All Thoughts Are Prayers

After crossing the international date line, gaining a day, and over 20 hours of airplane travel, I am at the Sivananda Ashram in Neyyar Dam, Trivandrum District, Kerala India. The climate is tropical and balmby. October is a month where the monsoon rains return, but only every few days and for a few of hours. The Ahsram is beautiful; surrounded by rich palm-treed forests, tall hillsides and a lake. I walked to the town center to use the internet. The people in Neyyar Dam have close ties with the ashram and are friendly and welcoming. The ashram provides jobs for some residents and the ashram grows trees to contrtibute to one of Trivandrum's primary exports: rubber. Trivandrum has a 90% education rate and there are many Aruyvedic schools and clinics here as well an artisian culture. Aruyvedic medicine has flurished here in Kerela for over 2000 years. The pace of life here feels more relaxed. There is a very regimented schedule at the Ashram that includes mediatation, satsung (chanting/prayer), lecture and two asana classes (yogic postures) each day. We start at 5:30 am with mediatation and end with satsung at 9:30. In the mornings during meditation, I can hear the lions, yes, lions roaring from the near-by animal sanctuary. Not to worry though, the lions are confined to cages. There are so many interesting animal sounds! I haven't seen much wildlife, but I can hear a variety of birds and monkeys. Apparently, there are crocodiles in the lake near the Ashram. There are two meals each day and we eat with our hands. We all participate in Karma yoga (daily chores) to keep the ashram clean. Yesterday, while eating the morning meal, I remarked at how grateful I am to be here! This is an incredible experience. Most of the other ashram folks are from abroad: The UK, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Australia, Eastern Europe and differernt parts of India. There are only a handful of Americans. The internet at the Ashram is not working so I may not be able to post again for about a week or longer. After my stay at the Ashram, I am headed by train to Varinasi (Northern India), where the great Ganga River flows.