From the moment I booked my flight last September, my heart had already taken up residence in the Indian Ashram. My daily life became a series of moments spent noticing things to bring to India. At one shop, a pair of vibrant orange socks caught my eye. Drawn by the color, I bought two pairs for Swamiji and tucked them into my suitcase first. I thought of the unwavering dedication of the Ashram family, who had been working tirelessly for a year to prepare for this gathering. Although this year’s gathering took place in March, allowing fewer members of our AHYMSIN Korea family to attend than in previous years, traveling alongside familiar members still brought a quiet sense of reassurance as I set off for India.

The journey was smoother than usual, as the flight time was about an hour shorter. Every time I visit the Ashram, I feel as though the entire process—from landing to taking a taxi toward the gates—is guided by the hand of the Divine. Around midnight, feeling as if I were walking on clouds, I arrived at the Ashram. The air was, as always, stable and serene. A profound sense of relief washed over me: “We are home again.” While the cottage entrance doors had been replaced last year, this time I noticed the curtains in every room had changed to a pattern of orange and green hearts linked together. Seeing them, I could only imagine how much energy went into such a transformation. I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the environment provided by someone else’s labor.

The Ashram programs, such as the early morning fire offerings (Agni Hotra), morning chantings, and Joints & Glands Exercises, proceeded with their timeless consistency. It was a joy to greet familiar faces. Perhaps because more brothers and sisters had gathered this year, the Ashram felt more vibrant than ever. Even among strangers, happy smiles were exchanged everywhere. The time spent engraving the new mantra into our hearts during Akhanda Japa, the fire offerings held by various national groups, and our shared devotion toward the pilgrimage sites reminded me why we must return to this Sangha gathering at least once every three years.

One evening, Swamiji introduced a passage from Swami Vedaji’s book, Kundalini: Stirred or Stilled, specifically Chapter 10, “When I Left the Sun,” using Swami Vedaji’s own recorded voice. That particular section was the one I struggled with most while translating the book, so the moment brought a fresh wave of profound emotion. Another unforgettable highlight was when Swamiji draped a shawl embroidered with the new sangha mantra around each person, one by one. As we all stood together in our yellow shawls for a group photo, I felt the fullness of the Tradition’s love and blessing.

Through the presentations by various organizations during this Sangha gathering, I realized that the goals pursued by the global AHYMSIN community are one and the same. These presentations clarified our future path as members of AHYMSIN. I will continue, as I have before, to share the teachings of the Tradition by translating Swamiji’s books, introducing Ashram programs, and conveying the importance of Mantra Initiation to yoga practitioners seeking meditation. Though it is work I have always done, this gathering served as an opportunity to re-examine the true purpose of yogic sadhana.
From the “invisible hands” that decorated the shoe rack in front of the meditation hall with different beautiful flowers every day, to the loving care of the brothers and sisters who wiped the trays clean before handing them out, and the kindness of the family serving food during the lunch Bhandara—it is to feel this delicate, selfless love that I find myself hurrying back to the Ashram every year. My hope is that even when the Sangha gathering is over, the rooms of the Ashram remain occupied year-round, and the meditation halls stay filled with practitioners, overflowing with the beauty of silence.

Editor’s Note:

Meekyung was initiated into the Himalayan Yoga Meditation Tradition of Swami Rama in 2002 by Swami Veda Bharati. She is a Senior Teacher of AHYMSIN Korea and guides members to international retreats at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG) in India. She holds a Ph.D. in Yoga Studies and has taught yoga-related courses at Wonkwang University and Wonkwang Digital University. She has translated several works of Swami Veda Bharati, including Kundalini, Superconscious Meditation, and Signs of Spiritual Progress.