Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Build Community. Share. Spread Love. Speak from the Heart.

The World is Your Mirror.
This post is a follow on to my blog post about Ashram life. Please bear with me as I am not the most eloquent writer.

The world Ashram is defined as a place for religious retreat or community life. The piece that I loved the most about being in an Ashram was the sense of community that was present. Unfortunately we live in a time of isolation, fear of what and who we don’t know, where the sense community has been lost. We tend to put up barriers to ‘strangers’, our own internal defenses, and even physical fences & walls. Proof to this statement is the sad fact that even after living in the same flat in San Francisco for 3 years I don’t know my neighbors. I travel the world solo without fear, but I can’t even knock on my neighbor’s door. We live in the same building for goodness sake. Why do I have this fear in my own community? How come this fear is driving us? Here’s something that Amma had to say about the current time we are living in that resonated with me:

“We are currently living in the Kali Yuga (the dark age of materialism guided by our ego). Dharma is at an all-time low. We are surrounded on all sides by war, violence, disease, hostility, famine, overpopulation and environmental destruction. Amma says repeatedly, “The world is caught in the grip of an octopus of fear.” People are becoming more and more isolated from themselves and each other. The balance of nature is greatly disturbed. The seasons rarely come on time. There are droughts, floods, storms, earthquakes and tsunamis causing great destruction.There was a time when humans and nature co-existed in perfect harmony. Now, our ignorance and our separation from our true Self and from nature have greatly disturbed that balance.”

I know that all sounds very negative and scary, but it’s reality. The beautiful part about our reality is that we have the ability to bring the balance back. Reconnect with ourselves, with nature and those around us. Live our lives out of love rather than fear. Smile more often at stranger, say hello, look them in the eyes, what’s the worst that could happen? Just being seen can make the world of a difference to somebody.

One of my favorite documentaries that my flatmate,  Julia, showed me is called Happy. It taps right into the importance of community and how having a sense of community is what brings true happiness. Not travel, money, cars or experiences, but the people around you who you build a community with. Those you can lean on. That’s one of the reasons I believe religion is popular, it truly brings people together. That’s a whole another discussion. Anyway where I am trying to go with this is my decision to make my community a priority. I vow to be a better neighbor and member of my SF community.

Spend the 60 minutes to watch this beautiful film. Happy has stuck with me and I think it will with you too.


There’s another beautiful thing I noticed at a couple of the Ashrams. The pure genuine love that can radiate from one’s smile and gaze. There were two individuals in particular that come to mind and I can’t seem to get there smile out of my head. I want that connection to my heart that they have, where they can spread love so easily and without fear. I don’t even know how to smile the way they do. It’s such a pure honest expression with no walls up. Just from one smile they can pierce straight to your heart and remind you its okay to be exactly who you are. Relax and let your guard down.

One of the reasons I think I can’t stop thinking about it is because it made me realize how much love I hold back. They smile at you and I can only hold their gaze for a couple seconds before I look away. Anybody else felt this as well? It makes me realize how important it is to share love. Share love with those close to you and let them know how much they mean to you. There is a quote from Shantaram that I love:
“I know now that when the loving, honest moment comes it should be seized, and spoken, because it may never come again. And unvoiced, unmoving, unlived in the things we declare from heart to heart, those true and real feelings wither and crumble in the remembering hand that tries too late to reach for them.”

When your heart wants to speak, seize the opportunity. Let that other person know your true feelings.


I was discussing all of this with my new friend, Myriam, and she brought to my attention the 3 different types of love.
Eros is known as "erotic love". It is based on strong feelings toward another. It usually occurs in a romantic relationship.
Philos is the second type of love. Its a unique kind of love, like the love that one has for a friend, to love like a brother or like a sister. When we have Philos love for someone we have placed that friend in a high personal position.
Agape is unconditional universal love. Agape love is above Philos and Eros love. It is a love that is totally selfless, where a person gives out love to another person even if this act does not benefit her/him in any way. Whether the love is returned or not, the person continues to love (even without any self-benefit).

We were specifically talking about Agape love. How when somebody can shine so bright with their smile that you feel love come through. There are moments when you want to tell somebody that you love them and truly care about them, but if you said “I love you” it would freak them out. When in reality this is Agape or Philos love you’re trying to express. Or even when you smile at a random person on the street, sometimes they will smile back or may look at you a bit sideways. Agape love is wonderful and it would be beautiful to see more of this love in the world. Smile more often, let your love and light shine out! (even if you freak a few people out along the way).

Life is beautiful. Be Present. Be Curious. Challenge Yourself. Leap.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Ashram Life in India

Rangoli in the reception area of Vivekanandapuram

To kick off our travels together, Ami and I spent time in 2 different Ashrams. I’m actually staying at a 3rd Ashram in Rishikesh at the moment as well.

Swami Vivekananda’s Ashram, Vivekanandapuram, in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), known as the wandering monk, opened an ashram there on a huge piece of land. He’s known for bringing yoga and the Vedanta philosophy to the west, as well as bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion.

Swami Vivekananda’s Ashram was closer to a bird sanctuary or national park than an active daily ashram. We now know that it is a natural spiritual retreat for those on a spiritual journey. I’d hoped for kirtan, yoga and meditation, but it’s more of a resting ground for groups or individuals on a pilgrimage. The rooms were interesting. See right..

The one great thing is that within the 100 acre campus you have access to watch the sunrise and sunset from the beach. I also really enjoyed the many enlightening quotes displayed all around. Here are two I connected with:

“Infinite purity, infinite patience, and infinite perseverance are the essentials to success, and, above all, love.”

“In a day when you don’t come across any problems – you can be sure that you are traveling in the wrong path.”

Night one was perfect example of Indian hospitality. There was a group of travelers on a yatra (spiritual pilgrimage) that wanted to take pictures with me. I obliged and as they were communicating with me, Ami realized they were speaking Gujarati. Thanks to Ami’s mad Gujaratie skills we were invited to dinner. We accepted and dined with them later. They were all very sweet and excited to have us as guests. Although I know they captured many awkward photographs of us eating. I’m getting used to it by now. 




Why did the peacock cross the road?

Amma’s Ashram, Mata Amritanandamayi Math, in Amritapuri, Kerala
We took the train from Kanyakumari to Kollam at the crack of dawn. We planned it out so that we would make it time to take the public ferry through the backwaters to Amritapuri to visit Amma’s Ashram. 

Kerala Backwaters

Thali for Lunch on our way to Amritapuri

Our first view of the Ashram as the boat was pulling up. It is huge!

Amma is a humanitarian who spreads love and embraces all through her hugs. Amma, pronounced Uhmma and which means Mother, has created a beautiful community at her ashram. She travels all over the world and millions flock to her in hopes of receiving a hug from her. Her hugs are said to be the most comforting and remove sorrow from those in her embrace. Amma wasn’t there at the time so no hugs for us (darshan), but she will actually be in SF the week I return.

She attracts very warm, humble followers. The moment we walked in the ashram, many people were offering to help us with our luggage and directing us to where the dining hall is located. The ashram even holds daily orientation to get you familiar with the campus.
Amma’s ashram is very active and home to nearly 2000 people from all walks of life: Indians and foreigners, old and young, rich and poor, single and married, full time residents and short term travelers. Amma strongly encourages Seva as part of your stay. “At Amritapuri, selfless service is an integral part of the spiritual practice of residents and visitors alike. When we work for others without expectation, we reap the wealth of a peaceful mind and an open heart.” Ami and I were happy to help. We choose to fold clothes and organize items in the second hand store. I loved it & for anybody that knows me, I was very excited to color coordinate the tops haha. We also participated in bhajans, sunset meditation and yoga during our stay (no voluntary 4:30am wakeup call for me). Here’s Amma’s daily schedule:
4:50 – 6:00 Archana (Chanting of the 1,000 names of the Divine Mother)
6:30 – 7:30 Meditation at the Beach
7:30 – 9:00 Yoga (women only)
9:00 Breakfast
10:00 – 13:00 Seva (selfless service)
13:00 Lunch
14:00 – 17:00 Seva (selfless service)
17:30 – 18:30 Sunset Meditation
18:30 – 20:00 Bhajans (traditional devotional songs)
20:00 Dinner

The Ashram itself is quite westernized, even with a western dining hall option. It was 250 rupees a night including Indian meals. We stayed on the 13th floor of one of the buildings that rose high above the sea of palm trees. I can’t even describe how densely packed the land is with palm trees, it was incredible! Amritapuri is an island that lies between the Arabian sea and the Kerala backwaters. Amma’s ashram was a beautiful place to rest, enjoy nature’s embrace and connect with your heart.
“May the tree of our life be firmly rooted in the soil of love;
Let good deeds be the leaves on that tree;
May words of kindness form its flowers;
And may peace be its fruits.” –Amma

Sunrise from our room.


Note: I don't have many pictures as photography is forbidden within the Ashram.

Parmath Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Parmath Niketan is right on the east bank of the Ganges in the holy city of Rishikesh. The ashram was founded in 1942 by the great saint Pujya Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj (1901–1965).  

There are nearly 1000 rooms at the ashram - 500/300 (single/shared room) rupees per night including all meals, hatha yoga and meditation. Every evening at sunset, the vibrant ganga aarti is held at the riverside temple of the ashram. There’s singing, changing, musicians, the lighting of candles and pooja at the water’s edge of the Ganges.  I’m actually still in the middle of my stay so I will write more about my experience here in a later post. Here are a couple photographs until then. 

A photograph from my first night at Ganga Aarti

Way Down South: Kovalam Beach, Trivandrum & Kanyakumari

Kovalam Beach
I took a quick flight from Bangalore to Trivandrum. Man did it feel good to be in an airport – a/c, clean bathrooms, free wifi! As soon I as I landed in TRV I hopped in a rickshaw checked into a beachside hotel in Kovalam and jumped into Ami’s embrace. Not exactly, but it was so wonderful to see a familiar face after travelling solo for a few weeks. We had lunch and parted ways while Ami studied for her YTT final.

Kovalam is a slow paced, relaxing beachside town with decent hotels, lots of shops and tasty restaurants. Kovalam is in the state of Kerala. I love Kerala. Everybody in Kerala is warm, happy and has a beautiful smile plastered on their face. Kerala is known to be the most educated and healthiest state in India. It’s lush, green and abundant in natural resources. I had no problem indulging in this abundance. From fresh fruit plates, to coconut water, sugar cane juice and daily caught fish. Yum Yum.

The sweet fruit lady.
I miss this already.
This man cracked me up, he helped get me a sweet deal on that drum and then I ended up buying a scarf from him for kicks. Such a lovely afternoon.
Luckily I happened to be visiting during low season as well, which meant a spacious king bed room facing the ocean for just $8 a night. One tip – if you want a beach to yourself, walk up the hill on the lighthouse side of the beach and then to the right a bit. You’ll discover your own little nook of beach without anybody selling anything. Pure relaxation.



Sunset from the German Bakery over Kovalam Beach.
Before heading to Kanyakumari, Ami and I met up at Indian Coffee House in Trivandrum for breakfast. What a neat spiraling building! Not to mention 50 cent omelets. I’d recommend stopping by if you’re in the area.

Our first of many bus rides together! I love this picture.
We headed to the very tip of India, Kanyakumari, in Tamil Nadu where 3 oceans meet – Indian Ocean (South), Arabian Sea (West), Bay of Bengal (East). This is a quote that Mahatma Gandhi wrote while in Kanyakumari:
Shrine of our Lady Ransom
“I am writing this at the cape, in front of the sea, where three waters meet and furnish a sight unequalled in the world. For this is no port of call for vessels, like the goddess, the waters around are virgin.” – M. Gandhi Jan. 15th 1937
Mahatma Ghandi's Memorial where the 3 seas meet.
I know it is difficult to tell, but here is the point where all 3 seas meet.

Beyond the ability to watch the sunrise and sunset from the same beach, there is nothing else to see or do in Kanyakumari. Unless it’s on your way to your next destination I’d recommend skipping it. Ami and I made the best of it by wandering through the town, crashing in an air conditioned hotel lobby and discovering our passion for Kerala parotta (also written as paratha in the north) while eating street food.



The sunrise was quite a spectacle. There were 100's of people watching it.

Kutu Parotta - similar to Huevos Rancheros minus the beans
KERALA PAROTTA mm mm

Monday, April 22, 2013

Beauty in Bangalore


Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka state (fast fact: India has 27 states), which is located in the south west of India. Bangalore is known for being an IT hub, as well as for its cosmopolitan lifestyle.

I was also surprised at the beautiful greenery that I discovered. My host for my one day in Bangalore, Krishna, showed me the 240 acre Lalbagh Gardens and Cubbon Park. It was quite refreshing to see grass and parks in a big city! Something that Bombay definitely lacks. We also strolled by the Karnataka high court and State of Assembley (Vidhana Soudha) buildings. 

Lalbagh Gardens - How adorable are these sisters?
Lalbagh Gardens
Lalbagh Gardens
Lalbagh Gardens
Cubbon Park
Cubbon Park
State of Assembly Building 
City living.
Karnataka High Court

Kids are too adorable sometimes. I loved this little sequence of these sisters hand in hand.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Majestic Mysore

Sri Chamundeshwari Temple
Mysore is about a 200 km southwest of Bangalore in the state Karnataka. During my visit in Mysore I was hosted by Abhi who is originally from Punjab. Abhi took me around to see Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hill, and a silk factory.
A brief background on Mysore: The name comes from a place called Mahisasura where a demon (Mahisuara) was slain by a goddess (Chamundi). Mysore was founded by the Wodeyar dynasty in 1399, but remained in the power of the Vijayanagar empire until mid 1500s.

Mysore Palace was where the Wodeyar maharajas lived. In 1897, during the eldest daughter’s wedding, there was a devastating fire and the entire palace needed to be rebuilt. English architect Edward Irvin rebuilt the palace by 1912. The most interested things we learned was that the last day of Navratri, Dussehra, is a huge event in Mysore. [The 9 day long festival of Navratri represents the triumph of good (Hindu deity Ram) over evil (Hindu deity Ravan).] The king would sit on a howdah made from 300 lbs of gold during the festival to thank all the good fortune in his life. 
Unfortunately the most beautiful part of the Palace is the inside  but you are not allowed to take photographs. It is quite gawdy, but so intricate and tons of detail. Here are a few photographs from the outside.



Chamundi Hill was also a beautiful view and the Sri Chamundeswari Temple was interesting to see. 
Oh monkeys haha!



The Government Silk Factory was an amazing experience! Definitely a go-to if you go to Mysore. The factory is not very traveled, but the entire silk making process (omitting the cocoon to thread step) is done there and viewable to the public. To top it off, it was entirely free. The silk making process as I remember it being explained:
  1. Winding thread to a bigger roll
  2. Doubling two pieces of thread
  3. Twisting the two pieces of thread together
  4. Rewinding thread 
  5. Warping: 85 degrees Celsius for 40 minutes
  6. Threading onto 900 meter roll
  7. Weaving 1,480 strings (width) into a 6.3 meter long sari. This step takes 4 hours for one sari!
  8. Bleaching fabric- gold thread isn’t affected
  9. Dying fabric
  10. Ironing fabric
  11. Final analysis to ensure quality is up to standard.







White and gold silk thread they gave me. So fine and gorgeous!



I also had some very delicious food as always. Thanks Abhi for showing me around! As a thank you I bought Abhi his very first bottle of Champers. Funny thing is they didn't have a single cold bottle and ice is nonexistent to cool it down. So my solution - frozen peas and corn to get it semi cold. Good memories from Mysore.
Ice cream break!
India's version of chips & salsa - Masala Papad. My  new favorite!