by Rev. Sadasiva (Kurt) Schroeder
Last weekend I was ordained as an Integral Yoga Minister in San Francisco, culminating a process that began twenty five years ago when I was introduced to Integral Yoga by my then partner. Jai was looking for opportunities to teach in a spiritual and health-related area at a time when the gay community in San Francisco was responding to the HIV/AIDS crisis, a crisis that was to become a pandemic among the most vulnerable and marginalized segments of our society and the world.
In the spring of 2020, when the news about COVID emerged, I was struck by how similar the understandable fear and sense of urgency was to what had arisen in the days of the AIDS pandemic. Integral Yoga, as a system of attaining optimal health, with its emphasis on maintaining peace of mind, is as relevant today as it was then and has been throughout the ages. I am proud to be part of this beautiful lineage that offers an effective and sensible approach to reaching our highest potential for the greatest benefit of all.
The ordination ceremony began with a Puja to the Light and was attended by a small group (for safety’s sake) of sangha members and friends, many of whom were gathering at the SFIYI for the first time in a long time. There was a general feeling that the ominous COVID cloud was lifting, thanks to an effective vaccine and having closely followed precautions. Swami Ramananda officiated at a beautiful ceremony that included explanations of the significance of the different aspects of the Puja, for those who might be unfamiliar with it. Swami Vimalananda and Reverend Kamala Damaris both spoke about the significance and experience of being a minister. The minister’s vow and certificate were presented and signed.
It all seemed to be going by so quickly and as though I was watching it from a distance. Then, I was given the opportunity to say a few words and suddenly, to my surprise, my heart burst open. As I gazed at the people there and saw the light reflected in their eyes, I felt and watched myself melt away in a moment of pure love and connection.
In the moments that followed I spoke about how, early on in my journey, I had heard Gurudev’s message that ambition and success could be measured by the effort made to maintain one’s peace of mind. Until then, I had taken ambition and success to mean following steps to secure material wealth in a competitive system that rewarded individual accomplishments. I began, instead, to use my state of mind as a barometer to guide me. If my peace of mind was disturbed, that was a signal to examine my own motives and focus instead on understanding what others needed. Gurudev’s words motivated me and gave me permission to travel down the spiritual path. I understood that the greatest ambition one could have was to cultivate and maintain that peace of mind. That made sense to me and made me a better person overall. Imagine how thrilled I was later when I heard Gurudev state, with such strength and conviction, that “Peace is my God!” This was something that I, with a secular background, could completely understand and get behind.
I took a break during my Integral Yoga seminarian training to earn a Master of Divinity degree at Naropa University, in order to become a hospital chaplain. I felt that this Buddhist based university was a good complement to what I had learned and experienced through Integral Yoga. This academic and contemplative journey confirmed and deepened what I had already learned. It struck me that it all boiled down to being kind; kind to myself, to others, and to all of creation. I understood more deeply that this guiding intention of kindness was the best way to maintain my peace of mind. It has become my goal in life.
To me, becoming an Integral Yoga Minister means having an intention to continue along the spiritual path with a commitment to Integral Yoga and the teachings and practices given to us by Gurudev. My plan now is to return to Boulder where I have lived the past nine years, and explore hospice chaplaincy. I aspire to continue digging a deep well, a well that holds the promise of peace and harmony for humanity, the planet, and beyond.
Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi.
Sadasiva Kurt Schroeder, E-RYT500, got involved in Yoga in the mid-1990’s and began his training at the San Francisco Integral Yoga Institute. He has led beginning and intermediate level teacher trainings, both in San Francisco and Yogaville. Sadasiva completed his Master of Divinity studies at the Naropa Institute. He was ordained as an Integral Yoga minister in the Fall of 2021, shortly after completing a program in professional chaplaincy residency and a fellowship in palliative care. He now lives in Boulder, CO, where he works as a chaplain.