Our traveling monks continued the second week of their Path to Siva youth workshop tour with a deepening impact across Malaysia. Each workshop brought new energy, meaningful conversations, and growing enthusiasm among youth and families alike.
Day 9 took the team to Setiawan, where the third workshop was held at the Hindu Sangam Activity Centre. Around 50 to 60 students attended the three-hour session. Swami delivered his talk primarily in Tamil, with some English to support understanding. The group was attentive throughout, though reserved during the Q&A. Once again, the Vasana Daha Tantra exercise stood out as the most transformative part of the day, bringing a palpable sense of emotional release to many. After lunch and photos with members, the monks journeyed onward to Sg Petani, Kedah.
On Day 10, the fourth workshop was held at the Sri Subramaniya Swami Devasthanam. A smaller group of 24 students attended, and Swami adapted the session by inviting each participant to introduce themselves. This built rapport and led to greater engagement during the discussion. That evening, the monks enjoyed dinner with the Thiliga family and paid a short visit to a nearby Siva temple.
Day 11 began with a hearty breakfast hosted by the Thanabalan family. The team then drove to the Ramakrishna Mission in Penang for the fifth workshop, which welcomed 26 students. The serene shrine to Sri Ramakrishna added a sacred tone to the hall. After the workshop, the monks were warmly received at the Temple of Fine Arts and treated to a complimentary vegetarian meal by the appreciative staff. The day concluded with a six-hour return drive to Petaling Jaya.
On Day 12, the sixth workshop took place at Sri Kasi Visvanathan Swamy Thirukovil in Bangsar. With over 30 students and 10 parents or teachers in attendance, it marked the highest number so far already familiar with the concept of karma. The workshop was delivered in both English and Tamil and was enthusiastically received. After a temple-provided lunch and a short rest, the monks concluded the day with a dinner hosted by the Gunalan family.
Day 13 brought the seventh workshop to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Shah Alam. Sixteen students attended, about half of whom had participated in a previous Path to Siva session. Swami took the opportunity to introduce a breathing technique—nine counts in, one hold, nine counts out, one hold—to help manage emotions and karma. A short video promoting the monastery’s spiritual workout app was shown, and nearly every student downloaded it, inspired by the content and Swami’s presence.
On Day 14, the team traveled to Kajang for the eighth workshop at Sri Subramaniya Temple. Fifty students were present, including several returning participants. Swami emphasized the power of our response to karma, explaining that while we cannot control what comes to us, we can control how we handle it. He used the analogy of a rainstorm—either get soaked or use an umbrella. He also clarified that although some karma is fixed, others—like our physical health—can be improved through personal effort and devotion. The temple hosted a meal afterward, and the day concluded with an uplifting satsang with members at Iraivan Illam in Klang, capping a deeply rewarding two-week stretch of spiritual service and community connection.
