Das vorletzte Wochenende hielt ein schönes kleines Abenteuer für mich bereit. Mit einem sehr netten Amerikaner, der schon lange in Deutschland lebt und sich als der ideale Reisegefährte und Gesprächspartner herausstellte, bin ich mit dem Motorrad ins drei Stunden entfernte Tiruvannamalai gefahren, wo es einen berühmten Tempel und Kloster („Ashram“) und heiligen Berg mit diversen Höhlen, in denen sich ein wichtiger Guru aufgehalten hatte, zu bestaunen gibt.

[…]

• Highly recommend the documentary on European eco-communities „The New We“ http://j.mp/hNem1g #
• Economist Richard B Freeman explains nicely what unions are good for http://j.mp/flwMLR Improves my opinion of his profession #
• #travelinsight 18: Hero Hondas are real heroes. A louder horn would be nice for India though. And how about a 5th gear? #
• #travelinsight 17: Will never travel without my own mosquito net again. Oh, and I’ll bring my passport next time… #

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• #travelinsight 16: After some weeks of practicing „butt-wash“, I can see how the thought of rubbing poo around with paper could seem gross. #
• #travelinsight 15: Rice with pesto and old bread croutons can be a delicious dinner, if you’ve just done sports for about three hours… #
• Is Japan’s youth teaching us how to outgrow growth? And can it really work? Intriguing NYTimes Op-Ed http://nyti.ms/fT4bwF #
• Beware of second-hand science — like popular books on sex differences, put under scrutiny by a new book on NeuroSexism http://bit.ly/hF6oAq #
• Very interesting thoughts and history on „hard“ vs. „soft“ science http://bit.ly/g3x5kZ Ever heard of the Sokal Hoax? #
• #travelinsight 14: Don’t leave any trash in bed — even an empty plastic wrapping can attract legions of tiny ants. Amazing creatures, really #

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• #travelinsight 16: After some weeks of practicing „butt-wash“, I can see how the thought of rubbing poo around with paper could seem gross. #
• #travelinsight 15: Rice with pesto and old bread croutons can be a delicious dinner, if you’ve just done sports for about three hours… #
• Is Japan’s youth teaching us how to outgrow growth? And can it really work? Intriguing NYTimes Op-Ed http://nyti.ms/fT4bwF #
• Beware of second-hand science — like popular books on sex differences, put under scrutiny by a new book on NeuroSexism http://bit.ly/hF6oAq #
• Very interesting thoughts and history on „hard“ vs. „soft“ science http://bit.ly/g3x5kZ Ever heard of the Sokal Hoax? #
• #travelinsight 14: Don’t leave any trash in bed — even an empty plastic wrapping can attract legions of tiny ants. Amazing creatures, really #

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Jetzt geht es an einem ruhigen Sonntagnachmittag also endlich mal an die Zusammenschau der sozialen und spirituellen Lebenspraxis, die sich mir hier in Auroville präsentiert. Um ehrlich zu sein habe ich mich für Letztere am Anfang wenig interessiert, aber es stellt sich heraus, dass der soziale Aspekt hier ohne den Spirituellen kaum verstanden werden kann. Fast alle Menschen, mit denen ich über Auroville und was das Leben hier für sie bedeutet spreche, beziehen sich recht bald auf die Lehre von Sri Aurobindo und „the Mother“ (auch „la Mère“, „Mutter“ habe ich auch von Deutschen noch nie gehört).

[…]

• Scientists answer „What scientific concept would improve everybody’s cognitive toolkit?“ http://bit.ly/g4RlGq Some very thought-provoking #
• #travelinsight 12: Starting to believe in experiencing as a distinct mode of apprehension different from understanding. #
• My follow-up reading to „When Nietzsche Wept“ (amazing novel): Existential Loneliness in Health Care http://j.mp/g8AJ9R #
• #travelinsight 13: Yes I do need 3 pairs of glasses. Seriously. And I didn’t have enough pants for dusty everything here, but they are cheap #
• #travelinsight 11: India (at least Auroville) is full of Crazy Philosopher Teachers. That guy „7“ is secretly behind Harry Potter… #

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I’m aware that I’ve chosen a quite big title for a small experience and thought I want to share, but it is one I keep coming back to, and which has right now been stimulated again by reading a book by Krishnamurti called Commentaries on Living (First Series). He writes about Humility, and virtues in general:

[…]

Ich bin versucht, auch meinen zweiten indischen Beitrag mit dem Wort wow zu beginnen, umschiffe diese Wiederholung aber hiermit. Ziemlich genau zwei Wochen sind schon vorbeigerauscht, zwei sehr verschiedene und jeweils auf ihre Art spannende Wochen. In der Ersten konnte ich an einer „Volunteer Introduction Week“ teilnehmen und in kurzer Zeit eine Menge verschiedene Ecken und Bewohner Aurovilles entdecken, und die Zweite ist meine erste Woche als Volunteer im Kindergarten für Auroville-Kinder.

[…]

• #mankiw doesn’t see international economy as a competitive game http://j.mp/ed6K98 Sadly, no explanation why so many people think otherwise #
• #travelinsight 10: Bicycle or Moped? Bicycle or Moped? Bicycle or Moped? Think I’ll stick with the former at least until it gets really hot. #
• #travelinsight 9: I’ll have to get a local mobile phone (kinda oxymoron, right?). People here get one even before a regular food supply. #
• #travelinsight 8: Sport is good. Team sport is great. I love Ultimate Frisbee! Even though it makes me miss my soccer group back home. #
• #travelinsight 7: Discovering all the different colors and types of itch mosquitoes can do. It could be fascinating if it wasn’t so annoying #
• Quartett mit „Blitztrompf“ und leider humorlose Staatsanwaltschaft http://j.mp/eAp4lM Ich glaube, das Ding ist pädagogisch wertvoll #
• #travelinsight 6: Drank my first unfiltered tap water in India, in the shower (silly old habit!) and — nothing. Health risks exaggerated #

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• #mankiw doesn’t see international economy as a competitive game http://j.mp/ed6K98 Sadly, no explanation why so many people think otherwise #
• #travelinsight 10: Bicycle or Moped? Bicycle or Moped? Bicycle or Moped? Think I’ll stick with the former at least until it gets really hot. #
• #travelinsight 9: I’ll have to get a local mobile phone (kinda oxymoron, right?). People here get one even before a regular food supply. #
• #travelinsight 8: Sport is good. Team sport is great. I love Ultimate Frisbee! Even though it makes me miss my soccer group back home. #
• #travelinsight 7: Discovering all the different colors and types of itch mosquitoes can do. It could be fascinating if it wasn’t so annoying #
• Quartett mit „Blitztrompf“ und leider humorlose Staatsanwaltschaft http://j.mp/eAp4lM Ich glaube, das Ding ist pädagogisch wertvoll #
• #travelinsight 6: Drank my first unfiltered tap water in India, in the shower (silly old habit!) and — nothing. Health risks exaggerated #

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