Temple Blessings & 0 Health and Safety

During this morning’s mantra and meditation class we practiced using a candle flame to meditate in smaller groups. We had our usual Pranayama, Ashtanga, philosophy, alignment then a bonus anatomy class, before an early finish.

Saturday is a half day teaching, so we went to explore the nearby Trayambakeshwar temple. We figured out the token system and made our donation to leave our shoes outside. We were admiring the shrines on the ground floor when we received a blessing (the trishula, a white trident shape, on our forehead, symbolising immense spiritual power, protection, and devotion). This also entailed giving the names of our family members to be written down and blessed, taking a sip of minty water (hopefully not from the Ganges 😅) and ingesting some large grains of sugar. We then climbed the 13 stories to the top and were treated to a panoramic view of the river.

After that, a jaunt across Lakshman Jhula bridge. The bridge is being renovated with zero health and safety apparent… the man using an angle grinder suspended by rope at great height whilst wearing flip flops above us was a surprise! Over breakfast a tractor and JCB started knocking a building down 3 doors up…quite the spectacle drawing in a small crowd (standing close by).

Over the bridge we admired the temple from the other side. A signature vista of Rishikesh, enjoyed only briefly as two girls walked briskly down the hill towards us advising they were being followed by a group of monkeys, so we scarpered before the 6 or so brown furry figures in the distance caused us any bother.

Before heading back to the school, we enjoyed drinks (coconut cooler for Rach and Kashmiri Kahwa [green tea with saffron] for me, and some grilled pineapple listening to a beautiful flute player at beMonk cafe.

A chilled evening ready for an early start tomorrow, an exciting excursion.

Teaching of the day:
Interesting discussions in philosophy about the differences between spirituality and religion. Religions require belief. Without belief they don’t exist. Truth does not ask for belief, it just shines through.Read more