Once again, I have managed to become the perpetual discontent in the family. My longings for our "permanent home" have darkened our experiences here in India since, say, the end of January.
I don't feel able to enjoy my temporary surroundings. I am not able to "be present".
I will try a new tack next week. I have signed up for a beginning course in Watsu, or Liquid Flow water therapy for six afternoons . Ajay and I both had sessions this past week - kind of like guided underwater Tai Chi. I had visions of mermaids swirling through blue-green sprirals. And I think I will also participate in a "Nia" workshop: "dancing-moving-healing-fitness" which is offered at complementary times (mornings and some evenings the same week). Someone quite different might emerge after all these workshops...
As it stands, without having been ill or even trying to lose weight, I am a good 40 pounds lighter than when I left the US last summer. I attribute this entirely to a change in lifestyle and diet. We have had no motor vehicle (until we came to Auroville!), and lived on the 2nd floor in Udaipur. Lots of walking and biking. I have eaten what has been served me (i.e. what dal/subzi Ramreet made up), which meant that sometimes I liked it and sometimes not. Most days since we came here I have been hungry. The days that something tasty has been put before me, I have eaten a healthy amount, felt overstuffed and only nibbled at the following meal. Here in Sadhana Forest, there is no oil, no sugar, no animal products whatsoever. Ajay is becoming a reluctant vegan, but Violet continues to happily eat whatever there is - often being extremely positive in her reviews. She weighs about the same as before. Satya is taller and leaner by far. And Tara continues to be our lightwieght, surviving now on bananas, potatoes and lots of salt.
Right now, my thoughts revolve around how we will re-settle in the US. There are certainly many aspects of US life that I miss, but I cringe at the thought of the consumer society that I gladlyt left behind.
