Musings from a Spiritual Journey - Sangeeta Verma Talks Key Lessons, Gurus, Retreats, and More
“Only humans possess the ability to live consciously and must strive to do so.” How have you embraced spirituality in your life? Today’s woman dreamer, Sangeeta Bhasin Verma, reflects on her meaningful spiritual journey. She shares how she embraces spiritual principles in the modern world, from listening to gurus lectures' online/in-person to a day in the life from her experience at Sadhguru’s Isha Institute retreat. For those looking to learn more about spirituality in 2022, Sangeeta shares some of her key learnings and how her perspective on life has evolved throughout her journey. Enjoy her story!
You had a wonderful spiritual journey. When did your spiritual start and what inspired it?
The journey began in childhood spurred by the untimely demise of my mother that left me with many questions such as where had she gone and why had she left me behind? Answers were hard to come by and that left me with an unsettled feeling. Eventually, the main question became why were we here in the first place?
Life came in the way of this search and seeking of truth. College followed by marriage then children. My family became the priority and pressing issues turned to,”What’s for dinner Mom”. Yet, the nagging doubts remained and as the children grew and the youngest left for college the search resumed.
2. What were some of the spiritual leaders or books that influenced your journey?
The search for answers led to much reading and listening to spiritual talks online, in- person and following the discourses of Sister Shivani, and Sri Sri from ,”The Art of Living” and others. The concepts and learnings were at first difficult to grasp and required study. I would listen to the talks over and over again. The journey inched forward and one day I stumbled on a talk given by Sadhguru to a roomful of physicians. I replayed it, hearing it a few times and suddenly realized I had ignored the inner workings of my mind and focused on the external world as experienced by the senses. Sadhguru’s teachings slowly turned my perspective inward. I alone was responsible for inner peace and it depended solely on me.
Recognizing that the inside had to be re-engineered, I attended the Isha organization’s courses given by Sadhguru himself and began following a daily practice of Shambhavi mahamudra which incorporates meditation, yoga postures and controlled pranayamic breathing.
Published scientific studies by medical researchers have demonstrated many benefits of these practices such as reduction in stress, anxiety and increased sense of well being. Major institutions are actively involved in this research using tools such as fMRI to study the brain.
I have deepened my practice by attending additional courses at Isha centers in McMinnville Tennessee and Coimbatore, India. Isha programs are based on ancient yogic sciences. A vast group of teachers and volunteers, imbued with peace and joy ,offer the guidance and support that is needed for these learnings. Moreover, Isha is dedicated to other causes such as preservation of rivers ,forests and India’s temples.
3. What were some of the key benefits that you gained from this? What’s next for you?
Some personal benefits for me have been a growing sense of quiet, gratitude and mindfulness. It is not an easy path and the inward journey requires concentration, discipline, focus and practice, however the payoff is clear with enhanced sense of calmness ,quiet and well being.
My journey continues and much remains to be learned as I believe I am still a novice. Additional resources have included the Vedanta society and their many centers. I have enjoyed the talks of Swami Sarvapriyananda in particular and sought answers from the Gita and the Upanishads.
Clearly, there is much to achieve but the path is clear, illuminated and there is a roadmap.
The journey has begun. Aum Shanthi.
4. What were some of the key lessons you learned on your spiritual journey, that others can apply in their own journeys in the next journey?
The divinity we are all seeking is within us, yet we do not pay attention to it seeking it externally or up there somewhere in the heavens. Heaven is right here on this planet and able to be experienced joyfully in this lifetime. Our karma is our destiny and starts with every thought we have. We can cancel and reset our karmic balance. Only humans possess the ability to live consciously and must strive to do so. Finally, I know that I don’t know all the answers and am ignorant and this enhances the possibilities of knowing.
A quote by Sadhguru captures this well. “The only thing that stands between you and your well-being is a simple fact: you have allowed your thoughts and emotions to take instruction from the outside rather than the inside.”
5. Did you do any retreats? If so, what was that experience like? What did a day in the life look like at your retreat?
I completed Isha Institute of Inner-Sciences (Sadhguru) retreat. The most rewarding part of going to the Isha center, was meeting like-minded people. I have met some fantastic souls, for who are also searching for answers, and who looked at becoming more reflective and meditative as a way of life. Another striking feature was the spirit of volunteers there, who step away from work and their busy lives, to help others. The atmosphere is wholesome and the food is just fantastic. The typical day was long; it started at 6 am, with a few breaks, ending around 9 pm. I learnt some simple prayanayams (breathing techniques) and yoga . Not only is it good for your mind but also enhances your physical health too. It was a wonderful experience in my spiritual journey.
Thank you Sangeeta for sharing your journey with us! We are excited to have you in our global women’s network!
Bio: Sangeeta Verma is a graduate of the Women’s College, Chandigarh, India where she majored in sociology. In the US, Sangeeta was for many years administrator for a medical practice. After a long break dedicated to raising her family of three children, Sangeeta returned to work focusing on her love for fashion and design and created Sangeeta’s Bazar, a collection of high end costume jewelry,saris and modern dresses. She then started contemplating on larger issues that have always intrigued her such as the meaning of life and spiritual growth. Sangeeta is married with three children and lives in Pawtucket, Rhode Island with her husband, a physician. Aside from her family , her other passions are cooking and dance.
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