Newsletter: Experiences of Meditation, Healing, and Devotion

February 14, 2026

The Causal Investigation - Shamanic Retreat

One of the events in October was the Shamanic Retreat with Anna Montis. Anna Montis, a shaman native to Sardinia, has inherited her shamanic gift from her ancestors, which she has further developed in a spiritual context following her encounter with Yoginâm.

It was wonderful to have Anna back in Amonines. Her powerful energy and strong focus, combined with deep compassion for the participants, created a solid foundation. Within this space, the group of eight — diverse in background, orientation, and age — gradually opened up to the intensive shamanic journeys and the exploration of the Soul.

In causal investigation and causal exploration, you enter a very particular state of Witnessing in which the passive and unconscious aspects of Soul are combined with the active and conscious aspects of Mind. It is a kind of lucid dreaming in which you remain active enough to set the course and passive enough to allow Soul to speak in images.

Yoginâm, SIWEB - Dimensions of Experience (2023)

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The retreat had taken the participants to unknown places within the inner landscape.

Especially the third day spoke of a deep sense of inner movement and contemplation as everyone received a personal healing.

For some participants, who are regular visitors to Amonines, shamanism was entirely new. Curious, but without really knowing what they were stepping into, they had signed up because it was facilitated by the Asharum, which gave them a sense of trust.

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They were very enthusiastic about the retreat:
It was truly something very special — beyond words. It has changed me as a person; I’m no longer the same.

Two days later, they booked the Advanced Shamanic Retreat in Níjar, from the 21st to the 25th of May.

Also it was a lovely surprise to receive a message of one of the other participants in the language of Soul; the language of images and symbols:

How beautiful it can be to observe your shadow (side)

A weekend of turbulent weather: storms, rain, wind, darkness, but then the sun breaking through, a beautiful reflection of what happened during the retreat. And all of that embedded in the warm nest of the house with the crackling fire in the stove, the well-prepared food and a lovely group, not to mention twice-daily Asha meditation. Two weeks ago already, still having meaningful dreams. And another piece of development set in motion. Very satisfied.

Asharum Amonines and The Garden of Nâm

The Garden of Nâm and Asharum Amonines are both homes of Yoginâm, though he resides in the Garden of Nâm.

Anna Montis found a beautiful way of capturing what makes these two places at the same time one and yet distinctive:

Before arriving at Asharum Amonines I was expecting somehow to feel the physical absence of Yoginâm during my stay there, used as I was to his presence during many years. But surprisingly I didn’t find any trace of his absence. Instead his presence was tangible and warm through the love and kindness that emanate from the residents of the Asharum. Outside the sky was grey and it was raining incessantly but inside the sun was shining fully because of the harmony that reigns in the house.

Asharum Amonines in Belgium is a different place than the Garden of Nâm in Spain, but not less magic. It is just a different expression of the way of Nâm since diversity is obvious in a tolerant path as Nâm.

Her prediction

To both places pelgrims of all kind come for spiritual inspiration and to drink the water from the source of Nâm. In contemplation of these places a memory of about thirty years ago emerges again: I was with a friend sitting on a balcony, looking at a photo of Yoginâm. From the adjacent balcony a woman asked to see the photo. She reacted astonished because she recognised in Yoginâm her former neighbour in another neighbourhood. She was sensitive and clairvoyant. She took the photo in her hands - her eyes to see the future - and with strong determination she said: "He will succeed in the realisation of his great project". While I enjoy the beauty and harmony of places like Asharum Amonines and the Garden of Nâm, I realise that her prediction was right.

Asharum Amonines and The Garden of Nâm created by Yoginâm are Mighty Portals that carry us to different fields, states and experiences, letting us come back again safely after that, to the daily level of existence, but enriched by a strong impuls and with more colour in ordinary life.

These two jewels are reminders of what Yoginâm says: "We are not material beings with a spiritual life but instead spiritual beings with a material expression".

About Asha Meditation with drum

The drum is the shamanic instrument by excellence; its vibration enters the brain deeply and when the rhythm is correct, in a passive listener an adequate receptive state of mind can be reached for the resonance that is collectively generated.

Yoginâm, 2024

Meditation is doing nothing
With Meditation one creates space
For what is hidden to become apparent
The so-called meditation exercises
Are skilful means to lead Mind away
From its natural flow of thoughts
Often expressed in an inner dialogue
With which impressions are managed

In order to prepare the active brain for meditation
It is subjected to a special rhythm
That has as an effect a tranquil alertness
Which is the optimal state to enter Meditation

Yoginâm, The Book of Nâm (2020)

Asha Meditation is practised daily in the Asharum and part of all our programmes. You can also participate online twice a week. And if you like to experience an intensified programme including Asha Meditation, please feel invited to join the Nâm Retreat of Silence,

Active devotion

On our website the beauty of Active devotion is presented. In response to that we received a request from Valérie to come to the Asharum to stay for a couple of weeks. In Asha she offered her help for October, which was very welcome because of the absence of one of the staff members visiting Yoginâm in Spain, while the others were occupied with the maintenance of the house.

Valérie stayed for a couple of weeks and being experienced in the kitchen, she prepared healthy and delicious meals which were very much enjoyed.

She shared that being in Amonines and her participations in the meditations touched something that resonated deeply within her.

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A quick update on the maintenance of the house:

The first half of October the electrician worked hard to get the electrical network up to standard in line with regulations.

On the day of the inspection the inspector and the electrician walked through the house, accompanied by a solemn silence. When the inspector finally asked how we were doing, adding kindly that “if you’re doing well, then I’m doing well too,” We couldn’t help thinking that, in this situation, it was rather the other way round. After the inspector had left, to our relief the electrician shared the good news: we made it — the electrical work was approved!

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Newsletter: In embracing what is, Asha gently surprises

February 14, 2026

Living in Asha: A continuation of letting go and creation

Slowly the signs of autumn begin to show themselves. The light is dim, mist hangs over the forest, the trees shed their leaves and fruits, and mushrooms sprout from the ground. Life retreats to its roots. The old becomes a source of nourishment for the new that is yet to come. The air is crisp, and the whole spectacle reminds us that everything passes. It is the movement of life itself, as Yoginâm puts it:

‘I/World’ is Asha, a continuous spectacle of phenomena in situations.

The movement of life - an example from daily living

As summer draws to a close, life in Asha takes on a more tranquil pace. We were expecting only one guest, and despite the delay in maintenance work, we were assured that our sewage system would be ready and functional by 3 p.m., so we were confident that we would be able to welcome our guest without any issues.

As the day progressed, however, we discovered that the toilets would be out of service until 6 p.m. Imagine how awkward it is to tell a guest who has just driven for three hours that they cannot use the facilities upon arrival. The idea was a bit uncomfortable, but the guest was probably already on his way. While we were pondering this, we received a phone call: the guest had fallen ill and decided not to come. The situation resolved itself.

At ten to six in the evening, the doorbell rang. There was a new guest at the door, asking if he could stay the night. Now that the toilet problem had been solved and a delicious soup was already waiting for our original guest, we welcomed him with open arms.

Adding to the day's unexpected turns, our cleaning lady, who would normally have come that morning, informed us that she couldn't come because her car had broken down. Normally her absence would have been missed, but given the circumstances, it now seemed perfectly logical.

At such moments, we are reminded of the beauty of Asha—filled with awe and wonder, and grateful for the unexpected twists and turns that life brings. We realise once again that we cannot control life, we can only trust that life will take care of itself!

Acceptance of what is

Instead of limiting potential to meet our expectations while protecting our needs, it is possible to be present in the moment and open to whatever comes. When guests come to the Asharum, they bring their own history, their own life experiences, their own desires and needs to find peace and let go. Sometimes people come for a Private Meditation Retreat, but are not yet ready to stay in silence; other times, people participate in the activities and find themselves entering into a deep silence. Being able to trust that everything that is needed will present itself is perhaps the key to fully accepting what is. The same applies to living in a community:

The Nâm Community is primarily sharing in an Ethics. In that Ethics it is recognised that people who are rooted in this same endeavour behave towards each other as a family.

...

Nobody is ever judged, because from the perspective of the community everything and everybody’s behaviour is Asha, and as such a teacher for finding Abbah for those who witness it.

From: Nâm Community by Yoginâm, September 2025

Thanks to the community

We were very and pleasantly surprised by the news that Yoginâm was planning to contribute his birthday present to help pay for the maintenance work that urgently needs to be done in Amonines. Thank you for this wonderful gift!

Thanks to everyone who donated -whether for Yoginâm’s birthday or in response to our earlier appeal- an incredible sum of over €9,000 has been raised! This amount will enable Amonines to cover all essential expenses.

All this support – financial or otherwise – nurtures a deep sense of community and belonging and is greatly appreciated. Indeed together, we keep this place alive as a beacon of silence and beauty. Thank you very much!

Events

What Came Before and….

In terms of events, September was a relatively quiet month, marked by a Yoga Retreat and the Weekend of Silence. During the yoga retreat, one participant –who turned out to be a photography student– took photographs of the garden; green and vibrant, a testament to a summer of rainy nights and sunny days.

Garden-Impressions by Sarah Rodriguez

… What Lies Ahead

The Essence of Meditation

This course explores different ways to enter a meditative state, including the unique practice of "breathing through the skin". Often seen as the boundary between self and world, the skin becomes a gateway—opening us to greater spaciousness and connecting us to a state beyond boundaries.

Meaningful Living

Held several times a year, the value of this programme becomes more apparent with each time. It’s both moving and inspiring to see participants step out of their comfort zones and into the unknown. While it’s natural to interpret new experiences through familiar lenses, this event gently challenges you to let go of that tendency—and open fully to something truly new.

Nâm Retreat of Silence

For those seeking to reconnect with the essence of being and embrace inner quiet during the transition into the new year, we offer the Nâm Retreat of Silence.

Through a daily rhythm of meditation, silence, and shared meals, this retreat creates space for stillness and inner discovery. As thoughts settle, the gentle rhythm of the breath anchors you in the present.

A daily online HarpMood with Yoginâm in Spain significantly deepens the experience, gently dissolving inner barriers and guiding transformation.This retreat brings lightness to daily life and opens the way to a sense of unconditional wellbeing, the inherent potential of all living.

Returning to Letting Go and Creation

Letting go makes room for something new. This can happen on many levels—especially in how we think and what we believe. Often, we’re not aware of how these ideas shape the way we see ourselves and the world.

One question that often comes up in this context is: “How can I stop myself from overstepping my boundaries?”

Irma wrote a blog about this, showing how your perception can change the flow of Asha. To read the blog, click here

Newsletter: Nâm Retreat, the Quran and Meaningful Living

February 13, 2026

Nâm Retreat of Silence

Sitting silently
Doing nothing
Rain falls
And the grass grows by itself

Zen-poem

Beginning on 28 December, the Nâm Retreat of Silence will take us into the new year. Through a daily rhythm of meditations and silence, the retreat offers space to pause and reconnect with the essence of being. Unique techniques are used to guide the participants into meditative states. As the days pass, the gentle rhythm of the breath anchors you in the present; thoughts settle, and the inner space of silence deepens. A daily online HarpMood with Yoginâm in Spain significantly enriches the retreat. The sounds in the HarpMood reflect the state of those present. Through tuning the harp in different moods, Yoginâm guides the retreat in such a way that hidden barriers can surface and dissolve. The Asharum provides a safe environment to support this transformative process.

As the Nâm Retreat of Silence at the end of this year is fully booked, we are very happy to welcome you for the next retreat in April. If taking part in the Nâm Retreat feels like too big a step you might consider one of our Weekends of Silence instead. The next Weekend of Silence begins on 30 January.

A Nâm Selection from the Quran

Last month a new book by Yoginâm was published: “A Nâm selection from the Quran”. The front cover is modest, white and simple like with most of the other books. When opening the book the beautiful and intriguing Arabic script immediately captures your attention.

The introduction begins:

Although I was living in an islamic environment and shared in its customs, I had only glanced superficially at some translations of the Quran. I was not really caught by it. It is only now, when I finally decided to make an effort and read the Quran in Arabic, that I discover a very different book. Both clear and ambivalent, both ordered and seemingly incoherent. I discovered a richness in meaning that is often lost in translation.

Struck by how close the text is to Nâm, Yoginâm explains how he began to make some notes on these correspondences.

Gradually it turned round and I found in the Arabic text of the Quran a beautiful way to explain Nâm and the Ethics of Nâm.

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The newly published book has a way of its own.

Lying open on the floor, the electrician saw it when he made his round through the house. Pleasantly surprised by the familiarity in relation to his Arabic background he asked: ‘Are you reading Arabic?’ After a brief explanation his curiosity grew and he began reading the Arabic text with the translation underneath. “Yes, that is correct” he commented. He then started reading the longer quotation above the other; “No that is not right,” he said. But not entirely sure of his own judgement, he took his phone and looked it up, “Yes, indeed, it is correct”

“A Nâm Selection from the Quran” is now available for online order.

Meaningful Living

This course explores a particular perspective on life, using meditation, imagination and contemplation. A central challenge in this journey is the aspect of letting go of preconceived ideas and a strong identification with the self, in order to attune to something beyond - an unknowable reality that cannot be grasped by the mind. As Yoginâm explains,

Attuning in the first place involves a humility; a readiness to listen and discover. It also involves not imposing your programmes on everything. They are the obstacles that make you deaf and blind. Attuning is an all-in transformation: ultimately a transformation into Abbah.

Yoginâm, "A Nâm selection from the Quran’, 2025

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Each course develops a character of its own

Despite its structured programme, each course develops a character of its own. Last month, we had a small group of five participants, with whom we ventured into largely unfamiliar territory.
The differences in experience were clearly felt, ranging from someone with deep life and spiritual experience to another for whom everything was entirely new, with others in between. It was beautiful to see how these differences complemented one another.
Naturally, each participant faced their own challenges. For the person who had been exploring spirituality through Taoism and Zen Buddhism, the challenge was to remain open and not fall into the habitual comparison with what he had learned before, concluding, “I already know this.” Such an attitude can easily close a door rather than open one. Given how difficult it is to let go of one’s own ideas, there was deep respect for the way he navigated this challenge.
By contrast, for the participant to whom everything was new, openness came more easily. With nothing to measure against, there was simply an invitation to engage with the material, unburdened by preconceived ideas.
The process unfolded harmoniously, showing how people at different stages of life can enrich one another.

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Thank you very much! I really needed this, and you have taught me a lot once again. It was important to me.

Participant of Meaningful Living

If you have serious questions about life, and the idea of gradually letting go of your personal story resonates with you, you are welcome to join the next course!

Info Meaningful Living

Visitors in November

The visitors who came to the Asharum in November were relatively young—a fact they themselves noticed.

One guest said he had been surprised by the low average age; he had expected to be one of the youngest. The place, and the drum as part of the meditation, brought him a deep sense of peace—something he had not expected to experience so quickly.

Thankful...
with the discovery of this place
the peace, the space, the silence,
the gentleness, the kindness...
It has done me a lot of good

Kristel

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The last

The last apples, the last pruning and a final flower before the garden surrenders to winter.

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Open for Awareness to enter your life and become authentic

February 12, 2026

There is nothing in life that is not Asha

Everything that is stressed in NâmLiving tries to activate Awareness.
Living in Awareness, which is the same as Attunement in Abbah, is called Optimal Living.
Asha is as Abbah appears in 'I/World'.

Yoginâm, 2023

It is also Abbah that is remembered in Asha
Whereby every aspect of life as it appears
In the phenomena and circumstances of daily living
Is demonstrating Abbah as Asha is its face
There is nothing in life that is not Asha
It is in Asha that Peaceful Acknowledgement
Awe, Wonder and Guidance are optimally realised

Yoginâm, The Book of Nâm

Nâm Retreat of Silence and how it was experienced

This retreat is an instrument to open the door to awareness and the deeper layers of who we are. The five daily meditations—known as Attunements—follow a rhythm of chants, recitations, drumming, and silence. Participants do not actively engage but are invited to be present with an open attitude. This is a challenging invitation, as being truly open and present necessitates the "self" stepping aside. Often, mechanisms such as fear and resistance come into play, obstructing trust and surrender.

It was remarkable how, on the first day, I had to overcome strong resistance when you began singing. I felt trapped, anxious, and drawn into something I didn’t want. However, I allowed it to pass… everything within me—through my body, spirit, mind, and soul. It turned out to be the exact opposite: a liberation. I felt freer than ever.

I am grateful for what Yoginâm brings to the world. What he conveys through words and energy feels so unconditional and open-hearted. Life is joy and celebration!

Sofie

Once in surrender and trust, one may experience a sense of being lifted up, especially through the recitations, another participant shared. Whether one is aware of it or not, the attunements, recitations, and HarpMoods possess a transformative quality that bypasses the mind and understanding, initiating a process that is not restricted to the moments when one sits down for meditation:

I noticed that the peace, a kind of thoughtlessness I experienced increasingly during the attunements, at some point continued in the moments between the meditations. That way I moved very pleasantly throughout the day.

Marketa

In particular the presence of Yoginâm with the online HarpMood at the end of each day is invaluable, guiding the retreat in such a way that hidden barriers can surface and dissolve:

Yoginâm is not just playing the harp; It really comes to you.

Mike

To read the feedback of all the participants click here or book a retreat below, you are most welcome!

Nâm Retreat of Silence

If taking part in the Nâm Retreat feels like too big a step you might consider one of our Weekends of Silence first.

Weekend of Silence

The longer Personal Meditation Retreat

I wish I had discovered the Nâm Retreat of Silence much earlier. Can I also attend for a longer retreat?

Emerging from silence after five days, one participant remarked that she would have liked the retreat to continue. And indeed, longer retreats are available.

The programme is called the Personal Meditation Retreat and, as the name suggests, it can be tailored to individual needs. It offers the opportunity to withdraw from everyday life and live according to one’s own rhythm; to recover from a challenging period or burnout; or to stay in an environment that supports a creative process that requires focus and clarity.

Depending on individual needs, the retreat may include two to four meditations per day, silence throughout the entire retreat, or only during certain parts of the day. For those wishing to engage in contemplation and reflection, a guiding text is also available.

The programme is normally offered for a maximum of five days. However, there are two occasions in the coming year when a longer stay is possible: from 19 to 31 May, and from 14 to 26 July.

If you are interested, please find more information and book your stay below

Book a Personal Meditation Retreat

The Feast of Lesser Light and its significance

December 21 is celebrated across cultures as the day of the solstice. From this day onwards, the sun will gradually ascend, remaining above the horizon a little longer each day until it reaches its highest point. The Feast of Lesser Light is celebrated on this day, but what is the significance of this celebration within Living Nâm?

The Feast of the Lesser Light is a celebration in which people come together in order to celebrate that in this togetherness Asha is realised as the Way in which we aspire Attunement in Abbah. It is the Feast of darkness that searches for the Light. In Asha we recognise that this Light is not coming from somewhere, but that we are the wick that needs to be lit.

Yoginâm, 2023

The celebration itself is a ritual that includes songs, dance, and recitation. The recitation provides continuous support for Attunement throughout the day. The songs and dance are a celebration in joy, not for amusement as Yoginâm says, but with the purpose to open the participants for a certain reality.

How one of the participants experienced the Feast:

It was chilly outside, and daylight faded early. In the Ardennes, clouds hung low between the hills. Silence enveloped Asharum Amonines. But inside, a lovely wood fire crackled as we enjoyed warm tea and reunited with old friends while meeting new faces. The winter solstice was approaching, the shortest day of the year. From then on, the days grow longer, and a little more light will surround us each day. In Asharum Amonines, we were able to experience the entire feast in Nijár with Yoginâm. Online, indeed, but we were there above all in our hearts. It was a celebration to remember. With fourteen participants in Amonines, it was pleasantly busy and lively, yet quiet and subdued at the same time. Every moment possessed its own intensity.

We recited Yoginâm's texts in unison, we listened, touched to our very cores by the beautiful singing, and we danced as one, united by the compelling sounds of live music and, of course, the HarpMood. Time ceased to matter; the celebration felt endless and, before I knew it, it was over. Next year again, at the same time, in the same place.

Marjolein