Peter Svenning describes meeting an Indian guru during his time as a monk. Instead of answering his question, the guru held his gaze, leaving Svenning feeling completely exposed and seen in a way that shifted how he understood himself.
I know this because it happened to me years ago, when I was a monk. I had traveled to meet the Indian guru who was traveling the world on his 14th journey. I didn't know why, but I knew I had to meet him. I was searching for something, something I couldn't yet name. And when I finally got the chance to approach him, my heart was racing. This was my moment. I asked him the traditional question, the question every monk is supposed to ask when meeting a master. But instead of responding with the expected answer, he stopped. He turned to me and looked me into my eyes. Deep, unwavering. I felt exposed, as if he could see every part of me.
