Living at Phool Chatti Ashram

"A man should remain man and yet should become woman; similarly, a woman should remain woman and yet become man. This means that man should cultivate the gentleness and the discrimination of woman; and woman should cast off her
timidity and become brave and courageous"

M. Gandhi

I invite you to listen to my mantra (I sang and recorded this powerful mantra as I was nestled in the rocks on the banks of the holy river Ganga) while you read today...

I am now just out of the Phool Chatti Ashram for a few hours. Every time I leave I am excited about getting back - mainly because it is so beautiful, the air is fresh and clean, and there is such a family feeling.  Today, is a wonderful blessing.  My niece Tanya is traveling India for 6 months and she arrived in Rishikesh.  We got together for a great meal and she stayed at the ashram for 3 days.  I have known Tanya since she is 4 years old and here she is now grown up traveling on her own. 

A short update today.

I got to practice Karma Yoga - meaning self-less service giving without anything in return and it was a learning and fun experience. My role has been greeting the people as they come into the ashram, getting them oriented to everything, being a resource should anyone require assistance, (thank goodness for that health food store I brought), leading the Karma Yoga practice during the yoga program (this is cleaning, sweeping and other normal household-like duties), and assisting and teaching in the Hatha and Ashtanga yoga classes.

In addition, I get to manage the library and pick flowers from the garden to make flower arrangements for the tables, office and temple - this is a form of Bhakti Yoga or devotional yoga. Besides being surrounded by beautiful mountains, trees and Maa Ganga, the gardens and flowers are exquisite. Swami G who has been head of this ashram now for about 35 years is an avid gardener. The dahlias are beautiful, colourful and always smiling. 

There were about 25 people in the last program. This includes a group of 10 Korean women from a large yoga institute in Seoul who had just arrived in India and came directly to the ashram. They could not speak a word of English, which made my role very interesting - especially the first day.

Their Indian guide did not give them much information about the guidelines of the ashram and had told them to bring electric blankets and heaters. This ashram is outside of town and at the end of the power line. This means....it can not handle much load. We can only use the power in the rooms for small things like cell phone, camera etc....

The use of cooking, electric blankets, heaters and hair dryers blew the power out the first night. The women had just come from the airport direct to the ashram and were so very excited about their vacation...which was to be vacation and yoga. Others that had been staying at the ashram had really been enjoying the peace and quiet adhering to the guidelines and suddenly !!!!!

Being in the ashram is like a microcosm of the world. There are so many nations and cultures represented. I love to observe the interactions and, of course, the reactions.

Suddenly I was learning Korean terms. Hand signals and trying to figure out the language just did not cut it so I decided that if I am really the essence of the divine (and we are all part of that divine) then I can tap into the resource of the Korean language and communication by vibrational frequency. This is what I focused on and slowly and surely things started to change. We became such good friends.

After a few days, we finally figured out that they thought I was the Swami Ji. There were many funny things like that. After, some of the ashram staff started to call me Valma Ji. How funny this all is.

The day before the Korean ladies were to leave the program (one day early) they came to me and said that the big boss Yun that organized the trip realized that this ashram had provided them with much more than just yoga. They had an incredible spiritual experience and she now wants to bring other students from her Korean school only to Phool Chatti, now bypassing the Indian guide and dealing directly with the ashram. I was then to organize and translate the connection for this to happen. My heart is singing with joy knowing that I could be a part of this transformation for them.

It really does go to show that words in the same tongue are not always necessary in the process of personal development.

I love each and every one of these beautiful women. So much fun, willing to learn, growth, change and have FUN while doing it.

We completed the program yesterday with a special fire ceremony. I missed my new Korean friends...especially during photos. It is the closest I get to any whisky these days. They use this term with the peace sign when they get their photo taken.

I was given roses, pineapples, a Korean money bill of $10000 (which is $10) for good luck, smiles and many hugs.

Just a few notes about the yoga program at Phool Chatti Ashram.

I am up at 5am doing my own Qigong practice and then the bell goes at 5:30am. We are in silence from when we get up until 12:30 after lunch. We meet at the yoga hall for silent meditation then chanting followed by the Kriya called Jala neti (nasal cleansing with warm salty water). It might not look pretty but it sure does clean out the nasal passages.

After our morning ritual, we head back for Pranayama (breathing techniques) followed by a Hatha Yoga class. Breakfast is warm cereal with bananas (I am just about to head to the market for more local honey and fruits to supplement this).

Karma Yoga at 10am and 10:30 is our contemplative silent walk in the mountains and to the rivers for bathing, drawing, writing or meditations.

Lunch is served at 12:30 with free time until 3pm. Then it’s Santsang (a gathering to share wisdom and spiritual teachings) for one hour followed by a full-on Ashtanga Yoga class.

Shiva Temple prayer is at 6pm with the gathering around the fire for singing. Dinner is at 7pm. Finally, the evening is capped off with a guided meditation from 8 to 9pm. Yes, now it is time for rest and sleep.

Besides the excitement of the people that I was blessed to spend time with at the yoga program, I was especially delighted to witness the full moon rising above the local mountains surrounding the ashram. My favorite was watching the full moon set over the holy river Ganga. I was sending a special wish to my family when a falling star dropped from behind the moon, cascading along the moonlit sky.

I would say my biggest learning this week has been one of discipline. Being in the ashram and in India in general has turned my focus and attention to Being very mindful about taking good care of my body, mind and soul.

My diligence in taking the grape seed extract and other natural products has helped me stay very healthy. I have seen many others with stomach, head and other ailments that just have not been a part of my experience. Being up early every day, meditating, exercising, and staying focused has been great.

What keeps me going and staying focused living an inspiring life? This quote comes to mind.

"Discipline is built by consistently performing small acts of courage. Will power is the essential virtue of a fully actualized life."

I guess I still have some work to do - I still love chocolate! and other things too.  That reminds me of another story.

One day a few of us decided to go for a walk during break time.  Randy had been to Phool Chatti before and knew of a beautiful waterfall.  I really wanted to see it and tagged along.  The walk was high up along the upper road.  Anyways, there was a young man in his mid twenties that was walking beside me and was asking questions about energy, the universe and law of attraction.  How to practice and really understand it all.  We all came to a small place selling chai tea and decided to sit awhile.  A few of the folks decided to head back since lunch was going to be served at 12:30 and my friend and I wanted to see the waterfall since we had walked some way. Randy said "oh it is just around the corner."  They headed back and we started walking. My new friend was getting anxious to see the waterfall and also have lunch.  We walked and walked and no waterfall it was now 12:10.  I told him that we had a chance to really put the law of attraction into practice.  Where I put my attention, energy goes and results show.  "Just relax," I said.  I dug around in my pocket and found 8 Rs (not very much but all I had - 40 Rs to $1 cdn)  I told my friend that my intention was to get a ride that was 8 RS or free and we would ride in style with class and be back before lunch was served.  "How can this be possible," he laughed. A few cars went by with full loads..the next car I put my thumb out and it was a beautiful brand knew SUV.  It stopped and we were invited inside for the ride.  A chauffer and  three other men from Delhi visiting a local temple. Only a few moments later we were also offered French wine in lovely glasses.  Now I had not seen wine for some time since it is not sold in the area....our guests insisted.  My friend looked at me in amazement and said "I did not expect this kind of style"   We saw our friends still walking, as we passed we waved, smiled and held up our glass of wine in a toast.  Both of us arrived back to the ashram by 12:25 just in time for lunch.   Now that is how the law of attaction and the power of intention really works.

Ok, I am off to the market now to get my beautiful fresh oranges, apples, candles, papayas and other good things for my next 10 days. I will be out on December 26th heading back to Haridwar for one night and then on the overnight train to the City of Lights – Varanasi.

My invitation to you -

Embrace the present
Live in the Now
Savor the gift of the Present
Savor the Journey
and Live each day as if it is your Last!

Merry Christmas to you and your family - have a toast for me.

One last note. Just the other day I was sitting on the rooftop enjoying the warm sunshine. It was Dec 12th and I was thinking about the 12 days of Christmas and a partridge in a pear tree. All of a sudden I heard a cow bell that caught my attention towards the mountain where there is a small narrow road. I saw two cows and a man behind with a beautiful bushy green Christmas tree. I can see the partridge now. 

Thinking of you all with love and light. Valma

Phool Chatti Ashram Life

Hari Om....

The Phool Chatti Ashram is 121 years old and lies at the scenic confluence of the holy Ganga and Hem rivers in the Himalayan foothills above Rishikesh. It is located along an ancient pilgrimage route into the headwaters of the holy Ganga. This site was considered ideal for an ashram to provide spiritual travelers with food and rest. As a result, Phool Chatti Ashram was founded in the late 1800s by the spiritually awakened sadhu, Sri Devi Dayal Ji Maharah, to serve his fellow sadhus and other pilgrims venturing into sacred territory.

The Phool Chatti Ashram lies on the banks of the holy river Ganga and is surrounded by beautiful gardens, lush forest, tranquil waterfalls and a bounty of animals. Phool means flower and Chatti means resting spot.

The Phool Chatti Ashram offers a unique 7-day intensive Yoga Retreat including meditation, Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga, Karma Yoga, Pranayama, Pujas, chanting, contemplative walks and living in true ashram life. Lectures on the Power of Now and other interesting topics are also included.

The Phool Chatti Ashram is a very spiritual location and only attracts those who are ready to expand their consciousness and to remember who they really are. The vibrational frequency here is very high. I am grateful for this divine connection.

I have had numerous emails asking me if I have ascended. The Words from the great Indian Philosopher "Pantanjali" really do sum up my experience.

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all of your thoughts break their bonds: your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces facilitates and talents become alive and you discover yourself to be a greater person that you ever dreamed to BE."

I have discovered that I seek and love the connection with the essence of great spirit. I am Universal and Supreme consciousness. I do require my body to have the most profound experience here on earth. I am an instrument of this consciousness expressing through who I am in the NOW!

Since arriving here at the Phool Chatti Ashram, our Swami Lalita Ji has invited me to stay and live the ashram life offering my gifts through Karma Yoga. I will be assisting her, teaching, learning and BEING the instrument and essence of divine source in this unique program. When she told me that my vibration was operating at a very high level and asked if I would stay, I was not sure in that moment since I had committed to going to the second ashram.

She smiled and said, "go to the Holy Ganga and sit with her. She will guide you". And this is what I did.

While listening to Maa Ganga, another message came to me clearly from a book that I read at the ashram. The book is called "The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari". In this book it talks about self less survive and giving to others that ask. The message came loud and clear for me to stay on for the next two weeks.

There are two more programs each with about 30 people until Dec 24th. Sitting around the evening fire, I told Lalita Ji (Ji means respect) that Maa Ganga had given me guidance to stay. She smiled with a look of joy and even seemed excited and delighted to have another woman assisting with her - well as much as a Swami can get.

Lalita Ji told me that she had put out an intention to attract more special people to assist in the ashram. Her last words to me before bed were, "We will give to each other and receive from each other. Completing the cycle." Now I practice Karma Yoga - self less service, utilizing all of my skills and learning many new ones too.

Today, I took the day off to play with Ashram students rafting on the holy river Ganges. Here are some of my playmates.

Another fun story. The drive to the launching spot took us on the upper road above where the ashram is located. I was in the back of the jeep - lucky not to be looking out the front - it was scary enough seeing everything out of the back. Making our way up a narrow windy road, it was like we flew up the Ganges River.

Upon arrival to the launching spot, the young man we had for the guide seemed a bit militant and grumpy. I decided that I would change my perspective. "Excuse me", I said with a big smile and enthusiasm. "What is your name? Raskesh "…and are you happy today? He looked at me and said sure mame?

Shortly after he pointed at me and told me my position was at the very front of the boat - no paddle, only holding onto the rope - and my command when he called out "CENTER - GO OUT!" Well this means that I kneel down chest to the bow of the raft with head over the front.

Have you ever been in the front seat of a roller coaster? Maybe I did not paddle...but I did take all of the water over the bow through the rapids...such as the roller coaster, double trouble, tee off, the golf course. Needeless to say it was a blast. I just prayed that much more to Maa Ganga to look after me and know that I was playing with her with joy, ease and grace. In the past this would have been a challenge for me.

Now it is the final day here in town to get everything posted, banking, more TP, fruit, nuts and of course some chocolate. A few girls and I starting walking from the ashram to town and I put out that we could hitch a ride. Well, we did alright.

A jeep stopped that had about 40 people piled in…men, women and children. I wondered where we would fit. They really wanted us to come with them. We were positioned at the tailgate standing up holding on for dear life as we turned the switch back along the mountain road. I was wearing a bindi today - of course I was going to town and it was time to be clean and dressed up. They were all laughing and cheering. It was interesting to see them so curious.

In town I left the ladies and walked the 20 minutes to Ram Jhulla to get my banking completed. Along the way I found a bench and sat down to send off emails. Next minute I had 10 cows around me, nudging, rubbing and playing...they wandered off.

Then a family of 8 laughing and asking..."where you from? do you have Hindi music?" I played Hindi songs and chatted until the other 10 of the family came along. We sang, danced and met the grandmother, the mother, and sisters. They offered me popcorn and asked for a photo.

After they left, an older man came and sat with me. We chatted for a while and then he told me that now I am his new sister. It just seemed that I was attracting wonderful people into my space...like I had known them forever and meeting up like long lost pals.

The journey continued to still meet more people I had met previously. It has been a very pleasant fun day.

I have been focusing on Karma Yoga - the act of selfless serving. The words that ring for me:

Practice daily acts of kindness, give to those that ask, cultivate rich

relationships and self-lessly serve others.

Today, offering a smile and being enthusiastic and joyful about life has been an act of kindness. I noted that only a few people really asked me for something. For those I gave, either taking them to buy a chai or giving a few rupees.

Today, I was grateful to connect with my sweetie Clayton by skype. My computer has a camera so he was able to see me. Our connection was very clear and I felt a rich sense of cultivation and connection.

Now I leave for the Phool Chatti Ashram to self-lessly serve the 30 people that arrive tomorrow. I believe that the quality of my life comes down to the quality of my contribution.

Shukriya (thank you) to all of you that inspire, encourage and support me to realize my dreams.

I leave you with this one question and thought. "Are you living an inspiring life?"

Om Shanti!   Deep Peace