Discovering the right book at the right time can be a transformative experience, especially when it comes to deepening our understanding of yoga. It was the year 2016, when I got a chance to travel to Rishikesh, the “Yoga Capital of the World,” to learn traditional Yoga from the Masters of Himalayas. It was during this transformative journey that I met my teacher.
He placed a particular book in my hands, emphasizing its importance: “Living with Himalayan Masters” by Swami Rama.
I approached the book intending to read a chapter each day, a steady pace I maintained for the first four days. However, something remarkable happened.
The book’s profound wisdom and beautiful storytelling just grabbed my attention. Within the next five days, I found myself finishing the entire book, unable to put it down. It was as if the stories themselves were drawing me deeper into their message, revealing a new perspective on yoga that I couldn’t wait to explore further. What began as a casual reading experience quickly transformed into a life-altering encounter.
Yoga. For some, it’s a trendy workout. For some, it’s a fitness regime and for others, it’s a spiritual practice. But “Living with Himalayan Masters” showed me that yoga is not only about having a good physic or to way to cure your health issues, it is much more than this.
It’s a lifelong journey of self-discovery, guided by wisdom, discipline, and the removal of one’s biggest obstacle: ego.
The book wasn’t just a collection of fancy poses or information about which asana will remove which body ailments. This book shattered my limited understanding of yoga and revealed its true essence.
Swami Rama, through his own experiences with Himalayan masters, painted a picture of yoga as a way of life, encompassing every aspect of your being — physical, mental, and spiritual. He shared stories of his teachers, emphasizing the importance of a Guru, a wise guide on this transformative path.
One story that resonated deeply was when Swami Rama’s first teacher, Bengali Baba, refused to teach him until he understood the importance of discipline. It wasn’t about forcing yourself into uncomfortable poses, but about cultivating internal discipline in everything you do — from honoring your commitments to staying focused on your goals.
This resonated with my own yoga journey. In my own journey, I am fortunate to have a teacher, who is a direct disciple of Swami Vedha Bharathi, himself a disciple of Swami Rama. This lineage of wisdom and transmission of teachings from master to disciple embodies the essence of the Himalayan tradition, rooted in ancient wisdom and spiritual lineage.
For me, this book has become a constant reminder of the dangers of ego. Swami Rama described how his journey wasn’t always smooth sailing. He encountered moments of self-doubt, arrogance, and a desire for recognition — all roadblocks on the path of yoga. Recognizing and overcoming these egoistic tendencies became a crucial part of his growth.
“Ego is like a magnifying glass,” Swami Rama writes, “it amplifies both your strengths and weaknesses.” He emphasized the importance of self-awareness and humility in cultivating true growth on this journey.
Reading his words, I realized how easily ego can creep into my practice. Maybe I compare myself to others or get frustrated when I can’t perform a pose perfectly. But the book offered a solution: practicing selfless service and focusing on the journey, not the destination.
“Living with Himalayan Masters” wasn’t just a book; it was a catalyst. It transformed my yoga practice from a routine into a mindful exploration of myself. It taught me that true yoga is about cultivating inner peace, discipline, and self-awareness, with the guidance of a teacher and the unwavering commitment to overcome the biggest hurdle — ego.
As I continue on my yoga journey, Swami Rama’s words and the wisdom of my teacher continue to guide me. This book is a treasure trove of knowledge, a timeless reminder that yoga is not just about poses, but about transforming oneself from the inside out.