After an all night train to Varanasi and aside from many different adventures that took place, I met a woman from South Africa who was only visiting for a few days. Her name is Sita Giri, a sadhvi ( a female sadhu), we met at the same guest house. She asked me to share pizza with her to celebrate her birthday, how could I not. We had a great time swapping stories and getting to know each other better. I told her about my new name, goals, and about my concerns about the state of sadhus in Varanasi and how they acted, begging, amongst other stories I heard from locals. Basically I didn't trust any of them. Sita was understanding and offered for me to come to a little place she was headed to called Laxman Jhula, just outside of Rishikesh in the north to meet the ones she knew. I accepted the invite and within days I was on a train bound to reconnect with a new friend.
Sita introduces me to the Baba, or Maharaja, or Sadhu ( among a few different names they are called) friends she told me about. One Baba who lives along the ganga in a Kutir, which is his cave with sacred fire in the Duni ( fire pit). Surrounded by other local holy men and visitors talking about god, others are involved with a lovely old stitch work done with mantra, while they catch up with each other over tea.
I'll have to cut to the chase, to much happened each and every moment of everyday. wow.
That is where I met my Guru, Nirmal Muni, a sadhu since he was 13 years old.
It was his amazing energy, stitch work with mantra as meditation and the light in his eyes that attracted me. I wanted what I believe he had, and that was a higher energy and access to knowledge I seek. I told him about becoming Maha yogi, and he agreed to help. He initiated me into Sadhu life as Sagar Muni, Sagar meaning ocean or sea, (meaning: that my heart is big like that and can contain many things.) Muni meaning 'sage'. As well, I am Brahmacharya, which is basically a celibate thats not allowed to drink, though I am allowed to worship Shiva as much as I like;)
Guruji took me around to other ashrams/temples in the cities or jungles,caves introducing me and showing me the ropes of my new life. As well as showing me the akhara or sect we belong to in Haridwar, the Sri Panchatyi Bada Udasan Akhara.
I decided that I would return to Canada, tie up loose ends and begin the process to return to India within the next few years and start my training to become Maha Yogi.
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