126 - HELP, SERVE and ACCEPTANCE

HELP, SERVE AND ACCEPTANCE

Hello and how are you doing? I hope the last few weeks that I've been in Kerala, have been everything you wanted them to be. Myself, I am very 'chilled' at the moment, I can't tell what an interesting experience it was. We spent 2 weeks on an ashram living with swamis (monks) and people from all over the world, different ages, backgrounds, all there to do yoga, meditate and discover India. The people, like the ashram, were beautiful in their outlook and unselfishness and very interesting. It was truly a privilege to meet them.

I personally, had many learning's whilst I was in India mainly about acceptance and not making comparisons to the west. Believe me that was tough sometimes, especially when I had a fever and all I wanted was a hot shower and all they have is cold showers! Spiders, now there's another thing. I tell you a lot of my 'buttons' were pressed during these first 2 weeks. The third week was better as we travelled to Varkala and stayed in a very comfortable hotel overlooking the beach (with hot water)! It was a humbling experience in many ways.

The main reason we went to the ashram was to do Panchakarma, which is a very serious Ayurvedic detoxification. Everyday for 2 hours we underwent some strange and often vigorous practices. We also ate just 2 delicious, perfectly balanced meals a day and we were never hungry or craved anything (not even a muffin, which I love!). There was a lot of physical and sometimes psychological discomfort but I'm extremely pleased to say it was all worth it because I went there with a sneezing allergy and came back without it! For that, I am very grateful. I've also read 3 books now on Panchakarma and Ayurvedic medicine and think it's fantastic.

So, I've been back for 5 days and I've been in 'neutral gear', which is great for me. However, I did notice yesterday I went up a gear and didn't much like it. In fact, I was in a spinning class and had to leave as I found the music so ugly and loud and doing that form of exercise was so alien for me now.

As I said earlier one of the greatest learning's I had in India was acceptance and keeping that peaceful 'stillness' inside of me, no matter what I was faced with, well once I saw a BIG spider..... but apart from that...

The doctor on the ashram told me Indian people believe in working, of being of service, and if they have money it's a gift, if they haven't it's okay too! They really do seem to live like that, it was lovely. On that note, I would like to share with you today, something I saw written by the swami that the whole ashram is devoted to Swami Sivananda (1887-1963). I hope you find it inspirational in it's own quiet way.

HELP AND SERVE BUT DO NOT FIGHT
CREATE HARMONY AND PEACE BUT NOT DISSENSION, DISCORD AND SPLIT
POCKET INSULTS WHEN OFFERED
BLAME AND PRAISE ARE SHEER VIBRATIONS IN THE AIR, SOAR ABOVE THEM
DO EVERY WORK PERFECTLY WELL WITH CONCENTRATION AND DEVOTION
BE ABSORBED IN WORK, GIVE YOUR FULL HEART, MIND AND SOUL
DO NOT CARE FOR RESULTS
DO NOT THINK OF SUCCESS OR FAILURE
DO NOT THINK OF THE PAST, HAVE COMPLETE CONFIDENCE
PRACTICE SELF RELIANCE, BE CHEERFUL ALWAYS
KEEP A COOL BALANCED MIND
WORK FOR WORK'S SAKE
BE BOLD AND COURAGEOUS, YOUR BOUND TO SUCCEED IN ANY UNDERTAKING
THIS IS THE SECRET OF SUCCESS

Until next week Onwards and Upwards and have a PEACEFUL week!