Rishikesh and Phool Chatti

hey friends and family!
just updating on the past bit of time...

arriving into rishikesh fresh off the train. stopping to sip some chai as we are first introduced to the himalayas. with the sunrise reflecting on mama ganga, i take a deep breath of fresh air and enjoy the peace and quiet that was longed for since i set foot in this country. as the morning approaches, musical chanting of mantras and ringing bells emanate through the breeze. indulging in the tranquility of fresh water and mountain air, we make ourselves at home in our temporary abode.

after a few days we venture off to phool chatti ashram. set in the foot of the himalayas, in the valley of the gods, this 120 year old ashram served and still serves as a resting point for the sadus on their way up to the gangotri pilgrimage. the energy of this place is indescribable and forceful in all the most beautiful ways. for 7 days we woke up at 5:30 in the morning for a day full of meditation, chanting, hiking, yoga, and connecting deep within until 9 in the evening. my mind is aligned with my straight spine as i inhale and exhale, detaching myself from the distractions within and without my physical being and losing sense of all "real time." mornings full of complete silence until after lunch, where the only noise is the thoughts in my head and the animals and nature around me. but the feelings inside overpower any thought that may attempt to interrupt this state of enlightenment. i have read eckhart tolles "power of the now" which has deeply impacted me, i have reflected and discovered more than i could have ever imagined, and my smile is beaming from india to the u.s.a. bathing in the most sacred and holy waters while mama ganga is flowing strongly next to me, within me, along my side and i feel at home and at peace deep within my soul. feeling connected with nature as i escape civilization and dive into solitude. waterfalls cascading through caves onto mountain sides covered with butterflies fluttering by fresh vibrant greenery. building a family of truly beautiful soles that will remain by my side for eternity. i have found a pure love within me that i thought i already had, uncovered fears that i didnt know existed, and opened doors to foreign places in the universe. learning to love myself and everyone and everything around me and knowing what spirituality feels like. detaching ego and all judgments and following intuitive feelings that will continue to guide me in this life.

it is so difficult to put the past 10 days into words but i am in a physical, mental, and emotional state that i have never experienced...BLISS! cleansing from the outside in...from my dreadlocks to my sole. yep...thats right...i have cut off all my hair and started fresh! i feel full of energy and pure light...check out the pics!www.flickr.com/photos/sarahjamie/

---

---