Getting started

The hustle bustle of Mumbai... the extreme calm of attempting mediation in an empty room in a Sankaracharya Mandhir with Sameer and his Arun Kaka (who absolutely loves telling us stories about EVERYTHING... many of them are inspiring... others are intended to give us some advice while we're out here.... some are entertaining... and a lot are just completely out of the blue. =P..)... my two new nephews playing with me when they should be studying for their exams that are on Monday (below)... getting over the jet lag... trying to figure out where Jigar is and how to contact him... searching for a good deal for a "SIM" card for Sampat's phone... and taking a picture of a good-hearted Poojari... This sums up my first couple days in Mumbai. I'm currently staying at my cousin's place with her family, while Sameer is just across the street at his Kaka's house. We're, maybe, a little farther away from each other than we are in Fremont... but not much farther. =)

The first couple days for me have been pretty slow... and the slight doubt is still there... why am I here? I have to let go of that "American" mentality of being productive every moment.. and really just have to open up my heart and senses to everything around me. I am here for one year, plus or minus. This isn't just a visit... it's weird to get rid of that mentality... especially so far, since I'm staying at relative's place and stuff, and it feels like just any other trip to India. But, I know that these things take time. Right now, I'm just focused on getting my rest to get over the jet lag, and trying to get some of the little stuff out of the way that we need to get done.

I have a request... from now on... let's have no more "stay in good health" comments. I feel that the whole "getting sick" thing has really gotten in my head. And the minute I started eating food here and drinking water, etc... I had this feeling that, "oh no, I hope I don't get sick." It's a complete psychological thing... yes, we will be careful... but not to the point where we are "afraid". We will be adventurous... but careful... but, hopefully, never fearful...

For my day-to-day continuity... I've been doing surya namaskar, excersing and meditating every morning... and writing in my journal every night (I know it's only been two days, but come on... that's a start!). The feeling of doing surya namaskar and meditation in India verus the US... I don't know why.. but the "feeling" is just so much more powerful.

I've picked up "Autobiography of a Yogi" and this is going to be my first read while I'm out here. Pretty crazy book... it seems like we can just go to the Himalayas and find wandering Swamijis everywhere that can perform all kinds of miracles. If we head up there, we'll try to find these dudes. =P

And now.. plea to Jigar... if you are reading this, check your email and contact us!!! your cell phone # does not work, and hopefully, we'll still see you in Mumbai.....