How did you get introduced to Yoga and Vedanta?
The whole aspect of ‘Yoga’ had come into my life at an early age of 9 as it was a part of my curriculum in school. Worship and prayer with devotion was a part of my family from a young age. So, I spent time learning and chanting numerous Shlokas like Aditya Hrdayam, Sukta’s (Durga, Medha etc.) from the Vedas and Bhagavad Gita just to name a few. All this gave me immense strength and self-belief while I grew up. As far as Vedanta is concerned, I got introduced during my college days through a series of lectures which I attended. It opened me up to a new way of looking at myself and the world. I could sense a seed sowed but requiring the nurturing and guidance of a teacher – Guru for it to germinate.
When and how did you first come to know about Swamiji?
I was undergoing a personal crisis in mid-2006, when a childhood friend of mine took me to Swamiji to seek his guidance and resolve the issue. That was the turning point of my life. It was at this moment that a teacher and his teachings entered my life. I felt like being inducted into our teaching tradition – the Guru Parampara. What struck me in my very first meeting with Swamiji was his unconditional love and compassion. Virtues which were only quoted from the lips now seemed a reality embodied in human form through my teacher. Since then, I have embarked on this journey of selfdiscovery through association with Swamiji, his teachings and the tradition overall.
How is Swamiji’s Vedantic teaching helping you in your personal and professional life?
Swamiji’s approach to teaching is extremely systematic and structured. It begins from the lifestyle required from an individual who wishes to learn and eventually qualify as a student. Through this approach, real ‘Discipline’ was instilled into my daily living. With this sense of self-awareness, I realized most of the problems did not seem as a problem itself. A sense of immense self confidence emerged to look forward to life and its challenges. Having lived life in a certain way or conditioning, there were innumerable misconceptions at every step in my mind. Through Swamiji’s teachings each of these complex knots are being slowly and steadily removed bringing in immense ‘Clarity’ to help understand the transactional and ultimate truth. This is a lifelong process and a journey which has no end to itself. As Swamiji expounds the Vedanta philosophy, Acceptance is slowly becoming an integral aspect of me. Swamiji has also consciously instilled this thought of ‘Living like a King’ with values, honour and leading a life of contribution. With conscious efforts to be a contributor has always uplifted my overall vital energy or Prana. Through this, I have been able to slowly graduate from being an individual contributor to assuming a role of leadership taking responsibilities with vision and conviction on the professional front too.
Would you share about your experience in transcribing Swamiji’s teachings?
It has been a unique experience and a blessing to transcribe the teachings of Swamiji and be a part of his grand vision. Transcribing helps me to reflect on the teaching (Nitidhyasanam) and assimilating (sravanam & Mananam) it during the lecture sessions. Through such constant Nitidhyasanam, the teaching is systematically digested and becomes a part of my lifestyle.
What is your message to youngsters who want to succeed professionally and have sterling careers?
Firstly, have an attitude of ‘Surrender’ in your life. What I mean by this is for you to find a mentor or your ‘workplace Guru’ whom you can learn from, embody and role model. A good mentor will nurture you to become a rock-solid tree from a raw talented seed. For this we need to have an attitude of surrender as a student will find a teacher only then. ‘Journey over Destination’ – Always keep working and seek your enjoyment at every moment of this work. The happiness or fulfilment lies in the journey not the destination. Though ‘Talent’ is essential, without an ‘Attitude’ this talent would be worthless. Hence whatever you take up develop a positive attitude. ‘Attached Detachment’ – Being attached only to your work and detached from its fruits without any claim will keep you devoid of stress and adorn you with a great sense of inner peace always.
Namaste