Namaskaram! I am Sirisha Bodapati from Bangalore.
January 12, 2019, marked the initiation of my journey with Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya in Bangalore. Since then, I have been serving as a calling volunteer for Inner Engineering in the Bangalore region.
Pre-program Struggles
Prior to my Inner Engineering experience, I found myself grappling with a sense of uncertainty, as the aspects of my life seemed distant from my aspirations. Faced with numerous goals and priorities, I felt overwhelmed. Instead of seeking counselling, I was determined to understand the root cause of my emotions and learn how to navigate them independently. Questions about the purpose of my life and my struggle with handling depression on my own lingered in my mind.
Amid this introspective quest, I turned to Sadhguru’s wisdom, watching his videos daily. Vaisakh Sabu from Kerala, played a pivotal role in my journey towards tranquility and bliss through his engaging discussions about Isha and Sadhguru on YouTube. I express deep gratitude to Vaisakh Anna for being the catalyst in bringing serenity and calmness into my life.
An integral part of my night routine became watching Vaisakh Anna’s podcasts featuring individuals sharing their Inner Engineering experiences. These narratives became a source of inspiration, guiding me towards a better understanding of my own journey.
The Program Experience
I enrolled for the 7-day physical class and had to be there before time. The Sunday session was a full day, from 6 am to 6 pm. On the first day, when I went to the class, I couldn’t sit properly. Such a basic thing became a challenge for me, and I was advised to use a chair by the volunteers.
During the Sunday program, we were seated on the ground to enjoy a special meal prepared by Isha volunteers. Over the next three days, we were efficiently taught how to practice on our own. The program was conducted with precision, almost like a corporate training.
Prior to 2019, I had been dealing with consistent back pain for two years, and had to take a lot of pain medications. However, the back pain completely disappeared with the practice of Shambhavi. On the day of initiation, I experienced a profound sense of calmness and found myself crying incessantly.
After finishing the program, we were encouraged to stick with the Shambhavi practice for 40 days until we completed our Mandala.
6 Months of Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya
It was a journey of gradual change. Surprisingly, I discovered that I could now sit comfortably on the floor for more than 5 hours, something I wouldn’t have imagined before. The vanishing back pain and this newfound ability to sit at ease for extended periods truly marked a positive change in my life.
Each practice brought a unique experience every day, with outcomes differing each time. I started to notice the beauty in simple things, like a blossoming flower, relishing the tiny joys that life had to offer. Whether gazing at trees, water or the outdoors, everything seemed to take on a new and refreshing quality.
Despite having a few skills, I used to feel directionless and clueless about how to utilize them. After six months of consistent practice, clarity began to emerge in various aspects of my life.
I made a firm decision never to abandon my practice, regardless of the challenges that may arise. The covid lockdown presented an unexpected opportunity to deepen my spiritual journey, allowing me to engage in Shambhavi mudra twice a day. When going out was not an option, it was a time to turn inward!
As my journey continued, I delved into various practices such as Simha kriya, Isha kriya, presence time, and learned the yoga yogeshwaraya chant, among many others. Each new practice added another layer to my growth.
Volunteering: A Gift in the Journey
Volunteering emerged as the greatest gift in this journey. Through the selfless efforts we put into volunteering, we expect nothing in return. My role involved calling volunteers, motivating them to complete their inner engineering practice. Being a patient person, I also found myself extending help to meditators with queries related to health, Isha school and various other aspects of their lives.
I really wanted to visit the Isha Yoga Center for Bhavaspandana, and I also had my heart set on landing a job in a software company. Amazingly, both wishes came true. Even though I achieved these goals, I’m still actively volunteering, and I fully intend to keep that commitment going.
My heartfelt gratitude goes to Sadhguru for this transformative program. It has empowered me to overcome compulsions, break through limitations and most importantly, gain clarity about myself and my life. The Inner Engineering program has truly been a gift.
I hope my experience inspires you to opt for this program, if you are doubtful yet (like I once was). Life is short; let’s live it consciously and with better awareness. Let’s make it happen!
Also, yoga namaskar, aum chanting, and isha kriya have truly been magical for me. They played a pivotal role in helping me navigate the roller coaster of life even after completing the I.E. program. I wholeheartedly recommend these practices to those who haven’t experienced the Shambhavi initiation yet; they can have a tremendous impact on your life.
If you need any information related to Isha or have inner engineering questions, you can contact me on Instagram.
