Rajanaka Newsletter April 22 2023

Saturday, April 22, 2023

 

Aho’Rajanaka,

 

I hope this finds you well.  It’s spring in Bristol and I’m looking forward to completing Year 36 at the University this coming Tuesday.  Then I’ll be grading exams and keeping away from sharp objects.  

 

The professor who follows me into the same classroom saw the note I’d left on the blackboard (actual chalk, he uses the marker board) about how any use of ChatGPT (or any AI) on the take-home final will result in failure.  He said, “I think it’s going to be great for my students who can’t write.”  Education is apparently literacy-optional.   This is our future.  I’m not complaining--- how would that help?  The present can seem unrecognizable to me and while I look like more Yoda every day and sound too much like Grandpa Simpson, the view here from the cheap seats is that the cheap seats ain’t cheap.  Stuff has a cost, may have value, and maybe even meaning is at stake if we dare to consider as much.  Rajanaka promises no soporific answers ‘cause we’re better at asking good questions and I’m not giving up just yet.  Well, not ever.  Who you want to be still matters.  Make that happen.  I’m here to talk if you like.  Write to me. (douglas@rajanaka.com really is working.  Ha!)

 

We have CAMP coming in July.  Time to decide if you would like to come.  It’s going to go sweet and deep and fun.  Practice and puja are a focus.  If you want to deepen your learning and learn the real deal, this is a pretty wonderful opportunity.  Write to me if you need help, there is also a Facebook group, and we have plenty of room.  Please don’t wait.  It takes two wings to fly yo.

INDIA details came last week and here they are again.  We have had some email issues and it’s really not our faultand we will reply to your queries as soon as possible. Promise.

We’ve revised INDIA deposit dates to give folks more time to think this over.  But if you want to go on pilgrimage, here’s the chance.  It’s grand, it’s wonderful, it’s like nothing else.  And we’ve done this before.  We’ll see the important temples in Tamil Nadu, meet wonderful people, have a swell time.  Come.  I have pasted in below today only the note of invitation from Greg and Kim Shand who handle our logistics on this side.  Please don’t wait if you want to come.  

See you tomorrow, Sunday at 5pm Eastern for Mahabharata.  See you Thursday at 7pm for the final Session of Muruga.  There is no session today, Saturday April 22: the six Sessions of the Tamil Goddess are now in the Archive.  Pick them up anytime.  These are conversations worth your time.  Zoom and Archive links are in a million other Newsletters.  (Look on Facebook groups too.  Rejoin if you left.  It’s an easy way to communicate and you can avoid the rabble if you just look at our Chitra Katha group.)  I will post this Newsletter with the India Invitation on the Kalliyam Blog where you can also find past Newsletters, so’kay?

https://kalliyam.blogspot.com/2023/04/rajanaka-newsletter-april-22-2023.html

 

saprema,

Douglas

 

 

INDIA DETALS AND REGISTRATION

MEET GREGG AND KIM SHAND

 

Hello Rajanaka Peeps,

 

First, for those of you who don’t know us, please allow us to introduce ourselves. We are Kim and Greg Shand and we have volunteered to help with the coordination, planning and logistics for December’s trip to Tamil Nadu.

 

There are some changes in the sign-up process from previous years, so please review the information in this email carefully. If you’ve never been to India with Douglas Brooks, it’s hard to imagine what the experience will be like. You will have inside access to the temples and their priests. It will be a trip that is entirely different from any experience booked with a travel agent. When you travel as a “Poonai” (the Tamil word for “cat”) you will not be a spectator observing the culture of south India…you will be a participant. 

 

It is humbling to find that so many new and veteran students want to continue to learn and share by attending this trip. We only bring 30 people on this trip so that: 1) the temples are not overwhelmed by our presence, and 2) you are better able to enjoy the direct, up-close and personal experience that is ahead. To meet these priorities, we will have to take reservations on a first-come/first-serve basis. When we reach 30 attendees, we will close registration and start a waiting list

 

THE BIG NEWS! We are turning back time and offering this trip at the same price that was charged in 2019! The total cost will be $5500 per person w/double-occupancy rooms*. The price could increase by $100-$200 if we are unable to purchase the plane tickets quickly! $5500 includes airfare from JFK to Chennai**, all in-country transportation on an air-conditioned bus (with WiFi and an almost unlimited cache of bottled water), lodging, daily breakfast and welcome and farewell dinners. You will need additional money for all other meals, souvenirs, temple offerings and tips. We will provide you with more details on the amount of spending money that you may want to bring. 

 

* Single Occupancy rooms are available for an upcharge of $1000. 

** You will be responsible for getting to JFK on time. Our flight, Etihad Airlines, Flight 102, will be departing at 2:00 PM to Chennai on December 28th. Please plan to arrive at JFK at least 3 hours before the 2:00 PM departure time. If you live outside of the US, contact us for an airfare credit. You will need to coordinate your travel to and from Chennai so that your arrival and departure schedule does not impact the larger group’s arrival and departure times. We will land back at JFK on January 13th at 3:50 PM

After we receive your deposit, there will be a lot of information coming your way…how to apply for a visa, what to pack, the itinerary, timelines, what to expect when we arrive, etc. Through conference calls and emails, we will help prepare you for the journey. We will also be on the trip with you to help you with any questions or concerns that may arise. For now, by filling out, signing and returning the contract that is attached, a seat will be reserved for you on the trip. However, your first payment must be received no later than April 23rd to secure your place. Since we need to make various deposits and (most importantly) purchase the airline tickets immediately, to receive group rates, flight costs are non-refundable and will not be transferable by Rajanaka Yoga. Travel insurance is a good option if an emergency arises preventing your attendance. We will send you information on how and where you can purchase trip insurance. Contract and Payment Plan: Name Home Address Email Address Cell phone Emergency Phone Date of Birth Passport number and expiration: Roommate: (If you don’t have one, no worries, we will match you up) Payments Payments can be made by check and debit/credit cards, through PayPal. Paypal transactions will incur an additional 2.9% fee. PayPal payments should be sent to: douglas@rajanaka.com If you need assistance with facilitating a PayPal transaction, please contact: greg@rajanaka.com and he will be happy to assist you. Make Checks Payable to: Rajanaka Yoga Please send all checks to: Douglas Brooks, 7296 Gregg Road, Bloomfield, NY 14469 Payment Schedule The total cost for each participant is $5500. With the exception of the first payment, please note all payments are due by the 10th of each month. 

$1500* 

$1000 

$1000 

$1000 

April 30 – Payment #1 May 17 – Payment #2 June 17 – Payment #3 July 17 – Payment #4 August 17 – Payment #5 $1000 final payment** 

*The 1st payment will NOT BE REFUNDABLE as it is for the purchase of plane tickets and other deposits. If you cancel before Sept. 1st, payments 2-5 will be refunded if a replacement is found. Cancellation after Sept. 1st will result in forfeiture of all previous payments. **The final price of the trip will be determined at the time of airline ticketing. Airline taxes can vary $100-$200. You are also welcome to pay in full at anytime.

Changes and Cancellations: 

Payments are not refundable or transferable by Rajanaka Yoga. 

Travel Insurance: 

Travel Insurance is available through Travel Guard. Visit www.travelguard.com for an online quote and a breakdown of three plan options. 

Passport:

If your passport expires before August 2023, you will need to get a new one. Please start the process now. 

Visa: 

You can obtain a multi-year visa from an Indian consulate if you have one near you. Alternatively, a tourist visa can be applied for online 120 days prior to traveling. Details on the website and how to fill out the application will be sent to you. 

Vaccinations:

The U.S. CDC does not require any vaccinations to visit India. Please visit your doctor for personal recommendations. Some people choose to get hepatitis vaccinations, flu shots and tetanus shots. If you are considering these, plan to visit your doctor at least 6 months prior to departure. 

Terms and Conditions 

Waiver and Release of Liability 

I have read and agree to follow the guidelines listed above and to adhere to the payment schedule as outlined. I understand that Rajanaka Yoga acts as an agent for the various suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, activities or other services connected with this tour. Rajanaka Yoga and its respective employees, agents, representatives, independent contractors and assigns, accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other incident which may be caused by the negligence, defect, default of any company or person in performing tour guiding, sightseeing, excursions, transfers, or any other activities connected with Rajanaka Yoga trips. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which they are provided. Rajanaka Yoga is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips led by Rajanaka Yoga. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects. 

I acknowledge that all travel involves an element of risk and I hereby assume all such risk to myself. 

By signing below, I affirm that I fully understand and agree to the above Terms and Conditions, Waiver and Release of Liability. 

____________________ __________________ 

Signature Date