A Place Called Unknown

What is your favorite place to go in your city?

Well, I have never liked a place away from home that I can call my favourite. Especially, in this chaotic concrete jungle where every ride is kind of having head reeling zoomies sans the excitement.

Add to it a ladle full of smog, pollutants and construction rubble quite enough to choke you in your masks.

But of course, we are humans who live in desperation and love all kinds of destructive designs to spice up our existence.

Amidst this self imposed frenzy there is , surprisingly, an oasis of silence and quietude right in the middle of this unliveable habitat.

It’s the Yogada Satsanga Dhyana Kendra or the Yogada Meditation Centre where you can rewire yourself for any length of time provided there is no Group Meditation Program of the Ashram scheduled for the day. Generally there are specific days in a week for these collective experiences.

I often visited the Center when I was working because it was just midway between my office and home. Post retirement I have not got the opportunity to visit the place which is a pity.

Though the Centre has its own Spiritual Course and Meditation Practice the visitors are not required to follow any prescribed style of meditation or prayer there. You can just sit quietly, pray, unburden, listen to the silence and enjoy simply being there.

The best thing is that you need not be a member of the Organisation to visit the Centre. They have a Retreat in NOIDA (in Uttar Pradesh – another State)  as well but that is quite far and not as cosy as this one situated in the heart of the Capital.

This haven of peace is lesser known which is run on voluntary service. As soon as you enter the premise it feels as though you have entered a sacred space – an out of the planet zone. The quieteness of the atmosphere acts as a balm on your body mind and soul.

It is usually very less crowded. In case you happen to come across a fellow devout you are greeted with a wordless smile and a bow.

I liked to visit the Centre in the summer. The high ceilings of the hall provided  a cool respite from the scorching heat. Though it’s situated on one of the main arterial roads yet the noise of the traffic does not invade the pious silence inside. The soft aroma of the incense burning before the portraits of the sages , the hushed environment just right for an inner conversation and the ethereal presence of Swamiji , his Guru and other higher souls have an  invigorating effect on the senses.

Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS), the Organization was founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in India in 1917. The YSS operates this Ashram which is known among its devotees for its high almost palpable vibrations conducive to spiritual progress.

Incidentally, I looked up for the YSS Centre after reading the life altering book Autobiography Of A Yogi by Paramhansa Yoganandaji.

A must visit for those who wish to have a truly elevating experience.