Heart to heart

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2012-01-27T12:27:00.001+05:30

Network Updates, Jan 20 - Jan 27

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Along the Oder River

A couple of weeks ago we saw a small exhibition of photographs by Łukasz Łojba, one of the instructors from our Formaty photography course we took a while ago. Last summer he decided to paddle a boat down the Oder river some 680km, 422miles, from...

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MasterTip on Relationships

2012-01-16T19:30:00.001+05:30

Such depth and clarity only Sri Sri can give.

Q: Guruji, you have told us how to be in a relationship. Please tell us how to come out of the relationship.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You have already come out of it! When you want to come out of it, it is already gone, it's already done! Isn't it?
Main thing is to relate yourself to the universe, to the Divinity. If you have a relationship with the Divine, you have a relationship with everyone. Then the question of establishing or breaking a relationship with anyone does not arise. In attempting to break also, one may get stuck badly. The more the mind tries to break away the more it gets pulled towards the relationship, and experiences pain.
You neither want to stay nor leave.
In leaving one feels as though some comfort is being lost, and in staying, the pain gets too intense and it is hard to stay on. So it is better to secure a relationship with the One. This way, relationships with everyone else is automatically established.

Q: Guruji, I am in love with a girl who wants me to prove my love to her by asking for expensive gifts. You had said that love is absolutely free, but this one turned out to be extremely expensive for me!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Come child, just learn the lesson! What love and friendship is, you will learn within a few days, as you grow older.
Maybe she is testing you to see how much you can sacrifice. Love does demand sacrifice. So maybe she wants to see how miserly or generous you are.
The true lover can never be greedy. A lover is joyful, peaceful, and generous. But that does not imply that you squander all you have. Use your discrimination.

I was reading http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/what-sri-sri-said-today and thought I must enhance my blog, found the above answers just too good.

Cheers

Lighter....n....lighter....n....lighter.......en LIGHT en ed!

2011-11-23T12:45:00.000+05:30

Did she talk? That definitely wasn't a talk. What was she doing? Did she do anything at all? Or was it just happening? Whatever was spoken was extracted from the consciousness, wrapped in the warmth of her heart and delivered with precision through her head. I was in awe of this perfect amalgamation of the three levels of communication [ref: Principles of Communication by H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji], head-2-head, heart-2-heart & soul-2-soul.

I came back with concepts in my head, either thrashed or rectified, heart filled with love and kindled with trust and the soul absolutely free.

How can someone, sitting so comfortably, with such ease and effortlessness, inspire others to take the effort to break out of their comfort zones! Note that my previous statement is punctuated by an exclamation and not a ? because I am in wonder!

The words were direct, there was nothing to read between the lines. However, there was a lot to feel and absorb between the lines. Like chocolate on the nut, her words were cocooned in the love that she is. When she was answering questions from the audience, I could sense the compassion that she felt for us, and like a mother who feeds her young one, she was serving us food for our souls and enbalming our hearts.

Her take on 'Thinking v/s Doing' was brutally punitive. But there was a fatherliness in the loving way with which she encouraged us to take risks, she sounded like a messenger from God, reading out God's guarantee letter! Oh man, when she spoke about the Blueprint made by God for each one of us and how he makes us realize that, I had goosebumps.

The way she explained about blame, with the example of the stain on the robe, made so many things clear all of a sudden. "When someone points to the stain on your robe, don't burn their finger, instead feel grateful that they made you realize there is a stain. And know for sure that the stain is on the fibre. The fibre is as it is, a little water and a little soap of knowledge will remove it."

She was so emphatic about not being hard with ourselves. "Don't try to behave enlightened just because you got the highest knowledge overnight."

"Its ok, its ok, everything is ok." This was so reassuring.

Such authenticity, sincerity and genuineness can exude only from a being who has the first hand experience of what she is talking about. The pinnacle of love is devotion, says Sri Sri. When she explained her 'nu-nu-na-na' funda with those kisses and cuddles, I melted. My love for her transformed into 'Bhakti'. And am longing ever since.

The meditation that followed was as restful as a sleep of a century and it seemed as if the Master HIMself was sitting there.

It was as though she was directing the music of our minds like in an orchestra with the conductor's wand, which I was realizing, as the session progressed, was a magic wand. The cobwebs in my intellect have been cleanly swept. Very subtly, she has repaired and fine tuned something inside. Not just years, but lifetimes of load seems to have been shed off the shoulders of my ego.

I feel 'mukt' [free], so light, so light, I feel EnLightened.

Love you Rajshree.

Pranams and gratitude.

Why should I know WHY?

2011-11-15T23:09:00.000+05:30

Did Warren Buffet know what he was doing would make him the richest man in the world? Did Sachin Tendulkar know that what he was doing would make him get hailed as the God of cricket? Did Newton know that thinking about the apple would revolutionize the world of physics?

Most management and self development Gurus claim that one needs to set goals and rationally plan to achieve them. I would like to ask them, "Did their life work out as they had planned it?" Has your life taken the same direction you wanted or wished or intended or desired or dreamed or envisioned?

Man made objects and programmed them with some system and made their behavior predictable. One can tell that the 9.55 slow local from Ghatkopar will definitely reach CST Mumbai by 10.30, of course, if nothing untoward happens. A stone if thrown in water will definitely reach the bottom. However, the laws of the body and the mind are completely different. And it amazes me to even begin to think as what would be the laws of the spirit? Or are there any?

Today scientists are talking about Dark Matter which comprises more than 80% of the universe. The Rishis in India, said the same thing centuries ago. An invisible force [Adrishya Shakti] governs life. The unseen is at work, was what His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji once commented in a Satsang.

If its my spirit that enlivens the matter in me and makes it function, if the unseen is making things work, if what is beyond the perceptible is almost 100 times of the known universe, if an invisible force governs most of my life, if Love moves the world, then any attempt to quantify, logically analyze, rationalize, plan is blasphemous!

Its foolish, simply absurd, completely insane to let oneself be an illusion that one can comprehend by one's finite brain and the infinitesimal intelligence it contains, the infinite creation, and even be moronic enough to predict its movement. Its like wanting to count the stars in the sky with a handful of pebbles, its like wanting to hold the ocean in your palms, its like wanting to express to your beloved, in words, how much you exactly love him/her.

If words can contain what you have experienced then, I must say, you are living a very shallow life! Life is beyond the realm of the senses. The infinite organizing power of the Divine Intelligence is beyond the domain of comprehensible existence. The mystery begins where logic ends. And its to be lived and wondered at, rather than questioned and understood.

I am glad I don't know why I am doing what I am doing, and know equally well that I will never know it too.

Any attempt to know is Ignorance,
jumping into the unknown is Faith,
dropping the knowing is Wisdom,
merging with the unknown is Love,
trusting that HE knows is Surrender,
experiencing that I am part of the unknown is Yoga,
realizing that the known and the unknown is one, is Enlightenment.

However, I don't know. ;-) Its a beautiful I DON'T KNOW.

:-)

Jai Gurudev

Reaching Heights

2011-10-30T20:29:00.001+05:30

I had never imagined life moving like Rajdhani Express suddenly, till it was standing on the platform. Got lucky to get an offer to be the PR & Communication Executive of a guy who co-ordinates all the YES!+ activities of Delhi NCR, Maharashtra, Germany and various parts of India…from taking YES!+, YES!+ DSN courses, workshops, etc to training the teachers for making the best use of their potential for enlightening millions of lives...Mr. Saleel Pulekar, Faculty Art of living...i wonder…what did I do to deserve such big responsibility?

Resigned from the job I was doing in Noida the very next day, booked my tickets for Mumbai…life was not the same anymore…

Each and every moment became exciting, unpredictable and adventurous. N I was getting amazed more and more…

The Surat trip at Diwali gave me the exposure which I never got In my life!! Being with the directors of YES!+, the founders of WAYE…Khurshed Batliwala and Dinesh Ghodke ..oooohhh!! Bawa’s cooking and his presence…Dinesh Bhaiya’s smile and caring attitude, and the way they walked, the way they talk, the attention they pay to each and every detail, took my heart away. Blend of simplicity with centeredness , being the same with the rich & poor, in crowd or with a handful people, commendable…made me learn so much in an unspoken manner.

It was a three star accommodation where I got my stay…quoting it as somebody’s house would be an understatement. A big Mansion with a beautiful Garden in the front, lovely interiors with all luxuries. Huge kitchen where 15 people can do bhastrika easily…a fridge carrying souvenir from places all across the globe… and what to say about the comfortable oval bath tub..a place to sit and pamper yourself, and I use to ponder…how these rich guys maintain the good looks all day!

Dressed up and went to meet Guruji in one of the Jazz standing outside, understanding what the rich feels and how they function on the way..

Guruji just came in his full vigour and walked the Ramp showering his blessings which gave me goosebumps sitting on the VIP sofa. With a blessed feeling of contentment of having a Guru who knows whats the best of best for you I closed my eyes.

The night was as comfortable as being under a cozy blanket on a chilly winter morning.

Morning, after attending the pds, where the master was emphasizing on the importance ayurveda and Geeta..of providing vocational training to villagers, etc went to Dumus..a big farmhouse of a devotee with Bawa and Dinesh Bhaiya, WAYE team, where I experienced being in the home theatre for the first time ever. Having Bhajiya’s in the farmhouse!!

So much happening in so less time, it made me wonder, what could have been better than this?? If perfection is to be defined it has to be this…The blend of guru with dev…

Thank you so much Guruji…

Jai gurudev.

Anumeha

DCE YES+ DAY2

2011-10-28T17:46:00.001+05:30

Heart upside down???????? then join yes+….……. creativity conducive to promote such a workshop…….neways the day started with some beautiful energetic songs….….. participants were cracking jokes and so were asked to share it with everybody to grab their attention.

It was the day of their first SUDARSHAN KRIYA which was an integral part......... it had almost consumed 50% market share in terms of my mind space regarding what it actually is…they claim that you really have to try and do it before you can realize what is so different..Some critics claim it is the immensely good PR department behind it that helps them to promote Sudarshan kriya to the whole world. And Pupils from every guru and adepts of every form of meditation make the same claims as to how the encounter with the person or meditation changed their lives.

Meditation has become very crucial for all of us to beat stress and continue with our rat race but how can we do that….hmmmm may be by concentration OR learning it the yes+ way relating with nature, its beauty, different rythms in nature and how everything is moving with it….

Initially even I was’nt in favour of them boasting so much about it but the positivity was volatile when I entered again……….if one takes a close look one could see their faces glowing with big smiles on their faces.

Continuing with the process there was a Q & Answer round …..it was didactic…… though I always try to keep inquisitors at bay but the way teachers answered all ques showed how brilliantly they were aimed at making the knowledge drain down in their mind because the kind of examples that were given helped each one of them to relate and retain the knowledge properly……

Benjamin franklin once said that “energy and persistence conquer all things”………and as it is all of us are full of energy but one question that arises is - do we actually use it for the right purpose or in right direction????

The day was full of different games, fun and masti intended to bring out their potential to the fullest......because if you give your best all the time, somehow things will work out in the end…everybody running, banging into each other…I was wondering why is this athletic training being given here…

but still they were laughing and enjoying like anything….it was as if somebody had switched on the ‘lets be kids again’ button in them… ……..

I wanted to have some personal interactions with the teacher but he was never left alone...not even during the breaks.

Apart from his efficiency the most amazing part was that after every 5 min the teachers would crack some joke with use of aphorisms and instigate laughter so that the attention of the students remain intact……. taking names and aptly using the mike was commendable…even the volunteers were very committed in taking care of everything sincerely except for the puddles on the way, no lights on the entrance or should I first say that there was no proper entrance……excellence in mediocrity was taken very seriously I guess………newayz the protracted smiles on their faces was just perfect to end the second day of yes+ saying-- Yeh Experience Scintillating tha.

DCE YES!+ Day 1

2011-10-20T02:16:00.046+05:30

I bumped into a freelance journalist at the Siri Fort Auditorium when I had been there to attend a talk by H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. I invited her to write about YES!+ events. Here is her first cover story.

MY EXPERIMENT WITH SPIRITUALITY YES+ WORKSHOP
DELHI TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
11TH-16TH OCT
Day 1
A very beautiful pandal with open roof, greenery all around and a pleasant weather . All this was very impressive to start with. As soon as I entered, the first thing that grabbed my attention was this big photograph of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji with a garland on it. Participants were gazing at his picture with an inquisitive mind. Batting my eyelids and wondering, I just went and sat at the back.

Looking at the male female ratio of the workshop I really thought that may be it was because girls there were sensible enough not to go for all such things. Looking at different posters there I came across one which claimed that “ the all new most endangered species that is the stress free yes+ youth” which was funny and interesting.

Two men wearing kurta pyjama, smiling in a strange way, serenity on their face and a white teeka on forehead. The environment was all white and calm. In a very affable manner they introduced themselves Saleel Pulekar and Rohit Ranjan (another teacher with very attractive hair).

The session started with getting familiar with everybody. Huh…looking at their expressions I could make out that whenever they came across anybody they wondered that ‘talking to you is definitely not on my priority list’ but since they were there to learn something new, they were all for it……… then some rules were introduced.

I was told that a little self knowledge goes a long way, on YES+ you get a lot.

To begin with it is generally said that Listening is a skill as it requires a lot of practice…..but what a paradox it was looking at some participants sitting there as red flag listeners- the one who just shut there power of listening because they feel they know everything.

Then comes …. MIND - which actually just lingers either in the past or in the future. Saleel sir gave a very good example to make them understand that ‘quality of your life depends on your state of mind’…….it was very vivid.

Moving on…they were introduced to a new breathing technique and pranayam. For me breathing only meant one thing just inhaling horrible pollution inside and exhaling out anger and obviously with some involvement of oxygen and CO2

Next a process took place in which all of them had to discuss about the challenges they face in life, their dreams and aspirations. many of them floundered during the process but very enthusiastically they shared their wishes expecting them to be fulfilled as we all know that angels despite there casual silence do exist.……during this process It was as if I and a few of them had schizophrenia for a while.

The knowledge session included a lot of things that have been heard or read somewhere before. .and Sitting with the future engineers of our country , interacting with them made me realize that they were doubting a lot things just because its not simply denial but some of us are a bit selective about the reality we accept…………………

I would summarise the day 1 of YES+ as - 'Yeh experience subtle tha'.

A course that put the ship of my life on course

2011-10-17T15:59:00.001+05:30

Doctrines, dogmas, concepts, conventions, patterns are an integral part of the psyche of a set of people who work for an organization, whether commercial or otherwise. Art of Living is no exception. It has taken me 14 years to realize that a spiritual 'Organization' has nothing to do with 'Spirituality'. However ironical and absurd it may sound, its a hard learned fact.

White dresses, chandan on the forehead, untimely meditations, plastic smiles, flaunting miraculous experiences, unwarranted sweetness in speech, exaggerated expressions of devotion (bhav), saying 'Yes' without proper thought and commitment, etc had become my lifestyle. Its a Maya (illusion) created by the utterly misguided and ill-mentored volunteers.

Then 'Bawa' happened to me....in 2001!

Masks started shedding and concepts started crumbling. Ideologies loosened their grip on my intellect and the sweet samskaras started getting washed away as though in a stormy river with detergent in it. Doctrines and dogmas were sent tumbling downhill.

It was all happening step by step, layer by layer, petal by petal, day by day I was experiencing a steady, though sometimes exponential, transformation.

I am resisting very strongly now, the waves of praises surging in my heart for Bawa, as all those golden memories of spending time with him since 2001 are flashing, some vividly and some vaguely. I am sure they will erupt on my blog like a volcano of words packed with emotion and impregnated with knowledge, very soon.

Right now I wanted to tell you guys that the YES!+ course was a high point, a steep uphill-cum-downhill transition, on this path of transformation. 28 June to 04 July, 2005.

It brought my focus back to my body making me realize the importance of health, stamina and fitness. It accelerated the above mentioned transformation at the levels of mind, intellect and memory. And it did not stop there. It, first punctured and then fine tuned, my ego.

When Lord Buddha destroyed the ego of the scholarly disciples of his time, they got enlightened. They got established in the next and last level of their existence - the SELF. The enlightenment for me was, 'there was so little implementation of the knowledge I had got used to talking about in the courses I was teaching.' Too much of Shravan and Manan and hardly any Nidhi-dhyasa was being practiced.

A very significant and mandatory switch had got initiated. I had been brutally exposed to the grass roots reality of life. A re-union with my spirit had happened.

It was an abundantly practical and yet a profoundly spiritual experience.
Saleel, the Art of Living teacher had got back his dearest closest beloved... Saleel.......... just Saleel!!!

Thank you Bawa-n-Dinesh, thank you YES!+.

My Guru keeps giving me 'Zarurat se jyada and Samay se pehle'.

Gratefully yours.

Jai Gurudev

Some things just stay with you...

2011-10-10T15:59:00.002+05:30

We grew with his voice, Jagjit Singh. My heart skipped a beat when I read about his demise. Feels like I have lost something, am actually sad.

The immortal 'Hoto se choo lo tum' was on the lips of every kid in my school. I still remember watching that song in 'Chitrahaar', the serial on the B&W TV in my house. His reverberating voice in 'Tumko dekha to ye khayal aaya' would instantly create a typical 'Jagjit romance' atmosphere.

Though I have always carried his impression as a melancholy singer, thanks to his first-love-in-music Ghazals, and sometimes even made fun of him by calling his voice depressive; one had to admit his outright supremacy amongst the contemporary singers of his genre, when one had heard 'Kagaz ki Kashti' and 'Main nashe me hun' and 'Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho' and 'Hazaron Khwaishe'.

One of my friends commented, his throat had a built-in amplifier and echo system. :-)

Some things are so much integrated in our lifestyles and ingrained in our consciousness that we notice them when they are taken away from us. I remember I used to spend hours in the balcony of my house, practicing a few of his songs, attempting to sing like him. I am sure it has done a lot of fine tuning to the frequency equalizer of my larynx.

In the last decade (if I am not mistaken), his contribution to the the Bhajan genre through 'He Ram, He Ram' and 'Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare' has been indispensable.

So, though, I will not say, 'mujhako lauta do bachpan ka saawan', because my Guru has taught me to live in the present, this post definitely is a tribute to a Maestro of one of his kind, Jagjit sahab, Tussi great ho, Tofa kabool karo!

May his soul rest in peace and move ahead towards its merger with the Infinite.

Gratitude and Pranams from a fan, an admirer and a student.

Jai GuruDev

Being a Sakshi (Witness) is Tough

2011-09-21T00:00:00.000+05:30

Yesterday, I had been for a walk in my locality, Garodia Nagar, in Ghatkopar, Mumbai. I went to the Lion's Club Joggers park. It was very pleasant in the park.

Young Gujju ladies, looking like middle aged aunties, courtesy their behinds, gossiping away while making lazy rounds of the park, spoiling the silence of the atmosphere. On the bench, old uncles, discussing the plight of the world and the dangers to come, the sheer disappointment in their tone clearly evident, with traces of a superiority complex as they compared today's times to their days.

Some health freaks, making a leisurely garden walk a serious affair, more than the sweat, their twisted brows were distorting their face, as though they were there to vent out their anger, after a recent fight with their boss/wife.

Young couples on the benches in some shady corner, where somehow the light rays from the nearby lamp post don't reach, because some leaf or flower of a long branch manages to do its job. Some couples exchanging whispered conversations, some struggling to manage some physical contact, just a side hug if nothing else ;-) and yet some others shooting invisible missiles through the sides of their eyeballs, such strong resistance to even look at each other, as though it will leak out some signal of love! I actually felt like going to one such couple and telling them, "Guys, just chill, you never know till how long you will continue to get these moments, hatred destroys love, only love nurtures love."

The tiny tots toddling with excitement in a new found paradise like Alices in wonderland.

I wondered, is this being a 'Sakshi'? I shifted my awareness to my walk, the length of my strides, the movement of the balance of my body. Then to my breath, and thoughts. My pace reduced, i began getting lost in my thoughts. I just shrugged the thoughts and came back to my brisk walk. I realized being a Sakshi while in 100 % action was quite a challenge. Remembered Sri Sri's text on 'Rest in Activity and Activity in Rest'. Wondered, how does HE do it?

I made a few attempts to keep my awareness on the atmosphere, the people around, my walk, breath, thoughts and feelings and something deeper in me, all at the same time, like a parallel processor.

I failed miserably :-(

I need more practice.

Jai Gurudev

Who is the Teacher?

2011-09-05T16:39:00.001+05:30

Since as early morning as 00:03, I have been getting SMS and FB messages and emails wishing me a Happy Teachers Day. Some praises about how well I have taught and how my teachings have made a difference in peoples' lives.

These messages set me thinking and I began wondering, "What and who did I teach?"

A chain of thoughts, like one wave after the other, like the gushing flow of a boisterous river, swept my mind. Images of my various teachers starting from my mother, my Std 3 school teacher, sports teachers, dad, my cousins, my uncles and aunts, neighbors, friends with whom I used to play...etc etc. Very soon my mind was congested with images in a fraction of second, similar to how the silver lined clouds of various shapes make the sky look like a multiple exposed screen when lightning strikes supplemented with sound effects of thunder.

Art of Living teachers, my mentors, college guides ..they all came. A sudden realization came the next moment. My so called 'students', who agreed to listen to and receive from me, without whom I would not be called a teacher. Gratitude welled up, various masterstrokes of HIS grace rose the love smeared energy from my heart chakra upward through the throat and further up.

Awareness dawned...

and the answer that came within a few seconds as clear as a crystal was 'NOTHING & NOBODY'. I have taught nothing and to nobody. I became blank and blissed out. Doership had completely dropped and I was re-connected to the emptiness that I am, have been and will continue to BE.

The farmer only provides the earth, water, manure and heat to the seed. The SEED sprouts.

The cook puts the water in a vessel on the heater, the WATER boils.

Someone puts the switch on, ELECTRICITY flows.

You scratch the card, the NUMBER emerges.

Two beings of the opposite sex mate, a new LIFE is born.

The leader inspires, PEOPLE decide to follow.

The master shows the way, the DISCIPLE decides to walk on the path.

A student reads a book, UNDERSTANDING happens.

A painter mixes two or more colors, a new COLOR emerges.

A singer stimulates his vocal chords, MUSIC flows.

We breathe, LIFE continues.

Man proposes, GOD disposes.

Nature is pregnant with knowledge and an infinite organizing potential. Like the designs exist in the kaleidoscope, you just need to move it a bit to create a new pattern, the teacher does just that.

The Guru does not even give you knowledge, he just heightens your awareness. -- H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Gratitude and Love

Jai Gurudev

Lightning

108 learnings from my 25th advance course

2011-08-08T00:16:00.000+05:30

SWADHYAY SWADHYAY SWADHYAY SWADHYAY SWADHYAY SWADHYAY

Ramayan Super-Compressed

2011-08-04T08:00:00.006+05:30

Once somebody asked Guruji about Ramayan saraansh [summary] and this was his one-liner reply :

"Jab mann roopi Sita, Hiran roopi indriyo se mohit ho jati hai, tab wo Ravan roopi ahankar ke vash me aakar, Ram roopi Atma se door ho jati hai; phir Laxman roopi sajagta aur Hanuman roopi Shwaas ke dwara use Ravan roopi ahankar se mukt karke Ram roopi atma se punah milaya jata hai."

[ When Sita (mind), gets attracted by the Deer (sense objects), it comes under the clutches of Ravan (the ego) and goes away from Rama (the Self); then with the help of Laxman (awareness) and Hanuman (the breath), it is freed from Ravan (the ego) and united with Rama (the Self). ]

Is your Sita with your Rama?

:-)

Love n Jai Gurudev

Karma

2011-08-01T23:10:00.000+05:30

Q: What is Karma?

A: You asked me this question, this is my Karma and your effort. Whatever I answer, is my effort and your Karma.

Q: What is the mind?

A: Is your mind here right now? Yes?...yes? Yes. ok. So you know what is the mind. :-)

Love n Jai Gurudev
Saleel

Sri Sri's Viraat Roop

2011-07-03T02:43:00.001+05:30

More than 5000 years ago Lord Krishna, while giving the Bhagavad Geeta to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, showed his divine form - the Viraat Roop, to him.

Today while watching the World Culture Festival event in the Olympia Stadium in Berlin, I felt so strongly that Guruji has shown his Viraat Roop, yet again.

So many cultures were presented on one platform, so many communities, all came as one. One global family, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

When Guruji said not only individuals have to come together, even all the cultures of the world have to meet, I could feel his sincerity and earnestness.

The meditation he conducted invoked so much peace, joy and unity, it was as if the whole world was celebrating inside me through his grace. When the various performances from all over the world, as far east as Japan and as far west as Argentina, happened, the homogeneousness of the entire human species as belonging to one source, one divinity could be felt so prominently.

In today's world, if one expects Guruji to create some thunder and lightning and expand himself and manifest with a thousand heads and a million arms, then it will be very foolish. I think HE has demonstrated and shown HIS VIRAAT ROOP through this event, which no mortal could have done.

What is the world waiting for? When Jesus Christ brought the dead to life, still people doubted him, when Krishna vanquished all his enemies with his miracles, still people did not recognize the divine in him, after bringing such diverse and warring nations and cultures together at one place and sing and dance, are we going to ask and wait for more proof or are we going to bask in HIS grace and shine in HIS glory?

Well, the choice is ours and the blessings are HIS.

:-)

Jai Gurudev

Its been a long walk

2011-06-30T12:30:00.001+05:30

After a long time I took a long walk in Ghatkopar, Mumbai on the 90 ft road, Odeon cinema, Hingwala lane, etc.

These were the roads I often visited with my school and college friends in the evenings. The primary objective of these walks was never refreshing the mind and energizing the body, but rather it was soothing the eyes and warming the heart ;-) (watching the babes).

Nostalgia did cross my mind as I watched the lanes, shops and various apartment buildings, but it didn't stay long. What struck my mind harder was that though a couple of decades had passed and everything had changed, some things had not changed at all!

The Gujjus were hogging at the hawkers, people were in a mad rush, tired and stressed, to reach back home, young girls were flaunting their dresses, the boys were ogling at them and passing comments, aunties were gossiping about prices and jewelry, uncles were discussing the stock market and yet some others were expressing their woes of corporate politics.

How long will we remain stuck in the patterns of the past life-times? When are we going to graduate out of the school of desires into the institution of the enlightened? How much more time? How many more births?

Its been a long, long, a really long walk!

Asangohum, punah, punah!

Hmmm....?

Truth is not Linear

2011-06-15T23:35:00.000+05:30

I have no words to express what it is to be staying in the ashram in Bengaluru. The very air is permeated with Sattva and Grace. Its a blessing to be here. Yesterday there were stormy winds followed by heavy showers. I guess one has to have an extremely expanded consciousness to be able to absorb the divine beauty of the atmosphere. My mind fails to comprehend how can some thing or place be so so so good!

The best part of the day is the satsang in the evening with Guruji. His presence engulfs the entire hall with a warm benevolence, so obviously evident.

Today in the Satsang, Brijit asked about some apparent contradiction in the Gita. Guruji narrated an anecdote. Former American president Mr. Nixon once travelled to Japan. He had the occasion to have the company of a Buddhist Zen monk on his left and a Shinto monk on his right. When asked as to how much percentage of the Japanese population is following Buddhism and how much is following Shintoism, both replied 80%. Nixon could not understand how this could be possible.

Guruji said, "The West has always considered Truth as linear. In the East they have understood it as Spherical. If one has to get directions to go to a certain place, if someone says go straight and then left, someone else says go straight and then right and yet someone else says just go straight; all the the three are right depending on where the person who is asking directions is standing."

So Truth is multi dimensional and spherical.

There was another question about the discrimination between 'Paap' (Sins )and 'Punya' (virtuous deeds). Guruji simplified a complex concept by answering that question in 2 lines. A deed that makes you and many others around you sad is bad. A deed that makes you and many others around you happy is good.

Master-Stroke :-)

Sri Sri as I know him :-)

2011-06-07T12:15:00.000+05:30

This must have been in 2003 or 2004. Guruji had stayed back in Mumbai at Sangeeta Jani's house in Juhu. We went there to catch him the next morning before he could leave for the airport. Around a couple of hundred of us were huddled in the drawing room eagerly waiting to get a glimpse of him.

Though the huge 5-storey house has an elevator in it, Guruji came down by the staircase. Heads turned around, some stopped singing the bhajan they were singing, for some others the tempo of the bhajan increased and yet a few others just shouted, "Guruji!"

I could notice that he had just taken a shower. He looked like a freshly blossomed flower with the morning dew drops still sparkling on it. As he walked down, the bottom of his white veshti (dhoti) gently caressed the staircase. His glowing face, radiant like the Sun was partly hidden in his long hair let loose, still a little wet. What a sight that was! A hair brush in his right hand was finding its way through the dark black tresses. Suddenly the brush got entangled and he had to skillfully make his way further. Then with a serene smile on his face, he looked at us and said, "Baal jab bade ho jate hai to ulajh jaate hai, phir Gyaan ki kanghi se unhe suljhana padta hai.." [When children grow up and become adults they get entangled, then they have to made free using the comb of knowledge. ]

When you are blessed with a Master in your life, every Happening becomes a Learning :-)
Happy Learning !

Jai Gurudev

My first poem

2011-06-01T12:25:00.000+05:30

Nature, God and Me

Flower, flower rose flower,
Who made you so beautiful?
Looking at you, the love in me stirs,
You make me feel so full.

Tree, tree banyan tree,
Who made you so huge and endless with care?
Looking at you, I feel, I too must share,
You bring out the life in me.

Sky, sky blue sky,
Who made you infinite?
Looking at you takes me inside,
You make me wonder, Who am I? Who am I?!

Well, this poem was written by me in 3 minutes, in a desperate attempt to complete my HW (sitting in class when the others were reading out their's :-) ), while attending the NOVICE TTC last week in the Ashram in Bengaluru.

Love n Jai Gurudev
Saleel

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from !DEA

Bhagavatam : An Ocean of Devotion

2011-05-25T08:00:00.001+05:30

Ved Vyasa once felt that even after blessing the humanity with the storehouse of knowledge, Mahabharata and the rules of conduct, the four vedas, he had not done enough. He felt that his work didn't grant him satisfaction.

Then sage Narada came to his rescue and told him that even though he was interested in the welfare of the world through his works, there was a drawback. Mahabharata talks about Dharma, righteousness in action and the vedas tells about Karma Yoga, the rules of conduct. But none has the 'Exclusive' praises of the Lord.

In all his works, the Lord was 'Incidentally' praised. There was no single-mindedness in his devotion.

Narada told him, "the praises of Narayana even if they are sung out of tune, will assure man of the Grace of the Lord.The easiest path to the Lord is that of Bhakti. So sing the praises of Narayana. Let nothing come from the your lips except words of praise describing the glory of Narayana and you will find Peace. Unveil to the world the secret behind the avataras."

This is how Bhagavatam came into existence. And whats in it? ...to be continued.

:-)

Using Nimbu Pani to control the Mind!!!

2011-05-22T08:00:00.000+05:30

This time, We all felt really lucky to have Saleel Bhaiya in our weekly Saturday YES!+ follow up, who talked about “DESIRES”. Now, the knowledge in itself is so profound and when told by a teacher like him, in such a practical manner, gets understood easily.

Ref: Knowledge Sheet 135: You are pure Electricty, on Pg 177 in 'An Intimate Note to the Sincere Seeker' by H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Saleel bhaiya talked about the electric nature of desires for sensory pleasures- whenever a desire arises, one can feel an intense sensation inside. He gave an example which every youth can relate to – ice-creams!! J As by the power of electricity, trains, machines etc. can be moved, the inner electricity can pull the whole body! Just the thought of having ice-cream creates such a powerful pull. It can make the whole body move to the ice cream parlor!

All the distortions - Lust, greed, jealousy etc. are powerful because they are energies/electric in nature but the awareness that it is WE who are the source of that pure electricity can help you move desires deeper within (self)- towards everlasting bliss and pleasure. The purity of the inner electricity can be maintained by devotion and dedication.

Remembering that you will die makes you alive now! When you know that you are going to die anytime, say tomorrow, then the mind automatically comes back to the present moment and since you feel have less time left, you think of doing things which you really want to do than day-dreaming. (This was the WoW moment, for me!)

At the end, we were given a “homework” - within next 24 hours, whatever 1 desire you have; do not fulfill it for you but for 3 others. Sounds easy? Nah! You’ve got to practically do it to find out the easiness.

Initially we took it lightly and the homework became more of a game – we asking few others what were there desire/s at that moment (as if we would fulfill them :-) ) and the person asked, on the verge of answering would suddenly realize the repercussions – how it would backfire and leave a hole in his pocket ;)

Since in Delhi the weather is humid these days, I suddenly had the “desire” to drink “Nimbu Pani”. Believe me, it’s a sheer bliss in hot weather! But..but..but..I remembered the homework and with a heavy heart I ordered 3 “Nimbu Pani”.

Now since I couldn’t have it, my longing for it was increasing, though it wasn’t making me sad. I could feel the taste, smell the lemon masala etc etc. The electric nature of the pleasure was erupting in me. Oh-la-la..And to top it all, the three highly ungrateful people added to my misery :relishing each sip, deliberately making comments of how good it was made by the vendor etc. etc.

We were in all 6 people standing and I asked the remaining 2 if they too would like to have it. Though the homework was for 3 people only, there’s no harm in doing it a little better for those brownie points ;-).

So now the whole gang was having Nimbu Pani except me. Initially I was thinking about having Nimbu Pani but slowly in the whole process of getting it for others, the craving pacified. Slowly the acceptance came and my mind came back to the present moment. I started enjoying the moment anyway and while they were drinking it, the attention shifted from nimbu Pani to other important matters.

While I was busy discussing something, suddenly a friend who’d finished his drink came and handed me a BIG glass of Nimbu Pani! “It’s for you; we’ve all had; now you should also have”. I, in a determined tone, said no. I wanted to do my homework really well (though the desire had reduced, I wouldn’t have minded a glass!;)

But they all very lovingly said that the homework is over and that it isn’t I who’d asked but they who‘ve got it willingly.

After little bit of friendly tussle, I finally agreed and had it! The first 2 sips were heavenly! It was a BIG glass (almost double of what they had), the first few sips quenched my thirst and as the drink came till the bottom, I no longer wanted to have it!.

I had an intrinsic learning in the whole process:

· Once you work for others and keep your desires aside, it automatically gets fulfilled! (Of course, the expectation shouldn’t be there :-) )

· It’s the longing for the desire that is more pleasurable, once fulfilled the charm is lost.

· No matter whether your desire is fulfilled or not, staying happy is in your hands and not directly proportional to it ;)

You learn something every day if you pay attention – Anonymous

Loved writing this, feels grateful for bei ng given the opportunity to write on your blog bhaiya.

Jai Gurudev

Swati Gupta

Handling MINDS: A Conversation

2011-05-19T08:00:00.001+05:30

In the second week of April, I had an interaction with YES!+ participants on the last day of their course.
I thought of sharing one of the conversations on the blog.

Student : I had watched the silver jubilee celebration of 'The Art of Living' few years back. But i felt it was too much wastage of money. The money could have been used elsewhere effectively. Don't you think so?

Me : You know how many people came to attend that event? 2.5million. They meditated together and only God knows how many people were healed. Had they been told that they have to come and meditate together. How many would have come? Very few. That's why they were told that there's a big Celebration and actually there was :-) So many people came to know about Art of Living through this event. And so many lives got transformed.

Student : But why so much spending? It was un-necessary

Me : Why are you wearing that watch?
Student : To check time
Me : Don't you have a mobile phone?
Student : Yes
Me : Its a waste of money.
Student : But its just worth 500.
Me : In our ashram, 15days of food, shelter and education of a child is taken care in Rs. 500.

Student : Ok, I accept it that I am wrong. But then he's (Guruji) wrong too.

Me : Look, my point is not proving that you are wrong. I just want to tell you that your perspective to look at things is not correct right now. Being a student, you should be open-minded and you should see things from all the perspectives. This attitude will take you way ahead. It is like you are holding a coin with one face towards you and the other face towards the other person and you are firm in your belief that the coin has only one face. You have to broaden your vision and you have to look at the coin from all dimensions..

Student : Right, but why Art of Living has to publicize so much about the courses?

Me : How many ads, how many hoardings did you see for this course?

Student : None

Me : How did you come to know about it?

Student : Word of mouth

Me : Coke industry sells pesticides. If they can publicize, promote something so harmful, why not us? We are anyways bringing a positive change in everybody's life. It is said, "the milkman has to go door to door to sell milk; but the guy who wants to sell alcohol just opens a bar and people come to him. For good things to spread, effort is needed. Do whatever it takes to change somebody's life, to bring a smile on somebody's face.

So as a teacher, it was an experience of handling the other person's mind. This can only be done when your mind itself is well handled ;-)

In any conversation, the first thing which needs to be done is making the other person receptive enough for the conversation. Then educating him if he is missing out on something. And the last thing is ignoring if he is not open to receive the knowledge :-). This ensures that you will be at peace.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Jai Gurudev
Saleel

"SaagaR me ek LehaR Uthi TerE NaaM Ki" :)

2011-05-16T04:00:00.004+05:30

In your presence, all my problems just seem to vanish and automatically a smile appears on my face. Your warmth and love makes me feel that I am the most special person on this earth.
You have inspired me to give my 100% in basketball and I am very thankful to you for that.
I love your sense of humor, your acting, singing and the way you talk to people.
You are a true inspiration bhaiya. I would love to imbibe all these qualities from you and become a better person in life.

- Chinmayee, Delhi

You have helped me find out what I want in my life.I have learned a lot from you. But these two are my 'Special' learnings. Never do anything to escape from the situation rather face it. Follow your passion and more than following your passion, follow that thing which is made for you. For me, you are a friend, mentor, Guru. I love you. Thanks for being there darling. :)

- Arjun, Delhi

Bhaiya, you are so generous in sharing the knowledge you have. Very down to earth.

You not only spread Guruji's knowledge but also believe in the empowerment of all the volunteers and teachers on this path. I have learned a lot of things from each and every action of yours..

Carrying that great amount of energy and enthusiasm all the time, to be able to Smile in all sorts of situations, how not to be a football of others as well as our own opinions but on top of everything I learned how to have faith in the Guru and His Knowledge. :)

May you continue to make people around you happier n happier.. :))

- Advait Deshpande, Auranagabad

Saleel bhaiya...no words for you. :)

I am lucky that I got you as my teacher, Guru. For me, you are my first Guruji. You are the only and only person who gave compliment to my smile and I was like out of this world. :D You have made my life more beautiful and colorful. Aapse jab bhi milti hu duniya ki sari khushiyan paas aa jati hai. :)

You very special for me. May you get all the happiness in his life.

Happy Birthday Bhaiya :)

- Komal, Delhi

I feel so grateful how you have been guiding me in every aspect of my life. You are one person who acknowledges and supports my 'out of box' ideas :P..One thing which I can never forget is how you just said yes when I asked you for the Vrindavan trip. You rock Bhaiya!! :)
- Bharat, Delhi

Bhaiya, you are simply the best.Days spent with u were the and will always be the best days of my life. Your one smile takes away all my problems. Your presence is like an Aura. You have given a new meaning to my life. The thing which I admire about you the most is 'Your true dedication towards the Divine and your immense care for everyone'. :)
Lots of love,

- Simran, Delhi

Saleel Bhaiya and Me.. Feels like we have spent lives together. You were my first D.S.N. teacher, an instrument in bringing out the Lion in this mouse. Though we haven't spoken with each other much, but I can feel that you know everything about me. You taught me to Love everyone and I Love you for this. The best part of Art of Living I have met so far. In fact, I see you as a volunteer making many teachers out of volunteers.Wish you love and happiness on your birthday :)

- Aditya, Mumbai

I just wish to add a line which saleel bhaiya said to me , " Abhaav aur
Prabhaav mein Swabhaav mein antar nahi aana chahiye"
Thats what I've learnt and still learning from him :) :)

- Swati Gupta, Delhi

When you suddenly ping me and write on chatbox , 'tu kaisa hai?', transcendence from mind to heart happens spontaneously! Then I wonder for the next 5 minutes how to reply back! Bhaiya you are the only person I have ever proposed except my mommy n sister :) Love you bhaiya (doing it again!!).. I am too lucky for having known you!!! Thank you Guruji for that. Happy b'day Bhaiya!!! Keep blessing us!!!

- Nihar, Delhi

Saleel Bhaiya.. Just one word for you. You are "Love!!"

- Hemul, Delhi

Even the combination of a million words from the 26 letters can't describe who and what Saleel bhaiya is for me.. Ladder to the Guru. Embodiment of Love, radiating immense peace and warmth.. even more than the lap of the mother does!! Touch as deep and velvety soft as that of the Master. One smile and I am back to the source.. Deeply, madly, highly Grateful to have a gifted Mother's presence in my life... :)

- Suvidha, Delhi

I have learned to live joyfully, morally from you and I feel the harmony in every moment of my life since you came in my life. Whenever I feel miserable, I remember your smile and suddenly I get the confidence to face any problem. Just like an umbrella can't stop the rain but gives us the confidence to stand in the rain, you, my mentor have played such a role in my life.

Wish you many many happiest and glorious moments ahead. Happy birthday dada...... :)

Jeyashree Ramanujan, Akola

For me, you are not a person..you are presence, His presence :).. Your being there in my life reminds me of the Love, Knowledge I have been blessed with and not to forget, the Unlimited Grace !! :) In your presence, the 'Real' empowerment happens :D. Awareness shoots up, talents come up and so much more ;).. You don't make volunteers. You make Devotees :) Readily available like a Mother, you are. Your level of belongingness and the sense of sharing inspires me.. You are living the master's words :)

- Anjesh, Delhi

You look like baby Ganesha . Your presence exudes warm and comforting Love . Truly the cutest,the wisest and the most Pious teacher for us.

When I think of you, I get reminded of a free ,warm air balloon flying in deep ecstasy and in the secret company of the air around it in the sky Above

Hope you get more divine every moment :)
- Neha Bhagat, Delhi

Bhaiya you have been and you are an inspiration every minute. I have learned a lot from you! You carry such amazing Guru energy. Its a pleasure to be in your presence. The time spent with you has been amazing. I am so grateful to have u in my life. It is so much fun sharing knowledge, guru stories with you!! You are my inspiring ANGEL!!

Love u loads!!....

yours "makhan"..."kiddo"

(Madhvi, Delhi)

" When you can see the whole world through the eyes of the Master, it is a sign that you have come to the Master..!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Bhaiya :)

Sri Sri as I know Him :-)

2011-05-13T08:00:00.000+05:30

This incident happened about a few years back when Guruji was in Narayana Hall, the old side of Art of Living Bangalore ashram, conducting a session for teachers, just after the Navratri Celebrations. All doors and windows had been closed while the session was going on and it was all jam packed inside.

Suddenly a lady who was late for the session and couldn't manage to get inside called out to Guruji and said "Guruji, andar walo ko bahar bhejo mujhe andar aana hai.."

Guruji with a wink in his eyes replied, "Main bhi to tumse kabse yahi keh raha hun."

When you are Hollow and Empty, you give a chance to the Divine to fill you up.

Fill you up with? With beauty and bliss!!

Jgd :-)

Shyam mila de...Radhe Radhe :)

2011-05-10T08:00:00.002+05:30

We have a very famous bhajan in The Art of Living. "Nikunj me biraaje Ghanshyam Radhe Radhe", a song from the KRISHNA album.

The lyrics of this song give such wonderful knowledge. The song says,
"Nikunj me biraaje Ghanshyam Radhe Radhe,
Ghanshyam Radhe Radhe tu Shyam se mila de,
Radhe Radhe, Shyam mila de,
Shyam mila de, Radhe Radhe"

Meaning:
The 'Best' way to get to the man is through his girlfriend/wife. So, if you want to meet Krishna go through Radha or become Radha.
So who is this Radha? What is this Radha? Where is this Radha? Can I get her phone no. or atleast her email id? Can I add her as a friend on facebook? :-)

Ok. Ok. Relax! Don't Panic. Whatever is happening to you right now is 'DHARA'.

The mind is pulled by the five senses. The eyes want to see. The ears want to hear. The nose wants to smell. The tongue wants to taste. The skin wants to touch. This mind flowing outwards is DHARA. And RADHA is the reverse, the mind flowing inwards.

ANTARMUKHI SADA SUKHI :-)

Only when you go inwards, you will come back to the source and you will find Eternal Bliss.

"Yahi Sadhna hai - Drishya se Drishta ki ore aana."

Jai Gurudev :-)
Saleel

Metamorphosis - From God to Human to X...Y...Z to Human to God!!

2011-05-07T08:00:00.017+05:30

It is said “Bachche bhagwan ka roop hain”. Every child is Divine. So we are born as God but as we start observing ‘Human beings’, we start becoming more and more human. The element of Divinity starts getting lost and more and more of the human aspect creeps in.

But we don’t stop there. The seeds of corruption, greed, lies, competition are sowed in us by our very own dear PARENTS and they ensure that the seed is watered, manured and fertilized. They tell us to be first in the class, to eat the entire tiffin and keep all good things with us without sharing. When someone else starts getting more than us, we are taught to be jealous.

And this is how we are demoted further from Human beings to ‘Rats’. We enter the vicious 'RAT-RACE'.

On one hand we say, these are my friends and on the other hand, we compete with them, we pull them down.

As we grow up, we become ‘DOGS’. We join some company as Employees. We do ‘NAUKRI’. Like a dog has a master and the leftover food is given to him, the Employer earns something and the leftover is given to the employee as ‘Salary’ ;-)

People celebrate, throw parties on getting their first 'JOB'. Some idiots who get placed through campus are happier because they became dogs earlier than the others.

So its not just religious conversion or sex change which is happening in the world today, rather inter-species conversion is also happening where in humans are being converted to rats then to dogs and further to horses. Like the horse, the eyes are side blinded so that it doesn’t get distracted and does ONLY what its Master wants it to do.

It is trained, told, groomed to walk and see just one road which leads not to his success but to the Master’s success. This is how the mind becomes one-track and thinking becomes monotonous. Because all others are walking straight, I should also not look around. Many-a-times, we don’t even know why we are walking.

So, the first thing a rat needs to do is ask “Why am I in this rat race?”

The first thing a dog needs to do is ask “Why am I being a slave?”

The first thing a horse needs to do is ask “Do I really wish to walk this path? Why am I not removing these side blinds? Why am I not looking around?”

What is it that I actually want in my life? Why am I doing what I am doing? What I am getting out of it, is it the thing I really want?

Then gradually, we can become human beings.

And the journey doesn’t end there. With a Spiritual master in your life, you get elevated from being merely 'Human' to being 'Divine'. Through the Grace of the Master, one can recognize his true nature.

“Enlightenment is not a Learning process but its an UN-learning process. From being Somebody to Nobody and then to being Everybody” ~ Sri Sri

Love,

Jai Gurudev :-)

YES!+ Delhi's Trip to Vrindavan with Saleel Bhaiya :)

2011-05-04T01:17:00.000+05:30

The Vrindavan trip had something special about it. The way it got organized and the way things unfolded without any plan whatsoever, was wonderful to witness.

Here is how Anjesh has described it.

All of a sudden at 9 in the night, we, the 'Super-Enthusiastic' YES!+ volunteers planned a trip to Vrindavan the very next morning at 6. Bharat and Swati Gupta took the charge of organising the entire trip and they did an outstanding job. There were in all, 18 bright smiles (Neha, Bharat, Swati, Anjesh, Sonal, Mukul, Varun, Sanjana, Simran, Vrinda, Yajur, Tripra, Sajida, Richa, Deepak..to name a few) and 1 brightest smile (Saleel bhaiya's) going in a cute little mini-bus. And another bright smile(Sanampreet) was following on a bike. We started playing Antakshri to begin with...Saleel bhaiya found it more noisy than musical and asked us to play Dumb-cherades and then the game was taken to levels unheard of. That is, we played Shabdakshri, guessing the tune, singing one song's words in other song's tune. And it was real Fun!!

We were all having a great time until the driver told us that the tyre had got punctured. We were already late considering the fact that the Baanke Bihari mandir closes darshan at 12noon. But after happily accepting the situation we got down at a dhaba. There was this 'KooL' bamboo lounge where we regained our energies after some photo sessions :D

Journey resumed.We took a single auto for the mandir and 16 of us sat IN it and 2 sat ON it ;-).

We reached Baanke Bihari mandir but it was already 12:30pm. So we could not get Darshan of the deity and had to satisfy ourselves with the experience of Krishna inside us. The entire environment inside the mandir was so pure and meditative. Saleel bhaiya started the satsang with a vey beautiful Krishna bhajan and even more beautiful Krishna bhajans followed..People started singing along. After 15 - 20 minutes of meditative satsang, we went for a Lassi Treat :)
Lassi with lots of kesar, I had never tasted before. It was super-duper duper-super tasty ;)

After the mini treat and lunch and wandering in the galiya where Krishna spent his childhood, we boarded our cute little mini-bus for Dilli :)
While returning back we had this exclusive 'Expression Photoshoot' where in everybody was supposed to make the specified expression for the click.


Battisi :D

Bliss

Surprise

And yes..hats off to Sanampreet who managed the entire trip to Vrindavan on his bike :)

After returning, I was wondering that though we did not get the darshan it still did not matter to us ;) because the journey we made wasn't for any goal or destination.

As Guruji says, "The Goal is in the moment. The Goal is where you are!!"

Love u Bhaiya.

Jai Gurudev
Anjesh :)

Waterfall @ Aurwan Tand, near Benares

2011-04-07T16:34:00.000+05:30

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from !DEA

Sunrise across the Ganga @ Benares

2011-04-07T16:32:00.000+05:30

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Avataar

2011-03-22T16:46:00.001+05:30

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Upanishad - Sitting close to the Master

2011-03-22T16:28:00.000+05:30

Precious moments with the MASTER

This TRM - Mar 2011 (Teachers Refresher Meet - which one can say is a special course conducted by Guruji himself for AOL teachers) was simply excellent.

Our chairman Yezdi Batliwala's balance of love and professionalism was exemplary in his leadership of the organizing team.

Rishi Vidhyadharji's knowledge sessions was the most inspiring part of the TRM. His 10 point formula, which he says he has observed and learnt from Guruji, was perhaps the best take home for most teachers. Yes I am going to share it with all of you as I feel every sadhak must know it.

1: Ayurveda
2: sadhana
3: satsang
4: seva
5: swadhyay
6: smile
7: silence
8: samarpan
9: simran
10: sankalp

However, when Guruji would come to the session, all else would go into the background, the mind would go blank, words cannot contain the depth and vastness of the states I experienced in HIS presence.

Feeling more inspired, prepared and in faith to carry on the Guru's work ahead by diving deeper into the self.

Cheers

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from !DEA

Q/A session Part -I : Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi

2011-03-09T18:15:00.000+05:30

A couple of weeks ago, I accompanied Poonam to her weekly YES!+ follow up session at LHMC, near CP, Delhi, where she regularly conducts YES!+ courses along with Rohit and Tina.

I had very strongly resisted the temptation to eat at Bengali sweets which is a stone's throw from the college, as I wanted to do the long Sudarshan Kriya. For the first time I did long Sudarshan Kriya in a hospital, which was a different experience in many ways, one of them being that my nose had to inhale a lot of unwanted odors, which obviously forced some extra work on the lungs. However, as expected grace played its role, and I had a rejuvenating experience, which culminated in a meditatively celebratively blissful state, thanks to Bhajan Samrat Deepanji singing a Narayan bhajan.

Here are a few excerpts from the Q&A before the kriya.

Q. What is the difference between Rest and Meditation?

A: When we rest after getting exhausted, the body is at rest but the mind is active but during meditation, body and mind both are at rest.

Meditation is sitting with an attitude of :-

I AM NOTHING

I WANT NOTHING

I AM DOING NOTHING

U don't Meditate. Meditation Happens..because it is an Effortless process.

Q. What is Vairagya ?

A: Vairagya means Dispassion. It is the state in which u are not shaken by anything in life. People think that in Vairagya one cannot enjoy his life but truth is just opposite :-). Only a person who is dispassionate can enjoy his life fully even in his failures.

Q. Should we express our anger?

A: Yeah u can express your anger just by a little change in your tone not by loosing your temper. People will listen to you. ;-)

but if u will loose your temper you will loose your self control and at that time there is no difference between u and a mad person and u will loose your value.

Remaining questions in the next post

Jai Gurudev

:-)

How to train a terrorist

2011-02-16T14:31:00.000+05:30

I simply loved the movie: How to Train a Dragon. Watched it a second time and loved it even more. Hats off to the animation, graphics, sets and sound.

Well apart from the entertainment value it carries, it has a tremendous training to offer. The whole movie is about training. Its an education for all trainers/teacgers/parents.

There is a dragon in each one of us. And there are dragons around us in human form, the naxalites/terrorists/criminals ( politicians ;-) ), our rivals/competitors in office/business, may be neighbours, for that matter, even people in our family. Our own mind or ego can be our worst enemy or our best friend.

The movie how to tarin a dragon, gives a deep insight into how we we could handle these other dragons.

Step 1: Confront with Courage

Step 2: Approach with Love

Step 3: Excercise patience and understanding

Step 4: Deal with Skill

When the above is done, instead of friends turning into rivals, rivals turn into friends and instead of love fermenting into jealousy, jealousy transforms into love. (you will know what i am saying when you watch the role of the babe in the pic below)

Having befriended the enemy, you can then win bigger battles together!

Cheers :-)

Q&A

2010-12-17T00:05:00.000+05:30

Bhaiya...i have so many questions coming up in my mind these days........

i knw u'll answer all the sensible ones..

Q. how to tackle all type of distractions(worldly) which come up while walking this path??
A: by being more firmly rooted in your center and knowing that all distractions are not only temporary but also unreal.

Q. is it ok to be firm about certain things in ur lyf i.e. "either ONLY THIS or NOTHING else.." Is it not like resisting??
A: your conscience will tell you whether it is right or wrong. Do those things which are rewarding in the long term, though unpleasant to begin with.

Q. why the Guruji who comes in my dreams is more intimate than the actual wale Guruji...
A: fantasies are always sweeter and sexier than reality :-) Your desires are coming up as your dreams.

Q: and why Guru's ways of expressing have to be subtle...??
A: bcz the voltage of his words and actions are very high, so just a little is also enough.

Q. what is the secret of being the Best Devotee..??
A: I cannot tell you the secret bcz I am the best devotee ;-). Well, Guruji often says, " jo tu hai so mai hu, jo mai hu so tu hai!"

Q. While being on the path, when u r in love with someone..does this worldly love happen to be a big big hindrance in the Divine love..?dats y Guruji didnt marry and so many teachers(including u),volunteers dont marry??
A: not if the focus is on the Guru.

Q. Is the Divine possessive about the devotee..??Does the Divine feel hurt if he has to share the devotee's love with some other person????
A: for the divine there is no other, no two, its advait. But I am sure Guruji shows himself to be possessive at times, its just a 'leela', divine play, to add spice to the divine romance.

Q. I keep thinking about Guruji all time these days..i cant do anything else..I just want to be with him..How,when,where...i dont knw..wat to do??
A: Krishna told Arjuna in the Gita, "I am the strength in the strong, the beauty in the beautiful, the fragrance in the flower and the sweetness in the sugar." Just like that, the smile on your face is HIM, the longing in your heart is HIM and the wow that's happening in your mind now and the tickle you are feeling in your heart now is also HIM!

:-)

I answer all sincere questions with sincerity ;-)

Jai Gurudev

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from !DEA

Whats happening in the TTC @ German Ashram

2010-11-26T05:07:00.001+05:30

Hearts are melting in the fire of Love,

Minds are evolving in the sattva of Sadhana,

Egos are dissolving in the ocean of Grace,

Their consciousness is being awakened in the light of this Knowledge and

Their Self is radiating the presence of the Guru.

--Witnessing the Magic unfolding wonder after wonders, Aho Niranjano!

Jai Gurudev!!!

:-)

Why to do Sadhana, Seva and Satsang?

2010-11-22T05:33:00.001+05:30

All that the Mind wants is Attention and Pampering;
All that the Ego wants is Importance and Praise;
All that the Heart wants is Love and Care.

When you are grounded in Sadhana (Spiritual practices), Seva (service - action without any expectation) and Satsang (living the knowledge), you are able to drop the wants of YOUR mind, ego and heart. Then you become sensitive to the Minds, Egos and Hearts around you and you know exactly when to give what to whom :-).

And when a person gets all the three from you, the person is yours. Then you have won the belongingness, trust and surrender of that person.
[All aspiring/existing Art of Living teachers/leaders, do you get the tip?]

Guilt & Conflicts

2010-11-12T17:48:00.002+05:30

Q: Ummm.. Thr is one thng i greatly regret about.. I hv acceptd my mistake, still it comes in mind n hurts me agn aftr a whil.. Its deep rooted in my heart...How can i get rid of it?
A: A scholar in a village who was jealous of Gautam Buddha, went and spat on his face and Buddha just kept smiling, untouched and unaffected, and when he later went to Buddha for forgiveness, Buddha said, "I cannot forgive because the person who spat and the person asking for forgiveness are not the same. And there is no chance I will meet him ever. And the person on who he spat is not the same as the person standing in front of you now and there is no chance you will meet him ever." Everything is changing.

Just focus on the priority things in your life like your career etc. Move ahead dude.

And I am not telling you to run away from your unpleasant feelings, just go through it, welcome it, do not resist it. Whatever your resist will persist :-) And my dear MRI, you seem so confident its deep rooted in your heart??!! Even the best heart surgeons in AIIMS are not as confident as you about what is deep rooted in the heart...ha ha. Like an atom, the negativity is only on the periphery, and at the root, at the center there is only positivity. So relax. Do seva and meditate deeper to get in touch with the love, innocence and peace that you are.

And by the way, have you apologized to the person, if any, who suffered because of your mistake?

Q: Many times there are conflicts in our volunteer team, inspite of the fact that all of us are working for a common goal.
A: Conflicts can't be avoided. Similarly belongingness also can't be avoided. Its human nature. Just focus on the belongingness and it will grow.

Cheers

The mind is like a child

2010-11-05T05:47:00.000+05:30

Today I went shopping with Deepak and his two kids in REWE, the departmental store close to his house in Berlin.

Whatever attracted the eyes of the kids, they wanted to have it. They cried and persuaded their dad for a few seconds to buy it, and when he would firmly deny, they would simply accept and drop it.

Sometimes they would still continue and try their luck, but when they would be denied even strongly they would drop it and move ahead till something else tempted their senses.

The promises of pleasure that the mind comforts itself with are so momentary, so fleeting and it keeps jumping onto whatever seems to assure it some satisfaction! Its like wooing a hungry dog by waving a bone or a biscuit.

When will this hankering end? When will this seeking end? When will this running after something end?

When the outward journey of the mind away from the self stops and the inward journey begins and the mind comes home to the abode of the self; exactly like a child, even after being denied all that it cried for, it feels the real comfort when it comes out of the shop and holds the hand of its mom and on reaching home jumps into her lap. That's home.

"Abiding in the SELF is YOGA." --Rishi Patanjali

So stop seeking, just relax, drop everything and chill within.

:-)

Cheers

VAPIANO

2010-11-04T05:14:00.000+05:30

VAPIANO is an Italian Restaurant Chain. Had dinner today at the Vapiano in Hamburg.

A unique ambience, brilliant food, extremely cool seating arrangement.

The above pic has been clicked from the road. The tree you see is inside the restaurant planted in a big rectangular hole right in the middle of a big square table around which there are chairs where we sat and had our food.

A huge menu just above the ordering place, looks like a big blackboard with the drawings and text done with chalk. This gives it a very informal, innocent and unique flavour.

Below is the pic of one of the tables, the two big mushroom shaped things you see are lamps and the small plants you see are basil and some other leaves which can be eaten with the food. Directly plucking from the garden and placing it on bread or your pizza and with a few drops of olive oil on it, gives a naturally nourishing experience. Brilliant concept

I ordered for a Rucola Ravioli pasta and Bruchetta pizza. Was delicious. Another khasiyat (speciality) of this place is that when you place your order, the cook changes his gloves, takes a fresh pan and puts the ingredients in front of you and cooks your pasta, cool na :-)

And after having eaten Sambar Rice, Tofu, and Curd Rice for lunch @ 4pm and then dinner @ 9pm at Vapiano, it took us a 1 hour walk to feel light enough to go to bed. But I did not go to bed and instead wrote this, and though I still cannot feel the sleep in my eyes, I can definitely feel your mouth watering already ;-)

Cheers
PS: On our walk back, we saw a 3 layer cake priced 1250 Euros!!!

What is YES!+?

2010-10-30T22:38:00.000+05:30

Where Silence meets Dynamism &
Knowledge meets Fun...
that is YES!+

Where Passion meets Focus &
Risk meets Faith...
that is YES!+

Where Simplicity meets Excellence &
Adventure meets Talent...
that is YES!+

Where Surrender meets Responsibility &
Contentment meets Creativity...
that is YES!+

Where skills are Nurtured &
the Being is Empowered...
that is YES!+

Where the Heart Cares &
the Spirit Shares...
that is YES!+

Where the Teacher is a Friend &
Wisdom is the Bond...
that is YES!+

Where the Mantra is Meditation &
Sharing is a Celebration...
that is YES!+

Where Love for Self extends into Service to the Other &
Dreams become a Reality...
that is YES!+

Diving Deeper n deeper...

2010-10-20T01:19:00.002+05:30

The Hamburg Part1 course for repeaters from Oct 14 to 18th was very special. I realized that when the students are good sadhaks, the teachers experience goes deeper, and the teachers job becomes easy.

The knowledge was opening veil after veil and tickling the conciousness of the people as they went more and more in awe of it.

Discovered two new games which were absolute fun and offered wonderful insight into the mind.

The meditations used to be so deep, nobody would want to open their eyes, even after it was over. On the last day, after the aura meditation, it was spellbound, the silence was speaking something so profound and blissful, love and gratitude could be heard and grace could be felt like a fragrance in every breath.

I experienced effortlessness of doing and hollow and emptiness of the being.

Love, prayers and gratitude

Yours, in service

Saleel

Snapshots - Oct 2010

2010-10-17T18:03:00.000+05:30

Thats the Afghan Hindu Temple in Rotenburgsort in Hamburg where we had the magical satsang on the 6th night of Navratri.

This is a small place of worship in the Vietnamese restaurant we visited for dinner yesterday evening

An amazing musical instrument. The guy is just rotating a pulley and the instrument gives out decent music. This is how he earns some money.

Now, this is total let go, surrender, almost like samadhi!
Divij, the son of Gaurav and Rutika Garg, who were doing the YES!+ course in Dusseldorf last week.

When 100% naughtiness is mixed with 100% innocence and 100% belongingness what you get is Sweetness: Abhijit and Aditya, sons of Shailaja and Deepak Patil in whose house I stayed in Berlin for a couple of days.

And these are angels from the house of Rashmi and Anil Ahluwalia, a very sweet and divine couple who belong to one of the very affluent business families from Dusseldorf. These angels are wishing you Shanti Rastu, Pushti Rastu, Tushti Rastu. May you be blessed with peace, health and contentment.

Happy Dassera

:-)

PS: A wonderful group of 12 people are doing a Part 1 Refresher course in Hamburg. The course is getting more and more powerful every hour, love is in abundance and the grace is being felt every moment. They are doing a process as I am typing this. more later...

Guru presence in Afghan Hindu Temple, Hamburg

2010-10-14T06:25:00.000+05:30

Finally now I feel part of the Navratri Celebrations!

We were invited to the Afghan Hindu temple in Hamburg where I taught a Part 1 course 3 weeks ago. The 6th night of Navratri, Wednesday, Oct 13, was a Jagran at the temple.

We reached at 1130 pm and wanted to leave by 12. We met the main organizers and waited for our turn to sing a bhajan, Krishi was to accompany me on the guitar. We waited and waited, the mind began to get impatient and irritation crept in. We were told to wait more as the guy who was singing wasn't stopping at all. It was now 1am.

I became aware of the impatience and remembered Guruji's words: "Waiting can lead to frustration or waiting can lead to meditation. Waiting for eternity is samadhi." So I just dropped the irritation and decided to let go in the present moment. Within a few minutes we were told to sing :-). The singing team who had to take a break in order to allow us, reluctantly agreed.

Durge durge durge jai jai ma aa aa,
Kali kapalini ma aa aa, Jagadoddharini Ma,
Devi jai jai jai jai ma aa aa....

When the bhajan went to high scales, I could feel the energy in me rise, as though some extra energy and power was being supplied from somewhere. Before our bhajan people were chit chatting, from the 150 odd people there, very few were singing or even listening, and now I could feel, with my eyes closed, (I could barely keep my eyes open), that all were singing and totally charged.

As the bhajan got over few people shouted, 'ek aur ek aur'. The leader of the singing team behind me now requested me to sing one more. :-) (Everything changes)

Mata Bhavani Maheshwari, mata bhavani parmeshwari...

Both bhajans rocked, people enjoyed, organisers were pleasantly surprised and what was my state?: well as usual I was profusely sweating..:-) :-)

Its 255 am now and as I type this I can still feel the energy.

As I logged in to facebook on returning home, what do I get to read?: "This whole world is made of the 'devi chetna'. We have to raise this 'chetna' and experience it too." - Sri Sri's words today, a few hours before the above experience.

Thanks Guruji for raising my chetana and allowing me to experience it too.

Jai Gurudev

Good Bye Ganpati Bappa

2010-09-23T04:09:00.001+05:30

Yesterday was Ganesh Chaturthi, the day of immersion of the idol of Lord Ganesha.

This is how the moon looked in Hamburg, its just one day before full moon:

I visited a temple in Hamburg and kind of bid farewell to the Ganpati idol in my lane, where I stay in Ghatkopar, Mumbai. Here is the pic of that idol I had clicked a day before leaving from India for Germany:

ajam nirvikalpam niraakaaramekam, niraanandamaanandamadvaitapuurnam.
param nirgunam nirvishesham nireham, parabrahmaruupam ganesham bhajema.

[who is unborn absolute formless, beyond bliss and again bliss the one infinite
supreme without attributes differentiation desire, who is the form of the supreme Brahman - we offer worship to Lord Ganesha]

gunaatiitamaanam cidaanandaruupam, cidaabhaasakam sarvagam j~naanagamyam.
munidhyeyamaakaasharuupam paresham, parabrahmaruupam ganesham bhajema.

[who is the nature beyond attributes the form of intellegence and bliss,
the effulgent spirit the all pervading the goal of knowledge,
who is the object of the meditations of silent sages formless and omnipresent like space, who is the form of the supreme Brahman - we offer worship to Lord Ganesha]

jagatkaaranam kaaranaj~naanaruupam, suraadim sukhaadim gunesham ganesham.
jagadvyaapinam vishvavandhyam suresham, parabrahmaruupam ganesham bhajema.

[who is the cause of the world - the primal knowledge, the origin of gods - the bliss - full of virtues - Lord of heavenly, hosts, who pervades the universe - who is worshipped by all - who is the Lord of the Gods,
who is the form of the supreme Brahman - we offer worship to Lord Ganesha]

You can hear the above Ganesh Stotram in the voice of Bhanu Didi in the album Call of the Divine. Also I strongly recommend to hear the version of Sacred Chants of India.

Ganpati Bappa Moraya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!

:-)

VIPAKSHA BANDHANA PRATIPAKSHA BHAVANE

2010-09-21T04:05:00.001+05:30

GURUJI'S TALK IN SATSANG @ ASHRAM, BANGALORE, MON 20 SEP'10
(Transcribed by Aditya Kamalapurkar)

Vipaksha Bandhana Pratipaksha Bhavane - Whenever you feel negativity - you should overcome it by having the opposite emotions (increasing the positivity)

Look at who you are angry with and why? Who is the person and why is he acting that way? He's not the master of his mind and has no control over the waves of emotions and thoughts - just know that and be compassionate and friendly.

See how each emotion affects you and they start a whole chain of reactions in you and what happens to your mind and body. Hence we should be awake and aware. Vipaksha Bandhana Pratipaksha Bhavane. As soon as you think of someone else's mistake how agitated you get, isn't it? How many of you feel this way?? (so many hands were raised up in VM) Then that's why you should think of the guru instead! See how you feel then....

So what's the sutra?? (and almost everyone is quite in the hall)

So simple it is and i just told it and you can't remember it?? now repeat it with me!

Vipaksha Bandhana - the feeling that are negative are a block and obstacle
Pratipaksha Bhavane - to overcome them you have to have the opposite feelings towards that.

Vipaksha Bandhana Pratipaksha Bhavane...

I know many of you will forget the sutra in 2 or 3 days... You'll say - ah he said something very good in satsang.. dunno what it was.. some vipaksh and partipaksh something... it was too good eh! i don't know what it was exactly but it was good!

See, you need to keep this in mind and not forget it.

WOW knowledge of the Week !!!

2010-09-20T23:36:00.007+05:30

Q. How to deal with people who do not listen to u ??

A. As Bawa says "NEVER GIVE A LOGICAL ANSWER TO AN ILLOGICAL QUESTION !!"

When someone is not listening to you, dont talk. IF you really want to take more effort then first prepare the person to listen to you and then talk. Its like talking on the phone.

You dial a number and you hear a ring. Do u just start talking?

No. You wait for the other person to pick the phone and say Hello. Once you have ensured the other person is ready to hear you then you say what you want to say, right?

Its the same in a conversation.
Make sure that the other person is receptive.

CRISPIES of the Week !!!

2010-09-18T23:24:00.016+05:30

*********************************************************************************************************************************

Just being Happy is not enough.
U need to have that Strength also..

So that u can smile in and smile through

the adversities too :)

Giving with a 'sense of Giving' is NO Giving

Holding the fist gives you an illusion that
you are holding something.

But when you let go and loosen your fist, you'll realise that you are holding the entire sky

Weak minds get Influenced..

Strong minds get Inspired ...

ART OF LIVING is the Art of being Yourself :)

*********************************************************************************************************************************

BLESSING : A Glimpse of the GRACE !!

2010-09-17T18:22:00.002+05:30

" When your mind is calm and serene, it becomes like a laser beam. Then you get the power to bless. "
- SRI SRI

As a Blesser, I have witnessed many stories of Grace. This one is also Special like every other story :)
I was in Delhi when one day an Elderly lady came to me to take blessings for her ill Grandson. Her 5 year old Grandson was having loose motions and because of the criticality of the case was admitted in Hindurao Hospital. He was on drip for the past 15 days.
She had not done any Art of Living course. But she asked me to Bless her. She took the Blessings and went home.
After 2 days she came home and told me that all the reports of her Grandson were completely fine. She was amazed as just 2 days before there were no signs of recovery. And just not this, on the 3rd day he was discharged from the Hospital.

" Where Nothing works.., Grace surely Works !! "
Jai Gurudev :)

In love even objects become alive...

2010-09-16T20:55:00.000+05:30

Who says plastic is bad? Even Plastic can Bloom!

"Jaisi DRISHTI waisi SRISHTI" - Sri Sri

"Jaisi MATI waisi GATI" - Sri Sri

"In the presence of a SatGuru, talents manifest."

I was amazed to see what this lady did with disposed bottles of water.

Well, she is more than 65 years old, but her enthusiasm completely defies her age. And guess who her Art Of Living teacher is?

Well, well...no prizes for the correct answer ;-)

What we Learnt and Forgot...The Germans Retaught !!!

2010-09-09T22:47:00.000+05:30

Since our childhood we have been reading that digestion starts the moment we start chewing food. It is wrong. Rather it starts the moment we touch the food.

As soon as we touch it, signals through the nerve ends at the tip of the fingers are sent to our digestive system regarding the type of food. And then the digestive system accordingly does the juice secretion. It is like preparing the system for the food. But using spoons for eating we completely eliminate the first stage of digestion. Whenever you eat using spoon, complete digestion will NEVER happen.
This beautiful knowledge was given by Guruji.

When I was in Germany, I was completely fed up of the German food (only potatoes and sandwiches). So, we all (some of my foreign friends) decided to go to an Indian Restaurant. We ordered Paneer butter masala, dal makhani, parantha. The order sounded perfect but when I saw them eating it, I was Horrified. They would take one spoon of rice, then one spoon of Dal makhani, then one of Paneer butter masala. Then they would cut the parantha with knife and fork and eat a piece. "You are insulting the Indian food" , I told them.
They all looked confused. So I decided to teach them. " Come on ! Break that parantha..Dip it in the Butter masala..Put it in your mouth..And if anything leaks out (chances are High)..dont worry just Lick !! ". They were not much comfortable about the idea :)
Sabse bada rog kya kahenge log ;). But when i told them about the scientific explanation of using hands given by Guruji, they dropped their spoons at once and ate with hands.

It was a big thing for people who have been eating using spoons since the past 20-25 years and who have seen others also do the same only. It was a big thing doing it in a country where touching food is considered Uncivilised and Unhygienic. But they did it.
Good lesson for we Indians who have started dropping our own cultural values in exchange of some foolish trends. Knowing the Science behind the Spirituality will really help in getting back to those values :)
Jai Gurudev..

Evaluate your Sattva-Rajas-Tamas

2010-08-26T08:00:00.009+05:30

During a very casual chat over dinner with Yogesh, I realized that its easy to get a peek into your mind by switching on the TV!!??

If no channel interests you and yet you lazily keep watching and the angle made by your back with your thighs keeps increasing :-) you are in a state of TAMAS.

If you find more than 2 channels (entertainment ones) interesting and keep switching between them every few minutes, its RAJAS; if every few seconds then its very high RAJAS.

If you are watching an Ekta Kapoor production with a smile on your face, its SATTVA. No matter what channel you are watching, if someone comes and changes the channel or switches the TV off and you still continue smiling, its very high SATTVA.

So the idiot box after all is not so much of an idiot, it can be used as a Sattva-Meter

So go ahead and experiment :-)

Cheers

Bondage that Liberates - RAKSHA BANDHAN

2010-08-24T13:29:00.001+05:30

This full moon is dedicated to the seers - the rishis. It is also called the Raksha Bandhan.

Bandhan means bondage, and raksha means protection.

A bondage that protects you - Your bondage to the knowledge, to the master, to the truth, to The Self, all save you.

A Rope Can Be Tied To Either Protect Or Strangle You.

The Small Mind and Mundane Things can strangle you.

The big mind or knowledge saves you. Raksha Bandhan is that bondage that saves you.

You are bound by your bondage to the satsang, your bondage to the master, to the truth, to the ancient knowledge of the rishis, and that is your savior.

Bonding is essential in life. And let the bonding be divine in a life free from bondage.

- Raksha Bandhan message by Sri Sri, Copenhagen, Denmark, 20 Aug, 1997

Sri Sri : You don’t need to drink Pepsi or Coke if you don’t feel it’s good for you

2010-08-06T22:45:00.000+05:30

30 July 2010, France

Q: Because I travel a lot to places where vegetarian food is hard to find, and I have to eat with office colleagues. I eat wrong foods and find energy is really low. What to do in such situations?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know when people have some allergies, they don’t eat those foods for which they have allergies just because of company. Suppose you have milk allergy, and because the company is all drinking tea and milk, you’ll not say, ‘Ok, I’ll also drink.’ Because you’ll suffer. Right?

So similarly, you can choose your food in any company, you can say, ‘Ok. I am going to eat only chips, or vegetables, or bread..’ You are not compelled to eat non-veg if you don’t want to. Ok? Or unhealthy food. You don’t need to drink Pepsi or Coke if you don’t feel it’s good for you. Right? See, when people drink lots of Pepsi and Coke, it burns the lining of the stomach and the intestine.

Later on you develop so many problems. All these carbonated drinks should be avoided. Someone had demonstrated, in a cup of Pepsi they put a tooth, a tooth which had fallen, and it dissolves! If teeth can dissolve (which stay for a long time in nature) in Pepsi Cola then.. It is so corrosive. And that corrosive fluid can cause so much damage to our intestine, our brain, our nerve cells. So, we must keep healthy eating habits and propagate them.

Today is much better than 30 years ago. 30 years ago, when we started, people were very allergic to vegetarianism and spirituality. But today, it has become a fashion. Because we make a trend. And we create a trend and keep it moving.

Read more Q&A on http://www.wisdomfromsrisriravishankar.blogspot.com/

Its a Magical Summer @ Ashram

2010-06-21T11:08:00.000+05:30

Sunday, 20 June 2010
Satsang @ Bangalore Ashram

After explaining a few verses from Ashtavakra Gita in Kannada, Guruji said, "Today we have lot of people from Tamil Nadu (and of course the elated Madrasis cheered), so today no Hindi, no English, I will talk in Tamil (this was like offering Idlis and Dosas with a double helping of curd rice to a hungry Tamilian)."

A few excerpts from his Tamil talk are given below.

And if you are wondering how I could make sense out of the curvacious tongue twisters? Well, the twists and turns were ironed out by our superb camera guy GauriShankar (who is the official cameraman of WAYE) and better known for his lead role in Anand&Benaifer, the rocking superhit YES!+ Musical performed in the 1100 people YES!+ course in Mumbai and now to be performed at Summer Magic! A 2 hour and 40 min non-stop stomach aching comedy interspersed with world class singing and Yollywood (Yes!+ ka Bollywood) dances, complete with action, suspense, family drama, college fantasies and even romance...no no...NO..not sex!

Guruji said, "You cannot experience Shiva by the body or mind. Shiva has to be experienced by the SELF. And to do that one has to go through the breath."

"The 1st quality of human nature is empathy. Being sensitive. If you don't feel anything when someone sad cries, its inhuman. Sharing the joy & sorrow of others is seva. You cannot do seva. Seva happens."

"Learning to still the mind is a skill. When your mind is still, not only do your desires get fulfilled, you also get the power to bless other people's desires."

Bau said something very nice and related to the above. See it here.

After his talk Guruji asked the bhajan team to sing a Tamil bhajan. They sang Varuvai Varuvai, Varuvai Amma. Then Guruji and Bhanu didi sang a very beautiful Tamil devotional song. The way Guruji was singing it, I felt very strongly I want to learn and sing that song. Lets see.

Jai Gurudev

PS: Have just returned after a blissful Rudrapuja with Guruji

Philosophy YOGA by Guruji

2010-06-09T01:44:00.000+05:30

INTELLIGENT
WITTY
HILARIOUS
FUNNY
LIGHT
EASY
EFFORTLESS
EFFECTIVE
CUTE
SIMPLE
DIVINE

Such was the Philosophy Yoga session Guruji conducted today in Vishalakshi Mantap for Art of Living Teachers and Ashtavakra Gita Course participants.

Some quotes that he came up with so spontaneously:

Jaisi drishti waisi srishti.

Hat na kariba, pade na rahiba, dheere dhareeba pav.

Balance...Samata

Nasika....Na Seekha

Dimag se Dil tak

Haat Pav chalana zindagi ki nishani hai.

Hum deewaro se takrate rehte hai, aisi deeware, jo hai hi nahi!

Kuch kehte hai hum logo ko jeena sikhate hai,
Kuch kehte hai hum logo ko marna sikhate hai,
Hum kehte hai hum logo ko jite ji marna sikhate hai!

It was the best Yoga session I have ever attended.

Jai Gurudev

Sri Sri gives Solution for Terrorism

2010-05-30T23:07:00.000+05:30

Sunday, 30th May, 2010
Art of Living Ashram, Bangalore

After a toofani satsang by Rishi Nityapragyaji and Manikantanji which had got more than 3/4ths of the 5000 + crowd on their feet for more than half an hour, Guruji entered the Yagyashaala @ 845pm.

He announced that we will not do Ashtavakra today, let's sing.

And then he said, "Dhyan sadhana ek hi raasta hai ye vair khatma karneka. Aaj sham ko yaha terrorist aaya tha....bullet chalaya lekin kisiko laga nai, sirph kisike pair me chot aayi...uske mann me hinsa ka bhav hi nai raha, apne ashram ke vatavaran me, phir wo chala gaya.

Daivi shakti ka prabhav jaha hota hai wahan hinsak vichar tik nahi sakta.

Saare atankvadi ka yaha aa sakte hai. Yahan satsang me baithke thik ho jayenge.

Ghar ghar mein dhyan kare, yog karen, to desh bhar me leher utha sakte hai

Lok kalyan ke liye samaj me shanti laane ke liye sab ko kaam karna padega, har ek vyakti 100 logon ke jivan me pharak laye.

Tum sab nirbhit hokar so jao. Tumhare saath ek Raksha kavach hai.

Jai Gurudev

Like poles attract!?

2010-05-15T22:44:00.000+05:30

SATTVA attracts more SATTVA,
RAJAS attracts more RAJAS and
TAMAS attracts more TAMAS.

This has been my experience.

When my sadhana is deep I tend to do more sattvik things, like listening to Guruji's knowledge or doing some chanting etc.

When my sadhana is done in a hurry, I tend to do too many things, lot of planning and thinking goes on and the activity is not controlled.

When my sadhana is done sluggishly and/or with resistence I waste time doing nothing and making up my mind to do something, out of a lack of drive.

Recommended listening: Gurujis talk - The Three Gunas

Jai Gurudev
PS: currently in train on way to bangalore...transition from tamasik to sattvik environment :-)

Politics or International Humour!?

2010-04-26T20:15:00.000+05:30

UN conducted a survey.

The question was:"Would you please give your honest opinion abt d shortage of food in d rest of d world?"

The survey was a failure as..

In Africa d people did not know what 'food' was.

In China they did not know what 'opinion' was.

Europeans did not know what 'shortage' was.

Pak and India did not know what 'honest' meant.

Saudi arabia did not know what 'please' was.

And Americans did not know what 'rest of the world' meant!

A bit of banter | Vikram Hazra's blog

2010-04-23T18:27:00.000+05:30

Guys, I was browsing through Vikram bhaiyas blog and found an extremely intelligent and hilarious war of words - German v/s English.
Its too good. Just couldn't resist sharing

http://www.vikramhazra.com/2010/03/bit-of-banter.html

See above link or read below:

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.

As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English".

In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter.

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.

In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.

Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.

Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.

By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v".

During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou" and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensi bl riten styl.

Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.

Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.

Cheers

Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone

Mesmerised by Rishi Vidhyadharji

2010-04-23T02:18:00.004+05:30

The last five days I have been meeting him daily.

His presence exudes peace and awareness.
His words bring solace, intrigues the seeker and kindle wisdom.

I am in awe of his wisdom,
I am inspired by his dedication,
In his presence, my heart wells up in gratitude and my soul feels elevated.

A few excerpts from his Gyan Vani:

Being with nothing is Meditation,
Doing for nothing is Seva,
Singing for nothing is Satsang.

Meditation gives Peace,
Satsang gives Joy,
Seva gives Love,
Knowledge gives Contentment.

Rather than 'Think before you Talk'; 'Observe your sielnce before you talk'. Only if you are silent within, then the words that you speak will either give solace or direction or both, to the listener. Words that bring neither solace nor give direction to the listener are best not spoken.
Six reasons to use words:
1. To inquire about life
2. To bless
3. To praise
4. To delegate work
5. To give knowledge
6. To tell Guru stories

More may follow, or the best thing is meet him.

Aho Niranjano!

Break up hua to Life Jhingalala !

2010-04-13T00:21:00.002+05:30

When ur girl friend / boy friend ditches you resulting in a break off...:

1. Thank god/guru it happened now instead of much later which would have put you in a deeper bigger mess.

2. Know that emotions are like fishes in the ocean called YOU. Fishes play in the ocean and with the ocean and even fight amongst themselves. Fishes will perish but the ocean remains. Who is bigger? The fish or the ocean. So don't become a slave of your emotions, YOU are a temporary abode for them, sooner or later they will leave you. YOU still remain. YOU are infinte. YOU are eternal.

3. Some karmas of the past births or this had brought the two of you together. If the karma quota is over then your struggle to unite again could turn out to be an endless one. Just let go. And who knows there may be someone better in store, but your holding onto the past is postponing the new arrival.

4. Isn't it a relief to be off the close circuit surveillance?

5. Once married you will never get a chance to be single again. But now you can enjoy the liberties of being single again.

6. Finally now there is a ray of hope for focusing on acads and career and hobbies and family and real friends (of the same sex as urs) and and ... And this and that and...I mean there is so much more life in ur life suddenly!

7. So much more scope for infatuations, crushes, love at first sight, poetry, shayari, dates, adventures of proposing...its like you have been gifted a renewed teenage with more experience and practical wisdom.

So isn't a break up a BLESSING?!

Cheers
"Ever new, happy you." - Sri Sri
Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone

My first course in Germany

2010-03-18T08:00:00.002+05:30

As I stepped out of the wood-and-hay clad meditation hall in our Vasad ashram in Gujarat, I was still in the 'hangover' of the intoxicating Guru puja chant by Bhanu didi, my being was graced by the sight of my Guru looking invitingly at me and walking, as though gliding like a cloud. With a welcoming smile he said, "Saleel, tujhe pata hai main tujhe Germany bhej raha hun."

There was such a personal touch in that statement. I was delighted.

Two and a half months in Germany were quite challenging. It taught me acceptance and patience. My daily reading of Yoga Vasishtha helped me a lot. I am grateful to Vikram Hazra for having recommended my name to Guruji. And I had a wonderful time with Vikram in Germany.

This is the first course I taught which was organised by Christoff Glaser. It was conducted in our beautiful ashram in Bad Antogast. The below pic was taken when the entire batch went for a walk in the Black Forest in the Alps, which is where our ashram is located, very close to the Swiss border.

March 2005, YES course for 18 to 30 year olds. There was no YES!+ at that time.

(YES!+ was designed and first conducted in Mumbai from 28 June to 4th July 2005. Start Date is Rajesh Jagasia's birthday and end date is US Independence day)

Jai Gurudev

Desire v/s Longing

2010-03-17T08:00:00.003+05:30

Just a couple of days ago, I got an sms from Hemant (our light hearted, jovial and dynamic YES!+ teacher from Nagpur) in which he asked me a question:

What is the difference between longing and desire?

It set me thinking for a few moments and so I did not immediately reply and subsequently forgot about it.

In my YES!+ courses I take great pride in introducing to my students, Guruji's precision and succinctness in giving knowledge when I read out his words in the knowledge sheet about difference between love and lust and the students not only just love it, their concepts of love taken largely from Bollywood actually get thrashed like a dynamite blasts a mine and clarity dawns.

Here I am making a modest attempt, by Guruji's grace, let me know if it helps to bring some clarity:

Desire is for some end result; longing doesn't seek a completion.

Desire for something arises when we see or hear about it, it comes from the senses; longing springs from love which is beyond the senses.

Desire is for some pleasure, comfort, convenience; longing cares for neither.

Desire seeks fulfillment, longing seeks merger.

Desire may mature into an intention or ambition; longing makes the love more mature.

A desire leads to more desires; longing keeps you focussed.

In desire you want more and more, you want to grow, you want to become bigger; in longing you let go and dissolve.

Desire, while yet unfulfilled, may lead to 'feverishness to fulfill'; longing leads to surrender.

Desire, when fulfilled, gives short term pleasure or joy, longing when fulfilled restricts the growth of love.

Desire, if unfulfilled, leads to frustration; longing if unfulfilled transforms into unconditional love.

Desire makes you rigid and insensitive; longing makes you delicate and sensitive.

Too many desires can give rise to intestinal disorders; longing gives rise to heart aches - am afraid, not heart attacks!

Wanting to achieve what you desire challenges the ego; the more you long, the more it dissolves your ego.

The discomfort in desire takes away the joy of the present moment; the pain in longing sweetens the present moment.

In desire there is a hankering for some joy in the future; in longing you enjoy the pain (caused by separation) in the present moment.

You have a choice whether to drop the desire or harbour it; in longing you are choiceless and helpless.

Desire is the cry of the mind; longing is the yearning of the soul.

Fulfillment of your desire can boost your ego; fulfillment of your longing makes you grateful.

With a desire in your mind, meditation can't happen; with longing in your heart prayer happens.

Meditation helps to loosen the grip of desire on the mind; longing gets ripened and refined with meditation.

In desire you can become 'pagal'; in longing you become a 'deewaanaa'.

In desire you become a slave or fan of the person you desire; in longing you become a sevak or devotee.

By writing this post, I have fulfilled my desire of answering Hemant's question; on reading this post I am sure he will long for more;-).

My first DSN

2010-03-12T14:51:00.008+05:30

September 1999. It was the first time I was attending a DSN course. Rashmin, Rajesh Jagasia, Harshal and a few of our common friends we all were on it. I think it was the first one in Mumbai. Arunaji from Gujarat was our teacher. The intensity was increasing as each day progressed. I had decided I will be repeating this course at the earliest, to be able to assimilate its intensity.

One of the partcipants took permission to go to his house for a while and come back. We all were surprised at his courage to even ask for a break in DSN course!? He looked very happy after he returned. The course got over and he shared his experience.

"I went home to see if my mother was alright. She had just got discharged from the hospital after a serious illness and nobody was at home. To my surprise she scolded me for taking a break from the course and said, "A man in white robes and long hair and beard came and gave me medicines. I am fine. You focus on your course, come on go asap." " There were tears in his eyes as he narrated this.

The power of the grace is infinite. And the Guru's grace is with us every moment. By the end of the course I too had realised that nothing is impossible. "I am the power!"

Next month I repeated the DSN with BAWA!!! An interesting story about that DSN I can tell you only sitting with you face to face, bcoz its kind of a secret ;-)

Well, 10 years later I conducted a DSN in Delhi - Oct 2009. Here is an interesting video snapshot:

Jai Gurudev

Mesmerising moments in the mystical DEVbhoomi - RISHIKESH

2010-03-11T11:26:00.015+05:30

It was 1st March, the day of Holi, we were driving from Delhi to Rishikesh.

The waters of Ganga on either sides of the highway, sounds of manjiras (cymbals), fading sound of one arti getting drowned into another, chants of Om Namaha Shivaya, Har Har Mahadeo, Jai Mata Di, gentle traces of incense, hoardings and photos of various saints, munis, gurus, people wrapped in saffron, white, yellow; faces decorated with chandan, kumkum, ad hearts adorned with devotion; the piousness of Har-ki-Paudhi, Haridwar endearingly welcomes you to begin with and then absorbs you in itself. One cant but feel the purity and sacredness of this place.

We had the news that Guruji had arrived in the Art of Living Kumbh Mela Camp and the Rudrapuja had already begun. With hurried steps we walked towards the enclosure and as we entered this was our first glimpse of the Master:

Very content with having clicked the above snap I closed my eyes to meditate. The pandal was resonating with the rudrapuja chants by a few north indian pandits. I must admit, that since so used to our ashram puja, it took me a while to glide into meditation.

Even as the bhajans were being sung and Guruji was performing the last few rituals, Ramdevji entered and went straight up on stage with great zeal with gulal and other colors not only in his hand but all over him! What happened on stage is an exciting rocking story in itself. More about that in the next post ;-)

In the evening Guruji performed the Ganga arti at Har-ki-Paudhi

There were easily more than 5000 people. Lots of people who were there sat wherever they found place to take a glimpse of compassion incarnate Sri Sri.

Dudham Samarpayami...

After this all of us left for Rishikesh. Rishikesh has, not only the piousness of Hardiwar, but is pregnant with a distilled silence which beckons you to dive into that vast ocean of stillness within yourself, where the hills seem like gods and goddesses waiting to shower blessings upon you and the waters of the ganges appear to be carrying the nectar from Lord Shiva himself, where the winds bring sattva and the gentle breeze on the river banks overwhelms you with its soothing touch which reminds one of the love one feels when the divine glances of Guruji glide onto you with a twinkle of mischief in the eyes that seem to saying in a subtle but affirmatively reassuring tone, "I am in you as you, you are in me as me; I belong to you and you to me, so just be and know that you are loved, thats BEloved."

Are you stuck in HOW?

2010-02-23T13:03:00.000+05:30

Often we are bothered by questions like:

How can I drop my guilt?

How can I overcome my fear?

How should I tell her I love her?

How should I confess that I was lying to him all these days?

How should I get rid of my shyness?

How can I make more friends?

How to sit in vajrasan for longer time?

How can I reduce my sleep?

How do I quit smoking?

Well, well, well... My dear, as long as you are going to keep thinking how to do it, you are never going to do it! Just DO it. I tell you JZZDOIT. There is no other way.

If you are stuck in the HOW?
You will lose the NOW.
Just DROP the HOW and
Experience the WOW!

How is it? Makes sense? Liked it?
Dumbo again you got stuck in HOW!! Drop the how and implement it. JZZDOIT

YES!+ DSN @ Goa, 5-9Feb'10

2010-02-10T03:05:00.006+05:30

Hats off to Dr. Hema and Vaidehi for setting up YES!+ in Goa so well.

For Hema to make trips from Bangalore and for Vaidehi to keep visiting Panaji, Ponda etc while studying in Margao (MBA 2nd yr), I am sure must not have been easy. They have built a very good team in Goa.

A TEDx talk by Goa in BITS, a Sahaj Samdhi course by Bawa&Dinesh and a better parenting workshop (which I ended up conducting) in Margao and a YES!+ DSN by me; all this in a span of 5 days!

My New Camera

2010-01-09T12:52:00.008+05:30

I am still quite excited about my new camera

Nikon Coolpix (P90), 12.1 MPxl, 24x Zoom

Here are some pics I am proud of:

Thats a Kurta button, notice the clarity in the cloth

Sunrise, overlooking from Mahavir Hall, Vishalakshi Mantap, Ashram, Bangalore

No, its not from our Satellite, its a pic of our satellite very much from our earth.

The below pic was taken a minute before the above pic

The Glory of the Sun and Moon cannot match the glory of our naughty sweet Master.

This was how he made his entry in the Winter Break 09 on 2nd Jan before lunch and won 1382 hearts instantly!

Power of Sattva...Unleashed in Mumbai

2009-12-30T16:00:00.004+05:30

23 to 26 Dec 2009 witnessed 490 people experiencing the Part 2 course in the famous Yogi Sabhagraha Swaminarayan Hall in Dadar.

Sattva personified Rishi Vidhyadharji mesmerised all of us with his Satsang Aerobics Yoga at midnight (6 am for me is midnight...he he), his brilliant Sadhana sequence and his Q&A sessions in the satsangs early morning (if you have slept from 4 to 6 pm then 8 pm feels like early morning).

Rishiji would conduct the course from 6 am to 9.30 pm. Inspite of such a busy schedule he offered 2 hour knowledge sessions on 2 days from 6 to 8 pm to YES!+ volunteers.

Some snippets: (NOT verbatim...just jotting the essence from what I remember)

This should be your goal: Becoming 'MUKT' (free) from the 5 deepest, strongest and oldest impressions: Food, Sleep, Sex, Fear and Laziness. He added that once you have become free from these impressions then you will know what your real purpose in life is. The humour and liveliness with which he explained this was exemplary.

Q: How to avoid being conscious when amongst people?

A: Rather than bothering about looking good, focus on feeling good. In looking good you lose your naturalness and peace. When you feel good then you will NOT become a football of others opinions and will be more effective.

Q: Should we be perfectionists?

A: Rather than looking for perfection, be with that which is perfect

Q: How to handle competition as it involves comparison with others?

A: Competition is sugar coated greed and jealousy. A person who is caught in competition is a victim of greed and jealousy. He tries to do several things 100% and gets stressed. Its important to BE (not necessarily DO) 100% in whatever you do.

Q: I am confused about marriage. How to decide whether to marry or not?

If one or more of the following five are of concern (needs) for a girl, then she should marry: Security, Companionship, Sex, Progeny and learning surrender
If one or more of the following four are of concern (needs) for a boy, then he should marry: Companionship, Sex, Progeny and learning surrender

Q: While on my way to meet Guruji, the excitement I feel, is it feverishness or longing?

A: While on your way if you are relaxed then its longing, else its feverishness. And on meeting him, if Guruji doesn't look at you and you don't mind it as you are happy that YOU saw HIM, then it was longing and if you feel upset or disappointed that HE didn't look at YOU, then it was feverishness.

Check out the photos in the adjoining slideshow

Jai Gurudev!

Beyond the Logical Mind

2009-12-16T17:45:00.005+05:30

Its funny, it took me so long to realize this. We have been hearing about stories of faith and miracles of Guru Grace, but yet for me, it took so long to come as a realization.

Guruji's whole effort, if I can call it effort :-) is to teach us to let go of the control; to make us realize that its not me who is controlling, its not me and my plans that can secure my future, even my present; its not what I understand by my little brain, my limited 'so called' logic that decides and makes things happen for me.

The unseen is at work. The 'shakti' which makes it all happen is invisible. See Dark Matter and Dark Energy.

And yet, our whole thought process is completely LOGIC based. All our plans, our targets, our methods, our strategies, our evaluations, our judgements, everything is based on what our logic allows us to perceive and estimate.

Guruji gives us repeated experiences as if to tell us, "sweetheart, at least now drop that thing called logic. go beyond logic, explore infinity, enjoy the freedom that rests in letting go. Come on, its high time you mature, grow up and be the innocent kid that you are, let me take care of you and your life, just leave it to me, surrender and be free."

But the grip of the logical mind is so strong! Its such an irony!! Are we following the Guru? Am i a sincere disciple, a true devotee?

I guess repeated advance courses is the only way! What else could help?

Asangoham ....Punaha...Punaha.
:-)

The AOL Phonetic Alphabet

2009-11-23T13:25:00.006+05:30

You must have heard your airline ticket booking agent call out your PNR number using words like S for SUGAR, Y for YANKEE, etc. While we were on our way back the YES!+ Huddle we had in Murud, we had sailor Shibani in our car. An interesting discussion about the phonetics sailors use, ensued and Dineshda suggested that we must have an Art of Living list too.

Here it is:

A - Awareness
B - Belongingness
C - Committment
D - Devotion
E - Enthusiasm
F - Freedom
G - Guru
H - Happiness
I - Intention
J - Joy
K - Knowledge
L - Love
M - Maya
N - Naturalness
O - Om
P - Peace
Q - Quest
R - Ravishankar
S - SriSri
T - Truth
U - Upanishad
V - Viveka
W - Wonder
X - X-ray
Y - Yoga
Z - Zero

In the world of Aviation, there is a different way of learning your ABC's. The Phonetic Alphabet is not only used by the military, but also by Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, and Customer Service Agents within the Airlines. It is a great way to make sure you are understood (since a B, P, T, and V sound hauntingly similar when spoken), and an appropriate introduction to Aviation Lingo. The letters and their corresponding words for you.

A - Alpha
B - Bravo
C - Charlie
D - Delta
E - Echo
F - Foxtrot
G - Golf
H - Hotel
I - India
J - Juliet
K - Kilo
L - Lima
M - Mike
N - November
O - Oscar
P - Papa
Q - Quebec
R - Romeo
S - Sierra
T - Tango
U - Uniform
V - Victor
W - Whiskey
X - X-ray
Y - Yankee
Z - Zulu

Can you guess this one?

2009-11-08T18:32:00.003+05:30

Most of you easily guessed the previous one, it was our new and first Youth Ashram at Vasindh, near Kalyan.

But the above one is really tough :-)

Happy Guessing

Shud I dislike my likes or like my dislikes???

2009-11-08T16:41:00.003+05:30

If Guruji (or God) comes and tells you, "I am going to bless you with a 'Siddhi' (a power) which will enable you to, either overcome your dislikes or go beyond (be free from) your likes. Choose one"; what will you choose?

If you are wise you will choose the latter! Surprised!?

Just give it a deeper thought. Whenever you dont like something, it is because of something you like. Eg.: If you dont like people who use foul language, it is because you like soft spoken and polite people. If dont like messy rooms, it is because you like things to be neat and tidy.

It is not always possible to change a situation or person or run away from a situation or person. So the way of the wise is transceding the likes, dropping the likes; and the dislikes are taken care of automatically, because the foundation of every dislike is a like.

Taking the dislikes in your stride is ACCEPTANCE,
dropping the likes is realising that OPPOSITE VALUES ARE COMPLEMENTARY and
dropping the tendency of harbouring likes and dislikes is SURRENDER.

Isn't it awesome? Did you like it?

Love & Jai Gurudev
Saleel
PS: Any doubts, querries, thoughts...pl feel free to share

Did you know?

2009-11-05T22:36:00.004+05:30

Now its obvious who this person is, but the question is when and where was this snap clicked.

Well, of course, YES!+ guys in US cannot participate in this quiz, for obvious reasons.

Blessed with a jet of Satva

2009-09-04T01:37:00.006+05:30

The airport, spread over 4000 acres, can handle 11 million people per annum with 27 aircraft movements per hour and an estimated 550 movements in May 2008. At its peak, it can handle 720 aircraft movements in a day.

You are right, its the new Bengaluru Airport.

Well, after a rejuvenating TRM with 1000 teachers from all over the country and of course Guruji, I checked in at 12 noon at counter 2 (you can see in the pic above) for my 1.00 pm Mumbai Indigo flight and sat on the bench exactly opposite (you obviously cant see in the pic) and after some amount of calculation, speculation and haa-naa haa-naa, finally did my Short Sudarshan Kriya.

I must admit, I was very concious, especially while doing the Bhastrika. Thoughts like 'what if someone objects?', 'if some passenger waiting besides me complaints then what?', 'what if some security guy actually comes up to me and stops me?'; and to counter these thoughts, phrases like 'Dont be a football...', 'who cares', 'SoHam SoWhat', 'I am not harming anybody', 'let me do what I feel is right' etc were going like a merry-go-round in my mind. Till when I chanted Om and the chattering stopped as I went into kriya.

A thought that really helped was, "if young couples hugging and cuddling is not objectionable then why cant I do pranayam and kriya?"

And what hit the final nail in the coffin was, "on the other hand I am only blessing the airport with more satva" and that triggered in me, not only total acceptance, but also a sense of righteousness and pride.

Within moments, peace dawned and the smile that took off from the lips, spearheaded through the cheeks, transcended the ears and soared into higher levels of my (inner) atmosphere.

My Guru got me Baptized!!

2009-09-04T00:29:00.020+05:30

Om Keshavaya Namaha

Om Madhavaya Namaha

Om Narayanaya Namaha

Om Govindaya Swaha

A highly pious. serene and sacred experience which left @ 30 of us in total gratitude for the Master.

27 Aug 2009 was that auspicious day. The beautiful Radha Kunj Yagya place in the ashram in Bangalore witnessed 30 of us being initiated into Brahminhood. We now have official rights for chanting the Gayatri Mantra Japa Vandana, wearing the sacred thread and reading the Vedas (or Knowledge sheets as Rashmin puts it )

Well, the above pic may leave you completely confused about what must have been happenning when this pic was taken, bcoz no two expressions are alike! Looks like all of them are wondering, what was the purpose of this 3 hour long process?

Traditonally, when a child had to start his education, the Upanayan ceremony would be performed. This ceremony used to be of paramount importance, next only to marriage, as it was his marriage with knowledge.

His parents would initiate him and only then he could be admitted to a GuruKul and entrusted in the care of the Guru.

And only the Guru can unite (marry) you with yourSELF

For more pics, check out the slideshow on the blog (just below my schedule)