At the core of Dru Yoga is one Indian man: Mansukh Patel, (rose in Kenya), whose parents (from Mahatma Gandhi background) were both awakened beings. They raised him in a very simple yet profound way. Even when his father or mother were exposed to racial abuse emotionally or physically, (sometimes including close to death experiences and the witnessing of murders of their closest friends), they never reacted; they always responded with compassion.
When Mansukh asked his father, “Why do you never get angry with these people treating you so violently?” His father answered, “Have you ever noticed what I do with my hands?”
Mansukh had often noticed his father using different hand mudras, and in this moment he realised the innate power of them when used consciously.
Mansukh was at the age of 12 years old when he was moved to Wales and attended a school for the very first time. Before he was taken there, his mother, and awakened teacher, told him a story which warned him of the materialistic temptations so apparent in the UK compared to their isolated lifestyle in Kenya.
In Wales, he discovered, through spending time with a young girl dying of cancer, that part of his purpose on this earth was to help treat cancer patients. He immediately embarked on intent study until he became a highly qualified Cancer Toxicoligist, Osteopath and Humanitarian. Although he helped Cancer patients in every physical way he could, he was helping them also to experience deep gratitude for this opportunity to meet inner peace through Mansukh’s teachings.
While he was studying at Bangor University in North Wales, people around him noticed his light, his energy, his consistently peaceful manner. As well, they found themselves unexplainably attracted to sit with him in silence, near the peace flame which was always alighted by his desk. They asked him to teach them and it was from this request that there began a Dru Yoga teaching for western people.
Mansukh’s parents were involved in this teaching and the students called them “mum” and “dad”, for their wisdom came with the kind of love a generous parent would naturally emit to their loved ones.
From ancient times on, in India, prior to this unique opportunity, the Dru Yoga tradition had been secretly passed on from teacher to student. It has always had a way of working for the liberation of all. It never had a hierarchy lineage which made anyone more special than anyone else. This is the teachings which Mahatma Ghandi came from.
The western world’s base for Dru Yoga is nestled in a valley in Wales, U.K. not far from Mt Snowdon.
The main teachers working at this base were originally part of a non government peace making organisation called “Life Foundation.”
During the 1990’s, colleagues of “Life Foundation” embarked upon a series of extraordinary journeys involving 3,000 miles of long distance walking and 150,000 miles of air flights. They visited 31 countries and four continents – the most inspiring as well as the most disturbing places on earth.
These journeys plumbed the depths of human experience from Jerusalem and Assisi, to Auschwitz and Dachau; from the slums of India to penthouse suites in New York.
A cry for help, guidance and clarity about the nature of suffering and pain; the immense cry of the human heart, inspired these teachers to bring their Body Heart Mind Technology to all people of all walks of life, through Dru Yoga, (as well as through establishing a signing of a Peace Treaty between all countries, using an eternal World Peace Flame which is now burning in every country.)
Life Foundation originally focused on uplifting spirits for people trapped in the worst of the worlds war and poverty zones, until they realised the real cause of these problem comes from the attitude of materially focused “wealthy” countries. With the deep understanding of the essence of Krishnas message to Arjuna in the Bhahavad Gita, the westerners expression of greed primarily comes from a form of spiritual deprivation.
They therefore are penetrating, at a remarkable rate, the western corporate and public community, by enriching people’s lives with a spiritual opportunity to open their heart, develop their full potential, and discover their true purpose.
Every class in Dru yoga must include the five components which are: Activation, Evergy Block Release, Asanas, Sequences, Pranayamas,- Meditations, Deep Relaxation.
So the beginner has often the same sequences in the class as the advanced, yet might experience it with a different focus, depth, affect and understanding. Although new comers might think the practises are simple, they are also deceptively profound in the affects on our physical, mental emotional and spiritual growth. Some people who had previously practised Iyangar and thought they had permanent limits in certain postures, changed when using the Dru Yoga. Purely through daily practise of these gentler, flowing, more opening sequences, they found their tensions released and their energy flowed freer.
My following articles will include more detail to describe the many unique aspects of Dru Yoga. Its prime focus is to open the power of the Heart through the Heart Gate: Hrit, and through this understanding, multilevel transformation begins.
May I complete this introductory article with the beautiful Universal Prayer of Peace; “The Shanti Path” sung by people from all parts of the world, to remind us of the peace within, the peace within others, and the peace we can send to those who have forgotten its place in their heart.
Om dhyau shanti antar ikshagoon
Shanti prithvi, shanti aapa
Shanti oshadaya
Shanti vanaspaadaya
Shanti vishvedeva
Shanti Brahma
Shanti sarvagoon
Shanti shanti eva
Shanti saama shanti edi
Om shanti shanti shanti
May there be peace in the heavens,
May there be peace in the atmosphere,
May there be peace on Earth
May the rivers flow peacefully
May the plants and the animals grow peacefully
May the Gods in their abode be peaceful
May the whole of creation be peaceful
May there be peace, peace and only peace,
And may that peace come to all of us.
Next>>
