from Devon
Acharya
My name is Devon.
Approximately 14 years ago, I was standing in the school parking lot, waiting to pick up my two young daughters. While chatting with the other mothers, Kristin Laak invited me to come to her Yoga Asana class. I had never taken a yoga class before.
I showed up the following week. I enjoyed the breathwork, postures, and short Silence practice.
I experienced a palpable, peace and contentment that stayed with me throughout the day. I began to come to class regularly.
I asked Kristin if she had any recommendations for books about Yoga. She handed me Acharya’s book, “Yogabhumika.”
As fate would have it, Acharya was coming to the United States, specifically, Ashland, Oregon. Kristin invited me to come hear him speak.
When I arrived to the yoga studio, it was packed with many people. Acharya and Vijaya entered the room and many longtime students got on their knees and bowed to him. All of this was very foreign to me and out of my comfort zone.
When Acharya began to speak, his accent, cadence, and use of Sanskrit, made it challenging to understand what he was sharing.
However, I received something beyond the words. For a moment, all of time stopped, and something felt unusually familiar.
It felt as though he was singing a melody to my Soul.
It felt like he was offering me an invitation, to come Home.
From that point forward, I received the teachings from Acharya during his visits to the US, while traveling to India and through the Jivana Yoga Program.
Acharya’s teachings have supported me in my life in a multitude of ways.
Through cultivating a Yogic Lifestyle, I have begun to enjoy an inner peace and contentment that is (mostly) independent of the external world.
By slowing down and living a simple life, which includes Silence Practice, Asana, Pranayama, supportive food, nature, like-minded company, doing my duty, cultivating noble qualities and studying, “The Sacred Tradition of Yoga,”
I am experiencing a deeply satisfying, inner life.
As a result, I am utilizing this precious life, to do good in the world, to the best of my capacity.
Through my connection with Acharya and his teachings, I have become aware that I am more than just this body- mind.
Having this perspective has allowed me to do my duty, while simultaneously being less attached to how the external pieces of my life unfold.
It has supported me to let go, and feel more light and free.
Acharya said to me once, “you don’t need to take notes, it is about our heart to heart connection.”
I have received gifts from Acharya that I am unable to put into words and that I could never, “repay.”
Years ago, during class, I expressed my gratitude to Acharya and asked, “How could I ever repay you, for all that you have so generously given? “
His reply,
(I am paraphrasing)
“ you do not need to repay me. You repay the Universe, by being a noble human being.”
I have taken his words to heart, and it is my life’s purpose.
~ Dev
BYD
The first time I came to India was in 2013. Visiting the BYD land is a memory that continues to live inside of me and serves me to this day.
At that time, I did not possess much knowledge about yoga. What struck me was the experience that I had while walking around the land. I felt as though I was stepping into a pocket of the universe, that was pure, simple, powerful, sweet and imbued with a quality of truth and innate goodness.
It was surreal and revealing.
My mind curiously became calm and quiet. I felt as though I was in a paradise of possibility.
I have since been back to the BYD land, five times in total. Each time, I have received benefits.
In 2023, I attended the 25th Year celebration of BYD.
It was extraordinary.
I had the good fortune of being able to witness the Indian community, staff, students, and teachers in their inherent environment. Ācārya has defined beauty as, “naturalness fully evolved.” I experienced true beauty on that day.
I continue to receive insights and messages from that rare and precious experience.
Through their living example and presence, Ācārya, Vijaya, Ganapathiārya, Ādarshārya, Anantariārya, Madhukeshwarārya and the BYD community have all supported me in my studies of Yoga, Ayurveda and most importantly, my quest for cultivating noble qualities, to be a force of goodness in the universe.
With an open heart, I offer my gratitude for this inestimable opportunity. Thank you.
Devon
