But that day, sitting on the banks of
Parmarth Niketan, with the International
Yoga Festival 2018 on in full steam and
spirit, it was even more. As I opened
my eyes, I’d see a lot of people sitting
on the ghat. Some were enjoying the
view; some were meditating or mantra
chanting. And in the background, I’d
hear Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati deliver
some soul stirring messages to all the
seekers including me. There was so
much depth yet simplicity in what she
said. “You are Yoga” – those words still
ring loud in my ears. So simple yet so
profound.
In that given moment and space, in the
presence of what many call the “Ganga
Energy”, and with such beautiful
messages that definitely have their seed
in the same source that is present in the
Ganga as well as us, it was special. The
sun was setting and it had been 2 hours
since I was sitting still in one place, but
for me and many the evening had just
begun.
Over 2000 participants from about 100
countries, that’s what the IYF 2018 was.
and I wanted to make the most out of it.
The festival was inaugurated on March
3rd by the Hon’ble Vice President of
India Shri Venkaiah Naidu.
In my experience and to that of
many participants I interacted
with, the IYF brings global unity;
its a great gathering, which is
beyond any particular tradition
and religion. This event is
organized for people to come and
experience the key to
transformation of their lives
and become a part of the mission
of World Peace.
Yoga Practitioners, seekers, trainers and
a galaxy of Masters from all over the
globe, that’s what the IYF was. Over 70
Masters, hundreds of sessions in 7 days,
and all that on the banks of the Ganga in
the lap of the Himalayas. This place has
always been for the seekers, who seek
to experience life in the moment. Life is
beautiful if experienced consciously else
it’s all swinging, there is no peace, no
bliss, no hope of true ecstasy. The IYF
was a great platform for those who seek
7 days off, getting the opportunity to
meditate on the banks of the Ganga
Maa, fall into her embrace, it was
magical. Listening to some amazing
music by Daphne Tse and group with
Yoshi Aono playing the guitar, the
evenings were magical. Daphne’s
“Saraswati” track was so transporting
you to the feet of Maa Saraswati.
Experiencing the inner music with such
soulful songs and mantra chanting in the
outer, it had to be magical. No one
seemed restless, no one wanted this to
end, and there was no hurry. Stillness
had presided over.
Morning sessions by Master Teachers
Anand Mehrotra and Gurmukh Kaur
Khalsa had a huge number of
participants turning out to learn. But
from what I saw and experienced, the
greatest time of the day was the Aarti
time. The aarti was performed every
evening in the presence of the Mahayogi
Y O G I C
H E R A L D
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