By Rosemary (Rudrani) Nogue, Yogaratna

Decades ago, my mind told me I wouldn’t be good enough to take Yoga Teacher Training.  The trainer looked me square in the eye and said, “If not now — when?”  The words had an effect.  I took that initial training in another style.  It was my steppingstone toward the fortunate discovery of Svaroopa^® Yoga Teacher Training.  

After I became a Certified Svaroopa^® Yoga Teacher, I realized I could serve students even more profoundly through Gurudevi’s Meditation Teacher Training (MTT).  I took MTT twice.  The first was the original survey syllabus course.  The training gave me the knowledge and experience to grow into a daily meditator and a meditation teacher.

The second, following Gurudevi’s sannyas initiation, was for certification as a Svaroopa^® Vidya Meditation teacher.  I could have upgraded to it through a phone course plus an in-person program over a long weekend.  Yet I opted to take Gurudevi’s expanded 10-day MTT in-person course.  Why?  It was a huge opportunity to re-experience 10 days of being in the flow of Guru’s Grace.  I wanted to imbibe the teachings, practices and challenges again from the new place I was at. 

Both times, taking MTT was wonderfully overwhelming and hard.  I wasn’t a meditator for my first MTT.  Every day, we chanted and meditated, and Gurudevi taught new sutras related to meditation.  Then we were assigned daily homework to explain a sutra using our own words.

I often wrote talks late into the night.  I needed to sleep as well as to complete my talk.  This gave me an opportunity to learn to settle deeper within using mantra.  Then writing came more easily — and bed could follow.  I was in the flow of palpable Grace, although I didn’t know what to call it then. 

The next day, I would get clear, supportive feedback on my short talk.  I learned what I had done well and ways to improve.  This training gave me practice at putting words to “That” which is hard to express.

Both MTT courses gave me a three-class structure to build a “Learn to Meditate” course.  I could totally support my “soon to be” students with teachings and practicalities.  I was set up to give them everything they needed to become daily lifelong meditators.  I was prepared to teach them how to uncover their own Inherent Divinity.

In my second MTT, Gurudevi’s gift of the enlivened mantra gave me the understanding and experience of its power.  I was beautifully prepared to share the revelatory mantra of our lineage with students.

There is nothing I would rather teach than meditation.  What a privilege and honor to guide others to understand and experience the true goal and purpose of meditation.  There isn’t a greater life changing experience I could offer than teaching someone to meditate. 

Every time I teach my “Learn to Meditate” course, I am deepened.  How can I offer these profound teachings and not experience greater understanding, more Self-knowing and joy?  Grace supports me and my students.  I am more than grateful.

Don’t miss the upcoming MTT.  If not now — when?