MANOJ - LESSONS IN COMPASSION
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about all the ways in which I’ve been led to doing what I do @ Rhythm Infused + although there are 1000’s of moments + people that’ve shaped my evolution over the years, I want to honour some of the teachers that have played a pivotal role in completely changing the direction of my life.
Starting off with Manoj, my FIRST meditation teacher + the founder of @op_e___n (fka A-Space), a studio that became my inner-city sanctuary in ‘17.
Manoj was the most down to earth, meditation + yoga teacher (although I didn’t practice yoga with him) that I’d ever come across. He wasn’t on a spiritual high horse, he was relatable + real. I felt like I could be myself, I didn’t need to look, dress or eat a certain way to be holy enough to step foot in the place.
Feeling comfortable + welcome in a space as you are is necessary for a person to continue to return + want to practice, the A-Space team did a great job on that front.
Before I started practicing there, I was one of those people that use to say “I can’t meditate, my mind won’t switch off”, not only did Manoj teach me ways to quieten the mind, not judge what comes up, allow the thoughts to pass without attaching to them…amongst many other things. The biggest lesson I learnt from him if I had to sum it up in one word, was COMPASSION.
How to be compassionate with the people that triggered + angered me the most. How to see the good in people at the most testing of times. This doesn’t mean I still don’t get angry or feel like slapping some sense into people sometimes.
However, as I continue to practice both in + outside the studio, my compassion continues to grow. The moments I find myself in rage at another or a situation are shorter lived than they use to be and I’m able to bring myself back to viewing through the eyes of compassion eventually.
Not only do I have Manoj to thank for instilling more compassion in me, but I also have his humble studio to thank for introducing me to Sound Meditation.
Experiencing this modality is what opened up my world to a form a meditation that resonated with my mind, body + soul in ways I’d never felt. This practice was so profound it resulted in me commencing studies in sound healing in order to offer this practice forwards.
Manoj, I can never thank you enough for all the seeds that were planted whilst sitting at A-Space + the ways in which your words, humbleness, realness + teachings have shaped my life. Thank you for everything + thank you for being my inspo for being a more COMPASSIONATE human.
📷 @manojdias_