Narayana Gurukula

We found the Narayana Gurukula Ashram not without problems, as it is situated in (or rather next to) a little village. Swami Vinaya waved us and set the water for a tea. Asked, if we could stay for a while, he answered: you can stay your whole life. And he meant it. I have had some ideas about Ashrams, mostely from books or stories. Waking up at 4, chanting, meditating, praying, cleaning, studying, meditating, chanting... but everything came different. Filippo asked what the Guru was doing and got the answer: "I'm trying to do nothing, it is the hardest thing to do". So we started our week at the Gurukula. The surrounding was beautiful. Trees, flowers, water, shadows, benches, sculpures...every minute the senses were fed with colours and smells (fruit trees).

We got a little room in a cottage and were left on our own.

Involved in daily activities we learned a lot - practical informations about cooking vegetarian delicious food, holding (about 10) animals or warming water if you want to have a hot shower...as city children we had to adapt to the environment ;)

Here Filippo is preparing a hot shower for us.

We can not show you all the lovely cats (including 3 absolutely sweet kittens) and dogs (although, barking all night they weren't so sweet anymore), so here is just a sample of our favourite photos.

Cat nr 1 (called Tom form us - we couldn't remember all the names!) was constantly occupying the lap of Filippo.

Vidyas sweet dog posed very patiently for my photos.

And here we can see the daily activities of cat number 7 ;)

It was so nice to have all these animals around!

The Ashrams buildings were all very beutiful and peacefull as well. In this place we did some yoga in the morning.

And this was our favourite place to read.

We spent new years eve at the bonefire, having an incredible sky over our heads and will probably never forget it.

There was a lot of guitar playing and many discussions. It could have been a perfect relaxing retreat in the nature. But it was more.

What the Guru told and thought us is not for a blog, though. Just to say: Beautiful person and an incredible expierience. Also Margaret, his wife, (called by me Mother Nature) thought us a lot. We are very happy that we have visited the Gurukula Ashram.

Now we are in Puducherry at the Yoga Festival. It's hot and interesting. And finally again: the sea :)