The end of the ashram stay is getting near.
I’ve been on and off on the temple service.
Some days I was fully meditative, time was no issue.
At other days the mind was racing like a mad man and every minute became an eternity.
I took some time for myself, which I actually needed for a while.
It was too busy a day, not having time to sort things out, arrange the bank account, decide plans, look up information. Every day was filled from wake till sleep.
I hope I can keep up the yoga practices twice per day in the first 48 days, as they recommended. No idea how far I’m in. But while traveling it should be quite easy, unless I’m on 10 hour train rides.
The next destination will probably be Kerala or Goa. Not sure what I’ll do.
Confusion is a nice preparation step for decisions.
…
I’m now in Bengaluru (Bangalore), in the house of the grandma of a friend from Isha.
I will stay here for 1 or more days and then get moving to Kerala. I’ll be taking the bus there, since it seems to be a great alternative to the trains (or flying).
…
And whops the flight ticket suddenly got very inexpensive and became an incredible and superior alternative to get to Kerala.
For 10 euros more, I could fly in 1.5 hours instead of the 12-15 hour bus ride. Insane.
These few days I’ve been just chilling, enjoying food, and relaxing. Keeping up the yoga practices and trying to keep the ashram vibe alive.
I’m so aware of the importance of it, this massive opportunity to approach every situation in a different way, to grow and change.
So monday evening I’ll be flying. I’m a little scared but also very excited.
I think spending some time away from the major city would be a good idea.
Here in Bangalore, there are some things worth seeing, but honestly I’m not that interested. I prefer taking some time chilling and arranging my stuff. The city is pretty busy anyway and it’s a great way to thrash money =P I prefer spending it on a good meal.
…
The mall is huge. And Western.
I was very surprised to see all these Western and familiar brands everywhere.
The friend from Isha is totally awesome, showing me around all the good places!
Had some extremely delicious meals for a great price (almost all actually just paid by him), and got a great sniff of the city.
Actually the city experience was way better now that I wasn’t alone and accompanied by someone who knew the ways. Or maybe I’m better prepared than last time.
2 cousins of the Isharian friend are now staying in this place as well.
I was extremely surprised to find that the favorite band of one of them was Opeth, my all time, 7 year lasting absolute favorite band up until now. He also enjoyed Porcupine Tree and Dream Theater, the next 2 highest rated bands on my list, and he plays the guitar (and knew many Opeth songs).
This was quite the amazing and unexpected surprise to me, and pushed the fact in my face that all kinds of people exist everywhere.
I’m seeing all these faces, meeting all these people, learning so much every day.
The big city here has similarities to a Belgian city (which obviously is insanely smaller), but is still so vastly different.
I think I’m starting to really love the Indian way of things, from the smells of flower and sweet dishes when walking on the street, till the pedestrial walking sides which are half an adventure to walk most of the time.
From the randomness of people doing weird things to the body-rearranging tuk-tuk rides.
From the weird looks of people to the funny half-dialogues where we try to understand the half English words we each utter.
From the dodging of poo to answering the unavoidable and eternally reoccuring question ‘where you from?’.
It’s the special place, which has its massive history and culture, and is trying to grow and change.
It is looking to the West for all the material things they still lack (even though it’s resembling the West a great deal already); while I, the Western dude, try to take a break from the shallow material world to find something else here.
The swap might be bound to happen.
I would say this place has quite the invitation for those who are not faint of heart.
You have to search, you have to look, you have to endure, you have to find,
but then it will gain a special place in your mind, unique to anything you have known.