The Isha Institute of Inner-Sciences (iii) is fortunate to host a Shoonya Intensive Program nearly every month. Shoonya Intensive is an advanced meditation program designed by Sadhguru that combines Shoonya Meditation, which involves conscious non-doing, and Shakti Chalana Kriya, which enhances the flow of one’s vital energy. This dynamic program is offered only at iii in the Western Hemisphere and at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore, India.

At iii’s recent Shoonya Intensive Program (Shoonya) on August 15-18th, 2019, there were nearly 120 participants gathered from all over the United States, as well as a handful from Canada and the United Kingdom. The participants’ experiences were deeply moving to hear and sharing these experiences was a way for them to turn inwards and reflect upon their journey. 

Spiritual Seekers

22-year-olds Danielle Ferrari from North Carolina and Kamber Lucas from Alaska both recently took the Inner Engineering Retreat at iii in May. The retreat sparked something in each of them and unknowingly, a few months later they both signed up for the same Shoonya program. For Nilay Desai from New York, the motivation came from home after observing the transformation in his parents. Jayadeepan Arudpiragasan, father of two, and Abhishek Patel, a young, active Isha volunteer, both came from Toronto and found themselves taking Shoonya sooner than expected, but the timing ended up being just right. James Tran from Orange County took Inner Engineering in 2015 and was enthusiastic to finally take Shoonya and step deeper into the spiritual path. All of these wonderful participants painted a bright picture of what the Shoonya process was like for them from beginning to end.

The Decision to Take Shoonya

Danielle: “I was really happy with what Shambhavi was doing for me and I wanted to take my sadhana to the next level. Plus, I’m impatient! I’ve gotten used to Shambhavi, so it’s not new anymore, and I’m not worried about keeping it up while adding in a new practice.”

 Nilay: “After I did my BSP, the experience stayed with me and I continued my practices and after seeing a huge difference, it was always on my mind to do Shoonya at some point. The biggest kicker for me was that both my parents did Shoonya in June and I saw a huge change in them, and I mean a really tangible change in them. It was impossible to ignore and it was a no-brainer for me to come and complete Shoonya.” 

James: “My goal has always been the spiritual process and to experience that ‘I am not the body, I am not the mind.’ Shoonya is a massive step in that direction, in the fulfillment of the spiritual process.” 

The Feelings That Arose

Danielle: “I was so nervous and scared. The whole idea of Shoonya or nothingness sounds scary to a thinking mind, and then when you do experience it, you can’t put it into other words. I’m really excited to continue this practice. I know it will grow, since from the first day to the last day, there has been a maturing of my perception. I felt like I was in a box before and now I just feel a little bit freer.” 

Abhishek: “Hundreds of times I ran away in my head during the program because it was physically challenging. Now that it’s ended, I feel the Shoonya (emptiness) and it’s great. I had certain experiences after the initiation that were immensely powerful and they stayed with me. There has been a fundamental shift in my perception.” 

Jaydeepan: “Yes, I can see something worthwhile. I didn’t get anything at the beginning, but on initiation day something did happen. Now I have gained a powerful tool on my spiritual path.” 

Taking a Program at the Ashram 

Kamber: “I really like the ashram, it’s got a wondrous vibe to it. I’m more centered than I was before. And I think a lot of that has to do with just being in this place for four days. That’s your focus - you and that inner dimension of yourself. The whole thing is geared towards raising your consciousness.”

 James: “Definitely attending the program at the ashram helps. It’s not only a consecrated space, but an incredibly conducive atmosphere with all the participants and volunteers contributing to the general vibe and energy of the space.” 

For Those Considering Shoonya

Nilay: “I would say that if you’re a regular with Shambhavi and it has touched you and you have seen some tangible change, I would definitely recommend doing Shoonya. Just the way the program is conducted, you can just tell that it’s going to be transformational. When you take this back and implement them in your life, there is no way that you’re not going to feel the difference and change on a fundamental level.” 

Abhishek: “If you really want to do something, you should do it. All programs have different benefits and you can reap those benefits. But don’t just do it for the benefits. Do it because you want to grow, do it because you want to transform, do it because you want to dissolve.” 

James: “If someone is potentially considering Shoonya and wondering about it, I would tell them that they must take the program. They must go! Whether they have resistances or not, they must go take it because it’s profound. It’s definitely worth it.”

Lasting Transformation

Kamber: “For one thing, sleep. I was aware during my sleep last night. My body just woke up and then I looked at my watch. I wanted to wake up by 5, and I woke up by 4:59 am. I’m not tired even though I’m not sleeping as much as normal, which is great. I love that. It’s a time commitment to add a practice, but you also gain back more time, so it’s not really a time commitment!” 

Jaydeepan: “For sure this will make me healthier and a better person in front of the kids, which will have a positive effect on them. The better I am within myself, the better father I’ll become, and they will look to me as a role model. They will see the way I live without medicine (because nowadays everyone in my age group takes medications), and they will get inspired.” 

The participants were surprised to find what a short program at the ashram could do for them, both within themselves and on the physical level. Each program has its own magic, and James Tran beautifully articulates the magic of Shoonya for us when he reflects, “Sometimes you try to cut vegetables with a dull knife. Then you suddenly get a sharp knife and see the difference. Shoonya is that sharp knife.”