Haavans, written in 2013

I grew up in an environment where rituals related to anything smelling remotely religious were scoffed at as ‘Mumbo Jumbo’. In fact, we kind off ridiculed those who practiced them!  Further, I am still uncomfortable with rituals in public places which have a Hindu slant as I am uncomfortable with the tag (both self imposed as well as from an external perspective) of being insensitive to those who follow other faiths.

So, when I found myself energized after the ‘havan’ (‘homum’) at 136 (my yoga studio), I started wondering why and how this transformation happened. This note captures why the havans at 136 resonate so strongly with me.

As a prelude to the chanting of the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, Shantanu (who led the havan) asked us to do two things. First, to think of someone who needs positive energies (being ill, etc) and second to cast off all our negative energies one at a time each time we chanted ‘Om’ between the repititions of the mantra. I found myself following this practice and casting off, into the fire, anger, frustration, jealously and other negative emotions linked to separate people/incidents.  This was was indeed quite liberating and a feeling of lightness ensued.
Then a lovely bevy of singers led us through some ‘kirtan’ chanting. I grew up in a family of musicians and joining the group singing with gay abandon brought back memories of warm family gatherings and I found myself smiling incessantly. Truly, it was as if the chanting and casting off of negative energies had cleared out my system while the singing had filled my heart with warmth and good will. As I come to believe over the past two years in my journey with yoga, these practices allow one to go beyond the intellect and connect with one’s heart. As my brother in law Kartick would say ‘superior.’


As I come to believe over the past two years in my journey with yoga, these practices allow one to go beyond the intellect and connect with one’s heart. Indeed, a realization has dawned that the ‘mumbo jumbo’ that I had associated with these practices indeed have a strong experiential foundation. I wish that we had been exposed to these practices and principles earlier in my childhood, but am very grateful one has it now. I wish the majority out there could share these experiences. Yeh dil indeed maange more!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Importance of Rekindling Play – 5 Days in Bir, June 2024

Image
  The Importance of Rekindling Play – 5 Days in Bir, June 2024 Feeling overwhelmed and stressed? Sometimes, taking a step back to rekindle play and patience can be transformative. Over the past week, I attended a program called “A Primer on Patience” at the Deer Park Institute in Bir, Himachal Pradesh, India. This program, based on Buddhist psychology, offered a ‘light-touch’ approach to imparting deep-rooted wisdom in an interactive and enjoyable manner accessible to everyone. I had previously studied under the lead trainer, Nivedita, and her down-to-earth and practical style of imparting wisdom resonated deeply with me. More importantly, Nivedita embodies humility and warmth, making the experience even more enriching. Here are five key insights and takeaways from my time there: 1. I Felt Free and Energized! I had forgotten how much I love sharing space with like-minded individuals in a fun learning and authentic sharing environment. We learned, we shared, we drew, we laughed, and...
Read more

We Are All on 'Standby'....

Image
We Are All On 'Standby'.... In the past few days, three poignant experiences wove themselves into a single narrative that felt too significant not to share. The first is something we all experience this time of year: the turning of the calendar . One year ends, and another begins. It’s a natural time to reflect, reset, and reimagine what’s ahead. The second was attending a memorial service for a young man who tragically passed away. It was a moving tribute, but also a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability. As I sat there, a friend shared about their elderly parent, deeply suffering, and said, “I wish they would find peace and move on.” The contrast was striking: here was a young man, full of life and promise, gone too soon, while another life lingered on amidst suffering. The third came from my own home. My daughter is preparing to leave for the U.S. on a standby ticket, arranged through her cousin. When people asked, “When are you leaving?” she replied, “Maybe today,” be...
Read more

"I have no intention of dying before my death" - Lessons from a Centurion

Image
  Living Fully and Leading with Intention "I have no intention of dying before my death." This powerful declaration set the tone for an inspiring morning, offering valuable insights for today’s leaders. We gathered in a sunlit, glass-enclosed room—a perfect setting for a Sunday filled with meaningful conversations and deep reflections. The atmosphere was warm, the coffee was perfect, but the true highlight of the morning was a discussion with a centenarian who had recently celebrated his 100th birthday. For the next hour, we were guided through a fascinating conversation about life lessons and their relevance in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world. This centenarian’s wisdom was profound, and as leaders, we were reminded that leadership is as much about character and wisdom as it is about strategy and execution. Here are some key lessons that stood out, offering valuable guidance for leaders at every stage: "I have no intention of dying before my death." This sta...
Read more