AND THE POST YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR...

HERE IT IS FOLKS, the long awaited transmission:

HOW TO SIT INDIAN STYLE:

1st: Take your shoes off
2nd: Abandon all sense of time
3rd: Forget about comfort
4th: Don't worry - pain is part of the process!
5th: Make small adjustments
6th: Persevere!

Don't worry, even if you lose all feeling in your lower extremities, it will return!
These instructions extend far beyond sitting. In fact, they are good tips for traveling to India from any angle (except you'll probably want to keep your shoes on in the streets) and for life in general!

I'm back in North Carolina today and WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SPRING IT IS IN SOUTHERN PINES!!! It's unbelievable. I'm sitting here in the kitchen overlooking the green grass and the blooming dogwoods and the clear reflection of the pinetrees in the lake right now... There's a red cardinal in the bird feeder... and mom made fudge brownie cupcakes. :)

It's so good to be home. Seeing my family again is such a blessing. I feel so fortunate and want to thank you all for your love and support. I can't wait to see you soon.

Most sincere, and thanks for keeping up with me here,
LOVE,
Jaye

Ajanta Caves

The Ajanta Caves comprise a world heritage site located about an hour and a half south of Jalgaon by bus, carved out of a smooth rock face that towers above a horseshoe bend in a now dry river. I woke up around 5:30 last Saturday morning in order to catch the 6am bus thinking that I would outsmart the sun and the weekend crowds by getting there early. It turns out that the caves didn't open until 9, but I was right there ticket in hand as soon as they did. From the first moment that I stepped inside the cool door of the first cave I felt as though I had just stumbled into a long lost inner sanctum. I thought of the wonders of Tulum and Chichen Itza and felt equally if not more inspired, because those are just memories to me now, and these caves were living, breathing rock still vibrating with the intensity of their impressions.

None of the caves were naturally existing- each one was carved from the ceiling to the floor from the rock mountain to create the vast halls and sacred spaces. Some of them were supported by as many as 40 internal columns and were adjoined by as many as 25 meditation cells. The caves comprised an ancient monastery, and to house the monks there were dorm-like accommodations, with 2 stone "beds" and a shelf to a 5x6 cell. Some even had the luxury of stone pillows.

In August, lush green foliage pervades the canyon, monsoon rains fill the river below and waterfalls run between the caves filling carved reservoirs. In April, however, 100+ temperatures outside berate the brittle landscape and the determined tourists (such as myself of course) forcing us to take refuge inside the caves where the temperature is impossibly cool and the dim light is easy on the eyes. Inside, some of the walls are covered with beautiful painted murals depicting the past lives of the Buddha in the form of the Jataka Tales. It's hard to understand where the light came from to allow such paintings to be born, but I quickly learned, thanks to a trusty guide who was disappointed with my 10 RS tip, that the wide open floors that you step down into when you enter the cave were filled and maintained with several inches of water to create a giant mirror-like surface to illuminate to caves. That must have been a sight to behold.

I can only imagine.

The Agra Fort

The Taj Mahal

To the outsider (or maybe just to me), the Taj Mahal is the ultimate tribute to love and devotion, a jewel encrusted white marble teardrop on the face of human history that testifies to the empty spaces loved ones leave in our hearts when they leave our living world forever. But it makes me wonder.... who was this man, really? and even more, who was this woman? It's easy to imagine unyielding love between them because of the size and grandeur of the monument built for her, but what was the truth behind the facade? What was this mother of 14 like? The man that she loved? Why did their son imprison his father to live out the remainder of his days from a cell where he could only gaze out over his monument in sadness? The spaces inside the Taj Mahal echo with emptiness- are they the reflections of a life once lived? Which truths do they hold?

Thursday's Poem

I Laugh when I hear that the fish in the water is thirsty:
You do not see that the Real is in your home,
and you wander listlessly!
Here is the truth! Go where you will,
but if you do not find your soul,
the world is unreal to you.
-Kabir

Obama for President!

Thanks Chuck for sending me this letter!

Dear Mr. President:

The situation in Tibet is deeply disturbing, and requires that all of us, regardless of party, do what we can to try to influence it for the better. I understand that you discussed the subject on Wednesday with President Hu Jintao. The United States has many issues for which China's cooperation is important, including denuclearization of North Korea, ending Iran's nuclear program, stopping the genocide in Darfur, confronting repression in Burma, and combating global warming. However, it is important that we give high priority to the plight of Tibetans and make clear to President Hu that the way in which China treats all Chinese citizens, including Tibetans, profoundly affects how China is viewed in the United States and throughout the international community.

Resolution of differences between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama is the key to progress in Tibet. The Dalai Lama, as you have said, is "a good man." He is revered by virtually all Tibetans, and his absence from his homeland creates an incurable wound in the heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Tibet's unique cultural and religious heritage cannot be preserved if he is demonized and kept at arm's length. He has accepted Beijing's precondition for a solution, namely recognition that Tibet is part of China, and has clearly stated that he is seeking religious, cultural and linguistic protection and autonomy for the Tibetan people, not independence. More recently, he indicated his belief that despite recent events, the Chinese people deserve to host the Olympics this summer.

I hope you made clear to President Hu the American view about the importance of the following: a negotiation with the Dalai Lama about his return to Tibet; guarantees of religious freedom for the Tibetan people; protection of Tibetan culture and language; and the exercise of genuine autonomy for Tibet. That is the path to the stability and harmony that the Chinese leaders say they are seeking in Tibet.

In addition to your personal intervention with President Hu, there are other steps I hope you will take to highlight our concern. I support your call for the foreign press and diplomatic personnel to have free access to Lhasa and other Tibetan cities and villages to ensure that repression and human rights violations cannot escape the world's notice. Beijing has committed to the International Olympic Committee to allow foreign journalists free access to cover stories throughout China, including Tibet. We should hold them to that commitment. The U.S. and our democratic allies and friends should also urge the UN Human Rights Council to send an investigatory team to Tibet. China should be encouraged to allow the International Committee for the Red Cross to visit prisons in Tibet to ensure that detainees are not held under inhumane conditions, tortured, or mistreated.

Like you, I want to take steps that increase the chance of a negotiated solution between Beijing and the Dalai Lama, and that have the best chance of improving the lives of ordinary Tibetans. Therefore, I support your effort to aggressively use your relationship with President Hu to achieve these goals. Should it appear, however, that the Chinese are taking private diplomacy as a license for inaction or continued repression, I would urge you to speak out forcefully and publicly to disabuse them of the notion that they can thus escape international censure.

Despite the high emotions of the present time, I hope you can persuade the Chinese leadership that in this the year of the Beijing Olympics they have a unique opportunity to make dramatic progress in resolving the Tibet issue. Chinese leaders have it within their power to achieve that worthy goal if they take steps to change the situation in Tibet for the better and by reaching an accommodation with the Dalai Lama. Progress in Tibet would profoundly affect the world's perception of China as it prepares to host the Olympic Games in August.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

United States Senator

REPRESENTING!

HERE'S A GREAT BIG COLORFUL TIBETAN FLAG THAT YOU CAN PRINT OUT AND TAPE TO YOUR CAR WINDOW, your shop window, your house window, your friend's house window, billboards, school bulletin boards, lamp posts, post office doors, government buildings, stop signs, whatever you like. Just grab a marker, write anything helpful that you like on it, and find some tape. Click HERE.

yes, SPAIN!

Thanks for this picture from Zack Boone, taken a few days ago in Spain!

MARY SNOW!

Well last night I was about to walk out of the internet cafe when lo'and'behold, I looked up and saw Mary, my friend from college sitting a few computers away. Here. All the way in India. Ok, let me first explain that for the first two years that I lived on the west coast I used to daydream and ache to see someone I knew. I would get lonely in crowds of people, especially music events, scanning the crowd for faces I could recognize. It took me a long time to get over that.... and now.... HERE.... in India sits Mary Snow and her friend Apryl Blakeney, another UNCA grad. The three of us spent the day hitting all the good spots in town and interviewing the locals for newspaper articles that they are both writing for papers back home. I will be sure to post their features here when they are finished and ready for the public! Aye, life can be so surprising!

Want to have a say?

Want to know the email addresses of all of the organizers for the Beijing Olympics? Maybe make some suggestions for the games? I got these addresses off the official Olympics "Contact Us" web page. Cut and paste them into your email's "To" field and then drop them a line and say hi! In fact, say hello as often as you want to! Keep in mind that your choice of words in the subject and even body of the text might make your messages automatic candidates for the trash or span bin, so try to be creative! Also please refrain from violent words. Happy emailing!mishubu@beijing2008.cn, zongti@beijing2008.cn, international@beijing2008.cn, sports@beijing2008.cn, xuanchuan@beijing2008.cn, guihua@beijing2008.cn
environment@beijing2008.cn, marketing@beijing2008.cn, technology@beijing2008.cn, legal@beijing2008.cn, gamesservices@beijing2008.cn, jiancha@beijing2008.cn,
renshi@beijing2008.cn, caiwu@beijing2008.cn, wenhua@beijing2008.cn, security@beijing2008.cn, mediaoperations@beijing2008.cn, VEM@beijing2008.cn, paralympic@beijing2008.cn, Transport@beijing2008.cn, volunteerop@beijing2008.cn,
OTR@beijing2008.cn, accreditation@beijing2008.cn, OCC@beijing2008.cn, ticketing@beijing2008.cn

March 31st: International STAND UP for TIBET Day

March 31st is the International Stand Up for Tibet day. Peaceful demonstrations will be taking place throughout the world. Please find something that says Tibet, a flag, a picture, or a poster and then make yourself visible to the media. Call your friends, there is strength in numbers! Get online and try to find a local event! Or just call your local new station or radio station or newspaper and ask that your voice be heard in some way or another. You don't have to be a political person to participate, just a believer in peace and humanity.

If you believe in freedom, and if you are thankful for your own, please participate. If you have love in your heart for others and if you believe that violent oppression is bad, please participate. If you believe in God, please participate. If you believe in helping others, please participate. If you have sympathy for those who suffer both psychological and physical torture, please participate. If you have children of your own, and would not want them to suffer as these Tibetan children do, please participate. If you believe in non-violent solutions, please participate.

Please understand that you can make a difference on this day, just by holding up a piece of paper and smiling.

This is real, and this is ongoing.

Please stand up.

Norbulinga Institute for Tibetan Arts

Through my friend Dolma at Thosamling, I met her Tibetan language partner, Rabgyal, a super friendly and talented young man who is in the sculpture department at the Norbulinga Institute for Tibetan Arts, just down the footpath, to your right past the two cows, over the stream, up the steps, past the Tibetan handicapped school, and into the little town that surrounds the institute. I spent all day Wednesday watching the entire casting process, from the shaping and stamping of a clay mold to the eventual emergence of a sculpture from the fire of red hot liquid copper! It was really quite amazing. To make an entire statue takes about 15 8-hr work days and the craftsman can make about 2 a month.
I promised Rabgyal that I would try to find him a nice western girl to marry. Feel free to email me if you are interested. :) He is the one doing all the hard work in the pictures.

Sidhpur & Thosamling

Well, I've been away from the computer for a while because I have been in peaceful Sidhpur, just south of Dharamsala for the last 9 days. Behold Thosamling, a nunnery for western nuns reachable only by a 15 minute walk down a winding footpath through the rice paddies, over streams and irrigation ditches, past women with big baskets on their heads harvesting the crop, past cows, an orphanage, and kids playing cricket, all the time approaching the beautiful snow-capped Himalayan mountains. They fed me well, 3 times a day- lots of fresh veggies, and I had plenty of time to myself to read, reflect, go for walks in the fields, and generally refresh my traveling spirit. It was so nice. I think the pictures say it all!

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LEGISLATOR:

I am leaving Dharamsala today. Here is one last Tibet link that I wanted to pass on before I go:

Click here to Contact you member of Congress and ask that they call on China to release all detainees, and allow international media access to Lhasa.

Much Love! -Jaye

March of the Monks

No strike after all.

Well, there will be no strike for us westerners after all. Siri, Lee, Kritaya, Noni, and I lugged our sleeping bags and blankets down to the temple ready for a long hungry night but were luckily warned by another western woman that we are not advised to take part. In fact, several westerners have had their visas revoked and were forced to leave the country within 48 hours and will never be allowed to return to India for trying to participate in the March to Tibet. We verified this information with the chief of police and were told that we could find an explanation under the Indian Foreigner Act, Section 14. I think he's talking about this part:

14C. Penalty for abetment.-Whoever abets any offence punishable under section 14 or section 14A or section 14B shall, if the act abetted is committed in consequence of the abetment, be punished with the punishment provided for the offence. (i) an act or offence is said to be committed in consequence of the abetment, when it is committed in consequence of the instigation, or in pursuance of the conspiracy, or with the aid which constitutes the offence;

? So regardless, I won't be abeting, instigating, conspiring, or offending by sitting quietly on a cushion with the Tibetans! I wouldn't want to be "punished with the punishment!"

March through Mcleod Ganj

What a day it's been. I woke up this morning to the sounds of protests and they have continued all day long. I've been trying to think of what I can do to help. I think I might stay here a while longer after all. This is the first time in 50 years that demonstrations of this size and strength have been allowed to take place in Dharamsala. The air is simply electric. No shops or restaurants are open or have been for the last week- it's a ghost town compared to the shopping bustle that was taking place the week before my retreat, except now the streets are full of marchers and flags.

I went around to all of the various government and NGO offices today trying to find out what I could do to help. I didn't get many answers, so I'm trying to brainstorm on my own now. maybe a 24-hr vigil to keep the prayer wheels in the middle of town spinning for a day? I think I might also sit in a shift on the hunger strike tomorrow. Mom and Dad, rest assured that I would not be involved if the atmosphere did not feel safe. It is important to know that the Tibetan people in general are very non-violent people, and also that here in Dharamsala there is no direct threat to anyone's security (the threat lies across the border in China/Tibet).

This afternoon I joined the march down to the temple amidst hundreds of flags, painted faces, and cries of "LONG LIVE" "DALAI LAMA!", "what we want?!" "We want freedom!", "Release, Release!" "Panchen Lama!", "China, China, China!" "Out, Out, Out!"... once we got to the bottom the energy really picked up, and then just like that, the whole crowd sat down and was quiet. A few people collapsed from over-exertion, several women around me were crying, and I couldn't understand anything because some sort of directions were being yelled by the organizers of the Tibetan Woman's Association in Tibetan and no one around me spoke english. This went on for an hour or so- I couldn't move it was so packed with people around me, but the atmosphere was calm amidst high emotions. There was an incredibly strong sense of solidarity in the air- we were all sitting close together with no room to move our knees and the Tibetan woman behind me had both her hands on my waist the whole time. I haven't had any sort of real physical contact in the past two months, so I have to admit that I kind of enjoyed that feeling of togetherness. Eventually things started to move again and I found a seat on top of a pillar where I could watch things from the side. The protest picked back up and the shouts carried on for another hour.

This all took place outside the temple gate. As the sun was going down we filed inside and took seats in front of several large flat screen tv's (the Tibetans really have some nice technology when it comes to flat screen tv's in the temple- there are a lot of them) packed so tight that it was literally impossible to move. I felt bad because my knee was crammed up into the guy's back in front of me and even though I've gotten much better at sitting cross legged after an hour or so it's hard to keep from squirming. We watched a press release (probably a thousand or so people were there) that the Dalai Lama gave either earlier today or last night, i'm not sure. He delivered it in English, addressed to the global community, so every 15 seconds or so it was paused and translated into Tibetan. All in all, I think it lasted almost 4 hours, the press conference followed by prayers and then updates of the conditions in Lhasa. After it was all over everyone walked home up the hill very quietly.

What impressed me most today was how peaceful the whole crowd could turn at the drop of a hat. All it took at the height of emotion was one girl shouting from atop a little side wall to tell everyone to be quiet and sit down. And everyone did. If someone bumped into you while walking, they apologized. There was no mob mentality, it was a safe environment. I walked home with a girl my age who told me that her friend's entire family had been killed in Tibet in the last week. She said that in the last two days that many of the men and boys in Lhasa have been rounded up and imprisoned by the Chinese military. Tonight at midnight there is apparently an ultimatum for the demonstrations in Tibet to come to an end- The Chinese have said that their patience is up. If patience led them to kill so many people already, I fear what actions their lack of patience will inspire.

So I'm tired. It's late. I'm in an internet cafe now that's packed with other tourists updating their blogs and uploading pictures that they took during the demonstration. I am optimistic about the way that information seems to be spreading throughout the world. There are many news reporters around and I hope that the coverage of events here will remain strong. An NGO organizer told me tonight that the demonstrations are supposed to go on until the violence stops in Tibet. That could be a long time unless the global pressure on china is heavy enough.

So everyone, keep talking about Tibet! And thank you for your interest! Being interested can go a long way, awareness is what's important here!

Much love,
Jaye

Tibetan People's Appeal

A handout I received as this demonstration marched by:

The Chinese government has made the following accusations against His Holiness the Dalai Lama:

1. Dalai Lama seeks genuine autonomy for Tibet, but China accuses him of trying to split China.
2. Dalai Lama advocates democracy, but China accuses him of trying to restore Tibet's old social order.
3. Dalai Lama supports the Beijing Olympics, but China accuses him of opposing it.

We appeal the United Nations, human rights organizations, and all the freedom-loving countries across the world to act as honest witnesses and prove that these accusations and allegations of the Chinese are baseless and untrue. Tibetans struggle for the truth and justice will not cease until and unless Tibet and China come to a mutually-peaceful agreement. We will continue with our non-violent demonstrations and peaceful march. We request all the nations around the world to show solidarity to our cause, and do not hinder our peaceful campaigns.

If you are uncertain as to what the Dalai Lama's official beliefs and opinions are, please visit his website: www.dalailama.com

BIG UPDATE

(I did not take these photos myself- they came from the Tibetan Uprising website)

In the last 5 days:

101 participants in the March to Tibet that I mentioned in my last entry have been imprisoned by the Indian government and will be detained for 14 days. The march, although peaceful, is being prohibited. Please go to http://www.tibetanuprising.org/ for details and updates. The above photos are of the arrest of the marchers.

Over 100 monks and peaceful demonstrators have been killed in Lhasa over the last five days. The roads are all closed, the media has been shut down, and the streets are on fire. Countless protestors have been beaten and imprisoned.

VIOLENT SUPPRESSION IS TAKING PLACE.

HUMAN RIGHTS ARE BEING BLATANTLY VIOLATED.

PEOPLE ARE BEING KILLED, BEATEN, TORTURED.

What can we do? Honestly, what can you, as an individual do? We are so LUCKY to live in a country where we have a voice, please think to yourself right now, what can I do? And then do it. Tell everyone you know. Please go to these websites, read about the situation, Call your friends, get them to call their friends, call your local newspaper or television station, have a candlelight vigil. Or just ask them if they are covering the event. Urge them to. You can make a difference.

Mom, Dad, Lindsay, Liz, you can help. Lee, Chuck, Katie, Kevin, Tyler, Susanna, Russ, Polly, you can help. Rachel, Clara, Evan, Cam, Ashton, Zack, Garland, You can help. Tom, Bonnie, Gabby, you can help! Anyone and everyone reading this, you can help. Really you can, world awareness is what we need. China cannot act this way and expect to be a part of OUR global community and we are not powerless to watch and let it happen!

Go to these sites. Look at the pictures. Read about it. Talk about it. Find the right people to talk to. And don't worry, I'm safe, not getting actively involved. This is my effort.
http://www.tchrd.org/
http://www.tibet.net/

* this photo was taken with a cell phone in Lhasa, 5 days ago.

Statement of the Dalai Lama on the 49th Tibetan National Uprising day, March 10th:
http://www.dalailama.com/news.215.htm

Tibetan Prayer Flags

A new stage of the journey!

I'll be offline for 10 days or so, as I'm headed this afternoon to a 10-day meditation retreat up on the mountain side! (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Love to all!

What do you mean, "Free Tibet"?

“This is the worst period in the 2000 year history of Tibet. This really is the most serious period. At this time, now, there is every danger that the entire Tibetan Nation, with its own unique cultural heritage will completely disappear. The present situation is so serious that it is really a question of life and death. If death occurs, nothing is left.” –H.H. the 13^th Dalai Lama, Tenzing Gyatso.

In 1949, under the guise of a “peaceful liberation”, Communist China invaded Tibet marking the beginning of the most disastrous and increasingly fatal era known to Tibetan history. Since then, more than 1.2 million Tibetans have been killed, the victims of resistance fighting, hunger, executions, torture, and labor camps. More than 90% of Tibetan history and culture has been destroyed, including more than 6,000 monasteries and temples. Thousands of Tibetans remain in Chinese prisons for both political and trivial reasons, with no hope for trial or legal representation. Tibet’s natural resources are being irreversibly destroyed, mined, cut down, and plundered, all to the benefit of China and to the demise of surrounding countries that experience a number of environmental consequences (such as flooding and poisonous runoff) as a result. More and more Chinese settlers are being relocated to the area every day on new railway lines built to ensure military stability, their numbers (>7.5million) now surpassing the surviving 6 million Tibetans. Tibet, a once peaceful buffer state between India and China, has been transformed into a vast military base and is used as a dumping ground for nuclear wastes.

In an effort to wipe out Tibetan culture, Tibetan woman are subjected to enforced sterilization, contraception, and abortion procedures. Enforced disappearances (where a person is taken into custody and the details of their detention are not disclosed) continue to occur and Tibetans are subject to random and arbitrary arrest and detention. Torture still prevails in Chinese detention centers. Due to the increasing poverty rate (>70%), poor facilities, and blatant discrimination such as disproportionate fees based on race, Tibetan children are denied adequate health care and schooling. Failure to denounce the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual and temporal leader, can result in imprisonment or other forms of punishment and possessing an image of the Dalai Lama is illegal. In monasteries, the heart of Tibetan academia and debate, Chinese government “work teams” are being sent to forcibly “re-educate” monks and nuns in their political and religious beliefs. Between 1996 and 1998 a “Strike Hard” campaign saw 492 monks and nuns arrested and subjected to torture and 9,977 expelled from their religious institutions by the Chinese. The few monasteries left standing are meant only to generate tourism dollars, and each has its own police station on premises and can be closed on a whim. Cameras adorn all public markets and government spies are rampant.

What Does This Mean?

In essence, the peaceful non-violent culture of Tibet is being forcibly extinguished by the Chinese Government and replaced with a homogenized Chinese-speaking society that values capitalism and materialism above human rights. What I have described above cannot be explained in any terms other than blatant crimes against humanity and yet the Chinese have committed these atrocities while appeasing the cries of injustice raised by Tibet and other nations using language such as “Peaceful Liberation”, “Autonomous”, “Re-education”, “Cultural Revolution”, and the like. Dr. Rammanohar Lohia, an eminent Socialist leader of India had it right in 1950 when he said, “To call the invasion of Tibet an effort to liberate Tibetans is to make language lose all meaning and stop all human communication and understanding. Freedom and slavery, bravery and cowardice, loyalty and treason, truth and lie, will become synonyms.” And they have.

What is Happening Today?

China is working hard to gain recognition as a world leader and hopes to use the 2008 Olympic Games to be hosted in Beijing to do so. Allowing such a globally significant event to take place there without acknowledging the crimes against humanity that China continues to commit, will legitimize China’s claim to rule over Tibet. This is a critically crucial time. A movement called the Tibetan People’s Uprising is organizing a march to Tibet, scheduled to depart from Dharamsala on March 10^th (next week!), in light of the upcoming Olympic Games and the 50^th commemoration of the March 1959 uprising against China’s occupation of Tibet. This is a dangerous March that needs international support, participation, coverage, and funding.

What Can You Do?

• CLICK HERE FOR 6 WAYS YOU CAN HELP
  
• Express support for the Tibetan people’s right to freedom and justice by writing to newspapers and magazines, especially in light of the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games.
• Set up a Tibet Support Group in your place and inform the local people about Tibet and the Tibetan people.
• Donate money to help Tibetans in Need or to support the March to Tibet organized by the Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement (websites listed below).
• Write to your elected officials about Tibet and ask them to raise the issue of Tibet in the government.
• Ask your government to support the Dalai Lama’s peace initiatives for Tibet.
• Urge the Indian Government to facilitate a meaningful dialogue between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Tibetan Government-In-Exile.
  

For more information or to find out what you can do to help, please visit the following websites:

• Race for Tibet! a great website concerning the 2008 Beijing Olympics and what you can do to help: http://www.racefortibet.org/ Watch the film! Sign the Petition! Order a free sticker! Spread the word!
  
• The official website of the Central Tibetan Administration (specifically the tab entitled “About Tibet”): http://www.tibet.net/
• The official website of H.H. the 13^th Dalai Lama: www.dalailama.com
• The official website of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy: http://www.tchrd.org/ ( BEST SITE FOR CURRENT INFORMATION)
• The official website of the Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement, with information on the upcoming March to Tibet and to the 2008 Olympic Games. DONATIONS WELCOME: http://www.tibetanuprising.org/
• YouTube: The Dalai Lama’s speech upon receiving the Congressional Gold Medal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcXmB0U_DCQ

The Dalai Lama has championed relentlessly for a meaningful autonomy within the People’s Republic of China for nearly 50 years now, recognizing that regaining true independence is out of the question. He was awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1989 and the United States Congressional Gold Medal (the highest civilian award in the United States) in October in recognition of his efforts and for his promotion of peace, compassion, and non-violence to the global community. In his closing speech in Washington, he appeals to us all stating that, “Many of world’s problems are ultimately rooted in inequality and injustice, whether economic, political or social. Ultimately, this is a question of the well-being of all of us. Whether it is the suffering of poverty in one part of the world, or whether it is the denial of freedom and basic human rights in another part, we should never perceive these events in total isolation. Eventually their repercussions will be felt everywhere. I would like to appeal to you to take a leadership role in an effective international action in addressing this huge economic imbalance. I believe the time has now come to address all these global issues from the perspective of the oneness of humanity, and from a profound understanding of the deeply interconnected nature of our today’s world.”

I have written this, piecing it together from various books and pamphlets I’ve accumulated over the last couple of weeks, because when I came to Dharamsala I knew very little about Tibetan history and the current situation in Tibet. I think that if everyone knew a little more, some change might be possible for the Tibetan people. Once we have knowledge, I think we face a responsibility and a choice and it’s important to realize that if we ignore the injustices in one part of the world, especially with an emerging superpower like China, we will all feel the repercussions of our non-action at a later date. I hope that spreading this information will promote that knowledge and understanding.

Full Moon in Dharamsala!

Is a picture really worth a thousand words? Could this one possibly express how happy I am to be here in Dharamsala, surrounded by kind and compassionate people, eating good healthy food, listening to enlightening and encouraging teachings by the most learned of teachers, breathing the clean mountain air, and looking up at the Himalayans morning, day, and night? I am having an incredible time. I feel so fortunate to be here.

Tomorrow the Dalai Lama will begin his teachings. The vibration of travelers is increasing, as more and more people come to Mcleod Ganj. I'm not sure, but you might be able to listen to the teachings online- It's worth looking into! I think I might not put much effort into maintaining this blog while I am here (then again, I might if I get the urge)... but, I am quite safe, comfortable in accomadation and food, and very happy. I extend my love and best to you all, and hope you are well also!

Happy Journey from the South Western Railway

Here are my trip details, mostly for my parents, all in IST (subtract 10.5 hrs for EST):

• Thursday, Feb 14th: Mysore-Bangalore, Train No 2008 Dep: 14:20 (3 hrs) class:2AC

• Thursday, Feb 14th: Bangalore-Delhi, Train No 2429, Rajdhani Express, Dep: 20:20 (35 hrs) 2AC

• Saturday, Feb 16th: Delhi- Pathankot, Train No 4033, Jammu Mail, Dep 21:20 (12 hrs) 2AC

• Sunday, Feb 17th: Arrive in Pathankot, 7 am IST, 8:30 pm Saturday EST (Will try to call home sometime thereafter!)
  

Then depending on whether I'm completely road weary or not, I will continue on to Dharamsala by bus on either Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. I ought to see a lot of the countryside, eh?! I've got several good books that I'm taking with me, and I'm going around town today to make trip preparations. Tonight the family I've been staying with is having a going-away party for me. So, wish me luck! I'm looking forward to the trip (I guess I better be, cause it's going to be a long one!) and will let you know how it goes!

om shanti shanti shanti

Today was my last day of practice in Mysore. What follows is the closing prayer or Mangala Mantra, an ancient Vedic chant traditionally recited at the end of ceremonies. Its recitation at the end of a yoga practice symbolizes offering the merits of your practice for the benefit of the world. I am thankful for my time spent here in Mysore, and am excited about the next leg of my trip! Train details to follow.

om
svashti prajaa bhayha parii palaa yantam
nayaa yenaa margenaa maahii mahishha
go brahmanebhyaahaa
shubhaamastu nityam
lokaa samasthaa sukhino bhavanhtu
om shaanti shaanti shaanti

translation:

Om
May all be well with mankind.
May the leaders of the earth protect in every way by keeping to the right path.
May there be goodness for all those who know the earth to be sacred.
May the people of the world be happy and prosperous.
Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.


Me and Guruji, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

Me and Saraswati

APPY BIRTHING DAY!

Yesterday I went to Bylakuppe, a Tibetan settlement about 45km from Mysore that houses more than 10,000 refugees. The settlement is surrounded by agriculture- lots of coconuts and cows- and radiates a slower friendly pace of life. We visited several monasteries, but did not see nearly as many monks as you might normally expect due to the celebration of Losar, the Tibetan New Year. The temples were filled with the chirping songs of birds instead of the prayers of monks, and since they were relatively empty we were able to spend as much time as we liked immersed in the incredible art work and sculptures without feeling like we were bothering anyone. I am really looking forward to visiting Dharmsala and seeing a Tibetan monastery in action now that I've seen one on holiday. Here are a few of my favorite pictures!

Oh yes, and yesterday was my birthday. I woke up and hadn't thought about it until Hannah wished me well on my way out the door for yoga. I guess it wasn't technically my birthday yet at that hour though because I was born in EST. So I've been celebrating all morning today too. I had a beautiful gulab jamoon for dessert last night instead of a cake. That is, a fried doughball floating in sugar syrup........ sounds horrid, but is really so wonderful that Hannah and I took almost 10 minutes to eat them as we traded a spoon back and forth in the dark -power failure- taking tiny savory bites and murmuring with delight.

Thanks for the good-wishes!

THE POST OFFICE; or one adventure in a long string of others.

What you are looking at here is the final product of a full day's hard-wrought glory, my sweat and tears (well, tears might be an exaggeration) in box form. How this shining parcel came into being is another story, full of adventure and misadventure, rickshaw rides and head-wobble responses. I am proud of this box, and look forward to seeing it again in 3 months.

Here is a stack of 10 or so books that I purchased from the Bihar School of Yoga for 1,000 RS or $25 USD. I checked on amazon.com and found the same titles for $15-20 each... so YES, it was a steal, and even more so for the wonderful Indian adventure that I had to endure (am I contradicting myself?) to get them packaged and ready to send home. Even with the cost of multiple rickshaw rides, tailor-made packaging, international shipping, and the ice cream sundae that I had to buy to boost my blood sugar levels just in order to persevere (a purely medical motivation, I assure you).... I STILL got a deal, and assuming that they arrive at their destination, I look forward to this stack of books. I will share them with you, if you think you might enjoy them too. They range in topics from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Asana Pranayama, the Moola Bandha, Tantra Meditation, the Upanishads....etc etc. Books in India are a good deal, but they aren't so good for back packing.

Hannah had some mailing to do too and we thought it would be nice to do it together. We located packing supplies and then headed to the post office. After waiting in line and musing over the associated rules of orderliness (which no one seemed to learn as a child here) we finally made it to the window where our questions were not answered and we were turned back out into the blazing afternoon. We found a tailor down the street and around the corner and asked if they prepared packages for shipping. All outgoing packages must be wrapped and sewn in a white linen cloth and to get the discounted book rate, this must be done while leaving a window to expose the contents for inspection. Try explaining that to a deaf/mute tailor in a shop where no one speaks English anyways. Many hand gestures and doodles later (I drew a house and pointed repeatedly to the window and to the windows in the shop, making a square with my hands, insisting on some foreign sounding word "window, window!" and pointing at the end of the package... and finally grabbed a piece of cardboard and the seamstress' scissors, cut one out myself, held it to the side of the package, and wrapped my fingers around my eyes in spectacle fashion again pointing to the end of the box).... "Ahhhhhhh, window!" "YES, WINDOW!!!" hey, smiles all around, thumbs up, A-OK's, YES, we have communication! And what a nice man he was! For the next 10 minutes as he worked away I got smiles and thumbs up's one after another from him and from everyone else in the shop. He was quite proud of his work. He charged me too much 120 RS or $3, but "Sure," I said, "because I like you!" This comment led me to much embarrassment as I now had to explain to everyone in the room and especially to his wife (pictured in red) that no, I don't mean I like him, I understand that they're married, I just mean he's a nice man! I appreciate his efforts! Thank you for the work and I'll be leaving now!

So, we took our boxes and set off for the post office once again. I was worried that my package would never make it around the world with a big hole in the side, so I ducked into a supermarket (1 of 2 that I've seen in India) and bought a roll of packing tape to secure my window! Back to the post office, and wouldn't you know that they close each day at 2:30. I don't blame them, it was hot in there, in fact the sweat was dripping off me when I'd waited before, kind of like the way it was dripping off me again as I stood there with my shining parcel squinting up at the big padlocks on the iron door.

So now the box sits patiently next to my door in my room, waiting for me to summon up my patience and errand-running gusto once again. All in all, it was a great experience, and one that I am lucky to relive in sometimes small, and sometimes grand ways, each and every day. Today I will return to the train station to try to exchange a train ticket, no small feat, I am sure. WISH ME LUCK. (!)

THE WEEK

I am busy trying to upload full-sized photos to a public web album- it's taking a while, but it should be up and viewable in the next 24 hours. You can access it and future albums at http://picasaweb.google.com/jayerhodes by clicking here or on the link that I've added to the top of this blog! It's Sunday morning here in Gokulam and the day is starting to heat up already. I've got a cold, which makes the mid-afternoon somewhat miserable, but I'm working hard on the cure with Emergen-C, plenty of fresh coconuts, and rest. Today is a day off from practice, but Hannah and I got up early to watch the advanced student's led class of the secondary series, an impressive and extremely humbling sequence to watch. While I am trying to build up my arms to do a proper pushup, they are busy defying the laws of gravity.

I am starting to get used to life here in Mysore. The city is starting to feel smaller and less intimidating, as I've gotten used to getting around by rickshaw and started to understand the orientation of the markets and such. This week I toured the Mysore Palace, ambling along slowly in order to take in the architecture, royal portraits, sculpture, crystal thrones, vaulted painted and stained glass ceilings, temples, and gardens. There are some exterior pictures to the right- no cameras allowed inside. Nicole and I also went to the temple on the top of Chamundi Hill (1000 stone steps above the city!) overlooking all of Mysore where I ate my first street food, Vada masala, and had to stamp my feet to chase away monkeys that wanted my snack for themselves. In order to go into the temples you have to check your shoes outside and then skirt around the cow pies between you and the gate. I scarcely missed one.

I think about my mom and my sisters a lot throughout the day as I find joy in things that I sometimes think would appall them. It's funny, I remember reading before I came here that if you visited India for a week or less, you'd likely find it very unappealing, but if you stayed for any length of time you'd develop a tricky love affair. I think there's a lot a truth to that. I relish in personal satisfaction as I sit cross-legged at my meals shoveling rice into my mouth with my fingers knowing that there are no napkins available to put in my lap. I laugh as I throw all my previous manners (that I never adhered to very well in the first place) out the window, wipe the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand, and ask for more samba (spicy!) curry and chutney please. Here in India it seems fairly obvious that we are not very far from the dirt we came from. There's only so much distance you can put between yourself and that dirt- most of the time you just have to embrace it, appreciate the beauty rising out of the mire, and for the necessary moments, carry your own soap with you.

Highlights from the week: The peacock painted ceiling and temples at the Mysore Palace, the Nandi Bull statue below the main temple on Chamundi Hill, Lunch at the Indian Song House (see the plate-licking picture below), strolling around the university lake, watching Rambo II in the theater, kirtan singing, and a birthday party for the kids that live across the street.

MMmmm mmm good.

(Partners in crime)

Week in Pictures

I had a puppy for a day today! I've been walking past him for a few days now and on my way home today I scooped him up and took him to my bathtub and gave him a proper bath. It turns out that he was not a brown puppy after all, but blonde with brown spots, after which I aptly named him. We took a nap together and then I returned him to his residence or section of street where he was happily received (though no one noticed that he'd gone missing, but seemed to appreciate that he was now clean).

It's Thursday and I've taken the day off from practice. It seems easy to try to over-achieve here. The room that we practice in is so hot and steamy that your muscles can seem more flexible than they really are and you don't really notice that you might be over-exerting until you get home. It also doesn't help that Saraswati will come around the room and contort your body for you if you're having trouble getting into a posture. so..... understanding my limitations is the challenge at hand.

The last week has gone by quickly. Tuesday was a moon day and we did not have practice so a group of us went to Bandipur National Park on Monday for a quick overnight safari and mountain trek. Several of the girls rode elephants, we watched their bathing and feeding, and then took a night jeep ride to see them "in the wild". I was a bit skeptical about this "safari" that entailed a convoy of loud diesel jeeps driving along the main roads, but sure enough we saw a family of 5 elephants crossing the road- a big bull, a mother, an adolescent, and two babies. We convinced our driver to turn off his exhausting jeep and disco flashing Shiva dashboard ornament so that we could quietly watch them go by. We also saw a big horned bison, several groups of wild boars, spotted deer of the Bambi lineage, and a lot of stray dogs. My jeep was also shared by a family of 5 from the UK- the mother and father were teachers at a nearby international school, and they have just completed the first 6 months of their 3 year contract. Jack, their oldest boy taught me the most useful Hindi phrase I've learned yet, "nahi chahiye" which basically means "I don't want it, leave me alone" and has already come in quite handy. Then we had a big sing-along consisting of various Disney tunes from the lion king and jungle book and some Billy Joel and oldies. How did those kids know oldies? They reminded me of memories of my own family roadtrips.

As a group of girls we got the run-around more times that you can possibly imagine. We'd arrange a taxi bus for 8 which would end up being a taxi for 6, so we'd conveniently need to pay for two. The same goes for elephants. I didn't want to ride one anyway. We were literally smuggled over the border from one state to another in two separate jeeps in a maneuver that I still don't fully understand, but think had to do with the number of passengers in a vehicle, because we were then promptly crammed into one vehicle for the rest of the 2 hour journey. Here, a yes nod can mean no we don't have any or no I don't understand and a side to side head wobble means something like... "I can hear and acknowledge the strange language that you speak". Drivers will say that they know where they are going even if they don't so it's best to provide very clear written instructions that they can hand off to bystanders to interpret at stoplights.

But yes, the mountain trek! We climbed to a beautiful overlook of the national park and I enjoyed watching the sun come up over the jungle mist. We saw evidence of sloth bears, elephants, and bison, but had no big animal sightings that day. The scenery and food were the highlights- an all you could eat buffet of Indian specialties 3 times a day. I have a new love for fried stuffed chilies and curd. My sweat has taken on a new masala aroma, but no one seems to notice but me.

Here are some of the latest pictures: Spot, Elephants, Bandipur National Park, and my harmonyogis in practice. It's been a good week. More to come soon!

The Story of Stuff

Thank you to Bonnie and Tom Thompson for sending me the following link! www.storyofstuff.org This is an incredibly comprehensive and quick look into consumerism, how it affects us all (at home and abroad, from people to the environment), and what we can do to promote a cleaner and happier future. WAIT wait, are we doers at all? NO the universe is conspiring for us to get our acts together.... CHECK OUT THIS LINK, PLEASE!!!!!!

FOOD.

Today I did a lot of eating. It's Saturday, so we had a led yoga class early this morning and then about 8 girls and I went out for breakfast at Tina's. What a find! Hannah and I shared a high protein porridge (a wonderful buckwheat colored bowl of mixed grains with raisins, dates, honey and fresh tahini-peanut butter), millet toast, scrambled eggs with veggies, a fruit salad of papaya, coconut, pomegranate, oranges, and banana, and each had a smoothie for about 100 rupees or $2.50 each... expensive by Indian standards! but they were definitely catering to the western palate and wallet. I took a nap, checked out a pranayama (breathing) course, and then went to my favorite local spot for masala chai, coconut cookies, and a snack of set dosa (rice/dal pancakes with curry and coconut ginger chutney). Next I was off to the coconut stand to sip and suck jelly from a young tasty green one and chat with Hannah and another woman, Betty. Now here I am at Anu's, the best internet hub in town. Whew.
All this talk about food! Can I please tell you how superior the Indian style of toilet seems to be for digestion! I really think they have something there! Good posture, alignment- it really gets things moving!! Maybe you should consider that for your bathroom remodel mom and dad... :)

Yoga update

Now I know why they call this place My-SORE. Day three of yoga and there is progress! It's nutty here. Here's a link to a YouTube video demonstrating the warm-up we go through 5 times before beginning the Ashtanga primary series. The man teaching is Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the founder of the method and of the school that I am attending in Mysore.

Ashtangaaaaaaa

OOooooo what a sweet little shady spot I've gotten myself into. I have ESCAPED the hustle and bustle of Mysore (Lonely planet was lying when they said that Mysore was a lovely city that rewards a slower pace- It does seem to be a tourist spot for Indians, but it is crowded, loud, littered, and has street after street after street of little shops containing every trinket you can imagine except the ones you're looking for) and now I find myself in pleasant Gokulam, about 4 km west of the city. Here there are very nice houses, big trees lending shady streets, quaint neighborhood shops, and tons of yoga people from 'round the world. Which is why I've here too, as yesterday I signed up for a month of instruction at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute (http://ayri.org). I've found a wonderful room to stay in on the upper level of a family home, and the women who live there were thrilled that I wanted to cook with them, so I'm headed home soon to learn some dish I'd never heard of. I'm sure it will be delicious though. If not delicious, at least spicy.

Today was my first day of class, we started with the first three parts of the Ashtanga sequence. I was a bit intimidated- the shala is a large room that fits 50+ students at a time and many of the students are quite advanced. In my "beginner" group there are several yoga instructors (does that make me a double beginner?). I'll try to explain the scene a bit better in a day or so when I've got a better grasp on it.

I'm in a wonderful spot though. Right now I'm sipping on a papaya mint lemon honey smoothie in the most incredible email garage joint you can imagine. Supposedly the banana chocolate peanut butter smoothies are where it's at, but unfortunately I'll have to miss out on those. This is definitely the social hub of the yogalites with a full restaurant, cooking classes, juice bar, wifi, and at this time of day 5 people outside waiting for me to finish this blog so they can have a turn. Poochie the Daschund is keeping them company though.

To my family that worries, have no fear! I have arrived! I'll send some pictures soon. Things couldn't be better, I am loose with the big smiles... and the funny thing is, everyone smiles back.
LOVE to you all.

TRAIN-love. Sat, Jan 12th.

I simply ADORE the train. Prior to the trip from Bombay to Bangladore I was not so sure about the 24 hour trip ahead of me, but it was unreal. It seemed like a good glimpse into the true nature of the country. The train station in central Bombay stood amidst impossibly large English Colonial buildings, clearly showing age but maintaining such an exotic air that I half expected to see jeweled elephants carrying loads of ripe bananas or basketed royalty marching by. but no. I had to make do with just the architecture and the stately palms. The train left the station and made several stops in the outskirts of the city to let on new passengers and vendors selling hot chai in little cups (5 rupees! ~13 cents), cookies, buttermilk, samosas, etc. We rode through miles and miles of slums- grey cloth and scrap cities surrounded by rubble and trash. People everywhere with seemingly nothing to do. Occasional new highrise apartments or projects rose out of the mire, with green manicured shrubs on each floor corner and on the roof. I wondered about who lived there.

The landscape gradually began to change, taking on a look similar to parts of Southern California. Instead of big oaks though, the trees were massive mimosas. A giant rock plateau to the west formed a solid wall with colorful bands of soil and rock and later gave way to rolling hills with occassional settlements. Unbuilt cities of brick were laid out by women and children to dry in the sun, while the kilns that they fired them in were tended by men. Goats, roosters, cows, and peacocks roamed free. Train station platforms would fly by in bursts of color (the women!) and then greys and whites (the men) as if segregated by color instead of sex. Mountains gave way to plains, gave way to hills, gave way to the starry night, and I tucked into my sleeper berth for the night. Oh but not before lunch and dinner! Egg biryani twice for me, because I like hard boiled eggs a lot. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner cost me a total of 90 rupees, or about $2.15... plus 3 chai's and some cookies and some fruit... maybe $3 for the day.

I arrived into Bangalore this morning and hopped another train to Mysore. That train had better food than the first, fruit and nut biryani with raita and curd rice and pickled chilies. The landscape here is much more agricultural- coconuts and a seedling that I forget the name of used to make Roti. Mysore is bustling around me now. I've got a quaint hotel in town, and I'm headed out to do some exploring now.
More later!

Mumbai! Thursday, Jan 10th

Mumbai is loud, busy, crowded, crumbling, building, hot, colorful, full of new smells. I have not yet recovered to the flight over- I lie wide awake at night in the shadow of the distant sun outriding its western afternoon and listening to the sounds of the night here. There are so many. taxis honking until 2 in the morning, men calling to each other or singing ancient songs to the dark alley gods. I blink and suck air from the sweetly dark humid night, with such clarity of thought and energy that sleep doesn't even feel like a faint possibility. TONIGHT, though, it seems inevitable.

Yesterday and this morning I woke early and attended a Satsang held in Ramesh S. Balsekar's apartment. Tom Thompson in Southern Pines referred me there and I found myself in a small apartment with 30 or so other travelers and Indians, many of whom have been in attendance on and off for many years, listening to this 84+ year old man's concept of God's will or cosmic law and our connection with it. It is heavily based in the idea that we are in essence non-doers (though our egos incline us to believe otherwise), incapable of altering God's will that lives and acts through us. We can act, but we have no control over the outcome, whether it means success, failure, or is beyond our expectations. so the answer is simply to do what you feel like you should do in each moment, trusting in God's will, and attributing your own free will to your genes and past conditioning, neither of which you can alter (though conditioning is always evolving). By accepting that you are incapable of doing anything on your own (since the ego as a seperate entity is illusory) you absolve yourself from guilt and blame, and can have harmonious relationships with the other instead of one based in rivalry, fear, distrust, jealousy, etc. It was very interesting stuff. Very interesting dialogue, with old Ramesh driving his concept home. After question and answer everyone goes to a nearby cafe for chai and lunch. That's how I came to find the private guest house I'm staying in. The little old couple who owns the flat is very sweet and the place feels very safe.

Today I went to the train station and booked a ticket to Bangalore in the morning. it's a 24 hr trip, so you won't hear from me for a day mom and dad. I leave tomorrow morning, 9:30 PM thursday night for you. I will likely stay there for at least a night and then plan to go to Mysore in the mountains to escape the heat (supposedly it's not even hot yet). I'll let you know when I change cities.

This afternoon I went to the Mahalaxmi temple on the shore, dedicated to the Goddess of wealth. I checked my shoes outside and waited in line with hundreds of women heavy laden with fresh flower garlands, coconuts, and lotus flower offerings. The men's line was significantly shorter. I pressed a rupee coin to the back of the temple wall with my thumb and it stuck (apparently a sign of imminent wealth- good, I need it) and got dabbed on the forehead with orange powder at the Hanuman temple. It was really a beautiful and colorful ritual to observe. VIBRANCY!

will write again in a few days.