The Gardening Project That Almost Cost Me Everything

The look on his face, bewilderment, even disbelief said it all.

 In that instant, something clicked within me. I realized I was about to trade something imperishable for something utterly temporary. I was choosing weeds over wisdom quite literally.

The Outreach That Sparked Reflection

For the past few weeks, many of us from the Art of Living Sacramento community have been reaching out, inviting friends, family, and neighbors to The Journey Within, a meditation and wisdom event with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Some responded with curiosity, some politely declined, others replied with a heart emoji, and quite a few never got back.

It made me pause and wonder, why is it that people can easily rearrange their entire schedule for a concert, a football game, or a dinner night, but when it comes to sitting in silence with 2,000 people in the presence of a realized master, the mind resists?

Perhaps it whispers, “It’s a weekday… it’s too far… I can’t leave my kids alone… why pay for meditation?”  Or it rationalizes, “I don't believe in Godmen, or He’s not my Guru… not part of my faith.”

And I get it. I truly do because I used to think that way too.

The Subtle Shift

I’ve been practicing meditation and breathwork for over 13 years now. For a long time, I measured these practices by what I had “gained.”

Yes, there have been real benefits, physical, emotional, spiritual. I live with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, and though the condition has progressed over the years, I believe that without these practices, it would have progressed significantly more.

But over time, I have realized: maybe it was never about gaining anything at all. Maybe it was about losing. But losing what? perhaps, losing my layers of fear, rigid concepts, self-labels and identifications. Losing attachments to the stories I have heard or told myself over the years.

Buddha’s Lesson

It is said that, when Siddhartha became the Buddha, people asked him, “Now that you’re enlightened, what have you gained? Please share your secrets.” Buddha smiled and replied, “I gained nothing… but I lost everything.”

Perhaps that’s the real journey, dropping what we’ve unnecessarily carried for a lifetime, or perhaps many.

In the Company of the Wise

The Yoga Vasistha, one of the most profound texts on self-realization, says being in the company of the wise, the enlightened ones is crucial for attaining Moksha / Liberation.

The company of the enlightened ones doesn't just merely teach us wisdom, it can dissolve what blocks it.

That has been my experience too. Through my time with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, through his wisdom, presence, and the simple yet powerful meditation practices that he has shared with hundred's of millions around the world through his non-profit Organization The Art of Living Foundation, I’ve seen my own concepts and identifications gradually fall away, one layer at a time.

Each time a bit of ignorance chips off, life feels lighter, freer, and more expansive.

The Gardening Project That Almost Cost Me Everything

About nine years ago, in 2017, one of our meditation instructors excitedly announced that Gurudev would be in Los Angeles for a two-hour meditation event, similar to the one that was hosted in Sacramento on October 22nd, 2025.

Everyone around me was thrilled and began making travel plans.

Meanwhile, I had scheduled a big gardening project that same weekend and even invited someone to help me. When the instructor turned to me and said, “Syed, you’re coming, right?”

I replied, “You know, I would love to, but I’ve planned this gardening thing for weeks.”

The look on his face, half bewildered, half in disbelief said more than words ever could.

Something shifted inside me right there and then. I realized I was about to trade something timeless and priceless for something temporary and ultimately worthless.

So I changed my mind, packed my van, and took six people along with me. We drove to LA, meditated with Gurudev, spent sometime with him and drove back the same night. Yes, the trip was tiring but extremely fulfilling.

Nothing is Permanent here

Since then, I’ve made it a point never to miss a chance to be in Gurudev’s presence. I’ve driven to LA multiple times, flown to Boone, North Carolina, and Washington DC, rearranging countless plans along the way.

Travelling is very challenging for me because of Muscular Dystrophy, but I still go for it because something always shifts in Gurudev’s presence. Not outside, but within.

So if you ever have the opportunity to be in the presence of Gurudev, don’t hesitate. Rearrange your plans and firmly but lovingly tell your voice of resistance to take a few days off 🙂. And just go.