A REPORT ON OUR PILGRIMAGE IN 2008 

It is amazing, the kind of people this pilgrimage draws, and this year we had an exceptionally talented group of published writers, artists, educators, therapists and yoga teachers. Together, we had one more extraordinary adventure, and deep too! This was an introspective group with a strong leaning toward meditation. Of course, we chanted; but our times in silence were extended and filled with presence, and this was especially true of our evening meditations by the Cauvery River flowing quietly by the ashram.

As early as 5:15 p.m., preparations for our meditation would commence at the meditation grove situated alongside the riverbank. The grove has strong memories for me as I helped create it in 1985, when I was a novice at the ashram. At that time, a group of us, some twenty strong, planted saplings of varied shade producing trees on that section of the river bank. In a long line that extended to the ashram’s fresh water supply, we handed buckets of water to one another so that we could nourish these saplings. The laborious process happened thrice a week for three consecutive years.

As I reflect on this, I am struck by the metaphor that presents itself. Today, we are able to enjoy this shady grove because of consistent effort over a three year period that involved the methodical passing of water in buckets through a long human chain. Meditation is very much like this. It begins with the intention to imbibe Divine attributes, and then, the mantra functions like the bucket of water. With each recitation we pass it on toward the saplings in our own inner mediation grove. The trees that develop from our effort are faith, strength, peace, connectedness, wholeness and many more. 

Returning to our evening meditations during our recent pilgrimage, by 5:45 p.m., our helpers sweep the earth clean of fallen leaves. Next, straw mats are laid out, incense is burned, and chairs are placed for those who need them. Soon a line of our pilgrims can be seen, snaking up the path to the river bed. They settle on the straw mats and the rich aroma of incense permeates the evening air as life unwinds in the village.

We begin with a chant. Each day it is different: one day to Kali, another to Shiva, and yet another to Krishna. Our voices begin in luxurious harmony and quiet down as the sun sets behind the tall Eucalyptus trees that line the river bank. We are inspired to descend into our own depth, entering a deep silence together, our bodies held supple in the soft evening breeze. We are yuktas, souls in communion with the Divine.

This is why we are here, as an act of love, in response to an inner call. This is why we have taken a break from our professions, said a temporary goodbye to our loved ones and traveled 15,000 miles across the ocean, to experience a type of conscious communion that is possible perhaps only in India. The vibe here is distinct. As I have often pointed out, even the air here is charged with the power of mantras chanted continuously for thousands of years. It is quite remarkable to be in this field of energy that is the real India, where the sense of the sacred is unmistakably unique.

Sometimes we return to this grove at night, to twirl like Sufis in the moonlight. This is very special too. Somehow, every year we are graced with a full moon and the energy during these nights is like a divine nectar that bathes the insides of our hearts.

We intend to deepen this dimension of meditation in our future pilgrimages, especially in 2009, when we plan to include an extension to our main pilgrimage beginning with a weeklong retreat that is a “Journey into Transformative Silence”. This will be followed by a trip to Arunachala, a powerful meditation spot in South India associated with the great Indian sage, Ramana Maharshi, who taught in silence. We conducted this format two years ago and it turned out to be a profound experience that complemented our pilgrimage magnificently.

If you have been planning on this journey for a while and still haven’t done it yet, this is the time to consider it seriously as we may only conduct this journey to India for a few more years. Journey to Find the Other Half of the Soul, our main pilgrimage, has transformed the lives of several hundred participants over the last decade. We still receive positive feedback from those who have traveled with us, some almost a decade ago, expressing the sustained transformation and blessings that continue to unfold in their lives. Additionally, so many keep coming back, over and over and over again.

For more information, please visit www.russillpaul.com and click on the pilgrimage link. You will find extensive photo galleries, articles on our experience each year and video clips. We are committed to keep making this journey better, year-after-year, and would love to travel with you.