Tree Prose

Geesh! Don’t be fooled. While rumor has it that tantric yoga may include some sacred, sexual practices, Kashmir Shivism, revered as the essence of tantra, is intensely philosophical and directly, at least in the beginning, focuses on the mind as in intellect, knowledge, etc. I have studied several kinds of yoga, focusing on different ‘things’…at YoHi on asana, at the monastery on meditation or dhyana, with Gangaji through satsang, on bhakti or devotion, but never have I encountered a teacher whose sheer ability to talk logically or mathematically, as it relates to the creation of the universe, for hours and hours and hours, repeating himself over and over, always in a different way, literally numbed my mind into silence. Reverse psychology?

Agama Yoga is a tantra yoga school near Pi-Pat’s. The Agamas are ancient tantric texts. The general yoga practice associated with the school, outside of this workshop, includes many aspects of yoga that are not always equally represented in schools in the west. In the first month, heck, on the first day, students are asked to look directly at the chakras, to move from them and to relate to these energetic constructions in the body. I am totally curious and inspired in yoga in a new way. What I have experienced is that when you are trying to do a posture from the movement of the muscles and bones, the mind rests in the muscles and bones. When you move from the breath, the mind rests on the breath…so clearly, when you move from the energetic centers, the mind rests on the energy. It is like discovering a new planet! Lots of energy!

The other huge revelation is this…many buddhist practices suggest that in order to attain a state of total peace, we (seekers;) must give up the physical world that inevitably leads to desire, attachment, pain. Buddhism and many other eastern religions say that householders are equally as important or spiritual in their efforts as monastics. However, in real life, the sensation is not so. My sense has always been that in order to be deeply spiritual, I’d have to go to a monastery or give up the physical world completely.

In tantra, the teaching is completely the opposite. They teach ways to use the physical world, desire, emotions, imagination, etc. in order to more deeply experience this peace. The energy of the manifested, physical world, in tantra is called shakti; also thought of as the female aspect, as in a woman…and also as in the feminine energy that exists equally in everything…this shakti, or the physical, created world is welcomed, necessary, fundamental for understanding or experiencing a state of real peace. To me, this was like a breath of fresh air…a big, big breath. You mean, I can be in this female body and celebrate and sing and dance and that is the practice, the teaching. This is good, good news.

For those of you who don’t practice yoga, I apologize that this entry is not so interesting. Please keep visiting!

Other than this workshop, I am meeting new friends, discovering the northern part of the island, and preparing for Maggie’s visit! Let this be a reminder, inspiration, invitation to meet up with me along this trip–Whenever and however it may work out in your schedule. Use me as an excuse!

Love and gratitude,
tp

Now in Koh Phangan staying near Haad Yao at Rock Garden-very simple, very cheap and it came with a kitty cat who can’t get enough lovin’- the best kind.

…very quiet here but the tantric yoga school is about to begin a six-month course and word is that bungalows are filling fast…still considering whether or not to join in. I am going to take class tonight to check it out…something tells me that if nothing else, this kind of yoga will give me loads to write about!

The primary reason for my coming to Thailand was to meet up with my friend Pi-Pat. Since I was here last, she and her husband have moved to a quieter part of the island, she quit work and is preparing to have a baby (many wishes to her to get pregnant soon).

Pi means big sister or aunt…she fits the role—wants me to stay near to her, she cooks for me, shows me around the island and is teaching me how to ride a motorbike. This morning after speaking of it for several days, I woke at 6am and met her and Pi-Doe (her husband) in front of the house to take food to the monks. She prepared fish, fried pork and vegetables and rice for them and we carried it in very nice dishes to where they stop and collect food for the one meal they eat every day. After putting the food in their rice bowls, we knelt before them and they said a prayer for us.

Next to the market to buy breakfast and for less than $2USD total we each had rice soup with pork and fried chicken and sticky rice- ‘thai style’ Yum! Yum!

Off to yoga class I go! more to come.

love to you,
tp

So,

We had bets going on the airplane regarding whether or not we were flying east or west to beijing from chicago…the guy behind me said, “i’ll bet you your uneaten pretzels that we are flying over the Atlantic”…i thought, but didn’t say, “my stepdad knows everything and he says we are flying over the Pacific…” BUT guess what, we were all wrong…we flew straight over the North Pole and seeing as it is that time of year, I did sneak a peak out of the window in hopes of seeing Santa and his reindeer.

Arrived in beijing, through intense security…the gaze of the chinese military men made me feel guilty of a crime i am certain i didn’t commit- and to thai airways where i was greeted by a stewardess with hands together in prayer pose and a beautiful sari on…i knew i was ‘home’!

one night in a ‘fancy’ hotel, and i have made my way to the infamous khoasan road where there are almost more foreigners walking the streets than thai people braiding hair and selling their wares…

tonight i am staying at DD Inn, which i could give or take, but is convenient, and have booked an overnight bus leaving bkk tomorrow at 8p and arriving at suratthani the next morning…then a ferry to koh phangan…all for 1100 Baht or roughly $30.

write soon. peace, love, hairgrease,
tp

people keep asking me how the party went; i am speechless. biggest thanks to my folks for hosting, to my friends for showing up and being willing to jam, to Barbara for supporting Toby and to Toby for drumming the life into his djembe…”The Drum is the ear of God”

for toby’s schedule, info on workshops and private drumming sessions, and other magical sorts of experiences go to healingdrummer.com.

as i set out on this journey, i am supported by a beautiful community. this whole blog world exists so we can stay connected.

come here when you have a free moment, when you need a break, a bit of inspiration, a story…come here and take a deep breath with me.

love,
tiff