Reality of Inner Engineering (Shambhavi Mahamudra) by Sadhguru
Introduction
You must have definitely seen or heard about Sadhguru and his talks, and if you happen to know him, then you might also know about the Inner Engineering program, which is the foundational course offered by the Isha Foundation. Though there are many research papers published about it, is it actually worth spending money on, or does it really work? I’ll try to answer these questions based on my own personal experience after completing this program.
My Story
It all started when I first discovered Sadhguru during the lockdown on YouTube. I was simply amazed by the wit, humor, and intelligence with which he answered all questions, even the trickiest ones. As an autodidact, I wanted to know if he offered a course that could help me cultivate intelligence like his. After some research, I came to know about the Shambhavi Mahamudra or Inner Engineering program.
As soon as I learned about it, I wanted to enroll. However, I was disappointed to see the price, and as a 9th-grade student, I didn’t have the money to afford the course, nor did I expect my parents to agree to purchase it. I tried finding alternatives from other organizations and practiced a few techniques, but they didn’t make a difference. On top of that, I constantly faced exam anxiety, stress, and waves of sadness.
One day, while lying on my bed at the peak of hopelessness, wanting to connect with something higher if it existed, something struck me—a feeling that didn’t feel like my own mind. I know this may sound a bit childish, but it is what it is. When I look back at that moment, it was a turning point for me. After that day, I unknowingly felt closer to my connection with Sadhguru. Around the same time, I had my pre-board exam results, which were lower than expected, leaving me very sad. Later that day, I watched a video in which Sadhguru explained that Shambhavi Mahamudra significantly aids neuronal regeneration in the brain. I finally opened up to my parents about the program and pleaded with them to allow me to join. Thankfully, my father agreed to purchase it.
My Experience
During the course, I came to understand who Sadhguru truly is, and the content of the program shattered all my previous beliefs, offering me a whole new perspective on life and myself. The practices offered in the course transformed me into a completely new version of myself. I found myself smiling for no reason, and my anxiety and stress seemed to vanish. I barely reacted to external situations, and I felt free from all the fears I once had.
After the initiation into the kriya, I practiced it daily, and it helped me to release limitations each day. I felt myself becoming more conscious, and my old compulsions seemed to fade away. My mental capacity, from reasoning to intuition, seemed to be more balanced. As a chess player, I noticed significant improvements in pattern recognition and memory, and I experienced a certain level of ease and blissfulness within me. For me, it has truly been a transformative journey, and it continues to help me become a better version of myself each day.
It’s been almost two years of practicing it every single day, so it must have done something miraculous for me. If you ask me whether it’s worth the price or if it’s overrated, my answer would be that it’s definitely worth the price because the process itself is priceless. No, it’s not overrated—it’s something every human on this planet should try. Whoever you are, if you’re reading this, please give it a try. If it doesn’t work for you, you can simply stop. I hope my story has helped you understand what Inner Engineering truly is, as it’s truly a gift to humanity from Sadhguru.