Thirty days ago, I committed to a twice-daily practice as part of Sadhguru’s Inner Engineering program, and I am now experiencing remarkable Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya benefits — including better sleep, improved focus, and a deeper sense of emotional stability. I did not start out as a Sadhguru follower. I had heard him speak and thought, Yes, there is some truth here, but I also judged the whole “guru image,” thinking it was too much. At the time, my spiritual path was rooted in the Way of Mastery, studying the Aramaic Lord’s Prayer and the Beatitudes, while also exploring elements of non-dual Buddhism and Hinduism.
Before leaving San Diego for Japan in 2001, I had spent months singing a version of Om Namah Shivaya by Krishna Das. That mantra recently returned to me, along with inspiration from reading about Gandhi, who repeated Ram or Rama constantly. Gandhi credited this repetition as his greatest source of strength and the foundation of his courage to persevere. When he was shot, his last words were “Hey Ram” — his final breath carrying the name of God.
One day, I noticed the rhythm of Abwûn d’bwashmâya, the first line of the Aramaic Lord’s Prayer, sounds strikingly similar to Aum Namah Shivaya. I began repeating both again. Around this time, I came across an image of Shiva (now my Facebook background) and felt deeply drawn to it.
A new friend mentioned he wanted to take me to India to see that very statue. He explained it was connected to Sadhguru and sent me a link to Isha Kriya (you can try it for free on the Isha Foundation website). I tried it — and that’s when my Inner Engineering journey began.
Why I Chose Inner Engineering
Although I had explored many spiritual paths, I was craving structure — something beyond simply sitting in quietness. When I saw Sadhguru was offering Inner Engineering Online, with a live initiation at the end, the timing felt perfect. The program offered 30 hours of teachings and practices in a single week.
I came away impressed not only by the depth of Sadhguru’s spiritual science but also by his global service and the fact that Inner Engineering is not a religion. Many of his students are Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, or Christian.
The Daily Practice
The core of Inner Engineering is Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya, a powerful yogic process that aligns your body, mind, and energy to open you to higher states of consciousness. This is how I practiced it:
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Once in the morning on an empty stomach
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Once in the afternoon or evening on an empty stomach
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A strict 4-hour gap after eating (1.5 hours after tea)
Each session begins with about 12 minutes of preparatory yoga, followed by the 21-minute kriya.
Sadhguru is clear: if you are going to miss days, better not start. The commitment is part of the transformation and the Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya benefits emerge through consistency.
30 Days of Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya Benefits
Here’s what changed for me after 30 straight days:
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Better Sleep – From 8–9 hours with naps to 6.5–7 hours fully rested, no naps needed.
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Physical Shifts – Lower back discomfort has reduced, posture feels stronger.
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Emotional Stability – Periods of deep inner turbulence still come, but I no longer run from them. The only way out is through.
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Steadier Energy Flow – My hands used to shake in mudras; now they remain steady.
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Healthier Eating – Twice a day, vegan except ghee, without cravings or overeating.
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Confidence in Action – I finally took on door-to-door sales, a challenge I had avoided.
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Sexual Stability – Even in tempting situations, my focus and discipline remain intact.
These are just my personal Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya benefits — other practitioners report improved focus, deeper calm, and relief from chronic stress.
Why This Is Not for Everyone
This practice demands discipline. My years as a competitive swimmer prepared me for repetitive effort through boredom and pain. The morning session is straightforward. The afternoon session tests my commitment — meal timing, an empty stomach, and showing up no matter what.
This is not casual. It is a commitment.
Thinking of Trying Inner Engineering?
If you are curious, I am happy to share more about my experience. Ask, and I will answer any questions.
Just know this practice will push you to your edge and demand your full presence. If you give yourself completely, it will not only challenge you — it will transform you. You are committing to 80 minutes of unwavering focus every day. Three to six months of that level of discipline can transform who you are being.
If you want to join, Inner Engineering is currently discounted by 20 percent until August 18. Click here to register.
Aum Namah Shivaya.
