I Didn't Understand a Word from the Guru... Until Everything Made Sense.

The sun was rising on the horizon when Nicolás arrived at the small ashram in the mountains. He had traveled halfway across the world to find answers to the questions that tormented him: What was his purpose? How could he find peace in such a chaotic world? He had been told about a guru who lived in that place, a man whose wisdom transcended generations.

Upon entering, a young disciple greeted him with a bow.

—The master is expecting you —he said in a calm voice.

Nicolás followed the young man to a garden where an elderly man with a deep gaze meditated under a sandalwood tree. He wasn't wearing extravagant robes or exuding an exaggerated aura of mysticism. He was simply a man, but his presence radiated something difficult to describe.

—Master —Nicolás said humbly—, I have come from far away to find answers.

The guru watched him silently and then spoke in a slow, deep voice:

—तत् त्वम् असि (Tat Tvam Asi).

Nicolás blinked. He didn’t understand anything. He looked at the disciple for help, but the young man just smiled respectfully, as if that phrase explained everything.

—Uh... sorry, master, I don’t speak Sanskrit —Nicolás stammered, feeling awkward.

The elderly man nodded and, after a few seconds of reflection, pointed to a small pond.

—Look at the water —he said with a strange accent.

Nicolás leaned over and saw his reflection.

—What do you see? —asked the elderly man.

—Myself —Nicolás answered.

The guru picked up a stone and threw it into the pond. The ripples distorted the image.

—Now, what do you see?

—Only blurry shapes...

The master smiled.

—This is the mind when it is restless. You cannot see the truth if your inner self is disturbed. Before seeking answers from me, you must first learn to calm your own waters.

Nicolás nodded slowly, beginning to understand.

—Does this mean... that the truth is already within me?

The elderly man smiled knowingly and responded again in Sanskrit:

—अहं ब्रह्मास्मि (Aham Brahmasmi).

Nicolás sighed, realizing that this journey would be more difficult than he had imagined. He not only had to learn to calm his mind... he would also have to learn Sanskrit.

And so, his quest was just beginning.