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'Drift through the skies, as souls collide, cont.' Sunday, 18 May 2008 - Bir, Himachal Pradesh, 20:46 pm During our time relaxing in the Tibetan colony of Bir, in Himachi Pradesh, we had some fun entertaining the kids there. Stef who I am traveling with at the moment, used to be a professional clown for ten years, doing magic for kids. He is also a Paul McKenna style hypnotist, where he creates a show on stage making people do funny things, whilst hypnotized. So, when walking around town, Stef finds it very entertaining to gather together a group of very enthusiastic kids to show some magic to. These kids then wouldnÕt leave us alone for about 25 minutes, asking for just one last trick. A few days later we make a visit to the Tibetan monks temple, and yet again, out comes the magic disappearing ribbon, & coin. Next thing you know we have a crowd of about 50 monks, all fully mesmerized by Stef's magic show. Very funny. But it didnÕt stop there, on our last day Stef had arranged to do a special show for the local school, after their morning assembly. We turned up just in time
to see the end of the whole school singing their Tibetan anthem, which was really wonderful, listening to them all singing so passionately & loudly.
'The kundalini of a smiling enlightened Yogi' Bhagsunag, Dharamsala 5:48 pm Next up I caught a taxi over to Dharamsala, which was about 50 km away, whilst Stef flew there on his paraglider. Dharamsala is home to the Dalai Lama, and also half of IraelÕs backpacker community. Its a place where people come for spiritual enlightenment, through meditation, Yoga, and various other holistic & alternative therapies. It is located high up in the mountains of Western Himachal Pradesh.
As soon as I arrived it started raining, heavily, and didnÕt stop for a few hours. I waited for Stef to arrive with his paraglider, as he had landed in Dharamsala, and my driver had driven me further up to McLeod Ganj. So, we beat him by about 5 minutes, which is pretty impressive, on StefÕs part. As soon as he arrived we spoke to a Canadian girl Abbey, who told us about cheap accommodation further up the mountain, in Bhagsu. We ended up staying in the same guesthouse for Rs 60 each, which is
80 pence per night. Yes, less than £1.
After some time exploring and relaxing, I decided to try a 10 day Yoga detox, after meeting with a Yogi Baba in a restaurant. When we asked him where he was from, he said he has no home, and spends his life traveling India, teaching Yoga & Reiki. He than went on to explain that he was found in a nearby temple as a small child, and was introduced to the Yogi way of life from the age of 15. So, I thought that it could be interesting to learn some things from him. I also decided it would be a good time to take my Reiki I & II courses during the same time. My passed couple of days have involved waking up at 7 am, getting to the Yoga centre for 8 am, drinking six glasses of salt water, which are to be released straight away, with the help of Mrs PalmerÕs three daughters running to the back of the esophagus, followed by the clearing of the nose, using an AladdinÕs lamp style watering funnel. After that we do an hour and 30 minute intense Yoga session. And then
another in the evening. In between I have been learning the art of Usui Reiki.
After here I really wanted to visit South India, but have been told that itÕs the worst time to visit, as firstly its too hot, and next week is the beginning of the monsoon season, so everything is closed down, and there is no one around. This has got me thinking that maybe I will move across the top of India, heading towards Nepal, China & Thailand, possibly over land. This will really depend on Visa requirements for passing through Bhutan, Burma etc.
Tales from the Yogi A head full of honey; I was told about how some YogiÕs cut the little bit of skin under their tongue, to enable them to pull at it & increase the length, so that they can reach through their nose and into the brain area, where there lies two small bags. The first bag is normally left open, and is full of toxins which sometimes drip down, and give you a cold, or headache etc. The other bag is always closed, but contains a magical ingredient. It is said to take years to
train your body & mind to allow the tongue to pass the nose cavity, which will stop you from breathing. So, you need to learn to stop breathing for a few hours. Then your tongue will reach up into the brain area. As you make your way towards these two bags, the toxic bag closes, and the second bag opens releasing a honey, which if you have just one drop, will stop you from feeling the need for food, or sleep. And you will also not get sick in any way.
Standing Baba's; For those of you who have read Gregory David Robert's book 'Shantaram', there is such a thing as a Standing Baba. Standing Baba's, worships Lord Shiva, the god of destruction, and devote their lives to standing forever. The eat, sleep & shit standing up. Their legs become like tree trunks, as their blood roots them to the ground. They constantly smoke stone chillumÕs full of Charas & KasmiriÕs finest herbs, to stay closer to God. Apparently their are not so many anymore due to the fact that most of them will need to have their legs amputated at some point. They use a rope &
board, which hangs from the ceiling, and they lean on so that they can sleep standing up. There are also similar Baba's who never sleep, and have to stay awake by using a special Yoga technique.
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Vil
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Following the enchanted journey!
Hey mate, glad to see that you are enjoying India. Making me want to come and join you! Keep updating it man, I'm starting to get the bug of reading it!