I’m Back!

*I updated my previous post with pictures. If you have not seen them, take a look! – Alan

I have been busy over the past week, both in terms of activities and healing. Regarding the latter I woke up on Monday sneezing. Then by Tuesday definitely had a head cold. It  feels like it is mostly cleared up at this point but I did spend a number of afternoons just hanging out listening to books-on-cd that Susan gave me before departure. I listened to The Hobbit, and Into the Wild. Both are great adventure stories and illustrate how during those adventures the people living them seem more “alive” than during their everyday existence. The stories made me realize that the more I bring that feeling of adventure into my daily life the more satisfied and at-ease I feel. I only have three weeks left in my current adventure (hard to believe I am half-way through my stay!) so I need to think about how to create more of a sense of adventure in my daily life back in the States.

On Monday, I did go see Amma, the hugging saint. This is a lady whose mission it seems is to reduce suffering however she can. She runs a large humanitarian organization that sends money and volunteers to places and people in crisis. She has several ashrams in India, one of which is here in the area of Hyderabad.

Seven of us set out at 6:00 a.m in the clinic minivan and after a few miscues on directions found ourselves in an almost rock- concert like atmosphere. Bus loads of people had already arrived and were sitting in seats in front of the stage. The first part of the day was spent doing the Rahu Pooja, or offering. It is an offering to the planet Rahu which supposed to be good for individuals with sudden loss or onset of illness.  When we sat down there was a large platter with incense, leaves, turmeric powder and some bowls.Someone on the stage then lead the group in performing the offering ceremony and then we all left the area and went up the steps to the temple they have on-site. There we circled the temple and offered the turmeric paste that we had created as part of the ceremony. After that there was a long period of chanting before we finally saw Amma! There was some singing and story-telling that went on for quite a while. They actually repeated the stories twice in different languages…..the two just did not happen to be english. But they did have the english versions displayed on a screens so it was not a total loss. Then people lined up for their hug based on some numbers on a ticket that we received earlier in the day. We had to wait a while and it was amazing how much stamina Amma had as she was probably doing a hug every 10 or 15 seconds. As each person approaches for their hug there are a number of people involved in the preparation. Two different people wiping the brow and neck, another taking off hats, bags, glasses, etc. and then finally one person maneuvering you in for a hug at just the right moment. For me she whispered in my ear…I love you, I love you, I love you! Overall, probably not the best experience of my trip to-date. Although I was feeling my cold coming on, so probably not completely present.

On Wednesday and Thursday of this week was Maha Shivarathri. It is a celebration for the Lord Shiva, who is known as the destroyer in the Hindu mythology. My understanding, which is minimal at best, is that they have three deities that are responsible for the creation, sustainment, and destruction of the world. On its surface destruction might seem like a bad thing, but when looked at from the point of view of destroying disease or sins, then it’s not so bad. I won’t go into the details, but I will tell you it seemed like a combination of Yom Kippur and Pesach all rolled into one.  There was two days of fasting(which I didn’t do!), staying up all night(I slept), and a Pooja process that makes the Passover seder look simple.The Pundits ran the Pooja and I found it to be very therapeutic with the chanting and moments for meditation.

On Thursday afternoon when I saw the Dr. he said that he thought I should shave my head. He wants me to do a treatment called a head basti where they put that dough I have been writing about around the perimeter of the head. They then use the dough to secure a plastic cylinder to the head which they then fill up with warm oil. I am supposed to start the treatment tomorrow (Sunday) so I will have some more details later…….and yes, I did have my head shaved. I sent a picture to Susan and she didn’t think it was a style I should be sporting back home! I don’t think it looks too bad from the front. People here have said that it makes me look younger, which I am not sure I agree with. It does however, from the back and side, show off my battle scars from the surgeries this past summer. It is amazing what a little hair can cover up. At first I was wearing a hat everywhere….even indoors. But now I don’t think it looks so bad.

Hairless in Hyderabad,

Alan