September is such a significant month with both Sadhguru's birthday (3rd) and enlightenment day (23rd) in this month. For me, it was 12 years ago last week where my journey into yoga really started as it was the first time I was in a class with Sadhguru. The above picture is an old photo I found of when I first met Sadhguru personally at a talk in London just before I participated in the Inner Engineering course.
A fraction of the volume of people attended the event compared to what you see today. I think I remember it being less than 100 people! I had the opportunity to meet him and get my copy of 'Mystic's Musings' (one of Sadhguru's earlier books) signed. I remember thinking what I wanted to say and going up there, and then nothing came out! Nonetheless, I think it's safe to say no words needed exchanging between us, but I felt much happened. We namaskared (gesture of bowling with palms together) each other with a brief look in the eyes and he took my book and signed it.
The next time I was in front of Sadhguru was at the Inner Engineering course, which was the first one on these shores. Both me and my mother attended together and even stayed in the hotel for that weekend.
I had no expectations but just felt grateful to be in front of Sadhguru for three days having enjoyed and been inspired by his talks. I think the people who connect with Sadhguru are the ones who know there is more magic in life than what we're told. More magic in each one of us than we're led to believe, and for me, here was someone who could articulate that, in a way I had never heard before. Sadhguru perfectly brought ancient knowledge into the modern era.
Yet, I was not looking for answers being there, I just wanted to receive. Nothing in particular but I felt he had so much to offer and I wanted to receive anything I was able to. I laugh when I think back to the beginning of the course when we were invited to introduce ourselves on the mic. I decided to do so and I took spiritual teachings I had heard and greeted him in a way that I felt was most respectful, but feels cringeworthy now looking back at it.
Having been initiated into a powerful yogic practice in that course, it was a catalyst to look at life differently. It changed my life very early on, so that I had perspective on the decisions I made and thought differently. This one change in perspective is probably what I can be most grateful for, but I have to say there were many more things that changed also.
I don't ever remember being so touched by a course in this way, and I'd attended a few personal development and spiritual courses, but nothing that left a taste of magic like this. To top it off, to have the opportunity receive an individual rose directly from his hands, I can't tell you how that moment felt. The only way to describe it was, there was a genuine moment, a connection of some sort and the rose I received, I can only say it felt as though it was vibrating in my hands. I think back to that to this day in amazement but I just remember I could not let go of it. Slowly the sensation started to dissipate as the evening went on and we were going home, but I still held on to it as I was holding onto it with gratitude. Yet, it was only the beginning of so much that unfolded on this journey, which has now allowed me to spread more magic to others through the medium of Isha Hatha Yoga.
Group Photo of First Inner Engineering Programme in UK (2006)