A special Satsang was held on Sunday, 13th July, 2014 to celebrate the occasion of Guru Purnima. The topic of the Satsang was ‘Guru-Shishya’ (Relationship between an Guru and his disciple)
Following is the transcript of the Q & A between the audience and Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra.
Dr. Jayadeva and Hansaji Yogendra
Listen to the audio:
Q. We are on the path of improvement but at times we slide backwards. What do we do to rise up again?
Dr. J: I think the effort to rise must be checked. We have to just carry on the way that has been shown.
Smt. H: Falling and getting back again is a very beautiful experience. We learn from it. Get up again and start walking again. So no problem. This happens many times, but don’t worry, move ahead again.
Q. Our daughter’s engagement is going to break. We are very tense. What can we do?
Dr. J: Don’t do anything. The problem will resolve on its own.
Smt. H: We tend to do a lot of wrong Karmas through words. When we are tense, pleasing words are hard to say and so don’t do anything. Keep the mouth shut, just observe and keep yourself balanced. Whatever happens will turn out to be fine.
Q. If we are in a teaching profession in school or college, can you please throw some light on practical aspect of being a good or better teacher considering the materialistic world and changed rules of the education system?
Dr. J: I think that a learner is the best teacher. So our trying to impose an ideas is wrong. Let us be good students. In the end, the students will help.
Smt. H: Don’t every call yourself a teacher. Always remain a learner. Do your job and see that you maintain your balance. See that you are teaching properly and believe in what you are teaching. Currently the education system is not going so well but it will go on. It will improve when some rules change and the value systems are given more importance. But no matter what, if the teacher is a learner, progress is faster and people will learn.
Q. Is it okay to have more than one Guru.
Dr. J: It’s better not to have, just like its better not to have more than one doctor.
Smt. H: Many times we use the word Guru very lightly. If we go to a Satsang or visit a friend’s Guru, and call them our Guru, this is just an emotional outburst. Actually a Guru is one from whom you learn to change yourself and start thinking. These are all good souls and they teach good things. But what we need to see is whom to follow. Is the Guru following what he preaches? Does he live like you, as a householder, who can understand your experiences. There are many good people in this world. Listen to their talks. There are many scriptures to be read. But avoid conflicting ideas. Stick to one school of thought.
Q. How to incorporate Bhavas in Asanas?
Dr. J: Not to give too much importance to the physical part. To deepen the inner thinking, feeling, experiencing, that would help.
Smt. H: Bhavas are introduced so that we don’t give too much importance to the physical part. The experience is important. What physical as well as mental change is the Asana bringing about? And whether you practice the Asana or not, you can remain in the Bhava throughout the day. Asanas are unconsciously being done even when doing some physical household work. But the Bhava should be correct. So follow the concept of Duty / Dharma when doing work. Jnana Bhava comes when we are open to learn. Asanas are important but a change in our personality and life is more important.
Satsang is an open meeting held every Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at The Yoga Institute, Santacruz East, Mumbai. It involves an interesting presentation to the public, made by the students of the Teacher Training Course. Each week, a new presentation of a Yogic concept is made in a simple way through skits and decoration for the general public, followed by a short speech from our Gurus, Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra.