Happy New Year !

Let time celebrate your presence. People usually make a wish for the New Year, but this year, make no wish.Let the New Year celebrate you.If the New Year wants to bring nicer things, just let it.

Usually you are lost in celebration.When you let time celebrate you, you are a witness amidst celebration.

The New Year is fortunate because you are living at this time.When you are living for the sake of the world, the world is fortunate.You are not living for yourself,but for the world. Whatever the world needs or wants,you are here for that.

...............H.H.Sri Sri Ravishankar...

Lake Lucerne, SWITZERLAND,
JANUARY 1, 1997

This year, Guruji gave the following message to all satsangs worldwide before leaving for the Art Of Living German ashram :

Giving blessings for the new year, He said in celebration there is 'utsah' -
enthusiasm and with that also arises a sankalapa (intention) .

HE said this New Year let us all take a Sankalpa :

1. To conserve water
2. To plant trees and some vegetables/pulses - there is such shortage of food in the world
3. Plant trees - we give out impure air - these trees purify air. So to reduce pollution, it is imperative to plant trees

A Happy New Year to all my blog readers !

Jai Guru Dev,

Sights from the UW - Fall 2006

Some pictures I took while attending Fall Qtr 2006 at the University Of Washington, Seattle. These pictures were taken in the "QUAD", the century old part of the university,housing some of its oldest departments and is currently under renovation. A sight to behold indeed - especially the cherry blossom foliage during Fall .

Another Journey Begins

I just finished my 4th Art Of Living Part I course at Pune yesterday. Heres a summary :

1. Before the course, I was worn out - After it I feel so light.
2. Before the course, I felt so disconnected, After it I feel so connected .
3. Before the course, I was scared , After it not any more.
4. Before the course, I wondered if I would finish, After the course - er well I finished it didn't I ?
5. Before the course I felt very egoistic, After the course much less .
6. Before the course, I had a bad cold , After the course, I am fine.

If you have done the course, please repeat it, if you have not, please DO IT at your earliest. What better time than the turn of the year to renew and refresh oneself , go closer towards the self and start a grand new year !


Jai Guru Dev,

You Life is a Gift

Sri Sri on the message of Christmas

You are the Christmas tree that points upwards with branches on all sides. At the time of year when other trees are barren, you are green with many gifts to offer.

You bear gifts and lights - not for yourself, but for others. Remember that all the gifts you are carrying in your life are for others. Anyone who comes to you, offer them your gifts. Your life is a gift. And you have come to unwrap the gift.

Sri Sri Ravishankar

A beautiful video on Sri Sri at the North Pole by Naresh :




Merry Christmas to all my blog readers !

Jai Guru Dev,

The Journey Begins Again ......Continues

After months of longing, I had the opportunity to take the Art of Living Part I course again today. A nice and small daytime course started at Aundh Pune.

With loved-one on the recovery path, it was easier to take this decision and actually sign up for a course during the peak morning hours (10:00 am - 1:00 pm). These hours in the last few months have been witness to the most hectic, frantic and exhausting experiences. How life changes and that too in a matter of days !

This will be my fourth Part I course and also the first one in India ! Cool ! My previous repeats have all been very interesting. Each repeat of the Part I course brings up something new in me. The same knowledge reveals itself in a new light, the practice deepens, the reverence for Guruji increases and the profoundness of the course (described by a favorite teacher of mine as "The essence of the Vedas"), reveals itself one more bit. Guruji says this about taking courses again and again "Punah Punaha" - Again and Again - until it becomes part of us.

I wonder what new light this one will throw up.

Oh - but "Expectation Reduces Joy" .

Jai Guru Dev,