A True Guru (Bringer of Light) — Katy Guard

How have I managed to stay calm, happy and filled with gratitude throughout my two year DCIS roller coaster ride filled with mammograms,  MRIs, 1 needle biopsy, 3 surgeries,  waiting for pathology results, multiple opinions, information overload and doctors who continually try to scare the (bleep) out of me?

Everything I know about staying calm – no matter what – is thanks to two enlightened souls who have blessed my life. One is Adriana (see “An Angel Called Adriana“) and the other is Katy Guard, my 80 year (young) yoga teacher who is the purest, happiest person I have ever known. Katy and her husband Yogiraj Behramji came to the US from India over 30 years ago and opened the first “Yoga and Meditation School” in San Diego.

I got hooked on Katy’s hatha yoga class 10 years ago. I remember how Katy’s teachings brought such peace and calm to me immediately following 9-11 when “terror” and fear permeated our society. I was a new mom with typical anxieties and my mind couldn’t rest. Katy changed all that for me. After an hour and a half of yoga postures where Katy gave detailed descriptions of the internal workout of organs intertwined with ancient wisdom from the yogis, Katy guided me into a deep relaxation which can only be described as “bliss.”  According to Katy, yoga is “the science of happiness.” And I am a true believer!

Two and a half years ago, just a few months before my DCIS diagnosis, Katy began leading a weekly “meditation class” studying the spiritual classic “I AM THAT” — a compilation of dialogues between world-wide spiritual seekers and Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, a self-realized Indian sage. A seven week class turned into 2.5 years and our small gatherings in Katy’s home every Wednesday night are still going strong! I am certain that my ability to remain calm and filled with peace, love and gratitude is largely due to Katy and our contemplations on “I AM THAT.”  

“Between spirit and body, LOVE provides the bridge. Mind creates the abyss, the heart crosses it.”  – Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj