Hampi

Tomorrow morning begins three days of fasting from food (not water) and “communication”. The former will be hard because shit its three days and we’re working our tails off. The latter will be hard simply in that, well, we’re here working together, not solo. No talking certainly, but gestures are supposed to be out, as well as any other kinds of outward expression not absolutely necessary for the work: facial expressions, eye communication, writing, drawing, singing, playing music, etc. A few people started early and have let a lot of the gestural part slide. I keep anticipating that I’ll have little trouble keeping things to myself, outside of those moments when, of course, my challenge is exactly that, when I want to communicate, share.

The trickier part is the negotiation of letting things in from the outside only as necessary for the work, as the intention is that one is also closed off to incoming communication. All this comes from Vipasana meditation, in my understanding, and I believe that we will get instruction from our resident esoteric and teacher of street performance István “Goldi” Goldman (That’s “Stephen”, in Hungarian). Earlier he said that the powerful part of this that all of one’s sense of communication goes inward, sending the communion with the self very deep.

At least we won’t have to worry about ordering any food. Or kvetching about being hungry.

We started working 10-12hr days here in Hampi, after nearly a week of scattered comings and goings (Dec20-26), including hours of juggling and slack-rope training, but that teacher leaves tonight and with the fast I suspect much will change. In any case we are to keep up this rhythm through the 3^rd, after nine days straight; then workshop some material and depart on the 4^th, overnight to Mysore, for 2 straight weeks of 4hrs a day Yoga classes.

Already, each work day here we have started around 5am, with nary more than a moment’s pause until 1pm. This has for me been a somewhat brutal practice for the 3-day fast: I wake early, stay fairly concentrated through yoga practices; then I struggle through the first circus class, trying to embrace the failure; finally, part-way through the second I pause, practice my inner wake-up call, reminding myself that its much nicer and very much worth it to open my heart to positivity, inner warmth, and half-full-ness. Not eating for 8hrs or so through that has been trying, to say the least. A big lunch followed by 4hrs of music, dance, and seminar precede a very light dinner and much-needed sleep. Perhaps in between I manage to shower, or pack my bag, or do a little writing. Sometimes not. The following days I’ll mostly just sleep and meditate in the off time.

Why document and share all the details, a record of my reflection on how I manage my time and logistics and energy? Is it for you, Reader, or for me?