The last few days have been full and rich. Two days of silence at meals and through the day were an opportunity to disconnect from electronics and conversations with others.

Mindful meals deepened the sense of taste, allowing it to linger in the mouth.  Colours, sounds and smells come alive as we notice new details in our surroundings. A reset and time for quiet reflection allowed for a deeper dive into aspects of life that are complex to navigate.

Released from the quiet, we delight in conversation again. Each day, the subtle tastes and smells of the food notch up.

The days and nights sway between rain and sun, a special tutorial teaching us to move through the storms with grace and ease. The sun returns, dark turns to light, fall to winter, spring to summer. Life lived through the cycles, with inner wisdom, develops agency and resilience through all seasons of our lives.

This morning, we walked in the Periyar Reserve despite the heavy rains we have had here during our stay. The rain abated during our walk, and the animals of the jungle stayed away. I encouraged the group to treat the experience of small leeches crawling on our feet, legs and abdomen as a waking meditation.

Developing an equanimous mind while feeling uncomfortable or scared is the training of the mind. When we face our fears, we can grow into peaceful humans who walk through life’s challenges.

Today, we put some of the yogic teachings we have been exploring into practice. Each day we eat healthy vegetarian meals, walk and practice yoga and meditation.

I feel incredibly well and happy here, and note how helpful this process is for each of us here for unique reasons. Here we are communing with the natural world, each nourishing food served with love and care. Communing with each other and the staff with honesty, love and care. Integration of philosophy and spiritual teachings.

Routine and structure guide our days and evenings. Balancing rest and quiet time with exploring local sights and experiences.