Sometimes too much of stability can take your life to an edge, thats what happened to me. Five years and ten months of a fancy corporate job, brain storming sessions within those immaculate white walls and a fancy pay cheque was enough to get me there. I was restless because life was too easy, predictable and slow.
I couldnt understand the storm that raged within me and by no means i knew how i could subside the same. I knew it was time to travel, to meet new people and to have a new experience. Thank God for google I finally zeroed down on the place I would be going to. No, i wasnt hiking the moutains or river rafting or scuba diving this time. It was time to disconnect from the world and connect with my innerself.
I haggled with my boss for a 12 days leave, hopped on to the bus for Mcleod Ganj and by 1 pm I was inside the gates of Tushita. I took a deep breath, and waited for my turn to get registered for the 10 days “Introduction to Buddhism” programme. As the registration progressed I was biting my nails and reconsidering if this was the right decision. It said “10 days of silence” “no phones, no gadgets, no cameras”. I quickly brushed aside the apprehension and before I could add more fuel to it my name was called, I submitted my mobile phone,gadgets and wallet, registered myself, was assigned to clean the open dining area as a Karma Yoga Job, hired a duvet since it was freezing cold and almost in a daze landed in Room No 19 which was allotted to me. A small room with the basic facilities; three beds and one table. So while i occupied the one near the window the others were occupied by Diana from Argentina who also happened to be my Karma Yoga partner and Gargi from Gujarat.
We introduced ourselves and went to the meditation room for our first session where we were all asked to give an introduction and a reason why we were here. The “Noble Silence” would start post dinner. The ten days would constitute of a wakeup gong at 6:00 am, meditation at 6:30, breakfast at 7:30, Introduction to buddhism till 12 noon, lunch, karma yoga job from 1 to 2 pm, 2 to 3 pm Group discussion where in we could officaially discuss the philospohies of Buddhism we had learnt in the class earlier that day, Tea break, 3:30 to 5 meditation, 5 to 6 yoga, dinner 8 to 9:30 meditation.
The serene hills on which Tushita was built instantly soothed my mind, I woke up to the birds chirping, the cold mountain wind felt refreshing and the morning meditation in a way helped me look deep inside myself, empty my emotions and pacify my soul. In between the breaks I would sit and contemplate on how life has been so far, things had come easy to me, yet my soul wasnt happy. I wrote a journal everyday and was amazed at how simple and beautiful the philosophies of Buddhism were. How loving compassion had to be accompanied by wisdom, the philosophy of karma, emptiness, death process and gratitude.
I was amazed at how much these 58 odd participants knew about Buddhism, and how each individual viewed the same philosophies in a different light. There was no communication yet at the end of those 10 days we were more connected. Had there been no rule to maintain the noble silence we would probably be judging each other and passing the same opinion to others, groups would have been formed and we would be in the same chaotic life again. People from all across the continet were here, in search for peace & happiness. Something which no money could buy!
Glen our teacher for Buddhism was amazing, the meditation guru Joanas had a soothing voice and led the everyday meditation sessions & Richard the yoga teacher who had been paralysed for 6 years had a very happy face and a really funny giggle. I couldnt have asked for better teachers, better participants and better room mates. I not only connected with myself but also with the 58 others through silence in the woods far away from the hustle bustle of Delhi. I practice meditation even today and those ten days have had a great influence in my life. It made me feel strong, hopeful and trust me my soul felt free…. something i had not felt for a very long time!
PS: The pic was taken on the last day of our ten day course which was followed by a wonderful picnic by the Gompa!
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