Maharaja

So today we are finally going to leave Mumbai- we are a day late on our schedule because there was some complications trying to obtain train tickets. Instead of a train we will take an sleeper bus to Udapi- which should be interesting. I am feeling like this bus will be better than the overnight train ride from Vrindaban to Mumbai.

The last few days on Chowpatty have been such a blessing. We have been so fortunate to spend so much time with Radanath Maharaja. One thing that stands out is his unique ability to speak to so many people. Attending his lectures, which tend to be on the longer side, i found by self attentive and concentrated the whole time instead of falling asleep like i tend to do. Able to hear him speak on Saturday night was a real treat since it was a service for unmarried men from ages 19-30. Liz and I sat in the balcony and were able to listen to the whole thing! He spoke about overcoming fear. In Hindu tradition there is the concept of reincarnation. This analogy is used: as one sheds one pair of clothes they pick up a new pair. So basically this material or external body is not eternal, it goes through changes and wille vetually die off. But our soul is eternal- our body may change but our core self is and has always been there. Depending on the lives we lead and the karma accumulated we set up our souls for the next life. Maharaja discussed h0w it is not enought to simply say, i am not this body therefore i am not worried or i do not have any fear. In the sense one may become cold and unaware of the real point. Yes it is important to not focus on the external body, realizing that it is permiable, but the point is in order to overcome fear once must be sincere and surrender totally to God. As one surrenders everything to God one can lose fear since there is total acceptance of what may come- good or bad.
So my realization was that we still have free will and we still have to make decisions in life, but we need to evaluate where we are and make the best conscious decision that will positively impact ourselves and others around us. From here we allow God to take total control of the outcomes. We have the ability to make decisons but we must also accept the fact that we are not in control. I heard an analogy once that life is like waves in the ocean. There are peaks and there are breaks but ultimatly we need to just ride the wave out. We are bound to get to where we are going and there are certain things that we can do to direct us on our paths, but what will be will be. Hare Krishna.

So i leave this afternoon and will arrive on Tuesday morning to my next destination. THere are so many stories that i simply do not have the time to write about now but i will try to write them somewhere so i can share them later on. Love everyone and hope all is well!

"Heres to you kid"

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus! hope the holidays are going well for everyone- sorry i couldnt be there and to grace you with my presence.

Wish you were here! we all have diarreah!- This is what we are all saying as we write our postards back home. Its really not that bad we are just a little under the weather but things are looking up!

Yesterday we went to see ISKCONS Food For Life Experience which feeds 60,000 kids everday! the whole system is fantastic. THere is hardly any waste and the whole system is top of the line. The cooks are all devotees and all the food is offered before it is handed out. We even got to go to one of the schools and see the kids, who were amazing. They all ran out of there classrooms when we got there and insisted on shaking our hands and asking us what are names were. They make you feel like you a celebrity. The whole program is really amazing and it is run from some government subsidies and mostly donations. It is really helping keep kids in school and attentive during class. check it out and help by making a contribution- your money will go to a great cause.

I'm Just a Mataji

Ah so finally reached Mumbai the other day and here i am at a computer. It is hot and i feel woozy here. Let me back up.
Vrindaban was amazing. It was such a blessing to make it there. We almost did not get on our train from Rishikesh to V-town because we were on a waiting list- but fortunately it was in Gods plan that we made it. We stayed at the ISKON Temple, which was beautiful. The deities were so special there and the Kirtans at night lead by Aindra were awesome! We were able to meet with a guru who instructed us on the story of govirdan hill before we embarked on our walk around it. I have all these words i want to write but i dont know how to spell them. Anyway, we were in Vrindaban for three days and we concluded it with a Astrology reading, something that i have wanted for a while.
Turns our my sun and moon signs are in pisces. She read our charts according to vedic astrology and not western astrology so this surprised me because in western astrology i would be classified as an aries. Any way i was able to spend alot of time with this amazing woman and she told me so much. I mean she was saying things that i have been needing to hear in order to reaffirm some of the internal dialog. I even have certain dates that are to be paid special attention to. Pretty far out, but i love this stuff- i mean i love mysticism and the occult and all that crap- something that she also called me out on - but go figure i was there asking about it right? whatever

So We hopped on a train to Mumabi and it was the worst. We were on a waiting list again and only got two seats this time instead of six, but we all got on. It was an overnight ride and it made me sick. I dont no if it was the food i ate before (paneer subji, which will never touch my lips again), the motion, the close quarter, or the horrible venalation, but i got a fever and my whole bod ached for like a day or two, no fun. Now i feel better but a couple of us are a little funky feel. Balarama says its "the mumbai." so i guess this place makes many people sick. He also said Vrindaban makes people sick because it pulls to the surface all your toxins in order to purify you. So AMEN Brother exercise my demons i am ready to be purified!

So i have access to this internet cafe and its right by the temple, i will write more while i am here- love you all and merry christmas!

Butter Nan

So i have received a new nickname- butter nan. Needless to say my veganism did not carry over to India. I am trying to be careful of how much dairy i eat, but most of the dishes are cooked with ghee. I have grown fond of butter nan- its a flat bread made in a tandoori oven. My mom was interested to see what i have been eating here, so basically i have been eating breakfast which consists of fresh fruit and nuts. We eat bananas, oranges, and papayas. For lunch maybe something small or just eat one big meal in the mid day. In the south, masala dosa and idly are big. The north is where you find the typical indian food you might order in America- masala panner, palaka paneer, and that kind of thing. We found this nice little place where i scored on some brown rice- ya!

Yesterday we went whitewater rafting in the Ganges which was so much fun. Our guides were great and we had a blast. The rapids were great and we even got to go cliff jumping- i did jump bc the water was so damn cold. Today we got up real early and took a jeep up the top of one of the himalayan mountains where we reached a temple. Here we chanted jappa and watched the sunrise. I have never seen the sun rise from behind the mountains before, it was such an amazing experience. After, we hiked down the mountain where we went through the countryside. I found beautiful green meadows which i thought only existed in my dreams. On our way down we stopped at a waterfall and bathed in it.

The past two days of outdoor adventures has been a so much fun, but my rosy face shows damage from the sun. One more full day here in Rishikesh and then its off to the beautiful land of Vrindaban! Peace

Greeting from Rishikesh

Have not been able to sit down and find an internet cafe, which in my opinion is great. No cell phone, no computer and life is good. I am so sorry for not being able to reach the people who are wondering what i am doing here! but no worries, all is well, we are all in good health and enjoying our adventures. After Mahabalipuram we travels by bus to Tirupati, the most pilgramaged city in the whole world! Here we traveled up a hill, barefoot, climbed fourthousand stairs and reached the temple where we waiting in line for 2 hours before giving darsha to the deity of Lord Vishnu. Because we were American we were able to give a long darsha- which was almost 2 minutes. This seems short but so many people make this pilgrimage just to see the deity for 5 seconds, so we are very thankful that we were able to see the Lord as long as we did. The next day we went to a waterfall and bathed. The water is considred holy so the bathing is part of purifying ones body. It was also really cold! but the cold water makes it a greater challenge to really concentrate on your breathing and focus inward- it was very peaceful.

We got to Delhi a few days ago and stayed for two nights. Here i was able tot meet up with the Colonel Shukla, the cutest old man ever! It turns out that he is an engineer and has dedicated his research to finding a scientific explanantion of God. He was very wise and wanted to share so much, unfortunatly he also has a very busy schedule so we were only able to meet for a short time.

Now we are in Rishikesh with the whole group. We got here yesterday (Friday) by train. Rishikesh is a very beautiful city and does not have the island vibe of Mahabalipuram. Every night there is a Ganga Puja- which is a worshiping of the Ganges River. Here people have chant and offer fire, ghee wicks, incense, flowers, etc. to the river. We also bathed and will continue bathing everyday in the Ganges. THere is a whole ritual that goes along with bathing and luckly i got it on camera so i will be able to share it with you back at home. We are staying in a nice, simple, and very cheap place. Must go and prepare for the Ganga puja later! hare krnsa

We made it!

So we arrived 2 days ago in Chennai- southeast India. An amazing family picked us up at the airport and extended their home to us while we stay in Chennai. We got into town very late on the 4th (1am) and went straight to bed. The first day was nice because we were able to visit a devotee couple in town and share dinner with them. We were curious about traditional Hindu weddings so the couple showed us all their pictures and explained the 3 day celebration- so interesting! Then they served us dinner- traditional south Indian style on plantain leaves.
Today we traveled to city on the beach- Mahabalipuram. Our travels took a few hours but we plan to stay here for two nights. Our hotel has an internet cafe so that is how i am able to write now! So far India seems to be alot more developed compared to Tanzania, this is due to the large population of people. We are having a great time so far and are happy to be here by the ocean. The weather is beautiful and the peolpe are so nice and welcoming. TOmorrow we will visit temples and hopefully do some yoga! i will try to post some pictures :) haribol!