Satsang with Mooji
Nov 21, 2019
#meditation #travel
Awaken to Your True Self: Experiencing Mooji
“Step into the fire of self-discovery. This fire will not burn you, it will only burn what you are not.” ― .
Many years ago took a group of 20 SoulJours alongside Desiree Rumbaugh and Andrew Rivin to Tiruvannamalai, one of the most sacred places in all of India and my favorite place in South India. There is a mountain in Tiruvannamalai called Mt. Arunachala that is shaped like a Shiva lingam. Each month, thousands of people make the pilgrimage to this mountain to circumnavigate it on the full moon. It's an incredible event and our group completed the 14k walk around the mountain. It's also the place Sri Ramana Maharshi called hOMe, even dwelling in a cave for 14 years, in search of finding the answer to the quintessential question, "Who am I?"
It's not coincidence that there was a spiritual master named Mooji living there at this time. My friend highly recommended attending a satsang with him so I arranged for a private satsang (spiritual gathering). Back then, it was much easier! Our group thoroughly enjoyed our time with Mooji. He's a captivating storyteller. Masterful at raising tough questions. It was a highlight of our trip for sure.
Fast forward to 2016. I had my son and took at 5 year hiatus from traveling to India. One day I was thinking about Mooji and for fun, checked his schedule. He was doing a residency in Rishikesh at the same time as the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh that I had attended and led groups to for many years. For fun, I checked flights...a month in advance...$800?! What? $800?!
Source gave me the green light. It was time to get back on the India wagon!
Satsang with Mooji
I wasn't sure why Source had brought to India this time. I wasn't leading a group. I was a mom. Did I really need to go halfway around the world to study yoga. Again? And then it happened. The first experience with Mooji that trip happened on the banks of the Ganges River at the Yoga Fest at Parmarth Niketan Ashram. After saying to please not ask him any surface, personal questions, the first person to ask a question, asked him about his life! With some hesitation and a good chuckle, he began to tell his story – and what a story it was! From his humble beginnings in Jamaica, to finding Jesus in England, to finding himself on the "Julas" (bridges) of Rishikesh where everything shifted from that moment on. Afterwards, he led the group in a spontaneous guided meditation. In typical Mooji fashion (so I've come to learn), he invited us to lose our labels, our stories, our pasts, everything about us that wasn't at the core of our being – our consciousness. It was in this meditation that for an indefinite amount of time, I felt this indescribable feeling of love. Pure love. The kind you dream about. It was the most beautiful moment I've ever known.
Ah. So THAT was the reason I was sent to India. That brief moment of brilliance that will last a lifetime.
When the meditation was over, you literally couldn't hear a pin drop - 900 people and complete and utter silence!
He left the stage and I snapped this photo of him through the crowd that has been in my yoga studio ever since:
I ended up attending several satsangs that trip. And again the year after. The last 2 years he hasn't come to India.
In 2020, he returns!! At the exact same time we will be there! Ah, Grace...
What to Expect in a Satsang with Mooji
– They normally take place 10am-noon at an ashram in Rishikesh (details for 2020 forthcoming)
– Silence: there is no talking in the hall or anywhere outside the hall
– Wear white: high vibration living!
– Sundays he does a "bhajan" style where they have incredible musicians from all over the world play! It's a big huge Sunday morning dance party!
– Q&A: Mooji generally answers questions that people come up to the microphone to ask. He requests that you ask him deep, thought provoking, spiritual natured questions. No questions about what he eats or things about him.
– He awakens people on the spot. He probes and makes the person go deeper and deeper. In the process, you'll glean some juicy morsels about your own life as well.
– Occasionally, he'll guide a meditation for the entire group.
We have 2 spaces left for our upcoming trip to India.
Satsang with Mooji has now been added to the schedule!
Ultimate Spiritual Adventure in North India
February 29-March 13
Varanasi, Rishikesh, Dharamsala with an optional Taj Mahal overnight
with Nicki Doane & Ashley Melin
Mt Arunachala, Tiruvannamalai