Flying from SF to NY was typical, and even though I enjoy United because they don't charge extra for a second carry-on, I had no idea that other airlines were simply... better. From NY-Brussels-Chennai I sat aboard Jet Airways, the highest rated airline in India. The seats were more comfortable, and best of all, everything on board was free. Alcohol, movies, games, and delicious meals all served to make my 30-hour journey to Auroville a little more pleasant.
Claiming my luggage and walking outside, there were hundreds of natives waiting for family or taxi clients. It was midnight, but an enormous parking lot behind them was completely packed. Apparently there are ten million people in Chennai. I found my cab driver and hit the road to Auroville.
Along the way we stopped for tea at a ghetto shop. I'll show a picture later. It was about 3am and there were eight other customers, mostly without shoes, and a man sleeping on the floor behind the counter. Cows and dogs littered the road.
At 4am I arrived at Newland, a small residential plot in Auroville where Jonny lives. Jonny is my guide and work master, and I'm staying at his little two-story hut. He's a quirky, pleasant German man resembling a character from the movie Waking Life. The hut has a kitchen on the bottom floor, sleeping space upstairs, and an outdoor shower and toilet ten meters from the hut. The dogs in the area barked to greet me. Lizards meandered across the walls, ants explored the floor, and a bat flew in circles in the kitchen to celebrate my arrival.
Jonny and I talked for a couple hours before heading to sleep. At 10:30 am I rose to find Jonny back from his early morning duties. After a cool shower I left for the town on the back of Jonny's bike. We pulled up at the Matrimandir office, and the glory before my eyes was absolutely mesmerizing. Matrimandir is an enormous gold-plated ball used as a meditation center. The pictures online make it seem like it's only thirty feet tall, when it's actually more like ninety. Beside Matrimandir is an enormous Banyan tree marking the center of Auroville. I've never seen one before - roots crawl down from the branches to form support posts.
Next, Jonny takes me to an area where Eucalyptus trees fell due to a cyclone. He has a crew of seven Tamil natives chopping them up and relocating them. Amateurs, but they get the job done., however slowly. I'm excited to bring my fast-paced work ethic to this town.
Pained with hunger, Jonny and I left for the solar kitchen, which is an enormous cafeteria that serves most of the town. The food is all vegetarian, and rather delicious. Following lunch, Jonny gave me a tour of the town and took me to register. It turns out guests have to pay 100 rupees per day to stay, which is about $2.10. Jonny might be able to clear that for me later.
A buddy of Jonny's lent me a bicycle, and then the two of us returned to Matrimandir. Although guest visitors aren't allowed after 11:30am, Jonny, a resident, showed me secret spots around the giant golden ball to meditate during the sunset.
I rode off alone to solar cafe for dinner and made a friend. Afterwards Jonny took me to a jazz rock concert in an auditorium for 700, and it was practically full. There were a surprising amount of cute girls there, mostly German. Things are looking good here...
Today has been even more incredible: Jonny took me inside Matrimandir after guest hours, and showed me all the nooks and crannies of its construction. The place certainly feels sacred. He took me to the top where a few Aurovilians did maintenance. The view was gorgeous - I could see most of the town and the ocean in the distance. Guest visitors are not permitted on the top, so I felt particularly blessed to have such an experience on my second day in Auroville, having done nothing yet to prove my worth. Next we went into the main meditation chamber. A large crystal ball sat in the center, filled with sunlight coming through the roof. The sunlight is guided by an automated mirror system that follows the sun's path throughout the day. Penetrating the crystal ball, the light shines through to a second crystal ball in a lotus pond underneath Matrimandir. Meditating in front of the large crystal ball in the main room, my mind was filled with an unusual energy. The holiness of this building is real. There is so much more to share about my experience inside Matrimandir and the peripheral meditation rooms, but sitting in front of a computer when I have so much to explore is become less and less appealing.
I have the rest of the day to myself to explore paradise.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Location, Location
For the past year I've been asked more times than I can count what my plans are for life beyond graduation. To each I gave the same response, in varying degrees of detail: I'm going backpacking through Latin America. Some were amazed, some happy for me, some confused as to why I'd waste my college degree trying to learn about something outside the box... but for the most part, people tried to offer me safety precautions about traveling through Latin America. There was a surprising amount of fear among those I told about my prospective travels, revealing itself in the form of warning me about my safety. Sure, life in a non-first-world country may be more dangerous. There may be more thieves, worse health care, and unclean water. But how many of you who have not traveled can say that you understand life?
Despite being heavily fixated on Latin American shamanism, I have finally made my decision to go to India. I just got my visa yesterday and have scheduled a flight for six days from now. I will be visiting Auroville, a spiritual, self-sustainable ecovillage with the aim to be the first Utopian city. With 4000 members from 40 countries, English as the primary language, daily yoga/meditation/aikido/tai chi classes, freshly self-farmed vegetarian food, and conscious citizens, I can't imagine a better place to be.
Last night I went to a friend's house where three of my buddies and a father were eating dinner. I told them about my plans for India, and the father piped up offering warnings about the water quality and crime rate. I told him I'm not going to India, I'm going to Auroville, an international ecovillage; but he was adamant about displaying his "knowledge" of the land despite never having been there. I laughed.
If I get sick, fine. If I get robbed, I'll be that much closer to having no property and happy without the extra burden. If I get shot and die, I just want you all to know that I've already lived an amazing life and I'm sure you'll all do fine without me. But if I'm healthy, safe, and secure, I expect to have a radical lifechanging experience. I will truly become another man.
If you have any interest in Auroville, you may check it out at http://www.auroville.org/
Despite being heavily fixated on Latin American shamanism, I have finally made my decision to go to India. I just got my visa yesterday and have scheduled a flight for six days from now. I will be visiting Auroville, a spiritual, self-sustainable ecovillage with the aim to be the first Utopian city. With 4000 members from 40 countries, English as the primary language, daily yoga/meditation/aikido/tai chi classes, freshly self-farmed vegetarian food, and conscious citizens, I can't imagine a better place to be.
Last night I went to a friend's house where three of my buddies and a father were eating dinner. I told them about my plans for India, and the father piped up offering warnings about the water quality and crime rate. I told him I'm not going to India, I'm going to Auroville, an international ecovillage; but he was adamant about displaying his "knowledge" of the land despite never having been there. I laughed.
If I get sick, fine. If I get robbed, I'll be that much closer to having no property and happy without the extra burden. If I get shot and die, I just want you all to know that I've already lived an amazing life and I'm sure you'll all do fine without me. But if I'm healthy, safe, and secure, I expect to have a radical lifechanging experience. I will truly become another man.
If you have any interest in Auroville, you may check it out at http://www.auroville.org/
Friday, January 9, 2009
Increasing my options
The past few day's I've been coming to a lot of realizations about how I want to spend my time.
While studying under the guidance of a super shaman would be the ideal way to spend my time, it's starting to seem less practical. I should make sure that I am not just working on random farms searching through distant lands to find a guide. I could do that, and I'm sure the trip would be fun, but I'm starting to see so many more opportunities that are much more appealing and vibrant than merely working some standard farm.
I applied to various spiritual US farms through WWOOF, a few Buddhist monasteries for work exchange, the Peyote Way Church of God for an internship, a spiritual ecovillage in India named Auroville, and a yoga farm in California. Notice how everything mentioned has a spiritual tint? Obviously, enhancing my overall spiritual understanding is more important that merely finding a shaman guide. Perhaps the shaman I find will suck. It could take years to find a super shaman. While I'd love to travel for years, I only have $4,000 saved up, and $105,000 in student loans to pay off. I'd like to become a healer and save the world, but it seems like the world would rather have me make money.
It hit me that my last semester of NYU was perfect. I had a girlfriend, two amazing, intelligent, fun roommates, three easy and fun classes, two of which were art related. I had an impeccability chart which helped me to fulfill my daily goals, including reading an hour, meditating 30 minutes, eating three times; and weekly goals of exercising three times, smoking hookah only once, and having up to four alcoholic beverages. Having fun, socializing, partying, doing homework, working for Curriki, sleeping, watching Heroes and movies, and creating art were also activities that filled my days, but those on the impeccability chart took precedence. My first week with the chart I made about 14 mistakes, but week by week I reduced the number of mistakes. The best I've done is a week with only one mistake (not reading for an hour one day). I was super productive, super happy, able to attend yoga frequently, and I had nothing to stress me out. I made money for my adventure with Curriki, and my father was able to support my student loans and costs of living while finishing school. Life was great.
He can no longer afford to support me, except for giving me a place to stay and eat. It's my responsibility now as a college graduate to take care of myself financially, and I plan on fulfilling that responsibility. While traveling. While continuing yoga and meditating. While learning to build a sustainable community. While searching for a shaman. While exploring my creative side.
Do I need to make extra money for my trip? Not immediately, my father postponed my $750/month loan and is working on postponing my $200/month loan. I can cover $200 a month till I get a job. I can also ask him to help me with that for a few months as a graduation / birthday / final semester of study abroad education gift. However, after a couple months, I will definitely need a salaried job if I am to pay off my student loans. I don't care about ever having to hold a dollar of income in my hand. If my work eventually pays for accomodations in a spiritual community, food, and a stipend that covers my student loans, that's all I would ever need in terms of money. Maybe I really can live the dream...
While studying under the guidance of a super shaman would be the ideal way to spend my time, it's starting to seem less practical. I should make sure that I am not just working on random farms searching through distant lands to find a guide. I could do that, and I'm sure the trip would be fun, but I'm starting to see so many more opportunities that are much more appealing and vibrant than merely working some standard farm.
I applied to various spiritual US farms through WWOOF, a few Buddhist monasteries for work exchange, the Peyote Way Church of God for an internship, a spiritual ecovillage in India named Auroville, and a yoga farm in California. Notice how everything mentioned has a spiritual tint? Obviously, enhancing my overall spiritual understanding is more important that merely finding a shaman guide. Perhaps the shaman I find will suck. It could take years to find a super shaman. While I'd love to travel for years, I only have $4,000 saved up, and $105,000 in student loans to pay off. I'd like to become a healer and save the world, but it seems like the world would rather have me make money.
It hit me that my last semester of NYU was perfect. I had a girlfriend, two amazing, intelligent, fun roommates, three easy and fun classes, two of which were art related. I had an impeccability chart which helped me to fulfill my daily goals, including reading an hour, meditating 30 minutes, eating three times; and weekly goals of exercising three times, smoking hookah only once, and having up to four alcoholic beverages. Having fun, socializing, partying, doing homework, working for Curriki, sleeping, watching Heroes and movies, and creating art were also activities that filled my days, but those on the impeccability chart took precedence. My first week with the chart I made about 14 mistakes, but week by week I reduced the number of mistakes. The best I've done is a week with only one mistake (not reading for an hour one day). I was super productive, super happy, able to attend yoga frequently, and I had nothing to stress me out. I made money for my adventure with Curriki, and my father was able to support my student loans and costs of living while finishing school. Life was great.
He can no longer afford to support me, except for giving me a place to stay and eat. It's my responsibility now as a college graduate to take care of myself financially, and I plan on fulfilling that responsibility. While traveling. While continuing yoga and meditating. While learning to build a sustainable community. While searching for a shaman. While exploring my creative side.
Do I need to make extra money for my trip? Not immediately, my father postponed my $750/month loan and is working on postponing my $200/month loan. I can cover $200 a month till I get a job. I can also ask him to help me with that for a few months as a graduation / birthday / final semester of study abroad education gift. However, after a couple months, I will definitely need a salaried job if I am to pay off my student loans. I don't care about ever having to hold a dollar of income in my hand. If my work eventually pays for accomodations in a spiritual community, food, and a stipend that covers my student loans, that's all I would ever need in terms of money. Maybe I really can live the dream...
Friday, January 2, 2009
Welcome to the Adventure
Hey guys!
This is where I'll be posting updates and journal entries on my trip through the United States and Latin America. The goal of my trip is to gain firsthand experience of shamanic practices and culture, to learn about organic and sustainable farming practices and cooperatives, to develop and hone my spirit, and return to nature.
I'll be leaving in two or three weeks once I finish planning. I signed up for WWOOF (World Wide Organization of Organic Farms) in the USA and Mexico and I'm trying to decide which farms I'd like to stay at, among over a thousand choices.
My plan is to WWOOF at spiritual farms (there are surprisingly many) in California, then head to Arizona to chill with the Hopi tribe and the Native American Church. Hopefully through kindness and good works I can show the Hopi that I am worthy of learning about their culture and spiritual traditions. I'll ask them for advice before going down south.
In Mexico, I'll stay at various hostels and WWOOF farms while exploring Huichol, Huarinol, and Mazatec cultures, and studying the ancient Aztec culture. The main goal in Mexico is to find a hatun laika, a master shaman, and to gain an apprenticeship. The secondary goal is to continue my exploration of sustainable farming and community building. After Mexico, I'll head to Guatemala to study the Mayan culture. From there I head to Ecuador for more shamanic studies, then to Peru where I can explore the remnants of Incan civilzation.
I need to get a few things before I leave for my trip:
non-cotton clothing, including pants, socks, and fleece jacket
headlight
hat
tent
knife
work gloves
camera
travelers checks
I already have a backpack, sleeping bag, passport. If you have any suggestions for other things to bring let me know.
To do:
Email WWOOF farms - apply, question, and plan out where I'll be staying
Check out a list of hostels in California, Arizona, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Peru
Check out spiritual centers and intentional communities online in California and Arizona
Compile a document with maps, locations, transportation to all sites of interest
Pack up and set out!
This is where I'll be posting updates and journal entries on my trip through the United States and Latin America. The goal of my trip is to gain firsthand experience of shamanic practices and culture, to learn about organic and sustainable farming practices and cooperatives, to develop and hone my spirit, and return to nature.
I'll be leaving in two or three weeks once I finish planning. I signed up for WWOOF (World Wide Organization of Organic Farms) in the USA and Mexico and I'm trying to decide which farms I'd like to stay at, among over a thousand choices.
My plan is to WWOOF at spiritual farms (there are surprisingly many) in California, then head to Arizona to chill with the Hopi tribe and the Native American Church. Hopefully through kindness and good works I can show the Hopi that I am worthy of learning about their culture and spiritual traditions. I'll ask them for advice before going down south.
In Mexico, I'll stay at various hostels and WWOOF farms while exploring Huichol, Huarinol, and Mazatec cultures, and studying the ancient Aztec culture. The main goal in Mexico is to find a hatun laika, a master shaman, and to gain an apprenticeship. The secondary goal is to continue my exploration of sustainable farming and community building. After Mexico, I'll head to Guatemala to study the Mayan culture. From there I head to Ecuador for more shamanic studies, then to Peru where I can explore the remnants of Incan civilzation.
I need to get a few things before I leave for my trip:
non-cotton clothing, including pants, socks, and fleece jacket
headlight
hat
tent
knife
work gloves
camera
travelers checks
I already have a backpack, sleeping bag, passport. If you have any suggestions for other things to bring let me know.
To do:
Email WWOOF farms - apply, question, and plan out where I'll be staying
Check out a list of hostels in California, Arizona, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Peru
Check out spiritual centers and intentional communities online in California and Arizona
Compile a document with maps, locations, transportation to all sites of interest
Pack up and set out!
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