Serenity Surfacing - by Will Griffin's
Inner Freedom - by Carolyn Reese
Amazing Grace - by Doug Longmore
Bars - No Bar - by Krishnan Venkatraman

An Insight Into Humility and Thankfulness
by Rubka Tamarat

For several years I have volunteered for several of the yoga programs, but did not take the opportunity to meet and know participants going through various programs. During other programs, I was busy with chores and what needs to be done next that I shied from contact with participants. To feel emotions, smiles and gestures of gratitude and in return to do the same, are gifts for expansion.

Volunteering in the Isha Yoga prison program at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in LaGrange, Kentucky gave me the opportunity to take this gift and to pay attention to my own experiences from a different perspective. I cannot express what I received and exchanged with the participants, yet I was grateful to accept humbly this rare, precious gift.

During these six days, I was able to connect with the participants in different ways. I came to admire their courage, trust, love and even resistances displayed as they encountered the simple truth of everyday life. Participants who completed the program expressed their gratitude in such humility and thankfulness that it was very humbling. Their openness to receive this precious gift opened a new dimension and intensity in my own process of "where we are," and "who we can become."

My experience was incredible. By some grace, I accepted them as part of myself, and in that acceptance there was an opening within my heart. When the heart opens, a sudden expansion of awareness occurs. In this awareness it becomes easy to realize that we are just one people with different bodies, emotions and mental attitudes. When the heart functions as it is, it does not matter what personality one has or what one has done or has not done; without struggle without judgment, it is easy to accept anyone or any situation. This story is not about me but about people who ran into unfortunate situations. So let me continue about their story.

The humility and thankfulness of the participants was very humbling. The sixth and the last day of the program were emotionally taxing for all of us. They were used to us and we were used to them. We were used to the daily routine of checking in and out, and it was becoming very familiar. Before the program ended, we had time to interact with them and to see them off to areas we were not allowed to enter. During some of the conversations I had with them, I heard these statements from the participants.

Larry stated that he has been feeling so peaceful for the past three days that it made him forget he was behind bars. He said he had knee problems for the past five days and for some reason when he awakened on the sixth day to do his practice (Sun Salutation), it was suddenly very easy. In a very curious way he asked, "I wonder, if this happened in 6 days what will happen next as I continue to do my practices?"

James was only 19 years old. He said, "I am only 19 years old and what I learned here will last me for a long time to come." He said he told Sadhguru that he commits himself to do the practices he learned on a daily basis.

Another individual (I failed to remember his name) was a man daily assigned to record the program. He quietly sat in the back of the room and did not say much. I was wondering and was concerned how the program was affecting him. So I approached him and started a conversation. I found him so enthusiastic. He said "Oh I have learned so much." Talking about Sadhguru, he said, that he was amazing even through his humor is telling the truth. He said he couldn't wait to come each day to listen to the tapes repeatedly. I asked him if he could make it available to the participants in the program if they are willing to come and to listen with him. He said I could do it because I work here, but if they have time they can come too.

It was sad to see them for the last time, but, within, I was so happy for them. What a blessing when the unbelievable becomes a reality. As the door of their hearts opened to receive this precious gift, a new dimension and intensity in my own process was also made possible. Humility, thankfulness and an insight into what we can become is what we are all left with.

Rubka Tamarat is an Isha Foundation Volunteer from Nashville, Tennessee.