The astrological sign of Capricorn has for centuries been represented by the mountain goat, an animal who becomes fascinated by the mountain top and leaves the security of the ground for the pursuit of freedom. The goat usually makes the slow, difficult climb alone and holds a great inner purpose with making it to the summit, which in return gives the goat great tenacity and a divine drive to be with the mountain.
Last weekend a few friends and I traveled a few hours outside Mysore to a temple that has been in use for the past five hundred years, it stands on a mountain top overlooking the country side. At the base we were asked to remove our shoes and we climbed the steep upgrade to the temple, which held this amazing peaceful energy that showered over my entire body. I went inside the temple, paid my respects to the deity and found rest outside looking over the land. A few moments later a goat climbs to my resting spot and takes a look into the Indian country side, I had a total connection with this beautiful animal and felt that we shared a common bond. I stayed for a few moments and then slowly made my way to the base to collect my sandals where I was greeted by the same goat, this totally made my weekend.
After two months in Mysore, I feel more grounded than ever. I wake at 3:45am for my bucket bath and I'm in the shala by 4:30. I then return home for my meditation and have actually started waiting tables at a place called The Sontosha Cafe, in return I get a free meal and free rent. Work is done by noon and I usually relax, read, and meditate for the rest of the day, chanting and philosophy has been discontinued as Jayashree prepares for her US tour. Overall, it continues to be a peaceful experience in Mysore.
Being here for an extended period of time has allowed me to make lots of great personal relationships, the negative side to this is that saying goodbye is difficult. Though everyone I've met on this trip has influenced me in some way or another there are a few I've grown particularly close to. Saying goodbye has been helpful in my yoga practice, the world around us changes but the world within us remains the same. It's this peaceful world within that I'm trying experience the changing world all around me.
