LIFE IN THE ASHRAM - MT ABU

Life in the ashram has its own pace. Nothing is rushed and everything happens. The distractions of life outside does not pervade unless you invite it by immersing. It is nice to come home. To stop, feel welcome, feel an atmosphere of peace and co-operation. A striking contrast to the world of competition. Not much has changed and yet there is evidence of improvement. Simplicity is key. White the colour theme. 

The day starts early with meditation. Scheduled for four am, music softly weakens at three thirty though one with whom I am sharing a room are awake much earlier. These are called the hours of nectar when the world is asleep. Noise is to a minimum as are the negative vibrations. The nights are cool though not cold and the meditation places heat with body warmth and focussed mental heat. It is time to commune, to heal, to address the deep internal  karma that has accumulated over rebirth. Time to dive deep within, address that which hinders personal progress. For each it is different. Ego, the body, attachment the larger issues and then the subtle, desires, comparison and the unexpected, unwanted. The blinkers are removed and the three sixty mirror misses nothing. It takes courage and strength to observe, recognise, accept and determination to resolve internal change. The process is gentle though housed in pervading love and support deeply knowing the self, the strengths and weaknesses. It is the only way to navigate one own path, stream, to river, to ocean. Strength comes from knowing the self, the true self outside the bodily form and forming a relationship with the Supreme, an eternal energy unaffected by time. 

It is easier to delve into the self in an environment like this. There are no expectations except for each person to become their highest. Contribute to the community or consume and absorb its energy, each takes what is required. To clear the mind there is nothing as comforting as shelling kilos of peas. These will form a meal somewhere today. The task repetitive, not requiring intellect, though needing attention to ensure that the vegetarian meal doesn't have added protein from the grubs that are having a feed themselves. The produce is fresh, honest. Sizes are variable, not homogenous, colours rich, the food tasty. There are two options, with or without chilli. The latter for the foreigners though many partake like me. 

The day is slow, yet seems to move so fast. My pace is walking. The world is accessible at this pace, something I know, understand and forget at home. Working in my garden comes closest. 
Free to choose, attend a class, walk around the lake, head into town, find a meditation corner, respect for each ones journey is paramount. My time here is longer than others around me, their days fuller, many have come with family or groups and stay language wise. 

Classes are translated, I counted six and there maybe more. Here are fifteen translation booths. English is the central foreign language, with everyone learning a spattering of hinglish and of course Hindi. There are so many subtleties in Hindi I often wonder at the translation and what nuance is missed.