“We must learn to give, give and give, like the Sun, like Mother Ganga, with no hesitation, no expectation, no discrimination and no vacation.” Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati.

As it is now accustomed, for 11 days, Parmarth Niketan held its sacred Kriya Yoga course. The last days of November and first week of December, 2018 became a blessed experience for the 10 students that attended. They came from India, Australia, Costa Rica, France and the Philippines with one goal in mind: to learn quite specific and advanced meditation techniques that would help balance their minds and bodies. Kriya Yoga is one of the most reserved, yet sought-after practices to be free from suffering and blockages and finally to obtain liberation of the soul.

Through surrender and determination students are led by Sadhvi Abha Saraswati, the Ashram’s Head of Yoga Department and Yogacharya Indu Sharmaji. In cooperation, they teach students many aspects of yoga, such as asanas, pranayama, prayers, Vedic Chanting and 20 Kriyas or sequences of meditation. Kriya Yoga focuses in the body’s chakras as a tool to unblock and balance our subtle energies and thus our consciousness.

As part of the program, students participated every evening in Ganga Aarti, where they sang along with Sadhvi Abha Saraswati and Parmarth’s Rishikumars. After Aarti, they attended Satsang with Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati. Students also had the glorious opportunity to meet Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati. In an intimate gathering, students had time to ask questions and talk about the right path to achieve a true mind-body-spirit connection. “Take yoga with you,” was Pujya Swamiji’s holy advice.

On their last day, students and their teachers performed a special havan (fire ceremony) to let go of unnecessary thoughts and behavior. The past 2 weeks had now turned into a life time experience that transformed their hearts and left them with a wonderful new group of friends and an Indian family in Parmarth Niketan.

“I can say it was a small journey with long-term memory. I will miss all the things we did together as a group. I always feared to meet strangers, but after this course I finally realized what love is, what the beauty of the heart is and what happiness and joy are. I learned so many things from this course and my classmates, like how to live and explore within happiness.” Sumit Chauhan, India.

“This course is intense and requires a lot of concentration to learn advanced meditation, but it is a great start to introduce you to the chakras and their hidden potential. I wish we had more time to practice, because it wasn’t until I took the course that I realized the practice of kriyas requires much time to gain mastery.” Emmie Aquino-Carollo, Philippines.

“We appreciated the rigor of our teachers, the friendship within the group and the happy atmosphere in the Ashram. It has been an intense experience for us that will change our view of the things. Thank you to Parmarth Niketan for an amazing experience and such loving moments that will always live our hearts.” Hedia and Chokri Ben, France.

“The Kriya Yoga course taught by Matta Ji and Indu Ji is incredibly special, mainly because of the vast experience, devotion and knowledge shared by the before mentioned. The sacred link/lineage that is in fact making this course possible is rare in itself and makes for an opportunity for an authentic student, teacher relationship for yogis wishing to deepen their practises.” Rachel Hannaford, Australia.

“This time in Parmarth Niketan meant more to all of us than we could have ever imagined. Personally, I fell in love with my classmates, the Ashram, our teachers, the energy and the atmosphere. I felt such a deep connection inside that I decided to stay longer and become volunteer in Seva. I cherish the opportunity to attend Aarti and Satsang everyday and to be in the presence of Sadhviji Bhagawati Saraswati and Pujya Swamiji Chidanand Saraswati.” Mercedes Riba Martinez, Costa Rica.

“If you are looking for your Dharma, look for what expands you and opens your heart; instead of looking for what excites you and makes your heart race.” Sadhviji Bhagawati Saraswati.