An artisan sculpting a piece of rock, a weaver rhythmically weaving Tana- Bana, a potter moulding a pot on a spinning wheel, a woman embroidering a piece of cloth, or someone’s hand pounding grains – each movement is a meditation, a return to a pace of living that transcends the rush of the world, to the realm of timelessness.
In these moments, one might imagine Kabir’s voice echoing softly, as he sings: “I weave your name on the loom of my mind, to clean and soften ten thousand threads…you have come to me, drawn by my weaving.” Here, weaving becomes a metaphor for devotion, for presence—an act that draws the divine nearer.
Just as Kabir’s dohas, Gora Kumbhar’s poetry, or Ravidas’ soulful devotion resonate in the quiet hum of these moments of meditation, they serve as reminders of how simple acts, when imbued with mindfulness, can lead us to a deeper connection. The hum of the loom, the turn of the wheel, the pattern of the stitches, all become conduits to a deeper, timeless reality where the spirit rests in the rhythm of creation.
This experience is authenticated in the writings of Anand k Coomaraswamy*, a scholar of the wisdom of ancient traditions of the Indian subcontinent. He questioned the notion of “art for art’s sake” and in the process denied the dichotomy between art and crafts. This perspective releases the arts and crafts from the confines of museums, galleries, and the emporiums. Instead these are to be understood as being intrinsically integrated in the social and economic fibre of the society.
More recently, Ravindra Sharma**, a skilled craftsman and thinker, presented crafts as being an integral part of a tradition – a ‘Parampara’, in which it flowers. In the face of present-day consumerism and mechanization of production, Ravindra Sharma would remark that “ I am collecting the seeds to protect these for the period after the ‘Pralaya‘, when the life patterns of sanity would be sown for regeneration of the spirit of craftsmanship”.
In 2014, Sri M visited a peaceful sanctuary at Panchgani and named it “Riverview Retreat.” For the next four years, this serene retreat was supported by The Satsang Foundation, serving as a space for those seeking solitude and inner peace. The Foundation, known for its longstanding commitment to community service through its various Centres, naturally extended its support to the neighboring village community.When approached, the women of the villages shared their traditional craft of making godadis—handmade quilts created from repurposed sarees. Recognizing the potential of this skill beyond household use, the Foundation nurtured and developed it, empowering the women to create a sustainable source of income with dignity. In this way, the tranquil, meditative atmosphere of the Retreat Centre, combined with the artistry of the women, led to the creation of numerous functional and beautifully crafted items, seamlessly blending craftsmanship and purpose.
It’s difficult to measure the depth of the meditative magic woven into the work of these women, but one thing is certain, it has significantly empowered them financially. More than just a source of income, this craft has provided them with the opportunity to engage in meaningful work. They choose their materials, design items like meditation mats, bed spreads, quilts, and bags, and create them with care and skill. If awareness is central to meditation, then crafting with care and creativity is certainly more enriching than being numbed by the relentless cycle of watching television dramas at home. To ensure the continuity of this empowering work, a Self-Help Group was registered for the skilled women to not only facilitate income generation but also provide them with the opportunity to engage in fulfilling and purposeful work.
In 2018, Sri M envisioned The Sacred Grove: Centre for Exploring Consciousness at Chowdepalle, A.P. and The Satsang Foundation began the journey of plantation, construction, and development. Officially inaugurated on July 3rd, 2022, The Sacred Grove brings together a retreat centre, a thriving plantation of indigenous, medicinal, and flowering trees, fruit orchards, a Goushala housing Desi cows, natural farming practices, and an Ayurveda and Yoga Centre.
Like the Panchgani Centre, this retreat is nestled in a rural setting, surrounded by several villages. After settling into this tranquil environment over the past few years, it was only natural to connect and respond to the needs of the surrounding communities.
Building on the experience of similar initiatives at the Panchgani Centre, we have launched a crafts project at The Sacred Grove. In November 2024, with support from the Self-Help Group in Panchgani, we began training a small group of women from the nearby villages of Kondamari and Kothur. Their handcrafted products are now on display at the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj.
We invite your support through valuable feedback, helping to expand the skills and opportunities that are blossoming in the nurturing ambiance of The Sacred Grove. Your involvement can further enrich the community’s journey toward empowerment and creativity.
If inclined to be part of the process of shaping a meaningful ‘vocation’ for yourself and others, please email us at – sacredgrove@satsang-foundation.org.
References
*Coomaraswamy, Ananda Kentish. The Art & Craft of India & Ceylone. London, Edinburgh, T.N. Foulis.1913.
**Ravinder Sharma, last edited 29 October 2024, Ravinder Sharma – Wikipedia
Pawan Gupta, Ashish Kumar Gupta (2019) Smiriti Jagran Ke Harkare. Society For Integrated Development of Himalayas, Mussoorie, India
