Many years ago I lived in an Ashram, a yoga community. I came there because the Guru had shaktipat, a kind of spiritual power, he could transmit shakti, energy, to others. I felt that shakti and I moved in. Now shakti comes in different forms. In my case, it came in the form of visions. I was filled with energy and had visions.

While I was there, the guru’s guru, Kripalu, came to the Ashram. Kripalu had kept silent for 26 years and only spoke at Satsang, a public gathering, mostly in song. Then one day, he told his story. A disciple took down his words and published a book which described Kripalu’s spiritual quest.

The book, “Light on the Path,” was interesting to me, because I knew Kripalu, but as reading material, I would recommend Yoganada’s “Autobiography of a Yogi” as a better story.

Anyway, at one of our Satsangs Kripalu said that it would take 10 hours of Sadhna, spiritual work, every day for 26 life times in order to achieve the immortal body. I was not sure what the immortal body was and I wasn’t sure that it was something that I even wanted. But I knew that 26 lifetimes was beyond my planning horizon. And I left the Ashram.

Kripalu said that if he did not achieve the immortal body in this life time we were to regard him as just another swami. He died. He did not achieve the immortal body.

I still do yoga. Not 10 hours a day. BUT 26 life times? It might take me a little longer. I am not a swami. I just do yoga. BUT my planning horizon is now a little longer. AND I am happy!