LESSON #3. “I AM LOOKING FOR A GREAT JEDI MASTER…”


“I AM LOOKING FOR A GREAT JEDI MASTER…”




I have been visiting the Ashrams of the Bihar School of Yoga since 2011. During my first visit to the Rikhia Ashram, a wizened old soul gingerly walked up to the front of the group, sat down and looked up at us. When he spoke, we could at first, hardly hear him. He asked us if we knew a few mantras….we did not. Then he asked us what ‘asanas’ (yoga postures) we knew and reeled off a few names. He saw us looking none the wiser and I could feel his disappointment. His already aged shoulders seemed to sink further. He then led us through some chants and once done with that, got up and hobbled away.

Ever since that moment, I had him labeled. During my subsequent visits to the Ashrams, I saw him often lead the chanting in a raspy voice. Ever so often I would see him sitting on a chair, while most others sat cross-legged on the floor. Yup, my labeling of him by now was complete – as a frail old man whose primary role in the ashram it seemed was to lead the chanting and quite away from anything that requires physical effort. (in other words….a ‘has been.’).

So in my recent trip to the ashram, much to my shock and I must confess some disappointment, I learnt that was going to be our teacher- for the ‘asanas.’ The next morning, as one awoke, had a cold bucket bath (pretty damn cold!) and trudged up to a 5.30am class, I must confess I was not at my enthusiastic best.

I rolled out the blanket in class and got ready to begin. He began the class, just as expected – a couple of chants. I could hear my mind saying ‘oh ho….I am not going to like this.” After a few minutes, he started speaking. I could hear him clearly. Then he started demonstrating some simple asanas. And little by little, my jaw dropped. I am not sure if this is a certified yoga asana, but my jaw was closer to my navel than my mouth a few minutes into his routine!

His flexibility and energy were amazing. The graceful manner he moved on that little bench was admirable. This flexibility combined by a whacky sense of humour as he went on to show/teach us about postures adopted by dogs and crocodiles and how to hop like a frog had us mesmerized!

Do you recall the scene in the ‘Empire Strike Back’ when young Luke Skywalker is unable to recognize that the diminutive elf like creature before him is ‘Yoda’ – the great warrior. Well, this was my Yoda moment indeed!


A few years ago during an assessment of Emotional Intelligence, a colleague had written  - “Sanjay tends to quickly form opinion of people and it’s hard for him to change his mind.” Well, clearly, that trait is still alive. Much to still learn (or unlearn) indeed…..

(LESSON #3: VISIT TO THE BIHAR SCHOOLD OF YOGA, MARCH 2017)

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