Visiting a friend at Swami Dayananda Ashram in Coimbatore

Last February I finally had the opportunity to visit my dear friend Elouise at Swami Dayananda Ashram in Coimbatore (Arsha Vidya Gurukulam) where she is following the gurukulam program, a three years Vedanta course. Thanks to her I had an amazing time during this trip, she took very good care of me and made me feel very welcome. For about a year and half we had tried to arrange a get together but we never really managed to do it although we both had been in India all that time.

Yoga Classes in Boudha (Boudhanath), Kathmandu, Nepal

Looking for a yoga class in Boudha (Boudhanath), Kathmandu? Starting April 1st, 2013 and until the end of June 2013 I'll be teaching Classical Hatha Yoga Classes at the Bouddha Inn Meditation Center in Kathmandu, Nepal. You are very welcome to join the daily yoga classes.

The Cremation of Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche at Benchen Monastery, Nepal

Cremation of Tenga Rinpoche

A couple of days ago on March 23, 2012 I had the opportunity to be present during the cremation of the body of a special being, venerable Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche a highly regarded Buddhist Lama (guru) from Tibet. The cremation of Tenga Rinpoche's Kudung (precious body) took place at Benchen Monastery in Swayambhunath, Kathmandu, Nepal.

The final nirvana of a Buddhist monk: Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche

On March 2012 a well known Buddhist monk, venerable Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche, attained the parinirvana state (a Buddhist term that indicates that a realized being has left his physical body and achieve final nirvana) at Benchen monastery in Swayambhu, Nepal. This is the story of how I came to know about this great Buddhist master and my visit to the monastery where he attained parinirvana.

Nirvana Shatakam: Vedantic Meditation by Adi Shankaracharya

During the intensive yoga course I joined in 2011 at the Parmarth Niketan ashram in Rishikesh, I came across a profound and amazing stotra (hymn of praise) in Sanskrit. It is called Nirvana Shatakam (also known as Nirvana Shatkam, Atma Shatkam or Shivoham).

I was struck by the power of its words.  So much truth in each stanza. The first time I heard it I immediately thought with excitement, “This is pure Advaita Vedanta philosophy! A Vedantic meditation, a song for enlightenment.”

Chanting it made me shed some tears and I even felt goosebumps appear on my skin.

How Yoga Sadhana Leads to Mental and Emotional Purification

I recently completed the 4 Months Yogic Studies Course at the Bihar School of Yoga in Munger, India. It was the most challenging and painful experience that I've ever had.

From the moment that I stepped into the ashram something strange started to happen within me. My mind and my emotions became totally out of control.

The Bihar School of Yoga Four Months Yoga Course [Review]

(Updated 2019) In October 2011, after years of waiting for it, my dream finally came true. I joined the Four-Month Yogic Studies Course at the Bihar School of Yoga in Munger, India. I had wished to visit this ashram for such a long time. I actually sent my application two years in advance! Not surprisingly they were not able to process it then. I'm sure they never received such an early application.

Yoga, Volunteer Work, and Tantric Rituals: Rikhiapeeth Ashram Life

If you are interested in yoga and volunteer work in India you might consider visiting Rikhiapeeth, an ashram in the North of India. You will have the opportunity to do Seva, the yoga of selfless service, pretty much all day long, while participating in two powerful yajnas (tantric fire rituals) that last several weeks.

How to Stay Connected with Mobile Internet Using iPhone in Nepal

Updated: Jun 2, 2013.  If you want to travel in Nepal and you want to stay connected at the same time with your family and friends then you can easily get prepaid mobile Internet access on your unlocked iPhone or any other smartphone.

However, if you are planning to stay only in Kathmandu then you might not really need mobile Internet since you can find free wifi in almost every restaurant, bar and guesthouse.

Buddhist Monks Chanting in Monastery Near Big Stupa in Boudhanath, Nepal

Have you ever wonder how a Buddhist monastery looks like? Take a look at this amazing video of some Buddhist Monks chanting sutras at the Tharlam Monastery in Boudhanath, Kathmandu, Nepal near the famous Great Stupa. The vibrations are really powerful.