Interview with Varun Goyal

Welcome Varun, it is good to have this opportunity to speak with you and it’s great that you agreed to share some stories with us.

1. Could you tell us about yourself?

Namaste! My name is Varun Goyal and I was born in September 1990 in Sohna (Haryana), India. My father is Din Dayal Goyal, a retired businessman. He is a religious person and visited many temples across India including the 11 jyotirlingas. My mother’s name was Urmila Goyal and she passed away when I was 13 years old so I have few memories of her. I have four elder siblings, three sisters and one brother.

Sohna is well known for the hot springs that are located in the Shiva temple. Many tourists visit this temple and bathe in the springs. This natural source of water is said to be very effective in treating skin diseases. I used to visit this temple as a child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My schooling was at Shiv public school in Sohna. I completed my B.Tech in computer science at Apeejay College of Engineering, an institution affiliated to the Maharishi Dayanand University.

When I graduated, I began working for an IT company in Bangalore. In October 2017, after working for 4 years in Bangalore, I got an offer to work in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Initially I didn’t like it here but soon got settled and made friends from work. I also joined a cricket club and now I like this city and call it my second home. Apurva and I got married in India on 2 December 2019. She is from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. She is studying a master’s degree in marketing at Northumbria University.

2. What led you to become a Kriyavan?

I first heard the name ‘Kriya Yoga’ when I began reading the “Autobiography of a Yogi” at the age of 25. My roommate in Bangalore had a copy and he always talked about it. One day, I bought the PDF version of the book online and began reading it. However, I was unable to finish it. I picked it up again when I was in England as I had more free time after work. After completing it, I couldn’t resist checking Kriya Yoga online and stumbled upon the initiation program taking place in London. The registration was completed without much thought and I was initiated by Shri Peter Baba on 5th October 2019.

3. So, could you tell us about your initiation?

The next day after I registered for the initiation, I was invited to attend my flatmate’s housewarming ceremony on the 6th of October, the day after the initiation and this was just 40 minutes by train from London. I believed this was a sign from God for me to get the initiation in London. My flatmate drove me to London and graciously allowed me to stay at his new house from 4-6th October. Taking the train on Friday evening, I attended Peter Baba’s introduction. The moment I entered the initiation hall, I sensed a very strong positive vibe emanating from a man wearing white clothes and who had his back to me. As soon as he turned around I realised it was none other than our beloved Peter Baba. I felt a strong attraction towards him after a few seconds of eye contact. The introductory lecture was very helpful in understanding the process before the practical application. I recommend attending this lecture for new initiates. I met several other kriyavans at the initiation and they were all very friendly.

4. Do you think practising Kriya Yoga has benefitted you? And if so, in which ways?

Practice of Kriya Yoga has benefited me in many ways, for example, my intuition has become very strong. I have been practising Kriya Yoga for the last 2 years and practice at least 4-5 times per week. Usually I meditate in the evening around 5:30 pm and do 3-4 Kriyas in one sitting.

I had also booked the initiation for my wife but it was cancelled due to Covid-19. She is hoping to get initiated so that we can both practise together at home. I can say that getting initiated is one of the best things that has happened to me and a number of wonderful events have followed such as my marriage and my career and I am extremely grateful.

5. Could you say something about your meditation practice?

As noted above, I practise 4-5 times a week and I get into a calm state after doing 3-4 kriyas. I try to do it as often as possible to maintain calmness & composure. The next goal I have is to get initiated into the second Kriya to experience the extra benefits and to enhance my experience of the meditation.

6. Have you visited any of our ashrams or been on Kriya Yoga retreats?

No, I haven’t had the chance to visit them yet but hopefully will do so soon.

7. Have you been involved in any other Kriya activities? And if so, are there any occasions which spring to mind which were significant in some way, perhaps amusing or perhaps creating an inner change or major stepping stone –anything?

I am not involved in any other activities, but I share Kriya posts alternate months in our Kriya Yoga UK group on the Signal platform. However, I will try to do some volunteering in the upcoming year.

8. What advice if any would you give new initiates?

Try to practise as much as you can. You will achieve many benefits which can only be experienced by you.

Thank you for sharing, Varun.