FINDING THE SILENT PULSE

Nestled in the serene hills of Monchique, Portugal, the Karuna Retreat Center promises a sanctuary fr om the noise of modern life. The name ‘Karuna,’ meaning compassion, sets the intention for any journey within its grounds.

My journey was a dedicated seven-day retreat titled “Meditation: The Heart of Yoga,” led by the insightful guide, Paramesh Gonzalez. This was not a retreat of strenuous physical postures, but a profound dive into the essence of yoga itself: the art of stilling the mind.

The retreat’s structure, meticulously designed by Paramesh, was a revelation in itself. It was a rhythmic cadence of practice, knowledge, and silence, each element supporting the other to create a powerful container for transformation.

THE DAILY RHYTHM: A SYMPHONY OF PRACTICE AND THEORY

The day began at 6:30 AM with a gentle yet awakening session of Āsana (yoga postures), Prānāyāma (breath control), and Meditation. This morning practice was not about performance but about preparing the body and breath as instruments for deep meditation. It set a tone of mindful awareness that would permeate the entire day.

Following breakfast, the morning continued with the Tattva Bodha class. This is where Paramesh’s depth of knowledge truly shone. Tattva Bodha is a classic Sanskrit text attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, a foundational commentary on the ancient Vedas that serves as an introduction to the nature of reality (Tattva) and Self-knowledge (Bodha). Paramesh, with remarkable clarity and patience, unpacked these profound philosophical concepts—discussing the layers of the self, the nature of the mind, and the path to liberation. He made the ancient wisdom of the Vedas accessible and immediately relevant, bridging the gap between intellectual understanding and direct experience.

The rest of the day was dedicated to the core of the retreat: meditation. The schedule featured multiple 40-minute meditation sessions, punctuated by intentional breaks and periods of silence. This structure was deliberate. Instead of one long, arduous sit, the frequent practice allowed us to integrate the stillness in smaller, more digestible increments, building our “meditation muscle” steadily throughout the day. The silent breaks were not empty spaces but rich opportunities to carry the meditative awareness into walking, resting, or simply gazing at the Monchique landscape.

THE HEARTBEAT OF THE RETREAT: KIRTAN AND SATSANG

As the afternoon transitioned into evening, the practice took on a more devotional flavour. The 6:00 PM Kirtan and Prayers session revealed another dimension of Paramesh Gonzalez: the gifted musician and singer. Leading call-and-response chanting with his harmonium and voice, he created an atmosphere of joyful surrender. The Kirtan was not a performance but a collective meditation through sound, a powerful tool to soften the heart and quiet the mind before the final meditation of the day.

The evening concluded with Satsang & Meditation at 8:00 PM. Satsang, meaning “association with the truth,” was a time for gathering, reflection, and questions. In these sessions, Paramesh offered further insights, often weaving in stories or answering questions with a wisdom that felt both ancient and personal. The day then closed with a final, collective meditation, leaving the mind serene and prepared for rest.

THE GUIDE: PARAMESH
GONZALEZ

Paramesh Gonzalez is a rare guide who embodies the balance of deep scholarly understanding and heartfelt devotional practice. He is not merely a teacher who recites scriptures; he is a practitioner who lives the philosophy. His commentary on the Vedas during the Tattva Bodha classes provided the intellectual framework, while his leadership in meditation and Kirtan offered the practical and emotional pathways to embody that knowledge. His presence was both grounding and uplifting, guiding the group with a gentle authority and genuine compassion.

Conclusion

The “Meditation, The Heart of Yoga” retreat at Karuna was more than a peaceful holiday. It was a rigorous and deeply rewarding immersion into the core of yogic science. The combination of philosophical wisdom from the Vedas, the disciplined structure of multiple daily meditations, and the heart-opening power of Kirtan, all held in the compassionate container of Karuna, offered a profound reset for the soul. It was a powerful reminder that the ultimate goal of yoga is not just a flexible body, but a quiet mind and a heart connected to the timeless wisdom within. For anyone seeking to move beyond the physical aspects of yoga and understand its true transformative potential, this retreat with Paramesh is a journey worth taking.

Paramesh’s next meditation retreat will take place in December. This time, he is taking students to Mount Arunachala in South India for a sacred pilgrimage around the holy mountain, along with studies in Vedic Astrology and the life and teachings of Ramana Maharshi.

Words: Yogi Maharaj Dr Malik