Posts

🥻Why I Wear a Sari as a Hindu Priest in Europe

The Sari Series   If you’re new here, you can start with Part 1: What Is a Sari? The Sari Series Part 2    Why I Wear a Sari as a Hindu Priest in Europe There is something profoundly grounding about wearing a sari — something that settles the body before the mind even catches up. For me, it is far more than fabric. It is a living connection to my culture, my spiritual path, and my identity as a Hindu priest. Living in Europe places me at an intersection of worlds. The streets, beaches, and modern environments around me are very different from the traditional settings where these practices originate. Yet each time I drape a sari, those worlds meet — not perfectly, but naturally, in the act itself. Each time I prepare for a ceremony, the sari becomes my first act of intention. I fold the fabric, form the pleats, and adjust the drape, allowing the pallu to rest over my shoulder. The process requires attention. Presence. The weight of the fabric, the way it moves, the awarene...

How do you notice when you’ve been “switched on” for too long? 🌿

  How do you notice when you’ve been “switched on” for too long? 🌿 I’m currently exploring how people experience being overly activated or “switched on”, how they notice it in themselves, and what helps them relax and recover. As part of this exploration, I created a short anonymous survey. It takes approximately 5 minutes to complete, and I’d really love to hear about your personal experience. 👉  Take the survey in English: https://forms.gle/FRP6yj3ZApgAALXX7 👉  Dutch version: https://forms.gle/6qE4aAFQK44shabc8 There are no right or wrong answers — I’m simply curious about the different ways people experience this and what helps them come back to a more relaxed state. Thank you for contributing to my research!  ☺️🙏

🪷Breaking the Mold: My Journey as a Female Pandita in Today’s World

  Breaking the Mold: My Journey as a Female Pandita in Today’s World Being a pandita in today’s world is an evolving dance between tradition and transformation. I am officially trained and deeply committed, having studied the 16 sanskaras and assisted at nearly 10 weddings. This year I even led my first ceremony outside the family home. Yet, I still face moments of confusion and resistance—sometimes subtle, sometimes not. For example, I’m often expected to perform rituals in Hindi or Hindoestani—even when a Dutch translation was explicitly requested. At times, the environment feels less welcoming than I imagined, with certain elders holding onto outdated ideas about women’s roles, sometimes voicing these ideas in ways that feel dismissive or even hostile. It’s exhausting. The investment—emotionally, physically, spiritually—is immense. I don’t seek monetary reward, but the time and energy poured into learning and showing up can feel overwhelming, especially ...

I made something small.

  I made something small. I've been thinking about how often we don't realise we're stressed until we notice what happened to our breath. So I made a tiny practice for those moments. One minute. No mat. No perfect setting. No hour of free time. Just a moment to pause, breathe and come back to yourself. It's free. 🌿 Click the link below 👇  https://serenityscriptbydevi.gumroad.com/l/esztby (My other free product can be found in the side bar of this blog. You can also sign up for important future mail updates!)  Keeping life in motion. See you in the next one.  Take care, namaste 🙏  Linktr.ee/SerenityscriptsbyDevi 

🍽️ The Science of Eating with Your Hands

✋ The Science of Eating with Your Hands Have you ever eaten with your hands? Not just for tradition, but really felt it—the texture, the warmth, the connection to your food? In India, it’s common. In Ayurveda, it’s not just cultural—it’s  science too . Eating with your hands does more than look beautiful: Mindful connection:  You feel the food before it even reaches your mouth. Texture, temperature, and aroma awaken your senses. Digestive prep:  Ayurveda says your hands have energy points that “activate” Agni, your digestive fire. Slower pace:  You naturally eat more slowly, giving your body time to signal fullness. Grounding & joyful:  There’s something playful, tactile, and human about it—your nervous system relaxes. I try this whenever I can. Even a simple meal feels more  alive, connected, and satisfying . It’s a tiny ritual that turns eating into mindfulness practice. Mini Micro-Tool:  Next meal, leave the fork down. Wash your hands mindfully,...

🌿 The Importance of Third Places

   🌿 The Importance of Third Places A third place is neither home nor work. It’s the space in between. The café you return to. The yoga studio where you don’t have to explain yourself. The library, park, dance floor, or community space where you are welcome simply by showing up. First place:  home Second place:  work Third places:  where life gets to breathe Third places can be simple and ordinary: a local coffee spot, a park bench, a dance class, a bookstore, a co-working space, a community garden. They don’t have to be perfect. They just have to feel accessible and safe enough. Why they matter: Low-pressure connection:  no performance, no productivity, no expectations Healing & regulation:  we grow and regulate in relationship—with ourselves, others, and the spaces that hold us Integration of practice:  yoga, meditation, breathwork, mantra → third places help what we cultivate on the mat quietly land off the mat Reflection without overload:...

🫰Self-Forgiveness: A Gentle Path to Inner Peace

Self-Forgiveness: Embracing Growth and Patience We all have moments we wish we could undo — but what if those moments were the key to our growth? We are often our own harshest critics.  How many times have we replayed moments in our minds, wishing we’d done things differently? It’s easy to get stuck in regret—but holding onto guilt doesn’t help us grow.  In fact, it keeps us anchored in the past, disconnected from the healing we truly need. At the heart of self-care lies a powerful but often overlooked practice:  self-forgiveness .  It's not just about being kind to ourselves—but about learning, letting go, and allowing space for growth and compassion. The Link Between Patience and Self-Forgiveness When we talk about patience as part of self-care, we need to include  patience with ourselves . True growth doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a gradual process, and mistakes are part of the journey. Think about how you would treat a friend who made a mistake. Would you j...