Haridwar, April 17, 2025 — In the sacred city of Haridwar, where the Ganga flows eternal and the Himalayas watch in silence, over 100 seekers gathered for a rare, soul-stirring experience—Shoonya ,The Seeds of Stillness, a five-day meditative retreat led by Himalayan Master and visionary yogi, Dr. Bharat Thakur. Held from April 9–13 at the Artistic Yoga Research Center, this immersive gathering invited participants to journey inward—into stillness, silence, and self-realization.
Returning to his homeland after years of transformative global work, Dr. Thakur created a sanctuary where yoga was not simply practiced, but lived—as breath, as presence, as art.
“Stillness is not something you achieve; it’s something you . The mind doesn’t need to be silenced—just undisturbed. And in that stillness, the door to everything opens.” said Dr. Bharat Thakur.
Far more than a retreat, Shoonya was an inner pilgrimage—a return to origin. Through daily sunrise meditations by the Ganga, guided Artistic Yoga sessions, sacred fire rituals, temple visits, nature immersions, and soul dialogues, participants experienced Shoonya not as emptiness, but as luminous fullness—the creative source of being.
On April 12, the ashram echoed with devotion as Pa Shri Dr. Soma Ghosh, acclaimed Hindustani classical vocalist and Cultural Ambassador of India, offered an unforgettable evening of music. Her soulful renditions of Shiv Tandav, Thumri, Dadra, and Khayal moved seamlessly between power and poignancy, embodying the retreat’s spirit—sound emerging from and dissolving into stillness. “When music arises from silence, it becomes yoga, each note is a prayer, flowing back to the source.” reflected Dr. Ghosh.
Two poignant conversations deepened the retreat’s exploration of culture and consciousness:
In a compelling exchange, Dr. Bharat Thakur was ed by Princess Mohena Kumari Singh—renowned classical dancer, choreographer, and daughter-in-law of Uttarakhand’s Minister of Culture, Satpal Maharaj. The two explored the sacred meeting point of movement and mindfulness. “Dance is not performance—it’s the divine presence in motion when rooted in stillness, every step becomes sacred.” shared Mohena Kumari.
In a second dialogue, Dr. Thakur conversed with Shweta Kumari Rathore of the Royal Family of Jodhpur—a heritage custodian and wellness advocate. “Stillness is the language of the land, Healing begins when we return to our roots, to the stories in the soil and the silence of our ancestors,” said Shweta Kumari.
Each day unfolded like a sacred tapestry—sunrise meditations, Ganga Snan, yogic practice, contemplative walks, and observed silence (maun), woven with sacred storytelling and soulful music. The experience transcended schedules; it was not just structured time, but a state of being. “This wasn’t just a retreat; it was a remembrance. A return to the truth of who we are.” said a participant from Bengaluru.
As Shoonya ~ The Seeds of Stillness concluded, participants departed not with farewells, but with beginnings—rooted in presence, silence, and a deeper truth. For many, it marked a shift toward a more conscious, aligned way of living.