The Day My Mind Became Quiet—An Experience Where Thoughts Stopped and My Senses Returned | Rishikesh Yoga Study Abroad Memoir Vol. 7

Introduction

My work and daily life are fulfilling enough. Yet, a feeling that "something is missing" never quite goes away.

It was while carrying that thought that I took a one-month yoga teacher training course in Rishikesh, India.

As part of that, I visited a retreat at Vashishta Cave located in the upper reaches of the Ganges River.

Surrounded by deep mountains, the area features white sandy riverbanks and a river that is a clear, blue-green color. A suspension bridge hangs quietly, and yogis are still immersed in meditation deep within the caves.

What I experienced there was an unexpected event that shook my understanding of "who I am" and "what senses are."

Ablution: A ritual to return to the "here and now"

What I did in this place was submerge and emerge from the river 108 times.

In India, the number 108 is considered sacred for various reasons, such as the number of worldly desires, the structure of the universe, and the beads on a prayer necklace.

At first, thoughts like "It's cold!" and "How many more times?" were swirling in my head, but after passing the few dozen mark, I felt my senses quietly unraveling.

The color of the sky, the temperature of the water touching my skin, the sound of the river, the flow of time... These things gradually faded away, and before I knew it, I was enveloped in a feeling that "only consciousness exists here."

My boundaries soften a little

Through this experience, I felt that although we usually draw a clear line between "myself" and the "outside world," in reality, that boundary might be much softer and more ambiguous.

When we are chased by work, roles, social media, and time, we tend to perceive ourselves as "beings with clear outlines."

However, just by spending a few dozen minutes in a state of oneness with nature, those outlines gently soften, and both my perspective and senses expand.

"Maybe this is the kind of being I am." That new sensation emerged from the silence.

"Aligning" is not something special

Writing this, you might wonder, "Is this an experience you can only have by going to India?" But in reality, I believe the essence of this experience is a sense that can be cultivated no matter where you are.

We are so skilled at thinking with our heads that we tend to forget the power of "feeling" and "just being."

Spend time in nature. Put down your smartphone and try focusing on your breath. Stop for a moment and try touching the world with your five senses.

Perhaps the hints for centering yourself are always hidden within such modest moments.

Afterword

The retreat experience at Vashishta Cave was like a "reset button for my consciousness" for me.

I feel that the "stillness" and "connection" that had become invisible, buried under busyness and stimulation, slowly returned to me on that riverbank.

Even after returning to daily life, that sensation continues to live on somewhere, and I feel it serves as an anchor to help me "return to the here and now" whenever I need it.

Introduction to the Magazine

I have compiled my yoga study abroad memoirs into a magazine below↓

In 2018, I underwent a one-month yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, India.

Life training at an ashram on the banks of the Ganges, and the days I spent facing myself quietly and deeply, even while feeling bewildered by the differences in values.

This is an essay series that reflects philosophically on "living" and "centering oneself."

If you'd like, I look forward to your likes, follows, and comments!