There is Order amongst the Chaos

Hello Friends,
NOV 19th, 2009

It's been 10 days now that I have been in this diverse, humid, beautiful country and life is good, very good! I am exactly where I feel I should be, which is a spectacular feeling. I am in a relatively small town called Arpora in Goa, just a short 10-15 minute drive from the yoga shala in Candolim. I am staying with Iain for the past week which is treating me so well....healthy food and good company. It's perfect. He's really taking care of me and showing me the ropes which include all the best places to eat, beaches to stroll, private clay sites to cleanse at, and markets to peruse.

I drive my very own rented scooter each morning to yoga which is quite peaceful at 6:30 am as I pass by open fields, cows (in the streets), a few towns and many, many dogs. The drive on the way back is a completely different world. Life is thriving by this time (10 am) and the streets are busy with traffic in all directions but.....I have come to learn quite quickly that there is order to this chaos. The whole country feels chaotic at times, especially in the markets, and I am in one of the calmest, friendliest places in the country. But really, it's just a different way of operating and I am slowly surrendering my linear mindset into this new way of being in order to integrate. It's quite humbling. I find the challenge is learning how to operate this way without aggression. For instance, everyone uses their horns to maintain some order on the roads. At home, we use the horn when annoyed but in fact here it is courtesy, for instance to let someone know you are passing. Try it. Honk at someone on the road next time you are out and wave with a smile. They won't know what hit them :)

Yoga is INCREDIBLE. Never before have I witnessed a room with such strong energy, dedication, determination, strength and yet peace. It's incredible to see and be a part of. Wow. I am blown away. My practice has already blossomed and I am soaking up the teachings as I sweat buckets (literally) in this humidity. It's really amazing and I have yet to try and find the right words for it. People from all over the world gather on this open walled rooftop to practice wherever they are at in the Ashtanga series and learn from these incredible teachers. I Absolutely Love It!

Well, this is getting lengthy.
I mostly wanted to paint a small picture of my new, temporary world for you all and say Hello!
I hope life is treating you very well and I send you much Love!
Until next time, be well and may you find order in the chaos!
ciao!
t