By Vijaya

“When things are not moving and you suddenly find them shooting up in sparkles, fires and lights, behind that significant transformation is a really great retreat.”

If you know how to be busy with this and that – endless chores, children, work, errands for others, family matters, etc. – and also most of the time, you let yourself enter states of self and body damage and harm, because simply you don’t have time for yourself. This is where a great, rejuvenating and fresh energy-inducing retreat of your life becomes the most valuable thing ever.

MAYI Mindfulness Yoga Retreat at Kedah in March 2024 was a unique experience for me. For the 3 days 2 nights there, all 23 participants blended with each other and experienced the oneness within. The whole spectrum of engaging activities was simply exhilarating for me.

I felt that I was able to transcend some of my limiting believes about the body and emotions. I came back from the retreat as a brand-new person full of determination to go beyond the imaginary boundaries.

Master, as usual, created the magical environment needed for one to go deeper into oneself and discover the inner strength, power and vitality. You just have to be ready for such experiences, for they can come to you at such retreats.

For one thing, it is a getaway from normal, mundane and routine life patterns. For another, it may be an opportunity for a whole new possibility to learn, discover and rise above our expectations.

The retreat at the Brahma Vidyaranyam Ashram, amazingly became the very catalyst I was looking for as a trajectory to the next level of experiencing the self, in this wonderful path of understanding and realising oneself. Some people may experience this at famous spiritual places but for me it happened at this local Ashram hidden behind our daily views of palm plantations. The view was so lovely, with the skies spread out before us; trees and flower plants to provide greenery; and a very calm and serene environment.

What I learnt from my journeys so far is that spiritual experiences are not really connected to the places outside, but the place inside. It goes with you, wherever you go. Trained by one of the best, our Master. The Ashram was a perfect spot.

Here, the simplicity of the place and also its caretakers was remarkable in itself. They were very humble, hospitable, helpful, kind and reliable, with only service in their hearts and minds. A total contrast to luxury hotels or residential services where even every bat of the eyelid is paid for dearly. The food was so delicious, cooked with love.

Some of the participants were new to me, but it was amazing how we became like a family in that short span. If the world was able to do that, we will not be having those wars right?

Lavaniya’s mother was a great sport. Vedha’s mother was friendly and encouraging. It was so uplifting to have had meaningful conversations with Vedha, Pavithra, Murali, Meera, Phi Phi, Dato Suriya, Lavaniya, Chea, Pagwant, Vatsala, Ee Von and Durga. Jayanthy had me enthralled with her profound experiences. Kogi is my constant companion always. Valar was so engaging with her lively chatters. She is one of the kindest and most beautiful persons I know in my life. Vijaya (Sai) is a natural teacher full of knowledge and wisdom due to long years of serving the community.

We learnt to be in harmony with ourselves and our surroundings, and about the unlimited wealth of energy, power and potential within each of us.

Mei Wan’s session with Harmony on Earth colouring activity and explanation was something to remember always. When all of us there came together to put the pieces of Jigsaw puzzles together, we actually became one as well, in total harmony. In Joti’s session, I captured the essence of the positive affirmation building technique and felt my positive side shining forth. I have taken Ayurveda Massage Therapy Course from Mona before. The Netra Vasti she did with the team was superb. It helped to heal my shooting headaches and eye pains. Sumi was as usual behind the scene yet making sure things were going according to plan.

I had very enlightening conversations with my room mates Valar and Vijaya, and also Kogi and Pagwant. Late at night, when most of the world had gone to sleep, we ventured into our amazing journeys in life. The light we got via our learnings, had illuminated our paths, and we were astounded by the sight of our awakened spirits.

How to evaluate these things with money? For the meagre sum we paid for the transport, food and great lodgings, what we got back was immeasurable by any worldly knowledge of wealth.

I don’t have words to describe Master and what he is doing for this world. The breathing techniques, yoga sessions, Chakra activations, Rasa Sadhana, and deep explanations, etc. done by Master gave us a clear heart and mind to work with. All the treasures of the world combined are not even close to the wealth of the Self. I was blessed to have taken part in the retreat and I have come back very wealthy indeed.

Thank you to the MAYI family for organising the retreat. I wish for everyone the wealth of this experience. Every last Saturdays of the month, at 5pm at the MAYI Centre, we have the Harmony on Earth gatherings. For harmony’s sake, please do take part. And keep track of all our other activities as well. The MAYI products have very high medicinal value, don’t miss out on them, and every education you get here, at the meetings, conferences, trainings, etc, will help you to discover yourself more.