SAMVAHAN

• « Even an apparently dead cell may be awakened’”
• “Through stillness life flows into motion, through the apparently sterile the fertile awakens”
• “The body is rhythm. The universe is rhythm. The masseur is in service to participate in harmonizing the body’s rhythms with those of the universe.”
• “Every treatment is a prayer. It is a Sadhana towards Advaita” Sadhana or the practice of spiritual-exertion ‘self-reliance’ and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progress to the ultimate goal of pure bliss”
• Advaita or cosmic unity : non-duality, the non-differentiation of individuality or the individual soul (jīvātman) and the Whole (the lotus residing within the neutral point in the center of the Heart, the Brahman.
• Advaita = Siva+shakti or Sam being with – Vahana – The vehicle (body) as flow – or being with the flow (of cosmic unity)

In a state of pure stillness, the masseur allows the vibrant motion of life within his body to harmonize with the person being massaged, through the union of breath and touch.

The masseur becomes the vessel through which stillness (the lotus within the center of the heart ; point of neutrality) and inner silence flow(s) harmoniously from the masseur to the person being massaged.

In this posture the masseur enters into a state of vibrant resonance allowing space for his/her specific touch to express subtle variations of vibrations. This vibrational state  tunes in with the person he/she is massaging and hence the tensions and stagnations within the body are released, offering the flow of life to awaken even deep in the core of each organ and cell residing in the body.

(On a philosophical level, this may also recall the symbolic state of Siva & Sakti, whose nature is in fact mutually interdependent.)

Sam: to be with – Vahan: the flow of life.

Râm says that ‘the body is like a landscape’, composed of all the elements from the most subtle to the most coarse : space, air, fire, water and earth. Through life, we cross deserts, rivers, mountains, hills and meadows. These landscapes can appear as stagnant obstacles and/or encounters. There are moments of solitude, ecstasy, awakening and emotions of all kinds ; life is in motion with phases of stagnation and even death, this experience is present in every single part of our physical body where life is the pure flow of vibrations and as the five elements reside in the universe, they reside in the body.

The masseur’s posture is one of “being with,” entering into a state of harmonious resonance with the person being massaged. It is as if the masseur “tunes in” to the vibrational state of the individual and their body, facilitating the release of stagnation and restoring balance, so that the flow of life can circulate freely and harmoniously.

When you understand that this posture is that of Samavahn, you may understand that years of practice are needed to master this art ; as with a blossoming flower, the flower cannot bloom prematurely. The nectar and flow of life must circulate freely and naturally within each of the flower’s cells so that it may come to bloom, so it is for the masseur. 

“Samvahan is a life experience that spreads gently from within us, and spontaneously flows out and through our life and reality ; the grace of our ‘presence’ its vehicle.

Such a process takes place over time  and a long period of practice. Through this continuous process of practice and repetition, each of us is guided by the massage as if it were an ancestral language or dialogue in itself subtlety revealed in time. With time, the masseurs posture naturally reveals its spontaneous, delicate and vibrant touch. 

The subtle vibrations of Samvahan are revealed in the lotus of the Heart. For those who taste its nectar and are deeply touched by it, this Spanda blossoms throughout the body, from the depths of each cell’s atom into the palms of our hands and fingertips, and out towards infinity. One day, we discover that it allows us to move towards knowledge of the Self through the language of touch, breath, movement and connection to the other. 

In this state, we realize that the flow of life is one with us, and has never been separated from the Self. 

There is the flow of life, the flow of life Is.

Samvahan is a gesture or mudra, an impulse, an attitude or, if you like, a posture and it is the silence between the notes that offers the quality of the symphony.

Samvahan is offered to us through a transmission that stems from a philosophy of life deeply connected to Kashmirian Tantrism and Shaivism.

Samvahan is founded on an attitude called ‘Bhakti’ in India, an attitude of sacrifice (of giving, of offering and receiving, of giving and receiving, of connecting with oneself and with others in respect for the universal laws that inhabit the Heart), which we realize at every moment through the single act of breathing, the breath that we eternally give back to life, to the Universe.

This poetic art loses none of its subtlety or beauty when you realize and courageously accept its demand for discipline and responsibility as a masseur/masseuse.

A transmission is experienced in a state of presence and pure reality. Different from teaching, transmission is the blossoming of Spanda, an intimate vibration that touches the Heart inspired and rooted by the Divine Laws of Nature and the Universe ; the same law that touches the essence of our being, that which communes and vibrates in unison with the Heart of the Universe.

There’s nothing mystical about it,” says Râm, “for it is the very flow of life that flows through us and through everything, living and non-living alike. Its mystery is simply, naturally, the silken fabric with which it covers itself, so dazzling is its luminosity “! 

Transmission awakens the intelligence that lies at the heart of our nature in the lotus of the Heart. Samvahan pays tribute to it and brings it back to life. The universe has sown its seed in the Heart of every being, in all the elements and in nature, and this seed I would call Poetry. 

When Poetry awakens, a sweet Spanda blossoms in our hearts. The grace of nature offers itself to us beheld in Poetry and Beauty. This Beauty, this Truth, which is transmission, is Unique.

Receiving a transmission may be terrifying as it may allow us to live through pure bliss. It is grounded in an infinite state of pure  grace and awakens the deep consciousness of the Heart. 

For this transmission to stay alive, it requires from us our presence and practice so our resonance with its source may stay infinite. 

Samvahan is alive and transmitted in the present and in presence. 

More about Jessica and Samvahan

It is my duty to take care of the quality of this transmission that connects us (the masters/guru, myself and my students) in order to honor Samvahan as well as the masters/gurus. 

Because I transmit Samvahan and do not teach Samvahan, I propose regular workshops so as to keep a connection with the students.

Today, it is important to emphasize that all those who receive the Samvahan diploma following my training must respect the ethics and posture (attitude) described in the translation of the word ‘Samvahan’ and in the present charter for the practice of Samvahan. Today, this translation and the present charter are given to students when they receive their certificates of attendance and/or Samvahan diplomas.

As a practitioner (masseur), Samvahan, like all yoga, requires that we “become one with” Samvahan.

This means separating consciousness from its identification with individuality and personality, and placing its attention “at the service” of “life”.

Life is a fluid movement/motion, and Samvahan means seeing and hearing this pulsing vital energy even when it appears inherent, still or silent.

Samvahan in this sense is a guide, a means of realization, a means towards an awareness

of the deep subtle motion and flow of life residing within us as beyond.

One night in 2001 Mahaavatar Babaji offered his Aashirwaad ; meaning ‘blessing’ to me and told me I would be guided and supported in the near future. Only a few weeks later I found herself unexpectedly in Michaels Trembaths class and soon after in Mumbai with Ram Bhosle. When I met Râm he gave me his blessings.

It was Michael(a uniquely qualified American therapist who spent several years studying with Dr. Ram Bhosle), who initially introduced me to Samvahan through his complete training course.

With Michael’s support and encouragement, I made my way to Mumbai, India to meet with Dr. Ram Bhosle.

At the request of Dr. Bhosle, I was at his side for a period of 6 weeks twice a year for over 4 years starting early 2002 until the end of 2005, receiving the transmission of Samvahan. Dr. Ram Bhosle became my master and guru.

During my daily observations with Dr. Bhosle, witnessing the freedom of movement and vibration Samvahan elicited, I was advised by Dr. Bhosle to use silent observation, music and dance as a root practice for learning and applying Samvahan. My inspiration and engagement with Samvahan grew. Before I departed, during my last visit in Mumbai, Râm told me it was time for me to bless him for he knew this was the last time they would be together in this physical world he then asked me to continue the transmission.

From the very first day I never questioned the path I had taken, and day after day in the presence of Dr. Ram Bhosle his light filled me with devotion. Dr. Ram Bhosle remained such a deeply spiritual man, that in his presence it became clear to me what it meant to be before a saintly man, who in deep humility and gentleness offered his transmission so generously. 

Dr. Bhosle passed away in February 2006. From then on the essence of the silent transmission continues to flow from heart to heart between Jessica and Râm as well as Baghavan Nityananda, Babajii Matajii and Gagangiri through the state of devotion and meditation.