The Kumbha Mela Experience

To try and explain the Kumbha Mela is more than an impossible task, it’s simply not possible, but what does transpire here over the month will elevate and awaken the consciousness of everyone who comes here in some way, profound or subtle. And these impressions will last a lifetime. 

The Kumbha Mela experience is an incredible journey through sights and sounds of what spirituality means to a myriad of people. The vastness of what can be experienced here is phenomenal, at the very least we can let go of our judgements that only one way is the right way, because this place and this time will prove it wrong. India is a land of contrasts and the people are no exception, there are no rules. It’s faith that brings us all here, to merge with an even greater energy that is particularly available at this time in this place, it’s why over 15 million people will converge throughout the month making it, and every Kumbha Mela the largest gathering on earth.

There are countless Saints, Guru’s and rare Spiritual Masters here for the Kumbha Mela that all open their camps for people to come and meet them, the atmosphere is divinely welcoming, almost as if your expected, and there are many opportunities to gather in their presence and just experience, despite the noise, Supreme Peace.  

In our camp, Yoga in Daily Life teachers and students from around the world have come to be with Vishwaguruji, we have a large open space and simple comfortable accommodation. Each day brings new experiences and different programs, one never quite knows what to expect. Yet there is a sense of fullness and richness to everything that happens, something more, each event has ‘spirituality’ at its essence, and unlike tourism or sightseeing these days offer deeply profound opportunities through which we can transform ourselves.These are ‘holy days’ rather than holidays.

Bathing in the holy river Shipra at this time has a tremendous effect, revered in mythology as purifying all karma that would otherwise hold one back from experiencing the state of universal love, freedom and oneness - Self Realisation. So it’s not for nothing millions of people come here, moreover the Masters and Guru’s who otherwise hold tight schedules, for this short time everyone in the spiritual world of Sanathan Dharma is here, in some form or other. And so we bathe, not only though in the river Shipra, but in the spiritual bliss that here to be experienced. 

 

Yoga holds the possibility to change the state of the World.

Peace begins within ones own heart, to see peace in our world first we must discover that it’s source is within each one of us, and that each and every one of our thoughts manifests in someway at some time, according to the law of karma we reap what we sow. So the first step to changing the world is to change ourself. 

Through regular Yoga Sadhana we awaken the energy centres within the body that store and produce all the negative and positive experiences in life. In order to master ourselves we must first master these energy centres, which means to understand them. Each chakra has it’s own  tendencies and capacities. All emotional turmoil, anger, resentment, guilt and fear can be released through the yogic techniques, which, when practiced correctly and with awareness and proper instruction can lead us to transcend any afflictions, either physical or mental, leading us to experience more positive feelings in our daily life.  

Through the practice of meditation we can finally move beyond pain and suffering, we learn how to understand others and develop the ability to see things from their perspective. We experience calmness, compassion, serenity and gratitude. Through meditation we ultimately look within and there we discover all the answers for which we have been searching. 

So through Yoga exercises we release the impressions of stored emotions, gather fresh energy, heal the body and improve all it’s functions, and by meditating on the Anahata (heart) chakra we can awaken compassion and humility, allowing us to curb the impulses of anger, fear and depression.

A healthy person creates a happy family, a happy family means a happy society, a happy society leads to a happy nation and in this way Yoga contributes one person at a time, towards world peace, sustainability, and importantly our inner freedom.

Taken from Lecture excerpts and teachings of Vishwaguruji Maheshwarananda