A Modern-day Yogi

There are no coincidences in life. What may seem like a chance interaction with another person may leave us with great wisdom. Seemingly unconnected events string together to teach us valuable life lessons. Life is a seamless orchestrated flow. I want to share an incident from my early life that helped me to make a critical decision. When I look back and connect the dots, the incident was meant to be. 

Since childhood, I have had a deep yearning and desire to pursue the mystical life. I was not sure what I was seeking but knew that I was a voyager of consciousness. I would read a lot and brood over spiritual topics, often slipping into deep reveries. I wanted to be like Swami Vivekananda, traveling the breadth of India.

So one fine morning, during my summer break from college, I decided to become a wandering monk and walked out the door, carrying no money, no food, only the clothes I was wearing. There was no fuss. No one at home had any idea what I was up to. 

I walked to a temple a few miles from my home, by the river. This was the holy spot from where I would begin my journey to seek the Ultimate. As I sat down at the footsteps of the temple, I could see a group of wandering ascetic monks who were camped there. For a few hours, I stayed around them to see what they were up to. 

An elderly monk, who seemed like the leader, spoke with me very affectionately. When he heard my plan, he asked me to go back home. His voice had enormous confidence and regret.

He said, “I have been on this path for most of my life, roaming the banks of the river. I have not achieved anything. I cannot even go back now as everyone at home will have forgotten me. For all these years of asceticism, I don’t have much to show. Your search is genuine, and the path will find you. Go back to your home.”

His wise practical words struck a chord in my heart, so I headed back home. My sannyas was over! I quietly returned home and realized that no one had missed me. They all assumed I was in one of my reveries, enjoying the summer break. The inner fire continued to burn even more intensely. I was soon to understand that life had its own surprises in store for me. 

When we are deeply craving for something that will ennoble us, the means are provided. Be open and be receptive. Nature sends us messages and keeps us going onward. Running away from responsibility is not the way of the heart.

Modern-day yogis thrive in both the worldly and spiritual planes, just like their ancient counterparts. The world today needs examples of everyday people growing limitlessly in the inner realms of consciousness while continuing to do what they can for their family, friends and all of our human community.