Laying low in the highlands

We have retreated up the hill in Rishikesh and have not moved for nearly five days.

Here is a picture from our 'cottage' hotel, the sun appears just over the hill around 7am.

This is a place many people use for retreat of one kind or another. I will skip mentioning the negative aspects of what Rishikesh has become subject to. Instead I will say that the mornings here reflect the true nature of this valley. Calm, breezy, beautiful light: perfect for spontaneous meditations.

Mary is getting a mini-package of Ayurvedic treatments including full body massage, सिरोधरा sirodhara (I'll let Mary explain), and a steam box with herbs and leaves specific to her condition. This morning I am simply going to get the massage, though yesterday I got the sirodhara too.

Tomorrow we are hoping to be on a bus from देहरादून Dehradun (not too far from here) to धरमसाला Dharamsala. We will have lots to do there and are very excited to spend time with Tibetans (I am especially excited to watch the debaters at the monastery), to hike near glaciers which means we get to wear sweaters and hats!

We'll leave you with this picture that Mary took. A common color to see, even in the woods...