Part 6

Being with the Teacher absorbing the remarkable wisdom, learning about the meaning of existence Alid Faski Natva was trying to grasp the existence of subtle worlds and thought about the mysteries of creation. The human form is weak and short-lived; the spirit is eternal and free. Nothing disappears into nowhere in nature and in the same way the spirit which leaves the body does not just disappear it goes to the Creator. During his lifetime a human being is suppose to grow and develop, i.e. to rise to a higher spiritual level. All this is an external and internal expression of his essence: kindness, willingness to help his fellow humans, selflessness, honesty. Many of those qualities Alid Faski Natva could see in Indian people. He liked their kindness and gentleness. Their everyday lives were quite simple. They were observing the traditions of their ancestors and were quite religious. In India, unlike anywhere else, there were a lot of spiritual people, carrying religious philosophy to different castes of people. India is multinational. Another distinguishing feature of Indian people is their preparedness to sacrifice in order to achieve their higher goal but at the same time cheerfulness and love to the world, nature, music and dances.

Hinduism is the most popular religion in India. Hindu worship a lot of different God’s, three of them are the main ones: Brahma – god creator, Vishnu – god protector and Shiva – god destroyer (according to theirs believes he destroys evil). They perform complicated ceremonies and rituals to worship their Gods. Hinduism considers some animals, plants and even rivers to be holly.

Apart from Hinduism, Muslim, Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity there are a lot of other religions and sects. Sect of Djaina, for example, reveres any expression of life. Being outdoors some of them would cover their nose and mouth with a net in order not to inhale an insect, as this would destroy its life.

In a big variety of Hindu Gods and temples there is a temple dedicated to a God of dances, witch has a dancing statue in the middle of it. A great dancer lives in that temple. She dances very rarely only on occasions like religious holydays and only in this temple. Indian dances are unique. Classical rules of Indian dance are being passed down from generation to generation. Special poses, positions of fingers, eye movements and facial expressions are being observed. Every gesture has its own meaning. Many dances have their ceremonial, ritualistic meaning. The Teacher accompanied by his student visited a temple of dances.

An amazing dancer rushed to great the Teacher and his student. Musicians came out and a solo instrument’s sounds were heard; than the soft sounds of drums joined in. The mesmerizing music echoed off the walls of the temple. At the pedestal of the Goddess of dance statue the dancer started to perform her unique dance. When she moved the golden jewelry on her arms and ankles would add a soft tinkle to the music.

Alid Faski Natva watched this breathtaking performance. The rhythm of movements was so remarkable that it was impossible to take the eyes of her from her first move to the last one; that’s how strong the power of her performance was.

Yet one more big yoga school the High Teacher and his student had visited. It had almost a thousand of students. The school was situated in one of the most scenic spots in India. It was in an oasis: rich tropical flora, small waterfalls, huge trees wounded by lianas, dark grottos decorated with moss. Human influence was seen just in little corrections done to this virgin beauty to make it more comfortable for their living. Apart from sleeping quarters there was a big yard where the students gathered every morning to listen to the melodic, compelling women’s voice. The morning prayers were sang by an enlightened tutor of the school. Not everyone had the honor to meet this woman; just a few of the school teachers were allowed to see her. The students could clearly visualize her during the divine singing and the ones who were talented in art were drawing her portrait on paper. They all had the same image in their minds.

They escorted the High Teacher and his student to the enlightened woman. The woman looked about forty: dark piercing eyes, slightly dark and smooth skin, fresh natural colors of her face. Beautiful lips and eyebrows were curved very distinguishably. She was one hundred years old! Observing the hierarchical subordination - she bowed to the teacher putting her arms in a traditional gesture, greeting him. She looked carefully at Alid Faski Natva and bowed to him too.

Alid Faski Natva was observing with interest their conversation, he already knew about her special gifts and her methods of enrolling people into the school. Unlike other yoga schools they don’t do interviews. Applicants send their photos which then are kept in a closed room for a few days. Why is it done this way no one knows, it is not a custom to ask questions. It could be that it was loosing the unwanted information about the person. Then the enlightened woman looks at the photos and tells who needs to be accepted and who does not.