Country > Malaysia > Penang
Date > 2016 > June
Activity > Peoplescape

Jun 17, 2016

Encounters with the 3 Gurus in Penang

Location: Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Guru-Types
Penang is unusual that I met 3 people who are what I would call guru-types. Why guru-types and not gurus? Because they have what it takes to be gurus and command a following, but I am not sure if they are willing to play that role or already playing that role. You don't get to meet these rare types but Penang seems to attract them. These are people who are acutely aware of their imposing presence on other people, notwithstanding being softspoken. Somehow they have this charisma, this esoteric X-factor that make people follow them and listen to them speak. These guru-types know and appreciate the power they command on people. They can have disciples if they choose to, without any effort to recruit. People find this irrepressible desire to learn from them or perhaps find solace in their words. They are knowledgeable, life-experienced with a telling narrative, and conviction of their righteousness. Usually, these guru-types are old learned people who have learned the lessons of life through the trenches of suffering, triumph, defeat and exhilaration. But surprisingly, 2 of the three are just in their mid 20s!

Sasha, Manna and Marat

Sasha Kozini
I was at the National Park and needed a spare battery for a torch. Sasha offered his spare. That's how I met him. He's lean, head-shaven with a brushy beard. While camped at Turtle Beach, me and my Turkish friend Luna, gathered up with him as he talked about his travels in the Himalayas, his penchant for tea and some yoga asanas. Not surprisingly, he is well versed in Vipassana, although he's a bigger fan of Mooji than he is of Goenka. He has been traveling for 10 years now...and he's only 27! He talks in a relaxed anecdotal narrative, unimposing but almost hypnotic. Like most guru-types I've met before, it's not so much a conversation but a monologue - he talks, we listened. And it wasn't overbearing. We couldn't wait until the next word comes out of his mouth.

When I left the National Park, I thought I've seen the last of him. But in the passing days, our karmic paths intertwined. We ended up somehow bunked in the same room at the CasaBlanca Inn in Georgetown. We would spend a lot of time talking...actually more like me listening while he talks about anything under the sun. I may not always agree with him, but it's always good conversation with him. I have a feeling that even after my Penang sojourn, our paths will continue to cross.

p.s. - Indeed, I crossed paths again with Sasha in DaNang, Vietnam in Dec 2018, after 2 years. After that, I noticed that Sasha began to add the title 'Swami' to his name in Facebook. To be a 'swami', you have to be initiated in the Swami Order under a specific order (like the Giri Order, as Paramahansa Yogananda when he was ordained Swami by his guru Yukteshwar Giri).

Marat Chasanov
Marat hails from Lithuania, has a boyish look and looks the most normal of the three. Although we both shared the same room at the same hostel, we didn't really talk much except for a few snippets of yoga. While friendly, I found him reserved. Together with some friends at the hostel, we did a yoga practice one morning at the Esplanade Park. I conducted the yoga asanas and after, Marat conducted Pranayama and Meditation. It was during his closing remarks after meditation that I got a sense he is one of those guru-types. What he said wasn't new to me. In fact, it echoed much of what we both learned from Vipassana. I guess it's how he said it...his deliberation that made an impact. Like Sasha, Marat has no home and has been traveling for 7 years already. Marat left for India and I haven't seen him after that.

It wasn't until I bumped into Sasha again that I learned more about Marat. Apparently, they both know of each other. Sasha talked about Marat with respect as an equal. Sasha said that in a short time, Marat gained 23,000 followers on his Facebook page, Sun Surfers, a Russian-speaking group in pursuit of higher evolution. I did not find it surprising despite Marat being only 25 years old! Like I said, he is the guru-type and people naturally default into him.

p.s. - a few years later, I learned through Marat's Facebook, that he became a Tibetan Buddhist monk with a new name. I guess he really took his practice deeper...for real.

Marat and Sasha
I found it odd that 2 young guru-types who are well-traveled are in the same place at the same time, but never bump into each other (like-poles repelling each other?). Even Sasha concurred that him and Marat are often in the same place but they never meet. Sasha also acquiesced that they are 2 alpha-types and it's hard for both of them to be in the place at the same time - "you can't have 2 tough guys in the same town". Perhaps this ego-consumption is un-yogic, but that is a natural human reality I can very much understand - think: Krishnamurti and Osho. It is uncanny that they are very similar - both are extensive travelers whose tales cover the far-flung esoteric places most travelers don't even know about. They are both heavy into yoga and can be yoga gurus on their own. Both are just in their mid-20s! Even more uncanny is when I recommended my hostel to Sasha, he ended up staying on the same bed as Marat did! I somehow feel that both of them are karmically entangled in a cosmic dance whose climactic apex is yet to be revealed.

Manna Sayer
When I accidentally bumped into Sasha back in Georgetown, he was with Manna. Sasha already told me back at Turtle Beach that a powerful New Zealand yogi and friend would be paying him a visit. When I saw them both, I immediately knew the other guy was the NZ yogi - he was walking barefoot with a stick, goatee, tattoo all over, lean and lithe like a master yogi. He had very deep set eyes with a penetrating look...very much like Charles Manson. I never saw him blink. He sleeps on the streets (but he has money). It was hard to have a normal conversation with him as he defers back to a Vedic teaching or some ancient wisdom even on mundane talks.

p.s. - I learned from Sasha that Manna came upon some inheritance and now lives a rich man's life. C'est la vie!

Common Denominator
Aside from being smart and charismatic, these 3 guru-types share things in common. They are all versed in Vipassana and other types of meditation, they are deep in their yoga practice, and they are all consumate travelers - the world is their oyster! They are all well-connected to essential people with special skills, unique life experience or to people who themselves are well-connnected to an intricate web of peoplescape. And they all seem to know each other!

Ending Thoughts
I would say that all gurus or guru-types are natural leaders who are smart and charismatic, who have the gift of presence and influence - Gandhi, Hitler, Pol Pot, Kennedy, etc. It doesn't matter if you are a force for good or evil - it's the gift. I wonder if what they say is powerful and unique to attract such following, or it's just their sheer commanding presence. If I envision a lesser person saying the same thing, it would not have any impact whatsoever. It's their X-factor, whatever it is, that makes their persuasion so compelling. I keep using the word hypnotic. No, I would not be a disciple to any of them, but I feel privileged to be in the orbit of such guru-types and feel their power and presence from the ringside seat.

with Marat conducting pranayama and meditation at the Esplanade

with Sasha at the same guesthouse, Casa Inn in Georgetown

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

ps - I have to add another one below as a special mention. She's not a guru but a precocious life-hacker.

Jin
I met Jin in a hawker-type food stall along Chulia Street. At a very young 22 years old, she's still a student but life-savvy. She doesn't like the course imposed to her by her parents. So, she hires someone else to attend her classes and pass all the exams until graduation. That way, she gets the diploma under her name, which helps her look good to her parents-in-law when she gets married. So, what does she do now? She put up a beauty business, hiring Koreans to apply make-up to her Chinese customers. She uses the income to fund her travels. So while enjoying her travels, she's actually "attending school" and generating money from her business. Smart !!!!

Jin Blogs on TheLoneRider

There was a Bomb Explosion? Sep 30, 2016
Jin in Davao Sep 29, 2016
Encounters with the Guru-Types of Penang Jun 17, 2016

Penang, Malaysia

tourist attractions

Batu Ferringhi - beach resort town 30 minutes from Georgetown
Turtle Beach (Pantai Kerachut) at the National Park (Taman Negara) - free admission, beach, camping, trekking and maybe you get to see a turtle lay eggs
Penang Hill - panoramic view of Penang from 830 meters above sea level
Hours: 6:30am–10:30pm, Phone: +60 19-750 2139
Botanical Gardens - developed in 1884, the garden is 29 hectares of prime evergreen tropical rain forests just on the outskirt of Georgetown
10470 George Town, Penang | 5am–9pm | +60 4-227 0428
Penang National Park - with 2,562 hectares, the park is home to 46 species of birds such as the stork-billed kingfishers, white-breasted waterhens and great egrets. The sandy beach of Pantai Kerachut is also a nesting place of Green turtles from April to August
Pinang Peranakan Mansion - a stately home has been renovated to back to its former glory to showcase the opulence, lifestyle and times of the Peranakan a century ago. Monday to Sunday including Public Holidays from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Admission: MYR20.00
Dark Mansion - 3D Glow In The Dark Museum - modern interactive 3D art Museum with the "Glow in the Dark" theme | 145, Lebuh Kimberley, 10100 Georgetown, Penang | Adult MYR 18, kids MYR 10 | Mon-Fri: 10:00 - 18:30, Sat-Sun: 10:00 - 21:30

- hotel

Le Dream Boutique Hotel - central location, fitness gym, jacuzzi, compli wine hour, all day treats, movie nights
139, Jalan Pintai Tali, Georgetown - 5°24'55.9"N 100°19'58.4"E
Just Inn - central location, clean, affordable, helpful and friendly staff
155,157,159, Carnarvon Street, 10100 George Town, Malaysia - 5°24'53.8"N 100°20'05.3"E

- restaurant

My Voice - Big Bowl Ramen - 2 locations to serve you, biggest ramen bowl for everyone to join
1. C-5-1, Lorong Bayan Indah 3 Bay Avenue, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang, George Town
2. Penang Chew Jetty

Penang FYI / Tips

the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is in Georgetown's Old City (the UNESCO Heritage Site area). Any lodging in Old City puts you in the heart of things
getting around Penang by bus is convenient as there are many buses to several destinations. However, the bus takes the longest and circuitous route so be prepared for a long ride. For more information about Penang buses, go to Rapid Penang

How to Get to Penang (Georgetown) from Kuala Lumpur

train - with the modern ETS fast train, the travel time has been reduced to 3 hours 50 minutes. It's not necessary to take the sleeping train or bus anymore. And you can buy train tickets online at the KTMB website **. Go to KL Sentral and buy your ticket at the KTM InterCity office on the 2nd level, B79. Wait in the waiting area until the train comes and the staff opens up the gate to let you down to board the train - 3 hours, 50 minutes. ETS train schedule
ferry - from the train station, it is a 5-min walk to the ferry station (Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal) to board the ferry for Georgetown - 20 minutes, MYR 1.20. Ferry leaves every 40 mins. First ferry from Georgetown departs 5:40 a.m. and last ferry departs 1:00 a.m. From Butterworth, first ferry departs 5:20 a.m. and last ferry departs 12:40 a.m.
bus - from the Jetty (Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal, aka - Jetty), walk to the bus terminal in Georgetown for a trip to the city center. There is a free bus - Free Cat, which takes you around the Old City of Georgetown, where most of the backpacker hostels are located. The free bus departs every 15 minutes. The free Jetty-Georgetown bus takes a different route from the Georgetown-Jetty free bus

** I initially booked the train ticket with Easybook.com. They confirmed it by email and charged me for it. They said a 2nd email will come with my seat number. The 2nd email never came. When I had the confirmation email checked at the KTMB office on my departure, they said my purchase was not on their system. I had to buy another ticket. I later complained to Easybook.com and requested them to reverse the charge. They arrogantly said they don't do refunds. You'd been warned!

Things to do, Places to go in Penang

food - needless to say, there is no bad food in Penang. Every local has a recommendation on the must-haves, the food bloggers all have their opinion on where to eat and what to eat. But again, you don't have to search far and wide - the eating stall across you is probably a good bet already
street art - in Georgetown, there are numerous street art adorning the walls. Walk around and be surprised. There is even a Penang street map devoted to street art - ask for one from your hotel concierge
Batu Ferringhi - beach resort town 30 minutes from Georgetown, MYR 2.70 by 101 Rapid Penang Bus
Turtle Beach (Pantai Kerachut) at the National Park (Taman Negara) - free admission, beach, camping, trekking and maybe you get to see a turtle lay eggs, MYR 4 by 101 Rapid Penang Bus, 1.5 hours, 22 kms
Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera) - 6 kms, bus 204, 1 hour, MYR2 from Comtar to Penang Hill. Penang Hill rises 833 meters up a tram system. It covers several hills and could take a whole day to explore on foot. Tram fee MYR30 round trip
Botanical Gardens - developed in 1884, the garden is 29 hectares of prime evergreen tropical rain forests just on the outskirt of Georgetown. 10470 George Town, Penang | 5am–9pm | +60 4-227 0428
Penang National Park - with 2,562 hectares, the park is home to 46 species of birds such as the stork-billed kingfishers, white-breasted waterhens and great egrets. The sandy beach of Pantai Kerachut is also a nesting place of Green turtles from April to August. Phone: +60 4-881 3530
Pinang Peranakan Mansion - a stately home has been renovated to back to its former glory to showcase the opulence, lifestyle and times of the Peranakan a century ago. Monday to Sunday including Public Holidays from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Admission: MYR20.00
Dark Mansion - 3D Glow In The Dark Museum - modern interactive 3D art Museum with the "Glow in the Dark" theme | 145, Lebuh Kimberley, 10100 Georgetown, Penang | Adult MYR 18, kids MYR 10 | Mon-Fri: 10:00 - 18:30, Sat-Sun: 10:00 - 21:30

Suggested Destinations after Penang

Cameron Highlands -
Perhentian Islands -
Langkawi Island -
Taman Negara -
Hat Yai -

Penang Cost Index

(US$1 = Malaysian Ringgit 4.116 = Php 46.67 as of June 1, 2016)

MYR 40/hour tri-shaw (pedal-powered rickshaw) around the city
MYR 5-8 small bottle of beer
MYR 5-8 standard price for a soup noodle or rice topping dish
MYR 6 hot coffee in a decent cafe (cold coffee is more)
MYR 10 bicycle rental, 8am to 6pm
MYR 5 coin operated laundry
MYR 1-2 local bus rides, no change given, have exact fee
MYR 18 cheapest dorm room, shared toilet during low season
MYR 2 one hour, internet cafe
MYR 2.70 1.5 liter drinking water
MYR 79 ETS fast train from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth (Penang pier area)
MYR 18 standard admission fee for museums for 1 adult. eg - Dark Mansion - 3D Glow In The Dark Museum
MYR 7 haircut