It was there that I had a seven-day experience in India while on sabbatical, at  Phool Chatti Ashram north of the holy city of Rishikesh, where the morning bell rang at  5:30 a.m., and by  6 a.m. the community gathered for morning meditation. There were 36 participants during my visit, from India, Europe, Israel, Australia, and four from North America. I wasn't the oldest person present, but was in the top 20% age-wise, which meant that there were many younger - *more flexible* - seekers who, like me, had arrived for a structured week of spiritual practices that originated in India so many generations ago.

It might seem that in such a pristine location, with a sincerity of purpose, delicious homemade vegetarian food, no cellphone or internet service, and the connection to a lineage of yoga teaching, a person would simply be swept into being improved mentally, physically, and spiritually. However, I quickly felt objections rising in myself as expectations that I had were not being met: how classes were run, how food was presented, even the environment itself.

On the day of arrival, when all the participants had gathered for an orientation, I was disappointed when the American resident guide simply began telling us the rules and locations for the week, without even sharing her name or role at the Ashram. Although the Ashram billed itself as geared toward beginner yoga practitioners, many of the poses and practices quickly felt more intermediate and advanced, and I was irritated that even in the first evening's yoga class there wasn't enough explanation of the poses and practices. I fell asleep quickly that first night, but was annoyed to be awakened (that night and each night) by pounding road construction on the other side of the river from  2 a.m. - 5 a.m. This was supposed to be remote, serene, and revitalizing, but I was even upset with the way that songs and chants were being taught - my area of specialty! And did I mention that in the morning there were tiny red bumps on my body, some in pairs or a row of 3 - telltale signs of bedbugs. And I was furious when it was shared that the water faucet clearly labeled in English "drinking water" (from which I had filled my water bottle) was simply untreated tap water - definitely not to be drunk at the risk of becoming ill.

On top of this, the yoga classes were almost painful. As I wrote in my journal on Day 3, "At almost every moment of the morning yoga class, I wanted it to be over / I wanted to be somewhere else."  Anywhere else - maybe back in the nearby city of Rishikesh, with its German bakeries, evening Ganges ceremonies, lectures in English, and music concerts. Or how about back in the USA where I didn't have to worry about the water or tropical diseases.

And yet, and yet, and yet...

As I listened one night circa  3 a.m. to more heavy machinery pound the road, I was able to say to myself. Here I am for a week. I have come here to do improve my strength and flexibility, to practice meditation and be able to handle my mind, and to be part of a learning community. Despite my objections and frustrations, it is still possible for me to achieve that. What kind of experience I have is up to me.

So, instead of railing at road machines, I put in earplugs and slept. Instead of worrying about bedbugs, I slept fully clothed and awoke with no new bites. In yoga classes, I monitored myself - moving towards the edge of my abilities but not exceeding them, and I participated fully in the chants even though I would have led them differently. By the end of the week, I could comfortably sit cross-legged for a long time, which had not been the case at the beginning. I felt a fondness for the teachers and gratitude for each of the participants, and maybe most of all towards the end of the time in the Ashram, I noticed that events which would have earlier grated on me only evoked a curiosity, not an activation.

Was it the intention to get the most out of the week that led to the change? The daily stretching of the body and the quieting of the mind? The intentional nature walks and the ceremonial bathing in the Ganges? Yes, yes, and yes. What is for certain is that if I had allowed my discomfort to guide me to leave the experience, I wouldn't have gained the flexibility of body and mind that I took with me, as well as lifelong memories and reflections.

Here at Jefferson Unitarian Church, in this year of Hospitality and Spiritual Practice, I am delighted to be offering "Evensong" services most months on 3rd Tuesdays. A cousin to the chanting that was done at Phool Chatti Ashram in India, Evensong consists of an hour of singing UU songs as meditation objects, as a way to bring serenity and energized focus into one's life. I hope you'll give Evensong a try at least once this year, even if you don't consider yourself a singer. The next Evensong service is in the JUC Chapel on  Tuesday, September 18, from  6:30 - 7:30 p.m.