Distracted Mind - Injured body
November 11th 2007 22:41
The Ashram
In addition to the mental denizens diligently distracting me, random aches and spasms, ancient injuries and bizarre new sensations would attack my body at regular intervals, disrupting my tenuous concentration and setting me off on whimsical revelries. I would be settling into a deep calm when suddenly a sensation that hot burning fluid was flowing through my left calf would jerk me back to the earthly plane. I would stoically resist the urge to scream, but surreptitiously shifting my body weight to relieve the agony would earn a reproachful glare from the Swami. I could only look on with envy at the statuesque poses of some of the more seasoned acolytes. Swami explained how one could employ a variety of techniques to stem the flow of unbidden thoughts. I tried counting backwards from 100, observing my breath and visualising myself sitting alone on a beautiful, deserted beach. It was very difficult to assess my progress in meditation. It seemed to me I was achieving nothing, but it would be impatient and impertinent of me to present my frustrations to Swami or Babji after only one or two weeks efforts. I decided to persist.
It was easier to measure my progress in the Yoga sessions. After a week my heels were getting closer to the ground in down-faced dog pose, I was in less pain kneeling on the floor in Thunderbolt position and my breathing during the Pranayama was becoming less forced and more natural. These were arduously accrued achievements. Unfortunately, in my eagerness to improve I was a little overzealous in my exertions, resulting in a strain in my groin. I was out of the yoga action for at least a week! I was devastated, as I wanted to continue this healthy journey I had embarked upon. I needed to find an equally beneficial and yogic pastime. On a walk to the Ganga I noticed a sign for Panchakarma, a 10 day Ayurvedic cleansing experience. As a Hindu Neophyte, a punch in the karma sounded like something I could use.
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medicinal system which literally means ‘the science of life’. It is reputedly the world’s oldest healthcare system. Panchakarma, from what I could gather, involves daily massages, shirodhara - where warm oil is dripped slowly and delectably onto the forehead and of course induced vomiting, enemas, fasting and special dieting. What joy! The dieting was not especially strict, except for the days before and during enemas, so I would not be missing out on all the glorious food available and the massages sounded exquisite. After discussing it with Alicia, we both booked in for our extreme detox and holistic health course . . .
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