Yogi Amrit Desai - "Kripalu Meditation in Motion"

By Aileen Hansen

The energy in the room felt thick. It was ethereal, electrical, and enlivening. People were spellbound and breathless. The lights were dimmed, but a couple of people said they saw auras of colored lights. A few people had tears running down their cheeks. Other witnesses testified that they felt intense heat in their bodies. Some people said that they had inner visions. Some were touched by past memories. By a show of hands, everyone in the group admitted to having had an experience that was out of the ordinary.

Yet for those who are familiar with the presence of Yogi Amrit Desai as he demonstrates a Kripalu Yoga Meditation in Motion "posture flow," it was nothing unusual at all. Thousands of people all over the world can testify to his powerful ability to access what he calls his Inner Source, while drawing an entire crowd of people into his radiant energy field. The effect is astonishing, since witnesses of his posture flows testify to extraordinary experiences, including profound awakening and lasting transformation.

It was at an intimate gathering at the Unity Northwest Church in Des Plaines in September that Yogi Desai demonstrated this Kripalu yoga posture flow. For two evenings he also eloquently spoke on yoga, meditation, and everyday life to a group of about 50.

Originator of Kripalu Yoga, Desai is oftentimes called Gurudev, which means "beloved teacher." A modern day yoga master, he has earned international distinction. Being a humble man, Desai does not use any of the many titles officially bestowed upon him. They include Acharya Pravaraha (supreme spiritual teacher), Yogacharya (spiritual preceptor), Maharishi (great sage), and Jagadacharya (world teacher). He also has an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy degree, as well as a Doctorate of Yoga Science.

Although he is well accustomed to speaking to throngs of people-many jockeying to get a seat closer to him-Gurudev was as animated and engaged with the small Des Plaines group as he'd have been if there were 500 in it. A charismatic speaker, he captivated the interest of the group, which was evident by the number of questions and answers that were discussed.

Like a wise and loving father, he gave sound advice at the seminar. His words were interjected with humor and good will. Having a knack for ruthlessly revealing the futile games people play throughout life, Gurudev's messages were clear and sensible. His love for life, people, and God was evident in his reverent manner of speaking. His wisdom freely flowed like cascading water, and defies quick summarization.

One of his points was that the only true joy we will ever find in our lives comes from our Inner Source and not from the enticements of the external world. He maintains that we habitually look in the wrong places for life's joy. Looking outside of ourselves, we cannot find inner fulfillment.

We wrongly expect that inner satisfaction will come through relationships, entertainment, fame, money, and possessions. When we do not find happiness in some external places, we repeat our mistake by going to others. We proceed to change our friends, spouses, homes, careers, and our outer appearance. We seek newness in many ways, distracting ourselves from finding the joy we desire, which comes only from within.

Yogi Desai recommended living a more conscious life that focuses on our inner experiences. He explained that self-observation is fundamental in realizing that peace, joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment are the result of our inner images. We create and are responsible for all of our experiences. Through conscious awareness, we can become guided from within to make inner changes, which result in a richer experience in everyday life.

Gurudev also advises making a commitment to live in a relaxed body and a peaceful state of mind. Through awareness we can observe the state of our body and mind. When we become disturbed, we can use the breath to relax into the experience that life is presenting. He is practical in this approach, suggesting that at first we attempt to stay aware and peaceful when small challenges come our way. On a gradual basis, we will eventually become adept at staying calm even in greater trials.

He suggested that, rather than pushing to control life, we learn to let life flow. The flow comes as we see the inevitable truth of each moment, instead of resisting the moments that we do not like. As we learn to let go of control, the prana or life force flows more freely through our bodies. Otherwise, the prana is blocked when we become tense and forceful. By allowing life to flow, we can then experience better physical and mental health. We also begin to experience spiritual growth.

He encouraged witnessing how we react to life. For example, we can observe the reactions that we have when we are presented with conflicts. We can witness how our thoughts and actions interfere with our peace. With that information, we can then manage our reactions better and create a new way of being for ourselves. Through this conscious living we can become free of unconscious habits that get in the way of our happiness.

Of course this process is not always easy. To aid us in becoming more and more conscious every day, Gurudev recommends regular meditation. He also recommends the practice of his Kripalu yoga, which entails a three-stage process of development. It involves proper body alignment, coordination of breath, and meditation.

Kripalu yoga's evolution is rich in a sacred lineage, intense spiritual practices, and time-honored tradition. Yogi Desai named it after his guru, Swami Shri Kripalvanandji, who was an enlightened master of Shaktipat Kundalini Yoga. Also called Bapuji (dear father), Shri Kripalvanandji devoted his life to meditation and various yoga practices for 10 hours a day for 25 years, including 12 years of complete silence. Desai's guru-brother Rajarshi Muni writes, "According to the ancient scriptures, only one Yogi in five hundred years reaches to the highest stage of this path...Such a man was Swami Shri Kripalvanandji." In 1981 Bapuji left his body in mahasamadhi, the final merging into God.

Today, most of the yoga community has heard about Kripalu yoga. Prominent Kripalu teachers are featured in almost every national yoga convention. Additionally, countless highly respected teachers of other traditions have taught seminars at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts. Established in 1970 by Yogi Desai, it is the largest yoga center in the U.S.

Gurudev and Bapuji's teachings thrive in America and throughout the world. The legacy of Kripalvanandji lives on through over 1,000 Kripalu yoga teachers across the U.S. and in 15 other countries as well. Gurudev's radiant qualities have inspired spiritual growth in thousands of seekers.

Ironically, Desai became a controversial figure in the yoga community when he resigned from his position as spiritual director of Kripalu Center in 1994, due to his own disreputable conduct. The yoga community was shocked and baffled over the disparaging incongruities in his personality. The ordeal was fraught with sexual abuse, power abuse, betrayal, and lies.

Yet as unity reigns over duality, healing and truth have prevailed. The Kripalu community is in its fifth year of renewal, and 1999 has been a record-breaking year of success with over 20,000 visitors to the Center. Kripalu has emerged with a vision that is stronger and clearer than ever. Most importantly, followers of the Kripalu path rely on the authority of their own Inner Guru, rather than surrendering their power to any teacher.

Today at 67, Yogi Desai is as strong and agile as a jaguar, with a radiant countenance. To many, he continues to be an enigma. Having taken time for self-reflection, he now teaches independently throughout the country. His latest teaching engagement entailed a New Year's Eve televised extravaganza with Deepak Chopra in Palm Springs, California.

For information regarding Gurudev's seminars, call the Sumneytown Yoga Center at (215) 234-6842. For information about the Kripalu Yoga Center call (800)-741-7353.

Aileen Hansen has been studying Kripalu yoga with Yogi Amrit Desai since l988.