Serenity

So I begin my dictation of my travels in India. Just returning from my ritualized morning yoga session, I have fifteen minutes before breakfast and I have decided to use it to write to you.

I apologize for not having kept my promise of periodically writing these blog entries. Much of my efforts have been to experience the here and now, letting my environment reflect on me rather than me reflecting on my environment. Only recently, let's say within two weeks, have I been able to accomplish this. My mind would have always been processing some irrelevant, irrational topic even amongst the wonders that I have been able to see and feel. In some way, I actually was not able to see and feel what I had wanted to because of the constant grind of irrationality that persisted until recently.

There is not much of a way to explain the change. Let us just hope that there will be no regression. Finally having a glimpse into what it feels like to live without worry, to have the mindset to not only be free of my emotions but to be free of having to be free of my emotions, I've decided that this will be my life goal. To learn to live perpetually in that state. There has been no other feeling that has been more serene. I was so overcome by this swell of bliss that all I could comprehend doing was putting on my favorite headphones and listen to the Blue Scholars, a hip hop group that I am completely enamored with.

So now that there exists a state in which I can freely think without false thoughts, let me tell you about where I am and what I've been doing.

I am currently residing at the Vivekananda Institute in the outskirts of Mysore city, about three hours southwest of Bangalore. There really isn't much in the area. No bars or clubs or anything else that we usually use to meet people. All our meals are provided for us. It is funny how vegetarian food seems to elicit other sobering measures into your lifestyle. I refuse alcohol, go to sleep by midnight and wake up just before the birds fly south everyday. The mornings are the most serene in India. The gradients in the sky cause the sunlight to seem like an orange rainbow. These atmospheric terraces also hold the color of the setting sun so that the blood red fire is held in sight long after the sun has already set.

Breakfast is ready. I'll write soon.