Monday, March 12, 2007

When a day was long...



Retreating to silence only to break it with supper



Well I have completed my retreat...in silence. Apparently this is what the retreat meant when I signed up for it. I really thought I would be finding "peace through meditation" The meditation and yoga was a part of it, but so was the complete silence for all members of the retreat for seven days. No internet, no phone calls, and no talking to people on the retreat. Eating, meditating, yoga, group activities in silence.

It was the first time, when approached by peddlars on the beach that I was sad to see them leave :) I am soaking up the sun and sweating in the unbelievable humidity but not really complaining...if there was a place to be silent in it would be here. It is very tropical and green with less garbage than I have seen in all of India. The beach is right behind the retreat centre and so if I feel the urge to scream or talk to myself I can easily duck to the ocean. We were supposed to go to a healer (India's Jesus), a couple of days ago but it has been postponed until tomorrow morning. He is supposed to be quite amazing. I haven't figured out what I want healed but I am sure I will think of something just to have the experience and then I am going fo some Ayurvedic Shirodhara. I am really not sure what the whole thing is except that they pour hot oil on your forehead for an hour and then give you some kind of massage. It is supposed to balance the vatta and soothe the kaffa in me. It is a naturalist healing. By the time I make it home I will be blessed, meditated and healed and be dying to talk.

It actually hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. The first couple of days were rough and then you softened into it and started to really erase some of the busyness of the mind.... and man is my mind busy :) I actually came to realize that it had been so long since I had talked to anyone Canadian that I had somehow picked up pidgin English with strange Brazilian, Cezch, British, German lilts ( we are a bit of a motley crew with homes all over the place). I am glad no one could hear me speak, my inner voice was all messed up. I had actually forgotten how to Canadian pronounce things and it made my mind spin a little. Now I have my voice back and it is a struggle to start speaking.....where to go from here?

I am heading down south to check out the dive situation before getting on a plane and returning to Delhi. And then back to Canada and a Canadian accent! I am only home for 1.5 days..long enough to get my Mom to cut my hair ( I hope) and give my dog a long cuddle and then Rufas and I are heading on the Mystery Tour 2007. He has been pretty good about not sharing the actually destination... although I have a few ideas. I really am still quite happy that I don't have to think about it or plan anything and I think he is happy that I am not involved in the planning!!

I missed some steps along the way with the speaking ban..so I what I forgot to share here, I may be able to fill in the holes upon my return. I hope all is well at home and spring is around the corner

xot

1 comment:

Hez said...

Sounds like an unique experience. I'm just glad to know that all is well there. I miss you terribly and can't wait to see you! Love,
Heather