SC Musings for Nitya Gurukula

Musings of a Diarist

January 12, 2024

I travelled to 11 places in 61 days, after submission of my thesis on the 7th of November 2023. Now I am in Wollongong, facing the South Pacific ocean on the 7th of January 2024, as I write (key in) this blog. The sounds and breeze from the sea, soothe and heal, as darkness creeps in at 9 pm. And, today I dipped my feet in the ocean and did Tai Chi warm ups and 36 forms on a narrow wooden bridge, which led to a boat jetty. Alone, with the wind challenging my balance, I enjoyed my Tai Chi, surrounded by the ocean.

Let me now share with you, my dear Nitya Gurukula Members, the diary of my journeys these past 61 days. I will list the places and pause with reflections as they crop up.

Shirdi was my first stop- which I visit twice a year. The magic of the place and persons captivate me- inexplicable, but the pull is strong, and becomes stronger by the year.

Then to Maitreyi, the Vedic Village near Pollachi, where I go for ayurvedic treatment. The treatment keeps me healthy and balanced, strengthening my ligaments, tendons, muscles and my spirit to compensate for the worn out bones in my neck and knees.

I returned from there in 8 days, because my Ayurvedic Doc, Abilash was concerned about my reactions to the treatment. He packed me off insisting a cardio assessment. A battery of tests established that I had the cardio fitness of an athlete (according to 2 doctors- a cardiologist and a GP).

Dashed to Mumbai to attend the wedding of a dear Nitya Gurukula member; three generations from the family have been connected to NG for counselling, training and/or coaching. It was awesome partaking in the festivities- I sat back and watched the function, moved beyond words. Teary eyed to witness a family grow beyond expectations, in every sense- yes, it was a transgenerational growth. Back in Coimbatore the next morning, I awaited the arrival of Nancy and Emma. Nancy, a business coach, is the head of the Narayana Gurukula in Bainbridge, Seattle, US; Emma, an artist, runs an arts school in Australia. Both are dear friends of the Narayana Guru community, and Nancy is my mentor, guiding me in wisdom learning.

We began our journey the next day to Tiruvannamalai by road, and reached late that evening. After 3 days of deep connection with the mystical place, we moved to Mahabalipuram, where Sanal from the UK, another member of the Narayana Gurukula community joined us. After absorbing the beauty of the rock sculptures, which took a new meaning when viewed with friends, we started our journey to Coimbatore.

The stopover in Salem became an overnight stay, due to exhaustion. Returning to Coimbatore, we travelled by train to Varkala.

Entering Narayana Gurukula in Varkala was a homecoming, though it was my first visit there. Exuding minimalism and simplicity, the ambience, people, and everything about the place warmed, soothed and gave me a sense of belonging. Reluctantly I left for Brahma Vidya Mandir- and was again drawn by its aesthetics and the transcendental ambience.

Narayana Gurukula in Konni was our final destination. A surreal atmosphere pervaded here, with Swami Tyagi attending to our needs with care, humour and humility. Guru Nitya, my spiritual mentor, had spent 18 months in silence here- and the goddess of wisdom consecrated by him was a shining reminder of wisdom teaching and learning which the lineage embodied and manifested.

I travelled back to Coimbatore, satiated and in total peace with myself and the universe. The pieces within fitted together, and peace and harmony reigned. In less than a fortnight, my journey to Wollongong began for the 26th Tai Chi for Health conference organised by Dr. Lam.

Meandering through my trips, I identified a common theme- that of holistic wellness and connectedness- with self- others and the environment. Despite the different approaches and methods used, the aim of all the places I visited was mitigating suffering and uplifting humanity.

In these challenging times of plenty- of knowledge, of technology and skills, we thirst for something more. ‘Lost souls like me’ is how a long time member of Nitya Gurukula described self. These diverse experiences, though tightly packed, nourished and nurtured my very being; my commitment to people-work was reinforced.

Does it mean that we have to keep travelling to anchor ourselves- to heal and get in touch with our okayness?? The core learning for me in these travels is being open to experiences, open to learning; when we are open, ‘we can learn from anyone’ stated Dr. Lam today, at the TCHI Conference on the 8th of January 2024.

I conduct transformational workshops for NG resources bimonthly, to facilitate their inner journey to wellness. These workshops, unique to NG, attend to individual needs for freedom and growth. Travels released me to facilitate these internal journeys, and Nitya Gurukula will be offering these workshops to the public in future.

Looking forward to seeing you in a fortnight with:

Musings on Tai Chi conference in Wollongong. Inviting you to post your questions or comments to NG- We are only a click away.

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