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.