How did you get introduced to Yoga and Vedanta?
Blessed to be born in India, both Yoga & Vedanta as concepts or abstract theory have been mentioned since my childhood. However, my meaningful journey to begin understanding both has been through
our Yoga Vidya Gurukulam.
When and how did you first come to know about Swamiji?
At a Satsanga, far away from home. My first interaction with Swamiji was at another Sishya’s (Karthik) place in Germany. Swamiji had visited Karthik as a part of his tour to Germany. It was an autumn evening & Swamiji asked us (I, Karthik, and few others) to accompany him on a walk through the neighbourhood. While the breeze indeed gave us the chill, my soul was warmed through the casual conversation with Swamiji interspersed with Vedantic teachings.
How is Swamiji’s Vedantic teaching helping you in your personal life?
The question should rather be – how does it not? Right from managing my emotions on a daily basis to managing my boss at work, Vedanta plays a crucial role. It is through these teachings I have understood the importance of “Viveka” (discrimination). Although far from practicing it perfectly on a daily basis, the teachings help me to refine my actions. To cite an example – when I was young, if someone had sent me disrespectful e-mail I would reply in haste without much thought, driven by anger and the urge to defend my position. I rarely do that now. I wait, let time pass and later if I still feel compelled to reply, then I do. My reply is focused on clarifying my position to bring a balance to the argument. Vedanta has worked at such levels for me.
Would you share about your experience in transcribing Swamiji’s teachings?
We think we are listening; however, we hardly do. This is what I understood as I started transcribing some of Swamiji’s teachings. Transcribing, by default, led to me hearing a given lecture more than once.
This repetition helps in understanding the concepts better and in turn leads to changed behaviour. In a way, by transcribing I was helping myself more than anyone else.
Share with us about your travel experience to Uttarkashi Ashram
Memorable. I visited the Ashram, for the wedding of another sishya (Stefano). Ashram for me is – where the air is pure, the sky is deep blue and Mother Ganga is always blessing you as she makes her way downstream to Rishikesh. For a city-dweller like me, the very fact of being in touch with Nature at its purest form is a blessing. The stay, the wedding, the bonds created through that one week might last forever in this life. To conclude – the experience has been memorable and impactful.
How does Swamiji’s teaching help you in your career?
As mentioned earlier, the teachings form the foundation on which I try to build my character. From listening well, to speaking up with courage and conviction during a professional argument, and in taking life changing decisions (in my case whether to stay in Germany or come back to India) – Swamiji’s
teachings have always helped me. One thing that I recollect – “There are no good or bad actions. Actions either lead to growth or they don’t. Understand each action better and perform only those that lead to growth”. This is something that has stuck with me and I try to be as sincere as possible to this in my professional life.
What is your message to the younger generation?
I have no new message to give. Let me rephrase Swamiji’s – “where there is righteousness, patience and courage, there is Success; and one is bound to get it. Namaste