User:Kvwiki1234/Art of Living/Hike with Swami Sadyojatha



The following is a narration of the hike undertaken by the Art of Living Calgary to Banff Tunnel Mountain as part of hosting and celebrating His Holiness Swami Sadyojathah.

Part One
As we all arrived at Tunnel Mountain base camp, I exchanged my first words with Swamiji. I asked him if he has come here to Banff before, to which he quickly replied in the negative.

As some in our group were exchanging pleasantries and gathering their belongings, Swami Sadyojathah just turned toward the mountain and began hiking!

I followed along with him and closely following myself were Roshan and Zobila Sangroula.

After all, as the youth in the group, I figured it was incumbent upon us to be the athletic leaders of this hike!

Part Two
As I hiked behind the blissful Master, my eyes remained transfixed upon His feet.

I started to get into a rhythm,

following closely behind the Enlightened One,

my eyes zoning in on his feet alone,

my mind zoning out from the trappings of future’s past,

Being one with the movement, one with the rhythm, one with the flow.

As we wormed our way up Tunnel Mountain, Banff.

Part Three
As I began taking in strong, deliberate Ujjayi Pranayam to aid me in my efforts, I looked over at the Radiant Swami.

Beads of sweat covered his divine face, giving off an assured, determined glow, so radiant was he, Swami Sadyojathah, the Captain of this hiking crew.

However, there was one stunning observation, that shook me and thrilled me simultaneously.

I noticed I couldn’t hear him breathe.

At all.

The Blissful Master was right then and there demonstrating the power of his Pranashakti, moving up this challenging mountain without so much of a deep breath!

And being the leader and fastest hiker in the group?

Wow, not since Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Himself has such mastery of one’s praanic flow been demonstrated with such graceful ease.

I, Kartik Venkateswaran, was then reminded of the story of Angulimala, and his encounter with Shri Gautama Buddha.

Part Four
There was a story, that once a mugger named Aṅgulimāla chances upon the Enlightened Buddha.

He runs and runs at full effort to pounce upon his prey, however, the Enlightened Master walking slowly and effortlessly still manages to remain one step ahead.

This was literally my experience! Here I am walking up with full effort, challenging my quadriceps, leaning on my Ujjayi breath, eyes focused on the Divine Lotus Feet, and yet, Swamiji?

Not a single breath to be heard and with steady movement, it seemed as if He were gliding up the mountain through the aid of some extra dimensional force.

Wow, could this be? I could hardly process the wonder as I was transported that day to the World of the Enchanted!