Jai Gurudev,
Does a Guru know exactly what you need and when? Dr. Prema Seshadri, a psychologist and senior Art of Living faculty member, experienced this firsthand during her spiritual journey, guided at every step by her Guru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
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It all began in the late 90s when Gurudev asked his followers to read Swami Venkateswarananda’s Yoga Vashistha. Excited, I couldn’t wait to dive into it! But within just 30 minutes, I was stuck—completely bewildered by the book’s contents. I had only reached page 7 and couldn’t comprehend a single sentence! It felt like I was lost in a maze, so I set the book aside.
A few months later, I traveled to the German ashram and met Gurudev. Sitting at his feet, he smiled at me and asked, “How was it?” For a moment, I didn’t understand what he meant. Then I realized he was asking about the book. I replied honestly, “I hated it. I couldn’t understand a single thing!” Gurudev, with his ever-compassionate smile, said, “I have a solution for your problem—don’t read the book.” I was relieved, but I had no idea that my Guru, as always, was way ahead of me.
Later that evening, during the Satsang, a young girl went up on stage and read a small excerpt from Yoga Vashistha as dictated by Gurudev. The moment I heard it, I was floored. Something deep inside me shifted. The words, even though I had failed to understand them earlier, suddenly carried immense power. It was as if Gurudev was transmitting the wisdom directly into my being. That experience became a foundation of reassurance for me, especially as I embarked on future journeys, knowing my Guru was always guiding me.
In 2000, my desire to become a full-time Art of Living teacher was fulfilled, and I began traveling and teaching in the Gulf countries. A year later, on my birthday in 2001, I called Gurudev to take his blessings. To my surprise, he simply said, “Go to Egypt,” and ended the call. My immediate thought was, “Oh my God! I don’t know anyone in Egypt!” But I quickly realized that if Gurudev had told me to go, he would take care of everything.
A few days later, I found myself packing for Egypt. On a whim, I decided to throw my copy of Yoga Vashistha into my suitcase. My three-year stint in Egypt was an incredible journey of introspection, realization, and trust. Yoga Vashistha became my constant companion during this time, even though I still didn’t fully understand it. But somehow, it was working—transforming me in ways I couldn’t put into words.
Gurudev once said, “Our consciousness is so ancient and deep, it holds all the knowledge. We just need something to awaken it.” And that’s exactly what was happening.
Egypt taught me the power of surrender, of letting go of control and trusting a higher power. My different hosts showed me how kindness and warmth transcend language barriers. An Egyptian driver ferried me around for months without saying a word, and yet his silent presence spoke volumes.
One day, as I stood outside a restaurant debating whether to enter, my phone rang. It was Gurudev, and his first question was, “Are you getting proper food to eat?” After that call, my food needs were always taken care of.
One memory from Alexandria stands out. I had just finished a program and was feeling homesick. I was supposed to return to Cairo, where a large course was being organized. But I had heard that Gurudev was visiting Lebanon, and a wild plan to dash off to Beirut started forming in my mind. Just then, I received a call informing me that the Cairo course had been postponed. I was overjoyed! This meant I could fly to Beirut to be with Gurudev. I called him, but he sternly said no and compassionately instructed me to go back to Alexandria, where 27 executives were waiting for the course.
Reluctantly, I made my way back to Alexandria. Out of curiosity, I asked the organizer how many people had signed up for the course. He replied, “27.” At that moment, I knew Gurudev’s plans were always perfect, far beyond my limited understanding.
It was a life-changing journey—a journey made up of excitement, witnessing the unknown, embracing surprises, and overflowing with Grace. The entire time, I carried Yoga Vashistha with me, even though I still didn’t fully comprehend it.
When I finally returned to the Bangalore ashram, I went to meet Gurudev. With his characteristic smile, he asked, “So, how was the book?” This time, I knew the answer. I said, “Amazing!” He laughed, and I knew then that it wasn’t about understanding with the mind—it was about the experience.
What a journey it’s been—walking with the infinite grace of my Guru, forever grateful for every moment of guidance, love, and blessings.
Jai Gurudev!
Inspiring