Embracing Transformation: My Journey at Munger Ashram About Living Yoga By Hélène MARLET, France

Hélène MARLET

After 6 years of regular “HATHA YOGA” practice instructed by Sir Devatma ji & Rajkamal ji from YOGA WELLNESS BENGALURU, the moment had come to live Yoga differently (not only on the mat) and to obey the second spoke of the Yoga Chakra wheel : KARMA YOGA as “they go together, as both deal with senses, sense organs, sense perceptions, prana; balancing, awakening and management of prana – both the physical and the mental”.

Honestly I did not have any precise idea about what living in an ashram means except that vaguely life in an ashram is structured, quiet, and mindful and it is about slowing down, reducing distractions, and connecting more deeply with yourself and others.

Anyway I felt a kind of calling that I needed to go there, free myself of every day indulgences, live differently for a while, a break from the ordinary routine.

On the precious advice of my yoga teacher, I embarked on the adventure in October 2025.

The first days in the ASHRAM  were quite disturbing as I had to adapt to the strict discipline, the spiritual routine , the change of climate, of food, of environment (even if Munger Ashram is peaceful, well maintained, lush). Installing in a spiritual routine, away from the world distractions, punctuated by early morning (Brahma Muhurta) sadhana, yoga session (to prepare the body and mind for the day’s spiritual practice), theoretical courses, and chanting. meditation, seva , delicious and varied sattvic meals, respect of the water consumption were by now the only components of experiencing life and all in full awareness.

After a few days, I have adapted to the flow of the Ashram which is composed of:

SEVA: Meditation in action -doing work mindfully and without ego – It’s allowed me to feel as a part of a whole, a community and no more an individual fulfilling its own personal activity for a reward or  a compliment. It consists of gardening, cleaning, serving food, helping in the organization of the different activities of the ASHRAM for the common good.

DIET: 3 times a day delicious, natural, simple sattvic food is served and eaten in silence – MOUNA- (to keep the contact with the food itself, to eat with awareness and appreciate fully the food, the sense of taste ( appreciate the various flavors developing in your mouth) , smell, to create a connection with the food, with the ones who have prepared the meals and the ones who have cultivated the various components of the meals) , sitting on the floor under a patio.

KIRTAN: Chanting to create a sense of peace and community. One of my favorite moment, 3 times a day (including the morning SADHANA with Mahamrityunjaya mantra (11 times) – Gayatri Mantra (11 times) & 32 names of Durga (3 times) –It allowed me to chant freely from the deep of my heart without fear or discomfort or embarrassment & created a common vibration as if there was only 1 voice filled with joy rising up to the sky.

PRASAD: A lot of presents were offered to us: yoga mat, umbrella, backpack, t-shirt … and also books as many as you wish (Aparigraha was difficult to respect in this wonderful jewels library)

HATHA YOGA SESSIONS: Morning yoga session was held every morning instructed by the exceptional and mostly humble Swami SHIVDHYANAM Sarasvati . He had always been there for us, to guide us, to explain with clarity and simplicity each asana practiced during the session, to answer all our requests , to clear up our doubts ,support us during the SHATKARMAS  and even surprisingly participate to one KIRTAN ( Chant and Harmonium) –To be in his luminous presence was a blessing.

KARMA YOGA THEORY SESSIONS: Instructed by the fascinating Swami YOGATIRTHA who provided us excellent guidance in meditation (ANTAR MOUNA - TRATAK …) and many others  She was always joyful - one could sense her profound knowledge through her meditations. She explained to us in detail KARMA YOGA and with clarity SWAN / SAMIKSHA … Every time she taught us a new term, she incorporated it into the meditation. She explained all the subjects with a sense of humour and clarity.

SATSANG: We were blessed as Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati gave 2 Satsangs about HATHA YOGA – His knowledge is so deep , so infinite..He is simply fascinating and captivating Being in his presence, listening to his words plunges you into a state of calmness & serenity.

MANTRA DIKSHA: It is a sacred initiation process where a guru imparts a specific mantra to a Sadhaka. This mantra, a powerful sound or phrase, is given to aid in meditation, spiritual growth, and connection with divine energies. Benefits include inner peace, focus, stress relief, spiritual growth, and a deeper connection with the divine- I was not expected to receive my first initiation from Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati but once again I’ve been blessed Since then something inside of me has changed profoundly as a warm and sweet presence has lodged there.

I will be grateful for the rest of my life to all the people connected to this incredible spiritual experience starting from my teacher Sir Devatma , to aspirants, volunteers, sannyasins and swamis crossed along the flower-lined paths of the Ashram. Hopefully I’ll be able to propagate all what I learnt in this blessed place to the people around me.

So as Swami Sivananda Saraswati says: "Now is the perfect time to sow a thought, reap an action, sow an action, reap a habit, sow a habit, reap a character, sow a character and reap a destiny."

HARI OM TAT SAT