A list of things I love about life in India...9 Temples

Number 9 on my list of  things I love about Life in India is...

Temples

There is something magical about the temples of India. For me they have become sanctuaries. I honestly believe to cultivate a relationship with higher self, God, source, the universe whatever you want to call it you do not need anything but the stillness of your mind and the whispers of your heart. But the energy around you can either support or thwart your spiritual growth. Where I live in India there are over 5000 ancient temples and many new modern ones. Many of these structures have become sanctuaries for me. A place of refuge, a space where I can absorb some pretty beautiful positive vibes and enjoy the peaceful, or intense bhakti energy, depending on my mood determines the temple I visit at any given time.

When I want entertainment, fun and tasty cake I visit ISKCON; the Hare Krishna temple as we would refer to it in North America, here in my town it is called the "Angrez Mandir" which literally translates to the "foreigner temple." Most locals don't attend this temple but it was one of my first experiences with deity worship and someday I'll share the story but I feel I have a bond there, plus its often the only time I see other white people!



I'll admit to my Christian friends I sometimes feel like Jesus did in Matthew 21:12 "And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers and seats of those who were selling doves. And he said to the them "It is written, MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER"; but you are making it a ROBBERS DEN." when I enter this temple sometimes I'm saddened and disgusted how God is for sale but then it's not my place to judge if I want to live true to ancient texts. So instead I view it for what it is to me; a place of connection, a bhakti high and a source of entertainment all in the name of divine love.

Here is a video clip from the Kirtan that takes place daily;

Then there are the quiet out of the way temples that many outsiders don't even hear about, ones that feel so ancient and are picturesque to me of what India looks like. Your soul can't help but be transported to a deeper more knowing place of love and connection.

I always find in these lesser known temples there is a sense of history,I can feel the energy that existed long before I did. I often feel like I'm transported back in time, it brings out the spiritual adventurer in me.

I've been privileged being married to a local, some of these temples are tucked away and one may not even realize it's a place of worship. I feel blessed to be exposed to their beauty and gifted with their energy.

And I know this will sound a little strange but when the deity connects with me, through eye contact, a wink or even a smile, words whisper from my heart and I know I'm on the right path. Many of these powerful beacons call to my heart and I can't get them out of my head until I visit, whenever I heed the call and find my way to them I'm usually gifted with a new insight into my world, my life and my true nature.




"You may pray for an hour and still not pray. You may meet God for a moment and then be in touch with him all day." ~ Fredrik Wisloff

"In worship an increased power steals its way into your heart, an increased compassion grows in the soul. To worship is to change." ~ Richard J Foster

I lead a number of retreats yearly in our Holy Area exploring the off the beat temples and sacred areas most travel guides don't even mention, if you'd like more information make sure to "like" and "follow" Balanced Soul on facebook or email 1balancedsoul@gmail.com


There is still more to come in this series be sure to check back regularly...

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A list of things I love about Life in India...8 sunsets

Number 8 on my list of what I love about living in India is...

The Indian Sunset

I admit I love a sunset anywhere and have been privileged to witness some of the most famous sunsets in the world, think Hawaii or the Hiking the Inca Trail in the Andes and I'm always grateful for the beauty, night after night after night, the Indian sunset rarely disappoints!

"It's almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream" ~ Bern Williams







Whenever I take the time to watch the red sun fall sleepily into the earth there is an extra sense of peace that transpires, I always invite the guests of our Spiritual Guesthouse in Vrindavan to join me in the garden or on our rooftop for the meditative experience.









"Never waste any amount of time doing anything important when there is a sunset outside that you should be sitting under" ~ C.JoyBell. C













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A list of things I love about living in India...7 Health Care

When compiling this list some of the things that came to mind were actually quite surprising, in this case number seven might even bewilder some of you.

Health Care

It shouldn't be a shock considering some of the best doctors we have in North America are of Indian decent. I'll admit it was overwhelming to me the first time I went to the doctor here in my Holy town; the line ups, lack of scheduled appointments, crowd of other patients in the examination room, others attempting to peek in past the curtain awaiting their turn, it seemed like chaos as I waited for them to call my number, on the verge of tears I was ready to run back to Canada.



Then I met the doctor, I was there because I was pregnant and had been suffering with loose motion for four days. She was quick to assess, checking only my eyes and tongue then writing her prescription. There were five items, I was kinda pissed, worse then my Canadian doctor who thinks antibiotics is a cure for hunger!

I refused to allow my husband to purchase any of the medicines until I did some research online. Turned out she had only prescribed one "medicine" similar to a pepto bismal, other four were an Iron, B12, Folic Acid combination for my pregnancy, as well as a protein powder supplement, we are vegetarians and this would be a normal suggestion among most medical professionals. Electrolytes to keep me from dehydrating and acidophilus which was to help the good bacteria in my system. Having relied heavily on naturopaths in Canada I was thrilled to meet a Medical Doctor who apparently understood healing with nutrition! Because of my experience I chose to have her deliver my second child in India and she delivered via c-section in less than 20 minutes.

While my encounters with Indian doctors have been positive I have butted heads. One of my first trips to India left me feeling quite ill after a few weeks of being here. For two weeks I battled loose motion then developed a cough and cold. I was doing an Ayurvedic course and after two weeks of being ill, but still in great spirits I might add, the doctor looked me in the eye and said "it's all in your head."  How dare he, I cried in my room. I was doing everything I was told, eating the right foods, resting during the prescribed time, enduring the treatments, I didn't know why I wasn't getting better but I sure as hell knew it wasn't in my head!

Years later and living in this culture I get it. The doctors and my husband have taught me about honoring my body but not agonizing in it. Nobody believes that laying around feeling sorry, telling yourself over and over again how sick you are is going to help you feel better. You need to focus your mind on feeling good, I don't always succeed at this but I'm getting better.  They believe the best medicine is sunshine, it's key to a healthy body, along with fresh home cooked foods and lots of warm water. That topped with what my Mom always taught me; let a fever run its course, do not to push yourself especially when your sick, don't feel guilty if you don't "get it all done today" and always find time for naps :)

I've always said finding a balance between east and west would make for a perfect life, and this is what I've been striving for since my move to India and while my health is still not where I'd like it to be, it is heading in the right direction!


More to come in this series, and I'd love to hear from you what you love about the place you live?

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A list of things I love about living in India...6 ~ Suits and Sari's

Next in my series on what I love about living in India is...

Suits and Sari's

The simplicity and elegance of the sari and comfort and ease of the suit take the stress out of fashion for me. Years in and I'm really just coming into my own sense of style. When I made the decision to marry a traditional Indian boy I also agreed to go all in, which meant covering myself in non sexy Indian garb. My husband is of the old school thought that my body should only been adored by him and like many men in his culture the thought of another man coveting his wife is not something he can take in stride. 


After marriage I was to wear only sari's for the first few weeks, my mother in laws rules. I got off easy my oldest Sister in Law had to wear a sari every day for one year! But hubby said enough was enough and while in the home I could convert to wearing suits and only during outings for the first six  months I was to wear a sari. Part of me resisted of course, no Canadian girl is going to like being told what I can and cannot wear but then I realized I loved this man, and it didn't matter what I had on, heck it's not like he was asking me to wear a burqa and truth be told I love him enough that I would! Once I surrendered it was actually nice, I always feel so feminine wrapped in this beautiful timeless fabric.

My husband admitted the first time he saw me in a sari he wanted to marry me on the spot. I can say the same, when I saw him in a traditional India suit for the first time, my heart skipped a beat, it was like looking at eternal love itself.













Suits can be ready made or purchased as material pieces then sewn together by a tailor to your specifications. My tastes and requirements have changed over the years. There are fancy party suits which I have yet to purchase, I still opt for a sari when we are heading out to any special functions but for everyday suits it can feel like you are sitting around in your pajama's all day, and that can make any girl, especially a Mom chasing two toddlers quite happy!

Stay tuned for the next installment in my series "What I love about living in India"

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A list of things I love about living in India...5 ~ Co-sleeping

Next on list is of What I love about living in India is...

Co-sleeping

I love that it is the cultural norm. I can remember decades ago one of my Canadian family members opting to co-sleep and the judgment that was passed based purely on ignorance, I now think I understand what they were trying to accomplish!

My daughter was born in India and they just put her in the bed beside me, there was no other bed brought in for her. It was accepted and expected that she would sleep beside me. My son who was born prematurely in Canada was given his own bed when he was finally released to my room. And although from day one I was encouraged by the doctors and nurses to cuddle and even nap while seated together they were not impressed by my choice to co-sleep.

There is still much debate and I've heard it all and of course the biggest concern is suffocation when a parent rolls over onto the child, but nowhere in my research have I ever encountered a mother or father doing this, unless of course there were drugs or intoxicants involved. SIDS is another factor but interestingly India has one of the lowest numbers of SIDS internationally according to the world health organization.

Some articles claim it breeds dependence and narcissistic tendencies which may or may not have merit. I can admit that the members of my Indian family do not seem as independent as the members of my Canadian clan but India culturally is different that way. Sons do not often move out of the home and when they marry their wives move into the family unit to help take care of the elder members. Daughters marry and move in with their spouses.

I read in a book once and for the life of me cannot recall the name of it about the stages of development in chakras there are also many sites here on the internet that discuss it as well but basically the first seven years of a persons life involve the development of the root chakra which is our base. Our security. In the ancient text that I read it explained the importance of keeping our infants close so they know they are always safe. Many of the imbalances we have in the west are attributed to an imbalance in this chakra. While Indians, although not without their own issues, are among some of the most grounded people I have encountered. It is one of the comments I get regularly about my children when we are back in Canada "your children are so grounded."

I don't know if it's right or wrong but what I do know is I love having my babies next to me, I love listening to them breath and hearing them giggle in their sleep, I love being able to watch them and the random snuggles. It feels right for me and being instantly available for them if they need me for any reason throughout the night is a gift I can offer in hopes it will make them into the secure little beings I am trying to raise.

Another post is on it's way in this series so stay tuned!

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