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A principle in life to remember is to travel light.
You are traveling all the time.
Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light.
– Yogi Bhajan
The Master of Coax
by Guru Fatha Singh
Yogi Bhajan was a true "fisher of men" - a teacher finding his students, a master recognizing, building and inspiring mastery often where none else could see it. Even his best students might be less than willing to recognize their destiny.
Michael Fowlis was a graduate student in mathematics at the University of California . For some time, Michael had been dreaming he was going to meet someone special, someone that would change his life. But feeling quite comfortable with his life and not wishing to change a thing, Michael had virtually locked himself in his office and refused to go out.
That was until a student came in and gave Michael a newspaper with a picture of Yogi Bhajan indicating he would give a lecture on Kundalini Yoga just across the street in half an hour. This was too much of a coincidence to let go by. Michael finally relented and left his office to take in the class.
Michael Fowlis had already learned Hatha Yoga and thought he was becoming very accomplished with his poses. He had also learned to meditate already. Lastly, Michael considered himself to be a very good academic.
In all events, Michael thought he would be sure to come up with some good questions to ask the yogi after the lecture. Though he had never learned anything about Kundalini Yoga, he went to the class feeling quite self-assured.
The experience with the yogi turned out to be much more engaging, much more inspiring, and entirely different from anything Michael had ever done. He sensed a new relationship to his body, to energy, and to the joy of life itself. Michael loved the feeling and it loved him back.
After the class, he went before Yogi Bhajan to ask some intelligent questions he had thought of. Michael would never have a chance to ask those questions.
The Master leveled his student with a barrage of accusation, "You idiot, you're late! I've been coming out here for three months. I hate the smog. I don't like traveling. Why are so such a non-intuitive klutz that you didn't show up on time? Look, I don't have time to fool around with your nonsense! Are you coming with me or not?"
For a few moments, Michael stood aghast before this heavily accented yogi. Then, his body relaxed. A far off memory arose and began penetrating his conscious awareness. "This is my teacher," it said, " I've been with him for lifetimes. " As the fog lifted in his brain, Michael's tongue became animated with that dawning realization. It replied, "Uhh, yeah."
"Okay, come. Have a Coke!" said the Master.
"I don't drink Cokes."
"You do now."
Michael Fowlis had just found his spiritual teacher. The next day, he was teaching his first Kundalini Yoga class.
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