A conversation with Leysan Avzalova of Almetyevsk, community manager of the Urokimeditatsii project, about meditation, her work on the project, and the importance of service.
Today we are talking with Leysan Avzalova from the town of Almetyevsk, community manager of the Urokimeditatsii (Meditation Lessons) project.
Leysan worked in television for several years, but after burning out she decided to make a change, and as a result she now works on the Urokimeditatsii team.
Together with her we will talk about why it is worth coming to group meditations, how yoga changes a person's life, and how to keep your practice regular even when you really don't feel like it.
On spiritual practice
— Leysan, at Urokimeditatsii you support the participants and run the online community "Practicing Together." All our staff meditate and must have some experience of spiritual practice before they come to work with us. Tell us about how you first came to know Dada Sadananda, our project, and the practices he teaches.
I first heard about Dada from a friend who has been meditating for quite a long time. It was right at the time when I had quit my job and didn't know what work to do next. A lull set in, when I didn't understand who I was, what I wanted from life, or what mattered to me. I was busy with pointless, destructive things, but I wasn't aware of it. My friend saw all this from the outside and nudged me toward meditation.
At the very beginning there was terrible resistance, but I just did it. I took Dada Sadananda's advice: meditate for five minutes in the morning and in the evening. And little by little I began to feel the benefit. I can't say for sure now, but I think Dada's videos guided me in the right direction and gave me inspiration. Bit by bit I began to discover new things for myself.
— What piece of wisdom from yoga philosophy has inspired you most?
I like a quote from Dada's book Dialogues on Meditation: "Do not despair; do your spiritual practice, change yourself from within, and then a light will be lit that may illuminate the way for those around you." He often talks about this in his videos too.
I never believed that I could influence anyone. But after two years of spiritual practice I see that it's true. I have a positive influence on the people close to me, and they in turn have a positive influence on me. As our inner world becomes, so our outer world will become.
— And what has it become, your outer world? Has it changed a lot thanks to meditation?
Looking at the person I was two years ago, I think yoga has changed my life very much. One: my circle has changed — the only people left are those who support me and don't judge me. Two: there is now a community of people with whom we regularly meet offline for group meditations. Three: I have sattvic work.
Among other things, I have no harmful habits destroying my body and me as a whole. I lose my temper, freak out and quarrel less, and my mental state has improved.
On the local group
— In a private conversation you told me that you helped set up a local branch of the project in your town. How did you decide to take on this voluntary, unpaid work?
My friend said that to meditate you need strong support, and that support is like-minded people. She suggested I move to Kazan, but my husband turned the idea down at once. I sat, meditated, and a thought came to me: I need to find people who practice in my own town. Then doubts came: who am I going to find in a small town of 150,000 people?
But the thought wouldn't let me go. I shared it with my friend, she supported me and said: look through the main Urokimeditatsii group on VKontakte for subscribers from your town. I did that, and about 40 people turned up. I wrote to all of them and about 10 answered. Since then we meet regularly as a small, close-knit group!
Also, every week a group-meditation leader comes from a neighboring town. Fifty minutes of driving is no obstacle at all for her to meditate and talk together.
— What do you think is the benefit of local groups?
I think local groups are needed so that people who meditate can easily find each other and practice together, and also talk about interesting subjects and learn something new. After all, it is much easier to meditate when there is support nearby — you can share your sorrows and ask for advice. And you can offer support yourself when it's needed. It becomes a mutual exchange.
Group meditations help me get a charge of inspiration and strength. Sometimes it lasts a week, sometimes less (that depends on how tired I am). But overall it has a threefold effect: shared spiritual practice, a short talk, and conversation with pleasant people about interesting things.
On work
— Your first job at Urokimeditatsii was community manager of the "Big Team," the project's community of volunteers and sponsors. How did you end up in that role?
For about half a year I couldn't find work. By then I had been meditating regularly twice a day for about three months. And by chance I came across a vacancy at Urokimeditatsii. It said they were looking for a community manager for the Big Team, the project's community of volunteers and sponsors.
I didn't know what the Big Team was or what a community manager was, but the job description resonated with me. And the most interesting thing is that shortly before the interview a difficult period began for me, when I needed money.
Most likely I would have gone to a boring, uninteresting job and most likely would have stopped meditating. But as soon as I started thinking about it, the project's HR person wrote to me and invited me to an interview. Such miracles!
— And how did you end up in "Practicing Together"?
It turned out that the Big Team and "Practicing Together" were merged, and I was made community manager. There I look after the participants, answer comments and help them where I can. I write and publish posts and upload webinars.
In 2025 we will have a renewed format for the "Practicing Together" community, with additional features opening up to create a good atmosphere. In short, it will be a place where everyone can come and feel at home.
— Caring for others and creating an atmosphere are activities that demand dedication and inner resources. What helps you stay in this profession and not burn out?
What inspires me most is that this project is not about making money. It is about how each of us wants to help people grow
There is "Practicing Together" at an affordable price, and the marathons are entirely pay-what-you-wish — pay as much as you like. Can you pay 100 rubles? Then 100 it is, no problem. But the person will watch, learn something new, and that is so wonderful, because the project gives knowledge to everyone who wants to receive it.
I also like the good relationships and the comfortable atmosphere at work. If only it were like this everywhere… Ah, dreams, dreams 🙂
— And finally, what would you like to wish the project's subscribers?
I want to wish the project's subscribers that they find the strength to meditate regularly — at least five minutes twice a day. If you nurture this little by little, gradually these efforts will bear fruit.
And come together for group meditations. This is very important; it is not for nothing that Dada reminds us to find like-minded people. Many cities already have local groups where people gather and meditate together. Walking the spiritual path alone is, I think, very hard. You still need support, because when you have it, things are always easier.
Interview by Kirill Novoselov
