Hawan Ceremony

The first day of yoga we began with a Hawan ceremony, in the Hindu tradition the beginning of a new venture begins with this type of ceremony to ask for guidance and protection. 

Everyone was told to wear white which represented "purity". We sat in a circle inside the dining hall and a small fire was lit on the floor. They chanted in Sandskrit and threw different spices and oils into the fire. The women wore scarfs on their heads, the men had a piece of red string on their heads and they tied a piece of red and yellow string to each person’s wrist. I was told this was symbolic of giving blessings to each person. They we were all given some spices and herbs to throw into the fire and we chanted “OM” (The sound of the Universe) together. 

Soon the ceremony was over and we all met in to yoga room to meet our teachers and have a short introduction to the course and what would be expected of us. One thing I thought was interesting is that we were told sitting with feet straight out, pointing at the teacher is considered disrespectful so we could sit cross legged or with our knees up but never with our feet out in a relaxed position. 

Dharmshala

The plane ride here was easy, by the time we were landing we could look over the landscape and see how everything had changed drastically down below since leaving New Delhi.

Once we arrived we got in the taxi to drive up the mountain and I was pretty sure we weren't going to make it! The roads were small with tight turns, people were walking, cows were crossing, goats were eating by the side of the road, many times you could look out over the hills and valleys below without any barriers between the car and the steep plummet down. I was sure only one car could drive on the road at a time but the driver proved me wrong! At one point we fit two cars and a cow on this small path, I still have no idea how that was even possible!

Then, we were half way up the mountain and the skies opened up and the rain came pouring down. A police car had stopped in front of us and began backing down the mountain in front of us- our driver was angry but we had to obey. The tires were slipping and we were all backing down one bye one, keeping the windows open so the windshield wouldn't fog over, everyone was getting wet and with each passing minute I was more and more convinced we wouldn't make it or we would have to end up pushing the car up the rest of the way. Finally our driver got out of the car in the pouring rain, opened the car door in front of us and told him where to stick it. The car promptly moved over to the side and we passed.

It was quite the adventure. Then we got out of the car and the trek up the stairs to our rooms in the rain seemed more like swimming up a waterfall than walking up stairs but we did in fact survive the adventure up here and the view from up here is absolutely breath taking. The scenery is beautiful, the weather is perfect, it rains every day and we are able to watch from our yoga room as the clouds cover the mountains and uncover them, like a blanket protecting and keeping them warm.

New Delhi

It has been a wonderful adventure to India. It took three days to arrive in New Delhi. I had the opportunity to spend a day in Newark, where I lived in 2011, and see some dear friends again.

Once I arrived in New Delhi I waited for Emily outside of the international arrivals, and started to settle into my new environment. We got a taxi to our hostel and drove on the opposite side of the street than what we’re used to and weaved between motorcycles, buses, cows and people walking while all the cars on the road were honking simultaneously. The traffic here had no understanding of this idea of “Patience” I had been practicing.

The people here have been very nice and we’ve only been cheated or ripped off a few times. We were expecting rain, since it is monsoon season in India, but it didn’t rain while we were in New Delhi- I walked around with rain boots none-the-less since they didn’t fit in the backpack I was carrying but the trip was short and sweet. I sat out on the balcony of our hostel the next morning and watched the children be walked to the bus stop and the vendors selling fruit on the side of the streets. The streets were alive with color, people wearing traditional Indian clothing and I watched as the people walked across the streets, they maneuvered swiftly through the traffic, a well-timed dance serenaded by honking horns and busy city life.

Today I travel with patience

It will take me three days to get to India. 

I arrived in Newark last night at 3am. I looked out the window before settling in for the night and watched the cleaning crew preparing for morning.











Today was the first time I had the opportunity to use the meditation room in the airport. It was quiet and serene; a nice way to begin the day.

On my way out of here to spend the day in New York City- See you soon!













Patience is, as Browning said, is the courage to change the things you can, the willingness to accept the things you cannot and the wisdom to know the difference.