The Magic of BYK’s December 2024 TTC

As with much of the spiritual journey, words fail to capture the magic of the December 2024 TTC held in Madanapalle. That said, the eight ‘aṅga’s that made the experience so special for me were 1) learning and practicing āsanas, 2) prāṇāyāma, 3) chanting, 4) being with amazing teachers, classmates & volunteers, 5) frequent visits to the temple, 6) occasional outings, 7) library access, and the 8) blessings of Sir.

The teachers knew exactly how to challenge us with the right mix and complexity of material and information, reinforcing key points and pushing us when appropriate. We went beyond what we thought we were capable of. The practice of sarvaṇgāsana (shoulder stand), for example, went from my ‘that’s impossible’ list to, with modifications given, the ‘practice daily’ list.

‘How can we have learned so much in so little time?’ was a question in the air. From long plank holds to memorizing Sanskrit chants to recording short videos, again and again we were guided and pushed in ways that maximized our capacities. We learned much from our kind, skillful and sometimes tough teachers Vivek, Vanitha, and Dr Subha, and also from each other.

And somehow, with the 6:00 am – 8:15 pm schedule, there was spaciousness. There was time to sit in the Babaji temple, for bhajans and Christmas carols, for exploring the treasures in the library, and for class outings. Our heartful volunteers, Gopal and Minu, were instrumental in these, and in a hundred other ways as well.

Sir’s videos were a treat, and meeting him at the course end a true highlight. After some Q&A, he taught us a different melody and more words for ‘Saṅgacchadhvam’. To learn a chant from Sir line-by-line and sing with him was so special and moving. We were glowing (so we were told!) after this session, which concluded with receiving certificates from his hand and paying respects to him.

And yet none of these words fully capture the magic of the TTC experience. The bonds were so strong that tears flowed when parting. Many of us will return for Guru Pūrṇimā in July. It’s clear it will feel like a family reunion, re-connecting with those who are so much more than teachers and fellow students – we are satsaṅgi(ni)s, moving in harmony. Or, in the words of the lines Sir taught us:

Samānī va ākūti; samānā hradayāni vaḥ;
samānamastu vo mano yathā vaḥ susahāsati

Let your intention and hearts be one and the same;
let your mind be one and the same; wherein you may dwell together beautifully.

Source: The Rig Veda. X. 191

samāna (mfn) –
same, identical, uniform;
having the same place or organ of utterance, homogenous;
alike, similar, equal;
common, general, universal;
good, virtuous;

ākūti, f – wish,
intention

yathā
“equally; as; so that; like; how; yathā [word]; that; wherein.”

vaḥ < tvad    dative, pl
“you.”

susahāsati < su [adverb] “very; well; good; nicely; beautiful; su; early; quite.”

susahāsati < saha [adverb] “together; together; with; jointly; together; saha [word]; along.”

susahāsati < asati < as [verb], singular, Present conjunctive (subjunctive)
“be; exist; become; originate; happen; result; be; dwell; be born; stay; be; equal; exist; transform.”

translation from website: https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/rig-veda-english-translation/d/doc840453.html