Within the practice of Yoga, lineage is of the utmost importance. Through the Guru's grace, the disciple is able to perceive their latent spiritual power that lies within. He reveals the doorway to the spiritual path.

In yogic lore, Shiva is know as the Adiyogi or the first yogi – the originator of yoga.  It was the Adiyogi who ignited the light of Shiva in the human mind over fifteen thousand years ago when he attained his full enlightenment and abandoned himself in an intense ecstatic dance upon the Himalayas. His ecstatic dance took him beyond movement, until he’d became utterly still.

People came and were mystified and curious, but ended up uninterested in the being who seemed to be absolutely oblivious of them. However, the Adiyogi was simply absorbed in the ecstasy of his intense stillness and with that, all but seven people left.

These seven people saw in this being something that they could not walk away from, so they begged for his teachings. The more he ignored them the more they pressed on until one day the Adiyogi pointed out their foolish ways and how this “knowing” is not attainable without austere preparation. It demands a perfected mind and a surrendering of entertaining delusions.

Out of this their Sadhana was born, as an offering to Shiva they renounced everything to devote themselves fully to their practices.  And for 87 years they were completely ignored. Their level of devotion was so pristine that one day it finally caught the attention of the master. Adiyogi looked at these seven people and saw they were no longer carrying the weight of their foolishness and that they had become cleansed and ready to receive. The connection was formed and the channel was opened for all humanity to receive the light of the Guru. They became the Saptarishis (the first students) and he became the Adi Guru, the first Guru.

I humbly practice, serve and wait as those who stayed in contemplation of this magnificent being. I surrender to my inevitable arrival.

- Andrew Misle