The recent AHYMSIN-Americas Sangha/Silence Gathering in Minnesota was an enriching time, guided with care by Swami Ritavan Bharati and Swami Radha Bharati. This inspiring event celebrated the lineage, legacies, and teachings of our beloved Himalayan yoga masters, Swami Rama and Swami Veda, and was enhanced by personal reflections from senior leaders, teachers and sadhakas in the Himalayan Yoga Meditation Tradition.

Over the course of four days, participants immersed themselves in a carefully curated program. Sessions included “Re-imagining Our Meditation Communities,” and two sessions where special guests shared their insights on the profound influences of Swami Rama and Swami Veda within their lives. An interactive session, “Building Bridges to New Students,” fostered collaboration and innovative ideas for advancing the Himalayan Tradition into the future.

The agenda was enriched with delicious, authentic vegetarian Indian cuisine, hatha yoga sessions, and spiritually uplifting addresses from Swami Ritavan. His talks, including “Solving Uncertainty through Meditation,” “The Path of Fire and Light as the Himalayan Way,” and “Illuminating the Guru Within,” provided profound insights and helped enrich our meditative practices. The gathering was further uplifted by a lively kirtan led by Shakti and Bhakti one evening, and a sacred fire puja ceremony on the night of the full moon.

Concluding this reflective Sangha Gathering, participants traveled to the serene setting of Dunrovin Retreat Center, in Marine on St. Croix for a five-day period of Silence. This dedicated time allowed attendees to delve into deeper levels of being, highlighted by a 24-hour Akhanda (non-stop) Japa—a transformative observation that revealed the profound depth of Silence and its connection to our tradition.

We experienced guided meditations, subtle body exercises, and ample time for self-reflection, japa, walking and rest. We enjoyed sessions led by our beloved Swamis and leaders where we opened our hearts to the messages shared on our journey of Self discovery.

Together, this gathering was a powerful reminder of the gifts of our masters, fostering community, connection, and a reawakening of spiritual practice within the Himalayan Yoga Meditation tradition.

Testimonials from the 2025 Sangha Gathering:

“It was such a gift to be able to share space with the compassionate and wonderful members of the Himalayan Yoga and Meditation Tradition” ~ Melanie

“I feel so fortunate and blessed to connect in person with our AHYMSIN-Americas family. What an inspiring group of kalyana mitras (noble friends) on the path.” ~ Lori