Vedic Threads | Self paced
Bhāva & Bhāvana
Inner and Outer Expression of Emotion
This session explores bhāva (inner emotion, intention) and bhāvana (its outer expression), emphasizing their alignment as essential for authenticity and inner clarity. Simran Lal highlights how thoughts, feelings, and perceptions shape reality, and that purifying them is central to personal and spiritual growth. The reflection session deepens this by examining the influence of saṃskāra and vāsanā on one’s inner state, and how environments and experiences shape consciousness. Together, the sessions encourage cultivating awareness and integrity—aligning inner intention with outward action—as a pathway to balance, self-understanding, and transformation.
Guest Instructor
Simran Lal
Simran Lal is a cultural entrepreneur, educator, and lifelong seeker deeply engaged with Indian aesthetics, philosophy, and self-inquiry. She is the founder of Paro and co-founder of Nicobar, and has played a key role in shaping Good Earth, a renowned artisanal brand celebrating Indian heritage. With academic training in history, art history, and design, her work bridges tradition and contemporary expression. A certified mindfulness and functional medicine coach, she integrates inner exploration with creative practice. Passionate about Vedic culture, cosmology, and craft, she brings a thoughtful, experiential approach to both learning and living.
Bhāva & Bhāvana
Inner and Outer Expression of Emotion with Simran Lal
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to the concepts of bhāva (inner state) and bhāvana (outer expression)
- Understanding that everything in the manifested world begins with thought and intention
- Bhāva as one’s inner landscape—feelings, desires, and intentions
- Bhāvana as the external manifestation—speech, actions, and behavior in society
- Emphasis on alignment between inner and outer states as true authenticity
- The importance of making both bhāva and bhāvana śuddha (pure and refined)
- Recognition that persistent thoughts shape perception, identity, and reality
- Refinement of inner and outer being as a core aim of yogic life
Learning Objectives:
- Have an understanding of the word bhāva and its meanings
- Have an understanding of the word bhāvana and its meanings
- Understand the value of aligning bhāva and bhāvana
Session 2
Reflections & Integration with the Instructors
Topics Covered:
- Reflections on the Healing Sounds retreat and its role–and the role of Vedic Threads –in keeping alive wisdom, tradition, kalās and vidyās that could become extinct without the continued sharing.
- Pepita Seth: Author of, “In God’s Mirror: The Theyyams of Malabar”
- Reflections on bhāva and bhāvana- the relationship between the macro and micro- the bhāva of a place affecting the internal bhāva. bhāva is something that can be shaped/influenced
- The role of vāsanā & saṃskāra in purifying or influencing bhāva
- Vyuhas–battlefield configurations whether on the external battlefield or in the battlefield of the mind
- vāsanā: śubha (brings us toward liberation) vs aśubha (keeps us incarnate)
- When all the concepts become confusing- come back to the bhāva of nothingness – the innermost essence of stillness
- The attached photos are taken by Dr. Claudia at Emperor Akbar’s tomb in Sikandra in Agra, India. She refers to the place in this session
Learning Objectives:
- Have an understanding of bhāva and bhāvana
- Be able to give a definition of vāsanā
- Be able to give a definition of saṃskāra
About Vedic Threads
Every Indian wisdom tradition carries within it a vast web of ideas, stories, and living knowledge. Vedic Threads is an invitation to explore that web — one theme at a time, in the company of lifelong practitioners and sincere seekers from around the world. Join hosts Drs. Ramkumar and Claudia Welch and Navneet Raman, and our distinguished guest instructors, for conversations that deepen your understanding of Ayurveda, yoga, and the traditions they emerge from.
