india: what i am doing and why

It's true!

For those of you who don't know, I'm headed to India for three months to complete projects I created for undergraduate study. I had to buy the ticket first and do the planning second, otherwise I would have continued to make excuses as to why it was not practical to go. With student status it is the perfect time for this exploration! Now is the time to go so I will. Currently, my loans are in deferment, I don't have any pets, kids, or mortgages, and I'm pretty much set. Jes has given me both her blessing and showered me with thoughtful gifts that will be really useful in my travels, including a hand-bound journal with daily quotes, a laminated currency conversion chart and a hand-sewn pouch filled with first-aid supplies. True love it is. I say, "I want to follow my heart but it means leaving you for a while." She becomes excited for my adventure and encourages me to do it.

The projected average cost of $5-20 per day includes lodging, food, and some travel. This estimate does not include the plane ticket to and from India or the unexpected costs I've run into while making sure I have all the shots and goods to comfortably navigate the subcontinent. I've read that a $10 day/night may consist of bedbugs and no hot water. Sounds fine to me! My aim is to keep costs at $10 per day but am willing to spend more for safety, health, and adequate sleep (not planning on sleeping in train stations or skipping nights of sleep). I will report on things of this nature as they arise...

What I am doing:

Traveling will be fun. Half of the trip will consist of meeting people in specific places and doing specific things, the other half of my time will be solo (and remains unplanned). I won't be traveling and sightseeing as much as I will be settled into particular places for 2-3 weeks at a time and then moving onward. I hope to report on my experiences in such a way that is helpful to those who also might be interested in going to India.

My student project is perfectly from the heart. I am taking part in four areas of study:

Philosophy: Based on the words of Ramana Maharshi (and cross-referencing other works, including the ancient Yoga Sutras), I will ponder the "Self," the "I," and write papers about these concepts (how did I stumble upon this awesome life? Really? I am bursting with gratitude!)

Meditation: I will attend a workshop and conference on Yoga Nidra. Part of the workshop will be exploring the philosophy and spiritual aspects of this practice. The other portion will be more scientific, and we'll discuss practical applications of Yoga Nidra, studies that have taken place in the western world, and use EEG machines to record our brainwaves during various states of the meditation.

Dreams: I will be reading various theories on the significance of dreams, keeping a dream journal, and comparing waking, dreaming, and meditative consciousness (drawing from the philosophy and meditation portions of my contract). Basically, I want to explore the nature of reality, ahem... Reality (reality and Reality are two different things!)

Touring: I am meeting my professor and a couple of other students and visiting different places in Delhi, Sarnath, Varanasi and Rishikesh. My professor is planning a program in India in 2013 and we will be assessing places that may be placed into her program plan.

The story behind this, in brief:

While attending school I realized that I could study anything (within reason) and still have a bachelors degree. Yoga and meditation are far more beautiful to me than any of the other options, and discussing the meaning of existence is my favorite tangent! Once, during a significant moment of quiet I understood everything and nothing to be exactly the same. It made sense in a way that is experiential, so to put words to it actually turns it into something that it was not, so I'll stop here.

My practical reasons for going to college have been neatly tucked away (to be used for grad school instead). Now is the time to follow the heart and trust.

Choose Your Own Adventure

I created a fun blog for an assignment in school. Here it is! Have fun