Scorchio

It's hot! I couldn't sleep much last night, even with the fan blowing with full strength. According to Foreca weather service, the "feels like" temperature at the moment is 44 degrees Celsius. The actual temperature is 35, but it sure feels much worse than that. Unfortunately the weather seems to be staying this way at least until Tuesday.

Luckily today's the free day. Working would be not much fun. But there's really nothing much to do that's fun when it's this hot. The moment you leave the fan, you're covered in sweat. I'm not going further than the internet cafe today.

I did something quite interesting this morning already. I went to see a king, or actually the former king of Munger (a region in Bihar). He renounced his title and became a guru. Now he's got his own temple and ashram here in Vrindavan. He was asked questions and he answered. I must say that the only thing I can remember is that one should try concentrate more in the spiritual life and growth. With that the material things in one's life losen their grip and the soul can better guide the body, senses and the mind for doing good.

I haven't told you much about the religion here. The reason is very simple. I have been trying to understand it. Hinduism in general is something I never was very well acquainted with in the first place... Well, the Vrinda-Kunja ashram belongs to the Gaudiya Vaishnavism, which is one branch of Vaishnavism, which again is one big branch of Hinduism. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (more commonly known as Hare Krishnas), belong to the same Gaudiya Vaishnavism as the ashram I'm staying in. But the people here don't consider themselves Hare Krishnas. So, it's complicated, as you can see. They believe that chanting the God's name purifies and brings closer to the Supreme being. If you want to know more, please check the Wikipedia link above.

That's all for today.