Guest: Fariba Rofougaran
Guest:
Fariba Rofougaran
Date :
2003-11-16
www.irandokht.com
Pari Esfandiari: Increasingly, old Eastern schools of thought are gaining popularity throughout the modern world. Words such as yoga, Zen and Rumi have become topics of everyday conversation in Western society.
Many believe this trend will be short-lived. I believe the phenomenon has deeper roots. I believe it is an indication of spiritual awakening in reaction to sixteenth century developments.
Prior to that, humans were at the mercy of nature, and later, at the mercy of religion. Sixteenth-century discoveries gradually positioned humans as the center of ultimate power. People discovered rationality and knowledge as effective vehicles of authority. As a result, people suddenly took the place of God, assuming they could achieve anything they wanted through hard work.
The following centuries witnessed the unpredictable and unimaginable advances that provide us with our comfortable lifestyle today. However, the unwanted consequences of this human progress are anxiety, depression, broken families, violence, addiction and increasing suicide rates.
Now humans who are not satisfied with that progress are looking to Eastern thought in their quest for happiness. We will find out how, in our discussion with my guest, Dr. Fariba Rofougaran.
Pari: Will you please tell our viewers your educational background so they can become acquainted with you?
Fariba: Academically, I have a Ph.D in French literature from University of Southern California, with an emphasis in feminist theory. Alongside that, I have had the opportunity to experience Western Transformational schools as well as Zen and Tibetan Buddhist teachings, Hatha, Ashtanga and Kundalini Yoga which I teach right now, Vipassana and Pranic Healing. I have also had the privilege of being the student of three Tanbur masters in Iran and have learned parts of the sacred music of Maghams of the Sufi Ahl e Hagh.
Pari: What about your professional history?
Fariba: I taught French language and literature at USC for about 12 years. Having gone back to Iran, I was leading seminars and workshops, as well as translating books. Since I returned to the United States, I have been leading workshops and teaching Kundalini Yoga.
Pari: How did you evolve into a master of self-realization from a background in French literature?
Fariba: As I mentioned before, I never stopped my quest in the spiritual field while in academia. Perhaps the emphasis on feminist theory in modern French literature was part of that spiritual learning as woman.
Pari: How has self-realization contributed to your life?
Fariba: It has definitely changed the quality of my life, allowing physical health, mental clarity and balance in my relations, as well as a sense of trust and serenity.
Pari: Why do you promote self-realization?
Fariba: We humans are so miraculously powerful, yet as long as we are trapped in our conditioning, we lose the opportunity to experience our beauty and potential. Each one us is a unique gift to the universe. By liberating ourselves from our limiting habits and beliefs, we create the chance to live that uniqueness, which is our purpose in life.
Pari: Why do you think it is particularly important for women?
Fariba: I believe self-realization is equally important for men and women, but perhaps women have more challenges in this field because of the gender roles.
Pari: What about ancient thought appeals to you? Why do you incorporate it in your work?
Fariba: Ancient Hindu and Buddhist texts, if not other ancient texts, indicate that our era is the time to reveal what used to be kept as secrets to the masses. What we are witnessing now is a large and amazing body of knowledge unfolding about the universe and humans. Anybody who explores this body of knowledge realizes how vast and pragmatic our knowledge of ourselves and the universe has been in ancient times. Those who are in the field of quantum physics and of healing systems are realizing the depth of those ancient ways.
Pari: What role does Iranian Erfan play in your spiritual teaching?
Fariba: When you learn about different schools, you realize that they all say and teach the same thing, but in different manners. I use the expressions from Iranian Erfan in my workshops as much as my knowledge allows me to, hoping to revive our own treasures. I hope one day we will have our own precious practical teaching revealed as clearly as those of Buddhists and Hindus are today.
Pari: How do you define yoga? How do you incorporate it into your work?
Fariba: Yoga means Union. There are many forms of Yoga, and they all aim at the union of the individual consciousness with the infinite divine consciousness. In our Erfan we use the word "Vasl". In our four basic workshops we learn about our minds and how to master them. Alongside, we practice Kundalini Yoga, working on the body and the spirit.
Pari: What is your teaching method?
Fariba: Our method consists of workshops and Kundalini Yoga. I find Kundalini Yoga (as taught by Yogi Bhajan) a passionate yoga that fits our culture as Iranians very well. It is a Sikh approach to yoga, and as you might know, Sikhism is a combination of Sufism and Hinduism.
Pari: How do you start your workshops?
Fariba: I start workshops by teaching breathing.
Pari: Is your approach philosophical or psychological?
Fariba: It is rather practical and experiential. We deal little with theory, and a lot with practical techniques.
Pari: Who do you recommend attend self-realization classes?
Fariba: I recommend it to anyone who is interested in their own excellence.
Pari: What types of people come to you to learn about self-realization?
Fariba: People who wish to create healthier bodies and peaceful minds; people who wish to improve their relationships with family members or significant others; people who are at a confusing stage in their lives and are looking for clarity about where they truly want to go; people who are looking for a deeper meaning in their lives.
Pari: When you guide individuals, how do you know what is best for whom?
Fariba: At that point, I know intuitively.
Pari: You mentioned you believe the world is changing. Can you please expand on that?
Fariba: According to ancient mystic visions, our era is the peek of the dark ages of human consciousness, where emphasis on material life rules, and spirituality is at its shallowest degree. But we are just entering the Age of Aquarius, where we start to become interested in deeper meanings. We are starting a transition stage into light. Perhaps this explains why the growing numbers of people who are becoming interested in a more meaningful life are looking for help in ancient mystic Buddhist, Yogic or Sufi ways. |
