Wednesday, July 28, 2010
No I am Not Enlightened (that will take another 6 life times)
I just finished my meditation and yoga course two days ago. I can admittedly say I still have not comprehended it all, I could take me another week or even a few years. I didnt only gain new knowledge of meditation and flexibility of yoga but the teachings of Buddhism, mindfulness, insight into my life, mental health and much much more.
The day started out at 530 everyday and ended at 10, there were two 1 hour yoga sections and 7 hours of mediation split into three 2.5 hour sections. The retreat was silent, meaning I didnt talk for 10 days (that in its self was a very difficult task). It was one of the most difficult things that I have done in my life.
The basis of meditation is to gain mental health just as one works out to obtain physical health. Most people think (as I did before I took the class) that meditation is were some one just sits and relaxes and doesn't think anything. The reality is that it is more or less the complete opposite then that. Ones main goal is to de-condition the mind from things society or other sources that had made you think. For example someone who is scared of dogs can revers that by understanding why and how the mind has come to that those conclusions. I my self dont completely understand everything because I am still a beginner ( and I hope I haven't confused you too much) but I plan on continuing to learn more and be able to prefect my practice.
There is one piece of knowledge that truly resonated in me that I would like to share with you all and hope you can utilize it as well. My teacher said "take one of every hour to be mindful and live in the moment." For those of you that didn't take that class this means to allow one to know exactly what you are doing. If your standing know you are standing, if your about to start eating know your eating and if your angry know your angry. Not only will this bring a calmness and de-stress your life but it will help you understand your self better every hour of the day and there is always something new to learn.
The day started out at 530 everyday and ended at 10, there were two 1 hour yoga sections and 7 hours of mediation split into three 2.5 hour sections. The retreat was silent, meaning I didnt talk for 10 days (that in its self was a very difficult task). It was one of the most difficult things that I have done in my life.
The basis of meditation is to gain mental health just as one works out to obtain physical health. Most people think (as I did before I took the class) that meditation is were some one just sits and relaxes and doesn't think anything. The reality is that it is more or less the complete opposite then that. Ones main goal is to de-condition the mind from things society or other sources that had made you think. For example someone who is scared of dogs can revers that by understanding why and how the mind has come to that those conclusions. I my self dont completely understand everything because I am still a beginner ( and I hope I haven't confused you too much) but I plan on continuing to learn more and be able to prefect my practice.
There is one piece of knowledge that truly resonated in me that I would like to share with you all and hope you can utilize it as well. My teacher said "take one of every hour to be mindful and live in the moment." For those of you that didn't take that class this means to allow one to know exactly what you are doing. If your standing know you are standing, if your about to start eating know your eating and if your angry know your angry. Not only will this bring a calmness and de-stress your life but it will help you understand your self better every hour of the day and there is always something new to learn.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
One Month
Tomorrow marks one month of traveling and I just cant believe it. I have been in Leh for like a week and a couple days now and it has been quiet an experience. I got here on the 5th of July, after that long bus ride I told everyone about, and spent the night in the part of town called Changspa. The next day I had made plans to meat my Dad’s friend, the Buddhist monk. He was stay at the retreat center which is called Mahabodi center and also the same place where I will take my class from the 16th to the 26th.
The Mahabodi center is one of the most peaceful and relaxing places I have ever been. I spent to night there because it had such a nice atmosphere. From there I went back to Leh for two more nights just to experience the town and not spend too much time with monks and nuns. Being back in town was full of surprises. I first found a great little guest house with a really nice garden. The beds are never comfortable unless you are willing to spend like $20 but I made due and I only spent $5 a night. On Friday I met an Israeli friend that I had met before (as a side note there are tons of Israelis in India and they all think I am Israeli and start talking to me in Hebrew) and he told me that the was an Israeli house and there was a Shabbat dinner that night. Who would have thought I would have thought I would go to a Shabbat dinner in India
The next morning I returned to Mahabodi for a cultural festival, which was fun but nothing that really sticks out in my mind. On Monday morning we left for a place called Pongang Lake which is the border between India and China
Now I am back in Mahabodi waiting for my class to start. I totally under estimated mediation and have found out the hard way that these next two weeks will be quiet a challenge. Wish me luck and hope I come out enlightened on the other side.
Great quote I saw “Pressure makes diamonds.”
Cheers
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The ride of a life time
Here is how my 4th of July went:
32 hour of the bumpiest roads, beautiful mountains, sheer cliffs and road closures. It started at 2 am on the 4th, were I loaded up on a bus from Manali to Leh. The expected time it would take was about 20 hours but he driver said more like 18. I was in the back row of the mini van, where 4 people were crammed in. I couldn't sleep because I was just to uncomfortable. The roads were nice and paved for the first few hours but after that it was all dirt roads that were some of the worst I have ever been on. The sights out the window of the bus were truly breath taking. I remember saying to myself 'I am one lucky guy.' Around 11 in the morning we got a flat tire but surprisingly we where up and running in 15 min. We made a stop for lunch at a road side restaurant and we got word that 5 km ahead there was a truck in the middle of the road and it would take about an hour before we could pass. But because everything runs slower in India, with Indian time it took 7 hours to move the truck. Of course all bad things happen three, we ended up having to stay in some tent village over night because we couldnt cross a certain mountain pass at night. Finally arriving in Leh at 1030am on the 5th of july.
Even though it was no fun experancing the trip, I can put this one in my book of stories that I will aways remember.
I am now in Leh where I will partake in the final stage of my Indian Journey -- Meditaion and Yoga course. I just booked a flight to Vietnam for the 1st of August. That mean a birthday celebration in Southeast Asia. You must RSVP if you would like to attend.
32 hour of the bumpiest roads, beautiful mountains, sheer cliffs and road closures. It started at 2 am on the 4th, were I loaded up on a bus from Manali to Leh. The expected time it would take was about 20 hours but he driver said more like 18. I was in the back row of the mini van, where 4 people were crammed in. I couldn't sleep because I was just to uncomfortable. The roads were nice and paved for the first few hours but after that it was all dirt roads that were some of the worst I have ever been on. The sights out the window of the bus were truly breath taking. I remember saying to myself 'I am one lucky guy.' Around 11 in the morning we got a flat tire but surprisingly we where up and running in 15 min. We made a stop for lunch at a road side restaurant and we got word that 5 km ahead there was a truck in the middle of the road and it would take about an hour before we could pass. But because everything runs slower in India, with Indian time it took 7 hours to move the truck. Of course all bad things happen three, we ended up having to stay in some tent village over night because we couldnt cross a certain mountain pass at night. Finally arriving in Leh at 1030am on the 5th of july.
Even though it was no fun experancing the trip, I can put this one in my book of stories that I will aways remember.
I am now in Leh where I will partake in the final stage of my Indian Journey -- Meditaion and Yoga course. I just booked a flight to Vietnam for the 1st of August. That mean a birthday celebration in Southeast Asia. You must RSVP if you would like to attend.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Easy Times
It has been quite a change of pace in the places I have been in the last few days. The weather is about a cool 20 degrees C and it green mountain views. The last town I was in was called Mcloed Ganj, the Tibetan refuge from the Chinese government. The local people were very nice, no one was out to get my money like Delhi. It was also a big backpackers travel town.
One of the days I was there I decided to go to the Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It was a very nice peaceful place and I just hung around there for 2 or 3 hours. I made a bunch of Indian friends just wondering around and taking my time (they love to come and practice there English with you. They are all very nice people too. They also always want to take pictures with you, I have had so many pictures I feel like a celebrity). I finally decided to leave because it looked like it was going to rain and outside there was a large crowd of people. I decided to stick around to see what everyone was waiting for, so I was there no more then 10 min when the man him self drives by. That man being the Dalai Lama. It turned out to be one of those things right place right time. This trip just keeps getting better and better.
I am now just living the good life in a place called Manli on $5 a night with the sound of the river putting me to sleep every night. Yesterday I had a pair of pants and a shirt made for me ($10 dollars each). Maybe today I will have a nap in a hammock.
Off to Leh in a few days from some trekking and my meditation and yoga class.
Cheers
One of the days I was there I decided to go to the Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It was a very nice peaceful place and I just hung around there for 2 or 3 hours. I made a bunch of Indian friends just wondering around and taking my time (they love to come and practice there English with you. They are all very nice people too. They also always want to take pictures with you, I have had so many pictures I feel like a celebrity). I finally decided to leave because it looked like it was going to rain and outside there was a large crowd of people. I decided to stick around to see what everyone was waiting for, so I was there no more then 10 min when the man him self drives by. That man being the Dalai Lama. It turned out to be one of those things right place right time. This trip just keeps getting better and better.
I am now just living the good life in a place called Manli on $5 a night with the sound of the river putting me to sleep every night. Yesterday I had a pair of pants and a shirt made for me ($10 dollars each). Maybe today I will have a nap in a hammock.
Off to Leh in a few days from some trekking and my meditation and yoga class.
Cheers
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