From the Clouds to the Sea

in the moment....

endersgame — Tue, 7 Sep 2010 16:37:00 GMT

Exhale.....

I have been putting of writing this third entry for many reasons, and maybe non at all. That's exactly how I feel, contradicting, very aware and not, happy and down, brilliant and small. It's that feeling, the one where an immense epiphany is on the tip of you brain tongue, but you can't quite grasp it. In the end it leaves you a bit frustrated that you haven't grasped it yet, but at the same time you realize you are so close to something profound that will change you forever. So...I've been in it, taking the steps to open myself, the breathes to move forward and keeping an open mind for whatever it is that this journey has to offer me. Of course now that I'm writing this I realize that the epiphany my never come, and it's actually this feeling that is so profound???? shit!!

There is a simplicity to life up here in the mountains of India. Most work and Live in the same place and have there special place in the community. I find this very pleasing, because no matter what you do, whether it's resoling shoes on the side of the road, or running a successful guesthouse, you have your place and everyone respects it. As well, no matter what they have or don't have, they manage to keep a smiling face and greet you sincerely. The locals here are great, even the cows and dogs have personalities of there own, special to that of others in the world. It's very common, while I'm walking to class, to pass a lone cow on the street, nod as if to say hello, and actually get a long drawn out "Mooooooo" in response. The dogs have there own society, with a hierarchical system that seems to work quite well. Turf wars are an everyday occurrence but work themselves out swiftly, especially if a monkey shows up then they join together and give chase. As you can imagine the smells and food are delightful, and the scenery is nothing short of awe inspiring. On the days that it's actually been sunny, which is about 3 in the last month, you can see towering Himalayas which make you feel like your going to fall on your ass. I've actually settled into this funky little mountain town, and one day know I will miss it dearly.

I’m at my half way point in my courses which have been nothing but enlightening. I feel more intuned with my body then ever before. Mainly because I now know what is doing what, and how to fix most problems that come about. I have learned over 7 kinds of massage therapy, Ayurvedic nutrition, psychology, and will now be learning all the detox methods known as Panchakarma. We have class six days a week with Sundays off which is the norm for most people here. On my days off I usually take a walk to the nearest town called Mcleod Ganj, which is where H.H. the Dalai Lama has his temple and where most of the Tibetans in exile live. Mcleod is mostly a busy town, full of tourist and Tibetan monks walking the streets. There are shops a plenty with all the cool Tibetan and Indian trinkets you could ever want. That is what it’s like to the eye, but the feeling is so much more. there is something special about it that is in the air not to be seen but felt deeply.

I could go on and on about what’s it’s like here, but that’s not really what interests me, it’s more what effect it has on me. It’s different, it makes me different. I suppose this is the case when you live in any new place, especially one like this. I’ve needed to be simple, and the humble town of Bhagsu Nag and Mcleod offer this readily. The slowing pace and time to think seemed to have hit a reset button in my essence. In many ways I feel I have to relearn many things or attitudes I have towards life, as well many attitudes I already have, have been confirmed and chissled into stone. This is allowing me to move forward firmly in myself with the things I’m sure of and pay more attention to the things that have been stripped bare. It’s a fine tuning of myself that has been much needed. I am nowhere near a finish line or even an idea what that might be, probably never will. However I do feel more than ever I’m on the right path, and it’s a good one. I look forward to the rest of my days here in this mountain town, and even more I look forward to carrying the gifts it’s giving me everyday, forward, into the life in front of me.

I will try and give a little more detail in my next entry on what my courses are like, but for now I’m trying not to think about them. It’s my break and I’m taking it!! Love you all!!

Nick in India

Imaginations realized...

endersgame — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:23:00 GMT

I have left the comfortable embrace of New Jersey and the good times had there, to continue the thought that turned to imagination which is now a realization. I have landed in Dharamasa/Mcleod Ganj/Bagsu Nag, a piece of land high in the foothills of Northern India where the homes and buildings cling to the sides of the steep hills like mountain goats. The journey here was long but being in such a state of (holy shit what am a doing???) made it hard to fully realize and in tern the long flight was not so bad. I met my very friendly Taxi driver Amit outside the airport, whom my mother insisted on using (she had used him twice to travel the same road, love ya ma!) We swiftly jumped in the car and pushed our way through two hours of Delhi traffic, which is like non I have ever seen. It is more like a river of cars and trucks flowing through far too small and unlined streets with polite horns warning that "WE ARE COMING THROUGH", than any stop and go traffic we or I may be used to. Surprisingly it works very well for how many vehicles are trying to make way. I then fell asleep for a few hours only to wake up to a near full moon setting over the first glimpse of India I would truly get. The sun had yet to rise, but the light had already awoken the mist so that you could see the shadows of the trees and make out just enough land. My chest sunk and I was truly here. soon after the sun rose as well as I to enjoy what it allows our eyes to see, and this time, for the first time, for me, it was India!

My first culture shock came soon after, when we stopped to get some chai tea before we made the assent. As we waited a pack of pilgrims, age 15-20, getting ready for their early morning movement to there respective temples, surrounded me and my tea. They pulled my arms to see my tattoos, smiled, giggled to themselves and then proceeded to get about 15 chairs and sit all around me and my tea. being pilgrims, english was not happening and I for sure wasn't able to speak a squeek to them, however we made due. Once I shrugged of the bother of being interrupted with my tea, it became a pleasant good morning from them and an even bigger "Welcome to India". It was definitely a plunge where as I may have wanted to dip my toe first, but I'm glad it happened that way.

Finally we reached our destination. I got the first place I could just to put my stuff down and breathe a bit. Amit my trustee taxi driver, whom I befriended and new i could count on, insisted that he let his friend house me and since it would be through him it would lower the price by 2000 rupees. I'm glad I listened, because tomorrow i will be moving to a spot that I will live in for at least the next month, that is high up above the towns with and incredible view of the valley bellow. The only thing i can think of is that it's like Mt. Olympus and I have found some way to get through the gates. This is God country if I've ever seen it. besides the view, it's only 10 minutes walk to my school. I will try and describe the digs and road I'm on more later once I actually get there and settle in.

So...I arrived this morning at 7:30am (Monday)thinking I wouldn't got to any classes because i would be too whipped, but, yes there is a but. I went to just go check in and my teacher whom I already love insisted that i don't miss her class. I had already missed her husbands which is the massage section in the morning. Hers is the concepts, theory and Psychology of Ayurveda which allows you to better understand people and properly diagnose them. my weary body, feet and soul managed to make it and meet the crew as well as get my first dose of Ayurveda class. I already have homework and I haven't been here for more than 12 hours (place proverbial gun in mouth here) I can already tell this is going to be tough but the content and my teachers seem wonderful. They truly want you to understand, not just regurgitate.

Ok, eyes are fading, needed to get that all out. Some sleep is what i need. Till the next time i need puke all over this journal or blog, eeeeew the word blog made me really puke ;) let's stick with journal.

Love!

Step One...

endersgame — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:14:00 GMT

Home is behind me now, but I have landed in another. A beautiful farm house in the country of New Jersey, where Cicadas are in full force and the air is heavy with summer storms. I have been visited by an early morning Bear foraging for berries and grubs, further reminding me that home is behind. If only Bears still foraged our back yards in California. This is a wonderful place to transition for the journey ahead, home yet not, Family but not the those that I see often, and a place to take a deep breathe before the plunge. My whole body is bursting with life. Doubt, excitement, fear, love, wonder and awe. Not to mention the overwhelming feeling that I'm smaller than a electron in an atom, an atom called Earth. When measured I'm there but when not I'm everywhere. I'm doing my best to keep myself sure, I know I will need the strength and reserve of self, of measurement to stay whole at this moment. Staying focused on this path is my goal not the end, and reminding my self of this will be a big task as I move further down it. For now I will focus on being here, this beautiful home away from home, with only a hand on the doorknob to a door with India on the other side. I will let you know when I open it....