Final Thoughts and Reintegration...

I have now been back two weeks from my incredible journey. I am still jet lagged, waking up at 5am every morning (they say it takes a day for every hour coming from Asia). I have also decided to change my name to Sri Ebenananda which translates into "the holy bliss of Eben." For short, you can now call me Sri E. (prounced "Shree E"). Actually, the only people I want to call me that are my brothers.

I came back for my mom's planned birthday party. Happy Birthday Mom. If not for the party I would have extended my trip at least another month, but it is good to be back on many levels.

Reintegration has been very difficult. My world view has experientially broadened, and I am also seeing and witnessing my world view more intimately. My experiences now inform my day to day activities in ways I never imagined. Memories are brought up by some of the most unlikely places.

The final itinerary: San Francisco - Bangkok - Delhi - Vrindaban - Agra - Vrindaban - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Dharmsala - McLeod Ganj - Amritsar - Jaipir - Pushkar - Uddaipur - Mumbai - Kochin - Allepy - Amritanandamayi - Kollum - Varkala - Trivundrum - Delhi - Bangkok - Sarat Thani - Krabi - Railay Pennisula - Krabi - Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Pai - Chiang Mai - Chiang Kong - Muay Xien - Luang Nam Tha - Muang Singh - Luang Nam Tha - Luang Probang - Vang Vien - Vientienne - Pakse - Champasak - 4,000 Islands - Don Det - Pakse - Sien Reap - Bangkok - San Francisco.

Most Challenging Country: India. Most rewarding country: India. Most Shanti place I've ever experienced: 4,000 Islands, Laos. Best Food: Thailand. Hottest Food: Thailand. Most scared I've ever been in my life: anytime I was in a motorized vehicle in India.

The trip was an incredible opening, a gracious closing, a bearing witness to samskaras burning, a tearful apology, a joyful beginning, an uncovering of samskaras long dormant, a sink into the self and a bold destruction of preconceptions and patterns of behavior. It was a frustrated scream to no one and everyone and a doubled-over laugh till you can't breath. It was a deep breathing exercise into the expanse and intimacy of an incredible area of the world.

I went seeking adventure and I found it. In this seeking I found an intimacy in the world that is impossible to get by reading the New York Times or watching television. I realized how much tension I hold and how much white noise is generated by our living in the western world. I realized how hard I can be on myself - phyisically, intellectually and emtionally - and how a spiritual practice informs this awareness and allows for a more gentle approach to living in the world . Never have I cherished my yoga and meditation practices as I do now. For me, they are the key to revisiting my adventures and bringing these experiences into my day to day living. My biggest personal lesson from my travels: my practice goes deeper when I stop trying so hard.

Thank you to everyone that gave me their support, love, levity, sacrasm, and ribbings. I appreciate all of it. My love to all of you.

Shanti, Shanti, Shanti,
Eben