The Last and Beyond

Well I’m definitely not in India anymore! Flying over the snow covered lands of Canada currently!

Oh my gosh I can’t believe I spent a month in Auroville. To put it simply… the most perfect month :)

My last days were fantastic! I gorged myself on food to the point where I felt sick on the ride to the airport haha. I think my last day I had a total of 7 pieces of bread with peanut butter and jam. I had to, it wasn’t a choice!

I went on a super long bike ride through Auroville, just appreciating its beauty. I also went to the Matrimandir the last two days in a row. I had incredible experiences that were so meaningful. My last time going, I had a deep concentration in the inner chamber. That room is one of the most far out, cosmic places on earth. I’m incredibly honored to call it a sort of home for me :) As I walked out of it, it just felt so perfect and complete. I was just walking along my path… I wasn’t attached or sad or anything. I had my last concentration in the petal room- and it was gratitude, which was a great one to end on for this journey. If anything, I am forever grateful for this trip. I spent so much time by the lotus pool in the beautiful warmth and breeze. I can’t describe my state of peace. I felt like a smile! Moving through all these things, I just knew when to move on and where to go- just kept floating in my current of life. And finally, I sat beneath the banyon tree. I was drawn to one spot, where I sat and curled against a giant trunk, and I felt like I was sharing the most loving moment with a best friend.  I was! And as I sat there, so happy- not in the least bit sad- I knew I was leaving Auroville, but truly I would not be leaving. I walked away from the Matrimandir, knowing that I was really still sitting in all of my spots- sharing peace and love with all of the beautiful people who go there for the good of our world. I’m still there now! What a pleasant thing to know in my soul. That place has given me great depth and wonder. And I know I have given in return.

I went to my last talk with Ashesh which was yet again great. His series of lectures have been the most spiritually guiding activity I have done in Auroville. He is such a beautiful person :) He gave me a book called Light and Laughter- talks by two men from the ashram- “so that you will be laughing all the time!” and he signed it for me, “To Mary, with brotherly love, Ashesh.” I always have my big brother with me, and his smile that guides me!

Saying goodbye wasn’t hard or sad. My time was there, and my journey was so meaningful. As I sat at my last meal, I had the most beautiful moment. Over the past two days, many many knew people came to stay at Verite because the big massage group left. I looked around our meal time, and saw all these new, beautiful people getting to know each other and carrying on outstanding conversations, and I could not have been happier. I was overjoyed, actually. I had a profound moment of knowing how good a place I was leaving. How deeply good Auroville is. And I was so happy to know that when I left, the beautiful life I have experienced was going to carry on, changing more and more lives, and changing the world.

I had many wonderful hugs and goodbye wishes! I’m excited to keep in touch with people! I’m almost done editing my story, and I can’t wait to send it to Kiara to share with him. And Martin has been emailing me about my Vedic astrology chart, and Ganesh emails me to say hello- ahh so many true people!  I know that I will go back to Auroville, and probably to Verite because it was an incredible place to stay.  It facilitated a deep spiritual journey for me as best as any place could. My last sunrise up on the roof was beyond beautiful :)

I shared a taxi to the airport with a woman I ran into a couple times from California. She said the first time she heard me talking somewhere she could have sworn I was this girl she knew because I sound just like I’m from California. Haha, better than sounding like a New Yorker!  She also mentioned to me that Sri Aurobindo in one of his writings was asked if there were any great writers who wrote well about spirituality in their books- and he said something like “Well, there was Marie Corelli” who is a famous writer. It’s funny, that’s the second time that writer has come up over the past two weeks! I will look into her work- but maybe Sri Aurobindo was talking about me in the future- haha! Also, Rajaveni called me on the driver’s phone (we used a cab service that benefits her school) to say goodbye and that her son will miss me! Her little Tamil boy is adorable and would always sit with wide eyes and the cutest smile while I played guitar! He is a tiny little musician, and I will miss him very much!

The first thing we talked about in the cab was how to sum up Auroville. WOW, I know I will get so many questions- and that is the most mind boggling thing to think about. Well… it is and it isn’t. I know what Auroville is inside me. It’s like it’s my soul, my foundation, a place of spiritual awakenings. But as a place, I think it is best put that Auroville, more than anything else, is a vortex of goodness. It is a center in this world where good people come, doing good things, and making goodness grow. It is a place of color, of freedom, and of peace. It is a place of deep love and caring and compassion. It is a place where people live in oneness with nature. Where people live how we should all live. It is also a place of experiments- as the mother said, “an experiment in human unity,” so it is a grounds for trying to find our future. And it is a path toward the future. A step toward the future :)

I got to the airport (wow Chennai… what a weird airport) and everything went fine. I had a great seat in the front row (lots of leg room!) next to this wonderful woman from Virginia, but then this woman sat down next to us with two little kids, and I was hoping for the best. I slept a couple hours, only to be awoken by the boy screaming at the top of his lungs, and it went on that way for HOURS. On top of that, he was sick and throwing up. Wow I cannot explain how annoying these people were! I mean, I felt bad for the woman, but she was dealing with her kids really badly- and all she said to me was a short “I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a comfortable journey,” and I was thinking “not comfortable- woman this was torture!” He was screaming and screaming and screaming… and then I found out they were going to New York! Thank goodness I was on a different flight with an open seat next to me.  And here I am!

Above the clouds I had the most incredible, peaceful dreams I have ever had. I dreamed in peace- I don’t know how to explain! Now I am almost home, and very excited! It looks cold…. Brrrrrr.

So I want to do a little fun summary of the trip. Here it goes:

1.       I used half a roll of toilet paper over the course of a month!

2.       I ate local vegetarian and organic, and after Argentina this is the only way I will ever eat again. As Martin said “we don’t eat non-organic, or it eats us!” I requested a “veg” (as Ganesh says) family in Buenos Aires.

3.       I learned to live in a tree basically. Emma said, “if you want to live in the capsule, you have to have no fear of animals!” woke up lots of times with probably a family of animals inside :)

4.       I watched the sunrise every morning (woke up at 545am!) and came up with the most wonderful 2 hour routine that I will have to work into my future life.

5.       I used my own body to get around- yay for bicycles!

6.       I took cold showers with birds above me

7.       I dressed in beautiful colors, however many I wanted to! (and definitely will continue this- as soon as I got to the Brussels airport I was sad to see almost everybody in black. Wow, people in Auroville are like rainbow children!)

8.       I learned and learned- and learned what I want to learn (Sanskrit for sure!)

9.       I learned to play most of Blackbird on the guitar- now it’s the only song I know so it’s a nice repertoire with my tattoo

10.   I celebrated the full moon, and knew where it was and what phase it was in

11.   I went to the bathroom with spiders and frogs every day

12.   I didn’t have or touch my cell phone or a watch! Phew what an awesome feeling!

13.   I haven’t worn shoes in weeks!

14.   I made friends from all over the world- who I will visit!

15.   I swam in the Bay of Bengal

16.   I picked up the Indian head bobble

17.   I went on a spiritual journey that has opened me up so much more than I anticipated

18.   I wrote poems and poems and poems and drew many things and played much music!

19.   I am a really good bargainer ;)

20.   I don’t know what else! SO many things!

Thank you everybody for taking interest in my travels J I guess this is it… I can’t wait to talk to people about it! I want to share everything everything everythinggggggg! I will miss Auroville. I’ll miss the birds and the butterflies. And my friends- and the warm weather! But I’m still there- I can feel it inside me.

Yay! New York, here I come! Argentina next !!!

Gratitude, Perseverance, Peace, and Love

All the goodness in my heart

Truly

Mary

PS: I got home safely, and it's good to be home. India was so perfect, it feels like a dream! The best dream I've ever had :)

Beauty and Light

Post number 30... Wow! This really is coming to a close...

Yesterday I learned Ilahinoor with Kiara, Jivan, Maria, Emma, and Yumi. We had such a good group, and Kiara taught us this healing practice. It is a really special practice that is so profound. It's not like meditation where you have to commit to it for a very long time to realize the results. And it is not like other healing practices where you aren't quite sure if the results are there. Ilahinoor is so so simple, and the results of it are so clearly profound- there is no question about it. Such a simple practice is a tool for heightening consciousness at this very critical time. But very importantly, it is also a practice that has been brought to people on earth because so many people have risen to a higher consciousness. Such a simple, easy practice is evidence that we are progressing collectively. Because of our progress, we now have access to more accessible practices.

Basically in Ilahinoor you use your hands- either your own or you can work in pairs or groups- to stimulate the old brain (in the amygdala), the pineal gland, and the pituitary gland- or the 6th and 7th chakras, the third eye and the crown. Everyone involved has nothing to do or think about- they only have to be an empty vessel for the divine energy to flow. Making a bridge between these parts just by touch, and then moving your hands to your heart, your third eye, up in the air to heaven and down to the core of earth, you feel an intense rush of energy. Heat and circulation of energy through your chakras. Ilahinoor works from above, down to the bottom. You both recieve higher planes of consciousness, but you ground it. The human body is the bridge between the divine and the earth. Ilahinoor works to clear out bad energy, allowing the "Divine Light" (Ilahinoor) to flow through you. I feel honored and deeply thankful to have been initiated into this practice, and now I can share it with people as I leave Auroville, and I can work with the energy on my own whenever I want. This morning I practiced on the rooftop, and I felt so one with the wind and the birds and the earth. I could feel the breath of the world! It's such a sweet, beautiful thing. Good for the spirit and the body :)

Last night Martin gave me another guitar lesson- but this was different. We went with an amp and a mic and we played in a dark field for the stars :) When you add electricity, music can reach other levels and beings. Martin says he and his friend play, and the clouds change! It's funny because I've been playing less than a year, and he has been playing for years and years and years. I just try to keep up, and bring his spirit into my music. But we saw a couple shooting stars as we played, and the crickets got louder to give us their rhythm. It feels exactly how it should- we should always been making harmonies with nature. Why do we think of the beauty of nature, and ourselves as separate? We are living on this earth, too, and it is the most beautiful thing to fit in the balance, just like a flower or a breeze.

Today I closed out my financial account and Emma and I are going to do some shopping :) Yay! Adios!

Mar

sunset after sunset after sunset

Yumi is beautiful :) we had a great last night for her up on the roof

aww this makes me so happy!

the moon lullaby

a waxing moon: great for bringing new energies into your life

om!

and the sky goes on and on

Friends :)

Buenas tardes! "I am so busy doing nothing" as Ashesh says. hehe

Yesterday I concentrated in my 8th petal- Peace! Deep blue. Very good experience. Going to the Matrimandir for me is like going home. I love spending time there. It is the source of so many things for me. My energy, my silence, my power, and my joy. My strength to share everything. My guidance for my path.

Later in the day I went to Mudra Chi. Anandi (who leads it) is nuts. We had a big group with many new people, and nobody understands her because she is crazy! She runs around saying millions of things in ways nobody understands and she is in her own world. I love it :) Anyway, today I went to her house for just a little while to get some contacts for Buenos Aires! She gave me a letter and some incense to give to her friend who has an antique shop in San Telmo, and she gave me some great contacts of people who will be able to help me stay with an indigenous community! Auroville is so incredible for connecting people all over the world. I just ask people here if they know anyone where I am going, and bam- I end up with a bunch of friends to get to know!

Last night Ganesh and I went to dinner at New Creation restaurant for... PIZZA! Ganesh and his father work at Verite- they are from Tamil Nadu. He is the nicest person I have ever met- and he just loves loves loves having friends, sharing with them, and learning from them. So we had some really impressive pizza (I think an italian guy runs the place) and we chatted. Ganesh showed me photos of his family, and told me stories of India. He does not stop overflowing with sincere gratitude for having friends from all over. When one of his friends who stays at Verite leaves, he makes sure he spends some quality time with them. He's just so genuine, it warms my heart! He treated me to the whole dinner! It just gave me a great hope and joy that people all over the world love meeting each other, and really know the good things in life to appreciate.

Today I had my very first ever massage!! and it was free... wooo! The group staying at Verite is doing a massage workshop. So today they invited some of us to get massages! It was so good for me to have somebody else work on my body- to turn it over to the love and energy of another person. I am always always working with my own body. I really appreciated having somebody else's energy taking care of me.

After visiting Anandi, I had a wonderful discussion with Martin- and he wants to employ me as an artist for a bunch of publications him and his coworkers are working on! He does a lot of work with Vedic tradition, and we are going to have a longer chat about it within the next few days, but he says he has looked for an artist for a very long time who can paint with a dream-like, feminine quality- beautiful scense of the soul of nature. I am honored and overjoyed that I can put my art to a great cause! I hope it works out :)

everything inside and outside

Lunch was yummmmers, and then we had a chocolate party! Martin's friend grows and makes chocolate- so he pulled out some strawberries to tempt Barney with for dessert :) Photo documentation of the fun we had!

Barney- the chocolate warrior slaying all the strawberries in his path!

hahah a fabulous photo of the fun

Martin- you are just bundles of fun :)

somebody liked her first chocolate adventure!

Today we have a little group spiritual/healing gathering with Kiara. I've invited Jivan and Maria- we'll see who else comes! I'm so lucky that Kiara is here, because he is sharing with us the practice of Ilahinoor- which means "Divine Light". It's a practice to embody the divine, to embody all of creation. Look it up on his website- ilahinoor.net. I'll have to tell you about it in the next post.

Yumi is leaving tonight and I am so sad! Yumi- you are the best roomate! I will miss you lots, and when I go WWOOFing in Japan I will be sure to go to your farm!! I can't wait!

3 days and counting. To quote Martin, "But we never really leave."

hugs

Mary

Sadhana photo post!

Last night I went to Sadhana Forest again for their eco-film club (after a nice day of reading all of Kiara's book!)

We had a nice talk with the founder of the project, and then we were taken on a tour of the grounds, where I saw the most beautiful sunset I have seen here in Auroville!! Check out dees photos :)

yummies

no shoes ever ever ever

our tour

the dorms- so simple and nice

traiditional Tamil Nadu huts- under the big blue Indian sky :)

aahhh, breathe it in! magic!

Evolution

Chau! I am in my last week in Auroville :( and I am veryy busy relaxing! Haha!

I've been going to the Matrimandir many many times, and I have concentrated in 7 out of the 12 petals! unfortunately 3 of them are closed, so I won't be able to get to all of them.

Ashesh's new series of talks has started up, and this has been amazing for me. Every time I go I learn so many things. For me, this trip to Auroville started as learning about the physical place, what is going on here, and how I can bring it back with me later in my life- what I want to DO. In the beginning I did many workshops about the DOING, and the "reality," but that was the first step in my adventure here. My journey evolved into the truth behind Auroville- the human unity, the spirituality, the evolution of humans and this earth. And from here I have gone deeper and deeper into my own spirituality and the spirit of the universe. That is why I have done more relaxing and less DOING- relaxing for me has been deepening into my spirit, and learning worlds upon worlds. oceans upon oceans.

Yesterday I met a new guest at Verite named Kiara Windrider. He is very much like me, and our meeting is not just a meeting but another guide along my path :) Kiara is a pisces, a writer, has studied psychology and peace studies, is interested in shamanism and astrology- basically he is a very important guide for me along my path because i so strongly correspond with him! I'm reading his book- Journey into Forever: Surfing 2012 and beyond- which is so far a well written, outstanding synthesis of biology, physics, narratives, spirituality- everything that contributes to the evolution of human consciousness.

It's funny- I am not surprised any more that my path is so available to me, that it is overflowing in my surroundings. Everywhere I turn I find something or some one who is my guide. All it takes is a simple "Hi, what's your name"- and if you are open, you will know when you need to speak these words! This is how Kiara and I met, and it is a very important meeting.

My meditations have been so deepening lately. After a month of meditating every morning, and many days more throughout the day, I find that I am coming to a stillness point- a point between breaths, that gives me life. It feels SO good to meditate. And I've come to a moment where I no longer even think of my breath, but just am my breath. Complimenting this, my concentrations are even more intense. Concentration on the divine- the mother, or god, or the force, whatever you want to call it- is the most fundamental practice of integral yoga. A concentration may be a mental/spiritual concentration inside your mind/soul that leads you further into the peace of the divine, or it may even be making an offering of everything you do to the divine. The first step is to establish a relationship with the divine: if it is hard for you to believe in god, then it starts at "if you are there, god, help me to see you" and it progresses from there. These concentrations are the way to consciousness evolution. Each time I go to the Matrimandir, I sit by the lotus pool and concentrate on the divine- I like to say the mother (Sri aurobindo says in this way, it is most easy to communicate. the relationship between us and the divine is as a child to its mother). And each time I concentrate, I am left with a massively profound new understanding. New way of "seeing". a knew, expanded knowledge. This has been so powerful for me. My spirituality is growing so much more than I knew it could before I came here. And it was meant to be this way, which is why I am here :)

Last night at Verite john and marion organized a viewing of a movie interview Satprem- a French man who spent many years with the mother and Sri Aurobindo. It is called "man after man" I believe. I am going to buy a copy. It was so incredible, I think it is important to share the main points with you guys if you're interested.

• we are at a state on earth that necessitates an evolution. there is rampant pain and suffering everywhere, and we are causing massive damage to our world- the earth where we are born. we simply cannot go on like this. Like the first fish whose respiratory system had to breathe on land, we must evolve into something else.
• The first fish on land ends up out of the water, on a beach, in the sun. the incredulous difference between its life and its former life is worlds apart. its former life seems silly- living under water. As humans evolve, we are entering into a new state that cannot be predicted. we must enter into nothing. there is no way to conceive of what we will be- because in conceiving, you immediately meet the human species.
• we are conscious beings now, and as conscious beings we can cooperate in our own evolution. matter drives evolution (the divine involution or descending of the divine through planes to the lowest- the form of the inconsient- means that our being descended into darkness, the lowest, and then a prayer arose from the darkness to see the light, and evolution began. now the level of matter is the the level that yearns for light). Matter must evolve- it must come to a conscious state.

These are three really important fundamentals. We must evolve. We must evolve into nothing- an unpredictable new consciousness. Matter drives evolution, it needs consciosness.

On top of this, there's the theory that there will be a big event or moment where consciousness will evolve. Kiara writes about this happening, and the interviews with Satprem talk a lot about it. I guess I won't go on for longer than I already have here, but to summarize- I feel in my soul that we are on the verge of a great awakening. Kiara's book is great- it gives all the scientific, physical, and spiritual evidence for this in a very not-ridiculous way. It all makes sense. Shifting magnetic fields, volcanic action, sun spots, consciousness calendars from ancient traditions, spirit communications... all of these things align. Maybe you think this is ridiculous, lots of people do think so. But here in Auroville you really feel consciousness- of individuals, of groups, and of the world itself. Everyone here knows in their hearts that a new consciousness is arising at the world level. In groups, we talked last night about how from one generation to the next you can sense the difference in consciousness. For example, Satprem's movie was 30 years old and you can tell the difference in his consciousness from the middle age people here at Verite. Then there is my generation, and everyone last night pointed out that  they think me and my youth generation represent a new consciousness. And then there is the next generation beginning to emerge, that will be an even newer concsiousness. So I guess you can look at it at like its theory and it is right or wrong, and you can view the world and time that way. Or you can feel what is happening in your spirit, and live and anticipate in that way.

In either case, the most important thing is to be a good person :)

There are so many things I want to say about consciousness, humanity, evolution, my path, my experience... wow! It's all one. Kiara and i were talking about being writers, and I'm feeling the creative piscean flow inspiring me to write again. I'm going to finish editing my novelette within the next day or two, and then I think I am going to begin writing a new one!

I am so excited for this journey to continue into Argentina! From place to place... moment to moment! I'm so full of joy and love :) and I'm sending it to everyone in our one family! Take some... take all of it into your hearts!

<3
Mary

my spotttttt! above all the trees :)

henna!

favorite meal- BREAKFASTTT

papaya, banana, apple, pineapple, pom seeds, yogurt, organic bread and peanut butter, chiku jam, and chai :)

...YUM

... I am going to miss you, breakfast!

Moving along the Way

"Good morning starshine :) The earth says hello!"

Hmm where did I leave off? Yesterday was a really really full day! Lisa and I went to Pondi early in the morning. The first thing we did was visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which was such a lovely experience. It is overflowing with all different kinds of flowers, especially because the mother gave spiritual significances to each type of flower. We meditated for a bit, and went to the ashram bookshop where I picked up a couple things. My own, tiny size copy of Savitri- which I cannot wait to read from front to back. I think later on I'll put in a few quotes, because it is so much more than you can imagine. I got a book of poetry by Sri Aurobindo, his master book on Integral Yoga, and a couple other little things.

After the ashram we walked down to the promenade while we waited for all the shops to open up. Pondi is kind of weird city- it has the local district which is a typical Indian city, but because it was colonized, it has the French district- which is all very nice, beautiful buildings, a gorgeous park, and the promenade along the sea with cafes. I snapped some nice photos for you guys!

Gathering water by the water-gatherer statue

Shadow Scattered

 
We did a bit of meandering around the main street, and we bought a couple of little trinkets. I got a nice journal of hand made paper that I think I will use in Buenos Aires- carry India with me to there! And at the very end of our morning we found a guy to give us some great henna! Yay! I was amazed how quickly he did it- he just takes this cone of ink, snips off the end, and starts drawing on your arm. I find that Indians- from their art, to their mandalas, to this henna- have such an interesting way of drawing. They use fundamental shapes and curves, and sort of build off of them. It is a beautiful thing! Many many local people crowded around to watch us get our henna- they appreciate the beauty of the art as well, not just us tourists! haha

Get me some henna! they paint it on real dark and globby, and then it dries and you peel it off. I'll have a photo up tomorrow or something of what it really looks like now- it's beautiful!

As we made our way back to the bus we got a little bothered by people trying to sell us things, and I ended up with a drum just for fun. People make you feel bad for buying things at such a high tourist price (although I'm a hard bargainer) but in the first place we have such an unequal advantage, coming to their country and automatically getting lots of money for so little of ours. It sort of seems fair to equal it out a bit by paying more- and that higher price is still so little to us.

Lisa and I were talking about Indian (and she has been to many Asian) cultures. Being a young girl is so incredibly difficult when you are traveling around here. It's not dangerous, and it's not that you can't handle it, but it is almost offensive how harrassed you get by people trying to sell you things, everyone staring at you, and not getting service. We waited at a cafe for 20 minutes to get drinks, and the waitor waited on everyone else, even people who sat down much later than us. Finally we just left. And everywhere you go, you cannot avoid being stared at. From the beach to the city streets, a young girl- or in general most western women- cannot blend in or travel around unnoticed. It is so uncomfortable and invasive to be the center of attention when you don't want any attention at all. It's very overwhelming and makes me want to avoid cities as much as possible. That's why I plan to travel by WWOOFing- out in the country!

Anyway, we didn't like the Pondi style of clothing- very classic Indian- so we went to Kuilupalayam after lunch for some clothing items! I picked up a couple things so that I can look comfy and beautiful like everyone else here! It's so incredibly cheap, it's hard not to spend a little!

I did qi gung at Verite in the evening. I wanted to try it and thought I would like it because it pretty much goes hand in hand with tai chi. But I was overwhelmed at how hard it is! My muscles are not strong in the right places, my joints do not bend in the right direction... I was disappointed, because qi gong makes sort of building blocks for tai chi, and this means that my tai chi isn't as perfected as I thought. I actually got really overwhelmed by this, but I've realized that I don't know if I necessarily need the rigidity and perfection of tai chi/qi gong. Tai chi gives me flow and energy- I feel smooth. I'm not sure it's right for me- not part of my own integral yoga- to practice the solid, structured part of these practices. Maybe I'll give qi gong a shot back in South Bend this coming year. But for now, I'm listening to my soul, and I shouldn't push myself. It's a new moon, and it's a time for me to build on what I have. I don't think I need to keep pushing into new things.

After qi gong and dinner Lisa and I did ethnic chanting! WOW so fun! This lovely young young couple runs it, and they seem to have traveled all over the world, picking up shamanic/tribal/spiritual songs and instruments. They plays some basic beats and we did some nice songs about nature and being one with the earth and having light and dark in balance- great stuff! I was really inspired musically. So many people around me are incredible musicians. I have a strong hope for one day being like that :)

It's funny... I'm here on my own, I'm such an adventurous person. But I also feel really really intensely where I am on my path right now. And funny enough, I feel so young. I loved the moment I turned 20- I said now people think I am older! But I have totally sunk into this point on my path- embraced it completely, and it surprises me that at this point I am such a little child! I'm just beginning! I'm on a great start- but it's just the start. I want so many things, I want to be so many things, and sometimes I think I can be them all right now. But I feel so young right now. It's a lesson, and it's also wonderful. From here, I have hope. And from here I can learn so many things and admire so many people. Also, it's most important not to look to far into what I want to be ahead of time. It's important for me that right now I am young. This is what I have learned since that night at family constellation.

Today Matrimandir petal, goodbye lunch with Lisa and John at the Well cafe, and then Ashesh's Integral Yoga workshop this afternoon. Plus, I'll be playing guitar up on the roof for the sunset. Being up there- it's my jam! When I'm there I feel so free. I've never had a special spot like that before- but I feel limitless and really open to divinity when i am on the roof in the presence of the sun, the moon, and all of creation! It's such a blessed spot. My soul yearns to spend as much time there as possible before I leave.

morning moon before the new moon. it's great to observe the sky from one place every day and night. I think I might be able to get a photo of the waxing moon and the sun rising, but the moon's course moves more than you think each day- and it might be under the horizon for sunrise before it grows again into a crescent.

Love and kisses and hugs and rainbows from Auroville!
<3
Mary

Heavenly Sunset :)

Namaste. Today I hit up the beach with Steve for his last day. Yoga this afternoon. I've been doing a lot of relaxing, but I'm still learning so much. Yoga was the last day today :( It's something I want to do every day. I've already looked up the ashram in Buenos Aires!

I was sitting here on my computer this evening, and the sunset caught my eye through the trees. I just knew it was going to be beautiful, so I picked up my guitar and climbed to the roof. wowww it was an incredible sunset. Here's my poem inspired in the moment:

Every Moment is a Sunset

Tonight
I played the sun to sleep
on my guitar.
my heart
so full
the liquid music
poured right out.
the golden orb
of endless love
sweetly setting.
so soft
so gentle
i had to play it to sleep
on my guitar.
slender wings
soft as heaven
blessing the end of day.
pale colors
on the music played.
as i watched that
golden soul
i had to play.
gently falling into grace
it melted into clouds
with my fingers i traced
the music
of the sunset.
how it touched my heart
it was so sleepy
such a child.
it asked me for one lullaby
one moment's feelings
in a song.
i had to say yes to the sunset
as i offered the day my guitar.
my holy gift i did play
because this gift from the sun came
from trees grown in light
and bliss.
how sweet that sound came
from my guitar
how gentle it rocked the sun
in the bed of clouds.
melodies from my heart
to the soul of the sun
emotions streaming
into the clouds.
sounds so true
the sun was happy
as i sang it to sleep
on its melting bed of clouds.
so moved i was
so touched
so open.
and all the sunsets are the most beautiful.
and every moment is a sunset.

 

 

Thanks for reading :) Tonight, finish my book. Tomorrow, Pondi with Lisa for her last day! Sri Aurobindo Ashram and shopping! Photos to come for sure. In the mean time, check out this dude:

 

huge little guys like the bore holes in bamboo (like the stilt of my hut...) and make homes

the have beautiful rainbow wings and are about the size of the head of a toothbrush

hopefully they dont have stingers...

Missing everyone at home, and sending my love!

<3 Mary

 

Bonfires and Music

Hello :)

So Yesterday was a nice relaxing Saturday. Matrimandir for petal number 5! Gratitude, and green. It was a really powerful one for me. And I think green is a perfect color for gratitude. Yoga and then Mudra Chi. The instructor from Buenos Aires has a connection with an indigenous community I can stay with in Patagonia for my research if that's what I end up doing :) Everything on my path is set out for me!

Now you have a full view of the Matrimandir and the incredible Banyon Tree! WOW check out that tree! can't you even feel its power through the picture? Imagine being under it :) wish you could see the Matrimandir from inside... Maria and Jivan told me that the energy inside is even more powerful than the energy in the egyptian pyramids. Nuts!

Lisa and I went to the Eco-Music Festival at Solitude Farm after dinner. It was rockin! What a cool gathering to be a part of. It's one of the biggest and best things Auroville does all year. During the day apparently there was a market and a lot of stuff going on, but at night it was just a beautiful gathering with strings of lights, some food, a stand with live (and excellent) music, and a bonfire! It really pulled all of Auroville together. This is the city of human unity- but sometimes people live in their bubbles and you can't really see other places because of the forest- so it's so nice to have an event that gathers everyone in all at once!

Today was low key also, and I started to focus a little on Argentina! Uncle Scott- I started to read "Imagining Argentina" and it's the first book I've read in years that I can't put down!! Thank you and Auntie! I'll let you know when I finish it. After that I'm going to read the Lonely Planet guide! Argentina, here I come!


Yoga again this evening. I love it so much. It might be challenging, but my body feels sooo good. Deep always says after an asana "notice how your body feels" and my answer to myself is always "soo goodd!" haha so I realized that stretching is one of my favorite things to do, and I hope I can continue yoga!

After dinner we had a birthday party for Barney- he's turning 5! We got him a hula-hoop from a woman in Auroville who makes them. He is a fireman!! So we had a bonfire at Verite. Martin played really beautiful music, we had ice cream and brownies and strawberries, and the stars were amazing. I never wanted to leave that infinite moment! I looked up at the stars and felt like I was so at peace in the infinite divine around me. I think a good comparison to that moment is when you're a kid having the time of your life at summer camp and you're around the fire. I got that really strong feeling I used to get at Camp Jeanne d'Arc! I thought to myself "I love this so much, I never want to leave!" Verite family is really amazing :)

Good night for now!

<3 Mar

Bogi and Barney :)

Marion and Martin!

here we are together in our future

a very bright future

to hear the unseen mountains sing in the waterfall under the love of the trees

Solutions and Love of Life

Good morning/day/night!

Yesterday yoga was great, and then Lisa and I went to Sadhana Forest- which is a little community on the outskirts of Auroville. I didn't make it in time for the tour and talk so I think I'll go again next week- but the place is absolutely incredible from what I saw! They are a vegan community and there are about 15 permanent members and 100 volunteers! I guess I will have to say more next week about what they do there, but it is all eco-projects! What I loved so much was the atmosphere of the place:

There are these beautiful little nature huts with harmonious decorations and it all feels so natural. Every Friday they do a talk/tour and then a eco movie and a vegan dinner- all for free :) Lot's of people go!! I was amazed at how great of an atmosphere it was- how friendly everybody was, how happy everyone was to be there to share in our care for this earth. Looking around, I felt so in my energy. Every individual was a total expression of their self and their uniqueness. Colors all over, cool and flowly clothing in beautiful patterns and colors that complimented people's spirits. Crazy hair cuts, beautiful smiles, and vibrations emanating from everyone that rang hippie-happy love! I had such a strong feeling of being in a good place. Wow!

The movie last night was called The End of the Line- about overfishing in the world. We were asked to share our experience from the movie with other people, so for my part:

This movie really touched me and made me think. You know, everybody knows that we are overfishing, and that we shouldn't be, and that it's a dire situation. But when you think about it, the Ocean is this thing we consider a magical, vast expanse of biodiversity. In reality, we have destroyed tons of species and seem to be moving from one prey to the next- all for the sake of money. The Ocean is no longer a pristine, untouched wonder. We are actively destroying it. I guess I don't know how to say this as urgently as it needs to be said... but it is important for people to understand that eating fish- any kind of sea food- is a terrible thing to do for this world unless you have caught that seafood yourself.

Movies like this make me think a lot about solutions. Ok, so we are overfishing, we have climate change, we are destroying the land, the forests, the rainforests, the animals... we are raping our world's resources until we get to a state of crisis. People get overwhelmed. They say: well, I can't change the world by myself. It won't make a difference if I don't eat one piece of fish tonight. But when you think about it, the MOST important solution is to live your own life in the best way possible. I don't think it's an issue of responsibility. I think it's an issue of spirit. This earth is a special place- people agree even if they aren't spiritual. Nature makes us feel good. It makes us happy. That is SO significant. Happiness isn't mental- it touches you inside. So when we are living our lives, and we think "What can we do to help this world?"- I think the answer is to be a good person. At the most personal level- your life isn't a responsibility, and this earth isn't a responsibility. Your life is a miracle! And so is this world! We get so distracted in these big revolving societies that we get so distanced from this truth. Go on a hike- go out in the snow- go to the beach- watch the sunset, the sunrise. THIS is why all we need to do to make the world a good place is to harmonize our own lives with the earth. The answer isn't "Well, if you don't change then no one will." The answer is "If you don't change, then you are missing out on a life of harmony and balance."

In terms of The End of the Line: it is your choice on a daily basis to live to love this world. If you want to eat a fish- you don't know if it has been stolen, if it has been fished illegally, if it has killed 10 other fish as bycatch, if it has killed birds in nets, dragged nets along ocean floors pulling away all life. The point is that we cannot be blind consumers, because as consumers we create the demand. This goes for all areas of consumption- meat, fish, and all other products. You are not just a cog in a consumer system with no say. If you eat that fish, you are saying that you have no control over your love for the world. This is a silly thing to say.

People always have reasons for doing things. I'm not here to convince people what to do, but I have been asked to share the story of that movie. So I think I would just like to ask you guys to question your actions. Where is your love for the world? Do you love the world? Do your actions express your love for the world? It's all about harmony- your own harmony. And this contributes to the greater harmony of our society. "Don't carry the world upon your shoulders" (Beatles). Just be a good person. That's the most important thing.

It feels good to live good :)

Mary

Every morning, the sun rises in happiness for our world.

If we don't live in harmony, maybe one day the sun won't rise.

Overview and a day in the life :)

Hey dudes. Feeling 100% today! Hoorayy!

This morning I painted some wonderful signs for Ashesh's next Integral Yoga workshop series. I was with my two newest friends, Maria and Jivan! All 4 of us are artists, and today to paint with all of them was so much fun, since usually I am painting on my own!

Maria, Jivan, and Ashesh!

Ashesh is really good at watercolors

Coolio

Up on the terrace, what a view!

Anyway, this is my short half-way overview of my "stories and ideas":

Hmm well I really like India. I like Indian traditions and spirituality. Indian food. Indian culture- clothing, lifestyle, community. But Auroville is very not-India (not in a bad way!) I really like Auroville spirituality. Well I guess this is an understatement. I totally dig Auroville spirituality. Integral Yoga. Human Unity. I really like Auroville atmosphere- traveleres, vagabonds, hippies, backpackers, alternatives, intellectuals, open-minded lovers, artists, musicians, food-endulgers. I totally like Auroville way of life- natural, simplistic, holistic, healthy and sustainable. I love what this trip has done for me. I love how it has surprised me. I love how much I have grown. I love how much it has changed my life. I love the peace that I am feeling, and the excitement I have, born of this adventure, to move on toward the rest of life! Everything is great :) I have learned more than I thought, and have been given so many things my soul needs.

Auroville is a cool place, a step in the right direction, and an outstanding example for our world. It is not perfect of course. It faces many challenges, and it struggles to embody its mission. But it tries with all its heart, and this is beautiful. I think Auroville is one of the most outstanding places on this earth- a gift from the divine. But I think Auroville will not only grow in its own way, being a first step toward a spiritual world, but it will play a major role in inspiring other places on this earth.

I guess overall from two weeks of experience, this is how I would put it: Auroville rocks and is a magical place. It isn't the ideal, but it is so right on.

Hmm... I think this is totally what I thought it would be! Yay!

Cool for a half-way update! Cool for being here! The days are slipping away.. oh nooo! I don't want to leave! I want to travel all over up and down and across and around India. I will :) Anyone want to join?

Love

Mary

"Gettin Better All the Time"

Well I am feeling much better :) especially after yoga just now. Stomach is still a little funky but I think it's working its way out of me.

I slept in the lounge last night- gave up on my bed. I had the first good night's sleep in more than a week, and a beautiful dream- i forgot what a good dream was like!

Yumi and I went to Repos beach this morning. We borrowed a friend's scooter and I drove cause Yumi was scared :) She says I drive like a crazy person... I think New Yorkers go well with India! Nick- you told me once in South Bend that I drive fast... haha! midwest drivers dont really mesh here...

Anyway, the beach was soo nice this morning! There were only about 4 people there. There were much bigger waves than the last time I went- people were surfing! The current was so strong I wanted to go catch some waves but all of the sudden I found myself 50 yards down from Yumi, so i decided to skip that part and just enjoy the shallow part- which might as well have been in the middle of the ocean the waves were so rockin :)

Matrimandir after that- petal room of Sincerity. Blue. Awesome experience, although I couldn't spend that much time there because I was feeling very tired. Probably cause I haven't eaten anything except a bit of yogurt, bananas, bread, and rice for the past two days...

Yoga is going GREAT and I can't wait to find a place in Buenos Aires (Elan if you are reading this I'm sure you'll want to join as well!)- best would be at an ashram or something.

That's all for today! Peace

Om.
Asato Ma Sat Gamaya Tamaso
Ma Jyotir Gamaya Mrityor-Ma
Amritam Gamaya

Om.
Lead me from the Unreal to the Real
From Darkness to Light
From Mortality to Immortality

Creature Photos!

Peacock on the road! Native around here

Flowery tree!

Aww cutie cow in the road

Auroville is a splendid place to go on a walk

Ashesh being silly and posing

Wow this is a big big spidey in the bathroom

I prefer this one waiting outside yoga!

waa I am so sick :( woke up feeling like crap. It's OK-good thing there are 15 moms here for Nia class, so I'm being taken care of! No Pondi today... hopefully I will be able to participate in yoga. I don't want to miss this opportunity

Empty Fullness

Wow today was the most full day I have had so far! Been goin goin goin can't stop rollin rollin rollin

Meditation, tai chi (I'm teachign Yumi a little!), then- an incredible breakfast, and an incredible experience at the Matrimandir.

I went to another petal today (my third!)- today was Equality. I didn't know it would be so powerful. I realized many spiritual things very fully. The divine force is equally full and total in every being. The color was purple, which was cool because its my favorite color! hehe

Then, I sat by the lotus pool again, and really really breathed deeply and slowly. Yesterday I began an 8 day sivananda yoga workshop! So I practiced some pranayam breathing techniques, and all of these healthy practices I have been doing are having an extremely powerful impact on how peaceful I am. I offered my thoughts to the divine force, and asked the mother to make me as peaceful as the water, and as soft as the wind :) The divine force is in every molecule- not just in the bigger compilations of molecules. As I felt the wind and heard the water, I got vibrations of peace from every molecule in that space.

After the lotus pool I sat under the banyon for a very long time. Ashesh told me that the banyon is called the tree of infinite life- because each trunk is a new tree. How beautiful :) I stood against one of the trunks, and saw a woman with a fallen leaf in her hand. I thought to myself "Oh what a beautiful idea of a token to have" and at that moment I looked up, and a leaf came floating slowly down and landly directly in my hand! I'm not exaggerating or anything- I watched it fall right into my hand! WOW! In my head I was like "holy crappp!" That tree, the wind, the whole world is SO alive! When that leaf fell into my hand, I knew it was directly from the divine force- that is so powerful for me, that I had a real experience of the divine force. It is so true that you can bring the divine force down into your every cell in this world. You don't have to go away and get enlightenment somewhere. We can bring it right down into us :) Wow, I am still amazed. Ashesh calls it my leaf of knowledge :) But that's only half of it!!
I then was lying under the banyon, and eventually I sat up and my legs parted a bit, and I spotted something under the grass. I parted it away, and there was a frog sitting so quietly. At first I had a wave of huge sadness- I thought I had sat on it and killed it! But it turned out to be alive, and right in front of me where I had chosen to sit! Ashesh told me that he thinks the frog represents bridging stages- because it leaps from water to air. He says it is a sign of leaping into a new consciousness!

As I left the Matrimandir, a very good man asked me which I liked better- the water or the tree (because he had been at both and seen me there for a very long time). I laughed and didn't know which- but I told him about the leaf that fell into my hand. Then, he pulled out a leaf he had kept as a token, and we laughed so hard! The joy that is in people here! Ashesh walked by, and said "Ahhh Mary, Francoise is my friend also!!" I meet very good people here. People who are happy meet and create joy in this world :)

SO Ashesh- this guy I've been talking about- and I had lunch today at his apartment complex. Ashesh teaches the Integral Yoga workshop I have been taking. He lived in the Sri Aurobindo Ashram for 20 years. You might say he is my guru, but also my brother! He introduces me to everyone he knows by saying "Ahh, have you met my little sister!?" And his smile lights of everyone's face! He invited me to have lunch with him and his wife, but Vera couldn't make it. He said I MUST meet her, we are sisters! When I mentioned Vera's name, Ashesh smiles his true true smile, and goes "Oh you say her name I am so happy! The love of my life!" He is so awakened, and his love is so pure. It's inspiring :)

Ashesh showed me their apartment, and his beautiful paintings, and Veras's musical instruments! I think Ashesh is right, they are my brother and sister :) How happy I am that I meet people like this, who I connect with on such a deep, happy level. I am full of joy that Ashesh recognized in me a sister. He teaches me everything about Integral Yoga.

After lunch, I had my second yoga class. I was scared of taking yoga because it is hard at first and all that- but these two classes I have found that I can relax so well and smile, at the same time as stretching my body into positions that are extremely difficult for me. I LOVE yoga, and I am happy to be in India and have a spiritual teacher to introduce me to it. Deep is the teacher- and he has been doing yoga since he was 6. His voice rings like an angel's! We all do some chanting (Aum and the chant for peace), and I find that with practicing my guitar with Martin, and doing this yoga, my voice also rings so beautifully :) It makes my soul fly!

by the way- Martin and I had an awesome session where I for the first time played with some one else. It was great! Martin says "Oh you do not need any more teaching!" He says I can lose myself in my music, and that is all that matters. Wow, it is incredible to have this inspiration when I can often be very insecure about my music. I shared my art with Martin (which he loves very much!) and he shares music with me!

After yoga I went right to a Nia class- which was also great! What a crazy aerobic workout. Straight dance with total energy for an hour! The end was Jimi Hendrix music, and I haven't really played any music here, so it made me extremely happy to hear my favorite!

After Nia, Deep wanted to keep this day rolling (he, too, had a full day!) So he took me on his motorcycle (bike) riding around at night under the stars, and to get some chai in a town near Auroville. The chai was divine, and Deep has such an incredible life story. Friends and friends and friends and friends- I love love love the people I meet every day!! Deep was at family constellation- the issue he presented was him choosing his spiritual path, or his real life- his "other path". He chose me to represent himself, and I chose him to represent myself- we are very much alike! He plays the djembe and lots of other drums, and the flute. He will drop me at Pondicherry (big town near here) tomorrow morning on his way there.

Oh wow- I am tired and will go to bed very soon so that I have energy to go to Pondi, and then do yoga in the afternoon. All of these relaxation activities tire me out- one to the next! But it has been a day better of joy and love. What more do I need?! Going to Pondi to visit the Ashram, and do a bit of shopping (though I dont have much to spend, things here are extremely cheap- no surprise.) The only thing that SUCKS is that my bed is so hard, I toss and turn with terrible back pains all night. Ughhh. I'll try to solve it.

I took so many good photos today, so check back in tomorrow for the photo update (forgot the cord in my capsule). Also- side note, apparently there is a cobra in our Verite garden. SO cool :) hehe

Peace, Love, Joy, Happiness, Stillness, Bliss, Divine experiences

Missing everyone very much!
<3 Mary