The Ashram Experience- A Spiritual Bootcamp

The last 7 days of our epic adventure have been spent at Phool Chatti Ashram. Because most of the members of our group have never been to boot camp, let alone base training, I took some time to describe the similarities and eventually we all agreed:
The Ashram Life= Spiritual Bootcamp.
A typical day in bootcamp looks something like this- (the Ashram equivalent will be explained in parentheses)

5:30: Wake up call/ Call to Duty (A Buddhist gong cuts through the morning air awakening us from our restful slumber and calling us to meditation)
6:00: Internal Strategic Strategizing (Silent Meditation)
6:30: Personal Gear and Gun Check (Cleansing of the sinuses with the use of a nettipot and Pranayam (Breathing Yoga))
7:00: Combat Training led by Commando Lalitaji (Integrative Yoga practice led by the serious but entertaining Lalitaji)
9:00: Morning Rationing ( Breakfast-simple but very tasty!)
10:00: Latrine and Barracks Duties ("Karma Yoga"- Cleaning and helping around the Ashram in a "giving back to the community" and karma-enhancing time)
10:30: Infantry Marching Practice- Led by Lieutenant Brandon (Silent walking meditation into the beautiful nature surrounding Phool Chatti Ashram: waterfalls, rivers, and the sacred Ganga - Led by the young, flowing haired, and (in some opinions) strapping American Brandon)
12:30: Mid-Day Rationing ( Lunch- Classic Indian Cuisine- Highlighted by Day 5 rice pudding (just ask Ben), and the constant friendly offering of "more chapati-soup vegetable-rice..." Silence Ends)
13:00: Soldier "At Ease Time" (Relaxation and free time- usually spent reading or doing some form of art- unless you are Lydia who found her new passion in "Extreme Rock Jumping"... kids these days...)
15:00: Combat Strategizing Session- Master Strategist Lieutenant Brandon (Discussions about life practices- Meditation, Yoga and how they can impact our existences as mere mortals on this existential playing field)
16:00: Combat Training II (Afternoon Yoga- Hold onto your bootstraps, the intensity picked up driving us all into a fiery orb or burning fire sweat. yum.)
18:30: Daily Human Sacrifice (JK, ROFLchopter. LOL. just making sure y'all are paying attention)
18:45: Ceremonial Battalion Cries- Led by 1st Rank Master Commando Swammiji (Pooja- the evening sun-setting ceremony followed by Mantra chanting by the fire led by the Ashram Guru Swamiji)
19:00: Evening Rationing (Dinner- Glorious to the body, mind, and spirit- I have been pretty into food these days)
20:30 Internal Strategic Strategizing (Guided Meditation- Silence Begins)
21:00 Beddy Beddy Bed Time (I am not sure what they call it in the Ashram)

What began as an experience we all feared would be serious and dry quickly transformed into a hypothetical soap-opera complete with interesting personalities and even juicy drama. Luke and I are the lead script-writers for "Ashram Life", a satirical sitcom we hope to have on the air by early next fall and will run for a minimum of 20 seasons. The show will follow our paths to enlightenment. Its gonna be a hit. Trust me.

The week ended with a talent-show that showcased the unrivaled talents of the Carpe Diem group as well as the interesting and entertaining ideas of our foreign counterparts. A fire-ceremony capped off the whole experience and we are off to Amritsar!

Noha