Leela: The game of self-knowledge

"We are all actors and the whole world is a stage". In other words, we all play a role in the game called Life. This game in Sanskrit is called Leela and our Higher Self plays it.

We have before us a functional model of this Game. Leela is a board game that originally was created by Hindu scholars with the intention of teaching moral values and helping people purify the mind and evolve. Yogis who have explored the labyrinths of human consciousness have established the existence of 72 primordial states of being. These states correspond to the squares of Leela's playing field or game board: "the periodic system of the elements of consciousness." Within these states, each player acts according to his karma, and the game ends only when the player fully penetrates its meaning, having reached Cosmic Consciousness.

The game has had many names and forms used in different cultures throughout the centuries. Currently, there are about 50 versions of this game board kept in history museums and private collections around the world. You are invited to play the one which came to us through Harish Johari, an expert and guardian of the Indian mystical tradition.

This game of self-knowledge has immense transformational power that can change your life. It shows your strength and your path in life; your subconscious programmes, karmic tasks and various behavioural patterns that help you to evolve and expand your consciousness or bring you down.

When you play Leela, you have a conversation with your Higher Self, a contact with the high intelligence and divine mystery. From the psychological point of view, Leela is the road to the unconscious. It will assist you in identifying what is truly important in your life and how to overcome obstacles to the fulfilment of your goals.

- Formulate your question or request.

- Tune to Leela’s playing field. It represents a complete reflection of your life. The squares you find yourself on reflect your inner states. To enjoy and benefit from the game you need to allow an unconscious connection between your psyche and Leela’s playing field to be formed.

- To enter the game you need to throw a six.

Originally this game was designed as entertainment for the saints. Therefore, spiritual seekers who follow the path of self-discovery are naturally attracted to it. But anyone can join the game. We all are already playing it.

Leela can be incredibly beneficial for people who are looking for more awareness in their lives, and people who seek to be more self-reflective and mindful. It can bring deep personal realisations and substitute years of psychotherapy.

People who are lost or frustrated will find Leela particularly helpful and enlightening.

- The game lasts 4 hours.

- Once started, the game has to be finished. You may not be able to finish your game and will need to finish it next time.

- It will take place in person in north London in a small group of 4 players and the host. We will be using a common space at the ArtsDepot on the 3rd floor. To get there you will need to take the lift or use the stairs to the 2nd floor, pass the café and take another lift to the 3rd floor.

- There are no winners or losers in Leela.

- Other players don’t need to know your question, you can keep it private. However, it is important to share this with your Leela Guide so he can effectively lead you through the game. 

- a small personal item

- a notebook and a pen

My background is in traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda. I have studied it for 5 years at Middlesex University (London) and graduated with a Master’s Degree. I am also a Yoga practitioner and have completed Yoga Teachers Training at the Sivananda Ashram in India. I studied Vedic Astrology with Rami Bleckt and David Frawley and hold a Master’s Degree in psychology.

My extensive knowledge of the subject and personal experience enables me to guide others with love and compassion.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher VEDADOM