Intro Day

Our first day--arrival day at Omega Institute--started with registration, dinner, and then the first evening satsang program. It was a long day; we got back to our rooms after midnight. But it was a magical evening that set the tone for what is certain to be a magical month.

My room looks exactly like in the pictures....just as small and sparse. My cabin is a ways away, up a hill. But its near a tranquil Japanese garden that more than makes up for the hill climb.

The satsang program was held in the Main Hall, which is where we will spend most of our time--mostly because its one of the few rooms that can hold all 110 of us! Actually, there are more than that, because there are also David and Sharon, 5 mentors, and 2 alumni. So the total of us "Jivamuktis" is about 119!

And the group is from all over, including:

• Europe - Sweden, Norway, Germany, Austria, London, Kosovo, Italy
• Middle East - Turkey and UAE (Dubai), Israel
• Asia - Taiwan and Hong Kong
• Americas - Canada, Ecuador, Bahamas, Guatemala
• Australia
• US - all over the country, including as far away as Hawaii

And not only are we an international group, but there are people of all ages from early twenties to late sixties. Its really exciting to see how far Jivamukti is being distributed worldwide.

We all gathered, a sea of white, in front of a beautiful altar surrounded by flowers and candles. On a raised platform were Sharon and David, quietly and angelically sitting. At exactly 8pm, the room hushed and David and Sharon stood up…..They bowed to the altar and to the mentors, and then went down the rows bowing to EACH student, making sure to look each trainee in the eyes and acknowledge them. What a powerful opening! And it was all done in silence. But the silence "spoke" so much about their love and caring.

Our opening set the tone for the entire month and I am convinced it will be a magical experience. Actually, Sharon said something to that affect when she advised us to "just show up" even when things get hard -- as they surely will for each of us, sooner or later. But if we made a commitment to just show up--she made us promise her--then in return she promised us that magic and miracles are guaranteed.

So, for the next two and a half hours, each mentor and then each trainee stood up and introduced themselves. Sharon said it was our first test--not only having to introduce ourselves to the entire group but also to "see" everyone as a holy being. Actually, we all have nametags with our names prefaced by that term….for example, my name tag says, "Holy Being, Agatha Glowacki." Sharon explained that the ONLY job of a yoga teacher is to see their students as holy beings. What a concept!

Well, it wasn't hard to do so with this group. Every single person had an amazing background and history, and each shared straight from their heart what Jivamukti meant for them and why they were there. There was one who broke 3 addictions through yoga, another who used to be a Buddhist monk, some yoga teachers who wanted to go deeper, a law school dropout, an Omega staffer, and a world bank consultant turned yoga instructor. And many many more amazing people.

We closed the night with an ancient fire ceremony called Aarti. Sharon gave one last advice for the month ahead. She told us to be patient with the material as the days go by, especially when we feel overwhelmed or don't understand a particular teaching, because we already know all this stuff, but it will sometimes take some time to be remembered. And she also told us to have faith when things are confusing because in time---all will be revealed. J