This Sunday, local folks get the chance to meet Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, a spiritually enlightened individual who also happens to be a renowned Indian yogi and mystic, as well as an author, teacher and peace delegate. An Evening With the Mystic is hosted by the Isha Foundation — an international humanitarian organization founded by Vasudev — and is part of a multi-city U.S. tour of public talks and book signings held in honor of the release of Vasudev's new book, Midnights With the Mystic: A Little Guide to Freedom and Bliss. Co-authored with Cheryl Simone, an Atlanta real estate developer, the book is built upon a series of intimate, late-night campfire-side conversations between Simone and Vasudev on a secluded island located in the heart of a North Carolina lake. These conversations offer an introduction to Vasudev's teachings, which include breaking free of our self-imposed limitations or "bondage," establishing ourselves as joyous human beings and embracing a higher realm of consciousness. Rumor has it that Vasudev is a charismatic speaker, and he'll likely offer some fulfilling insight to those feeling spiritually starved. Sun., Aug. 3, 6:30 p.m., Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, 2900 Bayport Drive (off the Courtney Campbell Causeway), Tampa, free admission, IshaFoundation.org.
This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 5, 2008.