The City of Light
The best way I can describe the experience is an enriched, and humbling coarse of contradictions where my limiting belief system was expanded through the profound kindness of others, leading me to a new perspective of my Self and the world as I knew it. These last few days of my trip revealed a path that led me to the epicenter of my heart. This is a place were all possibility exist. Where "Oneness" and a "Universal Love" or "Timeless" and vast oceans of "Consciousness" live.
This final portion of my India journey is really beyond words. I had to let go of swimming in the Arabian Sea, receiving my daily Ayurvedic beauty ritual, and walking barefoot back to my beach hut in the sand while bracing myself for the transition to dung filled, over crowded city streets, poverty and my fear of the wild unknown.
"Secret Temple" Varanasi
The best way I can describe the experience is an enriched, and humbling coarse of contradictions where my limiting belief system was expanded through the profound kindness of others, leading me to a new perspective of my Self and the world as I knew it. These last few days of my trip revealed a path that led me to the epicenter of my heart. This is a place were all possibility exist. Where "Oneness" and a "Universal Love" or "Timeless" and vast oceans of "Consciousness" live. I would have never found this space if you handed me a map. I had described this in the previous blog as an "unfolding" or peeling of an onion layer by layer. Little did I know when leaving the South that I had not even got to my juicy, molten, sweet core yet.
“You know the truth by the way it feels.”
Varansai, also known as Banares, Kashi, or "The City of Light" is a historical city in Northern India and one of the continuously inhabited cities of the world dating back to the 11th century BC. Many Hindus believe that dying in Varanasi brings their soul to nirvana and so they make the trip to the city when they realize that they are close to death. The scene of pilgrims doing their devotions in the River Ganga at sunrise set against the backdrop of the centuries old temples is probably one of the most impressive sights in the world. Even my ayurvedic therapist, Revathi, was taken by the fact that I was headed to Varanasi. She begged that I say a prayer for her and her love while I was there and I made a pledge to her that I would.
I had nearly 24 hours in Varanasi and this day was one of the best days of my life. That is the first "contradiction" that I experienced. I went from the contrast as described above from easy going beach life in the south to trying to prepare myself for the culture shock of the burning corpses in view and the feces overflowing from the Ganges in Varanasi. I didn't think I was going to enjoy myself, but I was so wrong.
My day started even before sunrise w/ not only the lovely group of ladies and our experienced group guide James (who had been to India 14 times); but also our sweet travel coordinators Ritu and Kuldeep Singh of Delhi who went above and beyond. (Their site is http://www.reliablevacation.com and they were so rad!) They hired a private local guide, DJ, to give us the real experience of Varanasi. I highly recommend even for the experienced travelers to allow some local expertise to help you make the most of your time here by showing you "the way". The group was prepped before dawn of what to expect of our busy day which would begin w/ a sunrise ceremony by boat on the Ganges and end w/ a sunset ceremony by rickshaw and a super secret back alley tour to explore the real raw daily life experience of the people of this ancient city.
We were off, walking through the city streets to catch a boat to watch the Sun rise while floating down the Ganges. There was SO much to take in on this short walk! There was the most amazing architecture and city scape to sacred ritual bathing in the river. It was a challenge to take in all of the beauty while to trying not to fall down a man hole, get pocket picked by a gypsy or step in a massive pile of cow dung. I was really struck by the mobs of unfortunate souls trying to make their living selling beads or begging. They had clutched on to me for dear life and I wanted to help but I was also trying to keep up w/ the group while taking in all the sights and also not slipping in feces. It was so much sensory at once! Reaching the boat became more important to me than ever as I was so overwhelmed! Here are the visuals I captured right before stepping on the boat then floating away.
This sunrise here was the most peaceful and beautiful as I set my pooja intention w/ the symbol of a lit candle to set float down the water and let go of what no longer serves me. I let go of family trauma from generations past. I let go of pain stored in the cells of my body. I released blocks in my relations w/ my daughter and of my higher Self including a breakdown of ego, victimhood, and doubt. Shiva being the Hindu god known as the destroyer I was in an auspicious place to seek this release considering Varanasi is the city of Shiva and his worshipers. Feeling so peaceful we docked and were on our way to explore the back streets of the city. The pan handlers and bead sellers were so aggressive though. They were just waiting to devour us on the shore. I tried to shake off several of them after becoming annoyed and down right angry. My safety was being compromised because I couldn't even see in front of me as I tried to walk because the swarm so so think. Then another shift occurred.
“We don’t see things as they are. We see them as we are.”
I had another one of those contradictions take place and this one was a full on epiphany! I discovered that those dear unfortunate folks who I am trying to rescue or escape are the ones who end up saving me. I wish I could remember the bead seller's name. ! I went from pushing him away to a full on embrace. In the day I carried no dollars or rupees.. The ally tour after the sunrise boat ride was intense! Think roller coaster ride but w/ flying real moneys, sacred spirit shaman shivites, and the most mystical of ancient temple decor. As I walked through the back allies trying to keep up w/ my group the bead seller dude ended up helping me to miss the land mines of cow dung, dodge a raging motorcyclist, and cross the scariest, busiest street I have ever seen. Thank you special, life changing dude. He wouldn't even take money as a gift once I found some spare change in a pocket. What was most impressive is as we left the city he promised to catch up w/ me later that night. I could not fathom in a million years how I would ever come across him again but there he was that night after I turned the corner.
More to come for the Sunset Pooja_City of Light Sunset Version.
Desert Flower
I love so many things about the desert. The sky is incredible if you have ever caught a brazen sunset or admired the beauty of gazing at the sparkling celestial night. There is so much healing to be had from the empowering Sun, which I love upon my face to the mystic exotic landscape of plants including cacti, succulents, or a rare, budding, desert flower. The desert regions are rich with indigenous culture which through art and ceremony connect the past to the present.
“If you sing of beauty though alone in the heart of the desert you will have an audience”
Agave
The most common desert plant agave, is used to to make tequila. Agave is a family of succulents distantly related to the lily family, but not related to any cactus. Also called a maguey. The plants grow in the southwestern United States, Mexico and Central America. Agave is poisonous when raw, but has a sweet, mild flavour when baked or made into a syrup. The juice of the blue agave, cultivated primarily in the state of Jalisco, is used to make tequila; other agave species are used to make mezcal, bacanora, sotol, and pulque. There are more than 300 agave species. An agave plant takes eight to 12 years to mature. The plant has a bulbous body called a pina. The thick, spiny blue-green leaves extend six-eight feet at all angles like spears. Mexican law (see normas) state a product must contains at least 51% blue agave sugars to be called tequila. Because of the shape of the agave leaves are similar to the outstretched fingers of a human hand, prehispanic Mexican Indians called the plant "metal" or "metal" which means "hand."
Essential oils
Some other plants from arid regions to note which I daily use in the form of essential oils for self care include:
Juniper Berry - Acts as a cleansing and detox agent. May benefit problematic skin. Supports healthy kidney function. Helps relieve tension and stress.
Lavender - Eases muscle tension. Helps skin recover quickly. Used for its calming qualities.
Melaleuca - Renowned for it's rejuvenating effect on the skin. Promotes healthy immune function. Protects against environmental threats.
Rosemary - Supports healthy digestion. soothes muscles aches and pains. Helps reduce nervous tension and fatigue.
Cypress - Assists with clear breathing. Soothes tension. Supports localized blood flow. Beneficial for oily skin.
If you would like to learn more about the therapeutic benefits of essential oils please private message me or request info here...http://elegantsavage.us10.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=9f46478e61d16e521c349dd18&id=aaec29a2b0
DIY Recipe
My own collection of succulents
Earthships
are 100% sustainable homes that are both cheap to build because they are made out of recycled materials. They can provide free food! Each Earthship is outfitted with a greenhouse that grow crops year-round, no matter the climate. This means you can feed yourself with only the plants growing inside of your house. The entire roof of the Earthship funnels rain water to a cistern, which then pumps it to sinks and showers when required. “Grey water” is used to water the plants. What is super cool about an Earthship is their ability to sustain comfortable temperatures year round. Check out more details here: http://www.highexistence.com/10-reasons-why-earthships-are-fing-awesome/
Indigenous Culture:
The desert regions throughout the world are rich with indigenous culture and tribes that are still alive and well today. Thanks to these people traditions of ceremony, storytelling, medicine, agriculture, and the arts have been practiced, passed down, and preserved through the ages. There are many lessons rooted in history and ancient wisdom here to be honored and considered sacred. The Zuni tribe in the New Mexico region of the US have lived in the American Southwest for thousands of years. Their cultural and religious traditions are rooted, in large part, in the people's deep and close ties to the mountains, forests, and deserts of this ancient Zuni homeland. Primarily being farmers, the Zuni raise maize and wheat and engage in Jewelry making. It has become an important additional source of income for the people.
One way the Zuni people express these cultural traditions is through their art. Check out this ceremonial dance:
Sungazing
Sungazing is an ancient practice also known as sun eating. It is a strict regimen of gradually allowing sunlight into your eyes at specific periods of the day. The goal when implementing the practice is to look into the sun at periods of the lowest ultraviolet-index which occur at sunrise and sunset each day. In essence, sun gazing provides beneficial stimulation to the body. The process itself negates the body’s innate need for food and retrains it to run on the energy of the sun. As such, the process helps increase energy, clarity of thinking, and overall health. NASA research suggested that the process could make an individual maintain a level of health that was far better in comparison to other individuals of the same age.
The process has also been shown as an effective treatment for specific conditions. Melanoma, non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, and a number of other cancers benefit from the treatment. Likewise, the increased vitamin D gained from the process is a known healing agent.
