Gabriela Mozee
My husband’s work in the Coast Guard meant many transfers to various corners of the United States, and my quest for spirituality continued in every place we went. My journey into spirituality had begun as a young child and by 2002, I had compiled a long list of religious/spiritual experiences: I had enjoyed a Catholic school upbringing, spending most of my recesses in the Chapel. Later, in my late teens, my search for Truth took me on many visits through various churches each Sunday for about a year, while we were stationed in Santa Barbara, California. I found friendly and affable people everywhere, but the message did not resonate with what I was seeking. It did not ring
new
to me.
By my early thirties, I had participated in a few spiritual endeavors, and I spent the next 10 years practicing Heartfulness.The practice of this system was previously called
‘Sahaj Marg’
(the Natural Path) which included meditation on the heart, Yogic Transmission, and a journaling practice to help balance the mind. There was even a unique aspect of ‘cleaning’.
I further added to my spiritual
‘portfolio’
the practice of
which dealt with energy healing. I then attended a few workshops with Eckhart Tolle in Vancouver, Canada, I met Byron Katie of ‘The Work’, and also Amma, the world-renowned hugging saint. On arriving to our new place of abode at Gales Ferry, I was discouraged by its small size and very few Christian-only churches.
I had not left a single leaf unturned in my chase for the spiritual goal. A little lost, I remember looking up to the sky and saying, “Help!” A few days later, I saw a flyer on the bulletin board of the local library – a flyer about Heartfulness. I was very hopeful and so I called a local trainer to find out more. The interesting thing about my meeting with the trainer was that everything he mentioned about Heartfulness, felt very natural to me: heart-centered meditation, yogic Transmission, cleaning, daily practice, the real goal, etc. Nothing seemed foreign; it felt very familiar. The added benefit was that this time I was going to be a part of a community! After moving back to California, I got a chance to meet the Guide on his visit to the US in 2003. That first sighting of him certainly made an impression!
Now, 13 years into the Heartfulness meditation practice, I have a newfound appreciation for the people I meet – their depth, generosity, vulnerability, authenticity, joy, simplicity, humility, and ability to forgive. I appreciate the magical moments of connection, communication, caring and guidance in a very real and personal way. The Heartfulness Way, has been a practice par excellence that has kept me anchored and I’m very grateful and happy that we have in our midst a Guide, Dr. Kamlesh D. Patel (affectionately known as Daaji). We are fortunate indeed.
