Peace be within you.

Do you have peace within you?
Peace is around me. Peace is within me. I am Peace.
26 February 2012, Sunday
I said to myself Friday evening after arriving in TIruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu…“I will climb that mountain…whatever it takes, I will reach the top!” To be honest…I really had no clue what this hike entailed or even how far it was to get to the top. It didn’t matter to me; something deep inside of me was screaaaaaming and insisting I needed to experience this before coming back to the USA.
The way I live my life now…I gave this my best shot. I gave it all I had and I was going to do this with pure conviction and strength. So I shot out of bed at 5:45AM Saturday morning…come to find the power went out in the middle of the night so I’m just finding my things in the dark including putting contacts in and brushing my fangs it’s not like I needed to primp myself up for whomever/whatever was at the top of this auspicious mountain.
Before I left my room there was natural light creeping out from up above…and I had my bag packed with almonds, water and of course my camera. I didn’t know how to even find the mountain, I just knew it was near and I always trust the place in my heart that tells me I’m on the right, safe path. Sure, I saw two early birds venturing out towards the ashram and I asked if they were headed to the mountain…and of course they said “Yes!”. One man barefoot and a beautiful lady by his side they were my morning companions from Bulgaria we stepped through the Sri Ramanasramam and we were well on our way. After about ten minutes into the long way up…we had about ten monkey greeters…literally, monkeys. We came upon the sunrise….the silence…the beauty…so many amazing things to take in at once…my heart was being refreshed.
And you see the man meditating on the rock…and this is what he was witnessing and experiencing…
I stopped and sat on a rock to capture this photo with my Bulgarian buddies for a bit…and then I broke free and ventured off on my own.
I was just about to reach a peak where this hike was truly going to take me for a turn and came upon a man who looks like he’s been around for many years performing this…barefoot, yes…and he uttered three very simple words “Mountain top Madam?” I didn’t even hesitate…and I said “Yes!” not knowing what I was getting myself into.
Climbing up this mountain with this man…not even half-way up I was so close to giving up and saying “to hell with this!” and even further I went with this barefoot man always a few steps behind him as I am panting, grunting and climbing up and around the steep bulky big rocks and grabbing onto tree branches to assist me on my way up. I NEEDED to complete this…I needed to put everything into perspective…I needed to complete this for my own sanity and to clear my mind of everything that has occurred in the last month…or even everything in the last couple years of my life.
This was a defying moment for me…it was a ‘do or die’. At this point I have only come across four other brave souls on this hike at about 0630 before the sun is fully up and I don’t know what was inside of me…but I needed to do this with pure and utter conviction and determination. After much mental chatter screeching inside of me…it was me, myself and I having a conversation…an argument…a bash-fest…and anything else I could beat myself up for any given reason…”QUIET DOWN, THOUGHTS!” I wanted to come to this special place four hours from Chennai to climb this mountain and be alone so I could get a piece of mind for my own sanity. So I was going back and forth in my mind to tell this man maybe I should just do it on my own…Yes…No…Yes…No?! What on earth was happening in my mind…I was so annoyed and frusturated with myself when it got to the difficult parts of the hike…”Forget this…I’m not going to do this!” “Yes! Yes, you have to…You CAN do this!” “It’s already so flipping hard and I need a break…I’m hungry…I’m thirsty…who does this guy think he is anyway!?”
…See what I mean?
It was a bit brutal at some points and some of the things that came across my mind…beating myself up for not eating cleaner..or not walking more…or not pushing myself further into my yoga posture practice…these conversations went on in my mind for quite some time, I must say…and the mountain man didn’t utter any other words to me…other than when he thought I was going too fast he would should “Slowly!” and then give me a hand motion to slow down.
This was my ego breaking down. This was my ego getting bashed, smacked and slapped up a bit. Putting me in my place right where I belonged. This is what I needed. I like competition…I love determination.
My parents would exclaim three words to sum up my entire personality growing up “ME DO IT!” I’ve always been a hard-headed, stubborn, strong girl and sometimes these are positive traits to have…other times I cannot back down and ‘surrender’ I like the self-satisfaction of me being able to do things on my own without ANY help. Sounds ignorant and stubborn (again)…yes…and I’m learning…Oh am I learning! I think I have picked this trait up from my father…he would never let my brother or I mow the yard because “HE DO IT!” haha.
Anyhow…mountain man and I were well on our way to the top of this mountain…and I was slowly but surely gaining this soft side to me…strong but soft. The chatter was silenced in my mind. I was only bringing myself up…telling myself I am strong, I am talented, I am beautiful, I can do this…and he’s helping me. I think he was placed there for a very good reason and lesson. He was showing me what I’m capable of. He was placed in my life for a reason…as much frustration and pure crud that came from me…I learned it was a cleansing process on my way up to the mountain and in life.
 Forgiving myself and starting fresh.
Eliminating the negative and freshening up with the positive. Essentially out with the old and in with the new. The new traits I have learned and acquired…the joy that I have experienced with myself and with the Universe. So many beauties to embrace in this life.
My soul is a calm soul now. My soul is so full of pure, raw, joy. My soul has evolved and transformed beautifully into a peaceful, warm, clarity-filled, bright soul.








I made it to the top. WE made it to the top. I didn’t do it on my own. But once I did get to the top…I , too, was barefoot now and I sat and just took it all in…all of my surroundings were so raw, fresh and absolutely stunning. I sat and reflected upon this experience. Next thing I experienced was this forceful wave of emotions absolutely hit me…uncontrollable tears started pouring from me streaming down my face but I was smiling…I was giggling to myself…and suddenly I felt this incredible weight being lifted from me. And THIS right here, my loves….this was where my peace truly became acknowledged by me. Acknowledged….accepted…embraced…and completely adored in every way possible. I felt so much peace…I felt so much happiness inside me…around me…in every part of my being.

Om Namah Shivaya!

Beautiful. I did it. I have peace. I have joy. I am keeping this close to my heart from this day forward and this is how I shall live my life. And this is how I shall enlighten you in hopes you will enjoy, be inspired and choose to live your life as well.


Allow others to help you. Allow yourself to be forgiven for your mistakes. Move forward. Smile always like you mean it from your heart. Be true to yourself and to the Universe…It will appreciate this and only grant you wonderful, positive things for you.
Be grateful. Life is so powerful and inspiring.
Live life strong and proud. Love yourself.

Peace be with you.

Xoxo,
Jenna Margaret Hughes

Chennai to Tiruvannamalai…India

 

Heart of Yoga…complete.

Now as much as a completely adored being surrounded by all of my new friends in Chennai…I truly needed to be alone with my own thoughts to digest everything that has just occurred in this experience at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. Over the years I have learned it is very important for me to comprehend and process my experiences fully and purely…I typically need to do this in my own silence. So this is what I did…I shared my precious send-offs to the beauties in my class the night before as we all boogied on the dance floor in a different light.

The next morning I packed my things up swiftly and surely and stuffed a few necessities in my back-pack…shared my sweet tearful good-bye to my dear roommate, Kanae, from Japan…and may she still be shining and discovering bright lights to fulfill her life.

From there I had gotten a rickshaw driver to pick me up and haul me off to the bus station where I was going to venture off to Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu…on my own?! Okay…just to inform you…bus stations can be quite overwhelming, especially in a foreign country where English is not the mother language…but I always tried my best to get by.

When in doubt…ASK somebody…and if they don’t know ASK another person and another and the next…soon you shall find your way. Ask people as well as trust your intuition, always. Read these two sentences three times…just do it. I shall instill this into your bright, intelligent self. Be firm and ask…or at least try to be firm and pretend you know what they’re saying…sometimes you may just run into another foreigner who happens to be looking for the same bus and this person may be a fantastic travel companion, or not too. Well in my case…this was one of the most spontaneous, perfect occurrences at the bus station in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Now, I would like you to meet Irene…my new Russian ‘girlfriend’.

Yes she and I were both scrambling around calmly in Chennai seeking…as soon as I spotted her speaking to one of the Indian bus coordinators I was trying to flag her down from behind…”Misss!! Excuse me miss..Hello…Hey Miss!!” Finally she turned around and I do have to add she gave it away with the bright pink yoga mat strapped to her backpack…I knew she had to be safe. I asked her where she was headed and we both stumbled over the destination “Tiruvannamalai” and suddenly we fully and completely wrapped our arms around each other and celebrated quickly and scurried to our bus. Bus number 17.

So excited we both were traveling solo and came upon each other which was so wonderful. Irene and Jenna…Yoga instructors off to explore the spiritual village, Tiruvannamalai. Irene has just traveled 14 hours on a bus from Goa, India to Chennai…and now we will be on this bus for approximately the next four hours. The buses in India…full, air conditioned (“fresh” air), no windows, no doors…only bars over the windows and anybody can hop on or hop off at any given moment.

Here is a serious snap shot I took…As much as I adore taking photos of anything, anybody and every destination…I sometimes felt very inappropriate taking photos in India. Only for the fact that I know some people clearly dislike getting their photos taken and I just didn’t want to seem like some nosy tourist. But this is the footage I snagged of the type of experience you will get on a public bus.

Once we reached Tiruvannamalai…the sun was quickly setting and it was going to be dark in a matter of moments…and this is where I was thankful Irene was by my side. We hopped off the bus and grabbed a rickshaw driver to take us opposite of the Sri Ramanasramam because we both had known a few guest houses nearby. My goodness…we ran around this little town going in at least seven circles…or at least it felt like it. Ha! We had looked at a handful of rooms to stay in…but didn’t know what we were going to come across especially at the hour in the night it was. At this point it was pitch dark out…we were hungry, sweaty, sleepy, and slowly getting to the last nerve. As little of a history Irene and I had we were decent travel buddies…and were forming quite the little relationship…calming each other down as we both would huff and puff in hopes to finding a place to sleep for the night. After much frustration and laughs we were recommended a place by our new dear friend, Siva’s, brother, Shankar’s place just opposite of the famous ashram with a delightful restaurant right outside our rooms.

Let’s just say we needed to experience all of the single dirty beds and one master exclusive queen bed for two on the rooftop…before finding this simple gem. Oh what a hoot! 

Here we are!

There’s more where that came from! ; )

Xo. Stay tuned. –Jenna Margaret

Technorati Tags: india,bus,yoga,kym,tiruvannamalai,sri ramana maharshi

Flowers and Friendship.

After completing the four week intensive “Heart of Yoga” course in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India…part of me doesn’t even know where to begin in the digestion process of everything that has occurred in this month of ground-breaking moments and magic.

I have learned so many powerful things that I need to review so I am able to fully commit to applying this mind-set to my life and help others with their lives.

Meeting the group of new friends was a treat in itself and I feel incredibly blessed to have had this opportunity to travel thousands of miles from what used to be my comfort zone in America. My fellow yogi’s participating in this enlightening experience are some of the sweetest, fun-loving and determined souls. So amazing to have surrounded myself with this group of people from all walks of the world…and to witness the beautiful transformations we all experienced is so special. 

As much as this was the biggest dream yet in my life to conquer…achieve…live…as as it was only one month to be in India and pour my everything into making this dream come true…I am at peace with returning back to the USA. This has been a ten month manifestation…it happened…it isn’t over though…it is simply just the beginning. Also, as much as I thoroughly enjoyed these four weeks with the beauties above and learning about one another as well as their life philosophies…It has been such a gift. We have shared so many laughs…so many tears…so many genuine loving hugs…and most of all this special spiritual journey we all have been placed into each others lives.

 

We have all crossed paths for one reason or another…beautiful bright shining lights in each others lives…some for only a glimpse…for others it may be a friendship that will last forever. Whatever it may be for each and every one of these lights…you are all so unique and I am so grateful to have crossed paths with each and every one of you. We will always be connected and perhaps will see each other again some day down the road. I wish you all the best and can only trust you will all do amazing things…you are well on your way.

Wherever we are in the world…we will always be connected and will always be with each other in our hearts. Continue to evolve into your true authentic self. Keep the flowers and friendship in your heart…hold hands and feel the energy connection from one to the next.

 

Feel the love…the fireworks…feel the prana…smile with pure joy.

Namaste.

Blue Skies Smiling at Me ;)

15 Feb 2012

Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday.
I am being alone and more focused everyday. My mind is evolving and I'm thinknig and dreaming BIG and bright! I will not underestimate myself or my mind or any of my capabilities. End of story. My mind is becoming sharper and clear. XO
-Jenna

18 Feb 2012 Saturday
Theosophical Society

Oh what beauty that is all around me. I sit here on a rocky bench-surrounded by sunshine--palm trees--butterflies--blue skies smiling at me...nothin' but blue skies do I see! It's fun to ponder beauty in the day with the sun shining so bright and everything is going so right. I pick up a flower off the ground and place it behind my ear and already feel so giddy and purely just enjoying myself...India...and all of this serenity all around me. Life is so good.

Traveling alone is something to experience....I have learned so much more about myself when I travel alone. So much education lies within traveling... I am a sponge...I adapt, learn and grow. Simple? Not always...but the more challenges as I spoke about before in the obstacles in life always leave space for new opportunities to be embraced.

 “The world exists to be seen and discovered.” -T.K.V. Desikachar

....And so I shall see and I shall discover. ;)

I did, however, experience night life in India...it was quite the luxurious night life if I do say so myself. Definitely in not in low class this night. boom boom.
In the past I always found it so difficult to truly have a proper, healthy balance in my life...with all of the things I enjoy doing...I typically was a "do or die" kinda girl...an 'extremist' perhaps (without getting political)? Health kick...or...drinking binge...la la la, etc.

Anyhow...it was so wonderful to shut my mind off of all of the yoga bliss going on in my head and all around me...and just silence it and JUST DANCE! And so I did...and so we did. Wow...what a lively amazing night it was. The music...the energy...the company...so many great positive people all around me, much like this entire experience in India. Boy did we dance the night away...it was a successful, sweaty, swanky evening I will remember, always!

Slight Discomfort?

My power is out again.
This is a frequent occurance at my home in India.
It's 83 degrees fahrenheit in my room...I can feel the beads of sweat dripping down my back and sweat is forming above my lip.
There are two ants playing footsy with me as I must be a road block in their travels to toss some crumbs up on their backs and scurry up the wire that leads outside.
There is constant noise banging outside: cars/rickshaws/bikes honking horns, pounding/banging/yelling as there is houses being built, crows cawking loudly, a dog barking consistently and oh so frequently...

Here, I have been forced to be in slight discomfort wherever I am...this is only if I allow these distractions to upset me, infect me...affect me and my world.
Did you read that clearly?
Only if I allow it to affect me.

I have walked to and from class multiple times a day for the two weeks I have been here and it's incredible the amount of activities/potential disruptions my eyes have witnessed. I will share a couple examples with you...
I walk across a certain bridge every single day and sometimes see multiple people lying on the sidewalk (hoping they're only sleeping) and then on the other side I will see a man urinating against the wall included with a potent stench and then I must dodge traffic coming my way then there is a cow ahead digging in the heating foul-smelling piles of garbage on the side of the road and every person I walk past is not speaking an ounce of english...but then this morning there was a sweet boy with the happiest smile with his little squirt gun trying to get me wet and I just laugh and pretend he's getting me all wet!

This all occurs within 10 feet of each other.

My message I would like to share with you is there are so many distractions we could be affected by in our every day lives...whether it is small miniture occurances with traffic on your way to work, with a colleague, friend, partner...whatever it may be you have the power to choose what comes in and what you keep out of your life. Yes, I'm telling you...this is your choice...you're the one who has to deal with it and move forward with your day...so do you want to let the person who cut you off in traffic, or the person who is taking too long in the drive-thru, or the weather, or somebody who interrupted you, etc...are you going to let any of these things affect your entire day?!

....Or will you just choose to breathe, be patient, compassionate and just let it go...and move on with your day and your life positively?

For me...I could let everything that's happening here disctract me, infect me, poison me, discourage me...but I don't and I won't because that's exhausting and I choose not to use my energy on those sort of things I prefer to live my life so joyfully, positively and not sweat the small stuff.
I promise you your life will be so much more fulfilling if you apply these small qualities to everyday happenings. I wish you all my best and keep shining on.

By the way....my power is still off and I'm still sweating as well as still smiling...It ain't no thang! ;)

Jenna Margaret

Climb to the top.

Have you ever climbed a mountain?

Figuratively speaking as well as realistically speaking.

Have a think about this question...

If and when you have climbed a mountain of your own...has anything ever tried to stop you from doing so or anything ever taken you away from a path to get to this mountain?

Obstacles...perhaps?



Oh the amount of obstacles that you will be faced with during this journey in your life.
Obstacles will always be there...hiccups, bumps in the road, hurdles, scrapes, bruises and maybe some broken bones or even broken hearts will occur and likely will impact your life.

This is a part of life, and the beauty of the journey.

I am currently in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India participating and experiencing 'The Heart of Yoga' and everything about Yoga and the tradition of the guru Sri Krishnamacharya...a yoga legend...Five years ago I would never have imagined my life would be the way it is....not even two years ago.

Two years ago, 1 January 2010....I was faced with the most impacting hurdle in my life.

I hit rock bottom. The most potentially-devastating event I had ever been faced with.

I granted myself into a situation where I truly didn't know what was going to happen with me and my life.

I made choices in my life prior to this date that lead up to this event...within our lives...everything is a choice and we have to always be ready and willing to face the consequences for our actions.

Waking up in the middle of the night on a dark road in a muddy ditch, broken, bloody and busted up and completely disoriented...this was my wake-up call. To this day I still don't know what really happened that night but all of the events leading up to it...excessive alcohol, and truly just living carelessly and curiously...all I know is I am so grateful every single day for my life and I try to live each and every day the the fullest.

As frightening as this accident was...I am thankful it happened to me...I would never wish the pain I went through upon anybody, but I am glad it happened.

Life lessons. Obstacles.

Since my wake-up call...I knew something needed to occur...and needed to occur now. 

I started thinking of where I wanted my life to be and the mountain I needed to climb.

I was dreaming big and dreaming powerfully beautiful...in the state I was in this was very difficult to keep a positive attitude...but I had so much love and support around me, then I learned to be alone with my thoughts and trained my brain day in and day out to keep positive and to move forward.

I have definitely worked hard and have been determined to be successful and gracious throughout my life now. I have trained myself over and over to be positive...to be faithful...to have compassion and patience...and so many other important atributes to lead a healthy, joyful, full life.

I have promised myself to love and forgive myself...deeply and completely.

My true authentic self manifests vibrant health within my mind, body and spirit.



I manifested my dream and position to be a fitness professional on board an amazing luxury cruise ship.

I have been blessed to travel to over thirty countries meeting so many amazing, delightful people from all around the world.

My manifesting is not complete...it is never ending and there will be an infinite amount of obstacles to get to the top of the mountains.

I want my light to shine...and I want to shine my light upon you and give you strength, faith and the wisdom to BELIEVE in your dreams.

I guess the message I am trying to get across is if you are dealing with something in your life that you don't think you can go on....or perhaps you just feel stuck....whatever it may be you can get through this.
I know you may not be able to see the light from this hurdle in your life, but you can...and you will.
Think happy thoughts...keep focus on your goal...don't give up. You can be anybody and do anything in this life...the only thing that is stopping you from doing so is yourself.

Determination will get you far...and conviction, faith, and clarity will help you succeed and reach the top of that mountain you're climbing. Śrāddha श्राद्ध: faith and conviction...once you have these two particular traits...you will reach your goal and you shall be fearless.

This I promise you.    

Shine on, baby...dream big and choose to be wonderful.

Namaste. 

Jenna Margaret Hughes

"We lift ourselves by our thought. We climb upon our vision of ourselves. If you want to enlarge your life, you must first enlarge your thought of it and of yourself. Hold the ideal of yourself as you long to be, always everywhere."
-Orison Swett Marden

Powerful Bliss.

3 Feb 2012
Good evening India.

Day 5 on this divine journey and it just keeps getting better.
So a typical day for me is I wake up around 0600, take my bucket bath and get dressed and ready for the day, brush my chops from bottle water...then I sit out on my porch and listen to the morning routines of the birds singing, the woman across the street chanting and then the dogs trying to immitate the birds
and beautiful voice of the woman. Tuk-Tuks roaring down the street, bicyclists riding around and people just doing their morning walk around the block. There is so much happening from minute by minute it truly
blows me away..there is constant stimulation. Ahh...yes from listening to all of this I write in my journal and just reflect on however I'm feeling or how I slept or from the previous days activities.
By 0715 I am out the door and walking to the Yoga Mandiram to be to Asana (postures/poses) and Pranayama(breathing) practice by 0730. We then have amazing breakfast always consisting of some sort of Indian spiced up breakfast with fresh, flavorful fruit (pomegranate, banana, papaya, pineapple) and a date (a favorite of mine....Right, Brianna?!) ;) also with some chai ginger tea. All 50 minute courses We then have theory of asana and pranayama, yoga philosophy, vedic chanting...Lunch break which then I mosey home to Kala and Govendama...two very beautiful angels who were placed in my life so gracefully. They are such giving, wonderful souls who always have a bright infectious smile on their faces while Kala prepares my food and Govendama, the cleaning. So so wonderful. I feel so blessed to share this time with them.
After lunch I have Pranayama practice and application of Yoga...a short tea break follows and then class is wrapped up so perfectly with meditative practice.

Today was so powerful.

Geetha, our instructor for meditation...she truly has such a special way about her; her presence
is so very divine and her energy is glowing and so bright. We are to practice some pranayama (breathing) techniques in a sitting position where you are to connect yourself and completely be in touch with yourself and the nature around you and be present. Today we focused on water. The balance of water within us and all around us. Sitting in complete silence breathing deep...eyes closed...imagining I was sitting near a lake
and so I did. I imagined I was sitting near a stunning lake in California...the water was so still and the only thing I was surrounded by were trees in complete peace. I was sitting on a large rock just with myself...this made me very happy, thinking of very happy thoughts of while I was last in California this summer with some very special family and then everything that lead up to it.

I then changed my location to the ship I was on traveling the ocean...this was so touching for me and brought so many special, powerful memories back to me. While I was on the ship I would always go outside in my little hiding spot and just be alone to get away from all of the chaos happening on the ship and just to breathe for a few seconds. And for those moments I completely immerced myself into this...I became one with the ocean and the peaceful waves crashing so delicately against the ship. I then pictured myself with some very special people in my life who bring me so much joy...and we were all there together just living in the moment and enjoying each others presence.
Sometimes when I would go out on the ship by myself in my hiding spot...during the daylight especially very early in the morning when not a soul was to be heard around me and the sun was barely coming up...I would just stand outside and truly count my blessings. I feel so grateful and blessed to be where I am and to have gone where I have traveled. I sometimes would witness dolphins so peacefully swimming with the ship as well as flying fish...I swear they came out just so I could see them dancing with the tune of the waves. The way they just glided across the water always amazed me . Having this so near to my heart just makes me smile imagining it all over again. I felt this power completely overcome me and just burst into my heart and soul...it nearly knocked me off of my pillows.
Once Geetha was finished, I gently opened my eyes and tears completely poured out of my eyes.
I was so full of joy and it was such a beautiful thing to be completely in touch with everything around me
and to pour myself into this experience as a whole...I can't imagine what is in store for me next.
Today was such a special, powerful ground-breaking day....and as I was thinking of water...
there were waterfalls coming from my eyes.

Life is so beautiful.

I am in complete and utter bliss.

Namaste.

Jenna Margaret