Day 22 - Monsoon

"There is a pretty Indian fable to the effect that if it rains while the star Svati is in ascendance, and a drop of rain falls into an oyster, that drop becomes a pearl.  The oysters know this, so they come to the surface when the star appears, and wait to catch the precious raindrops.  When the drops fall into them, quickly the oysters close their shells and dive down to the bottom of the sea, there patiently to develop the raindrops into pearls.  You should be like that.  First hear, then understand, and then, leaving all distractions, shut your minds to outside influences and devote yourselves to developing the truth within you" - Swami Vivekananda

Last night around 1:30 a.m. I woke to the sounds of thunder and the sky was lit up with all forms of lightening.  I was somewhat in and out of sleep at that point until I heard the wind start to whip up and all at once the sky opened up.  The storm was suddenly right over top of us and it took over 2 hours to pass.  I have experienced some pretty incredible thunder and lightening storms living on the prairies, but NEVER anything this close overhead and NEVER for this long.  I recorded 5 minutes of this incredible act of Mother Nature feeding the earth, feeding all of us oysters here to create our pearls.  It's in these moments that I realize just how small I am in comparison to this great huge universe.  It was quite spectacular . . . however I could have done without the water whipping at my head and face that was escaping from the roof of my cabin.  I was awake probably until about 4 am and as I finally realized the storm had passed and the sounds were further in the distance I was able to fall back to sleep, and thank goodness because the power had shut off and therefore I had no fan blowing on me, so when I did wake up I was quite hot and sticky.

Our class was cancelled again because of the rain so I decided to do self-practice in my room with the intent of self-study at 5:15 only to find out that peer teaching would be cancelled today as well and be moved to tomorrow just before the later peer teaching (meaning four hours of yoga in store for us tomorrow . . . we will persevere), but also that I was still required to come to the 5:15 session and repeat my 2-hour self-practice.  Not at first, but eventually I took it as an opportunity to see how my body would feel practicing later in the day after warming up and walking about rather than first thing in the morning when I'm quite stiff.  It's miraculous the difference in flexibility.

There was a myriad of responses to last nights storm.  Some people were absolutely petrified while some were recording video, and some still yet, like Upendra, Ellie and Faye were up dancing at 3 am chanting for the rain to come.  I honestly thought it was beautiful and refreshing as I love a good storm BUT having the lightening and the cracks so close overhead it did honestly sound like a tree was hit and was about to fall on my cabin.  I also found myself wondering if this was the start of monsoon and that it wouldn't stop, and how ever were we going to finish up the course.

It stopped at around 8 just like it always does.  And brought out the dreaded bugs that swarm your body as you are trying to meditate after getting salty from sweat in our Ashtanga practice.  Tomorrow I will definitely try to remember to bring a towel with me so the bugs don't distract me from the benefits of our meditative practice.

This is how we roll here at Kranti for Pranayama and meditation . . . towels and wraps to keep the bugs away . . . ESPECIALLY after it rains . . . yet Upendra asks . . . "Why were you moving?" . . . Seriously??? LOL

I went for a walk this morning to Palolem to take more photos.   It's been a nice break from walking down the same stretch of beach.

I found myself really, really, really missing my family this morning . . . especially after having watched an amazing video that Grey posted of him asking Louise to go to Grad with him . . .  I found myself wanting to perhaps cancel my flight and book an earlier one home but quickly realized how unreasonable that was.  I realized this morning that I needed to be more like the oyster.  I decided on my walk this morning to remember to take in every moment, creating pearls of truth in my life because in one short week I will be back at work, with no ocean, no cows, no loving Indian people conversing with me for sheer enjoyment without wanting something in return, back to preparing all my meals . . . So instead of missing home or really missing John, I decided to dedicate my day to John and my boys, sending them love and light through my practice, with anything I enjoy in my day, my walks . . . sending them joy through my joy.  This immediately gave me a sense of peace and I was able to remove myself from the distractions of my missing home.

So I did enjoy my day fully.  I went for a walk to Palolem with Brooke, Laura and Rose via the beach instead of the road . . . we managed to find  our way, and we sat in the A/C for a bit and enjoyed a coffe.

We then had a really fun revision class with Upendra, did my second Ashtanga class, and then myself, Brooke, Cheska, Elaine and Laura went to an AMAZING restaurant (a lot fancier than what we're used to on any of the nights we went out) called Ourem, on the way to Palolem.  It's run by a couple from England.  To say the food was incredible is a gross understatement.  I simply had soup and a goat/feta salad with hazelnuts and beets . . . it was delicious.  The presentation was superb . . . the whole vibe of the place from the moment we walked up to it was spectacular.  We all felt like human beings and not just yogis for the first time in 3 weeks.  We had such a great time, talking and laughing and getting to know one another even more.  It's been such a journey together and it's a great way to celebrate.  If you ever find yourself in Goa, Patnem Beach, you MUST come to this restaurant.  Myself and Laura had some espresso creme brule for dessert.  Cheska had a chocolate fondant and Elaine had a crumble.  So yummy.  Everything they prepare and serve is made from local ingredients and is made from scratch.

Laura and I

Cheska and Elaine

Me and my 3rd Eye

My delicious salad with beets and feta cheese

Brooke is just smitten with her glass of red wine

The girls are waiting for me

I look forward to each and every moment I will get to share with these ladies until our time is done together, I will enjoy every moment in India and take it all in.  I am so much better for this experience and will continue to become much more so in the final coming days.

Thank you ladies for coming to Kranti Yoga at the same time as me to turn your raindrops into pearls with me.

Namaste

J