Why Bother?

I’ve recently been reminded of a curious time in my life.  A few of my friends and acquaintances are in the process of moving to III and are going through the same surreal experience that I once did. While I was very excited about the move it seemed people around me (meditators and non-meditators) were caught up with what pending sacrifices were looming on the horizon for me. Some were concerned about sleep deprivation and others about the loss of creature comforts.

My reaction upon hearing the comments of sacrifice brings a sense of sadness for the possibilities which may never see realization. It has become clear that for many people the possibility of living in this space may never become a reality simply due to false conclusions. If they have already made up their minds about what it is like to live here, will they ever attempt it? I don’t see how…and what a loss this will be.

I started to wonder why people come to sit with Sadhguru in the first place. Thousands of people will come to this “uncomfortable” place to be with him for a few hours. I know why they come...because his very presence is transformative, uplifting, blissful, and all encompassing. But why do people think that when he departs all of that goes with him? And why would the very space that he has tenderly created not be ripe of those same qualities?

Perhaps it is not fair to think that everyone should understand the magnitude of what is being created here. After all, I have been living here for almost 4 years and have reaped the benefits of those boundless qualities which are Sadhguru. I may have a ways to go toward realizing them fully but I most assuredly have benefited. But, one has to be willing to make small sacrifices to see what lies beyond. A few less hours of sleep every now and then has been nothing in comparison to what has been given to me. Doesn’t every great journey require some sacrifice?  Aren’t we making sacrifices in our lives all the time? Big and small sacrifices are made daily. Whether it’s for family or for comforts or saving for that new sweater and forgoing the yummy daily Starbucks coffee.  So why shouldn’t sacrifice be expected for one’s inner transformation? The crazy thing about this journey is that the sacrifices seem so small.

It is sad to me that people will never know how wonderful it is to be here. Yes, there is work to do but even the work becomes beautiful…which it never did for me “out there”. When the longing is strong enough or the trust is deep enough it carries you through whatever rough patches come along and you come to see the beauty and magnitude of what is being created.

In my opinion what is being created here is nothing less than a miracle. If people are looking for the fairytale kind of miracle which can be seen with the eye they won’t find it here. Personally, I will take becoming a more stable, peaceful and joyful human being over turning water into wine any day of the week!