“We are creators of our bondage. We are creators of our freedom. We are creators of our slavery. In fact, freedom cannot be created. Bondage is created. Freedom cannot be created. Freedom cannot be accomplished. Freedom cannot be achieved. Freedom is the purity of volition. It is the freedom of will.”

— Swami Veda Bharati, You and Your Emotions, p.98

In October, we held a three-day yoga meditation retreat with Rabindra Sahu, themed “Bondage or Freedom – The Source of True Power.”　The venue, Retreat Dome “OR”, was surrounded by the Yatsugatake mountain ridges, where we were gracefully nourished by the prāṇa of Mother Nature, lovingly prepared Ayurvedic vegetarian meals, and the warm hospitality of the staff.

The venue’s name, “OR”, means “light” in Hebrew. As beautifully expressed on their website, it reminds us that each of us carries a radiant light within. In the peaceful dome house embraced by the Yatsugatake forest, we are invited to pause, reset the heart, and begin the journey toward our own inner light.

We began the retreat with an introduction to the Himalayan tradition and shared the systematic steps of meditation practice. The evening program explored the mind and its functions—how we can learn to use our buddhi, the higher mind, rather than being governed by lower tendencies.  After evening prayers, participants practiced joints and glands exercises and haṭha yoga, followed by a guided meditation the next morning.

Through sessions on “The Essence of Being,” “The Life Force,” and “Liberation and Awareness,” participants gradually deepened their understanding of “Who am I?” — discovering the answer through understanding what we are not and recognizing our true nature.  On the final day, Mt. Fuji revealed its beauty, surrounded by a rare “sea of clouds.”  We embraced the moment as a blessing.

That morning, we meditated together by integrating proper posture, breathing, and breath awareness.  The wave of breath and the sound of mantra gently merged into silence, filling the atmosphere with stillness and peace.  Our final session centered on the source of true power, which is Love — the power that never changes but continues to grow as we rediscover its source within.

Throughout the retreat, we were blessed by the loving beauty of nature and the openness of the participants, which graced the entire gathering.  I offer heartfelt gratitude to the staff who welcomed us so warmly and prepared such nourishing Ayurvedic meals. Above all, I express deep gratitude to the Guru Lineage, for reconnecting us—with one another, and with our own inner essence. These are some of the reflections shared by participants:

“My view of yoga has changed.  Inspired by the teacher’s words that the mind’s flexibility matters more than the body’s, I’ve begun to explore how to bring this understanding into my practice.”

“I was reminded that meditation is not about forcing myself into a particular posture or method, but about allowing the body and mind to be at ease — relaxed and natural.”

“The vague anxiety I used to wake up with has disappeared.  Even the short time I spend preparing for meditation — even just one minute — is now something I look forward to. I’m surprised at how much my life can change simply by working with my mind.  I’ve also become more mindful of my roles, and the desire to fulfill them meaningfully seems to have naturally deepened my patience and tolerance.”

“It was a very meaningful time.  It hasn’t even been a week yet, but I can already feel a clear difference within myself.  I would love to have a follow-up sharing session.”

Following the retreat, we held three one-day workshops in Kanagawa, Nara, and Shiga.  Some were themed “A Practical Guide to Holistic Health,” while others focused on yoga meditation in daily life.  Around fifty participants joined in total, many of whom were new to the Himalayan tradition yet showed genuine interest in self-discovery.

“It became clear to me that the mind and body are distinct from myself.  Emotions and thoughts often feel as if they arise from within the body, yet through practice, I experienced that I can guide my thoughts.  I also noticed how even a slight change in my breathing brought a deep sense of calmness to both mind and body.”

“Spending just one day at the retreat gave me a wonderfully peaceful experience, allowing both my mind and body to fully relax.  I feel enriched by the love I received and wish to share that love with those around me.”

I would like to express sincere gratitude to Midori-san and Sachiko-san, who organized the workshops in Nara and Shiga.  Having both stayed in the ashram, they devoted their time and effort to sharing the teachings of the Himalayan tradition with their students and communities.

On a personal note, I have felt deep love and connection through the people I have met while traveling, translating, and sharing what I have learned.  Rabindra-ji showed us that when we give, we receive — and that when we discover love within, it keeps growing, naturally and endlessly.  Through this reflection, I came to see that it is also our own choice whether to welcome love or to turn away from it.  As Swami Veda wrote, “We are creators of our bondage,” but “freedom cannot be created.”  Our willingness, or Trust and Surrender is what open the inner door to Freedom.

With heartfelt gratitude to the Tradition and the Guru Lineage,

Yuko