Author: Mandala

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Osaka WS_2

Osaka WS_1

Okayama WS_1

Karuizawa_3

Karuizawa_2

Karuizawa_1

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From the end of September to the beginning of October this year, we were happy to hold three workshops and two retreats throughout Japan sharing the ancient and authentic teachings of the Himalayan tradition inviting Rabindra Sahu from Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG), Rishikesh, India.

On the first weekend, we had a two-day workshop in Okayama with the theme of “Preparations for Yoga Nidra”. The participants learned the importance of deepening the understanding of body, breath, mind, and emotions and practices of purifying them as the preparatory practices of Yoga Nidra.  They were also introduced to systematic guided relaxations. Some of the participants were new to Yoga while others had been practicing it for a long time, and each one of them was able to connect with themselves at a deeper level.

On the next day, we were invited to a city in Osaka to share the teachings of Himalayan Yoga Meditation with the mayor and the officers of the city. The theme being “Stress Management”, we introduced the importance of diaphragmatic breathing and of a relaxed forehead. We also shared with them the practice of Makarasana and they did a short experiment on how certain emotions affect breath patterns and vice versa. It was a very practical session, and the managers of each department told us that they would like to share what they learned with their staffs. Not to mention that everyone’s forehead was relaxed at the end of the workshop leaving the room with smiles on their faces.

On the later part of the second week, it was there in a quiet forest area in Karuizawa, Nagano where we had a three-day retreat. The theme of the retreat was “Preparations for Yoga Nidra”, and the participants shared about their understanding and practices of Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and the philosophies behind them. They were given several experiments of reflection and contemplation to observe their body, breath, and mind in different sessions and noted the findings.  We discussed the importance of emotional purification as a preparation of Yoga Nidra. We practiced tension relaxation, and systematic guided relaxations. While doing guided relaxation practices, some of them noticed that they were holding unconscious tensions or movements on their body parts. Others shared that they fell asleep during the practices. Rabindra encouraged them to take mental note on how they felt and what was their experience so that so that they could see the difference or the changes when they practice next time. We learnt the art of relaxation in day-to-day life which helps deepen the practice of Yoga Nidra and how the practice of relaxation could help us to carry the feeling of a relaxed mind to our day-to-day life. At night, we had a Kirtan with a guest teacher Amrita Katha Dasi. She kindly explained the meaning of the mantra and shared the practices in the path of devotion. Though some of the participants were new to Kirtan, we had a beautiful time together chanting the holy names. Many people traveled for a long distance to attend the retreat, and we shared a rich time studying together, cooking together, eating together, and laughing together – while deepening the practices – in the forest cottage surrounded by serene nature.

We also had a one-day retreat in Kofukuji, a Zen temple in Shiga. Sharing a brief history and the teachings of the Himalayan Yoga tradition, the participants learned the philosophy of Hatha Yoga and practiced Asana on the basis of the philosophy. They also studied the proper sitting and the diaphragmatic breathing by checking each other’s posture and breath. At the end of the retreat, the monk of the temple guided everyone’s Zazen practice, which has been taught under the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. After the retreat, some participants said that they were reminded of the importance of going back to the basics and finding balance in their practices of Asana as well as in their daily lives. It was a heartwarming retreat where we shared the same table eating homemade vegetarian cuisines prepared with love.

The last workshop was held in Tokyo on the theme of “Holistic Health”. Rabindra shared the importance of keeping the body and mind a fit instrument and shared ways to live in harmony with nature in our daily lives giving examples of how people live in some parts of rural India where the traditions still remain. One of the participants said that it was an insightful workshop as she was reminded of many things that we take granted that we need to be aware of thereby establishing a deep connection in her everyday life.

Throughout the two weeks, we were given many opportunities to share the teachings of the tradition in different parts of Japan. We appreciate everyone for their time and dedication to come and learn. Last but not least, sincere thanks to Rabindra ji for traveling to Japan to help us spread the teachings of the tradition from his knowledge and experiences. We pay our deepest gratitude to the masters and the tradition, who always watch us and bless us with opportunities to learn and grow in each and every moment.

AHYMSIN Japan
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Full Moon Guided Meditation
9 PM on November 27, 2023 (Japan Standard Time)
The meditation will be guided in both Japanese and English.
Registration: https://forms.gle/sqwdaBxgZ5GKpCjq5

Four months ago, a shocking diagnosis put me face-to-face with my biggest fear. The surprising news cut to my existential core. It stuck my mortality in my face and backed me into a corner. A thought streamed through my mind. Am I the next one to slip through the crack and disappear into the great unknown?

This is how it happened. I went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota (ninety miles south of Minneapolis) for a second opinion on a prostate issue. The urologist called the next day to tell me there were still problems with my prostate, but that treatment had to be postponed. Something else came up. When the radiologist had examined my MRI image, he found a large mass on my left kidney. A CT scan and a meeting with a surgeon were scheduled for the next week.

Everybody feels fear. It protects us from danger. My biggest fear was tomophobia, or fear of general anesthesia. We are all different. What causes fear for me may not be the same for you. The fear overwhelmed me. I didn’t know how I would get through the two-month wait to surgery. At times I found the courage inside of me, but the fear always returned. Rather than push the fear away, I chose to embrace it.

A practice of gratitude was very helpful. Most of all, I was grateful that they found the mass. More good news came when the surgeon told me (and my wife Nikki) that it was contained in the kidney and hadn’t spread to other organs or bones. The surgeon also shared that most likely he could do a partial removal of the kidney using robotic surgery. After some contemplation, I was especially grateful for being presented with a challenge that would push me deeper and farther than I had ever been before. Every time the feeling of fear came into my mind, I reminded myself of all these things.

An even bigger help to me than the gratitude practice was the love, support, and encouragement shown to me by others. A simple ‘How are you doing’ or ‘I’ll be cheering for you’ or ‘I’ll be praying for you’ were extremely powerful in helping me move beyond the fear. It was important for me to know that others cared. That made all the difference in the world.

There is no doubt that the practice of gratitude and the loving support of others helped move me to a place of more courage. But the fear persisted. Then two weeks before the surgery, I had a breakthrough moment. All the fear I had felt over the last several weeks finally pushed me to a point of surrender and acceptance.

The thought I am not the body flowed into my mind. I understood more clearly than ever the impermanent nature of the body. Growing old can’t be stopped and health problems are a part of life. All of us must eventually leave behind everyone we know and everything we own. From that point on, the courage was more available for me to access. By the morning of the surgery, an unexpected calm settled over me.

The post-surgical pathology report confirmed that the mass was malignant and showed that the margins were clear. No further treatment was recommended. We were elated that the surgery was successful.

Thank you to everyone for your support. My hope is that by sharing this experience it may be of benefit to someone else. I wish you all the best in whatever challenges you face.

Editor’s Note

Daniel Hertz, MS, BCB, E-RYT 500 has been on the faculty of The Meditation Center in Minneapolis since 1995. He is the author of a memoir entitled Everything is A Little Bit Alright: yoga, meditation, and a dog named Roy. It is widely available through Amazon and other online booksellers.

If you would like more information on the topic, here is a link to a recent talk Daniel gave at The Meditation Center in Minneapolis.

His portion begins at 33:00. https://vimeo.com/871892513?share=copy

As the one-year Gurukulam program approaches its conclusion, I find myself reflecting on the multitude of experiences gathered throughout this transformative journey. While this chapter of the Gurukulam is reaching its end, it feels more like the beginning of a long and continuous journey of self-transformation.

On the auspicious day of Dussehra, October 5th, 2023, the Gurukulam commenced with a morning Yajna. Following that, we had the privilege of visiting the Sadhana Mandir to pay our respects to our master Swami Rama and beloved Swami Veda Bharati. The day continued with an orientation led by Rabindra Ji, Divya Ji and the ashram teachers. During this session, we were acquainted with our daily schedule, informed about the expectations for the coming year, and encouraged to set our intentions for the coming one year.

Sitting in the meditation hall during this occasion, I was overcome with emotions and couldn’t believe my luck. It was truly surreal to be at the Guru’s home and to have been given this golden opportunity to immerse myself in this beautiful tradition and learn from its profound teachings.

As I embarked on this one-year journey, excitement filled my heart, but alongside it, I couldn’t escape the grip of self-doubting thoughts. I feared that I might not be able to make the most of this opportunity or navigate through it successfully.

However, whenever I found myself in need of guidance, I was incredibly fortunate to receive it from Swami Ritavan Bharati Ji, Rabindra Ji, and Divya. Their unconditional support and guidance remained a constant presence, turning this journey, despite its challenges, into a beautiful and fulfilling experience.

The curriculum at the Gurukulam was a wonderful blend of Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Karma Yoga. In the initial weeks, we delved into the philosophy of the Himalayan Tradition, learning the fundamentals of yoga and meditation within the Himalayan Tradition. Adhikari Ji introduced us to the basics of Himalayan Tradition. Jay Prakash Ji, affectionately known as JP Ji, skilfully taught us the nuances of correct sitting posture, diaphragmatic breathing, joint and gland practices, and asanas. I am deeply grateful to both of them for laying a strong foundation and preparing us for our meditation journey.

The teachings of Hatha Yoga, relaxation practices, breathing practices and all the subtle practices were not merely for physical health but served as preparation for our meditation practice.

As Swami Veda emphasized, every action throughout the day should be a preparation for our meditation practice, and that was the underlying theme of the Gurukulam. Everything we learned and were introduced to had the purpose of nurturing our minds and preparing our mind’s soil for the seed of meditation and spiritual transformation. The teachings were always centred around applying them in our daily activities.

Throughout the year, we were fortunate to learn from the teachings of our master Swami Rama and beloved Swami Veda. Their books and audio lectures have proven to be a treasure trove of experiential knowledge, constantly providing me with valuable guidance on my journey. I consider it a great blessing to have access to such profound teachings, and I am deeply grateful for the grace of the gurus that allows me to follow the path they have illuminated. Being a student in this tradition is a privilege I cherish wholeheartedly.

Learning at the Gurukulam was never about taking notes or engaging in intellectual discussions to merely understand philosophical texts at a surface level. Instead, there was a strong focus on sravana (attentive listening), manana (contemplation), and nididhyasana (implementation) of the teachings received. We learned how to receive information, engage with it thoughtfully, and then integrate it into our lives.

Throughout the one-year duration, we explored various philosophical texts like Shiva Sankalpa Sukta, Samkhya Philosophy, Tattva Bodha (a foundational Vedantic text), Sadhana Panchakam, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutras, and Dakshinamurthy Stotram.

The exposure to these profound texts helped me develop a personal philosophy of life and refine my spiritual goals. The philosophy classes provided insights into the purpose of my life, my spiritual practices, and understanding questions like Who am I, what is the meaning of human existence, how does the mind function, what are the obstacles to watch out for and many more such thought-provoking queries. Though I still consider myself a novice in my understanding, the learnings of this year have taught me the right attitude to approach these texts and align my life with the wisdom imparted by the ancient sages.

One of the most beautiful experiences during this time was learning Vedic chanting. The energy we felt during the chanting and the profound stillness afterward were truly indescribable. I am deeply grateful to Prabha Ma’am and Rabindra ji for their dedicated efforts in working with us on this aspect. It must have been quite a challenge, and I appreciate their commitment to imparting this sacred knowledge.

The Ayurveda sessions provided us with insights into holistic health. We learned the significance of maintaining a dinacharya (daily routine), a balanced diet, and a lifestyle that supports our spiritual practice and doesn’t hinder our progress.

I express my thanks to Pierre Ji for dedicating his valuable time to our practice teaching and in helping us refine our skills in asanas, joint & glands practices, breathing, and relaxation techniques. His constant encouragement and valuable feedback motivated us to strive for improvement.

Participating in the Karma Yoga sessions at the ashram over the past year has been an incredibly wonderful experience. What made these sessions unique was the profound bhava (attitude) with which we were taught to approach these activities. I learned the true essence of seva (selfless service) and the importance of approaching it with the right mindset – understanding surrender, the ability to give and share without expectations, taking initiatives, and working harmoniously with others, even when differing in attitude and opinion. These sessions provided excellent opportunities to apply our practices in action, observing how my breath and state of mind influenced my approach to each activity and how I felt during and after completing them.

This surreal experience completely changed my perception of karma yoga. I had never imagined that such a deep and meaningful approach could be applied to it. These sessions became one of the most valuable learning experiences for me.

Being part of the AHYMSIN Sangha Gathering was a great privilege for us. It provided us with a unique and precious chance to be in the presence of senior members of our spiritual family, actively engaging with them and absorbing their wisdom. Listening to their experiences and receiving their guidance was an invaluable and rare opportunity that I deeply appreciate. The love and warmth we received from all the sangha members were truly awe-inspiring, and these moments will forever remain close to my heart.

The perfect conclusion to this transformative year came with sessions with Swami Ritavan. Despite not feeling well, Swami Ji graciously spent time with us, sharing with us his wisdom on how to approach the path ahead and how to integrate all that we have learned during this past year. He reminded us time and again that this is just the beginning of a beautiful journey on the path of yoga and meditation. The more we practice with sincerity and discipline, the further we progress.

The learnings I have gained in this one year are too vast to be contained in a single article. My experiences at Gurukulam have made me understand the utmost importance of satsanga (spiritual association) and swadhyaya (self-study). I have learned to align my lifestyle, goals, and vision to support my spiritual practices. I have developed the ability to analyse whether my thoughts, actions, and words are conducive to my spiritual growth or not. Though I am an amateur in my understanding, I acknowledge that this year at the Gurukulam has provided me with insights into how to approach and live my life. Although my understanding has not yet reached its full depth and sensitivity, I am appreciative of the newfound wisdom that has already enriched my journey so far.

My heartfelt gratitude goes to Swami Ritavan Bharati Ji and all the ashram teachers for their dedicated efforts in working with us throughout this year. They patiently worked on refining our rough edges and provided us with the wisdom of the Himalayan Tradition. At each step we were guided as per our individual capacities and inclinations.

This year has been the most profound and meaningful experience of my life, and the knowledge gained here will serve as the strong foundation for the years to come. I am eternally thankful for this incredible journey and the life-changing experiences it has offered me.

I pay my homage to the Guru Lineage.

Editor’s Note:

Swati is an initiate within the Himalayan Tradition. She holds a PhD in Psychology and has been a student at the Swami Rama Dhyana Gurukulam at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama Ashram in Rishikesh.

A spiritual teacher is like a physician, helping cure one of a disease. Sometimes, the physician must take a scalpel and cut out an abscess or use a hot needle to cauterize a wound to bring a person back to health. The job of a Yoga sage is to remove the scum of his disciples’ false identifications with their ego identities, so they can find the clear light of the Infinite within. Although Swami Veda was the kindest and gentlest of human beings, he would not spare the rod if that’s what his student needed.

One time, early in our relationship, I attended one of his talks. He was on a stage, outside, and everyone else was sitting down below on grass listening. At one point, he said something like “I am an anthill to my Master’s Himalayas. I have so far to go to become enlightened.“

After his talk, when he took questions, I raised my hand and he called on me. “You said that you have so far to go until you reach enlightenment. But what about me?” I said that last sentence almost with a whine.

His face scrunched up and he looked at me like I was a week-old rotten fish. Nearly spitting out his words, he said “I don’t trouble myself with self-pity”— those last two words spoken with even more bile.

After the talk was over, someone came up to me and said, “Never ask him that question again.” I had no intention of doing so. A friend was waiting to drive me home, and when I got in the car, I spewed out the tale of what just transpired, finally saying “He is so mean!” My friend, who had graciously listened, said, “It sounds like he loves you very much and he was saying that for your own good.”

That was unexpected and it was true. My spiritual teacher’s job was not to support my weakness, but rather diminish that tendency. Strength and confidence is required to reach the heights of yoga, not self-pity.

Over the years, I had several more of those painful lessons. One time, I was staying at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama and had just visited Swami Veda Bharati in his cottage. To my surprise, during that visit, he asked me to accompany him and others to the Kumbha Mela —a vast spiritual gathering that happens every four years in different places in India, which was going to be happening in Ujjain. I didn’t know where Ujjain was but had the idea it was far away. My immediate reaction was of fear. I hate big events and the thought of gathering with literally millions of people sparked off my worst anxieties of disease. So, I said, “Is there malaria there?”

Swami Ji said, “Yes! There is malaria and bird flu and …” he proceeded to name at least ten frightful diseases.

“So you’re telling me not to worry.” I said.

“Yes. I don’t worry about such things.”

I slipped out of his cottage without saying whether I’d go to the Kumba Mela with him and wandered around on the plaza in front of the cottage. There were dozens of others milling around too.

Suddenly, Swami Veda came out of his cottage with an entourage in tow, and like a guided missile he came straight to me. With a voice sharp as a knife he said “You have to get over your fears! Do you think he is afraid?” pointing to Swami Ritavan Bharati (he was known as Ananta then), one of the head teachers standing nearby. “No,” I said.  “He is fearless.” Swami Veda looked into my eyes and then turned and walked away, leaving me red-faced and feeling very small.

That happened right in the midst of the crowd where everyone could hear him admonish me. Embarrassed doesn’t begin to describe how I felt. Ashamed, embarrassed, flustered, and enraged might be a good start. I wanted to cry.

Like a wounded animal, I retreated to my cottage and spent two hours hating him. But as the anger subsided, a thought came into my mind: “He was doing me a favor. He was right; fear is hindering my life. Someone had to tell me and, as my teacher, he did so in a way that really caught my attention.” After that realization, rather than hatred, I felt profoundly grateful. It wasn’t comfortable, but I didn’t become a disciple of a spiritual teacher to be comfortable. I sought a teacher to overcome my old self-limiting mental and emotional patterns and to learn how to expand into my full Self.

Swami Veda’s words deeply affected me, and I became determined to face fears as they arose, and the opportunities started coming.

Everything the teacher does is not harsh. Often Swami Veda spoke to me in the gentlest, kindest tones. One time I was angry at him and went up to him and told him so. Immediately he put his arm around my shoulders and kindly asked me to tell him what was wrong. As I did so, he just kept pouring a look of love onto me and my rage disappeared and I felt sort of silly telling him why I was so angry because, in the face of his love, I no longer felt angry. After I was done, he said, “You may be right,” which helped me feel validated rather than stupid. From that experience, I learned it was okay to be angry at him and that he was willing to hear about it and even admit to possibly being wrong. I felt stronger from the interaction.

So, this is what a teacher does. Sometimes spreads the honey, other times pulls out the scalpel. All is meant to help the disciple grow. In my experience over decades, that’s how Swami Veda lived and why people came to him to learn.