I'm back in Goa, at Purple Valley, for my third February in a row; and back in India for one more month, making it 3 months in India all together.
Reconnecting with one of my favourite Italians, she brought my attention to the concept of 'coming back'. It is indeed one of the more prominent hallmarks of my trip here this time. Straight from the airport, I was back in the familiar. I was welcomed by Santosh, a driver who recognised my name on the transfer sheet and decided to pick me up. From that point on, it continued as every day I encountered more and more familiar people and places. 'Coming back' has been a frequent topic of conversation with almost everyone I have met here, giving interesting insight into how people lean towards or away from it.
'Coming back' can be explored in many ways - physically, emotionally, spiritually. It is often linked to the cyclical nature of life, touching upon themes of time and transformation. Every return carries some kind of lesson, whether we recognise it in the moment or in hindsight. It is a rich and layered concept, carrying both positive and negative connotations—sometimes we return to grow and evolve, other times we come back out of fear of moving on. I will keep it light and short and focus on the former.
I love 'coming back'! I often reread old books, rewatch movies, re-visit good quotes and travel back to places I love. I come back to my mat and my practice every morning; in essence coming back to (almost) the same sequence every day. And now I've come back to the same retreat for the 3rd year in a row. I'm here to repeat the practice. I'm here to repeat the mantras, the meditations, the philosophy and the workshops. Coming back speaks to me by silencing certain distractions and repeatedly connecting me to what truly matters.
If I'm really honest, the main reason I keep coming back to Purple Valley is my teacher. I come back to find more depth in her teachings. It is a priceless gift to be able to learn from someone who has dedicated their life to this discipline. I would like to embody all the little details by heart and here I have the opportunity to do exactly that. Laruga's retreat at PV is a deep, deep dive into Ashtanga Yoga. It asks of you just as much as it gives back to you. With a genuine teacher there is always more to be explored, felt, absorbed. I continue to lean towards it simply because I don't feel I will ever 'be done' with learning. Besides that, each time I return, I know that I return differently. Like the Greek philosopher Heraclitus puts it, "No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man."
Many might disagree and see more value in moving on and experiencing all the diversities life has to offer; recognising more value in adaptability, multiple skillsets and innovation. And I don't think there is any right or wrong approach here. We need both in the world. But, I find greater appreciation for things that take time. There is a timeless quality to mastering a skill so profoundly it becomes a part of your very being. And let's be honest.. it just can't be done without relentlessly 'coming back'.
So here I am, back in Goa, being relentless.. 2 weeks in, 2 more to go :)
Until next time...
"We shall not cease from exploration,
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time."
~ T.S. Eliot
Reading: Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts
Listening to: ♪ Esperanza, Hermanos Gutiérrez
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