Money, Material and Full Moon Howling

I had a very successful shopping experience today!
Now, shopping is something that I've tried to avoid as a valuable cultural experience here, since it is ALL.ABOUT. CONSUMING. However, I realized today that interacting with the shopkeepers is actually a really accessible way to interact with Indian culture.
Many of the shopkeepers here are from Northern India, specifically Kashmir. Since talking to many of them, I want to come back and go to Kashmir!
First of all, the name- doesn't it just sound beautiful? ;)
It is in the mountains, with many lakes and rivers, and it is known for its outdoor adventuring.
Yep, sign me up.
And what is more, the shopkeepers I have intermittently been interacting with over the past weeks are really open and friendly. They remember me, and greet me whenever I ride by. (The main shopping village is on the way to the beach.) Some of them really invest time in building relationship, which is a refreshing breath of an experience in contrast to the stifling pressure of many Indian sopping experiences. ("You buy NOW!")
At the apex of this realization here is this one man, who I bought something from the other week. His shop is called "The Same But Different". When I was in there, I didn't have enough money to purchase the item. He said, "Oh no, you don't worry about it; you give me the money when you have it. Just enjoy this garment, enjoy the afternoon, and give many blessings." Well this just about startled me to death! Can you imagine going to Nordstrom's during Christmastime, having a long chat with the salesperson (who offers you a chai), picking out a beautiful garment with their undivided attention's help, and then them saying, "oh yes, take it, and come back to pay some other time."
Wow. This was a different experience.
We are SO based on MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, it is like it has its own entity, own energy and force, that sweeps us up and carries us along with it, guiding us around by the throats.
We are slaves to money.
Generally speaking.
Of course, this isn't how it has to be, and there are many different mentalities to help alleviate this devastating economic view, but- it is sadly true that the basis of our entire economy is run on money, and direct exchange. This does not leave any room for work exchange, or any other type of arrangement. It is solely for the individual gain!
Now how isolating is that? It just develops this energy of separate smallness, and creates a dominant paradigm of selfish work ethic.
Anyway, that is just a little rant- and the experience of sifting through the waves of colorful fabrics here is actually quite a nice sensual experience. All the garments smell of incense and the stories of the hand-made places they are from around the country of India.
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Also, last night was the full moon. Henry, Richie and I went to the top of a 200 foot watertower to watch the moon rise, and picnic with some people from Sadhana forest. Then we rode our bikes down to the beach, despite many peoples' various warnings, and dove into the moonlit water!! It was SO cleansing, celebratory, rejuvenating, relinquishing, childlike, and adventurous. (Neil, you would have loved it!!)
So that was great- It is always nice to HOWL AT THE FULL MOON!
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Today, I Witnessed the Miracle Of Life.

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Tonight is a Full Moon.
The night I arrived here, I stepped out of the car, and the first thing I noticed was the upwards-facing crescent moon.
The second thing I noticed was Mozambique.
All of the dogs here look alike. Today I asked what breed Mozambique was, and Kalsang replied, "the Tamil kind".
From day one, Mozambique was a source of comfort and kinship for me. When I felt out of place and lonely, I could go to here and feel love. She is the calmest, most zen dog I have ever met.
Today, she gave birth. And I arrived home just in time to witness the 6th and final pup be pushed out.
Since this morning, Mozambique had been shivering and whimpering; we all knew that today was her day.
Diane says that her having birth on a full moon makes total sense. Diane is our assitant teacher on the trip. She lives on Hornsby Island near Vancouver, and spent about 10 years as a midwife in India, traveling all over through rural villages. She has written a book on midwifery and rural India. She says that many births happen within 3 days surrounding the full moon. The moon pulls on the tides, and pulls on our watery bodies.
I think we are all glad that Diane is around, as she was able to give assistance to the exhausted Mozambique. We all sat with her and sang her songs and gave her water after she was done. She had been working SO hard, and all her pups looked like little closed-eyed wet seals, nuzzling their way to her breast. We were all amazed at how Mozambique and her pups knew exactly what to do. The process of birth is so instinctual!
The only person present with Mozambique throughout the whole process was Karen, our teacher. It must have been a pretty powerful experience for her, especially since this is her first year ever in Auroville without her only daughter, Maya.
Tapping into this incredible and natural rite of motherhood is giving in to the divinity of womanhood. The pain and instinct that birthing takes is like tapping into the most ancient tribal dance; the most universal song of creation.
And so, I suppose it was also instinctual that I began calling Mozambique "Mama" before I ever knew her name. She was a "student's dog", meaning she was originally a village stray and began hanging out with a student who stayed at the Tibetan Pavilion. Thus, I think she has found a beautiful home here. :) She is an incredible dog, and I will always remember this experience.
Now, my biggest thought is, "I want to take a puppy home with me!!"  :)
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