Accomplishments

Baganga, a neat little village filled with numerous temples in every corner.

If one were to ask me what I’ve gained from the 36 days in India, my answers are countless!  An unexpected twist to life with limitless, unknown reasons.  To sort this experience out, lets begin with a fact: India was never on my list of places to see.  I’ve read numerous books by talented Indian authors that paint pictures of India’s identity.  The images of poverty, children on piles of garbage scavenging for food was not something I needed to see in real.  Not that I’m heartless but because of just the opposite -fearful that India will leave me depressed.  Still can’t believe I did this on my own.  What was I thinking?  I was brought face to face with every single one of my fears and survived! 

Following the roses in Baganga.

Medicinal spice seller in Old Nashik.

Yogi chicken

I never considered teaching yoga much less demonstrating poses to strangers due to fear of public speaking.  When I taught a posture or breathing exercise or chanting for 12 days in a row to my micro-lesson group, I felt nervous the entire time.  Perhaps not as intense as the 1st day’s class.  For whatever I was doing, I managed to get compliments on teaching, charisma and voice.

Overlooking the farming village, Nashik.

And I know they weren’t pulling my leg or trying to make me feel better about my nervousness :).  My roommate, Aislinn, said during one of my practice session in the dorm that my voice sounds like I’m smiling, it’s affable and it’s just like Prashant’s (the teacher) with intonations.  Affable means pleasant, kind and friendly.  If you’re shocked that they are referring to me, I am too!  I am so…mean and undiplomatic.

I’ve learned that I do have the mental strength to travel solo to remote places where I don’t know what to expect much less know why I’m going!  I’ve met many really nice people on this trip.  Perhaps if I was successful in convincing someone to come with me to India, I would not have been open to these experiences.

I’ve learned that I can be my best company at a restaurant, shopping and sight-seeing.  I never thought this was possible and couldn’t hear myself saying any of this before I left on this trip.

From others, I’ve learned that I’m fun and always smiling.  Always thought this was true.  Ok, perhaps it has been occurring less often than it should.  But, smiley-happy me is still in me…somewhere!  I’ve also learned that I can live with 3 other different personalities in a room without curtains for a month!

Unesco site near the train terminal, Mumbai.

I’ve learned that if you’ve tried your best to get something, it will only harness negativity if you were to desperately wish for the outcome in your benefit.  Practice detachment, egolessness and total surrender (including to oneself).  Have no expectations about outcomes.  If you’ve done what you can, let the universe handle the rest.  If things don’t happen in your benefit, go with the flow.

I’ve learned that ‘yoga’ is a sanskrit word that means ‘union’.  A connection of: body & mind; mind & soul; and soul & supreme soul (ultimate goal in yoga).  In its true sense, yoga is not an exercise class or a one month course in India.  Neither is it a teaching certificate with an outrageous number of training hours or a prestigious stamp of approval printed atop.  It is a set of moral beliefs to shape a harmonic lifestyle with all living things.  To continue along a yogic path, this lifestyle must be adopted and shared for the benefit of society

In reflection, I’m content with my answer to Gandhar and the group as to why I was at the ashram.  I was going with a flow of events that led me there.  I went to India without any expectations and came out with so much more!  With my current lifestyle, it would have been impossible to accomplish what I was given in 36 days.

Maybe one day I will find out the reason(s) why I was led on this route.  Perhaps the universe conspired (note: read the book, The Alchemist) and unexpectedly kicked me out of my comfort zone to realize what I’ve done my absolute best to avoid my whole life.