Month: July 2026

akhaṇḍamaṇḍalākāraṃ vyāptaṃ yena carācaraṃ |

tatpadaṃ darśitaṃ yena tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ ||

 (Which) pervades the entire unbroken form of the circle (of creation), moving and unmoving. To that beautiful and benevolent Guru through whom that state was revealed (to me), salutations.

Stepping into the ashram is always a gift, lovingly created and nurtured by our beloved Masters, and on the special sacred occasions, like Swami Veda’s Mahasamadhi, we honour that gift with deep gratitude having received such a blessing.

On the sacred occasion of the 12^th Mahasamadhi Day of Swami Veda Bharatiji (11^th Anniversary), Tuesday, the 14^th July 2026, our spiritual home Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama was overwhelmed by a sentiment of pure silence (but also memories and tears), expressed through the loving presence of many students, devotees, initiates, and disciples coming from all over the world and gathered together at the feet of our beloved Swami Veda to honour and pay homage to His deep love and wisdom, with pure, open hearts.

His beautiful ashram was in a bubble of special vibrations, created by all the ashram residents and initiates in the preceding 8 days through a purascharana of the akhandamandalakaram mantra, collectively offering japa of more than 1700 malas. Waves of deep love melting together in the same energy-field and becoming an unbroken stream of loving presence that permeated the entire ashram.

The Guru Disciple Relationship Retreat, taking place during those days, was a way to go more in depth with that sentiment of pure devotion and reverence to the Guru Force, the dispeller of ignorance that empowers us to discover the Guru within us.

With humble and heartfelt sentiment, we went through a very subtle and profound process of transformation, feeling more and more of the universal and infinite Love that Swami Veda was sharing with us through His presence. It was a way to deepen our relationship with the Guru’s presence—a direct experience with that love and light from within, which arises from the true nature of our being. No words; just profound and subtle heart to heart connections in the cave of silence and lovingness. With serene minds and loving hearts, just feeling, day by day, His infinite divine force accompanying  us, and filling our hearts with pure divine love.

In the morning, we had pujas and havana (fire offering) dedicated to our dearest Swamiji, lead by Swami Ritavan Bharati and priests. There was also a conclusion and purhahuti of the purascharana undertaken.

Swami Ritavan Bharati, Dr Prakash Keshaviah, Sadhana Mishra, and Namita Sinha paid their heartfelt tributes to Swamiji by reminding us how Swami Veda was an example of true unconditional, selfless love, and how He always encouraged us to change our habit patterns and become more loving persons.

 About 450 people joined the celebrations, along with 11 sadhus and 100 Sanskrit students.

The event concluded in the Dining Hall with a grand bhandara offered first to sadhus and brahmanas and then shared as prasada for us all. Along with the bhandara at SRSG, 250 sadhus at Niranjani Akhara and more than 2100 people at Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh received the bhandara on the sacred occasion  of Mahamandaleshwar Shri Swami Veda Bharati ji’s Mahasamadhi.

May this ocean’s waves of love (that we are), continue to melt together in the same energy-field and become One single stream of pure lovingness, without any break and with true and sincere humility and simplicity, under the shawl of the Lineage and the Guidance of His Divine Force.

Om 

tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ |

Embracing Silence Retreat Ahymsin Switzerland

On May 11th, a group of 15 people from five different countries gathered in the heart of the Swiss mountains at Schweibenalp, Centre of Unity, for a week-long Silence Retreat guided with by Michael Kissener and John Sellinger. Perched on a sunny plateau at 1,200 metres, the retreat centre is embraced by an awe-inspiring panorama of majestic mountain peaks. As a centre for permaculture, founded as an ashram four decades ago by a disciple of Haidakhan Babaji, Schweibenalp carries a history of spiritual unity. It was also the residence of Ammaji (Mata Amritanandamayyi Devi) for nine years. Although Schweibenalp no longer functions as an ashram in the conventional sense, its all-embracing energy remained palpable, especially in the Temple of Unity, where statues and relics from all major religions reminded us of Swami Veda’s ashram in India, SRSG, and his vision of meditation as a unifying stream across faiths.

Arrival and Opening

On the first evening, following an opening circle and a guided meditation, we gently entered into silence, welcomed by the peaceful surroundings. Michael and John thoughtfully designed a schedule with special emphasis on īśvara-praṇidhāna (practice of the presence of the Divine), providing ample space for personal practice. For the first few days, we were gently guided with inspirational sessions and meditative practices. The sessions highlighted how mantra practice in itself is a pure path of īśvara-praṇidhāna. Guided practices served as paths into that experience, by inviting the presence of the Guru force, dedicating one’s personality as a temple, offering body, prana and mind as a dwelling place of the Divine, by refined stages in mantra japa, and by way of Atma-tattva-avalokanam, awareness of the Conscious Self.

 

Practices and Guidance

The landscape, newly awakened from winter and bursting into full bloom, beautifully supported the practice of silence. Walks in the permaculture gardens and contemplative walking offered moments of reflection. As the week progressed, the sunshine gave way to rain and occasional snow, prompting us to turn inward and embrace the deepening silence. Guidance without words gradually expanded, and the group was gently supported throughout.

Reflections and Closing

On the last day, after a final meditation guided by Michael, we arranged ourselves in a circle, surrounded by an atmosphere of peace and loving kindness. The silence was slowly broken, and we shared our experiences with warmth and gratitude. Each participant contributed to the supportive atmosphere, making the silence feel less solitary and more communal. It was a privilege to share this journey with such a compassionate group. Many expressed appreciation for the guides, the practices, and the serene environment. The presence of the Guru was strongly felt, and the sense of unity was unmistakable.

Presently we are preparing for the next Silence Retreat, which will be held in October 2027. If you would like more information about our upcoming events and initiatives, please contact us via ahymsinch@gmail.com.  Soon we will have our own website ahymsin.ch and you can follow our activities on facebook as well as Instagram.

Dear friends of the AHYMSIN Himalayan Family,

The HYT-TTP team would like to wish you all wonderful insights, depth of practices and studies on the occasion of this year’s Guru Purnima celebrations.

Over two decades ago, Swami Veda envisioned AHYMSIN, a global family with its headquarters based in Rishikesh India, that would provide the way for sharing the teachings of the Himalayan Tradition, exploring all aspects of its practices.

One of those global family elements was a convenient way for all centers to have their local teachers trained in the Teachers Training program-started in the 1990’s through the Himalayan Yoga Tradition – Teacher Training Program (HYT-TTP).

Around that time period, was also the beginning of many of the now common electronic forms of communication that could allow people half a world away to share knowledge and communicate in real time.

The HYT-TTP launched its first website in 2008, using the tools available at that time period, in order for students to continue their training remotely from home, working with a mentor on their home study, after they had attended an intensive teacher training retreat based in a traditional ashram setting.

Over the last two years, the HYT-TTP team has been working very intensely to update and refresh the interactive student/mentor platform, putting into play modern tools to continue to support the Teachers Training program into the next few decades.

With the blessings of the Tradition, this new revamped website (http://himalayanyogatradition.org/) and up to date platform will be launched this year, on the most auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, continuing the deep roots of the teaching aspects of our tradition.

In addition to this important milestone, we would also like appeal directly to our level one students who have completed their first in-person retreat and who are working on their home study.

If you are a level 1 student and are ready to continue with you level 2 or planning to be ready for the November 2026 retreat, please let us know now by contacting us at info@himlayanyogatradition.com.

We are looking forward to hearing from you and to meet you at one of our upcoming retreats.

In service of the Tradition

Pierre Lefebvre

The Unbroken Journey of YMSTT

A Reflection on Devotion, Discipline, and Community (1987–2026)

Surya Sadhana is a profound, energetic spiritual practice dedicated to the Sun. Far beyond a simple physical workout, it is a comprehensive, multi-hour practice combining deliberate physical movement, rhythmic breathing, and specific vocal sounds to awaken vital energy, reduce stress, and restore complete harmony to the mind and body.

The Yoga Meditation Society of Trinidad and Tobago (YMSTT) has preserved this unbroken tradition since its conception in 1987. The year 2026 marks the 39th annual cycle of this foundational spiritual practice.

THE 13 WEEK SADHANA TIMELINE

Weeks 1 – 12	Week 13
12 Consecutive Sundays	Final Culmination
Starts post Makar Sankranti	Vedic Pooja
24 pairs of Surya Namaskars	Havan (Fire Ceremony)
Strict discipline and fasting	Purnahuti (Final offering)

The Origin

The journey of this unbroken Surya Sadhana practice began with a pivotal trip in 1986, when Alexander Benjamin (affectionately known as Alex Bhai) led a group of devotees to the Himalayan Institute in Pennsylvania, USA. Deeply inspired by the spiritual experience there, Alex Bhai returned with a vision to bring this practice to Trinidad and Tobago.

Acting on a personal request from Alex Bhai, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait officially established the structural framework for the community. He provided both a written script and a voice recording to precisely guide the students through the sacred steps. This preparation culminated in January 1987, when the first public sessions of the Surya Sadhana were launched at the Penal Hindu Mandir.

Practice and Discipline

In its original form, this intense session started at 6:00 AM and took approximately three hours to complete. It consisted of 24 pairs of Surya Namaskars woven together with sacred mantras prescribed by Pandit Rajmani. The number 24 holds profound spiritual significance, aligning the practitioner’s energetic body with the 24 solar cycles of the year and the 24 hours of the day.

To deeply purify the physical body and forge mental willpower, early practitioners observed a strict, rigorous discipline:

• Fasting: On the day of the practice, participants observed a 24-hour fast with one meal of any type of grain, which was usually taken in the evening.
• Ingredient Purity: The dedicated meal was prepared with absolutely no sugar and no salt.

This intense sadhana takes place over 12 consecutive Sundays, beginning on the first Sunday after Makar Sankranti (the transition of the sun into Capricorn, marking the end of the winter solstice period). The entire spiritual journey culminates on the 13th Sunday with a grand Vedic Pooja, a sacred havan (fire ceremony), and a purnahuti (final offering). To preserve this knowledge, a dedicated instructional book was compiled and printed in 1990, with a revised edition published in 2014.

Evolution, Expansion, and Adaptability

Over the past four decades, YMSTT has dynamically adapted the practice to meet the changing needs of its growing community:

Community & Venue Expansion

• A Resilient Fellowship: Founded with approximately 50 participants, the practice has weathered the natural cycles of life with grace. While we have deeply mourned the transition of three beloved elders and acknowledged those who could no longer attend due to age, the sacred fire has never dimmed. New participants have consistently joined our ranks over the years, sustaining a dynamic core fellowship of 25 to 30 participants annually.
• Decentralized Venues: In 1996, we opened a second venue in Endeavour, Chaguanas. Just one year later, operations shifted to the prominent Divali Nagar site, which became our primary home by 2000. In 2015, we further decentralized our presence by establishing a new venue in Siparia upon completing the ground floor of the YMSTT headquarters.
• The Siparia Sanctuary (2026): Making a historic milestone for our 39th year, the 2026 closing ceremony was conducted at the newly consecrated Pooja Shala at our headquarters and retreat center in Siparia.

Physical & Spiritual Adjustments

• Asana Evolution: The practice was upgraded to 108 Surya Namaskars during 1994 and 1995, before safely reverting to the foundational, sustainable 24 pairs in 1996.
• Spiritual Upgrades: Following consultations between Alex Bhai and Swami Veda Bharati, in 2010, powerful additions were introduced into the sadhana, including the 120 names of Surya Deva.
• Sadhana Refinement: In 2019, a senior student consulted Pandit Rajmani about further procedural updates. Panditji advised that a simplified Purnahuti (final fire offering) would suffice, which has remained the standard closing protocol. ### Critique of the Passage

Leadership & Resilience

• Guidance: Alex Bhai faithfully led the sessions for approximately 30 years, after which senior students stepped forward to sustain leadership. Pandit Dabral conducted the sacred Poojas until 2009. Local pundits filled the role until Pandit Dabral’s return in 2026.
• Sustaining the Sacred Fire: The single disruption to public gatherings occurred in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public assemblies were suspended after week four; however, dedicated students maintained their vows and completed the remaining eight weeks safely at home.

Looking to the Future

As this rich spiritual tradition continues to flourish, a new dawn of transformation is on the horizon. Pandit Dabral has shared early thoughts on potentially fine-tuning our practice layout for 2027. This evolution aims to guide the next generation of practitioners into a new era of mental clarity, holistic wellness, and spiritual focus.

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Author Notes:

Gopaul Datto (b. 1955) is a senior practitioner of the Himalayan Tradition. Initiated in 1986 by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait at the Himalayan Institute in Pennsylvania, he has dedicated nearly four decades to rigorous sadhana. Notably, Gopaul has successfully completed all 39 consecutive years of Surya Sadhana since its inception in 1987. A prominent figure in the national yoga community, he served three terms as President and two terms as Treasurer of the Yoga Meditation Society of Trinidad and Tobago (YMSTT). His commitment to the lineage is further evidenced by his returns to the spiritual source at the Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama in Rishikesh in 2007, 2011, and 2013. Now retired from secular professional life, he continues to focus on spiritual practice and favorite hobbies—growing bonsai and kitchen gardening.