Tera May 2011

We had a lovely time with kids at a home in Pune yesterday. We celebrated Guruji's BDay a day late but with the same fervour, love, masti and joy ! This has become an annual event for us now along with other festivities such as Diwali and Guru Poornima.

We started with bhastrika and Ram Dhyaan and 130 kids meditated with pin-drop silence. Then the kids put up a bhajan performance followed by a  lovely dance performance - something they had been rehearsing for many weeks now !  Then we distributed certificates for participants of a vocational trg course our seva team had sponsored. Then satsang started  :)

The kids sang and danced with unadulterated joy as volunteers joined them. Finally we all had prasad together.  Finally a child came up with a card (in photo above) that he had made for Guruji. He had been working on it for 4 days !

Everyone left with their heads empty, hearts full and hands, having been an instrument in bringing Guruji's grace to the kids.

Just one request Guruji : Keep us all in your service forever !

Jai Guru Dev,

Guruji on Anna Hazare, corruption

Bawa and Dinesh's call to action .

Jai Guru Dev,

Guruji in Pune

Guruji was in Pune today in a brief stopover from Mumbai - to give the keynote at the 1st Parliament of Indian Council Leaders at MIT College. He arrived at 11:30 sharp and was welcomed warmly by the thousands of students attending the various sessions. Among the various speakers who are scheduled to address the meet are the former President Abdul Kalam, Narayana Murthy (Infosys), Dr. Kiran Bedi and others.

UPDATE : Summary of Guruji's session here.  TOI's coverage here.

He started the session by chanting the DakshinaMurthy Stotram :

Om namah pranavarthaya shuddagyanaikamurtaye
Nirmalaya prashantaya dakshinamurtaye namah

Guruji then continued by saying how he was inexorably dragged to Pune around Jan 12-13th each year :-) ! Last year he he was here on the exact same dates for Antarnaad. Gosh I can't believe it has been a year since seeing HIM in person !

He talked for a bit and then took Q&A from the students. HE talked about character, about how if you wanted to see love you should go to an Indian village, about the need for spirituality in student's life etc.

Another highlight was how he empowers others. A student asked Guruji to lead a pledge for the students to free the country from corruption etc. Guruji asked him to lead it instead. The student said something like "I am a small person compared to you". Guruji gave him back the mic saying "No No you are NOT small" and made him take the pledge and actually took the pledge along with all of US !

Amazing huh ? Guruji Tussi Great Ho !

I didn't take any pictures. Somehow I can't get myself to do that any more at Guruji's events. "Photo Lene Ke Liye Haath Yeh Uthe Nahin" (Original by Chitra Roy : Prarthna Karne Ko Haath Yeh Uthe Nahin) :-)

None of us got to get close to him as he was whisked away to his Mumbai programs for later today.

Watch Guruji's Mumbai satsangs live at www.artofliving.org/satsang

Jai Guru Dev ,

What A Beautiful Response !

Jai Guru Dev,

HELP HAITI

Q: Guruji what do we tell people that have been through a calamity?

H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Tell them to give all their worries to me. Disasters and calamities also have a positive side to them. They bring people together.There is a new creation after every calamity. Nothing is permanent. In every crisis there is an opportunity. The Chinese word for crisis contains the word opportunity in it. Every crisis reminds you to smile, makes you aware of the impermanence of everything, even ourselves. So instead of sitting and blaming, lets see how we can move forward, rebuild and help others.

IAHV, the humanitarian sister organization of the Art of Living
Foundation, is already mobilizing relief efforts in Haiti.

Please donate generously at : IAHV- Haiti Disaster Relief Online Contributions

Jai Guru Dev

Health & Happiness , Antarnaad

What a way to start the New Year 2010 !!!! Join us in Pune for 2 amazing events with Guruji

http://artoflivingpune.org/antarnaad/requestpass.asp

Learn practical tools from H. H. Sri Sri Ravishankar on how to achieve and maintain health and happiness in our modern day hectic world. Sri Sri will cover a wide array of topics like eliminating stress, challenges faced in day to day life, handling emotions, responding to life style changes, cultivating healthy habits and many more things.

http://artoflivingpune.org/antarnaad/antarnaadpass.asp

Watch Antarnaad Live !

Jai Guru Dev,

He Is Coming :-)

Guruji will be in town Jan 12 - 14th 2010, just 2 months to go :-) :-). Its been 2 years since He came to Pune and we are all understandably excited !

Details : http://www.artoflivingpune.org/antarnaad/event.asp

Jai Guru Dev,

Pain and Suffering

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWzwgn7Ygt8

Jai Guru Dev,

Memories

Just came across this video of Guruji arriving at the AOL Toronto Center. Just watching it brought back beautiful memories of many such moments I've been privileged to witness and experience. The air is filled with love, expectation, happiness, fragrance, devotion, prayerfulness, gratitude - those moments a culmination of years - nay - lifetimes of merit and a touch of His grace. Moments to live for, Moments to die for.

On one such occasion, after Guruji had passed us, a volunteer in bliss said "If life ends this moment, it will have been worth it". Amen to that !



Jai Guru Dev,

Amazing

Just as I was flipping through Celebrating Silence to write the previous post, I read another post on celebration by Gurudev. The lines which struck me really hard were these :

A poor man celebrates New Year once a year. A rich man celebrates each day. But the richest man celebrates every moment.

How rich are you ? Do you celebrate once a year ? Once a month ? Every day ? If you celebrate every moment, you are the Lord of Creation.

Sri Sri Ravishankar
Weggis, Switzerland
December 27 1995

2008 has been a trying year for us. And all this year, on each festival that we celebrated with such gaiety in the past - Ganesh Chaturti, Gokul Ashtami, Diwali, Navarathri, my mind would go to my problems and dwell on how our home had lost its happiness since we were unable to celebrate as before.

And now this knowledge ! Funny - I've read it so many times before but it hits me so hard on New Years Eve. Something beautiful to ponder on : Am I poor / rich / the richest ?

Certainly I will aspire to be the richest this coming New Year. Thanks Guruji !

Jai Guru Dev,

Sri Sri Ravishankar in Mumbai

UPDATE : For those that missed the broadcast on Sanskar TV - here is a web link that some kindred soul put up. Watch it while it is still up there.

http://www.pitechniques.com/aol/traumacare/meditationlive.htm

Join us in our quest to create a peaceful, stress-free society.

What : Sri Sri will conduct a special prayer, pranayama and meditation session for all Mumbaikars

Where : Priyadarshini Park & Sports Complex, Nepean Sea Road

When : Dec. 6 at 6:30 pm.

Have Burning Questions ? Click here

The Art of Living Foundation is conducting trauma care and counseling sessions, following the recent terror attacks in Mumbai.

Helpline numbers: +91-9821620948, +91-9967477004, +91-9820612152

Jai Guru Dev,

Seva Provides Succor

The YES+ folks (youth group of Art Of Living) organized a blood drive yesterday at New English School in Pune. It was a heart warming sight to see so many young collegians, AOL teachers, young professionals trickle in, in groups and donate blood. Irrespective of whether this blood will reach the victims of the Mumbai tragedy, it was very therapeutic to go and donate blood. Somewhere somehow there was a feeling of having done something and the helplessness vanished giving rise to hope and faith.

'The day you feel hopeless, horrible, and worse, on that day get out of your room and ask people, "What can I do you for you ?" That service you have done that day will bring a revolution inside you. It will change your whole gramophone record.'

-Sri Sri Ravishankar

Kudos to the YES+ team in Pune for having acted promptly in this situation.

Are you young at heart ? Do you want to make friends with a bunch of young, cool and hip spiritually aware meditators and socially aware and active youngsters ? And gain the skills to enhance the quality of your life and that of others ?

Take the YES+ course happening in Pune in December :

Dates : Dec 15th - Dec 21st
Venue : Government Polytechnic (Opp E-Square)
Time : 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Contact : 9822082363, 9922053368

Jai Guru Dev,

Sri Sri Condemns Mumbai Terror

Source : www.artofliving.org



Jai Guru Dev,

Chandrayaan Lands

(Image Courtesy : www.space.com)

Yesterday Chandrayaan (Moon Vehicle in Sanskrit), successfully sent a probe to the moon with the Indian tricolor painted on all sides making it the 5th country to have a presence on the moon. The world has received this with a mixture of admiration, support, suspicion and downright derision. Nevertheless this represents a proud moment for all Indians - a country of 1 billion plus representing a sixth of humanity and the world's oldest civilization.

I read several articles on this great event leading from the launch all the way to the probe's impact on the Moon's surface but a couple of them touched me more than others. Not because they reported the event well but because they underscored how easily science and spirituality mix in India.

NY Times Piece :
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/opinion/29varadarajan.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Times Of India :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Though_probe_crashlanded_tricolour_intact/articleshow/3715205.cms

(ISRO chairman Madhavan Nair said on Friday: ‘‘We have planted the national flag near the Shackelton crater. In the month of Karthikeya, Chandrayaan has been wonderful to us and the Moon has been favorable.)

Astrology cheek-by-jowl with Astronomy :) :) ? A touch of Faith ?

In India the moon has a special significance in life. Every month the full moon day "Poornima" represents something beautiful - Krishna's Birthday,Buddha'a enlightenment, Guru Nanak Jayanti....... The effect of the moon on the mind has been understood by sages and seers since times immemorial.

The west has often struggled with these 2 pillars of modern day society. In the US, concepts such as intelligent design, creationism and Darwin's theory of evolution all fight pitched battles all the way from school board meetings to the US Supreme Court.

In India however, there is seldom any conflict. I grew up in the colony of a primer scientific institute in India and watched my father do his pooja every morning and head to work thereafter. The colony celebrated all festivals in a big way with no conflict whatsoever.

Who is more advanced - the West or India ? May seem like a moot question to most but I'd like to think that advancement of a civilization comes from advancement of its spiritual thought - not just by putting out more gadgetry (sophisticated and necessary though they may be) .

As Guruji Says :

Science and spirituality are like two ways of looking at the creation. Science regards life as matter and spirituality regards even matter as life. Spirituality elevates matter to the level of life, level of divinity and adds a sense of honour. While science brings us material and physical comfort, spirituality gives comfort to our souls. Science cultivates logic and spirituality develops intuition, another faculty of inquiry. Ancient rishis (sages) recognized this interplay between science and spirituality and said true fulfillment in life can come only through gyana (spirituality) and vigyana (science).

.....

The time has come for India to reclaim her rightful place on the world stage. In order for this to occur, we need to become more confident and take pride in our cultural and spiritual roots. The spiritual wisdom, which was her glory in the past, has been almost forgotten and needs to be revived.

Sri Sri Ravishankar

Jai Guru Dev,

When The Earth Shook

It was sometime in May in 2002 (i think) in the Bay Area . Someone had told me that Guruji would be in the now torn-down Ricky's Hyatt hotel. I told two close friends of mine I was going and they said they would come along.

Later that evening I came home exhausted from work and decided to skip out. My friends called and asked me why I had not picked them up as discussed. My retort - I am too tired and cant go. C'mon they said - you promised. So i went over with them to the hotel. Interestingly these friends were not part of Art Of Living at that time.

Those were still the days when Guruji was somewhat accessible in the US - unlike the recent Diwali celebrations that saw about 3000 folks turn up.

We went and took our place - almost in the front and Guruji was seated on the podium. People were singing. A famous Indian businessman who was a devotee was in the front talking on his cellphone :) . Guruji was serenely looking around. Here is where I got my second look - just that brief moment - which seemed like eternity.


Then suddenly it happened - a small earthquake happened that shook the room. Just 2-3 seconds and it was over. A loud cheer arose from the crowd of devotees - I did now know I was one at that time - so i just stayed quiet and skeptical.

Then Guruji spoke about how lucky we were on this path - we have everything - the technique, the service, satsang, knowledge and the company of a Master. My small mind then interpreted this as self-promotion.

Then the Q&A started and ended. Someone shouted - Marry me Guruji. Guruji carried on unperturbed.

The evening ended and we all went home.

Looking back I can only think how lucky I was back then. I was not ready for him but he was there lovingly beckoning me to him. Today I thirst for his company and circumstances in life prevent me from meeting him. Ironical ?

Maybe it is because he is always with me and he wants me to know that.

But the longing to be with him only grows day by day.

From a oh-so-beautiful Meera bhajan sung by Lata Mangeshkar :

Payoji Maine :

paayoji maine ram ratan dhan paayo

bastu amolaka di mere satguru,
krpa kari apanayo

janama janama ki punji pai,
jaga men sabai khovayo

Kharcha na koi chor na lutai
Din din badhat savayo (payo ji maine)

Sat ki naav khevatiya satguru
Bhavsagar taravayo (payo ji maine)

Meera ke prabhu giridhar nagar
Harash harash jas gaayo (payo ji maine)

Paayoji maine ram ratan dhan paayo

Jai Guru Dev,

Guruji in Dallas

Nice Video .

http://cbs11tv.com/local/Diwali.Festival.of.2.850964.html

Jai Guru Dev,

Bliss 2008 : Sri Sri Ravishankar in the US

Looks like its raining blessings in the USA . Guruji Sri Sri Ravishankar is going to be touring the US and there are so many beautiful opportunities to meet HIM .

http://events.artofliving.org/

And if you are REALLY lucky, you can celebrate DIWALI with HIM. Just imagine - the depths of silence exploding into eruptions of Joy !



Diwali Advanced Course :
http://secure.artofliving.org/course_details.aspx?course_id=3485

Mahalaxmi Puja :
http://secure.artofliving.org/event_details.aspx?event_id=1897

Are you the lucky ONE ? Self Effort Brings Grace !!

Jai Guru Dev,

For Those Missing Guruji ..........

Missing Guruji badly ? Yeah I know...Me Too :(

So very much right now. Its Navarathri and everybody who is somebody or nobody is in the Bangalore Ashram and I can't go.

Well I have to just feel his presence and well....watch youtube videos.

Here are a couple of beautiful ones I found from Navarathri 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Smile if you can :)

2004 :



2006 :



2007 :


Jai Guru Dev,

That First Look

It was Guru Poornima 2001 at Lake Tahoe, CA , USA. A few of us who had recently completed Part I (then known as the Basic Course) were driving up to meet Sri Sri Ravishankar - the founder of the Art Of Living Foundation. My thoughts were varied as we drove up.

I was not yet a devotee. I had only just finished my course. I had no clue or direct experience of AOL as an organization. It was the July 4th long weekend and all my friends were out traveling / celebrating .

I vaguely remember my sharing at the end of the Basic Course -....ramblings....more ramblings....teacher says ' say 1 thing' ....I say: "This is going to be an important part of my life from now on" .

Well it was important enough for me to say "No" to my friends on a long weekend and join a bunch of singing, ecstatic folks driving 5 hours north up to Lake Tahoe to see someone, I knew nothing about .

When I look back I realize, this pull was irresistible, I had no other choice.

We were accompanied by people that were mostly strong devotees. Occasionally they would ride along for a small part of the journey and sing bhajans or talk knowledge or discuss Guru stories. All this was strange to me.

Finally we reached the beautiful South Lake Tahoe and drove along to the resort where Sri Sri was conducting an advanced course. We parked and started walking towards the venue when IT happened.

A frail looking man with flowing hair and a beard was walking towards a car parked in front of the venue. Accompanying him were about 10 swamis - evident from their shaven heads and saffron robes. Those were the days when Sri Sri was still relatively accessible in the US. He walked to the waiting cars and waited for the swamis to take their seats first . I still distinctly remember him saying "Banni....Koothkoli.....Koothkoli" (Kannada for 'Please come - be seated').

As he passed me, I waited and stood still not quite knowing what the appropriate response ought to be. I was not yet in love - just saw Him for the first time - respect I did have - not really sure . Thus spake my mind as He passed me and gave me - the look - and as I bowed - walked on .





"Banni ...Koothkoli.....Koothkoli"....the cars were filled up and He was gone . Little did I realize then that the LOOK would change my life forever.

My next opportunity to see him was at satsang that evening - my first satsang with HIM. The room was abuzz....Divya, John and other old-timers rocking the satsang, folks in the room seated with eyes closed, folks at the edge swaying in a trance....all strange yet strangely comfortable and acceptable. 'J' and I were asked to sit close to the stage which we did...and after a while we left. We had decided to only stay for that day (looking back I feel like a fool) .

As soon as we left the room, we looked at each other and said the same thing " I still don't think he is God or anything :)" . Looking back I always smile broadly.

Looks :

A devotee , NR , now in the Bay Area, tells me of his look. Guruji arrived for satsang in the Bangalore Ashram and passing him , gave him the look. Since that moment, NR did not smoke or drink or while his weekends getting drunk with friends. His life changed and he is an AOL teacher today .

Someone shared something beautiful about their "look" today - so beautiful and true : His look was more loving than a mother's, more concerned than a father's ,more intimate than a partner's and more caring than a friend's. I could not have said it any better.

Over the years there were many more such looks - each one a definitive milestone on the path of grace and growth . More about them in later posts.

Did you have a look that influenced/changed your life ? Please share it in the comments.

Jai Guru Dev,

Art of Living For Bihar

As anyone following the news in India these days would know, the state of Bihar in northern India has been devastated by floods. Hundreds of villages have been inundated and lakhs have been left marooned, homeless, hungry......

Art Of Living and its sister organization, IAHV are working actively in the affected areas to bring material and other relief to the victims .

Details/updates : http://help-biharfloodvictims.blogspot.com/

Sri Sri Ravishankar, the founder of Art Of Living has appealed to everyone to support this cause.




How can YOU contribute?

CREDIT CARD: Please go to our secure website http://www.iahv.org/donate.asp to make a donation. (Choose Disaster and Trauma Relief - Bihar Flood Relief)

CHECK/MONEY ORDER (in the USA only) : Please make them payable to IAHV and mail to: IAHV, 12121 Quadrille Lane, Bowie, MD 20720.

For in-kind contributions or volunteer in the affected areas, the local VVKI offices can be contacted to donate money and other supplies .

Pune Contact :

Pune Information Centre. 405, 'Citi-Centre' Bldg.,Opp. Ayurved
Rasashala, Karve Road.,Pune. (Tel.: 020-25411821, 020-64002463, 9423005328)

UPDATE : Guruji visited Bihar to personally meet the victims of the flood disaster and review Art Of Living's relief work . Here is a wonderful video of Him addressing some affected victims :



Jai Guru Dev,