Muni and Mary Beth Natarajan
People Making a Difference
Muni Natarajan - “Peaceful Warrior”
By David Emch
Time and misinterpretation dilute things of value. So
it is with Yoga, an ancient method of attaining spiritual enlightenment.
What is commonly called “Yoga” today is but a preparatory tool used in a single
stage of the age-old discipline. Adherents claim that this original form
(known as Raja, Jnana or Ashtanga Yoga) is a time tested pathway that leads
to Self-realization and a direct spiritual connection with
God. This yoga teaches the student to carry the resultant intuition,
wisdom and serenity into their daily activities and interactions. And
locally an ascetic of this tradition teaches and lives.
Muni
Natarajan of Daniel Island spent 37 years as a monk in an order that directly
traces its lineage back 3,500 years when the ancient Veda scriptures were
written in India. Although monks do not usually leave the monastic
lifestyle, Muni did so after the death of his teacher, Satguru Sivaya
Subramuniyaswami 1927-2001.
During his
time as a monk, one of Muni's jobs was to serve as a guide and teacher on
spiritual tours of the East. These tours were organized by the
monastery. During one of these tours, he met his future wife, Mary
Beth, who was one of ninety pilgrims on the 2004 "Inner-search," as
it was called. In 2007, Muni left the monastic life to marry, and now
resides with his wife, Mary Beth, on Daniel Island. The author of 2
books (A Monk’s Tale and Into the “I” of All,) Muni
shares his knowledge and discoveries of spirituality and Yoga through weekly
classes, workshops, music and art.
“My
teacher was forever telling us, 'I'm just a garbage man,” says Muni.
“What he meant by this was that everyone is perfect in essence — they're just
carrying garbage. This garbage consists of those subconscious
'issues' that are not yet resolved in understanding. Typically, this so called
garbage only surfaces in embarrassing situations or as impediments to
meditation. My teacher insisted that a deeper practice of yoga can help
those who are willing to let go of their garbage.”
“The
true yoga starts with the body and breathing which are physical hooks and
handles for seeking internal awareness. Once one has found
harmony within and with the external, the inner and outer are yoked
together in the yoking of yoga. The overcoming of each
impediment leads to ever deepening meditation, which
ultimately culminates in a deep state of bliss. Holding
this bliss without falling into distraction ultimately leads to enlightenment. This
Yoga takes much persistence, hence one must have a deep yearning for knowledge
and spiritual growth. Although anyone can realize much benefit from Yoga,
those who are driven to it by some manner of deep adversity progress the
furthest. And each student is an individual – each has their own unique
set of intentions and capabilities which I must consider and then teach
accordingly.”
Teaching
at this level doesn’t just happen. Muni awakens at 3 am each morning and
spends four hours in personal yoga practice. Working
through eight steps of an ancient yoga practice brings him into a state of
mind that allows him to intuitively and effectively convey what is needed to
those who seek. “I cannot give something that we all don't already have,”
says Muni. "Deep within, we are all perfect. This perfection is there
to be realized. The only thing blocking that realization is garbage."
And his efforts
are making a difference. “Everyone I know who comes to Muni's
classes is becoming calmer, nicer, more friendly,” remarks one Daniel Island
resident and student. And thus a peaceful revolution has begun – one
student, one interaction and one community at a time.
For
more information about Muni and his work, please visit his web site: 4siva.com.
You may also contact him directly at muni@4siva.com. David Emch, author
of this article, is a Mount Pleasant resident who is currently on a three year
journey around the perimeter of the United States as a fund raiser to drive
research for a cure for epilepsy through MUSC. You can follow him and
assist this effort at www.CaptureAmerica.blogspot.com or by contacting him directly at CaptureAmerica1@gmail.com.
note - article to run Wednesday 1/8/14 in the Moultrie News
No comments:
Post a Comment
Feedback