Is God for real? 
Did God create Man, or did man create God?
What makes God sacred?

At some point in time, despite our busy and stressful lives, such existential questions fleetingly cross our thoughts. Some chase for answers, most wait for answers, while some dismiss them. If you are among the second category who don’t have the time to indulge in existential thoughts, but have an urge and curiosity to know more, read on.

In the Indic knowledge systems, there are up to 9 philosophical schools that explain Creation, evolution, and Nature. In a nutshell, what that means is, that these schools explain Cosmic Order as the harmony between Form and Space. But as a result of Creation, a series of cause and effect casts an illusion that created a divide between Form and Space. This illusion is factored as Time and this cosmic variable hides the Ultimate Form by creating many realities – Absolute reality, Suspended reality, and Objective reality.

Between Space and Form, what is more powerful?

During Creation, besides Time, there was another by-product that also emerged. This other variable, the counterpart of Time is none other than Nature. Nature, in all Her glory, is the most perfect beautiful idea of Form; and Nature creates mankind as the most refined species. The reason why mankind is considered the most refined is because the human form is created with a hidden potential that can cast away the illusions of Time, and enjoy their true form as ultimate beauty. In fact, the true form resides in all beings as pure consciousness and pulsates, allowing the Eternal Truth to shine as Light (sacred fire).

Thus, Space and Form, both are powerful; but, since the attribute of Form includes its opaqueness, the darkness of only those forms that can suspend themselves in Space is considered as pure, or sacred. Hence, near and distant stars and planets are considered ideal forms as they adhere to the Cosmic Order. This Cosmic Order exists in Nature’s design as beauty. When a seeking being is able to control the inherent nature and strike a harmony with Nature, then that being is also considered enlightened, rich in knowledge of beauty in Space, Time and Form.

Elephanta cave Sculpture- Andhakasura vadham

 Source: Wikipedia

What is a sacred space?

With so many variables of Cosmos and Nature (co)existing; each of these variables having attributes in the due course of Time moves from the unmanifest realm to the manifest realm, revealed by an earnest seeker in the form of Truth, or as an experience of Beauty. Since the ultimate beauty is nothing but the essence of Form, the expression of it naturally becomes holy or sacred. Thus, whenever Beauty found its expressions, the idea of God(s) crystallized.

Now, the Indic civilizational thoughts that have always been lofty, astute and sensitive to the subtle aspects of Creation, have allowed experiences of something sacred to find expressions. The visual representation of expressions in particular was dedicated at places where Nature was found to be resting in itself. These spaces are considered sacred, as not only did the visual representation get consecrated as Form, but certain disciplines and norms were observed to keep the Form pulsating in the resonance of the Cosmic Order. The knowledge system or technology that was invented to cleanse a geographical space is called the agama-s, the temple rituals and traditions.

Can God be experienced through forms?

If the inherent nature (svadharma) is sensitized to the Beauty of Nature (svarupa) then using higher sensory perception, Form can be experienced as a sublime form of sound, word, or visual. However, developing higher perception will require nuanced practices as the inherent nature of self is corrupt during birth due to karmic imprints.

Since karmic cleansing requires some extraordinary yogic practices and external assistance, pilgrimage to healing locations and sacred spaces was suggested. There are numerous instances in Vedic literature mentioning great sages and warriors, who have stepped away from their socio-political duties to introspect in isolation, to perform cleanse themselves. For eg. in the Aranya kandam, Rama himself has performed such nuanced practices in and around Sage Suteekshana’s ashram. Similarly, in Mahabharata, it is mentioned that Balarama had specifically undertaken a pilgrimage to River Sarasvati to perform severe penance. The locations have had specific cleansing or corrective functions in the body and mind. Therefore these locations were identified by the seers, sages, and mystics as thirtha-s, meaning sacred fords.

Although the meaning of tirtha also refers to a sacred spirit who can act as a catalyst in aiding the transformation from real to optimum, the process of transformation also requires a safe haven. Thus, the idea behind tirtha-s is a destination, which is a coordinate in Geo-Space where the ecosystem is harmonious. In other words, tirtha is where elements of Nature are at rest; therefore performing meditative practices in these pilgrimage destinations can accentuate and act on the individualistic nature that can cleanse the body, and elevate the mind’s potential. The idea of tirtha-s is also recognized by other parallels and alternatives of Vedic culture, particularly the Sangam culture.

Sangam talks of five primary ecosystems where Nature could be found in complete rest. They are mountain, forest, coastal, plains and lake. Each of these ecosystem is associated with an attribute:

  • Mountain :: Restraint
  • Forest :: Mysticism
  • Coastal :: Churning
  • Plains :: Movement
  • Lake :: Silence

Staying true to these ideologies, Jvala has chosen 5 sacred spaces common to both cultures, and has designed 5 different types of meditative practices suiting the dominant attribute of the ecosystem. These practices target the pancabhuta-s and Pancha kosha-s, subtle and subtler elements of the body and mind. The destinations chosen by Jvala are:

i. Chidambaram practice – Coastal Tirtha
ii. Thiruvannamalai practice – Mountain Tirtha
iii. Kasi practice – River Tirtha
iv. Nasik practice – Forest Tirtha
v. Ajmer practice – Lake Tirtha

These five destinations across India are grouped together as thematic yoga retreats, the SACRED SPACES. The goal is to help a seeking practitioner in 

  1. Observing: Nature and (nature of) Self
  2. Reconstructing and Deconstructing: Nature
  3. Differentiating between Perceiving from Seeing: (nature of) Self
  4. Knowing as against Grasping: (nature of) Self
  5. Resting in Beauty: True Nature of Self

Of course, some destinations lend more to an individual than others due to the unobtrusive impact of urbanization and population. Needless to say, the individual nature of the seeker will respond differently at each destination.

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      Itinerary

      Sacred Spaces Retreat: Stillness of a Lake

      “O! Please come! Dance in my heart; hurt not your feet on the rocky slopes of Himalayas.” ~Adi Shankara
       
      Jvala is an organisation that curates experiences of sublime. It is built around Indic knowledge systems like yoga, Indian arts, heritage and history to promote the intangible cultural heritage of India. Jvala will be collaborating with the yoga studio: Tattva to conduct Yoga retreats for adults at various sacred destinations within India.
       
      Details of the Chidambaram yoga retreat
       
        Duration: 4 days 3 nights    Start/End Point : Chennai
        Participants - Yoga practitioners  Age - Between 18-45 years
        Date - Jan 25-28 2024   Destination: Tharangambadi
       
      Accommodation and Destination for retreat
       
      Tharangambadi is one of the rare attractions in Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel coast, Tharangambadi is one of the finest private beaches and a perfect weekend getaway for unwinding. ‘Tharangambadi’, which literally means “the land of swinging waves”, whispers stories of the land and sweet lullabies of the ocean. It poses as the perfect place with breathtaking views of the horizon during Sun rise. The historical significance and temple heritage in and around Tharangambadi make it a perfect slow travel destination.

      Neemrana’s Bungalow on the Beach is a 17th Century Danish structure renovated to be one of the finest boutique resorts in Tamil Nadu. The architecture and its location makes it classy and apt for conducting thematic yoga on ākāśa.
       
      Itinerary
       
      Day 1
      Start from Chennai at 8:00am (brunch on the way); Reach Tharangambadi - Neemrana property Bunglow in the Beach 1pm for lunch; 4pm High Tea followed by Orientation; Enjoy Sunset by the Beach; Games; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 2
      Yoga (asana meditative practice) 6:30-8am; Breakfast 9:00 am; Talk - Significance of Lotus; 10-12am; High tea 3-4pm; Sightseeing - Sirkazhi temple (Friday special darshan), Tharangambadi; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 3
      Yoga 6:30-8am; Breakfast 9:00 am; Discussion and Talk - Introduction to Yogic Anatomy: Patanjali’s Mind & Body Science 10-12am; High Tea 4-5pm; Sightseeing - Poompuhar; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 4
      Yoga 6:30-8am; Breakfast 9:00 am; Discussion and Talk - Topic: Cosmic Dance of Siva, a brief overview 10-12am; High Tea 4-5pm; Sightseeing - Tharangambadi local sight-seeing; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 5
      Yoga 6:30-8am (Special Meditation for Chidambaram); Brunch 10:00am; Darshan at Chidambaram Temple; Return to Chennai
       

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      Itinerary

      Pallava Passion: Cultural heritage tour

      “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”
      ~Karunanidhi (Late CM, TN)
       
      Details of the retreat
       
        Duration: 6 (+6) hours   Purpose: South Indian Temple Art appreciation
        Participants: Art enthusiasts & connoisseurs  Destinations: Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram
        Date: Dec 3, 10; Dec 17, 24    Group Size: Min 10- Max 20 registrations only
       
      Itinerary for Mahabalipuram
       
      • Tour starts at Dakshinachitra, Chennai
      • Talk: Significance of Rock-cut art; Contributions of Pallava dynasty to Rock-cut art
      • Break for a classic South Indian Breakfast
      • Proceed to Mahabalipuram
      • 3 hours Heritage Walk of the Dravidian rock-cut cave temples at Mahabalipuram
      • 3 Stages of mature Dravidian rock-cut caves
      • Speciality of Pancha Rathas in Dravidian temple art
      • Tour Ends at Egmore Museum/ Concert hall
       
      Itinerary for Kanchipuram
       
      • Tour starts at OMR, Chennai
      • Talk: Obsessions of pan-Indian artisans: Iconography and Significance of Mahishasura Mardini and Varaha
      • Break for a classic South Indian Breakfast
      • Proceed to Kanchipuram
      • 3 hours Heritage Walk at Kanchipuram heritage sites
      • One early Pallava Rock-cut Cave
      • 2 Must-see structural temples of Pallava-s
      • Interact with Kanchipuram silk weavers
      • Tour Ends at Egmore Museum/ Concert hall
       
      Cost: INR 5500/day trip*
      *Conditions Apply. Price is indicative and calculated for a Group of 10 based on a specific venue
       
      Includes:
      • Breakfast, Refreshments - Tender Coconut Water, Buttermilk
      • Remuneration of Culture host
      • Guided Tour at Heritage sites
      • Entry fee at Heritage sites
      • Logistic from Start and End point of Tour
       
      Does not Include:
      • Lunch
      • Other temples/ structures at the destination
      • Recreational sport at the destination
      • Concert entry fee

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