a moment of zen

There is a simple yet graceful thatch-roofed farmhouse in the residential area of Orchards in Johannesburg where Mohandas Gandhi lived from 1908 to 1909. The house was built in 1907 by Gandhi’s close friend, the German architect Hermann Kallenbach, and it is now a respite in the middle of the bustling city. Within these walls, the future Mahatma created and developed his philosophy of passive resistance, Satyagraha in sanskrit, a pacifist method of protest that he employed in India to lead the country to independence.

We visited Satyagraha House for a tour, some lunch and a moment of zen in the gardens where Gandhi's presence is still quite palpable.

"My life is my message."

Maybe it is the monochromatic colour palate of the furnishings in linen and wood. Or maybe it is the inscribed bronze "sculptures" on many of the walls with Gandhi's thoughts and principles. Or the linen wall hangings in the rondavel printed with the tenets of satyagraha on them. Or all of the above. The entire space just exudes harmony.

It was a warm sunny day for our visit so we were able to practice yoga and meditation in the garden on the grass instead of as planned in the two indoor rondavels which frame the farmhouse on either side of the entry veranda. Even the winter magnolias were blooming for us!

inside one of the rondavel rooms

After our yoga session, I decided to ponder the tenets of Gandhi's philosophy while everyone else meditated. (I am not very good at meditating.) I wanted to see how many of them I am employing in my new minimalist philosophy to life after New York. The tenets are non-violence, self-discipline, truth, non-possession, equal respect of all religions, fearlessness, non-stealing, physical labor, control of the palate, duty towards neighbours, and remove untouchability (which I think would equate to non-prejudice). I think I fare pretty well except for the control of the palate part. Pretty sure that means no wine! (I am Italian after all. One can only go minimalist so far!)



 

our yoga instructor, Yasmin

one with nature in the garden

touring the veranda dining room

photo by Yolanda Macias-Cottrell

Our lunch was vegetarian - a rice dish, salad and an African creamed spinach. No alcohol. Dessert was a creamy and delicious melktart a la mode. But the highlight of lunch was the fresh juice. I can't remember the entire recipe that Mohamed recited to us - pawpaw, orange, apple, carrot, pineapple - but I do remember they also added cucumber to it which gave it a nice light undertone. So refreshing!

photo by Stephanie Tural

 
You can have your own moment of zen at Satyagraha House. A whole night of it in fact. The house is also a bed and breakfast. There are several well-appointed rooms which were added to the property for quests. You can arrange for yoga and massage too. Namaste.