My Journey from Untruth to Truth: Lessons from Inner Engineering and Ayurveda
In January 2013, I was initiated into Inner Engineering— a foundational program offered by Sadhguru and Isha Foundation. I didn’t realize it then, but that moment marked the beginning of a quiet revolution within me —a journey from untruth to truth.
Until then, I thought I understood life. I believed I was eating right, living right, thinking right. But after completing the program and beginning the daily practice of Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya, I slowly began to see that much of what I called “me” was simply habit, compulsion, and identification.
When Life Began to Feel Different
The transformation was immediate and profound.
I became more aware of subtle aspects of life. I could feel my breath in a new way. Food and water tasted more alive. My perception sharpened, and the world felt more vibrant, more present.
Physiologically, things shifted without effort:
My hunger reduced.
I needed less sleep, yet felt more refreshed.
I started to lose weight— not by intention, but naturally.
It felt as though my system was reorganizing itself into a more refined, efficient version of me.
When That Clarity Turned Into Discomfort
But soon, new challenges arose — ones I hadn’t anticipated.
I began experiencing:
Anxiety
Loss of appetite
Unintentional weight loss
Chronic constipation
I was confused. Weren’t these practices meant to restore balance?
Years later, through my studies in Ayurveda, I gained clarity. I discovered that I’m Vata-dominant by constitution. My lifestyle at the time was already Vata-aggravating, and the intensity of Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya was simply too much for my unprepared system.
So I made the difficult but necessary decision to pause Shambhavi and focus on more grounding practices, like Hatha Yoga from Isha. Alongside this, I incorporated Ayurvedic routines, food, and rest to begin rebalancing my body.
I Am Not the Body. I Am Not the Mind.
Even though I paused the kriya, its essence stayed with me.
The most important realization was this:
I am not the body. I am not the mind.
There’s now a clear distinction between my thoughts, my body, and my deeper self. This space allows me to live more consciously:
I no longer eat or sleep compulsively.
I respond to situations instead of reacting blindly.
I’ve become more patient with my son, more present as a father.
Ayurveda: A Deeper Connection
As my awareness grew, my study of Ayurveda deepened as well.
Inner Engineering had opened the subtle dimensions within me, and Ayurveda gave me the language to navigate them. I began to recognize:
The five elements moving through me,
How imbalances arise based on seasons, routines, and diet,
How to restore harmony — not just physically, but energetically.
Today, I can sense when Vata is elevated, when my Agni (digestive fire)is weak, or when my system needs grounding. Ayurveda has helped me connect to nature in a profound way. I no longer see myself as separate from it — I experience myself as part of it.
Letting Go of Compulsions, Layer by Layer
Inner Engineering helped me shed many compulsions — especially around food and sleep. I eat when I’m truly hungry. I rest when I need rest. There is freedom now where there once was habit.
Yet, I still face other bodily compulsions, the deeper, more stubborn patterns that don’t yield easily. But now I meet them with less judgment and more curiosity. This too is part of the journey from untruth to truth— to see clearly, choose consciously, and keep evolving.
A Note of Gratitude
All of this began with one step: saying yes to Inner Engineering.
Though the journey hasn’t been linear — though I’ve stumbled, paused, and learned things the hard way — I am deeply grateful to Sadhguru and Isha Foundation for offering this sacred path.
Sadhguru
I also thank Ayurveda, for giving me the tools to understand myself and care for my system with wisdom.
The path from untruth to truth isn’t about achieving perfection.
It’s about cultivating awareness, honesty, and resilience.
And I’m still walking that path —one conscious step at a time.
