Experiencing Kerala on Enstasy
January 27, 2016 • Spiritual Adventures
Day Three of Enstasy began, similar to yesterday (day 2), with yoga asana practices just after sunrise with our guest teachers, Robin, Jasmine, and Yvonne. After their morning posture practice, participants proceeded to the buffet breakfast and then met for class with Dandapani again. Today, they delved further into their journey of self-inquiry by learning about the keys to understanding the mind, not only in regards to developing a successful and consistent meditation practice, but also how to use this understanding to cultivate and create extraordinary lives for themselves.
We studied about awareness and the mind, the three states of mind, the three phases of the mind and how all of these work together. Dandapani emphasized that a solid understanding of all of this is essential to lay a foundation upon which one can build a meditation practice.
Class was followed by a special, surprise excursion for lunch! Guests were ushered onto two traditional Kerala boats and taken on a tour of the backwaters here in Kumarakom, where they beheld the calm serenity of the lush, tropical environment. The venue for lunch today was at an old Kerala home-turned-boutique-hotel, called Philipkutty’s Farm and also known for it’s genuine Kerala cuisine. Each guest was served a traditional meal typical to this region of India, and encouraged to take in the full experience of dining like a local. The colorful, mouthwatering meals were served on banana leaves and eaten with their hands!
After a brief break, during which our Enstasy guests received their gifts for the day, a sampling of Indian spices and sandalwood soap, both from the Periyar district of Kerala, participants gathered again for class with Sri Janahan. They continued their study of the ritualistic aspect of devotional Vedic practices, specifically on mantra chanting. The evening program concluded on a high note yet again, with kirtan with Lynda.
Our third day ended with a lavish festival for dinner, and guests were lovingly welcomed as royalty to tonight’s event, which was a traditional Kerala village themed feast. The property was decorated with fresh flowers, banana tree stems, earthen lamps, traditional thatched-roof huts, local tea and yarn stalls, and an authentic Kerala drumming band, known as Singari Melam, greeted our participants for dinner tonight. Dinner was followed by an entertaining Kerala martial arts, Kalaripayattu, performance.
Morning classes with Dandapani were held on the lawn overlooking the lake.
It was the perfect setting for learning.
It was a requirement that to get on the boat to go to Phillipkutty Farm everyone had to wear a mustache.
Andy from Australia
Two boats full of mustache wearing spiritual seekers sail off to lunch
We sailed out across Lake Vembanad to Phillipkutty Farm for lunch.
Lunch at Phillipkutty Farm.
We enjoyed a traditional banana leaf lunch called a Sadya. Sadya is the traditional vegetarian feast of Kerala. Usually served as lunch, it consists of par boiled pink rice, side dishes, savouries, pickles and desserts spread out on a plantain leaf.
Janahan about to begin his afternoon class that covered the topics of devotion, ritual, chanting and breath work.
Afternoon class with Sri Janahan.
Our participants continue their study of puja, a Hindu ritual of worship.
Our participants arrived for our day 3 dinner. An elaborate Kerala theme was set up for this night.
Traditional Kerala drummers, Singari Melam, sailed in on boats across the lake and performed for our group.
The last performance for the evening was Kalaripayattu, traditional Keralan martial arts.
The son of the lead performer showed off his skills to us. It’s a traditional that’s passed down from father to son.
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