Easing into the Ashram

Today I went for my welcome orientation. It was a tour and a sampling of the major meditation techniques offered here. I am easing into it (mostly because I have had this really bad cold). The techniques used here are very similar to what we do in Butterfly Tantra especially in Ecstasy, but with even more depth. Please, I had so many ideas running through my head today, and then I let them all go so I could be present and get what I needed. Later, I will have a field day designing the next set of courses.

They told me I could not go into the main evening meditation tonight because it's done in absolute silence - not even a sniffle or a cough is aloud. If you have a cold, you have to go to another meeting hall with the people who smoke. No thanks. I'll start that eveing meditation tomorrow when the cold is almost all behind me.

The people here are quite incredible not as flaky as I imagine they used to be in the beginning of the ashram - more dropouts and flakes. Now many high power spiritual people coming to transform and grow spiritually. I apologize if I offend anyone by saying this, but that was my impression in the 70's when I thought I knew everything :-)

I was with my orientation group for three hours. Then after lunch I shopped for the clothes one has to wear here (maroon robes for day and white for night) and then got my nails done ($2 for toes and fingers - not French, but hey). Tomorrow after meditations in the morning, I'm coming back for a facial for $8. Then on Wednesday, I'm changing my room and then coming back for a 90 minute massage ($18). Of course, I found this place outside the ashram. In the ashram massage is $60. I figured I'm in India. There must be some better options.

I plan to do at least one of my days here in silence. Maybe more. On those days, you will not hear from me. I will keep the silence and the energy that I am building here to myself for my own healing and recharging.

And of course, for those of you who are wondering (and I know some of you are because you told me before I left), the possible partners here that I could hook up with look yummy. If I connect with anyone good here at the ashram, I plan to go for it. It's like finding people in the same paradigm who I have not taught or even had to push to do the work. They are doing it by themselves. Plus it cost them a lot of money to get here so they are not poor. I'm sure there are some jerks here as well, but so far I haven't met any. I am getting the mirror of who I am everywhere I turn.

As for photos, I cannot work the technology. For 5 photos it takes sopmething like 30 minutes to download in the cafe. I don't really want to spend that kind of time. I now have many many photos. So, when I arrive back in the States, I will try to get that done before leaving for Argentina. If not, then early Feb.

I am losing weight which is a good thing. I have no idea how much, but it's more from reaction to a lot of Indian food - I love it so much, but my stomach doesn't like it all the time, only. So, I eat light and haven't been drinking at all - that will do it. There is almost no booze in this country!!!

Okay, gotta run. I am going to a Latino Zen meditation dance tonight. God only knows. Salsa? Tango? Merengue? Dynamic? Spinning to Salsa? Emotional clearing to Salsa? Your guess is as good as mine.

Those of you who have written emails, text messaged my cell phone and commented on this blog, thank you. You have no idea how wonderful it feels for me to be connected to you.

Many blessings,
Laurie