Spandan: A Journey Back to the Self
There are moments in life when time slows down, when silence speaks louder than words, and when the soul feels lighter than ever before. For me, one such moment was Spandan—a three-day journey where twenty strangers came together, not just to talk, but to truly listen, reflect, and rediscover themselves.
When I first arrived at the venue, I was struck by the quietness. It wasn’t an empty silence—it was serene, almost sacred. The schedule was gentle, without the pressure of strict rules. No one scolded you if you missed a session, no one rushed you. We were simply invited to be. That openness was the first lesson in compassion—towards us.
Day 1: Resurrecting the Self
We began by answering three simple, yet powerful, questions:
- How has your life been so far?
- How is your life today?
- What is one thing you still want to achieve?
Each introduction was different yet deeply connected. It felt less like meeting new people and more like recognizing old friends.
Guided by the wisdom of Mr. Subash Khare and Mr. Chandra—the heart and head of Spandan—we were reminded that life is not just about chasing happiness, but about being happy. We reflected on how fear, attachment, and ego often block our inner peace, and how love—in its purest form—flows only when we move from the self to the world, not the other way around.
That evening ended with poetry, laughter, and deep self-realizations. For the first time in a long while, I felt my heart both light and full.
Day 2: From Fear to Trust
The morning began with pranayama, setting the rhythm for another day of introspection.
We spoke about acceptance. How often do we fight life, resisting what it brings? And yet, peace arrives only when we accept both what we like and what we don’t—without judgment.
Fear, we realized, holds most of humanity in its grip. But love, trust, and respect are born when we step away from fear. Trust doesn’t mean certainty—it means opening yourself to both outcomes: to be repaid or to be betrayed. And still, choosing to trust again.
For me, the most powerful lesson was this: before we can trust others, we must first trust the universe, and then, trust ourselves.
Day 3: Pathways to Peace
On the final day, we explored the art of letting go. Life will always bring pain, but suffering is optional. The chord that binds us to suffering can be cut—with acceptance, with gratitude, with forgiveness.
We learned the value of endurance, the strength of witnessing life without clinging, and the beauty of surrender. These are not weaknesses, but pathways to freedom.
As participants shared their experiences, I realized that each of us had found a small piece of peace—peace that was already within us, waiting to be uncovered.
The Soul of Spandan
Spandan is not just an event. It is a reminder—that the universe is kinder than we think that love is simpler than we make it, and that happiness is not a prize to be earned but a state to be embraced.
As I walked away after those three days, I carried no heavy conclusions, only a quiet assurance: the journey of the soul is endless, and every heartbeat, every spandan, is an invitation to return to ourselves.
May Spandan touch many more lives and bring them closer to peace.
Written by Deb, who believes in simple living, simple joys, and the quiet strength of humility. Based in Bengaluru, Deb continues to seek and share the essence of simplicity.