The Value of Spiritual Training
During his March 2007 visit with the Center for Purposeful Living (CPL) community in Winston-Salem, NC, Mr. C.M. Yogi shared the following insight: "Spirituality is finding out your own true nature". For 21 years CPL volunteers, have been committed to a simple path one of moving towards becoming more selfless in our service “service for its own sake”. Along this path, through providing the local community with tens of thousands of hours in hands on service projects CPL volunteer’s encountered endless opportunities to discover aspects of their "true nature", individually and as a group, revealing the spiritual essence of life. Eight years ago, CPL began offering the Transformation through Service (TTS) spiritual training program, an immersion, consisting of full-time service, meditation and study as a group. The TTS program provides a structure, for “seekers” to go deeper, transform old habits and limiting beliefs, and express their spiritual potential more fully.Several years ago CM Yogi learned about CPL in the World Goodwill Newsletter. Later he encouraged one of the teachers from his schools in Nepal to come to CPL for a year. Although unable to complete the TTS program due to family obligations, the young man was an exemplary student. His positive experience solidified the bond between CPL and C.M. Yogi.
We were touched by C.M. Yogi’s gentleness, humility and profound wisdom. Especially inspiring were the stories and insights of his life. C.M. Yogi recalled hearing his mother singing while she was cooking or working outside, praising everything in nature. As a small child, her behavior amused him and aroused his curiosity. But today he appreciates how his mother, by her example, taught him to see God in everything. He also related that not a day would pass without his father exhorting him to "remember God!" as he engaged in routine tasks required to maintain their large family’s household. Through his heartfelt stories, we traveled with him through time and could see how each experience built upon the next, shaping his values and fitting him for his life’s work in education and the cultivation of goodwill.
During a Sunday evening presentation, C.M. Yogi was asked: “How do you go about teaching values at your school(s)?” After a brief pause, he said: “We do this in three ways: Self-reflection…this transforms values; inviting spiritual thinkers to come and interact with our students; and through our youth camps where children learn to live and serve in community.” This was yet another instance where the parallels between CPL’s spiritual training program and C.M. Yogi’s value-based educational endeavors stood out.
In all of his interactions with members of the CPL community, CM Yogi demonstrated a magnanimous and generous demeanor of a great soul, sharing his thoughts and his caring with each person he encountered. He amazed everyone with his ability at recall and remembering everyone’s name in an instant. When CPL volunteers shared their observations about his innate goodwill and altruism, he shrugged off the comments as if it was no big deal: “In Nepal, that's just what you do!”
We were inspired to learn how C.M. Yogi and his colleagues incorporate the value of community and family into their school(s). It’s as if staff and students comprise an extended family; their relationships are grounded in respect and everyone knows they are valued and loved. Their educational program includes intellectual training, of course; but it gives priority to physical development and spiritual education as well. Quoting Ghandi and others who have influenced his development, C.M. Yogi stated: "We are spiritual beings first."
The inclusiveness of his vision, based on a deep respect, was both inspiring and affirming. We are grateful that C.M. Yogi chose to visit CPL for several days, during his US pilgrimage and was at home here.
OM to the inspired work he and his colleagues are doing in Nepal. OM to vital connections of goodwill he is building among service-minded people around the world. OM to the Joy of awakening in the knowledge of who we really are. OM. OM. OM.
About the author: Sue Rose is a longstanding Board member and active volunteer with the Center for Purposeful Living. She and her husband have been involved in CPL’s service and education mission since the late 1980’s. For more information about CPL, visit our website: www.purposeful.org.