Ananda Mandala Meditation by Punnu Wasu at The Yoga Barn

Location: The Yoga Barn, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
GPS waypoint: 8°31'08.4"S 115°15'52.4"E

Punnu Singh Wasu
I met Punnu twice in the Philippines. First was at Cynthia Alexander's gig and the 2nd was at the satsang of Jamby Madrigal. I remember him because I asked him one question and his answer left me unsettled. I asked, "Is it possible to attain enlightenment without a guru?". He paused. Then he looked at me in the eye and in one word, said, "No". Later on, I learned that only a Sammasam Buddha (like Gautama) achieves enlightenment without any external help. He was the latest of the Sammasam Buddhas and the next one, name Maitreya, has not shown up yet, although a lot of wannabe-Gods claimed to be . Good thing I wasn't obsessed with enlightenment (why? because I love my here-and-now). Sorry, I'm digressing. But that's how I remember Punnu.

On both occassions, he played music so I kinda pegged him for a kirtan musician. Here in Ubod, a common friend, Jim Ward, gave me a heads-up Punnu was also here. It wasn't long until I was having coffee with Punnu. He meets people everyday so I wouldn't be surprised if he actually doesn't remember me, but we had a good conversation nonetheless. He even gave me an invite to all his gigs in Ubud - sound healing, kirtan and meditation sessions at The Yoga Barn. Wow! That's a handful for a kirtan musician :) Upon closer scrutiny, I learned he also teaches Reiki. Is there anything he can't do?

Ananda Mandala Meditation
This is a powerful and ancient meditation technique designed to purge the body of stuck energies that had been bottled up and left to ferment for years - pain, regret, hate, etc. They come out on the surface, allowing the person to deal with the issue from a position of compassion and strength in order to move on. According to Punnu, "This process cleanses the energy channels, washes out hidden emotions/blockages/old hurts, activates the chakras which raise your level of consciousness, make your body blissful and results in a feeling of wholeness."

The Yoga Barn
Yoga Barn is perhaps the most popular yoga studio in Bali. No, make that a yoga resort. It's the first time I've seen something like this - several yoga studios clustered together, cafe, resto, open spaces, hotel, etc. Everything you need for a yoga immersion in Bali is already self-contained at The Yoga Barn - including social interaction. More importantly, of the 2 presentors/teachers I've experienced (Punnu Wasu and Andréa Paige), I am drawn to the conclusion that Yoga Barn only hires the best of the best. These teachers are seasoned veterans who know what they're doing and can fluidly articulate on them. Let's just say that both of them are guru-types...someone you would want to be a mentor. That's saying a lot about the level of quality and professional competence that The Yoga Barn subscribes to.

Format
We were about 30 altogether, a lot of them females, seated, holding hands in a rectangular circle with Punnu at the center. A recording of the counts and cues played on as Punnu held space for us ensuring he had an eye on everyone.

Sharing
After the meditation was the 'sharing' part. Others talked about anger and wrongs in the past that came up to the surface. But this time, they had the strength to forgive and move on. Others were still in tears. Others talked about lights, numbness and nausea. There was no telling what others would go through, so at the onset, Punnu warned that even a tiger might show up in the mind's eye, ready to devour. But he advised not to run...but to deal with the difficulty as a warrior.

Ending Thoughts
Since Punnu's session was meditation, my expectation was pure mental calisthenics. I was mistaken. The 1.5 hour session was a combination of intense pranayama (breath regulation exercise), kumbhaka (breath holds - an advanced form of pranayama) and mental focus on the chakras (visualization) which ushered cathartic release from some of the participants. Pardon my French, but I've toyed around with pranayama to know this is powerful shit! I'm glad it was Punnu who administered this. He has a staunch pedigree to competently handle any shit hitting the fan. You don't want some Johnny-come-lately teacher who is just 24 hours ahead of you to be conducting such a potentially volatile class.

As for me, despite my background in Vipassana and Sudarshan Kriya meditation, I haven't reached a heightened state of physical dissolution...not even with this Ananda Mandala Meditation. However, I noticed that meditation has fortified my spiritual resolve in my day-to-day life, along pragmatic lines...realizing that everything I need for my own liberation already resides within...that I am the catalyst for all the positive changes I want to see on this planet. Meditation provides me the empowerment that no trophy, medal or citation can ever bestow. In a nutshell, meditation is an awakening. And of the so many hundreds of meditation techniques out there, Ananda Mandala Meditation is one to be taken seriously.

ps - Punnu, your generosity in inviting me into your circle is both flattering and humbling. It deepens my practice, reconnects me to you and opened doors for me to meet members of Yoga Barn's yoga community. My sincerest thanks.

Bali, Indonesia

tourist attractions

Pasar Seni Ubud (market) - main market in Ubud with everything touristy you can ask for
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) - 9th century Buddhist temple
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary - there really is a monkey forest right in the heart of Ubud!
Jalan Kajeng - animated street similar to Hollywood's Walk of Fame
Nyuh Kuning - wood carving village with a burgeoning chic cafe and resto scene along Jalan Nyuh Gading
Ubud Royal Palace - home of the royal family
Campuhan Ridge Walk - spectacular ridge view and hike ending 1km to the artists' village, Bangkiang Sidem | 8°30'13.0"S 115°15'16.9"E

- hotel

Ubud Backpackers Room - newly constructed, all new and clean, lockers, good water pressure, compli tea and coffee, spacious and alfresco chillout center
Jalan Nyuh Kuning, Pengosekan, Ubud, MAS, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali - 8°31'36.5"S 115°15'41.3"E
Nando House - free WiFi, restaurant, terrace, free private parking, pet-friendly accommodation, private bathroom, room service
Jalan Subak Sok Wayah, 80571 Ubud, Indonesia - 8°30'14.4"S 115°15'28.6"E

yoga

The Yoga Barn - full service yoga studio, holistic healing retreat center
PT. Yoga Barn, Jalan Raya Pengosekan, Ubud - Bali, Indonesia - 80571
8°31'08.4"S 115°15'52.4"E
Ubud Yoga House - yoga for Every Body...all shapes, sizes, ages & levels
Jl. Raya Ubud No.23, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
8°30'07.0"S 115°15'30.5"E | 0821-4418-1058
Taman Hati Yoga - Pranawayu yoga and Kundalini yoga
Jalan Nyuh Gading No.7, Ubud, MAS, Kec. Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
8°31'32.7"S 115°15'24.6"E | +62 (0)361-974-058 | tamanhatiyoga.bali@gmail.com
Ubud Yoga Centre - Ashtanga Yoga
Jalan Nyuh Kuning Raya / Singakerta Raya, Ubud, MAS, Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
8°31'43.0"S 115°15'15.5"E | +62 812-1020-389 | hello@ubudyogacentre.com
Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio - Healing, Yoga, Meditation with a breathtaking view
Jl. Raya Tjampuhan, Penestanan Kaja, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
8°30'10.8"S 115°15'07.8"E | +62-361-977-824 | contact@intuitiveflow.com
Ambar Ashram Laughter Yoga - Healing, Laughter Yoga, Meditation
Jl. Nyuh Bojog No.5, MAS, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
8°31'21.2"S 115°15'22.0"E
Radiantly Alive Yoga - Vinyasa Yoga, Tibetan Heart Yoga, Iyengar Inspired, Pilates, Fly High, Roll and Release, Ashtanga Mysore, Yoga Dance, Salsa, Arm Balance Foundations, Beginners Yoga
Jl Jembawan no.3, Padang Tegal Kaja Ubud, Bali, 80571
+62 (0)361 978 055 | 8°30'33.7"S 115°16'01.2"E
White Lotus Meditation Centre - Meditation classes | Meditation retreats
JL. Kajeng 23, Ubud, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
+62 899-0134-962 | 8°30'12.9"S 115°15'43.1"E
ONEWORLD retreats - yoga, meditation, spa and discoveries
Jl. Suweta, Banjar Sambahan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
+62 361 289752 | info@oneworldretreats.com

- restaurant

warung eateries - a cluster of roadside eateries, essential for those on a budget or those who want authentic Balinese everyday food at local prices
across the Pertamina Gas Station - 8°31'28.2"S 115°15'49.0"E
Nando's Warung - delicious Balinese food at local warung price in a garden setting
Jalan Subak Sok Wayah, 80571 Ubud, Indonesia - 8°30'14.4"S 115°15'28.6"E