Trinidad and the Himalayan Tradition:

A Small Island, A Vast Spiritual Legacy

by Vasant Basdeo

 Nestled at the crossroads of the Caribbean and South America, Trinidad is more than just an island of sun-kissed beaches and vibrant festivals. It is a land of deep spiritual magnetism, where seekers have long been drawn to its sacred soil. The Mother Divine expresses herself here in the restless mud volcanoes that bubble with primordial energy, in the heated eruptions of the Pitch Lake—the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere—and in the ancient rhythm of the endangered leatherback turtles, who return year after year to nest on our shores, as if guided by an unseen force. This is a land that calls souls to its embrace, a place where seekers of truth have found refuge, wisdom, and a spiritual home.

Yet, beyond its physical beauty and geological wonders, Trinidad embodies something far greater: the Lotus Principle in Yoga. Like the lotus, which blooms in the midst of murky waters, this island has shown that grace, wisdom, and enlightenment can arise even in the most unexpected of places. Our external world may be chaotic, challenging, or imperfect, but just as the lotus rises above the water, so too do we, as practitioners, transcend our circumstances through discipline, devotion, and inner stillness. This land teaches us that our greatest potential is not dependent on what surrounds us—it is already within us, waiting to bloom.

 A Spiritual Connection Across Generations

 Despite its geographical distance from the towering peaks of the Himalayas, Trinidad has long been linked to the wisdom of the Masters of the Tradition. The loving Swami Veda Bharati graced our shores on multiple occasions, bringing with him the silent messages of the lineage. Pandit Hari Shankar Dabral followed, his presence lighting up our Sangha year after year in the 1990s and early 2000s, making his visits a cherished highlight of YMSTT’s calendar. Many initiates of the Himalayan Tradition have walked these lands, including our very dear Swami Ritavan Bharati, strengthening the bridge between East and West.

But perhaps most remarkable is how the seeds of this tradition, planted decades ago, have borne fruit across the world. In the 1980s, seekers from Trinidad found their way to the Himalayan Institute, receiving deep training before returning home or journeying elsewhere. Today, their children—spiritual inheritors of that sacred knowledge—are placed all over the globe, carrying the essence of the teachings wherever they go. Trinidad may be a small island, but its spiritual reach is vast.

 A Cosmopolitan Spirit, A Universal Embrace

 Growing up in the YMSTT community, diversity was not just acknowledged—it was celebrated. Every major religion, culture, and race was honored, welcomed, and recognized. This spirit of inclusivity mirrors the essence of the Himalayan Tradition itself, which sees beyond external divisions and embraces all sincere seekers. It is this openness that has allowed the teachings to take deep root here, in a land where temples stand beside mosques, where churches ring their bells alongside the rhythms of African drumming, and where a rich melting pot of traditions blend in harmony.

 A Land That Draws Seekers

 Trinidad’s spiritual energy extends beyond its human history. The island itself seems to call to those who seek truth. The Northern Range, cloaked in emerald forests, is home to rare and exquisite flora and fauna—birds of dazzling color, rivers that whisper their secrets to those who listen, and mountains that have stood as silent witnesses to centuries of seekers. Our climate, wet and dry but always warmed by the flames of Agni, mirrors the dynamism of spiritual growth: sometimes still, sometimes stormy, but always pushing one forward on the path.

Perhaps this is why, despite its size, Trinidad continues to attract wisdom traditions, sacred teachers, and those who thirst for the depths of knowledge. And perhaps this is why, with unwavering faith, I envision YMSTT as a magnetic center for the Americas—drawing seekers to its embrace, guiding them toward the light of the Himalayan Masters, and ensuring that the sacred flame of this tradition continues to burn brightly, for generations to come.

 The Mind: A Lotus Waiting to Bloom

 Just as the lotus rises above the water, we too can rise above our own mental tendencies, the vrittis that shape our perception of the world. The mind is like a vast field, where seeds of both wisdom and ignorance can take root. We may, at times, find ourselves lost in the negative colorings of the mind—worries, judgments, attachments, fears—strengthening and reinforcing these tendencies without realizing it.

But through the stillness of meditation, through disciplined self-awareness, we can gently begin to purify this inner landscape. One by one, we remove the weeds of distraction and plant seeds of clarity, compassion, and love. Just as a single lotus transforms a pond, one awakened mind can transform an entire community. And as more minds are cultivated with care, the world itself becomes more fragrant, more luminous, and more beautiful.

 This is the work of our tradition—not simply to practice for ourselves but to uplift the world, one mind at a time.

 May we all become vessels of this grace. May we receive, transmit, and uplift. And may this land—this small but mighty land—continue to be a beacon for all those who seek the eternal.