Living traditions; you're part of something timeless

I had the joy of visiting the British Museum’s Ancient India: Living Traditions exhibition, and it was such a nourishing experience. Walking into the space, I was immediately struck by the beauty of the imagery—so familiar from years of study, yet so alive when seen in person, surrounded by sound, scent, and atmosphere.

---

Having a Master’s degree in the history and traditions of Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism, I’ve spent a lot of time reading about and reflecting on these traditions. But there’s something that happens when you’re face-to-face with these pieces: the scholarship dissolves a little, and you’re reminded of the humanity, devotion, and creativity that brought them into being. Seeing the yakshas, nagas, the first depictions of the Buddha, and the serene Jain tirthankaras felt like revisiting old friends—only this time with the chance to truly pause and meet their gaze.

What touched me most was the sense of continuity. These are not ancient relics but part of living traditions that still shape the lives of millions of people today. The exhibition captured that beautifully, blending history with voices and practices that are still unfolding in the present moment.

It left me with a deep gratitude—for the opportunity to study these traditions in depth, for the chance to witness their art so carefully displayed, and for the reminder that the threads connecting past and present are always there, if we take the time to look.

And in my OM way, I carry those threads forward—bringing the philosophy of these traditions into the heart of my yoga teaching, so that practice becomes not just movement, but connection to something timeless.