The mind, once filled with restlessness, had found a new rhythm in discipline. The constant urge to switch from one task to another was finally replaced by a deep inner contentment

If spirituality had a face, what would it look like? As I walked along the serene pathways of Patanjali Yog Centre, these words echoed in my mind. The air was filled with a profound stillness, broken only by the rhythmic chanting of the Gayatri Mantra flowing from mud huts, where divine vibrations seemed to merge with the very soil. Just then a saffron-clad sadhu passed by, carrying a Dhuni infused with the rich fragrance of kapur (camphor) and laung (clove), as if nature itself was conspiring to cleanse the soul.

Spending a few days inside the ashram made me realise the stark contrast between this world-painstakingly crafted by Yog Guru Baba Ramdev Ji — and the chaos of the one I had left behind. Here, every arrival was met with a warm smile and a structured path forward, a plan for self-discipline and healing over the next seven days. The regimen was clear-fixed waking hours, a precisely curated diet tailored to individual health needs, and an array of herbal kadhas and juices designed to cleanse from the very core.

Initially, I thought waking up at 5 AM would be an achievement. But when I learned that the day at the ashram began at 3:30 AM, it sent a shiver through me. As I prepared for bed the first day , I already felt the challenge settling into my bones. Seven days. 3:30 AM every morning. It was not just about adjusting my sleep cycle-it was about overcoming my own mental resistance to discipline. And yet, I embraced it, knowing I was here for a reason: to cultivate mental strength through unwavering discipline.

By 3 AM, the ashram stirred awake. We prepared for the Shatkarma session, a deep detoxification ritual that felt both daunting and exhilarating. Half-asleep but eager, I moved on to the yoga hall, where the first rays of dawn blended with the sacred Navratara prayers. Baba Ramdev ji himself led the session, guiding us meticulously through every asana, ensuring precision and awareness in our movements.

With each breath, I felt layers of stagnation shedding away. As the cleansing process continued, I eagerly awaited my first meal-a simple yet nourishing spread of nuts and fruits. I silently offered gratitude for it, realising how little the body truly needs when nourished mindfully.

Lunch was a revelation-light soups and fresh salads replaced my usual cravings for roti, dal, and sabzi, breaking the conditioned belief that fullness comes only from heavy meals.

Evenings arrived with a soothing breeze, carrying the scent of blooming flowers that lined the walkways. As I took long walks, I observed the unwavering dedication of the ashram's staff, tirelessly working toward Baba Ramdev's mission of a healthier, fitter Bharat. Each person, carrying their jholas, moved purposefully from one healing session to another, embodying the spirit of yoga, seva, and discipline.

This was not just a retreat-it was a complete immersion into a life of structure, commitment, and higher awareness. The Patanjali Yog Centre was not merely a place of healing; it was a temple of transformation, where spirituality and discipline converged to create a new way of being.

In the sacred teachings of Maharishi Patanjali, discipline (tapas) and self-purification (shaucha) are fundamental to the journey of yoga. One sutra that resonated deeply with my experience at the ashram was: Shauchat Svanga Jugupsa Parairasamsargah || Yoga Sutra 2.40

From purity arises a sense of detachment from one's own body and a lack of attraction toward material indulgence.”

True cleansing is not just external, but an inner purification-of the body, the mind, and the soul. The rigorous discipline of early mornings, mindful eating, and yogic practices had instilled in me a heightened awareness of my own existence.

Another sutra that illuminated this transformation was: Yogash Chitta Vritti Nirodhah || Yoga Sutra 1.2

Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind. Through this week of yogic living, I had experienced firsthand the stillness that yoga brings. The mind, once filled with restlessness, had found a new rhythm in discipline. The constant urge to switch from one task to another was finally replaced by a deep inner contentment.

As I prepared to leave the ashram, I realised that the real journey had just begun. The path of yoga is not confined to a week's retreat-it is a lifelong practice of discipline, mindfulness, and self-discovery. Walking away from the ashram, I carried with me not just lighter footsteps but a lighter soul, imbued with the wisdom of Patanjali's sutras and the realisation that true spirituality is inseparable from discipline.

— The author’s views are personal. The author is a civil servant at the Ministry of Defence and a spiritual speaker