Enstasy begins!
January 11, 2016 • Spiritual Adventures
![Blog Image](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1154-840x558.jpg)
Day One of Enstasy, our first ever Meditation Confluence, began with a warm welcome to our participants who traveled from far and wide around the globe to dedicate the next eight days of their life to self-inquiry and the study of Hinduism, in the tropical state of Kerala, India, no less! The setting for our participants’ journey to self-discovery is the luxurious Kumarakom Lake Resort, nestled in the well-known backwaters of this lush, green region of South India.
We greeted our guests with friendly smiles and escorted them to our sari shopping and henna booths on the lawn, set up especially for Enstasy participants. Guests met, mingled, and enjoyed a colorful and authentic welcome to the country of India and its rich culture. Shortly after settling in, participants and staff gathered for our first orientation session, where participants were surprised with a carefully planned spiritual flash mob. Each of our Enstasy teachers introduced themselves by leading the participants through a short experience of what they will be offering over the next few days, which included chanting and puja (traditional Hindu devotional practices of prayer and worship,) yoga, kirtan (devotional singing,) and meditation.
Our inaugural day concluded with a festive white-themed opening dinner, at which participants were gifted beautiful Indian scarves of all colors, and enjoyed the live performance of a classical 5-piece Indian band playing Carnatic music, specific to the Southern regions of India.
![The sunrise time is absolutely gorgeous here at Kumarakom Lake Resort.](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1154.jpg)
The sunrise time is absolutely gorgeous here at Kumarakom Lake Resort.
![We had also set up a whole clothing store selling Indian wear so that our pilgrims could have access to beautiful and appropriate clothing for our events.](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1163.jpg)
We had also set up a whole clothing store selling Indian wear so that our pilgrims could have access to beautiful and appropriate clothing for our events.
![Our orientation meeting took place on a deck overlooking Lake Vembanad, India's longest lake. And the space was beautifully decorated for our opening event.](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1220.jpg)
Our orientation meeting took place on a deck overlooking Lake Vembanad, India’s longest lake. And the space was beautifully decorated for our opening event.
![The group enters our orientation venue.](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1246.jpg)
The group enters our orientation venue.
![The setup was so beautiful. Noting like a gorgeous space to teach in and begin a Meditation Confluence.](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1279.jpg)
The setup was so beautiful. Noting like a gorgeous space to teach in and begin a Meditation Confluence.
![Part of the Enstasy team and teachers.](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1234.jpg)
Part of the Enstasy team and teachers.
![Our goal on this journey is to learn a systematic approach to meditation. And to be clear on the philosophy, the path and the goal.](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1261.jpg)
Our goal on this journey is to learn a systematic approach to meditation. And to be clear on the philosophy, the path and the goal.
![46 pilgrims from all around the world here for a live changing journey.](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1259.jpg)
46 pilgrims from all around the world here for a live changing journey.
![White theme for our opening night dinner.](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1396.jpg)
White theme for our opening night dinner.
![Part of the team of travelers from our spiritual adventure to North India in Jan 2015 that have returned for another spiritual journey.](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1447.jpg)
Part of the team of travelers from our spiritual adventure to North India in Jan 2015 that have returned for another spiritual journey.
![Natalia from Lithuania returns on her second spiritual adventure.](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1353.jpg)
Natalia from Lithuania returns on her second spiritual adventure.
![Arunachala and Becky are back on their second spiritual adventure as well.](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1388.jpg)
Arunachala and Becky are back on their second spiritual adventure as well.
![Jessica, Liz and Cathy](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1443.jpg)
Jessica, Liz and Cathy
![The team that is making Enstasy happen. I am so honored and proud to be working with these amazing individuals.](https://dandapani.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_1455.jpg)
The team that is making Enstasy happen. I am so honored and proud to be working with these amazing individuals.
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