Thoughts on the Ashram and Pune in General
"The Ashram compared to what?" I ask myself. Previous experiences, other places, different times, workshops, intensives, times of surrender.
Well here goes:
1) There is a definite "in crowd" and the rest is an "out crowd."
2) People walk as if with blinders on - no eye contact or saying "Hello" unless they know you. I think to myself, "Maybe this is what it is when the masks are off, no need to be cordial. Who knows?" And occassionally I am suprised by someone who smiles at me and greets me. This has happened a few times in a little over a week since I arrived, but in general, I am a person who greets everyone on the street and I find this strange. Also, given that it is in India where everywhere else I have visited, people jumped out of the woodwork to say "Hello."
3) While the costumes are absolutely beautiful and with the robes on, people look like gods and goddesses, it is a bit cultish to dress the same as everyone else. Plus people individualize their "get ups" anyway. There is something to be said for dressing all in maroon and then in white for the evening meeting, More will come to me about this. When it does, I will write more about it.
4) The ashram is very expensive for entrance and for food although, for the daily entrance fee, you have many mnay choices of what to participate in from 6am to 2am. Some people I have met (old time Sannaysans) call it the CASHram. There are great deals on Osho's books. You can purchase them at cost. Everything else is somewhat overpriced. I have found outside the ashram alternatives for food, massage and even internet as I mentioned in previous posts. I did buy $100 worth of books.
5) Pune is is affected positively and negatively by the influx of multinationals. It feels very different than the rest of India. Aside from its smog (which is awful), it has a distinctly different vibe. While it feels comfortable to walk around here, actually more comfortable to walk and be alone since so many here are doing that. The Indians who greet me feel inauthentic like they want something from me either money or sex. And then it also feels a lot like Puerto Morelos, in Mexico with its nice little cafes and shops within walking distance. And there are so mnay expats here from so many countries, it resembles Puerto so much in that way. Lots of English is spoken as well as Hebrew, Italian, Danish, Dutch - very international. And there is common ground - Osho - which enables one to communicate if one wants to break through the shell of non-connection. I have actually met a lot of great people in the internet cafe.
So, I have very mixed feelings about this place both the city and the ashram. I keep reminding myself that I came here to be with myself, to meet myself in a whole new way and that I have. I most certainly have. So, I guess I had different expectations about the ashram. And in my life expectations have often led to suffering. I am not suffering at the present time, but I have shifted into a different space here than I had before I came. Noticing old stuff coming up for examination through the "witness". And finding my way slowly.
One thing I am taking away with me for sure is fantastic meditation techniques and whirling from now on as much as possible. I bought a Sufi skirt that is a complete circle and when I spin it goes straight out around me from centrifugal force. I plan to spin at low tide next to the ocean on Fire Island when I return to NY. I really can picture that.
Another thing you should know as you read this report is that I will come back here to Pune and the ashram for sure. I already know this in my heart. There is something to be gotten about chilling and dancing over and over again in one's life that nurtures the soul here if nothing else. And it is truly an international community, a world community. I don't know anywhere else like that. More and more I notice I am becoming global rather than needing to be in one place. And so there is something here very attractive to me for the long haul. Yet, I will do it very differntly. I will find an inexpensive apartment to share and stay further away from the ashram and then only come in for the meditations and dancing.
Anyway, tomorrow I leave here for Goa, the last side trip on my journey. I will spend five days in a hut on the beach there and then return to Shubh and David's home in Delhi for one night before departing for home. I return to the States on the 19th.
Of course, then I will begin the blog anew from Buenos Aires, Argentina after a few days in Florida.
I am definitely crystalizing a trip here with you in November. I will be meeting with my travel agent in Goa and we'll discuss the possibilities. So far three people have expressed interest.
Much love to you.
Namaskar,
Laurie
Well here goes:
1) There is a definite "in crowd" and the rest is an "out crowd."
2) People walk as if with blinders on - no eye contact or saying "Hello" unless they know you. I think to myself, "Maybe this is what it is when the masks are off, no need to be cordial. Who knows?" And occassionally I am suprised by someone who smiles at me and greets me. This has happened a few times in a little over a week since I arrived, but in general, I am a person who greets everyone on the street and I find this strange. Also, given that it is in India where everywhere else I have visited, people jumped out of the woodwork to say "Hello."
3) While the costumes are absolutely beautiful and with the robes on, people look like gods and goddesses, it is a bit cultish to dress the same as everyone else. Plus people individualize their "get ups" anyway. There is something to be said for dressing all in maroon and then in white for the evening meeting, More will come to me about this. When it does, I will write more about it.
4) The ashram is very expensive for entrance and for food although, for the daily entrance fee, you have many mnay choices of what to participate in from 6am to 2am. Some people I have met (old time Sannaysans) call it the CASHram. There are great deals on Osho's books. You can purchase them at cost. Everything else is somewhat overpriced. I have found outside the ashram alternatives for food, massage and even internet as I mentioned in previous posts. I did buy $100 worth of books.
5) Pune is is affected positively and negatively by the influx of multinationals. It feels very different than the rest of India. Aside from its smog (which is awful), it has a distinctly different vibe. While it feels comfortable to walk around here, actually more comfortable to walk and be alone since so many here are doing that. The Indians who greet me feel inauthentic like they want something from me either money or sex. And then it also feels a lot like Puerto Morelos, in Mexico with its nice little cafes and shops within walking distance. And there are so mnay expats here from so many countries, it resembles Puerto so much in that way. Lots of English is spoken as well as Hebrew, Italian, Danish, Dutch - very international. And there is common ground - Osho - which enables one to communicate if one wants to break through the shell of non-connection. I have actually met a lot of great people in the internet cafe.
So, I have very mixed feelings about this place both the city and the ashram. I keep reminding myself that I came here to be with myself, to meet myself in a whole new way and that I have. I most certainly have. So, I guess I had different expectations about the ashram. And in my life expectations have often led to suffering. I am not suffering at the present time, but I have shifted into a different space here than I had before I came. Noticing old stuff coming up for examination through the "witness". And finding my way slowly.
One thing I am taking away with me for sure is fantastic meditation techniques and whirling from now on as much as possible. I bought a Sufi skirt that is a complete circle and when I spin it goes straight out around me from centrifugal force. I plan to spin at low tide next to the ocean on Fire Island when I return to NY. I really can picture that.
Another thing you should know as you read this report is that I will come back here to Pune and the ashram for sure. I already know this in my heart. There is something to be gotten about chilling and dancing over and over again in one's life that nurtures the soul here if nothing else. And it is truly an international community, a world community. I don't know anywhere else like that. More and more I notice I am becoming global rather than needing to be in one place. And so there is something here very attractive to me for the long haul. Yet, I will do it very differntly. I will find an inexpensive apartment to share and stay further away from the ashram and then only come in for the meditations and dancing.
Anyway, tomorrow I leave here for Goa, the last side trip on my journey. I will spend five days in a hut on the beach there and then return to Shubh and David's home in Delhi for one night before departing for home. I return to the States on the 19th.
Of course, then I will begin the blog anew from Buenos Aires, Argentina after a few days in Florida.
I am definitely crystalizing a trip here with you in November. I will be meeting with my travel agent in Goa and we'll discuss the possibilities. So far three people have expressed interest.
Much love to you.
Namaskar,
Laurie
posted by Latihan at 12:50 AM
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