MEET OUR FOUNDER, MICHAEL
Michael established Anukala Yoga Community to share the teachings and practices he received on Yoga, Vedanta and Tantra with others. In his effort to provide practitioners with the necessary foundation to move towards living a more spiritual existence whilst still being able to sustain a demanding, modern lifestyle.
Strengthening the bond between Western practicality and Eastern spirituality for the betterment and well-being of all.
'And there I spent the first, five tentative months of India’s initial lockdown. Far removed from the villagers of the four townships that patch the mountain’s faulted scarp. Rather, alongside one irascible, but kind-hearted, elderly monk. Becoming interim custodian of the temple. Thankful to have regained distance between myself and the hazmat suits, news reporters and volatile situation I had met with before my time in the jungle'.
'As weeks passed and fear of the virus lessened, the mountain’s inhabitants began to return and pay homage at the temple. Gradually, ritual and ceremony again filled the grounds with mantra, kirtan and the scent of homa, and I was initiated into the practices of Sanatana Dharma. An inner-science that allows a person to control the usually unchecked modifications of the mind and ultimately transcend its limitations'.
'In early-August, lockdown restrictions eased, bringing my stay at Vimleshwar to an end. Once more the search for a Guru continued and, after making my farewells, I ventured down the mountain to the banks of the Bhagirathi River, before heading upstream towards the source of the Ganga and the gates of Swami Premanand’s, Sivananda Ashram'.
'Swami Premanand, a Himalayan Master of great repute and a direct disciple of Swami Sivananda would conduct a daily satsang on ‘Yoga Vasistha’. A Sanskrit text of profound size and prestige that comprises the teachings of Yogic and Vedantic philosophy. Governing principles of existence that, when accepted into a person’s heart, enables them to navigate a surer course across the many ebbs and flows of life with greater ease and effect'.
'Aside from studying under the guidance of my Guru, teaching English at the nearby foundation school and writing poetry next to the glistening, turquoise waters of the Ganga, I would involve myself with the ashram’s daily activities. Taking on the role of cameraman for its many events and composing articles on Vedanta to feature in their monthly publication'.
- Excerpts above are taken from 'Elosee', a book written by Michael during his 2 1/2 years spent living in India during the coronavirus pandemic.
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