In the presence of the one who practices ahimsa...

After almost two months of living by the beach, eating wholesome plant-based diet, and practicing asana and pranayama daily, I'm back in the smog-filled, vata-aggravating city of Manila.  


Flying in at 5 o'clock on Monday morning, I rested for 2 hours after arriving in my rented place.  Before noon, I went straight to the office to check my teaching schedule for the semester and immediately proceeded to the College of Education to process my admission.  Yes, I'm studying again starting this semester.  I'm a provisional phd in education student under the research and evaluation program.


Being a good student that I think I am, I read the instructions posted on the board.


"1st time MS and PhD students, see your program advisor for pre-advising before enlisting."


I missed the orientation program for new graduate students last May 29 because I was abroad.  After receiving their congratulatory email from the College secretariat, I immediately emailed them to ask if I could correspond with my possible program adviser via email.  Two weeks passed and still I didn't receive any reply.  I sent another email.  Still no reply.


So I went to the Department of Research and Evaluation for consultation.  


"Yes???" The lady seated behind the long table asked.


"Excuse me, ma'am.  I'm a new phd student and I'm here for pre-advising."


"Pre-advising is over.  It's the last day of registration and you're already late."  She said nonchalantly.


"I understand that but I was out of the country and emailed the secretariat for advise weeks ago yet didn't receive any reply.  I read from the announcement board that new graduate students should see their program adviser for pre-advising that's why I'm here."


"I don't know you.  Where are your papers?  You should have prioritized your registration.  The University will not wait for you, you know."


With head bowed, I asked, "what should I do?"


"Go to the secretary's office and get your documents."


"Ok.  Thank you, ma'am."


That was my first encounter with this fierce lady who I later found out that the most "terror" professor in the College of Education.  My friend said she's a very good professor and a sought after research speaker but everyone in the College detests her and the students avoid her classes.


"As long as she teaches well, I think I should be fine."  I told my friend.


Interestingly, I didn't feel any resentment towards her.  If this was 10 years ago, I would have felt blood rushing up to my head.  But things have changed.  My close friends even said I've changed a lot.  I've become more peaceful and even non-"confrontational".  Perhaps it's the yoga. ;-)


I went to the College secretariat and claimed my documents.  The lady behind the counter instructed me to go to the University registrar's office to process my admission and then go back to my department for advising.  Thus, I went and queued for 2 hours to claim my admission slip.


Upon returning to College of Education, I went back to see the fierce lady and had a 2-hour orientation with her regarding the program.  What occurred in that meeting is worthy of another post.   In that 120 minutes, I learned a lot from this professor and at the end, she agreed to be my program adviser.  She advised me to enlist in 2 subjects this semester and even gave me her mobile number in case I wouldn't be able to find her the next day.


"Wow! You must have found her soft spot.  She's not usually like that to students unless she likes you."  A graduate student I met earlier commented when she saw me with the esteemed professor.


Then I remembered a line in one of yoga texts that I've read in the past, "in the presence of those who practice ahimsa or nonviolence, even the wild animals become tame and friendly."  


I am not saying that my program adviser is a tiger but she definitely softened in the end.  


Maybe because she saw that I am genuinely interested in the program and that I have the proper background and experience to survive it...


maybe she felt some peace in the atmosphere... 


or maybe the tranquilizer was taking effect.