Thavam

I had a very unique experience a few days back. I had gone to be an observer in a entry level training session on yoga.The two day programme was offered to entry level officers of a PSU, as a part of their induction programme. I also wanted this opportunity to get in touch with yoga teachers in Bangalore of the same institution from where I had got my initiation.
One and a half hours of the preliminary session was conducted by one senior practitioner. I was drawn to her and was totally in awe of the power and conviction that she was exuding. No, it was much more than that.I did not actually see a halo around her head, but she had that much of a saintliness and 'aakarsha sakthi' that yogis and great seers possess. Every word that she uttered went direct to my head and is stored in my permanent memory, there is absolutely no transmission loss!
After the session, few of us sat together and were jamming together. It was then, it came out that from childhood she had this spiritual quest and for several years now does 'thavam' for three straight hours everyday! No joking, 3am to 6 am is her timings someone told me. While it was astounding to say the least, I was more interested in how is she able to sit for 3 hours, does her back not ache, her legs and hands 'go to sleep'. I asked her straight away, to which she said, 'not having any feeling of the body, so where is the question of ache, or any sensation....' as if it is the most natural thing to say and went on to talk about some other training session.
She is no saint, but a homemaker and after the meditaiton gets into making breakfast/lunch and later attends to all other duties including training for which she and her husband share a passion.
So, that explains the tremendous charisma she exuded. I remembered reading earlier, that the more you meditate, you will be acceptable and your words will be heard and followed.
Suddenly all that I have read and heard about yoga and meditation seemed to make sense.

vaazhga valamudan

I was introduced to 'world service centre' in Tiruvanmiyur about a year back. I was going through lots of stress at work and it was my doctor who recommended me to this place to cope with that situation. I came here, I saw and I was conquered. Now I have become a yoga convert. I also got converted to this centre, as they are going about their job unobtrusively and with lots of humility. That the lingua franca is 'sutha tamizh' does not hurt. I really enjoy the tamil being spoken and classes taken in sutha tamizh.It is extremely melodious.' Inba ten vandu paayudu kaadinile' is not an exaggeration, I can tell you.
I have gone through the initiation, yogic aasanas, meditation and was ready for the first of the four sessions on 'looking inward'. Actually I had become eligible to take this session quite some months back.It is scheduled on the first saturday and sunday of every month. It is a full two day programme. But then this time I was able to participate fully and I am very happy that i made it. I have resolved that i will be there for the second session on the second saturday of August.

The sessions were a revision of all that was learnt and also gave us fresh 'dhyanam' practises. Only good things are told, positive thoughts are reinforced again and again and some simple poses are explained which enhances the efficacy of these thoughts.I was reminded of the book ' power of the subconscious mind' that I read and enjoyed some years back. It made a tremendous impression on me. Basic truths are so similar, arent they?
I like their concept of 'blessing', 'vaazhthuvadu'. It gives so much joy to bless every one of your family, friends and colleagues at work and also your not so dear ones!
Particularly wishing the entire world and nature is another unique feature that appeals to me.

Vaazhga vaiyagam, vaazhga valamudan