Mindfulness, Meditation, and BAPS Hindu Temple

Mindfulness Through Eastern Practices: Day 1 and 2 by Arjhong Mardani
Mindfulness Through Eastern Disciplines J-Term has jumped off to an amazing start! During our first day, we met with our yoga instructor, Hope Wills. Hope being a specialist in yoga, introduced us to the Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga (Displayed Below).

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We indulged into the history, the specifics of each limb, and most importantly what each limb meant to us. We learned that Patañjali is the name of one or more authors of a number of Sanskrit works, which was written over 3,500 years ago. Once we spent time researching, getting to know one another, and understanding everyone's experience levels in yoga, we began practicing Hatha - one of the branches of yoga. Led by Hope, we used breathing techniques and different stances. (Displayed Below) This to me was in order to relax, build strength, advance flexibility, be in the moment, and unwind. Others may have different reasons for why they do yoga, as it benefits many in different ways.



We kicked the second day off with 30 minutes of Body Scan meditation. During those 30 minutes we sat in comfortable yet respectful positions on the ground, while Ms.Harrison read through passages that made us truly think, see, and feel mentally. For example, something similar to what Ms.Harrison might have said would be: really feel the air coming in and out of your lungs, feel it going down your legs and through your arms. Once we finished up our meditation we spoke briefly of our reading, then drove over to a Hindu Temple in Stafford, Texas called BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. (Displayed Below)

During our visit to the Temple, we were taught about the architecture of the building, as well as the culture and religion practiced there. We were very lucky to see some daily rituals take place, as there was an astonishing amount of energy in the room from the singing, rituals, and music playing. It was truly a unique experience and one that will stick with me for the rest of my life. After the temple we walked across the courtyard and enjoyed a delicious and much needed vegetarian meal at the temple's Shayona Cafe. (Displayed Below)
As the day come to a close, we finished off by visiting Hope at her yoga studio for another session, this time restorative yoga. Though yesterday's yoga session was more physical and slightly strenuous, today's was soothing and languorous. We went into about seven different positions (asanas) in an hour, most of them taking zero effort to maintain. One of our more advanced students attempted a very challenging and daring position at the end of the class. (Displayed below)


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