notes on dehradun

Thursday, July 10, 2008 -- day 5 -- 4 p.m.

No escape... spiders everywhere. A HUGE red one kept me up half the night on day 3. I was sure it was plotting to kill me in my sleep. It rains every day. Lemon water for dinner... I hope I'm losing weight. I vow to start jogging when I get home. There's no need for me to carry around all the excess lbs. I am supposed to be meditating in my pagoda cell right now. Am rebelling. This is nothing compared to my 1st course, cheating in so many ways. I keep looking forward. What's next? Lunch? Shall I take a "shower"? Fill up my water bottle? Must be present. But they really do beat you over the head with meditation. I can only take so much. Hence, I am here writing on the back of an ATM receipt. ...I miss home. Yesterday I slipped and cut my knee. It didn't hurt but I started bawling (quietly) because I'm so far from home and the course is so intense and I just felt like crying. It is beautiful here in the Himalayan foothills. I will survive... patiently and persistently, with perfect equanimity.

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Yesterday, I completed my second 10-day silent Vipassana meditation course. It was no easier the second time around, but in the end a great experience. And I met many wonderful people from all over the place. It's so wonderful when you get to start talking on the tenth day and hear everyone's stories. I am halfway through my journey in India and already so many happy surprises have occurred. I will be stationed in Leh for the next week at least, so will be able to write another update in a few days. Love to all my dear readers! Namaste...