Hi! My name is Esther. I'm really looking forward to starting this course on Sunday. :)
I am new to this path, although I was strongly drawn to it after an NDE and subsequent life disruptions.
I have spent the better part of my day, over the last two years, studying the Bhagavad Gita and listening to teachers like Swami Sarvapriyananda Ji.
This is how I learned about the course offered here after hearing Dr. Sthaneshwar speak on Kashmir Shaivism at the New York Vedanta society.
Also, I'm not sure I would have found this path except that I spent a year in Jakarta, Indonesia (2023/2024) and despite the fact that it is 90% Muslim there is a very strong Hindu influence even in the capital.
Last week I came to realize that I needed to meet other like minded people on this path. And this course seemed to present itself.
I have a great deal to learn and will do my best to keep up!
I think you will enjoy Acaryaji quite a lot. The more I listen to his lectures and see how he carries himself at these Zoom events and what not he puts on. He’s very endearing.
He clearly knows these texts well. In an academic way as well as a lived sense.
I’ve learned a lot, I’ve devoured two whole course and working on a third in three months time. And I’m excited for this Yogasutra course as well.
But I think the thing that sold me the most… Wasn’t even just the knowledge he’s passing on, it was in this most recent Zoom event he did with the Vedanta Society of San Diego. When we got to the Q&A portion, a guy named Jeff who I saw ask questions a couple times in the Foundational Shaivism course’s Q&A videos; which was recorded years ago at this point I suppose… Well Jeff showed up live and asked a question! And just how Acaryaji reacted… It was honestly pretty adorable! Maybe it didn’t strike everyone else so strongly. But that spoke volumes to me, it caused a ripple in me. Akin to someone slinging a cinderblock into a pond.
And I was just left with the sense that this is an extremely good dude. (And I’m intentionally settling on the word “dude” for him; coming from a place of loving familiarity. And because I feel like it’s reflective of his down to Earth and rather playful nature). Like even if he didn’t know about all of this, or ANY of it for that matter. I feel like he’s the sort of person who would make you a better person just by virtue of him being in your life somehow.
So I think we are very fortunate to be able to learn some not only some knowledgeable. But also someone with such sincerity and warmth as well. And I definitely see why Swami Sarvapriyananda has introduced so many to Acaryaji. Myself included, in much the same sort of way you did.
A couple of years ago I was doing the same sort of thing. Listening to all those lectures of Spotify as they posted them. But as much as I admire and adore Swamiji as well, I think this is the man who I would love to be able to call my Guru one day.
And if not, I’m blessed to be able to learn what I have from him so far. And I’ll always be thankful for this time I’ve spent learning with Vimarsha. Even if I never get as involved as someone like Desmond or a handful of the others, I don’t ever foresee a day I won’t sit for a lecture if Acaryaji is willing to teach.
So I think you will be quite pleased. It’s a little intense at first, it’s a lot to learn. But it comes quickly! And it almost becomes addicting to have it unravel before you.
Wish you the best of luck new friend! ❤️