Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Connecting with the Guru

All my readers must be wondering why I hadn't blogged in quite a while.

Well, I was at the ashram doing the Blessing Course under the wonderful tutelage of Swami Pragyapad.

Truly speaking, I still haven't found words to describe the experience. But nevertheless, not wanting to disappoint you all, I will try.

It was like no other course that I had ever been to.

Firstly what can I say of Swamiji? His beatific smile, his gentle countenance, flowing hair, pristine white robes, had such a soothing effect on us! To add to all this was his amazing sense of humor that had us in splits. I guess this offset the intensity of the course, and we needed that, else we would have become restless with all the electrifying energy!

In one very intense process, I woke up almost in a trance. Much to my amazement Gurudev had walked into the room at precisely the same time! It was like nothing I had ever experienced before.

On the last day, all of us course participants were sad to leave one another, for we had shared so many intimate moments together. Nevertheless, one has to part ways and get back to our own world.

Get back to the world I did, and here I am writing in. But I feel a difference- a touching one. Now I feel Gurudev's presence in me very strongly.

I am Blessed...

Monday, May 19, 2008

Buddha Purnima




Today is the festival of Buddha Purnima.

Buddha Purnima is the most sacred festivals of Buddhist. Buddha Purnima. It is celebrated in remembrance Lord Buddha. Lord Buddha is the founder of Buddhism. This day is the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. This day commemorates three important events of Buddha's life which are:

- His birth in 623 BC.
- His enlightment i.e. attainment of supreme wisdom, in 588 BC.
- His attainment of Nirvana i.e. the complete extinction of his self at the age of 80.

Lord Buddha is considered the ninth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu (Preserver in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer). Buddha means "enlightened one" - someone who is completely free from all faults and mental obstructions.

The teachings of the Buddha are solely to liberate human beings from the misery and sufferings of life. According to the Buddhism, sorrow and desire are the main cause of all the evil and suffering of this world. Lord Buddha advocated the Eightfold Path consisting of precepts like right conduct, right motive, right speech, right effort, right resolve, right livelihood, right attention and right meditation to gain mastery over suffering. It is only after following this path one can reach the ultimate aim of Nirvana. Nirvana is the transcendental state of complete liberation. Gautama Buddha lived and taught in northern Inda in the 6th Century B.C.

Buddha travelled far and wide teaching hundreds of followers. Even after death his disciples continued to spread his teachings.

Rich and poor alike were attracted by the simplicity of Buddha’s teaching and his emphasis on complete equality of all. Sarnath and Bodhgaya are two of the most important pilgrimage centres for the Buddhists.

Though Buddhism originated in India and the religion has gained tremendous popularity throughout the Far East in Asia, there are very few practicing Buddhists in the country.

Friday, May 16, 2008

A beeline for books!

Celebrating Guru Puja
Yesterday evening was Sanjaynagar's day for 'Happy Birthday'ing' Guruji, albeit a trifle belated. But our little township is never one for swift action- it's a sleepy place, mildly tolerating all the noise and bustle of new shops opening at the drop of a hat pin. But when we wake up, we shake off the dust from our shoes and make waves! So yesterday, we hit the news headlines with style. We invited the kids from nearby slums over for a Satsang and proceeded to distribute books, pencil kits and some food.

We expected around 750 kids, judging by the number of passes that we had distributed in the slums. But around 1500 kids turned up at the venue- demanding their fair share of books! It was a noisy yet fun-filled evening, and by the time the last kid was handed his loot, our hands and feet were worn out. But our spirits were soaring!

I clicked a few photos with my cellphone camera but the lighting was not good enough to get the best quality. Nevertheless, I seem to have managed to capture a sampling of the upbeat crowd!


Wednesday, May 14, 2008

A fallen schoolbag

Pic from the web

What words can describe the tragedy that has befallen thousands of people in Sichuan, the quake-torn part of China?

Apparently, as this blog is being posted, sixty thousand are still trapped in the debris, many of whom are schoolchildren. What terror would they have faced when the stillness of their daily life was shattered by a rumbling, darkening, blistering Earth? Many who are still alive and caught in between the earth's folds can only hope for quick rescue operations.

Nature by Herself is serene, beautiful. Perhaps that was what a few tourists and Panda watchers had hoped to find, when they landed in Sichuan. Not for a moment would they have ever imagined what Fate had in store for them.

Let us pray for Peace for the departed souls and Hope for those who are still struggling within a dark mass of mud, debris, rubble, rotting flesh. What agonizing moments, anticipating a dark, dank death! Silent prayers, muffled cries, soulful calls for help.

Living and Dying- are like two sides of a coin. While one side is a mystery, we are in the cozy comfort of the other side. But let's not slip into a familiar lethargy and leave this world with no meritorious tasks to our credit. For when the coin finally flips, it doesn't wait mid-way...

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Gurudev Sri Sri's birthday

Guruji peforming Rudrabhisekam Puja in the Bangalore ashram

Today is Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar's birthday.

How can I describe Gurudev? And my association with him? Words seem to fail me, or perhaps my thoughts are far beyond words.

All I can say is that I have found a true Guru in Sri Sri. One who never judges, whose compassion knows no bounds, and one who constantly teaches his disciples to 'walk like a king and be a perfect servant'.

Gurudev lives for Service, as is seen by his tireless journeys to places and people who want and seek his help. He greets world leaders and the world's poorest alike with a benevolent smile.
Pic taken from the web

Every principle that Gurudev stands for is hand-picked from the Holy scriptures. Accepting people and situations as they are- but not passive acceptance. Standing up to your beliefs without being a football in other people's hands. Living in the present moment. Developing a sense of belonginess, moving together in service as a 'One World Family'.

Under Gurudev's tutelage, every principle becomes a reality and you feel a transformation. I have seen it in people. I am seeing it in myself.

And atheist is said to have once asked a Swami Kriyananda who is a close disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda: Can you describe this 'God' whom you allude to all the time? What is God?"

To which Swamy Kriyananda is said to have replied - You can consider God to be your highest potential'.

This is what you can expect when you are in Guruji's presence. Your core skills are so amplified, your confidence boosted and everything seems suddenly so achievable.

I can take all the time I want in in trying to reach the pinnacle of God consciousness. But for now, I am ever grateful to my Guru for making me see myself in the truest sense.

Happy Birthday Guruji.

Monday, May 12, 2008

On motherhood


Yesterday was Mother's Day, and I didn't even know about it until my daughter rang me up to wish me. It actually felt good, being remembered like that!

Not that it really makes us moms love our kids any more when they remember us with a swift call. I mean, can we possibly love them more? Our love is so boundless, so boundary-less!

My first 'mum' was actually my grandmother, coz' I grew up in her care for the first five years of my life. Grandmum was deeply spiritual- so she'd wake up in the wee hours of the morning and pray. I'd wake up too, since I would be quick to recognize that her warm body was missing by my side. Grandmum followed strict Hindu Brahmanical practices too. So after she'd bathe, she would like to sit alone in the 'God-room' to chant. But how would a kid like me know that? Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, thumb in my mouth, I'd cling to her frail body. She'd smile even through her meditative stance, and point her finger to a glass of milk she'd keep by her side.

I do not know how those years had passed, but I still remember them with such joy. Her love knew no bounds. Her compassion limitless. Everyday visitors would stream into my grandfather's house seeking grandmum carrying flowers and fruit for her wonderful prayer sessions (called Satsangs). Every day was a celebration since it was one auspicious day or another.

My mornings would pass by swiftly in a school which I did not really like. But the evenings were lively with all these spiritual sessions. Nights were enchanting since our home was by the beach and I would watch the waves lash at the rocks while a faraway lighthouse would flash light across the shore, and onto any odd ship which entered the Vizag port.

Pic of Vizag taken from the web

Come Saturday mornings, and the whole household would be searching for me in every nook and corner of the backyard. Finally, a pair of strong adult hands would fish me out of my hiding, much to my utter dismay. The same hands would seat me on a stool placed in the backyard. My arms crossed stiffly across my chest, a wave of quiet rebellion would be rising in me, as grandmother and her trusting maid prepared me for my ritual oil bath. The maid would stand by reverently ready to take on brisk commands. Soon, the maid would rub the thick oil down my back with her rough hands. Now my hitherto quiet rebellion would swiftly change to a vociferous bawl. But the two women never really cared for this demonstration and were steadfast in their goal.

The oil rub was followed by a good smear of a thick paste of lentil powder. I must have looked like a half-done cake to any odd passer-by. The only part I sort of looked forward to was for the paste to dry a bit on my body. The I would set to rolling out long 'snakes' by rubbing my palms on the semi-dried paste.

This was quickly followed by a head-wash with soapnut juice. God forbid if I kept an eye open, for the soapnut lather stings the eyes. Finally, mug-fuls of piping hot water later, grandmum would dry me briskly with a rough towel and have me lie down on a wooden cot with a nice mat of coir fibre. She would spread my thick hair around me place a make-shift coal stove under the cot. She would then sprinkle some crystals on the burning coal. The crystals would vaporize into smoke, emanating a wonderful aroma. This helped my hair dry quickly and also shoo'ed off any cold that I might have been harboring. By the end of this bathing ritual, I would be fast asleep, too tired to protest and yet, grudgingly admitting to myself that I felt a whole lot better.

My second 'mum' was my aunt- who was my father's younger sister. She used to stay in the adjoining portion of my grandfather's house so it used to be fun to slip out of grandmum's watchful gaze and wander off to see what my young aunt was doing. Aunt was a teacher so she was a bit stern in demeanor. But she was no less loving than grandmum.

I remember lying in her lap at nights and listening to her sing off-key, her one favorite lullaby. No matter how many times she sang it, it would still be off-key. But that did not bother me a bit. I used to feel a different 'mumminess' in her, and perhaps that was because age-wise, she was closer to my mother's age then my grandmum was.

With my grandmum, it was a serene stillness. With aunt, it was a secure physical warmth.

My real mum is so wonderful too- and I remember that in her younger days, she was definitely more stern than my two other 'mums'. But now, looking back, I realize that she had to be this way, and this made me more disciplined and organized.

For the first few months of living with my real mother, after grandfather dropped me off at my new home, I'd insist on calling her by her maiden name. It took me time to accept that she was my biological mother. But soon she became 'hey mommy' then as I grew older, this changed to 'oh mum'. Now she' s 'dear mother'.

Now both grandmother and aunt are no more. But I was so fortunate to spend the first few years of my life with them.

Happy Mother's Day.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Kidzone



Scores of kids in all sizes made a beeline to our office as part of the 'take-your-kids-to-office' day. I'd have gladly brought my own kid to office- only that my young one has started to work in an office herself! But hearing the kids chatter incessantly, with balloons and goody bags in tow, made my heart warm up.

These days, most kids brave smoky traffic with their knapsacks laden with books, to get educated.

'Educated'. Well, that is, if we call learning rote poetry and cramming math formulae 'learning'. When they can't seem to remember what they don't WANT to remember, all hell breaks loose at home. Mother frets, teacher frowns, and the kid only grows more confused. The smile that is Nature's wonder, just begins to fade. Now what's a kid without that wonderful smile?

Occasionally movie makers remember childhood and make a meaningful film. Like 'Taare Zameen Par' which won many deserving accolades.

Pic taken from the web
Or we have nice functions for kids where that bright smile appears big time. Like the one in our office today.

But are we really creating an environment for children to blossom in? Summer ushers in a few camps and workshops where kids can dabble in fine arts and sports. There are a handful of training course which actually teach children how to beat stress. One such is the Art of Living Foundation offers Art Excel- All Round Training for Excellence which helps shape happy children by relieving them of stress and inculcating positive emotions in them. The course is a huge success all over the world. This month, we will have 1008 children visiting the ashram to participate in Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar's birthday celebrations. What a glorious vision that would be!

We need more programs for the kids who are tomorrow's world. Tomorrow's future. Children are so natural, which is why their minds are so pure and untainted. They excel in whatever their tiny hearts set out to do. If they paint, they do so in rapt concentration. If they sing, they don't care if they lose a note, they just sing from their souls. If they play, they do so wholeheartedly. If one is to go by a recent program gaining popularity on Indian TV, where adults and kids answer queries posed by the Quizmaster, kids are winning hands-down (or rather hands-up!).


Photo taken from the web

Let us strive to keep a stress-free, and happy world for the tiny tots.

Ah, now just keep that pretty smile my dear!