South Node Shaman; India Ashtanga to Thailand Silence

By Shaman Melodie McBride

In Book 2 of the South Node Shaman travel series we will have two parts. Part 1 will continue on from our trip from Ireland to Scotland from book 1 and go into India and the Ashtanga teachers training course at the ashram on the west coast through to the east coast of India and back to the US. Part 2 will cover New Mexico and ending in my new home of Boise. Then silent retreats in Thailand, back to India for the advanced Ashtanga yoga teachers training course and then back to the US and the west coast retreat.

When your process of cyclic recovery opens a path for you there are circumstances that may make your choices more complex. Living and financial conditions are usually at the top of the list. Justifications for why you can or cannot move forward will defiantly influence your plan. Though I do urge you to make a plan. Setting a goal does so much good for the development of the human psyche. Remember that placing an intent and reinforcement through action will move you forward.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9798369418598

Shaman Melodie McBride

Shaman Melodie McBride Instructor and Advanced Yoga Certifications from Yoga Vidya Gurukul Ashram/School in Timbak, Nashik, India. Melodie holds an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences specializing in electronics, harmonic and vibrational therapy practices. Professor at Eastern Idaho Technical Collage. Shaman Melodie has a triple Mastership in Usui/Tibetan/Karuna Reiki through the International Center for Reiki Training, 30 + years as a Herbologist, amazing intuitive ability, and is deplumed in Fixed Star Astrology to assist her clients in formulating and executing their own personal wellness plans. Dr. Mrs. Anagha Yardi B.A.M.S.—Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicines and Surgery, Ayurvedacharya From University of Pune, Consulting Ayurved Physician, Specialty in Panchkarma, Herbal remedy, Diet, Mental health, Herbal skin care, Ayurvedic Gynecology Received “Ideal Woman Award” and honored by Health minister on Women’s Day. Visited Japan Singapore, Russia for lectures and demonstrations on Ayurveda and Diet. She has been conducting workshops on Ayurveda cooking, health and diet.

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Copyright © 2024 by Shaman Melodie McBride.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 04/08/2024

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

Introduction

PART 1: INDIA ASHTANGA

Chapter 1     Connecting to Teachers

Chapter 2     Flying into the Monsoon

Chapter 3     Community

Chapter 4     Setting the Tone

Chapter 5     Bandicoot

Chapter 6     A Little Relief

Chapter 7     Final Verdict

Chapter 8     Connections

Chapter 9     Not Wanted

Chapter 10   Quiet Prejudice

Chapter 11   Home In Site

Closing Summery Part One

PART 2: THAILAND SILENCE

Introduction

Chapter 1     New Mexico Sky

Chapter 2     Time to Prepare

Chapter 3     Do I Believe?

Chapter 4     Lesson for Self

Chapter 5     The Fire in Silence

Chapter 6     Island Interim

Chapter 7     New Found Energies

Chapter 8     Worth Talking

Chapter 9     Pattern Change

Chapter 10   Presenting Triggers

Chapter 11   Mind State

Chapter 12   Too Much

Closing Summery Part Two

About the Author

INTRODUCTION

T HIS SECOND BOOK in the series covers the years I learned Ashtanga yoga and Vipassana meditation techniques. The books are designed to give the reader tools that will aid in their individual journey to recognize areas in their life cycles that are self-sabotaging. One of these methods being able to navigate through association to cultural impact. Relating to how you were raised, where, when, and by whom. I suppose the most challenging issue has been to communicate the benefits of taking care of one’s own health. I’m not saying that my experience is the only way but, it is a way.

These writings are based on the knowledge I have received through education and application. My goal is to relay this knowledge in a balanced way, i.e. yin/yang, pro/con, dark/light etc. Though there is the unavoidable programming. The part of self that wants to tell it my way. How the given situation made me feel. How control of the choice would only play out so long before the reinforced energy of the natural universe took over. This didn’t happen once or even twice, it continues to this day. It is how cycles work. It is a life process to learn how to recognize what part of the cycle is detrimental and change that through reinforced action. Time and patience really can be exciting and of course rewarding.

The reader can use this through association. We all have different situations we were raised in so not every method will apply. Although there will be something because the energy of synchronicity has brought you here as the reader.

This part of the journey happens after I regained my physical health. Getting your physical body healthy allows your mind state to be in an elevated place and gives you more options to see a situation from a different perspective. I have covered that process in my previous book series ‘Going Towards the Nature is Going Towards the Health’.

In my experience the road to cyclic recovery has the most emphasis put on the first year. Which I agree is a critical stage but then what? How do you continue to evolve into a balanced life of your remaking? How do you explain HOW to heal? Or is it recover? Do you really want to recover what led you down the path of abuse? Because the reinforced energy is what moves you into a higher state of mind to see the whole of the situation. Healing would mean the wound is covered, closed. But the scar still remains…then what?

My point is the fact that abuse is there. What you can do, to progress in life, would be to step through with the ability to embrace and accept without drudging the canal deeper. Not only into the abuse received but the abusive behavior learned as a coping mechanism to survive. So use the scars as a means to propel learning in ways that open up positive possibilities for one to live life freely. Thus setting terms to help not hinder the present. Recognition is the key.

This is where I began, by approaching the life cycle from one place of completion and working in reverse. It sounds a bit unorthodox but the bigger view of the entire issue is really the scope of the process. It’s about learning to set goals and placing intent in action to achieve them. Seeing the issue in a non-reactive mind state.

You see I believe there is this gullibility that we all carry to a certain degree. This may present itself in any way necessary to the situation, immersing time and space. This leaves the energetic circumstances right for vulnerability. Some of us may know when that is and how it can be used positively, or not, in our lives. While others, such as I, know it will come as chaos ensues. This, is that story.

All in all this is about healing and to realize that in order to have a body maintain its overall health it has to be in flux all the time. Constant influence from all types of energy sources in the 21st century dictate this. The idea is not to ignore it or to put it off for a better time or simply to be able to afford it. Right? So how exactly? It’s different for us all. This is my experience and what I’ve discovered, with the hope others will find tools to aid them on their own path to a more balance life.

Now allow me to explain this book’s title ‘South Node Shaman’. Why south node? The series is based on my real life adventures toward developing spiritual growth, the second phase after body/mind connection. In my astrological chart my south node is in Capricorn. Adding Astrology in my attention elevated my energy into a higher mind state. It’s a tool to aid in developing positive life outcomes. The energy of everything affects the energy of you. What you choose to focus on is what will help or hinder your progress. Being aware of my support and nemesis in the stars has been a great comfort in my own process. Thus, the chaos of the south node for me has authored my life cycles. Of course there are more aspects that influence the chart but what the basics state are that I will follow the hero’s journey experiencing unpredictable life expeditions taking me to the brink of chaos to reach divine connection…Every time. I write that with calm but for me its explosive and the learning curve was waaaay steep!

The second query posed is about the Shaman title. Because I research and live many modalities of healing this likens my methods of teaching and writing to the practices of Shamanism. My lineage being from Celtic origin. These practitioners are responsible for maintaining the health and well-being of their chosen tribe by learning as many healing methods as possible. Haven chosen this path to help others, writing it down is another means of relaying positive healing energy to those who are drawn to these writings. If I had known this when I set out on these quests you’d think I’d might’ve changed my mind but nooo, my heart still follows this same course of fate and really I wouldn’t’ have it any other way.

In Book 2 of the South Node Shaman travel series we will have two parts. Part 1 will continue on from our trip from Ireland to Scotland from book 1 and go into India and the Ashtanga teachers training course at the ashram on the west coast through to the east coast of India and back to the US. Part 2 will cover New Mexico and ending in my new home of Boise. Then silent retreats in Thailand, back to India for the advanced Ashtanga yoga teachers training course and then back to the US and the west coast retreat.

When your process of cyclic recovery opens a path for you there are circumstances that may make your choices more complex. Living and financial conditions are usually at the top of the list. Justifications for why you can or cannot move forward will defiantly influence your plan. Though I do urge you to make a plan. Setting a goal does so much good for the development of the human psyche. Remember that placing an intent and reinforcement through action will move you forward.

This is what I wanted to do to shake up the flow of energy for me. This first experience is to follow the teachings of yoga through to the ashram in India for one month and back to the US.

Part two will be dealing with reestablishing my base and driving to New Mexico for Fixed Astrology class. Then move to another part of the state. I would be accepted in an advanced yoga program but first I would journey to the silent retreats in Thailand to prepare. The advanced program was held at the initial ashram in India where they offered my teacher’s certification. All attended and recommended by my Ajahn. As the reader moves energy into this books journey so too will the mind state evolve into a more positive place. Liberation of self begins.

PART ONE

India Ashtanga

CHAPTER 1

Connecting to Teachers

M Y CHIN WAS pressed to my chest so tight I could barely breathe. I focused my gaze at my hips moving up my legs to see my pointed toes, straightening my legs as I held my hips with my hands. Don’t forget to breathe is what was going on in my mind. ‘Relax’ came through the air waves from a voice all too familiar now, my yoga teacher. I had been taking private lessons since spring of 2007. Ashtanga yoga is one of the most challenge areas of all the yoga practices because it encompasses a variety of different techniques. I was to being thoroughly educated and entrenched in this special practice.

Finding someone to instruct me in the basics of yoga was a task I enjoyed. The individual that I would draw into my reality was an energetic match and the union was blessed with like-minded goals. She was experienced, educated, devoted, and gained her training throughout Asia. Her patience and discipline brought my respect quickly and the results of working together would benefit my view on the path forward for my life. She would call me Sadhaka (student) and I referred to her as Ajahn (teacher). The syllabus was to contain Buddha teachings along with Ayurveda, Vipassana meditation, Vedic texts and the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga.

My teacher was attempting to explain the benefits of the shoulder stand I was currently holding as part of the healing process for my sore body. All the hiking while I was overseas in Ireland and Scotland had taken a toll on my adrenals’ and this was one of the poses that would place me on the road to recovery. This would be part of my regular agenda for the next year and a half as my life collapsed. Throughout this time yoga would be my solace.

I would also start a radio program on Voice America that