Kriyaban

The taxi driver asked me: "When we get to your hotel, can I shower in your room?" He said it in such a way that it seemed like I couldn't say no, so I stalled and we set off towards Puducherry.

As you can imagine, I spent part of the journey battling with my mind, a mix of: "I can't believe this" and "how am I going to tell this guy that's not going to happen." I used all the yogic resources at my disposal, but with each of his burps, the techniques applied became impossible. Also, every time he raised his arms to recline comfortably, I could feel the air fleeing from my nostrils, leaving me alone in the face of danger. Halfway through, I started using the XZ-48 Super Power technique which I recently read about from Yogananda, mainly because it contains a part dedicated to focusing attention on the heart, which was what I needed. After a while of practicing it, I thought it would be a good idea to start a conversation with the guy. That way, by creating a bit of human connection, the mind would give way to the heart. I started by asking him about his siblings, hobbies, and little by little we got along... I was already prepared to withstand his next deadly attack: "the farts."

Luckily, that attack didn't happen and I could spend the rest of the trip thinking about how to avoid his shower request without creating an awkward situation. Finally, we arrived in Puducherry and I got the inspiration to tackle the "key moment." We were already close to the hotel, so just two blocks before arriving, I told the guy to drop me off at that intersection and then made up that I wanted to walk to the hotel to "get to know" the area. The plan worked, his face froze, I paid him, grabbed my backpack, and left it in the taxi while I walked away with an explorer's air and success on my back.

In this blog, I haven't spared lines talking about that part of India that is chaotic and old, but now I want to take the opportunity to complement those with the ones where I've relaxed with beautiful compliments.

In India, the traffic is chaotic, very dense, and anarchic, but in the forty-eight days I've been here I haven't seen a single accident. Here, people don't seem to drink alcohol, I still haven't seen anyone drinking even a beer. In practically all houses and restaurants, everything is vegetarian. In forty-eight days I must have seen three people smoking, and the streets are full of people communicating with each other, whether they know each other or not.

Therefore, following that master's thought that said: "The West can learn a lot from India," I think that it has much to learn not only about how to live and integrate yoga but also about how to live in many other aspects. I hope that these good manners that India has today are related to its culture and not its economic capacity because India is growing very fast and in no time it will become a very "Westernized" country.

I totally nailed it with the hotel I'm staying at. It's in the best spot in Puducherry, in the most beautiful neighborhood and close to the beach. The area I'm in is the most well-kept, and it's gorgeous because of its streets and venues. The first day I walked down to the beach and discovered a little terrace where I could collapse and enjoy the views of the busy promenade; tomorrow I'll repeat with some fries and tomato sauce.

Hotel in Puducherry

Without a doubt, I already noticed in Chennai that some things in the south were starting to change, to be different, but in Puducherry I confirmed that the south is something else. You notice it in the streets, the shops, and how people dress. By the way, there are many French people here, I think tourists, and that's because Puducherry was a French colony, hence the structured geometry of the streets, the type of houses, and the Western style of many neighborhoods.

At night I meditate in the hotel and it feels very, very strange to do the energy exercises alone and in the room.

The mattress is as it should be, and my body can lie on its side at night without suffering the hardness of the covered boards I was used to.

It seems to be customary here to paint mandalas on the doors of the properties. I deduce that there are people who paint them as a blessing and receive a tip for it; in any case, it is very beautiful.

Two spiritual notes.

During meditation, doing the techniques, when due to loss of concentration you decide to "return," there are many resources one can use, but without a doubt, "returning" is: "returning to continue practicing with God" and not, returning to continue "just you and the technique."

When sometimes we address God with prayer or techniques and expect results, these do not necessarily have to come immediately. God seeks the best moment to grant you what you have asked for, and usually, your anxiety and His patience do not coincide in time.

Mandalas on the doors of properties. The promenade in Puducherry

When I feel like I'm walking as if levitating, it's the best. I feel like I'm flowing wonderfully, it's a kind of "silent happiness."

The next day, having done my homework in the morning, I went out again to explore, knowing the terrain thanks to the previous day. Now I know where I want to eat, where I want to have a snack, and what I want to visit, and when I discover the "perfect place" for my things, I tend to repeat it.

The day was going to be dedicated to visiting the Aurobindo ashram. For that, first of all, I went online to learn who he was and what role he played to be so beloved in Puducherry. What I conclude from what I've read and experienced here is that, on one hand, he was as relevant as his spiritual partner, known as "The Mother." They were two soulmates who found each other, had great spiritual harmony, and from there, they managed all the projects they undertook together. On the other hand, the impact of all their love and dedication extends to many areas of society, so it's not surprising that beyond being icons related to yoga, and therefore many people follow them, they also played a fairly important social role that endures to this day.

"The Mother" and Aurobindo

On the way to the ashram, I happened to stumble upon a temple that wasn't on my list and I didn't know existed; it seems to be one of the most visited things here. I arrived just as they were bringing the elephant out the door, and it is a temple dedicated to the God represented by the elephant. Leaving aside the fact that the animal is being "used," it seems that having been raised with humans since it was young, it has a very good relationship with them and the love is mutual. The attraction is that people approach to give it food or a monetary offering, and then it takes it with its trunk and, immediately afterward, blesses you by passing its trunk over your head; the truth is that it's quite endearing.

I felt a bit uncomfortable participating in the "show," so after enjoying the beauty of the animal for a while, seeing it up close, I recorded a little bit for you.

Manakula Vinayar Temple

Then, I continued towards the Aurobindo ashram and there it was, right around the corner. Luckily, even wearing shorts, I could enter. The place reminds me of the YSS and SRF ashrams in the sense that it is very colorful with plants and flowers and is very welcoming.

People gather around the meditation area, which is your tomb. It is full of Westerners. I sit down, give myself my moment, and after a while, I receive my message: "You judge others' appearance to the same extent that you are unhappy with your own."

Powerful, right?

The next day I decide to return and spend more time meditating in this fantastic and interesting place. Today, one of the things I wanted to do was indulge in a craving: have fries, a pizza, and a banana milkshake on the little terrace on the promenade that I discovered yesterday.

My feet are starting to get restless as I will soon be on my way to Tiruvannamalai, a highly anticipated destination where I will have contact with Ramana Maharshi and the magical mountain of Arunachala.

In this blog, I made the decision to share those aspects of my intimacy that have to do with my spiritual experiences, thoughts, sensations, discoveries, etc. It is something very intimate and not advisable to do gratuitously. However, I would not have agreed to do it if I didn't believe that all this could help or inspire someone. Assuming that a blog like this is being read, and will be read, by people mostly inclined towards spirituality, I trust that it can be so.

Information of interest

Transportation:

Taxi from the ashram in Chennai to the hotel in Puducherry, cost: 2000 rupees.

Accommodation in Puducherry:

Hotel, Coramandal Heritage Pondicherry

Contact and reservations: Web page

Places to visit:

The Puducherry promenade, the Manakula Vinayar Temple, and the Aurobindo Ashram.

Important:

If you haven't read the Considerations section yet, don't forget to do so. In this section, you will find very valuable information that can save you many headaches. In particular, there are details related to credit cards and mobile phone use that are essential.