The Chopra Center Staff Spotlight

This month our Chopra Center Staff Spotlight features an interview with the angelic Amanda Linkul. Now in her second year as our Events Manager, Amanda travels the world scouting locations, teaching Primordial Sound Meditation, and hosting Chopra Center signature events such as SynchroDestiny, Seduction of Spirit, and Journey into Healing. Amanda recently returned from five weeks in India and Thailand and sat down with Namasté to share her sweetness.

When did you come to the Center and what drew you here? I came to the Chopra Center in February 2006. Three years prior, I had completed a yoga teacher training at an ashram in Northern California, and the experience completely lit up my soul. While living at the ashram, I learned how to meditate and began my exploration into the yogic teachings and consciousness. I deeply connected to the philosophy of Ayurveda and holistic living, and I knew that I wanted to devote my life to these teachings. I began instructing yoga while continuing to work as a marketing manager for a nutrition company. Ultimately, I met someone who introduced me to the Chopra Center. I ran into a lot of obstacles and difficult times just before I came to the Center, but once I found my way here, it was like the path cleared, and it was time to step into my dharma.

What do you love most about working here? The fulfillment of living my dharma. To truly be in that space is almost impossible to describe with words. There is no greater blessing than creating an opportunity for others to come and explore their essence. I'm grateful to be able to commit my energy in this little blip of lifetime to an organization whose mission is my own. We work as a family at the Center and have a caring for one another that goes far deeper than that of co-workers. With love and compassion as our driving force, our “work” is beyond anything I have experienced before.

What's your dosha? My prakruti is Vata-Pitta. Since I've been at the Chopra Center, I've cultivated my Kapha dosha – the grounding, nurturing qualities I need for working with people, managing events, and staying in balance.

What's your favorite food? I really like cooking, so what I enjoy most is eating a meal with ingredients I’ve carefully selected and prepared. Lately I have been making various Italian dishes, warm and comforting food for the winter season. I absolutely love Indian food, making my trip to India a dream. My favorite restaurant in San Diego, Jyoti Bihanga, makes a vegetarian Rueben sandwich with tempeh that is the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted!

How do you keep your doshas in balance? The self-abhy is my staple. Every night before bed I end my day with this nurturing, self-massage. I have a daily Primordial Sound Meditation and yoga practice to bring me into balance – and dancing! I also follow a Vata-pacifying diet that includes lots of warm, moist, nourishing foods.

What's your favorite quotation? "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change,” from the Talmud.

What are your archetypes? I have quite a few . . . I love Saraswati, the deity of wisdom and the creative arts; I'm always looking to Kwan Yin, the goddess of compassion; and the Dalai Lama for his ability to build bridges between so many different people and cultures. Another of my archetypes is Maria Shriver, who's an inspiration to me. She's such a well-spoken, strong, female leader – yet extremely compassionate, emotional, giving, and kind. She isn't afraid to be totally honest about the experiences she is going through, and she doesn't pretend to be anyone but herself.

I admire the qualities of the tigress, for she can be fierce yet gentle, discerns with grace, and is courageous and beautiful. Finally, my best friend Lindsey is one of my archetypes because she's so generous with all that she is and so selfless in all that she does. She's connected, perceptive, and solid.

Do you have any pets? Yes, I have a six-year-old pug named Scout (after the character in To Kill a Mockingbird). I also have two hermit crabs, Potato Cakes and Crabby Cakes.

What was your most transcendent moment? There have been a few. One was this fall when I visited India for the first time. On a drive from Haridwar to Rishikesh, I observed everything that surrounded me in awe. There was a 50-foot Shiva statue, the holy Ganges River gushing past, sages locked in trance-like meditation along the roadside, and chattering monkeys perched on all the bridges. And there was serenity within the chaos all around us. I was overwhelmed with gratitude to be in that place . . . amazed at the glory of it all. I thought about everything that had happened to bring me to that moment – the perfect unfolding of events that Deepak Chopra often refers to as "the conspiracy of improbabilities." I still get chills when I think about it.

What are your favorite books? Illusions, by Richard Bach; The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran; The Book of Man and The Book of Woman, by Osho; Succulent Wild Woman, by Sark; Be Here Now, by Ram Dass; The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, by Deepak Chopra; Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert; and Dear Lover, by David Deida.

Do you have any favorite movies? Yes, one of them is American Beauty, for its lessons are so rich. Another is Garden State because of Zach Braff's poignant writing and creative style. I truly relate to the journey the main character, Largeman, makes back to his small hometown and childhood friends. I also love Waking Life, which is an amazing exploration of consciousness. The Planet Earth series also blows my mind. Each episode reveals the infinite manifestations of the Great Cosmic Consciousness.

What's your favorite Chopra Center product? Vata oil – I never leave home without it!

What's your favorite city? Lake Tahoe, because I was raised there and am a Tahoe girl at heart. I also love Prague, which is such a rich, beautiful, historic city. India's Varanasi is unlike anywhere I have ever been and unlike anything I have ever experienced.

Who would you most like to invite to a dinner party? I’d keep the party small and intimate for better conversation. My guest list would include Osho, Gandhi, Emerson, John Lennon, Angelina Jolie, and Michael Franti.

What are your intentions for 2008? To continue to broaden my understanding of existence, both inward and outward. To thrive within a state of balance – professionally and personally. To get more practice playing my drums. To be a vessel. To let go.