I really need to come up with more creative names for my titles... only two more weeks of band left. I'm having super mixed emotions on the matter. On to the past, day one of the program!
November 17, 2009 5:25 am
Swamiji is here! We will get to have two sessions with him today. He arrived at about two in the morning, so I did not see him yet. Our program officially started yesterday. They, that is "the head of it all, Dheera,"asked us to take a short walk there (the temple). By short walk we were not expecting what we got, and that is the Swamis and Swaminis and Bramacharis and Bramacharanis (basically like monks and nuns) were standing in two lines, hands in prayer position, heads bowed waiting for the 100 of us to pass through the tunnel their bodies made and enter the temple. This we did, then we were all ushered to the banyan tree. There mats had been layed out for us and we sat down facing the deity, the Hindu god Dakshinamorthi under the tree's great canopy of leaves. The Pooja Acharya did arathi to the two phenomenal figures (interrupt for your self what they are....) arathi is a beautiful fire ritual. Then we got blessings from the lord (Dakshina, yes I have nick names for the gods) and went back to the temple. On the way each woman (I don't know what the men did) were greeted ceremoniously by Swamiji's two mothers, his biological mother, and the woman that now takes care of his needs. They each put a mala (think of a Hawaiian lei) around our necks. Then we sat on the temple floor and representatives greeted us. After that we went back to Ananda Sabha, or the hall where the program will have many of the classes. On the way there we had a prosession, we waved orange flags and danced to very bouncy music. We got back (to the hall) and where each given a bag that contained a plastic water bottle, a pencil case with a pencil, pen, eraser (or rubber!), and a pencil sharpener. A notebook and an eye band, the bags where gorgeous in their selves as well. Orange with a gold border. We were also given a yoga mat. (Mine is blue) Next we played some games to get to know one another [We learned from them that woman don't know geography] and then each person stood up and introduced themselves. Then lunch, then a two hour break in which I played with Mukta an Ohioan five year old who is just like a younger sister to me. Then back to the hall, more introductions, now the staff, then dinner, then rules and suggestions, more dancing, then bed. Although first a 1/2 hour stop in the internet cafe for email.
Wednesday November 18, 2009 5:25 am
Woke up at 4:15 this morning, courtesy of my mom, who decided that since we now have another room mate [yes, she came in yesterday and is on the bottom bunk of the other bunk bed] that we would need more time. Well we all finished our baths [that's the Indian term, even if it really is a shower] by five in the morning. After that I washed my dirty under garments, reorganized my suitcase and I now have plenty of time to write. (Wow have I changed, if left with 45 spare minutes now, I would sleep.) Our report time in the hall is 5:55 am for an hour yoga session.
Yesterday was truly the official start of the program because Swamiji was there. Seated on a large throne made from gold, with plush cushions, up on a stage. He spent a large part of the day with us and it was so intimate. Actually at the beginning of the day he outright said "I am an avatar, an Incarnation" I have never heard him utter these words himself. Also he said that we are the luckiest group because with the last one he was still figuring out how to teach and then next time he will not spend as much time with the LBE people. OK I am going now, for yoga.
Thursday November 19, 2009 4:46 am
Yesterday our session with Swamiji was mostly question and answer (Q and A) and some of it was very funny.
12:10 pm
We are sitting in the hall awaiting Swamiji's return. In the early morning Mom and I went to the temple and Banyan tree, it was very nice. All was dark except for the lights glowing under the tree. Nice yoga session, amd then an informative and pretty funnt Q & A with Swamiji. Then we just had a quick tea break [yep, I'm in a former British Colony). There I met my Akka, or older sister. Really we arn't related, but I feel like she is a sister to me. She just turned 27 on Sunday, the same day as my biological half-brother Jacob.] She is from Australia and speaks with the coolest accent. When I came back to the hall someone asked how I was, and I answered good. Then they told me I was literally glowing. That is how happy I am. Also there is something about last night's energy darshan I can't wait to tell, but Swami is coming now, so later.
2:55 pm
So darshan last night. We did one meditation I did not feel I did it that intense, but even so... uhg got to go, yoga time.
4:20 pm
OK so when I opened my eyes after the meditation I could see Swamiji, seated in a golden throne, a huge picture of the banyan tree behind him. I could see it up close, vibrant. (This is without wearing the glasses). I wear specs (glasses) so it was really cool, after a few minutes my vision started going back to my normal point of view. OK so when I went up for darshan I had a little note explaining what had happened. Also in my note I asked Swamiji to fix my vision. After initiating me into todays thing [ah... memory] then he placed his hands over my eyes and half pressed, half rubbed, then he said you are healed.
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