In Medias Res

The term describes a start of a narrative be it a play, song, movie, or simple story shared between two people wherin the protagonist appears already caught up in whatever series of events led up to the current state of affairs. This is seen in Star Wars, we first see a space battle between Rebel and Imperial Forces as we begin with chapter four of a very long, long saga. Likewise, we arrived in Mysore In Medias Res, others already having arrived before us, others showing after we find our way around. Tha baton is passed, we now show others the ropes newly found. Last week was a series of goodbyes, this week is for welcoming. Here is a shot of the old shala. This is before my time, when only 12 students at a time would study. We had a friend stay with us who's last visit was at the old shala. I now see a changed Mysore with her, even through my newly opened eyes. But something else is shifting too. It's harder daily to keep up the small chat, getting to know people every day. I'm learning that I don't always like telling everybody what I really do for work back home. For those that don't really know me, that depends on how many jobs I have in a given month. There's also a distancing happening. I can see why new people attract new people and old-timers do their own thing. At first we want to grasp onto the familiar, share in common struggles. As time goes on though, I need more time for my own processing without justifying or selling my own life story. Or even thinking about it so much. I will return to my old life, but until then I need to stay in this one. Last time I saw Guruji, I was younger and didn't think that I would ever make it here. Now on this side of the equation, I can't see how I ever doubted it. It took one month to settle in, and now I want to make the most of the quickly fading two months left. I will look forward to coming home at some point, but right now I'm just trying to perpetuate this experience. I wish to return every winter like a migratory phoenix, to start every season like every busy day, in medias res.

aeryk