Sweden, 6:15

As you are waiting in the hallway for Sharath to call out: “One more”, you get to watch everyone practice. It is quiet amazing what some of these lovely yogis can do with their bodies. It’s those few moments of watching everyone while waiting to hear the “one more” call, that you realize you are here in Mysore at Guruji’s home. Yogis from all over the world are here and it is such a treat to watch. One leg kicked up in the air and then disappeared. I was like, what was that pose, I peered in and it is this amazing 6’4 man, whom you would think would be clumsy with all that height, but he gracefully moves in his 3rd series poses like a butterfly. All of us are in awe at his practice, something to really aspire to.

Sharath is funny in the mornings, with so many students he can’t possibly remember all of our names and his English is limited. When he needs to move everyone’s practice times up, he will call out to people by their countries as they walk in. “Portugal, 5:45 tomorrow”, “Japan, you, 5:30”, “Canadian sisters, 4:30”, “Ireland, why you late?”. One girl he calls out to, “Sweden, 6:15”. She laughs as she is not from Sweden, but Belgium. He has been calling her Sweden for the last month. So she came walking in today with a tank top saying “Sweden, 6:15”. I’ll have to ask her if Sharath mentioned it to her. Other things he says are, “Come, don’t fear,” “what’s your hurry, you have to go somewhere?” and when someone falls from a headstand or drop back he says, “don’t break the floor.” These little sayings are priceless in our silent practice.

Shobha was covering for Laksmi today. It was early, she had to be at the house at 4 a.m. I popped out of bed at 3:45. Got dressed and was waiting with my mat bag on my back. Time was ticking and finally I looked at my iPhone as it seemed later than usual. It was 4:07. I was like, crap. Class is at 4:15 and I am not going to make it. I sat on our living room floor till 4:30 and unrolled my mat and practiced at home. Poor Shobha showed up at 4:45 apologizing . She is so kind. I said no worries, please go on home. It’s my last week and I want every ounce of shala time, but that is fine. I have through Friday. Thursday is a moon day. So 4 days left.

Amma is here. I was so excited when I heard this. How lucky am I! Guruji, Sharath, Dalai Lama and Amma all in one trip. India is sp spiritual to begin with let alone to have these 4 amazing people here in Mysore. Mags and I jumped in the rickshaw and off we went. It was packed, but great. There were 4 video screens up broadcasting her speech, but we could still see her on stage. I didn’t understand anything she said except the word God as she was speaking in Kanaada. We did get to go up and hug her though at the end. Mags and I gave her a group hug and she has amazing energy.

These last 5 days are going to be filled with eating at Sandhya’s, Tina’s and Nagarantha’s, pool time, picking up one more lovely thing for Ray, meditation and chanting classes. One more session with Kumar for the transgression session. And enjoy every dog and cow that comes by us. The goat herders were out with their goats today. They let them run loose through the town grazing wherever they find green life. We were on the rooftop of Anu’s house for lunch and as we walked down the stairs there they were. Mags was so happy, she ran down the stairs and out the gate saying “hi, goats!” Every time she tried to pet one, they scooted away. These precious moments I am savoring as we won’t be seeing these scenes next week.

Blessings to everyone.