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Maala Photo by Gisele

Biography Maala, became aware of Swami Shyam in 1972, through her cousin Nirmala. Maala married and had children at a young age in Montreal, and had everything in the way of material possessions. But it wasn't enough. As her marriage was breaking up, she knew that the pursuit of freedom was the direction that she wanted her life to take. Meditation and the knowledge of oneness became her passion, despite some learning experiences along the way. She temporarily left her two young daughters with her husband and eventually travelled to India. Both of her daughters have spent time studying in Kullu and are also dedicated to unfolding the awareness of Oneness. While living in Kully, Maala instructed the younger children and created most of her own teaching materials and artwork, integrating the knowledge of the self into the curriculum, and to her approach to teaching. Maala now lives in B.C. and has her own Yoga Centre called The Yoga Tree, or Rasaa Hum. Written by Gisele Beaupre

Interview

Gisele: Maala, you were living in South America in paradise, and still you became dissillusioned?

Maala: Yes, despite my highest intentions, I discovered that beauty is not enough, if beauty doesn't include the knowledge of Life. To renounce and be free, but financially weak, leaves you without being a master, so the only freedom comes from truly realizing yourself as immortal, blissful consciousness.

Gisele: What made you leave that situation?

Maala: Well, something interesting happened that changed my life. I was home alone and I heard a whapping in the meditation room. It wasn't alarming, but it was intense. I went in and found a beautiful bird had gotten in the window and was trying to release itself. To me, this was a clear analogy of my situation. This bird was me. What looked like the freedom was some deception happening in the mind, and that had to be clarified. I took it in my arms. I was the God holding me in my arms; it surrendered to me, and I set it free. Three days later I had arranged my passage out of there. It was a total happening, which showed me that the reality of what is really taking place isn't what we think we are planning with our minds&endashit is the inner will. Once you have the will, the act and the knowledge is automatic. Sometimes it will go beyond the mental definitions of being good or bad.

Gisele: Did you suffer guilt because of leaving your daughters behind?

Maala: There was something in me that was so strong that I didn't want to pass on the myth. If I tell them, "Be like me, be free," it won't be half as effective as, "I am free, follow me." I knew I had to walk my talk. I had to give up the idea that I was doing it for them, and at times it was painful....

Gisele: So your two daughters are here now as students and devotees?

Maala: Yes, when Joelle turned twenty, she came for six weeks and stayed for six months. When she went back, Cari came for two years, then Joelle graduated and came to stay. Both are one-pointed on meditation and unfolding the awareness of their true nature.

Transcribed by Gisele Beaupre

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