Restfulness through Volunteering

As the Sunday lazes, I sit back, tired from all the scrolling through social. I relaxed my mind from feeding it updates on varied topics. As I close my eyes, there is this image being projected, yet again. It’s been 3 weeks since I have come back from Isha Yoga Center, but it seems my mind’s stuck there. The glimpses of Maha Shivaratri Volunteering, the miles we walked, the bonds I made, everything floats in my mind.

One evening, I got a text asking if I will volunteer at the Ashram. That text made my heart jump with joy, of course. After informing the family, I booked the rail tickets and confirmed my departure to the Ashram. One and half years of not visiting the place made me much eager to travel. The covid tests were taken, essentials shopped, luggage packed, and before I realized I was at the railway station waiting for the train. New friendships made ad progressed as the train slowly moved across Tamil Nadu. The dawn made its presence through the window, as coconut trees appeared as a silhouette. The view so beautiful, my drowsiness just vanished. As Coimbatore Junction approached, we got down to see even more Isha volunteers walking toward us. We booked a taxi to Isha Yoga Center. As we were near the Ashram, the eyes of AdiYogi were well visible, the rest covered by coconut farms. The sight of Sarpa Vasal made me beam. The formalities were done and luggage rest, temples visited and meditation done.

I see how the birds fly, chirping around, reminding us of the start of a fresh day. The sun kissing me as I admire the water lilies at the SuryaKund bridge and occasional visits by tortoise made my mornings blissful. Initially, the rest period spent making connections with the strangers of Isha's family or meet friends volunteering at different locations. Later, the volunteering kept us occupied. The unusually long walks in the scorching heat to the volunteering bay, while joking how all the calories from lunch were being burnt. And as the birds return to their nest in the dark, we walk back to our designated sleep area, sometimes clicking selfies over the bridge or wishing the store to be open to buy a drink. The hills surrounded me, stars seen clearer, and the breeze on my cheek enveloped my heart with warmth. The search for a charging station just volunteers things :P. And when the phone’s resting, I sit grasping the knowledge and spirituality from all around.

But tiredness wasn’t there on Maha Shivaratri. The sight of AdiYogi didn’t let me blink! Such is his presence dwelled. Artists sang as we all danced, with our masks up, of course. The sand was rising too, excited at the energy of the volunteers, especially of Sadhanapada alumni. Standing at the rails as Sadhguru walked on the stage and having made eye contact was magic. The sudden gush of emotions mixed with tears is something that I have never experienced before. An hour was what it took for my tears to stop! Few eye-opening harsh realities on temples explained that lead to the silent protest of 'Free TN Temples' started. Occasional eye shutting moments and meditations wrapped up the Maha Shivaratri night. It truly was a night like none other. And immediate volunteering made us astonish, but the latter covered up by others. So, I just sat making friends with the ones I missed earlier. The final volunteer meeting and we all packed our bags with a heavy heart. The next day I sat in the canteen as I talk to Anna, who spoke so raw about life and taught things while I feed on the veg puff. And swiftly we grabbed the luggage, booked auto, reached the station, and packing dinner at the restaurant isn’t short of a feat. Dinner and love stories made our night. The next morning was gloomy as we recollected those 12 days of exhilarating experiences. But then came Hyderabad. Everyone was back at their place, but I am sure everyone just left their heart back at the Ashram. That, my friend, was the end of a magical escape for Isha Meditators.