Monday, January 10, 2011

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!  

8 comments:

  1. My son,Ayan and I lived at iii while our daughter, Naya attended her 1st year at IshaHomeSchool. My son had 16 mothers and fathers at iii and he loved them as much as they loved him. It was the happiest time in my life. I came with no expectations. The only thing I did was to listen and give as much as I could of me. Ayan was only 2 years old then and he is 4 now and to this day, we all remember our time at iii. If I could do it all over again-I'd stay even longer. And I plan to, just as soon as Ayan joins his sister at Isha Home School(altho he doesn't quite know that part yet. . . )---Kama Patel,Detroit

    ReplyDelete
  2. very nice post karen and nice picture too. i can nearly smell that cup of coffee on top. - sam

    ReplyDelete
  3. dead on Karen! very well expressed. and well written.
    Soma.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's true Karen. I have lived here as a resident for about one and a half years now and had spent much time here in the year and a half before that. What has blossomed within me over this period of time, the way I experience life now is simply incredible. No need to turn water into wine when your drunk on the divine. It's just too amazing whats opened up within me over the past couple of years here at III. More significant, transformational, life-changing experiences have happened to me since staying at III than had happened to me in all the 20 years of life I had lived before coming here. I'm a 23 year old guy living full-time at a yoga center and I don't feel like I've missed a thing. Quite the contrary. It's kind of like brewing cup of tea. If you just dip the bag in the water a couple times, you may not notice any change in the flavor, texture or color of the water. But if you let it steep for some time... If you come stay at an ashram for some time, life will happen in ways you've never imagined possible before.
    ~Chris~

    ReplyDelete
  5. The words that I was afraid to express to those who wonder what a looney I am choosing to live in an ashram .

    ReplyDelete
  6. The words that I was afraid to express to those who wondered if I am a looney for choosing to live in an ashram

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautifully written! I have visited III a few times when Sadhguru was not physically present. But his presence is felt every where!Sometimes his presence is felt more in his absence. You are blessed to be there.
    Priya

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautifully written!! As I am reading this, there is a tinge of pain in me, for this is the life I could have had...Why don't I have the courage...

    ReplyDelete