Hi Open, I find it supportive and encouraging that you continue to engage with me, and no, I don’t think you are overriding sovereignty here. You raise a couple of interesting points and I agree with all of it. But I think I could have been more accurate in how I express myself.

For example, when I mentioned 3 hours of work, it really depends on what kind of work to call it a vacation. I remember I was singing songs in a café in Goa a couple of years back. Just 3 nights a week, 3 hours a session, was overwhelming because the energy and the homework that’s needed to deliver that is massive — because you also have to innovate. Same with yoga — every day for a few weeks became too much for my body not too long ago. That’s partly because of how I was trying to fulfil a role, to play by the expectation, and thus pushed myself too far. I’m still carrying a neck sprain from going too far.

People come with many expectations of what they want from it. What if they don’t want divine union but a tight butt? I have seen people turning away when I introduce more meditation and less movement.

And in the face of that, to anchor in our truth — yes, it’s actually about divine union and not about any athletic performance — that’s courage and self-belief. It’s easier if you are working for yourself compared to working for somebody else.

You said,

But aren't you pre-judging both them and the situation?

This is massive. Just expecting other people to be a particular way can highly distort how we express in the world. I can see how judgments and doubt are distorting the flow. There is that thinking: maybe if I do more homework, get a TTC, then I will be ready! I think many people might feel the same way. It reminds me of Paramahamsa Yogananda, who went to the USA to deliver a speech without knowing a word of English but simply trusted; despite the fear, he began speaking fluently on stage because he was meant to!

I think it’s an opportunity for mastery — how not to compromise but also blend in. The times I have anchored in myself and found the flow through the yoga expression, many times going out on a limb, it has been beautiful not just for me but also for others involved.

And btw, the place is breathtaking and they are quite open to conducting workshops and retreats. Maybe Openhand could come here

Thankyou for your reflections.

Vimal 🙏