The language of transformation is the language of compassion. Our students are transformed, not by the blaze of fiery words intended to burn their ego to ashes, but by the warmth of kindness, care, and love. If you try to help a stubborn, egoistical student by beating on his ego, the student, in defense, will only harden his ego-shell and retreat inside, becoming inaccessible to your teachings, to you, and, most lamentably, to himself. The student becomes like a cold, scared child, trying to cover himself with an oversized ego-coat. Teach him instead with compassion and warmth, so much warmth, in fact, that he must remove his dark, protective ego-coat and become receptive to the light of transformation.
This, however, is not a license to mask the truth with phony compliments or other lies of fake courtesy. The truth must be told, yet not with the haughty attitude “I must tell the truth no matter what the cost!” Offer the truth in a way that empowers your students to make the necessary changes in their lives. Ruthless truth must always be tempered with kindness, satya balanced with ahimsa.
The art of guiding others lies in knowing how to help them harness the power of their own minds and access their own inner wisdom. This enables them to overcome their resistance to transformation, cast off fears, and embrace evolution. In time, they will become attuned to inner guidance, and no longer be scattered and misled by external references and compulsive comparisons. By the very act of teaching, we compel our students to use the power of their minds; the question is whether this power is being used to destroy or to build, to regress or to transform, to imprison or to set free.
Jayne Cagle shared this beautiful heart-felt testimony at the Purna Yoga Retreat in Hawaii earlier this year. She is a yoga teacher in Chattanooga, TN, and a student in The College of Purna Yoga 500-hour Level. She has also been a long-time student of Purna Yoga Meditation, and shares how her practice has effected her relationships and helped align her life.
I absololutely love Erica’s video. It is so sweet and carries a lovely message. (Both Erica and Christian are students of Purna Yoga Meditation.) Can you recognize some of the Purna Yoga Meditation Snacks in the video?
Aadil and I created The College of Purna Yoga to train teachers in the complete yoga, which addresses not only the physical body, but the mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual bodies as well. Lynne Bird’s testimony, from her experience in the recent 200-hour Purna Yoga teacher training, beautifully demonstrates how powerful it can be to when we look more holistically at our lives. Thank you, Lynne!
Lynne Bird, graduate, The College of Purna Yoga 200-hour Level (4:11)
Our month-long 200-hour teacher training (The College of Purna Yoga) just completed last week. This lovely testimony comes from Candice Von Mellville. Congratulations, Candice!
Candice Von Melville, graduate, The College of Purna Yoga 200-hour Level (4:11)
Musings and insights from Mirra and Aadil
on the evolution of Purna Yoga—uniting asana, meditation, yogic philosophy, and nutriton—to
quicken the transformation of our human nature
into our Divine Self.
The language of transformation is the language of compassion. Our students are transformed, not by the blaze of fiery words intended to burn their ego to ashes, but by the warmth of kindness, care, and love. If you try to help a stubborn, egoistical student by beating on his ego, the student, in defense, will only harden his ego-shell and retreat inside, becoming inaccessible to your teachings, to you, and, most lamentably, to himself. The student becomes like a cold, scared child, trying to cover himself with an oversized ego-coat. Teach him instead with compassion and warmth, so much warmth, in fact, that he must remove his dark, protective ego-coat and become receptive to the light of transformation.
