LESSON #2: HOW TO DEFEAT THE ‘TATKAL’ DEVIL!



The devil quietly entered and made a brief struggle with sleep into a full-blown insomnia episode!

So here I was, back in the ashram of the Bihar School of Yoga in interior India. It’s been almost 18 months since I last spent any substantial time at the Ashram.
It was just about when I was trying to sleep on my second night there when the devil made its move.

Slowly but surely, the old game played itself …. I found myself  revisiting the same conversation in my head that I had during my initial visits to the Ashram in 2011-2012. What happens? Well, I get to the ashram and very quickly, the daily routine, being amidst people I can’t immediately relate to, feeling trapped by the rules (no talking while eating, or being locked into your dorm by 7.30pm for instance), gets to me. Ala Neo trying to find a way to exit the Matrix, I find myself running through all the reasons for leaving the place. Of course, in an attempt to not loose face, the rationale for leaving have to be cleverly contrived…all this a heady mixture for tossing and turning through the night.

Finally, the devil has indeed surreptitiously takes over my mind….and I take the first decisive step…..looking at emergency train tickets (ah, the infamous ‘Tatkal’). Alas, poor internet connectivity makes the search harder and a friend is requisitioned to help with the search.

The night passes…..

The next morning, I awake with my devil fully in control. But, little by little, I manage to disengage….I am able to practice the three steps:

1.     I am disturbed
2.     I am feeling disturbed
3.     A part of me is feeling disturbed

Repeat and then repeat, and then repeat……..

Also, with some courage voiced to my two close fellow travelers about the arrival of the ‘Tatkal Devil.’ Was prepared for some ridicule and there was a little. But, let that pass.

And ever so slowly, I was able to observe my emotions and the grip of the devil lessened. And two days late, I was free. The devil had receded into the background and I was at peace over the next seven days.

This was probably my biggest ‘win’ during this trip. The mind can indeed play up tricks and to be able to become an observer and let the grip recede was liberating.

-->
(LESSON #2: VISIT TO THE BIHAR SCHOOLD OF YOGA, MARCH 2017)

Comments

  1. vigiMarch 14, 2017 at 11:39 PM

    Tatkal timings have been revised for A/C tickets. #justsaying.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Importance of Rekindling Play – 5 Days in Bir, June 2024

Image
  The Importance of Rekindling Play – 5 Days in Bir, June 2024 Feeling overwhelmed and stressed? Sometimes, taking a step back to rekindle play and patience can be transformative. Over the past week, I attended a program called “A Primer on Patience” at the Deer Park Institute in Bir, Himachal Pradesh, India. This program, based on Buddhist psychology, offered a ‘light-touch’ approach to imparting deep-rooted wisdom in an interactive and enjoyable manner accessible to everyone. I had previously studied under the lead trainer, Nivedita, and her down-to-earth and practical style of imparting wisdom resonated deeply with me. More importantly, Nivedita embodies humility and warmth, making the experience even more enriching. Here are five key insights and takeaways from my time there: 1. I Felt Free and Energized! I had forgotten how much I love sharing space with like-minded individuals in a fun learning and authentic sharing environment. We learned, we shared, we drew, we laughed, and...
Read more

We Are All on 'Standby'....

Image
We Are All On 'Standby'.... In the past few days, three poignant experiences wove themselves into a single narrative that felt too significant not to share. The first is something we all experience this time of year: the turning of the calendar . One year ends, and another begins. It’s a natural time to reflect, reset, and reimagine what’s ahead. The second was attending a memorial service for a young man who tragically passed away. It was a moving tribute, but also a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability. As I sat there, a friend shared about their elderly parent, deeply suffering, and said, “I wish they would find peace and move on.” The contrast was striking: here was a young man, full of life and promise, gone too soon, while another life lingered on amidst suffering. The third came from my own home. My daughter is preparing to leave for the U.S. on a standby ticket, arranged through her cousin. When people asked, “When are you leaving?” she replied, “Maybe today,” be...
Read more

"I have no intention of dying before my death" - Lessons from a Centurion

Image
  Living Fully and Leading with Intention "I have no intention of dying before my death." This powerful declaration set the tone for an inspiring morning, offering valuable insights for today’s leaders. We gathered in a sunlit, glass-enclosed room—a perfect setting for a Sunday filled with meaningful conversations and deep reflections. The atmosphere was warm, the coffee was perfect, but the true highlight of the morning was a discussion with a centenarian who had recently celebrated his 100th birthday. For the next hour, we were guided through a fascinating conversation about life lessons and their relevance in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world. This centenarian’s wisdom was profound, and as leaders, we were reminded that leadership is as much about character and wisdom as it is about strategy and execution. Here are some key lessons that stood out, offering valuable guidance for leaders at every stage: "I have no intention of dying before my death." This sta...
Read more