Private Message to Professor Desai

[alt_padma]

Professor,

I really enjoyed that book on reflexive exercises. I know it's only been a week or so, but I think it's already helping. Also, running after lessons has been a good habit to start again. I've thought about trying to find time for Natya as well, but--well, I dunno. Marvolo seems to think it's disrespectful to Our Lord to practise anything too...too ethnic. So perhaps there are other activities that would help with balance and core strength. What methods do you use, if you don't mind my asking?

I wanted to ask if you're planning to go to New London over the Hogsmeade weekend? Because Headmaster Dolohov offered to take me to Ouroboros and Elysian and all the other Council places, to register, but if you were already going down to Town, I thought perhaps to go with you, and save him the trouble.

Padma

Comments

[alt_savitha]

My practice for improving strength and balance is also a bit ethnic. What exactly did Mr Marvolo say to you, my dear?

I was indeed planning to go to New London next weekend, and I would be delighted to take you to the Ouroboros and Elysian, as well as Morgaine's, which is a private club for select Witches that I think you might enjoy.

[alt_padma]

Oh, that would be splendid! Thank you very much.

As for Marvolo.... Well, I don't want to criticise him, certainly, but you know Seamus and I spent a fair amount of time with him, over the summer. It was right after Dra--well, right after losing his best friend, of course, so maybe he was just having a rough time of it. Which is to be expected! And he hasn't said much about it since, but at the time, he came right out and told me that I had to 'give up' being a Hindu. He said I should only put my faith in Our Lord. And of course, I do! But, well, I asked Lana, and she advised me to do whatever Marvolo said. So I've been really very careful not to mention Lakshmi or Krishna or any of our ancestral patrons, at least not around him, or in my journal. The thing is, it's clear from the way he spoke that he didn't really understand how having a religion isn't quite the same thing as following Our Lord faithfully. So, I've just been quiet about it, I guess.

I mean, eventually if I ever get married, I want that to be a proper ceremony. And things like that. And I know Tosha there are others on the Council who still consider themselves Christian. Or other things.

But of course, I wouldn't want to disobey Marvolo.

[alt_savitha]

Well, how utterly absurd of him. Of course there's no conflict between being a Hindu and serving Our Lord.

I wonder if he was trying to see whether you would follow an order, even if it was difficult and unreasonable. Was he at all specific about what he wanted you to give up?

[alt_padma]

Yes, I thought about that. So did Lana

He just said that I was meant to have 'other priorities' and that I had to give up 'all that'--meaning my religion, basically--and that Our Lord ought to be my only god. Well, I mean, I think he was thinking that we think of gods the way Christians think of Jesus, which is just ignorant. And when I tried to point out that it didn't work that way, he said 'It wasn't a suggestion' or something like that.

And I understand the point of testing whether I'd follow his orders--only I just think it's an odd thing to ask someone to give up.

[alt_savitha]

It doesn't sound like he has any real idea what he wants you to do, or give up. Has he said anything about it since?

Frankly, I think you should go right ahead with Natya, if you can find the time.

[alt_padma]

No, not really. I mean, he might do if I started talking about it, or made an announcement about Diwali or something. But he hasn't asked or anything.

I was also figuring that he wouldn't consider yoga too Hindu, since it's so similar to the meditation exercises Tosha's had us doing for years. Also, I remember from Muggle Studies that some muggles thought they understood yoga, even ones who weren't Hindu themselves.

[alt_savitha]

If he doesn't, that just shows how utterly ignorant he is about it.

I've been a Councilwitch since we were called Death Eaters, and Our Lord has never had anything to say to anyone about their private spiritual practices, so long as they didn't interfere with our service to Him.

I have an idea, my dear; you and your sister organised a celebration of Diwali a few years ago, didn't you? I'll organise one this year, assuming the Headmaster doesn't object. And we'll see if Marvolo has anything to say about it to me.