Founded by MaharishiMahesh Yogi
Founded by MaharishiMelbourne’s bustling café owner Rus is enjoying new ways of handling the pressure of running his successful business thanks to the “life-changing” practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM).
Rustam (Rus) Ilyassov is the co-owner of Alien&Coco, which sells coffee, sandwiches and “signature” beverages, in Melbourne’s Hardware St.
“Before I started TM, I was constantly stressed and overwhelmed,” recalls the 32-year-old entrepreneur, who is also a chartered certified accountant.
“I was working 12-hour days, running around like a madman trying to keep up with the demands of the business,” he said.
“I was short-tempered, irritable, and it was starting to take a toll on my relationships and my health.”
Before opening his café, Rus worked at a strata consultancy firm. Rus’ then boss spoke about the benefits of the TM technique.
“He kept telling me how much it had helped him, but I’ll admit, I was pretty sceptical at first,” Rus said.
“I had tried meditation in the past, but I never really stuck with it. I just couldn’t quieten my mind.”
However, as the stress of running his own business continued to mount, Rus decided he had nothing to lose. He reached out to a local certified TM teacher, Mustafa Nuristani, and signed up for the 4-day in person course.
“From the moment I sat down with Mustafa, I knew this was different,” Rus said.
“The way he taught the technique, the environment he created – it was so calming and soothing. I left that first session feeling like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.”
Over the next few months, Rus made TM a daily practice, setting aside 20 minutes in the morning and evening to meditate.
The results, he says, were nothing short of transformative. “I started to feel so much more centered and grounded,” Rus said.
“The constant stress and anxiety I had been carrying around just melted away. I was able to approach my work and my relationships with a new sense of clarity and patience.”
Perhaps most significantly, Rus noticed a dramatic shift in his overall outlook on life.
“Before TM, I would stress about every little thing. I was always anxious and on edge,” he said.
“But now, I’m able to take a step back and put things in perspective. I don’t get as worked up over the small stuff anymore.”
This newfound sense of calm and equanimity has had a profound impact on Rus’ personal and professional life.
His relationships with friends, family, and employees have all improved, and he’s been able to approach his business with a renewed sense of focus and purpose.
“TM has given me the tools to manage my stress in a healthy way,” Rus said.
“Instead of letting it consume me, I’m able to step back, take a deep breath, and respond from a place of clarity and compassion. It’s been life-changing, truly.”
As he looks to the future, Rus is excited to continue his TM practice and share the benefits with others.
“I want to be a living example of what’s possible when you take the time to invest in your own well-being,” he said.
“TM has given me a new lease on life, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share that with the world.”
