World Wanderers: Life is an adventure. It’s not the destination that’s rewarding, it’s the journey.: McLeod Ganj-- Meditation, Monks, Momos and Mountains!

Hi all,
Sorry we haven't written in a while, these past few weeks have been extremely eventful and busy! Since I last wrote, we have been in the beautiful and charming village of McLeod Ganj. It is amist a panoramic view of the Himalayas, a sea of prayer flags and thousands of Tibetan Buddhist monks wandering the streets in their maroon and orange cloaks. The people here are absolutely beautiful on the inside and out. The Dalai Lama and thousands of other Tibetans have made this amazing place their home after seeking refuge from the Chinese who have taken over Tibet and destroyed their culture, language and religion--although not publicly. They still maintain they aren't doing anything wrong; however, coming here it is absolutely evident just what horrifically negative effects they are having on the Tibetan people. Imprisoned and tortured if they do not adhere to Chinese law, many of them have fled and started up a new life here in Northern India. Despite their struggles and heart aches of being separated from their home-land and family, they appear to be shining and genuine people, who nearly glow with love and compassion! (Of course, I realize this is a simple generalization but from the encounters I have had, especially through volunteering with Tibetan Refugee babies and taking part in a week long intensive Tibetan Meditation and Philosophy course, it is my observation).

Des and I have successfully completed our week long mediation course in silence (mostly-despite discussion groups and question time) where we focused on Shamatha meditation ( achieving a clear state of mind from dullness or agitation) which is necessary to achieve before proceeding with Vapassana (Focusing on particular things and confronting them). We did our course at the Tushita center which is on the side of the mountain above the village looking down. It was unbelievably peaceful not only because of the scenery but also the silence and people. We would wake up every morning at 6 am just at sunrise to a gong and go down to the gompa (Buddhist temple) which had a massive bronze buddha sitting in the percect lotus position surrounded by offerings. (Offerings here range from money to boxes Digestive cookies!) We would wrap up in our blankets and shalls as it is very cold here in the mornings and night at this time of year and sit on our cushions (also in lotus postion) and after Mark, our Australian meditation leader arrived, the meditations would begin-usually lasting up to an hour. I have discovered that meditating with eyes open is much more effective than eyes close as less thoughts creep into the mind. Mark was brilliant with his wisdom and hypnotic voice. We focused on different gears of meditation ranging from paying specific attention to the breath, the abdomen, the nostrils and the space of the mind--or limitlessness of it.

After meditation we would silently go into the eating area and have our banana porridge and then spend the next hour silently reflecting. I must say, it was challenging and a bit humorous how Des and I ignored eachother for the entire time! We literally had people coming up to us asking at the end of the course (once we could speak again) if we were a couple as we did such a great job of avoiding eachother. Not sure if this is a bad thing ;). We meditated on separate sides of the gompa, ate at different tables and avoided eye contact at (almost) all times. It really was an incredible way to grow individually and thus together by sharing the enriching experience independently.

We had in total 4 meditation sessions per day and then 2 long lectures on Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. This was taught by a 74 year old Buddhist nun from Yorkton Saskatchewan! (Go figure). She was a wonderful lady with amazing life stories.

Throughout the day we would do Karma Yoga (doing things for the good of others--my job every day was cleaning the sqat toilets and showers (Yippee!) with a guy from Sweden). Funnily enough, Des got the same gig a few toilets up the mountain. We would also do proper yoga and stretching on the rooftop in the sunshine over looking the amazing view--our backs and bums got pretty sore from all the sitting and meditating! I remember looking at Des across the gompa one day and he had such a pain-stricken look on his face that I thought he was laughing! --- it turns out his knees had cramped up--meanwhile my leg was fast asleep.

Our reflection groups were really interesting. We had an hour to discuss what we had learnt that day and it was wonderful having people from so many different countries with so many different views. In my group alone I had 2 people from France, 1 from Sweden, 1 from Germany, 1 from Romania and 1 from England. It was amazing how I felt like I had known them all my life--as with many of the people in the group of 43 people taking the course---despite being in silence most of the time. I suppose the energy and head space everyone shares accounts for a lot.

The food was all vegetarian and delicious! Lunch was our feast of the day and then dinner was a simple soup but all that was needed. There were beautiful big trees and walkways to get lost in walking meditation and the monkeys everywhere provided both distraction and comedic relief from the seriousness of it all! They are like cartoon superheros leaping unthinkable distances from trees and stealing peoples food and chai! The babies sat up in the tree watching the food acting aloof waiting for their chance to pounce while the mother monkey watched over them from the rooftop. Many eagles soar over McLeod and it was lovely to watch them at Tushita. Every morning there was a man that would sit outside in the same spot and hum the same sand script song--very peaceful way to start the day.

I had 2 favourite times of meditation. The one was with Anne (the Nun) where we would focus on a "dazzling light" (mine was the sunshine bouncing off of Emerald Lake Saskatchewan where we used to have our family cabin). We would internalize that light and then send it to the next person on our right and so on, as well as those far away from us. The feeling in the room was joyous and full of love--it's amazing what happens when we're all in that loving, peaceful place at the same time!

The other meditation that was incredible was the last night. All day I had been walking around feeling like I was walking on air with joy (I know I"m probably sounding a little wacko by now--but it's true!). I felt giddy for no particular reason and like I had a fountain of love in my heart to spread. That night Mark made us focus on exactly what I had been feeling all day! (The love, compassion and joy). I have never felt so open and present in the present. Tears started streaming down my face uncontrollably--which he says can sometimes be past suffering surfacing---but I know mine were tears of joy. After this, we went outside and lit 3 candles each around this little white building where Lama's ashes and other priceless things are kept (they are all over McLeod Ganj) where people walk around a pray to whatever their highest power of belief is. We then sat on our yoga mats in the dark, with a full moon and the candle lights flickering. The silent energy was inexplicable and the sight beautiful. Following this, we went back into the gompa and listened to the Green Tara group (those taking the initiation into Buddhisim) chant--which lasted the entire night until sunrise.(I only lasted about an hour or two). It was amazingly powerful to listen to.

Speaking to eachother the next day was really weird. I felt exhausted but great from my especially vivid dreams and good sleeps. I felt like I could have laughed for hours and I swear, it looked like some people from the other Tara group had a glow! (Again, I know, wacky). I felt a desperate need to create, to draw, and my mind felt honestly sharper. Things and people seemed shockingly loud. Des had to take a time out and go on a walk on his own as it was just too much to go right back into for many people. It was although we got to know new friends without even knowing them--we went out that night for food and drinks where we could officially chat.

I have a lot of work to do with both meditation and in my daily life. I really respect the buddhist psychology which was really emphasized to us throughout the course. The basis of letting go of the ego, doing things for the good of others, changing attitude so not to become what other people tell you you are, karma, reincarnation, flexibility(not physically), non-attachment (this hits home for material things for me, non-attachment to people I can't quite grasp the concept of yet), letting go of the past and not thinking too much about the future (being present in the present--being mindful), seeing the greatest good in people and appreciating them, letting go of self-pity, changing the mind to not have dualistic battles between the good and bad, patience, being gentle and loving oneself so they can spread that to others, the necessity of exercising not only the body but the mind, the fact that everything is individual but interconnected, beginningless time, limitless mind, not reacting, not grasping, letting go, and letting be.(These are the main principles that I grasped and which meant the most to me).

My experience at Tushita was priceless. It has given me a hunger to learn more, not just with respect to Buddhism, but everything. I wouldn't trade it for the world.