Kamala & Jahnavi — Samādhi Collective
Created by sisters Kamala and Jahnavi, Samādhi Collective is an online space and community dedicated to spirituality and self-growth through Sanskrit, mantra, yoga, music, art and more. Translated from Sanskrit, the word samadhi (samādhi समाधि) means transcendence, a state of pure consciousness, equilibrium or balance of mind & body. The name Samādhi Collective represents the cultivation of this state of being, connecting with your true self. Here we speak to founders, Kamala and Jahnavi, discovering what inspired them to create their online community and what they plan for the near future.
Where did you spend your early years?
Our early childhood was spent living in the USA and Holland, and in 2008 we moved to India, where we lived continuously in Rishikesh for 6 years. Our experiences in Rishikesh were incredible, as we were right by the Ganges, surrounded by ashrams, aarti every evening and the sound of pandits chanting. It was and is a magnet for spiritually-minded people from all over the world. We were only able to recognise and appreciate how unique and special this upbringing was once we had moved to London, where Kamala was studying for her BA in Art History and Jahnavi was developing her artistic practice, rooted in the miniature painting traditions she had studied in India. Being in the UK and removed from the culture we had grown up in, led us to find our own path back to these roots — Jahnavi embarked on her yoga teaching training in Karnataka, and began studying and teaching yoga, while Kamala turned to the study of Indian art and subsequently an MPhil in Indian Philosophy and Sanskrit at Oxford. We were back and forth between the UK and India during those years. We then came back to India in 2019, living first in an ashram before traveling and ultimately ending up in lockdown in the Himalayas.
SCROLL TO KEEP TO READING
What inspired you to create Samadhi Collective?
At the beginning of lockdown in March 2020, we were staying in a small village in the Himalayas. Jahnavi had been creating graphics and designs, while Kamala was writing on philosophy, having graduated with her MPhil in the Summer. We began to assimilate these interests and the work we had both been doing, sharing some of this art and writing, along with our personal chanting and music practice on Instagram. It started as something to do during lockdown, but we were getting a really great response and began to spend more and more time developing ideas and creating new content. We were lucky that this all happened at a time where we were able to devote so much creativity and focus into developing Samādhi, and that we were able to work so well together, unifying our individual interests and skills.
Jahnavi’s original Patañjali snake design
How has Samadhi Collective evolved from its inception?
Samādhi has grown into an online space which allows us to follow our passions and interests, sharing what we love and practice in our own lives, while challenging us to explore new creative avenues. We now have courses and classes ranging from mantra chanting to yoga philosophy and Sanskrit language, with more in the works. We have also launched a handmade art screen-print of Jahnavi’s original Patañjali snake design, and have plans for more coming soon. Creating, sharing, teaching and bringing more art and “aesthetic” into the world are our true motivators, and we have so much we want to bring out in the near future, so it will be interesting to reflect on this question again in a few months from now.
One of the most surprising and special aspects of what Samādhi has become is definitely the community. Our students, those who support us and follow our work, and our insta-friends have made every day of this journey so enriching. We never imagined we’d connect with such beautiful people and sharing this journey with them has really fulfilled the intention behind the “collective” aspect of our name. It’s so great to see our students and community members forge connections with one another through our sessions and platform — some have even met in person! We’re looking forward to growing this community, and eventually having those who are studying with us share more on our platform, by writing, creating and teaching as well.
Why do you think spirituality and self growth is important in today's world?
These days, with everyone spending so much time online, communication has become instant and through social media there is a lot of focus outward, as we are constantly seeing what others are thinking and doing. Having a spiritual practice offers a way to connect back to the self in the deepest way possible. The tools of meditation, yoga, principles of Indian philosophy, Sanskrit mantras and so on, give us a way to connect with the Self (atman), and provide us with systemic, ancient and proven means to re-discover our true nature. Having a way to access our most authentic state of being is really where self-growth happens, and through having that time to ourselves with our practices, we’re able to bring that stillness and state of being grounded in the Self into our day to day life. It’s definitely more important than ever these days.
Do you keep a daily practice?
Kamala: We both meditate twice a day, morning and evening. Many of our practices align quite well, so we try to meditate and do yoga together, whenever possible. I have a simple Hatha yoga practice, consisting of the same asanas each day. These days, working out and running have become a really key part of my day as well. I include this here, alongside all our spiritual practices because I really enjoy having that balance between inward practices, and the more active, outward exercise.
Jahnavi: I also have a daily practice of Hatha yoga, a repetitive series of simple postures which I practice every morning. I have a second practice in the afternoon, usually something more dynamic like Ashtanga or Vinyasa. Like Kamala, I also enjoy the balance of having a more inward practice and a super active one. I also practice pranayama, usually keeping it simple with Nadi Shodhana, but depending on the day and how my mind and body are feeling I will add some more dynamic breathing exercises into my routine.
Mantra chanting is a very important part of both of our practices. We chant the Yogasutras of Patanjali together, a text which forms the foundation of yoga philosophy. We also have our own mantras and chants which we practice separately, dedicated to different forms of Devi, the Goddess. We also have diplomas in Hindustani Classical vocal music, so we enjoy singing and working on that together. It consists of traditional ragas or modes of music, which are to be practiced at different times of day for different benefits.
How can we follow you and your work?
Follow us on Instagram @samadhi.collective for posts on topics ranging from Indian philosophy and spirituality to Sanskrit terminology and yoga, featuring Jahnavi’s original artworks and curation.
Our website is samadhicollective.com where you can read more about our journey, find more information about our offerings and see some of our available prints.
