Yep.
"The Guru is simply one who reflects your original condition, your inner Guru. The external Guru's duty is to show your own Guru within."
I met Erich first online, then got a couple videos, then read the book.. and then I went to the Yoga Journal Conference in NYC, where there were loads of teachers and workshops and about a zillion people. The first workshop I signed up for was his, on "gentle yoga", from 7 - 8:30 am ( I still have the audio from that, it was great). So after the class I took my book up and got in line to ask him to sign it, and said, "ummm, hi, I 'm Chaya, from the board".. and he just lit up and said, "Oh, yeah, yeah!" and gave me a big Erich hug. I was blown away enough by that.. and then he signed the book "to Chayaji". He asked me, "Do you know what that means, to put "ji" on the end of someone's name? I said, no.. and when he explained it, I just kind of took the book back, emitted this little squeak ( can you imagine me NOT being able to talk?) , bowed, and scooted back to my seat.
At that point in my life, I was just coming out of a serious depression, and had so many issues with self -abuse.. the idea that this "famous" yoga teacher would put "ji " on the end of my name literally knocked the wind out of me. Yes, I thought.. this is the real deal.. and if I could be more like this guy, and do this practice, I would be a better person all around... and that I was not, after all, as hopeless as I thought I was.
"The Guru is simply one who reflects your original condition, your inner Guru. The external Guru's duty is to show your own Guru within."
I met Erich first online, then got a couple videos, then read the book.. and then I went to the Yoga Journal Conference in NYC, where there were loads of teachers and workshops and about a zillion people. The first workshop I signed up for was his, on "gentle yoga", from 7 - 8:30 am ( I still have the audio from that, it was great). So after the class I took my book up and got in line to ask him to sign it, and said, "ummm, hi, I 'm Chaya, from the board".. and he just lit up and said, "Oh, yeah, yeah!" and gave me a big Erich hug. I was blown away enough by that.. and then he signed the book "to Chayaji". He asked me, "Do you know what that means, to put "ji" on the end of someone's name? I said, no.. and when he explained it, I just kind of took the book back, emitted this little squeak ( can you imagine me NOT being able to talk?) , bowed, and scooted back to my seat.
At that point in my life, I was just coming out of a serious depression, and had so many issues with self -abuse.. the idea that this "famous" yoga teacher would put "ji " on the end of my name literally knocked the wind out of me. Yes, I thought.. this is the real deal.. and if I could be more like this guy, and do this practice, I would be a better person all around... and that I was not, after all, as hopeless as I thought I was.
I can exactly picture EVERYTHING about you doing that, Marianne...the
sound, the expression on your face, what your arms would do, the whole thing. Great story.
Sri
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