippet from ANL 21 of 23rd Oct 2012.  Blessings to you all.

FIVE PRAYER ESSENTIALS

• Humility – surrender to the Lord fully, prostrate.  Only when you can lie at His feet have you handed your ego over.
• Remember The Lord always – murti is focus point. Whether it be a simple cross, even the scriptures or a clear picture in your mind's eye, know there is something to which you are pointed in seeking Higher Spirit.

• Praise – sing His glory - don't wait for organ or tabla, harmonium or guitar - know His songs and raise them in your heart.

• Request – put forward your wish for His help.  Having attuned yourself, unburden your concerns.

• Repay – show your appreciation of His listening by giving charity either directly or through donation, acting selflessly to all around you -  and be not shy with His name!  However you view the Highest Element (HE!) most call 'God', recognising the life-giving force in a manor of celebration is one of the most liberating and rewarding things you will ever do.

HARI OM

("The spirit in you is the spirit in me")                     ÿamxx

Menory Lane - Again Part 4

BLESSED SOLTICE EVERYONE!

Further reviews of the pre-blog newsletters are being given this week - firstly to save my over-taxed brain and secondly, because they give a good picture of life on a city ashram.

ANL 20 - 14th Oct 2012 - after the first year anniversary of the course, the increase in study levels began to tell upon us...

Things are getting ‘hotter’ in the study market. Don’t think anyone thought that was possible, but I suspect we’ve only seen the thin end yet. The Q&A review sessions moved to weekly and today there was a hint that these could become twice weekly – much of this process will cover texts already forgotten – and for that very reason I s’pose!

We now also have to prepare daily in case of being called to talk on any verse from Katha Upanishad. There is ridiculous amount of memory work involved which is understandable for the young’uns, but we over 50s are grateful for Acarya-ji’s understanding that this is a bit beyond most of us. 

Have decided that Dory really is a good nickname for me – it is a fine acronym for the fright/flight sensations that come over one when the name is called; Duck, Oscillate, Run, Yell! – then it becomes Do Oration Right Yamini…

There has been a sense of the tree being shaken a little bit – and indeed two more fellows have departed in the past month, as well as another having his status altered from student to part-time employee of TCT, being allowed to continue in the vedanta classes only. Now that arrangements are getting finalised for  our transfer to Vibhooti (2nd Nov. to 21st Nov – slight change but this is set in stone now), there are a few grumblings; it was announced that room sharing will be there (all are now used to having their own private ‘cells’) and packing will be significant as it is three weeks and all lessons will continue, therefore libraries required also… titiksha, (forbearance) people!

Ashram was crawling with folk today. Bala Vihar had their annual Gita Chanting competition, every kid turned out to the frill and the parents shrill. Then Swami Iswarananda-ji arrived from the US with half the population of that country accompanying him – and luggage enough for the entire populace of India!!  Thankfully only here for a day then off goodness knows where.

This follows a comical interlude two days ago when we had Japanese tourists staying for a day – classic Nipponese style of tour; “all sight of different ashram with many photo opportunity”. Hilarious. Two of the men came in to morning vedanta and filmed Acarya-ji mid sanskrit, then departed half a dozen sentences later… it felt a bit like we were creatures in a zoo!

One more snapshot before I go – the ladies who help out with hospitality were caught on candid camera yesterday morning; there are many workers here, but these ladies I have the most ‘truck’ with, particularly Pushpa (at back) whom I find to be warm and sisterly. Middle is Vidya, a bit ‘ruff’n’ready’ but big hearted and in front is Asha, the real motherly type. It was coming up to lunchtime and they were clearly having a wee ‘smoko’ before eating. They are good workers, so who can blame them?

Menory Lane - Again Part 3

Further review of the pre-blog news…

ANL16 - 28th August 2012 - was a rather lengthy piece… here are some highlights!

It is exactly one year ago this week that we all arrived here full of the joy of spirit and keen as mustard to hit the spiritual study trail.  Twelve months in, the majority who enrolled are still here. This is apparently some kind of record. We are the biggest batch ever to have gathered anyway (starting with 75 – which happens to be my roll number) and reduced by only 8. Word is that by now the majority of batches are down to something more like 45-50 and the drop continues to between 35-40 by end of course. All sorts of reasons are bandied about as to why; but clearly Bhagwan’s blessings are upon us.

However, the intensity of the subjects matter has increased significantly of late, all the ground work having been completed, and now we are into the high-level scriptures where we are expected to have fully integrated the concepts of Vedānta, to be applying it in our daily sādhana (practice) and be eating, breathing, talking and eliminating vedānt. This is where the steepening climb becomes mountainous. It is fascinating to me to look back over the year and see how much this introverted, head-based scientific philosophy can have so much effect upon the body. The healer in me has always understood the body-mind connection, but now the full impact of how spirit - (which, folks, regardless of your outlook, is present in ALL of us remember)- can inform physical reaction, is truly becoming clear.

Has there been worthwhile purification for Yamini? Of course! It is firstly gratifying to find that the process begun with Sādhana Chatușțaya four years ago has paid off; a fair number of the young ones here were only introduced to this right here itself.  It is this which holds one together in times of strife; one becomes acutely aware of the ‘triggers’ for desire, anger, greed, delusion, pride and jealousy (the 6 evils of life: kāma, kroda, lobha, moha, macha, matsarya). Generally, one may not display any of these, or at least rarely; but it is when one is focused on the task of purification that the time-bombs called vāsanas come to bite. When one is walking the talk, the road becomes rocky.

This is the point of being in an ashram situation. It is a magnifying glass on the personality, the very core of one’s drive in life and the sorter-out of all the dross.

At times there have been tears, but mostly there have been smiles.  It’s hard work ‘getting real’. However, there is only joy at being where I am; there is only hope that further improvement is on the way; there is relief at what has been dropped; and if all I walk away with from here is that I am a better human being, it will still have been worth it.

That’s enough of the introspection – what else is news?  Well since this has become a kind of a 'year that was' how  about;

Our days are structured to maximise the number of waking hours and therefore study and contemplation. 4am the first bell goes; your’s truly backs this up with an alarm clock, for invariably I don’t hear the first! Even though am not going up to mandir, still rise and perform morning prayers, chanting, japa, meditation.

First Vedānta class is at 7am. Brekky is at 8am. Then Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, at 10:30am (unless festivals or other matters interfere) we have Sanskrit class until midday, when there is Baghavad Gita chanting for the half hour leading up to lunch. After lunch is our own time then second Vedānta class at 4:00pm. A break then 6:30pm aarti at mandir followed at 7pm by Bhajans and Bhagavatam satsang.

There are often interruptions to the schedule though; India is festival-prone and we have to acknowledge all of them. Then if Guru-ji comes, things are generally adapted around his itinerary. It is interesting to find that even many of the resident Indians among the students are finding the number of festivals and the incredible pomp that goes with the pujas rather exhausting; the path of knowledge (jňāna) does not require such show, but people are brought here through the path of devotion (bhakti) and so the two go hand in hand. We have to remind ourselves that this is not simply a course in spiritual study, but also in Hindu Culture. 

Anyway, it’s all a spectacle.

Menory Lane - Again Part 2

Further review of the pre-blog news…

From ANL 15 - 19th August 2012 - between the 13th and 14th ANLs the great little netbook I had purchased specially for this journey gave up the ghost.  Whether climate or some nasty virus was unclear and the end result was the same… new purchase required.  Upgraded to full lap-top - Voovoo the Vaio - and that is when I also caved in and subscribed to internet dongle.  Here's the fun bit from the newsletter.

...Today, however, I managed to wipe out a heap of vid and pix that I took on Independence day; ropable with myself because I can't quite believe I managed to do it.  [Note to reader - this was when still in denial about menopolyxinaemia!]  

Usually there are always reminders popping up - “ARE YOU SURE?” - but not this time. Had the SD card in the slot and was transferring selected files only. Got the Krisnha Janmashtami ones okay but heaven alone knows what I hit wrongly when attempting to move the others. A bit sick about that because it was really quite wonderful. Oh well. 

Janmashtami was fun and there was a real holiday atmosphere – this is the festival that is closest in its style and celebration to Christmas. To commemorate Bala Krishna's 'stealing of the butter' from all the houses, there is a game called Mathaka, where groups are blindfolded and have to hit a clay pot to break it and release the goodies in side. The final pot of course has 'butter' in it… really more of a curd. There is lots of colour and flower confetti – and lollies falling from the sky. For the final mathaka, Krishna-ji himself must appear and perform his lila with the gopis; our little Nilesh did a smashing portrayal. (See the girls faces?!) 

Menory Lane - Again Part 1

Hari OM - another spell of revamps on the ANLs (pre-blog newsletters) which convey something of life on a city ashram.

ANL 13 - 19th July 2012 - this was a rather serious offering due to the demise of a senior ashramite and the onset of significantly higher teachings combined with Sanskirt exam news… but it had this one light spot which the general readership may enjoy...

Yesterday we had a bit of distraction in that it was Samvid-ji's birthday. Students ran the day (apart from vedanta, of course). Sanskrit class was utilised as a form of revision for the exam, but fun was had during that – culminating in yours truly giving the grammatical usage of the Australian term 'coo-eee'.

It got everyone livened up and Samvid-ji had a couple of giggles so it seemed to go down okay. He also liked the little box I made with an 'expandable' Happy Birthday greeting.

Afternoon snacks turned into a party, with Samvid-ji serving up icecream and cake. And what a cake. Baby Sri Krisna sitting on his private island in paradise. Acarya-ji joined in the fun and painted Samvid-ji's face with the green icing!

Our 7pm slot was filled with students taking over the Bhagavatam teaching and they did a fine job, making it both informative and fun (as Samvid-ji always does himself). Really it was a very pleasant (and bonding) sort of day. But the cherry on the cake as it were, was the final presentation of the night... Samvid-ji himself took the stage and danced a delightful Krishna Lila!! There's no end to the man's talent. Standing ovation, 'natch'. 

"We stand as one family..."

Menory Lane - a mini series Part 5

Continuing the extracts from pre-blog newsletters from Sandeepany Sadhanalaya.

From ANL12 - THE HALF FULL GLASS…

Now if I tell you the first two weeks of June seemed to 'have it in fer me' it is because anything and everything that could turn itself upside down did just that. First there was the finally caving in and going for an eye test (current prescription not up to the stress); sure enough reading strength had to go up a couple of notches and – lo! - am also now into bifocals (for class only) and it is amazing to be able to read the whiteboard...! Replacement lens' in current frames plus a new set altogether for the bi's cost in total (incl. Checkup)  ₨3625. That's something like $70/£45ish. Bargain. Will be getting retested and buying more before I leave Mumbai!! Anyway, that was yet another signal that age is becoming a firm companion.

Next slightly less minor disturbance came at the end of the first week when it was realised that I was overdue for renewal of Indian Residence Permit; small panic when Arun also found his, plus his visa, were about to expire. The pair of us were bundled into a car early the very next morning (Friday 8th) and off down to City Mumbai. 

Early signs of monsoon were there but it came to nothing in the end. We went down the coastal route and across a fantastic bridge – pretty new and toll charge. I was super impressed as it reminded of the Anzac bridge but is about 4x longer and sweeps in a huge loop; it may even have been a complete semicircle. Got to see the sea, beaches, ships. Woo hoo. We arrived at just about the right time and were taken in almost immediately to the FRRO and even Arun's visa presented no trouble. We were out by midday. 

As we had the car until 4pm we went a bit rogue and headed down to see the Gateway to India. This backfired somewhat – intending to be only an hour (taking in lunch), the driver disappeared and it took until 3pm to reach him (via lots of sweet-talking other cabbies to use their cellphones to go round via head office.......sigh). Arun was a bit agitated, but I stood on the corner, taking in the sight of the monument and all the crowds coming and going. Got a 'tan' too. Always wanted to be a Red Indian...  (oooh sorry!)

Pre-monsoon mango glut was on also – the pickers finally turned up; this was "yer good ol' fashun" slicker up the tree with a basket on a rope kind of lark! About 7 or 8 men took it in turns to be the 'monkey' or the 'gatherer' and in one day they pretty much had the bulk of the crop. They did leave a fair bit though... thank the Lord, 'cos here's a confession. 

Hello everyone, my name is Yamini and I am a Mangoholic... it's tragic. Every time I was out on the am/pm walks, I carried the take-away bag and pounced on every available mango within reach; even took to standing beneath one particular tree knowing that roughly every five minutes at least two more would drop at my feet. How to explain the exquisiteness of fresh-from-tree-fruit? At left you see a picture of the necessary equipment for mango addiction. That is only a quarter of the stock of fruit from my window ledge. I am an expert at nick and strip to get quickly into the flesh to milk it into the bowl. To keep my energy up spicy namkeen and strong black tea were needed. Was beginning to think I would have major withdrawal at end of season – but actually, as suddenly as the mangos finished, so did my need for them. But am already looking forward to next year.

Okay, so a few weeks back questions were arising as to my central motivation in life; study work was piling down on me; then I was at risk of being deported, going blind and discovered a mango vasana... health not the best, partly due to the stress I suppose...

THEN - Archaya-ji got into full swing by the beginning of June and laid down a heap of written work for us to have completed by the end of month; also we had to prepare talks on verses of Bhaja Govindam... I had fun bringing in mention of the drongo in mine. (You had to be there.) Of course sanskrit didn't let up and Samvid-ji kept the homework piled up at his end. So you may take from this paragraph that academically one has been under pressure.

Just to complete the dreadful month of June, sanskrit exam was announced for 21 July. 

Oh give me a powder someone!

YAM xx `

It is interesting to read this again a year later - nothing much has changed - except of course the knowledge level.  All the same pains though!!!

Menory Lane - a mini series Part 4

Continuing the extracts from pre-blog newsletters from Sandeepany Sadhanalaya.

(Prior to this was the news of a relapse in Rheumatoid Arthritis - had the condition since childhood and well managed, but…)

From ANL11 - May 2012...STIFF BUT STILL STANDING…

The old “Arthur” is still hanging around so my climbs to the temple have been curtailed for the time being. Am also sitting right at the back of the hall for classes so that can get up and stretch when I need to. Rather frustrating, but can only do what the body will allow.... which is very annoying for a vedantin who is trying to move beyond the myth of body-mind-intellect!!!

Whilst I missed a bit of the Ram Navami celebrations, I was able to attend the cultural program in the evening. We are such a bunch of talent I tell you! This is Lamp (from Melbourne – not actually on the course, but staying here six months doing seva) who is a wonderful dancer. I took mainly video, but did snap this last scene of the Ramayana vignette; the wardrobe folk have to be congratulated most, making a great deal out of practically nothing. Tremendous effort.

 

Then we had the inaugaral Kalaateet festival of young Indian musical talent. It was held in our open air auditorium and for the entire weekend we were blessed with great sounds, good food and fresh company. This was organised by the Naada Bindu team and we again had the pleasure of meeting with Prabodini-ji and Himanshu-ji as well as Ramaa-ji, who is the dance principal. I enjoyed all on offer, but was particularly impressed by a young tabla player – female; tradition holds this to be an instrument of men so it was good to see.

Next came Vishu (etc.) new year for Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Another excuse for a feast on banana leaves cooked under the guidance of Samvid-ji and a cultural show in the evening. This time we had South Indian tale of Siva and Parvati (very excitingly danced) for part and a Punjabi family mela for the other.... baley baley baley!!

Recently three of my fellow brahmacharinis decided that they would make application for having refrigerators in their rooms (here in CV –in the hostels they would definitely not be permitted); I had been not intending to succumb, but as am now having to be rather more careful with diet (for RA reasons, not gut), I also applied. Permission was a little reluctantly given; the idea of this course is to live as simply as possible on what is made available to us and in principle I have every reason to consider that appropriate, so it pains me rather that my body is governing this decision. However, as Samvid-ji said, health must come first here for the idea is to complete two years and re-enter the world – there is no the expectation of tapas and transcendence. 

So am now the slightly bemused owner of a pricey little unit gurgling away quietly to itself in the bathroom nook. Our meals are always tasty and filling, but are almost totally based on potato and tomato which are two of the main aggravants for RA. I had been ignoring the increasing stiffness but the recent flare-up and ongoing trouble has meant that for the past three weeks have avoided everything bar the breakfasts and rotis from lunch.

I make soup or have the rotis with curd and cucumber, mungs sprouted daily, heaps of fruit, dates, oats and nuts. General health has improved, just need the bones to agree! I am so lucky to have an Acharya who absolutely understands the 'boney' situation! The spiking pain has brought a few tears I am ashamed to report – but am coming to terms with the resurgence and will overcome it as have done so many times before. A contributing factor has to be the aging process itself and have also concluded that there is a spiritual element, in that sadhana challenges of patience and acceptance are being largely tested as well as assessing the deeper vasanas. 

Anyway, am still not hauling this bag of bones up the big hill to mandir so missing morning chanting. In the evening there is a car ride available, so most evenings can attend satsang at least. Am okay in class as long as it doesn't extend too far beyond an hour, for sitting longer than that results in increased stiffness and soreness.

YAM xx `

Menory Lane - a mini series Part 3

Continuing the extracts from pre-blog newsletters from Sandeepany Sadhanalaya.

From ANL9 - Feb.2012 - 36 HOURS...

the ashram accepts 'passers by' as paying guests (around $20/day) as long as they are prepared in return to accept ashram etiquette and join in some of the activities. Three young(er than me) ladies have been here recently who actually are having spiritual training from a fellow over at Hiranandani who recommends them to CM.

They have all been delightful, M from USA who lives in a wee cottage in the forests north of Boston, E from Spain who lives in a caravan in the woods on a hill in Ibiza and D, who lives in - - - Dalgety Bay (near Edinburgh for those who don't know)! All these beaut gals from around the globe all with common interests, favouring a particular living style, congregating by spiritual pull.... Close Encounters, anyone …??

E confounded me by having a Scottish accent; she spent 9 years in Edinburgh and calls it 2nd home! Lived in Marchmont/Meadows area. Then to meet D also from Auld Reekie.... hhhmmmm. Spookier and spookier.

Anyhoo. Had a surprise visit also from 'M and M', a couple from the Sydney CM who had made a 3-day dash here family reasons; they chose to spend 24 hours on the ashram to restore their balance. A delight for me, albeit difficult circumstances for them. This pic was taken at Sunday Brekky with the sun acting like a halo.

Now, you don't think you're getting a letter without any reference to a festival do you??! Feb 20th was Maha Sivratri, b'day of Lord Siva. For four days prior we were preparing prasadams, (making, dividing, packing sweetmeats), the mandir of course had to be spruced to the nines and there was even a lick of paint put around all the external surfaces. The place is looking pretty swish.

This is an enormous event with some 100,000 folk passing through the doors over a 24hour period. They queue forever outside, down the hill and along Saki Vihar Road, gates open at 4am and they stream steadily up the steps to the main entry, into the mandir and gently around, getting perhaps a 60-80second darsana (vision) of the Lord, then progress around to honour Ganesha and back to the east side, out the side door, back down the steps, along the side of the building to the rear drive and going down there, collect prasadam, visit stalls and at the bottom the Publications Stall is all set up… (are you tired yet?!)  Crowd is controlled by paid security and police as well as CM volunteers.

This pic was taken at 5:30am when the place was already buzzing with atmosphere. At 6am, "Om Namaya Sivaya" chant (on loud speakers) is begun and doesn't cease until Midnight when the main aarti is performed. I was impressed with how smooth-running the whole event was. Most of the day for me, however, was spent on the money-counting team and a lot of the impact passed me by. Counting cont'd next morning also, so was pretty darned exhausted – there were about 15 on the team altogether and it was a tedious, dirty task.

One thing particularly impressive was this rangoli picture. One of the Mumbai CHYKs is very skilled with the powder... rangoli is the traditional decoration placed on the ground at the entrance to a home or hall for any special occasion. It is normally made with white powder (cornflour-like) but can be colour also; generally the powder is run through the hand and fingers into knots and geometrics, but this takes the art to a whole new level! Truly stunning.

Hari Om, Dear Reader, hope you are enjoying this little flashback to highlights of my time here at Sandeepany… Just another couple to complete the week then I will be back with you "live"

YAM xx `