Sunday, May 24, 2009

The Case Of The Self-Driven Car


Twas Guru Poornima 2006 at the vast expanses of the San Mateo Expo Center in the Bay Area, CA. Guruji was there, the full moon was blossoming eagerly in anticipation of Guru Poornima, the expo center was a hubub of frenzied nay devoted activity to host the multitude of people on the various courses. The advanced course had started and we were in silence. The course was a non-residential one, so we all had to drive up to the course center from our homes each day.

Many of us driving in from the South Bay would car pool to the course. The communication in silence was so interesting and yet amusing. Let say I had to pick up S at her home at 6:00 am. I'd drive up to the street, and call her on the cell. I would not say anything. She would answer - in silence. Moments later she would appear on the sidewalk and sit in the car. This process would repeat until the car was full. We would then start driving towards the center.

One one particular day, B and me were the only 2 folks in the car and I was driving. We were a little late and finally arrived on the street on which the entrance to the expo center was located. Moments later we should have taken a left into the parking lot of the expo center, as was our daily routine on those 7 days.

I can't explain what happened in those next few seconds. But suddenly I found myself on the wrong street. My mind had completely blanked out and I was on a 1-way street opposite to the Expo center. There was no turning back. I would have to take 3 right turns and come back on to the street of the expo center. We were going to be delayed.

B and I looked at each other in surprise. No words since we were in silence. There was no option - only another right turn and we found ourselves on a street where 2 hotels were located. These hotels were housing out-of-town participants who were on the course. There was a seva group responsible for picking up folks from the hotels and driving them to the course location. Since we were already on that street we decided to go to one of the hotels and see if anyone needed a ride.
Accordingly we turned into the entrance of one of the hotels.

S was the volunteer in charge of making sure that all the participants in that hotel had left for the course. He signaled us as we arrived - Everyone has left. You can leave too. I began to turn my car around and just about to leave when it happened.

An old gentleman waved to us frantically from the top floor of the hotel - Wait for me ! Turned out he woke up late that day and missed the regular shuttles to the course. He was the last one to leave the hotel and we were the ones that drove him there.


Driving back, B and I looked at each other in awe, bewilderment, amazement and gratitude. How the Master had taken care of this situation so beautifully. There were hundreds of participants on the course and yet His attention was on each one. And how we were made instruments of His grace. And all this in total silence.

On the last day, we came out of silence and I was sharing this experience with a dear friend D. His mouth opened in surprise. He had the exact same experience except he had ferried 4 waiting passengers to the course after finding himself mysteriously on the wrong (right :-) ? ) street. They too had awakened late at a different hotel and were in silence unable to communicate their need for a ride, but it was SO taken care of.

Have a Guru Poornima story to share ? Add it to the comments or better yet, blog about it and leave a link.

Guru Poornima 2009 is happening in Chicago, Jul 2-7th. Will you be there ?

Jai Guru Dev,

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Guru Poornima 2009 - Will You Be There ?


As you must already know, Guru Poornima 2009 will be celebrated with Guruji in Chicago, July 2nd - 7th, the 7th being Guru Poornima day. I can't go, but my heart is already there. Fond memories go back to Guru Poornima 2006 in the Bay Area, CA when I did the Advance course in the presence with Gurudev. What an unforgettable event it was for me ! My first Guru Poornima (not technically), with Guruji - so many beautiful experiences, amazing miracles ...........cherished memories to last several life times.

If you can attend, please DO. I can't think of a reason not to, but if you need some reasons, here are a few I would give myself :

1. Its Guru Poornima.
2. Guruji will be there.
3. He will be giving a discourse on the Bhagavad Gita (4th chapter onwards). Ever saw Ashtavakra Gita / Bhakti Sutras and wondered how lucky those folks were that were getting the knowledge directly at his feet ? Well here is your chance .
4. There will be thousands waiting to see him - where else would rather be ?
5. People will travel from all over the world to be there - what about you ?
6. Be with the master during Guru Poornima. Imagine - the disciple and the master in HIS physical form - together.
7. The most amazing knowledge flows from Guruji at this time (when does it not ?), but during Guru Poornima - it has a special flavour.
8. Rocking Satsangs with some of the most amazing AOL rock stars like Bhanu Didi.
9. Many Advanced course sessions with Guruji.
10. Courses for all age groups. Its the most amazing family event for the spiritually inclined at this time of the year.

Still need convincing ? Didn't think so :-) I pray you can make it.

Jai Guru Dev,

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Tera Main



Image Credit : http://www.artofliving.ie/Images/guruji.jpg


Happy Birthday Dearest Guruji ! Tears, Love and Gratitude !

A beautiful song from the album - Tera Main - by Sachin Limaye. Every word rings so true and touches the heart.


LYRICS :


Pyaar Ke Saagar Ho Gyaan Ke Mandir Ho
Aakhon Me Baste Ho Hoton Pe Haste Ho
Har Pal Jatate To

Tera Main Tera Main Tera Main
Tera Main

Pyaar Ke Saagar Ho Gyaan Ke Mandir Ho
Aakhon Me Baste Ho Hoton Pe Haste Ho
Har Pal Jatate To

Tera Main Tera Main Tera Main
Tera Main

Duniya Main Aaye Ho Roshini Laye Ho
Sabke Dulare Ho Har Dil Pe Chaaye Ho
Har Pal Jatate To

Tera Main Tera Main Tera Main
Tera Main

Oh Man Ke Charaago Main Tum Jhil Milate Ho
Bhooli Si Yaadon Ko Roshan Kar Jaate Ho
Yaad Dilate Ho

Tera Main Tera Main Tera Main
Tera Main

Sabke Do Peheron Main Raahat Ban Jaate Ho
Sabke Dilon Ki Tum Chahat Ban Jaate Ho
Haskar Keh Jaate HO

Tera Main Tera Main Tera Main
Tera Main

Sunlo Yeh Gaate Hain Gaake Sunate Hain
Sunlo Yeh Gaate Hain Gaake Sunate Hain
Aaj Batate Hain

We Love You Oh Guruji
We Love You Oh Guruji
We Love You Oh Guruji
We Love You Oh Guruji
We Love You Oh Guruji
We Love You Oh Guruji


Jai Guru Dev,