Paramaguru Sharath Jois

Sri R. Sharath Jois, Paramaguru (lineage holder) for the Ashtanga Yoga tradition passed away on Monday, November 12, 2024 in Charlottesville, Virginia where he was teaching a course for Ashtanga teachers. Prashanti Carroll Friedmann, a disciple of Swami Satchidananda and senior student of Sharathji’s beloved mother Saraswathi, informed Integral Yoga Magazine of his passing from cardiac arrest during a hike on a trail just outside of Charlottesville.

Jivamukti Yoga co-founder Sharon Gannon shared this tribute:

The post Sri R. Sharath Jois 1971 – 2024 appeared first on Integral Yoga® Magazine.

Photo: The artist at the installation of his sculpture “The Dance.”

Alan Asangan Binstock was born in 1948 and raised in Bronx, New York. His formal fine arts education began in New York’s High School of Music and Art, followed by undergraduate studies at Hunter College. He moved to Boulder, Colorado and began developing sculpture and jewelry of wood, stone, silver and other materials. There, he became a student of Yoga and then a teacher, as well as director of the Integral Yoga Institute in Boulder. He later moved to  Pomfret Connecticut where he lived at Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville East. He passed away on October 29, 2024 due to an inoperable heart condition.

Asangan first encountered Sri Swami Satchidananda (Gurudev) in the early 1970s, a meeting that would forever alter the course of his life. As a budding artist with a degree in architecture, he found in Gurudev’s teachings not just a spiritual path, but a purpose to infuse spirituality into the material world. Asangan’s humility and innate creativity led Gurudev to give him the name “Asangan,” which means “without attachment” in Sanskrit—a fitting tribute to someone who strived to live beyond the confines of ego and poured his soul into service for the Ashram in the early years of the Connecticut Ashram and whenever he was called upon to do so thereafter.

Working on a sculpture at Hunter College, 1968.

Asangan’s stories of his interactions with Gurudev are legend. A sample awaits you at the end of this tribute. For more than fifty years Asangan was a dedicated member of the Integral Yoga sangha (spiritual community). As a sangha member, his life was a testament to dedication, artistry, and a life guided by the principles of Integral Yoga as imparted by his Guru. Asangan’s life was not just one of architectural achievements or personal accomplishments; it was a life of devotion and love, a journey of manifesting Gurudev’s vision into reality and sculpting sacred spaces for countless seekers.

Photo of the Integral Yoga Yantra pendant.

One of his earliest and most notable contributions was creating a mold that would become the template for the original Integral Yoga Yantra pendant that so many sangha members wore over the years and still wear today. Asangan worked closely with Gurudev to be sure that the final wax mold was correct before any castings were done.

Another major contribution was working on early concepts for the Light Of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS). Asangan again worked closely with Gurudev to develop the first conceptual models for the structure that would become the LOTUS. Day and night Asangan worked from an original sketch by Gurudev. During meetings with Gurudev, Asangan helped develop Gurudev’s concept for the shape of the structure. Asangan created a model of what became the glulam beams and the lotus-shaped petals. This model can still be seen in the LOTUS Display Hall, along with a piece of Asangan’s original artwork that he donated to the LOTUS.

Photo: Asangan working with Gurudev on a LOTUS model, Yogaville East, 1980.

It was no surprise that Gurudev encouraged Asangan’s design talents leading him to pursue a career as an architect. After the Ashram moved from Connecticut to Virginia, Asangan and his beloved wife Karuna, moved to Maryland, where he studied and then earned a graduate degree in architecture from the University of Maryland, and she worked in the social justice/nonprofit sector. The couple often visited the Virginia Ashram and eventually purchased property there in the Yogaville community with an eye to building a home upon retirement. Even, while working full-time, Asangan continually made himself available for whatever service Gurudev had in mind.

Gurudev asked Asangan to design a building that would become the monastery for the Integral Yoga monastics. Gurudev also requested that Asangan design Guru Bhavan, the Ashram’s meditation hall, a place that has since become a haven for practitioners. With his architectural vision and love for Yogaville, Asangan designed spaces that would cradle the quietude and peace cherished by every seeker. His designs weren’t merely about structural beauty but the creation of sanctuaries, spaces where silence and stillness could blossom.

Through every project, whether large or small, Asangan was guided by his connection with Gurudev. And, most probably if asked which project was most dear to Asangan’s heart, it would not be a surprise if he had replied, “the Meru at Chidambaram.” After the Mahasamadhi of Sri Gurudev in 2002, his body was entombed in the Mahasamadhi Shrine named as “Chidambaram.” Later, a plan was developed to clad the walls in the Guha (lower portion of the building where the body rests) in white marble and connect the Guha with the upper level meditation hall. Asangan designed a magnificent large white marble meru in the shape of a lotus flower that was fabricated in India upon which the connecting piece rests.

Asangan and his beloved wife, Karuna had an unbreakable bond grounded in love, dedication, and a shared spiritual path. For forty-five years, they walked side by side on this spiritual path, inspiring one another and all those around them. Karuna, too, was an integral part of the Ashram’s history. As the first teacher for the new pre-school (which later developed into the Integral Yoga School and then into the Yogaville Vidyalayam) at the Connecticut Ashram, she brought the spirit of Gurudev’s teachings to her young students, instilling values that shaped their hearts and minds. And she continues to carry that spirit forward in her life.

Photo of “Orb” by Asangan.

After years of dedicated service at the Ashrams and an influential career as a master architect for NASA, Asangan returned to his truest calling: sculpting. For over two decades, he exhibited his sculptures, with numerous solo shows in galleries from New York to Florida. His work has received critical national acclaim from Sculpture magazine, The Washington Post, and National Public Radio. He was commissioned to create large sculptures for spaces including a Maryland library, the Hyattsville Community Development Corp., among others.

Asangan’s work transcended traditional structures; he became a sculptor of light itself, creating radiant works from stone, glass, and steel that celebrated the interconnectedness of all beings. Each piece reflected his reverence for light as a symbol of divine wisdom and universal love. His art was, in every way, a continuation of his devotion, a visual prayer that invited viewers into the sacred.

When he was asked about his artistic process and goal he noted: “I investigate forms that express the nature of the seeker’s inner passage while capturing the wonder of the explorer’s outward search to find meaning in the universe. My goal is to catalyze a sense of excited inquiry and quietude, and hopefully, a moment of self-reflection.”

Photo: Asangan, Swami Maruthachalam, and Karuna, during unveiling of Asangan’s lotus sculpture at the LOTUS.

Asangan’s sculptures are characterized by shimmering light and celestial harmony that speak a language of peace and unity. These creations are more than art; they are meditative experiences, intended to awaken the divine light within every viewer. His workshop became a temple of sorts, a place where he meditated through his craft, guided by the essence of Gurudev’s teachings and his own deep spiritual connection. Asangan and Karuna moved to Yogaville after completing their dream retirement home that he designed. There, he set up a massive workshop to continue creating his artwork.

And, as always, Asangan continued lending his talents to projects like the restoration of an original sculpture of Gurudev from the 1970s and providing assistance and workshop space for the restoration of the life-size portrait of Sri Swami Sivananda that adorns Sivananda Hall. Most recently, he began serving the Ashram and Integral Yoga International as chairman of the Board of Trustees for the organization.

Through his enduring service, Asangan lives on in the hearts of those he touched. His artistry, humility, and tireless dedication remain etched into the walls of Satchidananda Ashram and the hearts of Integral Yogis worldwide. May his example continue to inspire us to live with devotion, dedication, and a higher purpose. As sangha member Buffy Meera Stewart beautifully noted, “He is now in the Sea of Grace, where we all will meet again!”

“A Seat for the Guru: Humor, Humility, and Lessons Learned” by Asangan Binstock

At Colorado University (in 1972 or ’73), we were hosting a talk for Gurudev. Just as the talk was about to begin, Gurudev unexpectedly turned to me and said, “Asangan, come up and introduce me.” I was completely caught off guard. “Introduce you?” I panicked. I managed a smile that hopefully hid my anxiety, but inside, I was in full-blown panic. What was I supposed to say?

So, I walked up to the stage with him, waited until he took his seat, grabbed the mic, looked around, and tried my best to mask what I didn’t know. I started with, “Thank you all for coming,” hoping that filling the time with a bit of gratitude would help. “It’s wonderful that we can all be here together. I’d like to introduce my teacher, Sri Swami Satchidananda.” I turned, bowed with my hands in Namaste to him, and quickly exited the stage. Gurudev took the mic, looked at me with a warm smile, and said, “Well, let me add a little bit.” And he did his own introduction because I’d clearly dropped the ball.

Photo: “The Chair,” Boulder, Colorado, early 1970s.

It’s amazing that he kept giving me the ball, even though I had absolutely nothing to offer in that moment. To add to my embarrassment, Tattwan and I had this idea: “It’s crazy to lug that big chair around everywhere Gurudev speaks.” So, we decided to make him a chair ourselves. It was two pieces of plywood connected by a piano hinge so it could fold, with legs that screwed in, like those on a coffee table. Looking back, the whole thing seems ridiculous, but we thought it was a great idea at the time.

To top it off, we decided, “We can’t sit on it to test it—that’s the Guru’s chair.” So, without any trial, we just got the cushions made and called it done.

So there it was: a good-looking chair that really didn’t seem sturdy enough to hold even a bowl of fruit. Gurudev came out for the talk, thanked us, turned to thank the audience, and then looked at the chair. After a moment’s hesitation, he sat down. I think that was my second “burn mark” on the forehead.

Miraculously, he managed to sit without incident—what I might call my first experience of witnessing a miracle. Because, later, when I tried sitting in it, one of the legs snapped off, tearing the plywood. It was an utterly useless chair. Lessons were learned. At least, if we didn’t fully learn them, we didn’t repeat that mistake. We certainly had a wonderful time along the way.

And in his own kind way, Gurudev enjoyed having a little fun with us too. Once, when I went to pick him up for a talk, I knocked on the door, expecting his secretary to answer. Instead, Gurudev himself opened it. He stood there, filling the doorway, his hair sticking out in every direction. I’d heard someone mention that he oiled his hair, but this was something else altogether. I was a bit startled, to say the least, and he, of course, burst out laughing. He had a great time with it all.

(Find more of Asangan’s stories here)

The post Honoring Alan Asangan Binstock: An Integral Yoga Luminary appeared first on Integral Yoga® Magazine.

Iria Leino at work in her SoHo loft. Photo courtesy of iriathefilm.com

The Finnish-born artist Iria Leino is known not only for her expansive body of abstract work but also for her deep spiritual devotion, which played a central role in her artistic development. Throughout her life, she found inspiration in a rich spiritual practice and, significantly, through her relationship with Swami Satchidananda and Integral Yoga. This connection brought new depth to her work, imbuing her art with the meditative and introspective qualities for which it became known.

From Finland to the World of Art and Fashion

Born in Helsinki, Iria Leino’s early passion for drawing and painting blossomed as she grew, and her artistic abilities took her far beyond her Finnish roots. Initially, she found herself in the world of fashion as a successful model in Paris, a city where creativity and art flourished after World War II. Despite her success in the modeling world, she felt a strong pull toward a more meaningful life path—one focused on artistic creation and spirituality.

Eventually, Iria left her modeling career behind, returning to her artistic roots and immersing herself in painting. Her life became a balance of devotion to art and a search for inner meaning, themes that became increasingly central as her work developed.

Spiritual Transformation and Embrace of Yoga

As Iria’s life took a more introspective turn, spirituality became a defining aspect of her work and existence. She first delved into Buddhist practices, which influenced both her spiritual outlook and her art. Elephants—sacred in Buddhism—were the focus of her well-known “Elephant Series,” evoking wisdom, strength, and the sacredness of life.

A transformative moment in her spiritual journey came in the early 1970s when she connected with Swami Satchidananda, the founder of Integral Yoga. He was a renowned spiritual teacher who had brought the teachings of classical Yoga to the West, focusing on a holistic approach to life that balanced physical health, mental peace, and spiritual growth. Iria, drawn to his teachings, affectionately referred to him as “Gurudev,” and his teachings provided a deep sense of spiritual grounding and direction for her life and art.

Under Gurudev’s guidance, Iria found a path that combined spiritual discipline, self-awareness, and creativity. Yoga was not just a practice of physical postures for her; it was a way of being, a framework through which she could channel her artistic expression into a form of meditation and spiritual devotion. Her connection to Swami Satchidananda also played a role in her healing, as she credited his teachings with helping her overcome struggles with bulimia.

Art as a Meditative Journey

For Iria, painting was far more than a visual endeavor; it was an expression of her inner spiritual journey. Her work often evolved in a meditative space, influenced by hymns, chants, and mantras that arose spontaneously while she painted. She was deeply moved by the belief that art could become a channel for Divine Consciousness, a concept strongly echoed in her Guru’s teachings.

Iria embraced the idea that her artistic practice could serve as an active form of meditation, bringing the experience of the divine into every brushstroke. Like fellow artist Peter Max—also a student of Yoga inspired by Swami Satchidananda—she sought to allow the Cosmic Consciousness to flow through her, letting go of ego and letting the spiritual essence guide her creative process.

This practice of creating art as meditation is particularly evident in her “Buddhist Rain Series.” With its thousands of layered strokes, this series captures an ethereal and contemplative essence, as if each line and color represented a thought, a breath, or a spiritual insight that flowed directly from her consciousness onto the canvas.

A Life of Devotion and Solitude

In the years that followed, Iria’s devotion to spirituality and art led her to live a life of simplicity and solitude. She was not focused on recognition or external success but rather on the internal process of creation and spiritual discovery. She often withdrew from public life, spending much of her time in her SoHo loft, where she lived and worked in a space that served as her sanctuary and studio.

Painting was a sacred practice for Iria—a sadhana that demanded full attention and devotion. This inner focus became central to her life. Her artwork became a living expression of her spiritual practice, offering a window into the transcendence and beauty that can arise from deep meditation and contemplation.

Iria’s spiritual journey also impacted her choice of themes. For example, her later works, such as “The Growing Series,” were inspired by the meditative focus on a simple houseplant, the Lucky Bamboo. She viewed this daily practice of focusing on the plant as a way to cultivate spiritual energy and align with the natural flow of life. Her reverence for nature and life as a reflection of spiritual truth shone through in each piece, inviting viewers to experience the deeper realities she aimed to reveal.

Photo: Iria’s large painting of Gurudev, made of tiny dots, that she gifted to the IYI, where it still hangs.

The Solitary Practice of an Artist-Yogi

While she found herself increasingly isolated, this isolation was a conscious decision that allowed Iria to cultivate her spirituality and art without distraction. Her retreat into her own world was not simply a withdrawal but a profound commitment to living a life aligned with spiritual values. She limited her interactions with the outside world, instead dedicating herself to Yoga, meditation, and painting. She rarely ventured out and when she did it was usually to attend a talk by Gurudev or take a class at the Integral Yoga Institute.

Swami Satchidananda’s teachings emphasized that the pursuit of spiritual realization is often accompanied by a letting go of worldly attachments and distractions—a principle Iria embodied. By minimizing her possessions and focusing her energy on her art, she lived a life that resonated with the yogic ideal of simplicity, balance, and inner peace.

Despite her reclusive lifestyle, Iria remained deeply connected to the world around her through her political activism and passion for social change, particularly in advocating for women’s representation in the art world. Her spirituality and devotion to Gurudev’s teachings only deepened her dedication to expressing truth and justice through her work.

A Legacy of Spiritual Artistry

Iria Leino’s life as an artist was not just about creating visual beauty but about embodying and expressing a spiritual journey. Her art, guided by the principles of Yoga and the teachings of Integral Yoga, transcended the mere act of painting. It became a practice of revealing the divine within, exploring themes of oneness, harmony, and the interconnectedness of all life.

Her art remains a vibrant reflection of the deep spirituality that flowed through her. It continues to inspire viewers to connect with their own spiritual journeys, encouraging a sense of peace and introspection. Iria’s legacy, as an artist who saw her craft as a meditative offering, invites others to experience art not just as a visual experience but as a path to the sacred.

Through her life’s work and spiritual devotion, Iria demonstrated how art, Yoga, and spirituality can form a harmonious whole—each aspect enriching the other, and together creating a life of profound beauty, depth, and grace.

Though Iria Leino passed away in 2022 she and her work are once again garnering attention. Several articles about her in the New York Times and W magazine, among others, have recently been published and a documentary is about her is in pre-production. Through October 19^th, Harper’s Gallery in Chelsea, New York is hosting an exhibition of some of her work.

About the Author:

Swami Premananda, Ph.D. is a senior disciple of Sri Gurudev Swami Satchidananda and served as his personal and traveling assistant for 24 years. She serves as editor of Integral Yoga Magazine, Integral Yoga Publications; senior archivist for Integral Yoga Archives; and director of the Office of Sri Gurudev and His Legacy.

The post Iria Leino: A Life of Art, Spirituality, and Yoga appeared first on Integral Yoga® Magazine.

Photo: Sri Swami Sivananda, founder of the Divine Life Society and Sivananda Ashram.

It would be easy to dismiss the question by saying: “Yes, after a prolonged period of intense austerities and meditation while I was living in Swarg Ashram, during which I had the darshan of a number of maharishis and their blessings, the Lord appeared before me in the form of Sri Krishna.”

But that would not be the whole truth, nor a sufficient answer to a question relating to God Who is Infinite, Unlimited, and beyond the reach of speech and mind. Cosmic Consciousness is not an accident or chance. It is the summit, accessible by a thorny path that has steep, slippery steps. I have ascended them step by step, the hard way; but at every step, I have experienced God coming into my life and lifting me easily to the next step.

My father was fond of ceremonial worship (puja) in which he was very regular. To my child-mind, the image he worshipped was God, and I delighted in helping father in the worship, by bringing him flowers and other articles of worship. The deep inner satisfaction that he and I derived from such worship implanted in my heart the deep conviction that God is in such images devoutly worshipped by His devotees. Thus did God come into my life and place my foot on the first rung of the ladder.

As an adult, I was fond of gymnastics and vigorous exercises. I learned fencing from a teacher who belonged to a low caste; he was a harijan. I could go to him only for a few days before I was made to understand that it was unbecoming of a caste-born Brahmin to play the student to an untouchable. I thought deeply over the matter. One moment I felt that the God whom we all worshipped in the image in my father’s puja-room had jumped over to the heart of this untouchable. He was my Guru, all right! So, I immediately went to him with flowers, sweets, and cloth, garlanded him, placed flowers at his feet, and prostrated myself before him. Thus did God come into my life to remove the veil of caste distinctions.

How very valuable this step was I could realize only later; for I was to enter the medical profession and serve all, and the persistence of caste distinction would have made that service a mockery. With this mist cleared by the light of God, it was very easy and natural for me to serve everyone. I took very keen delight in every kind of service connected with the healing and alleviation of human misery. If there was a good prescription for malaria, I felt that the whole world should know it the next moment. Any knowledge about the prevention of disease, promotion of health, and healing of diseases, I was eager to acquire and share with all.

Photo: Swami Sivananda offers medical care to a patient.

Then God came into my life in the form of the sick in Malaya [today, Malaysia]. It is difficult for me now to single out any instance; and perhaps it is unnecessary. Time and space are concepts of the mind and have no meaning in God. I can look back now upon the whole period of my stay in Malaya as a single event in which God came to me in the form of the sick and suffering. People are sick physically and mentally. To some, life is a lingering death; and to some, death is more welcome than life. Some lead a miserable life, unable to face death; some invite death and commit suicide, unable to face life. The aspiration grew within me, that if God had not made this world merely as a hell where wicked people would be thrown to suffer, and if there is, as I intuitively felt there should be, something other than this misery and this helpless existence, it should be known and experienced.

It was at this crucial point in my life that God came to me as a religious mendicant who gave me the first lessons in Vedanta. The positive aspects of life here and the real end and aim of human life were made apparent. This drew me from Malaya to the Himalayas. God came to me in the form of an all-consuming aspiration to realize Him as the Self of all.

Meditation and service went on apace, and with them came various spiritual experiences until body, mind, and intellect, as the limiting adjuncts, vanished and the whole universe shone in His Light. God then came in the form of this Light in which everything assumed a divine shape and the pain and suffering that seemed to haunt everybody appeared to be a mirage, the illusion that ignorance creates on account of low sensual appetites that lurk in man.

One more milestone had to be passed in order to know “Sarvam Khalvidam Brahman” (“All indeed is Brahman,” Chandogya Upanishad). Early in 1950 (on the 5th of January), God came to me in the form of a half-demented assailant who disturbed the night satsang at the ashram. His attempt failed. I bowed to him, worshipped him, and sent him home. Evil exists to glorify the good. Evil is a superficial appearance; beneath its veil, the one Self shines in all.

A noteworthy fact ought to be mentioned here. In this evolution, nothing gained previously is entirely discarded at any later stage. One coalesced into the next, and the Yoga of Synthesis was the fruit. The effective and intelligent synthesis of murthi-puja (worship of a statue/image of the Divine), selfless service of the sick, meditation, the cultivation of cosmic love that transcended the barriers of caste, creed, and religion, with the ultimate aim of attaining Cosmic Consciousness, was revealed. This knowledge had immediately to be shared. All this had become an integral part of my being.

The mission had been gathering strength and spreading. It was in 1950 that I undertook the All-India Tour. Then God came to me in His virat-swarup — multitudes of devotees eager to listen to the tenets of divine life. At every center, I felt that God spoke through me and that He Himself, in His virat form spread out before me as the multitude, listened to it. He sang with me; He prayed with me; He spoke and He listened. Sarvam Khalvidam Brahman.

By H. H. Sri Swami Sivananda, from the book Sivananda: Biography of a Modern Sage

The post How God Came Into My Life appeared first on Integral Yoga® Magazine.

Join Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville and Integral Yoga International on September 7th at 7:30 PM EDT when we honor Sri Swami Sivananda during a special Livestream satsang from the Ashram.This program will also be available in the Yogaville Livestream archive shortly after the live broadcast.

The post H. H. Sri Swami Sivananda: 137th Jayanthi and 100th Sannyas Anniversary appeared first on Integral Yoga® Magazine.

This program also featured a screening of the world premiere of the new documentary, “Divine Harmony: Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda’s Spiritual Journey with Swami Satchidananda.” This documentary was produced in honor of “The Year of Alice,” the 2024-2025 initiative that celebrates the life work of Alice Coltrane sponsored by The John & Alice Coltrane Home and the Coltrane Family, in partnership with Impulse!

In the 1970’s, Alice Aparna Coltrane became a student of Swami Satchidananda. It proved to be a life altering educational experience and Alice became immersed in devotion and elevation for the rest of her years on earth. Her music and teaching, which we will hear in this special service celebrating her birthday, reflect her lifelong study, and incorporate the many threads of her musical and devotional life which began with her playing in the Baptist church in Detroit as a young girl. Together we will honor the legacy of musicianship and devotion to god consciousness in these times when our world so needs to hear and be inspired by her dedication to humanity.

Watch the documentary here. More information about Swamini here, the Alice & John Coltrane Home here.

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In this discussion with host Avi Gordon (director of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association) Mataji also delves into her spiritual journey, influenced by encounters with Swami Satchidananda and her Catholic background. Throughout the conversation, Mataji emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and cultivating love and understanding in a rapidly changing world. She lives at Yogaville and serves on the Sannyas Board. Mataji is a guided meditation leader and Hatha Yoga teacher, an inspiring speaker, Integral Yoga® mentor, and private retreat guide. She loves to offer pujas (worship service), read Sri Gurudev Swami Satchidananda’s teachings at lunch, and play the violin as a wake-up call in the dorms! In 2014 she was awarded the Swami Satchidananda Lifetime Service Award.

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Photo: Glimpses from the 2024 Integral Yoga European Reunion.

I set out on a journey to the 2024 Integral Yoga European Reunion held in Spain not knowing what to expect. It’s been more than six years now of serving as director of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA) at Yogaville, and during that time, I’ve gotten to know so many people within the Integral Yoga global organization. Most of these connections were made through technology, so this trip marked the first time I would meet many of them in person.

While I recognize the potential pitfalls of technology, I also appreciate its usefulness. During the pandemic, I felt grateful for Zoom, WhatsApp, FaceTime, regular phone calls, and even social media. However, if this trip has taught me anything, it’s that no technology surpasses the human eye, and no medium compares to direct presence. I’ve never had an experience quite like this before—getting to know people online and then meeting them in person. It was both strange and amazing.

In case you didn’t know, the Integral Yoga sangha is incredible. Gurudev was extraordinary, bringing people together in a way no one else could. How amazing is it to have little communities in Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, France, Finland, Ireland, England, Australia, China, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, the US, and probably other places I don’t even know about? The most important lesson for me, drawn from my experience at the reunion, is that what we have is truly special—the people and the teachings.

What I love most about the teachings, and what I believe has appealed to so many others over the years, is the sense of inclusion that Integral Yoga emphasizes. I remember stepping into the LOTUS Temple at Yogaville for the first time, amazed by its beauty and genius. Never before had I seen such a profound attempt to bring about unity. It felt as if Gurudev was calling out, “Hey people, wake up! We’re all after the same thing, and it’s totally cool if we go about it in different ways while sharing space together. Here, under the umbrella of Integral Yoga, you are welcome.” That was it for me—I knew I was home.

As I sit on the plane heading home, I consider what the future of Integral Yoga might be. What I know for sure is that these teachings are needed now more than ever. People are so thirsty for an honest, heart-led spiritual community to be a part of. That, I feel, was the essence of this retreat. I believe Gurudev saw the yearning we all have to be accepted. After meeting so many people from various cultures who love him dearly, I realize that what they truly felt in his presence was love and acceptance. I wonder: can Integral Yoga still offer this to people without him here in the body? The retreat in Spain proved to me that it’s possible.

It was more than just a meeting—it was a profoundly enriching experience. Nestled in the serene desert landscape, our accommodations were simple yet special, providing the perfect backdrop for our practices. The days were filled with Yoga sessions, each one deepening our connection to ourselves and each other. Practicing Yoga individually yet as one collective body under the vast desert sky was a powerful reminder of our shared journey.

Beyond the Yoga, the retreat offered a variety of enriching activities. We explored beautiful gardens, each meticulously tended and bursting with vibrant life. The halls were filled with music that seemed to resonate with our souls, creating an atmosphere of harmony and joy. Every meal was a celebration, with food that nourished not just our bodies but our spirits as well. The quirky spaces for hammocks and swings added a touch of whimsy, inviting us to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. The animals at the retreat center added another layer of magic to our experience. Whether it was an encounter with a chameleon hidden in the leaves or the soothing presence of birds singing at dawn, the connection to nature was palpable. Each day felt like a new adventure, filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and connect.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Gibraltar and Spain sangha for their incredible effort in organizing this retreat. Their dedication and hard work were evident in every detail, making the entire experience unforgettable. For those who couldn’t make it this time, perhaps I’ll see you in Italy two years from now? I’m told that these retreats are for all Integral Yogis, not simply those living in Europe. I cannot recommend highly enough the power of coming together with each other.

This journey has reminded me of the beauty of our community and the importance of continuing to nurture and expand it. Here’s to many more years of learning, growing, and connecting together.

About the Author:

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Avi Gordon is the director of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association, a global organization of over 10,000 Yoga teachers, and he is host of the Integral Yoga Podcast. Avi teaches Yoga and meditation and has also written a novel, A Light in the Tunnel, which is a story that imagines a better future. He’s been a school teacher in Taiwan, South Korea, Israel, and the US.

The post Reflections on a Journey: Unity Under the Desert Sky appeared first on Integral Yoga® Magazine.

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Interweaving experience, research, and revelation, Tworkov explores the relationship between Buddhist wisdom and American values, presenting a wholly unique look at the developing landscape of Buddhism in the West. Lotus Girl offers insight not only into her own search for the truth, but into the ways each of us can better understand and transform ourselves.

As the daughter of an artist, she grew up in the heady climate of the New York school of abstract expressionism. Yet from an early age, restless within the conventions of her own society, for disenchantment with the world, energize a quest for a religion of greater meaning.

In this new memoir by the founding editor of Tricycle magazine, opens with a 1963 Pulitzer Prize winning image of Thich Quang Duc, the Vietnamese monk sitting in formal meditation as he burns to death after self-immolating to protest, his government crackdown on the Buddhist clergy. “Within an inferno of his own making, Quang Duc sat so still that the whole world stopped,” writes the author. “When it moved again, to me, it never looked quite the same.”

It was at that moment that she realize that radically different states of mind truly existed, stirring up questions from her childhood, and initiating her own attempts to integrate, political and spiritual liberation.

Today, Buddhism’s influence is ubiquitous: approvals in new psychotherapies, neuroscience research into the mind and the brain, equestrian training, performance, art, and the practice of mindfulness and meditation in classrooms, prisons, hospitals, and corporate board rooms. But when she became interested in Buddhism, few Americans were acquainted with the ideals of the east. Set against the arresting, cultural backdrop of the 60s and their legacy, this intimate self-portrait to fix her search for a true home as she interacts with renowned artists and spiritual luminaries, including the Dalai Lama, Pema Chödrön, Joseph Goldstein, Bernie Glassman, Charles Mingus, Elizabeth Murray and Richard Serra.

Interweaving experience, research, and revelation, she explores the relationship between Buddhist wisdom and American values, presenting a singular look at the developing landscape of Buddhism in the west. “My life in Buddhism started with the confusion and rebel spirit that defined the counterculture of the 1960s,” she writes. “While spiritual, narratives, often prioritize, lightning bolt insights, I wanted to add to the history of Buddhism in America, something of the impolite, naïve, and despairing side of this wondrous journey.”

Lotus Girl offers insight, not only into Tworkov’s own search for the truth but also the ways each of us can better understand and transform ourselves. The book ends with the worlds in the grip of political and climate catastrophes, and hear the burning monk again becomes a haunting reflection of staying steady in a world on fire.

About Helen Tworkov:

Helen Tworkov is the founding editor of Tricycle: the Buddhist review, the first, and only independent Buddhist magazine; the author of Zen in America: Profiles of Five Teachers; and the co-author, with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, of In Love with the World: A Monk’s Journey through the Bardos of Living and Dying. She first encountered Buddhism in Japan and Nepal during the 1960s, and has studied in both the Zen and Tibetan traditions. She began studying with Mingyur Rinpoche she in 2006 and currently divides most of her time between New York and Nova Scotia.

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Photo: Parameshwari and Swami Satchidananda, Yogaville Virginia, 1989.

Integral Yoga’s beloved Parameshwari Mary Dinsmoor, an early disciple of Swami Satchidananda (Sri Gurudev), passed away on May 29, 2024, from cancer. Born on Oct. 6,1940, she was a true embodiment of love and selfless service and leaves behind a legacy of devotion, dedication, and inspiration. Our hearts go out to her devoted husband Andy (Parandhaman), their two beautiful sons, Miles (Paramananda) and Scotty (Sadhu), and their beloved grandson William, as well as to all who loved her deeply—and she was loved by so many.

One of the first American students of Swami Satchidananda, she became one of his early secretaries and she also served his many international guests over many years as the talented chef she was. She was an integral part of the Fine Arts Society of Yogaville for many years. She is also well-known as the great memory keeper of Integral Yoga having been a vital part of the organization since its beginnings in America. Thankfully, she shared many of those memories during this interview for the Integral Yoga Archives, which we now share in loving tribute to Parameshwari…

Meeting Swami Satchidananda

I first met Swami Satchidananda on August 1, 1966. My friend Sandy called me and said Peter Max brought a Swami from India. I didn’t know what a Swami was, but I went along. About 35 people were there, and then this gorgeous, tall, thin man in orange robes entered. He began talking about things that had been in my heart all my life. I was 25, had been to Catholic schools, and had left Catholicism because it felt restrictive. Here was this man speaking about love and validating things I had felt intuitively all my life.

Gurudev talked about Hatha Yoga and offered to teach us. He was staying at Peter’s apartment initially, but soon moved to a hotel room at the Oliver Cromwell Hotel. We started Hatha Yoga classes with just a few people, and he charged a dollar per class. Word spread quickly, and soon hundreds of people were coming. The hotel got upset because the lobby was full of people, mostly hippies, but of all ages. A core group formed around him, including Victor Zurbel, Peter Petronio, Yvonne Hannemann, Chuck Soloway, and Conrad Rooks (who had first brought Gurudev to the West).

Establishing the First Center

By October 1966, we found an apartment for Gurudev at 500 West End Avenue, for what was named: the Integral Yoga Institute (IYI). It was a lovely space with a large living room that became the Hatha Yoga room, satsang hall, and everything else. There were two housekeeper’s quarters and two housekeeper’s bathrooms and they became the women’s dressing room and the men’s dressing room and the women and men’s bathrooms. And there was a kitchen that became the kitchen for preparing food and where the office typewriter lived—right on the kitchen table. In the entry hall, we had a little desk and a cash box and that was where you’d sign up for Yoga classes. The first few years there were classes every single day at 10 in the morning and then at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.—or something like that. Gurudev taught all of the classes because there were no other teachers. Wednesday nights were for kirtan and Friday nights he gave talks.

In January 1967, Gurudev was to return to Sri Lanka (where he had an ashram at the time) as he had only planned to visit New York for two days on Peter Max’s invitation. We wanted him to stay in America but he was needed there. So, he started training people to teach while he was away. We hoped he would return, but that was uncertain. Garland Jeffrey, who was a lovely, lovely singer, was very involved in the IYI by then. Garland became the kirtan master and knew all the chants and learned all the chanting. So, kirtan continued and Hatha classes continued. After a big letter-writing campaign to try and convince him to return to New York, Gurudev finally agreed to do so.

While Gurudev was away, I had been living in Connecticut and by the time I returned in September, there were hundreds of people attending each class. Gurudev returned to New York and in June 1968, I became his secretary [the term used in India to mean a personal or executive assistant]. By then, we had to move the Friday evening talks Gurudev gave to a larger hall. We chose the Universalist Church, which could hold about 600 people. Every Friday night was packed.

Life as His Secretary

As his secretary, I had a demanding schedule. I started my day at 6 a.m., meditated, and then began preparing meals as well as managing the IYI’s affairs. He was very strict with me, and everything I did was scrutinized. I learned so much from him, not just about managing tasks but about spiritual discipline and patience.

A typical day as Gurudev’s secretary was filled with various responsibilities. I’d type the letters he had dictated the night before and around 9:00 a.m., I’d go to the nearby store to get produce for the day. At 10:00 a.m., the phones would start ringing with people wanting to see him to seek advice, so I would schedule appointments. People would start arriving for Hatha class around that time.

Photo: Gurudev offering puja during mantra initiation; Parameshwari far right, IYI, 1968.

Soon, other Karma Yogis would show up to start the office work of running the IYI. I was constantly screening calls, as well as doing meal prep for Gurudev and others. At noon, we turned off the phones, and the Karma Yogis would meditate, while I finished preparing lunch. In the afternoons, as per Indian tradition, he rested. During that time I would do laundry, clean the kitchen, and manage other tasks. For several hours in the late afternoon, people would come to see him. By 9:00 p.m., after the last class, he’d come into the kitchen, and we’d have tea and talk about the day.

Despite the challenging schedule, I cherished the moments of learning and growth. Gurudev was very patient and loving. He would gently guide us to understand and adopt better and healthier habits without imposing them. His forgiving nature and acceptance of everyone, regardless of where they were on their spiritual journey was beyond inspiring.

Lessons in Humility and Service

One of my favorite things about being able to be close to him was being able to see how he was teaching us. In the beginning of our making many mistakes, he demonstrated so much patience. But as the older, longer time disciples started to learn more, he started expecting more. Gurudev taught us both through his actions and his words. One time he said to me, “I’m going to be very hard on you. If you can’t take it, leave now.” I had no idea what ‘hard’ meant because he had always been so sweet. But from that day on, everything I did was scrutinized. He never praised my efforts but was quick to point out mistakes. It was a challenging period, but it was also a profound learning experience. I learned humility, dedication, and the importance of doing things effectively and efficiently.

Cooking for Gurudev was a part of my duties that I always enjoyed. The secretary before me said he loved spaghetti with ketchup. I was stunned by that and didn’t want to serve him anything of that sort. So, I went to the New York library, found two Indian vegetarian cookbooks, and started creating recipes. Over time, I noticed what he liked and what he didn’t, and I refined the recipes accordingly. When I went to India with Gurudev, I learned more about South Indian cooking from his family and devotees. These recipes became a treasured part of my cooking repertoire for him, and later for his guests, my family and many others.

Spiritual Experiences

There are many, many devotees who have told me stories of healings that they had through Gurudev. One of the most profound experiences I personally had in this regard was during the birth of my first son, Miles. I had left New York to get married and my husband, Parandhaman and I moved to San Francisco. In 1970, when Miles was due I had been planning to have natural childbirth. When I was in labor for 30 hours, the doctors decided on an emergency caesarian due to fetal distress. I asked my husband to call Gurudev. As they wheeled me into the operating room, though no one else seemed to see him, clear as day, I saw Gurudev standing there, assuring me everything would be fine. And it was. This spiritual encounter was profound and confirmed my trust in him.

Photo: Dinsmoor family with Gurudev, Yogaville Virginia, circa 1990.

Another time, when we were living in Colorado in 1985, my younger son Scotty had three kidney infections in a row. I thought he was going to die by the third one and I said to my husband, “I have to call Gurudev.” I had no idea where Gurudev was at the time but thankfully, I was able to reach him right away. I was crying and told him that I was afraid Scotty was going to die. Gurudev started reprimanding me for crying and said, “You have to stop that right now. You can’t present a crying, worried face to your child. He’s sick and he needs you to be strong. He needs to know everything is okay and he needs to know he’s safe and he needs to see a smile on your face. Do you understand?

Gurudev made sure I understood all that and then I stopped crying and I was calmed down. At the very end of the conversation Gurudev said, “He’s going to be fine now.” Though I had stopped crying, I still wasn’t totally relaxed until he slipped that in at the very end. And, of course, Scotty was fine and never had another kidney infection after that one! I felt it was a miracle. And I thought to myself, “Why did I wait till he had three? Why didn’t I call Gurudev when he had the first one?!”

A Legacy of Love and Wisdom

Gurudev’s approach to teaching and working with his students was deeply inspiring. He was very accepting of where people were in their lives and spiritual growth. He was especially hard on those who wanted to do the work, but it was always for their growth. I remember one time when Eddie Brigati, who was in the famed band The Rascals, put his arm around Swamiji and said, “Hey Swaj (that’s what he would call Gurudev!), let’s go pick up some girls.” Gurudev laughed and said, “Oh Eddie, you are the naughtiest boy.” Felix Cavaliere, Eddie’s bandmate and also a devotee, asked me why Gurudev didn’t get mad at Eddie, as this seemed really disrespectful. I explained that Eddie didn’t know any better. Gurudev nodded in agreement. Gurudev knew exactly how to handle each person. Eddie went on to become a deeply respectful and lifelong devotee.

I also will never forget one day in Puri during the 1968 India tour. We were a group of American devotees traveling with Gurudev and we wanted to go with him into the main Hindu temple there. The temple officials said because we Americans and were not Hindus we could not enter the temple. Now remember, America in 1968, was filled with many protests by young people. So naturally, a couple of the people on the trip asked Gurudev if we could protest? But, he was not for protesting, though I think he wanted to make a statement to the Hindu temple officials. So he said “You can’t really protest but you can sit here and chant.” For those of us who were more prone to protest, Gurudev was teaching a lesson in how to not protest but peacefully make our case.

Photo: Traveling with Gurudev in India, 1968.

Though we were not Hindu, we knew how to chant and we wanted them to see that we were humble seekers, very respectful of the Hindu tradition. There were about 18 of us and we all sat down and chanted our hearts out in front of the temple. Gurudev stood there looking like the proud papa as we chanted. We spent the day there and while we chanted, Gurudev went to talk to temple officials. Late in the afternoon the officials came toward Gurudev and us and said, “Okay, you can go in.” Turns out that we were the first non-Hindus ever to be allowed into that temple. I felt that was a huge honor and beautiful experience.

Cultural Lessons and Adjustments

For those of us living at the IYI at that time, it was like a small ashram. Adjusting to the cultural practices and expectations of ashram life was another area where Gurudev’s patience and teaching shone through. We didn’t know how to behave with a Swami initially. We would just launch ourselves onto his bed to chat or discuss plans for the next day. Slowly, he would guide us to change our habits from listening to him while smoking cigarettes and pointing our feet right in his face—all the habits that were just normal for a group of hippies—to treating him more respectfully. He would take the time to explain the reasons behind the various Hindu traditions and how to respect a Guru. It was a gentle and loving process.

As interested as we were to learn his traditions and their meanings, Gurudev was also fascinated by American culture and would ask us lots of questions about our own customs. It was a great delight to go on excursions and watch him discovering America for the first time. He’d been given a car, a white Thunderbird, and he would pile a whole bunch of us in and we’d go on outings—bowling, ice skating—he enjoyed it all. He was very curious about our customs and foods and he loved ice cream and pizza!

The Growth of Integral Yoga

As the Integral Yoga Institute grew, so did the responsibilities. It was a gradual process of taking up all the responsibilities, but the dedication of the community made it possible. Gurudev’s following grew rapidly and the demand for his teachings increased. He started introducing more advanced practices like silent retreats and Raja Yoga classes. He’d been in New York for a little over two years before he even began to teach us Yoga philosophy. And that was a whole new concept for us to realize that Yoga was more than just doing asanas and pranayama.

At first, he taught Raja Yoga once a week and there were maybe 20 or 30 people. Gurudev had not yet written his commentary on the Yoga Sutras, so Gurudev had us use Swami Vivekananda’s book Raja Yoga book and we also used How to Know God, the book on the Yoga Sutras by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood.  After about a year those classes really took off and got popular and Gurudev started get some students educated enough so they could teach Raja Yoga classes. When I think about those early days and things he put up with! He had so much patience and shared so much wisdom.

Photo: Parameshwari was the chef during a LOTUS benefit dinner, Colorado, mid-1980s.

A Continuing Legacy

Even after I stopped being Gurudev’s secretary in those early days, my connection with him remained strong. He told me I would always have his number, and he meant it. Whenever I had a family crisis or needed guidance, he was there for me. His teachings and presence were a constant source of strength and comfort. We hosted him in Colorado when we lived there and had seen visited with him in California and various places over the years, but we missed him so much.

In the late 1980s, my husband and I decided to move with our two sons to Satchidananda Ashram in Virginia. I was so happy to have the opportunity to once again be closer to Gurudev and to be of service if possible. I was delighted and honored when he asked if I would like to cook for him again. I began preparing his meals as well as for the many luncheons and dinners we would arrange for he and his guests who would visit him from all around the world. He also asked me to become involved with his beloved Fine Arts Society that Mrs. Rukmini (Amma) Rasiah had begun at his ashram in Sri Lanka and that she and her daughter, Padmarani had begun again at the Virginia ashram where they lived.

Memories and Reflections

From the early days of Hatha Yoga classes in a small hotel room to the packed halls of the Universalist Church, to his Ashram in Virginia, Parameshwari’s journey with Swami Satchidananda was one of growth, learning, and deep spiritual connection. Her stories reflect not only the lasting impact Gurudev had on her and her family’s life, but also the profound impact she has had on the legacy of Integral Yoga.

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