It’s not easy to resume what happens before (and after) the participation to a Sangha Gathering: months of preparations (for the ashram residents and also for people attending) and a very long mental, emotional and spiritual journey before reaching our spiritual family. But every time we gather together, all the fatigues disappear.

It seems like, every time, something special and magic happens: a stream of love made up of true connections that will last forever, a big family that, day by day, becomes stronger, grows and expands, a group that supports each other in deep processes, the strength and the power of the sangha.

Each Sangha Gathering is unique in its connotations and brings with it an infinite variety of colours and emotions: these are the wonderful colours of all the kalyana mitras coming from all over the world, a beautiful bouquet of flowers (like the beautiful flowers of the ashram) that fill with their light and energy the ashram. This year, the emotion was truly very intense for the entire Italian sangha, made up of many people experiencing it for the first time, as well as those returning to the ashram after many years.

We really felt at home: everything was very smooth and natural and it was a precious gift and a blessing. A warm, genuine and caring hospitality, a simple organization, love and care for the details were just few of the elements that made us feel “with special people, in a special place”.

Despite the intense 10 days programme (from early morning to late evening) and the large number of particpants, the atmosphere was very quiet and calm and we could enjoy the beauty of the ashram: birds singing, a stream of water flowing smoothly, the wind playing with trees and leaves, flowers blooming.

Practices and teachings were very deep and intense, with moments of sharings and inspirations from Swami Ji and many senior teachers, as well as the reverberations of the new Sangha mantra filled our minds and hearts with true and sincere love and compassion creating a profound and deep dimension of silence in each one of us.

Once again, the transmission of the Himalayan Tradition has manifested itself in all its incredible beauty and depth, transcending time and space: no words were needed, no teachings were needed.  We simply needed to “be connected and in harmony” and let the doors within us, in some way, open naturally, allowing the Guru’s energy to flow and reach that intimate, inner place—that deep feeling that unites us in a single dimension of expansion and connection: a family wrapped under a warm “yellow” shawl called Love.

With love and  gratitude,

Ilaria

Following are some reflections from few participants:

“Each time I visit the Ashram, it feels like coming home.
I love the quiet atmosphere when few people are there, but I enjoy also when it’s very crowded, as it was during AHYMSIN Sangha Gathering 2026, during which you can truly experience the beauty of being part of a large family coming across different countries around the world.
During the last Sangha Gathering, I especially enjoyed the flowers and the ceremonies, which I hold dear as I return to my daily life. For all of this, I am deeply grateful and I thank you”. Chiara

“Back from India after two weeks at the ashram, I feel enriched and peaceful, nourished by colors and warmth, by sounds and vibrations, by the chanting of mantras, by glances and silences, nourished by inspiring meetings ….
I would like to thank everyone who worked quietly behind the scenes allowing these magic experiences to happen in such a special and unique place”. Ruth

“This year, after a long time, I returned to the ashram with my mother and my four-year-old son. It was a very different experience for me. In the past, coming here meant being able to practice, practice, and practice. It happened again this time, but in a different way. I deeply appreciated the sense of family, the slow passage of time, the “doing nothing”: watching my son play with the other children, the flowers, plants, and animals, breathing, sleeping, and doing the same things I do at home, but with a different state of mind. I particularly felt the connection between the participants and between them and the Tradition, as if we were all blessed by the wonderful gift of a protective shawl that wrapped us. It was a special moment, and even more special to be able to share it with my son. I asked him if it seemed strange to him, a different way of life, but he didn’t even understand the question. For him, everything flowed with joy and simplicity. He was fascinated by the monkeys and animals in general”. Elisa

“Receiving the new Sangha mantra during the Sangha Gathering was really special for me: the fire offering with the mantra recitation and the opportunity to actively take part in the ritual, and the mantra explanation through the beautiful story read by Rabindra, which moved me deeply”. Lamberto

Editor’s Note:

Ilaria Sarri is one of the center leaders of Himalayan Yoga Institute Italia – Centro Per La Salute Globale in Firenze (Florence), Italy. She is a long term initiate in the Tradition, and a TTP teacher and mentor since several years.