India
If you’ve been following our Facebook Page you’ll know that I spent the last two weeks of 
January in India.
India is a country of contrasts and a beautiful mosaic of the complexity and joy we all experience during life. On one hand the country is awash with color and deeply spiritual. Everywhere you travel women are wearing vibrant saris and you will find a small shrine in every store you visit. The Call to Prayer throughout the day reminded me of the church bells I heard each hour as a child in Kenilworth.
And then there is the other side of India. A cacophony of sounds – honking cars moving in all directions. Garbage piled high throughout the countryside and miles of slums throughout the cities.
Many friends suggested that the other side of India was too painful to visit and had opted out of venturning to that part of the world, so I was curious to see my own reaction. Would I have the capacity to experience equanimity in light of the challenges of life in that country? So as I traveled from the US to Mumbai and then on to Pune for my Mindfulness Retreat I closely monitored my feelings and observations. I was surprised at my acceptance and openness to the intensity of life in India and my ability to experience Non-Duality uk best essays.org.
Each morning my roommate Sarah and I checked in to see when we were heading to yoga. She often left early to bird watch and I looked forward to hearing what she saw that day. Following yoga we sat in meditation, had breakfast and then attended a 2 hour mindfulness circle.
And then there was the food. On two different afternoons we spent some time touring the spice markets first in Mumbai and then again in Pune. I spent some time with an Ayurvedic Doctor to better understand how we could incorporate healing spices into our blends. And finally one of my favorite afternoons I spent cooking traditional indian cuisine with Anuradha Sawheny author of “The Vegan Kitchen: Bollywood Style!” Anuradha opened our afternoon talking about how to eliminate oils from your diet and the benefits of an anti inflammatory diet.
We had such a good time sharing our mutual passion for healing that I asked her to share her journey toward health and wholeness for our post this month.
I’m already dreaming about my next trip to India – next time I’ll venture into Rajasthan. But in the meantime, I’ll be content to enjoy all of the delicious Indian food Jane created for us this month – enjoy!
Zen Moment
“You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul essays services reviews.com about things you can’t control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone.”
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
