In this section we discuss another unique phenomenon that is seen at the Spiritual Research Centre and Ashram. Without any extra work or any polishing of objects, the glass and flooring at the Spiritual Research Centre and Ashram have begun to develop a high level of glossiness. As a result, we are often witness to a visual treat of reflections and shadows, which create a kaleidoscope of images for the viewer. More importantly these don’t seem to be just ordinary reflections because many visitors have told us that they also have a calming effect on the mind.
The Spiritual Research Centre and Ashram is the premises of a non-profit organisation and due to this, our budgets and resources are limited. The flooring of most of the public spaces and walkways around the ashram are made of simple kota (limestone) tiles. In order to obtain a mirror finish on limestone tiles, one needs to put the tiles through a total of 7 processes. However, due to resource constraints, we have done just the bare minimum, which is 4 processes to get a finished look. No extra polishing has been given to these tiles apart from regular mopping by ashram seekers. Even so when walking through the corridors of the Spiritual Research Centre and Ashram, one can see high quality reflections in the tiles. One can see a clear reflection of the person walking with all the details of the person’s image. Apart from high quality reflections, some of the surfaces have developed a wavy look to them thus making the surface look watery, much like the surface of a lake. In fact, the front reception porch of the Ashram resembles an infinity pool.
In the room of H.H. Dr Athavale, every surface i.e., of objects, flooring, table-tops, etc., has automatically developed a high level of gloss. As a result, we are constantly amazed with the variety of images that we see due to reflections, shadows and shadows of reflections. The glass panes display a unique property of being highly transparent and reflective at the same time. When looking through glass panes, especially in His room, it is difficult to discern which is the actual image on the other side of the pane and which is the reflected image. In the slideshow below, we have provided some examples of reflections that can be seen throughout the Spiritual Research Centre and Ashram.
Highly reflective Ashram porch
This is the main entrance to the Spiritual Research Centre and Ashram
The front porch of the main entrance to the Spiritual Research Centre and Ashram is made of kota (limestone) tiles. Even though a minimum amount of finishing has been applied to the tiles, the surface has become highly reflective over the years.
Ashram's lake like front porch
Lake like surface of the kota tiles of the front porch at the Spiritual Research Centre and Ashram
This picture was taken from inside the main door on a bright sunny day. The front porch resembled a lake like surface and it seems as if the cars have been duplicated on it.
Flood like appearance
Car seems to be wading through flood water
Due to the reflectivity and surface of the kota tiles rippling and the way this picture has been taken, it seems as if the car is wading through flood waters.
Flood like appearance
Car seems to be wading through flood water
Due to the reflectivity and surface of the kota tiles rippling and the way this picture has been taken, it seems as if the car is wading through flood waters. The reflectivity is as much as it was in the previous picture even though the sky is overcast.
Reflection even in low light
All the details of this white car can be seen clearly in the porch tiles along with the Tulsi plant
This is a picture taken at night with hardly any light in the porch area. Even so the details of the white car on the tiles along with the Tulsi plant are seen very clearly.
Watery lake like surface
Heightened reflection seen in the kota tiles just prior to the Fire Yogi sacrificial fire
Heightened reflection was seen in the front porch area of the Spiritual Research Centre and Ashram just prior to all the arrangements being made for the Fire Yogi sacrificial fire. The two temples and the landscape behind them can be clearly seen.
Watery surface as an infinity pool
Close-up of the heightened reflection seen in the kota tiles just prior to the Fire Yogi Yadnya
This is a close-up of the previous picture. Heightened reflection was seen in the front porch area of the Ashram just prior to all the arrangements being made for the Fire Yogi sacrificial fire. The surface looks like an infinity pool.
Waterlike surface at the entrance
The porch outside the main entrance to the Ashram looks as if one were looking at a pool of water
When looking at the porch from an East West direction, apart from the reflection, one can see ripples in the tiles making it seem as though there is water splashed on the surface. One guest actually asked if the surface was wet.
Like an infinity pool
The edges of the reception porch look like the edges of an infinity pool
The edges of the reception porch look like the edges of an infinity pool. The reflection of the plants can be seen very clearly on the porch. It is important to remember that no extra polishing has been given to these tiles.
Is the floor wet?
It is amazing that kota tiles which have not been given a mirror finish can look so reflective
It is amazing that simple kota tiles, which have not been given a mirror finish can look so reflective. If one bends their knees while looking at them, a wave like illusion is created making the observer feel that they are actually looking at a lake.
Reflective corridor tiles
These are 2 different corridors on the second floor, both exhibiting similar levels of reflection
These are two different corridors on the second floor, both exhibiting similar levels of reflection. Observe how you can seen the entire reflection of the person from head to toe along with details such as colour and shape.
People's reflection in kota tiles
While taking some researchers for an Ashram tour, this photograph caught the high level of reflection the tiles have
Mr Sean Clarke (Editor of SSRF) speaking to researchers about unique spiritual phenomena observed in the ashram. Coincidently their reflection seen on the kota tiles is one of these unique phenomena.
Reflection of plantation on tiles
Reflection of the plantation seen clearly on the kota tiles used on a flight of steps
One often sees such kinds of images while walking through the Spiritual Research Centre and they are beautiful to see. This is a picture of a tile on a staircase in the studio building catching the reflection of the plantation outside.
Reflection of plantation on tiles
Reflection of the plantation seen clearly on the kota tiles used on a flight of steps
One often sees such kinds of images while walking through the Spiritual Research Centre and they are beautiful to see. This is a close-up of the same tile on a staircase as in the previous picture.
Watery surface on corridor tiles
Corridor kota tiles also showing a watery surface over and above high reflection
This was a candid shot of Mr Raju Sutar fixing the ladder to the loft in one of the corridors. When we took this picture, we could not help observing the watery kind of surface and colours in the reflection
Wooden table with high reflectivity
The complete reflection of a steel glass seen in a wooden side table in H.H. Dr Athavale's room
In the Spiritual Research Centre, almost all furniture including the ones in H.H. Dr Athavale's room are second hand. Even so, tables like the one seen here with the glass reflecting, exhibit a high level of reflection as if they are better than new
Unusually glossy side table
The surface of a side table of H.H. Dr Athavale's has become glossy & shows the wall is continuous
Due to the side table's unusually glossy surface, we are able to see a unique combination of light and reflection giving rise to an illusory image of the wall going through the table. In reality we see the reflection of the wall in the table top.
Unusually glossy dressing table
High level of gloss seen on the dressing table of H.H. Dr Athavale which has a sunmica top
The dressing table in H.H. Dr Athavale's room has automatically got a glossy sheen to it without any polishing being done. Thus, the reflection of the mirror and switch board is very evident on its sunmica surface.
Reflection on door and flooring
Reflection of the opposite balcony doorway is seen on the wooden door & also the ceramic flooring
These are 2 doors in the room of H.H. Dr Athavale. In the (minimally polished) wooden door one is able to see the reflection of the balcony doorway. So also on the ceramic tiled floor one can see an unusually high reflection of the balcony doorway.
Highly glossy ceramic tiles
The ceramic tiles in H.H. Dr Athavale's room have become glossy, thus reflecting the complete height of the windows
We removed the furniture from the room of H.H. Dr Athavale so that one can see the high amount of reflection from the windows above in the ceramic tile flooring. Such reflection is unusual for ceramic tiles and is only seen if the floor is waxed.
Shadows and reflections in 1 image
A beautiful imagery of shadows and reflections on glossy ceramic tiles in H.H. Dr Athavale's room
The high glossy nature of the floor creates a kaleidoscope of shadow and reflections from the morning light coming from the window. In this picture there are 2 reflections and 2 shadows from one hand.
Shadows and reflections in 1 image
A beautiful imagery of shadows and reflections on glossy ceramic tiles in H.H. Dr Athavale's room
The high glossy nature of the floor creates a kaleidoscope of shadow and reflections from the morning light coming from the window. In this picture there are 2 reflections and 2 shadows from one hand.
Shadows walking in the air
Multiple shadows due to the high reflectivity of the tiles in H.H. Dr Athavale's room
Here, because of multiple shadows on the wall, it looks like there is one shadow of the girl at ground level while the other is walking a foot above the floor.
Shadow & upside down reflection
In these 2 pictures we see a girl and the resultant shadow and its unique upside down reflection
In these 2 pictures we see a girl standing in front of a window in H.H. Dr Athavale's room with raised hands. With the early morning sun rays behind her we see her shadow on the floor and the inverted reflection of her shadow on the wall.
Double shadows in the early morning
Double shadows are due to the person obstructing natural sunlight and sunlight bouncing of a window
In these 2 pictures, we see double shadows. The set of shadows of the hand that we see on the right is due to the obstruction of the light from the main light source. While second set is due to the obstruction of the light bouncing of a side window.
Reflection of bathroom taps
Reflection of the bathroom taps and knobs in the ceramic tiles in H.H. Dr Athavale's bathroom
Reflection of the bathroom taps and knobs in the ceramic tiles in H.H. Dr Athavale's bathroom.
Reflection of the soap tray
Colourful and clear reflection of the soap tray in the ceramic tiles in H.H. Dr Athavale's bathroom
Colourful and clear reflection of the soap tray in the ceramic tiles in H.H. Dr Athavale's bathroom.
Reflective kota tile
Highly reflective kota tiles in the ledge next to H.H. Dr Athavale's wash basin
Highly reflective kota tiles in the ledge next to H.H. Dr Athavale's wash basin. Here, the reflection of the steel glass placed on the kota tile is very clear & defined. Every ledge in H.H. Dr Athavale's room has the same level of reflectivity.
Matte chart paper becomes glossy
Even paper in the room of H.H. Dr Athavale gains a glossy feel to it even though it is just plain matte chart paper
Even paper in the room of H.H. Dr Athavale gains a glossy feel to it even though it is just plain matte chart paper. The reflection of the writing board is in it. We noticed the reflection by chance while video shooting the writing board.
Highly reflective plastic chair
This is an old blue plastic chair in H.H. Dr Athavale's room which has become highly reflective
This is one of the blue plastic chairs in H.H. Dr Athavale's room. It has gained a glossy finish to such an extent that one can easily see the texture and colour in the reflection of the cloth placed on it.
Reflective & transparent glass
The glass in the door of H.H. Dr Athavale's room has become highly reflective & transparent
The glass in the door of H.H. Dr Athavale's room has gained a high level of reflectivity and transparency as you will see in the subsequent pictures. Here, we see the balcony railing as if it is running through the 3 plastic chairs in the room.
Reflective & transparent glass
The glass of the balcony door in H.H. Dr Athavale's room has become highly reflective & transparent
Looking out through the glass of the balcony door one can see the reflection of the chair of H.H Dr Athavale superimposed on the balcony railing. Depending on the light, we see the chair either in front of or behind the railing.
Luminescent baluster
Due to a unique display of reflections the baluster through the window seems luminescent
Due to a unique display of reflections the baluster through the window seems luminescent and it seems as if the tree leaves are within it.
Reflection and transparency
Both the yellow light on the road and the white light in the room can be seen due to reflection
The glass on the balcony door of H.H. Dr Athavale's room has a high level of reflection & transparency. When viewing the road & tree lit up with yellow light from the street lamp through the glass, we can also see the clear reflection of the bathroom door.
Part 1 of 3 Reflection in door
This picture shows the entire scene with 2 ladies standing on 2 balconies
This is the first in a series of 3 pictures showing reflection. This picture shows the entire scene with 2 ladies standing on 2 balconies. There is a wooden door adjoining the 2 balconies. Just to the right of the wooden door, there is a white door with a glass pane on it.
Part 2 of 3 Reflection in door
This picture shows the 2 ladies superimposed one on top of the other
Further to the last picture, we have opened the wooden door & observed both balconies through the glass pane on the white door. As you can see both ladies are superimposed on each other because of the high transparency and reflectivity of the glass.
Part 3 of 3 Reflection in door
In the reflection we see a perfect symmetry of the 2 railings superimposed on one another.
Here we have asked the ladies to leave the balcony and we see the reflection of just the balcony railings. In the reflection we see a perfect symmetry of the 2 railings superimposed on one another.
Part 1 of 3 Reflection in balcony
In this picture we show you the entire scene of the two ladies on either side of the glass.
In this picture we show you the entire scene of the two ladies on either side of the glass on the balcony adjoining the study room of H.H. Dr Athavale. The window glass displays a high level of reflectivity and transparency.
Part 2 of 3 Reflection in balcony
It is difficult to make out which is the reflection and which is the person behind the glass
Following up from the last picture we have taken the camera closer to the glass during day time and it is difficult to make out which is the reflection and which is the person behind the glass.
Part 3 of 3 Reflection in balcony
It is difficult to make out which is the reflection and which is the person behind the glass
Following up from the last picture we have taken the camera closer to the glass during night time and it is difficult to make out which is the reflection and which is the person behind the glass.
An appeal to experts in the field of reflectivity
As you would have seen from the slide show above there are some examples of high quality reflections without having done any work to achieve them. We request those of you who are experts in reflective surfaces to give your valuable input as to how objects and flooring can automatically develop a sheen to them without any extra work being done to facilitate it.
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