Tracking down an author...

Sometime in 2011, I came across a book that had a huge impact on my life. "The only way out is within" written by Rohini Singh resonated strongly. I came across this book at a critical juncture of my life - when the past was inadequate and the future unclear. Oh, the classic cross roads (a.k.a the mid-life crisis). 

The book helped me to understand my thoughts and emotions better and most importantly played a big role in setting me on a path of rejuvenation. I liked it so much that I probably have bought over 20 copies and have passed it on to others. Flipkart owes me big time!  


A year or so ago, an idea occurred - maybe I can convert this book into a workshop. I tracked down the email address of the author and wrote to her. But, alas there was no response. Earlier this year, I decided to pursue this again and found another email address and wrote to her. This time a warm note came back! Hurrah! 

So, last week, when I was in Delhi, I decided to track down Rohini and meet her. Rohini signs off her SMS with 'love' and hence it was no surprise that she greeted me with a big warm hug! Had a lovely one and a half hour chat with her where we exchanged stories about our individual 'journeys.' 

With over a couple of decades experience in self actualisation (three books and numerous workshops to her credit), Rohini is clearly someone who has dived deep into the journey within. She asked me about my 'inflection point' when the maya was lifted and agreed whole heartedly that when the rug was pulled out from under my feet (professionally in Mumbai), that this was indeed the best thing that had happened to me. And even more so, that it happened early in my life when I could actually do something different, was great. I could not agree more. 

As she talked to me about her journey, somehow discussing how to translate her book into a workshop did not seem right. Not sure why. Maybe it was because she mentioned that in the recent past she has found her teacher and that she was no longer looking to 'do' things as her books had talked about. She stated having moved on to a plane of 'just being,' that did not require sustained effort, but on the other hand, simply just happened. Now, this was not something that I could relate to. I am struggling with even the 'doing' part. No double promotion for me as yet! 

But, this concept of 'being' was recently articulated to me by my brother Shiva (Chitti) when we met in Philadelphia last month. He spoke about his struggles to adopt any spiritual practice as he had been influenced by Jiddu Krishnamurti and maybe even UG that one does not need to 'do' anything, but simply 'be.' I guess this is the essence of Vedanta as well. In my conversations with my yoga teacher Shantanu, we have touched upon this topic ever so often. I have come to understand and appreciate that for most of us yoga is the practical way one can experience the highest truth (Vedanta), but here were two folks who were spouting a different path!  


Rohini suggested I check out her guru on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJZOyGOmuwE). I did. Interesting discourse (30 minutes). While I can't claim I understood all of it, there is something soothing about his voice and manner. Plus the content of this talk (the first one I came across when I googled his name) is something that I have been grappling with. The frustration of not fulfilling my purpose of life (which I think I know). But this talk, puts that idea into question. Need to watch it again and think about it more.....

But for now, the philosophies and practices of the Bihar School of Yoga with a focus on increased 'awareness' is where I plan to spend most of my energies on. But, no question - an interesting journey all right that began with tracking down an author and actually meeting her. I am sure I will be seeing Rohini again soon.