Sri Sri Mahatmyam- Series Part 3

The Guarding Angel

In 2005, Gurudev envisioned that we will be celebrating Silver Jubilee of The Art of Living Foundation in Jakkoor Aerodrome, Bangalore on February 2006. He said 3 million people will be meditating for world peace and harmony. People across 150 countries would be visiting us in Bangalore. We were divided into core teams- transportation, accommodation, musicians, food, stage decoration...etc. I happened to be part of accommodation team and was asked to take care of 300 people who will be coming from Haryana, India at Kalyana Mantapam(Marriage Hall), Bannerghatta Road in Bangalore. All the necessary items for accommodation was bought- soap, towel, shampoo, conditioner, comb, brush, paste, slippers....etc. I was proud of my attention to detail and planning.

When the team arrived,they were received with care and respect. One elderly person asked for a bucket and a mug for bath. I replied,'We have a shower, you may use it'. He said that he needs to do 'Sandhyavandan'( religious ritual performed by Hindus, particularly those initiated through the sacred thread ceremony referred to as the Upanayanam) and needs bucket for the same. This never occurred to me. It was Sunday and all shops were closed. I told him that I would get one and decided to try out my luck. But the shops were all closed.

I have the habit of putting all the garbage(negative thoughts) to Gurudev intermittently. As usual asked Gurudev in my mind,'From where will I get bucket on Sunday now? What to do?'Decided to try out luck in Jayanagar area. Before going to Jayanagar, went to the hall to check if they need anything more. Again promised the elderly man that bucket would be provided.

He replied,"Bucket ki zaroorat nahin hai...Guruji ne kisiko ashram se bheja...Aur usne hamein bucket de diya..."(He does not need the bucket, Guruji sent someone from ashram with the bucket)

I thought that man has gone crazy. Why would Gurudev send someone from ashram with bucket? Especially on a day when he was busy with too many other things. I asked him to show the bucket. And there I see an orange bucket with matching mug. I was in complete disbelief.

I called up all volunteers to check if they got bucket. They didn't even know that we needed one. Intellect wanted to calculate what is the probability of Gurudev sending somebody with bucket? Infinity?????

After the event, Gurudev invited all the volunteers who worked towards Silver Jubilee for a dinner. I had an urge to ask him if he sent someone with the bucket; However, was hesitant to ask. As though he read my mind, He said,'Ha... You might have seen lot of miracles happening during these days'. The peace in his face spoke as eloquently as his speech.

Reiterating what he said in Patanjali Yogasutra, The largest of the large and smallest of the small thought is under the preview of the Guru. He takes care.

Alright...Stay tuned next Thursday for another story of our 'Sweettoo Guru'.

श्री श्री नमामी(Sri Sri Namami)
Upasana

Sri Sri Mahatmyam- Series Part 2

Thank you to each one of you who took time to read this blog. Now this blog is global, it is read by people from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Philippines,Germany, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, USA and India. Truly, Love moves the world :)You motivate me to write more.

'Mahatmyam' is Glory. We are here to share the glories of our Guru, who has graced us in this path.

I am planning to write one post every 'Guruvar'(Thursday) on Guru's glory.

The power of his picture

This was the time when I had just done basic course (Happiness Program now) * of Art of Living at Mangalore in 2004. The course helped me make new friends, meet people who have similar spiritual quest like me, meet like-minded people who help each other and also truly believe in uplifting each other. My respect for my AOL teacher was the highest: he was caring, knowledgeable and approachable.The team was superb in conducting knowledge sessions, long kriya, seva and high energy satsangs :) We used to even hang out together at restaurants and help people in old age homes.Being with the team was time to relax,laugh and grow.

Soon, I got an admission in Bangalore for M.B.A., which was my dream then. But my attachment to the AOL-Mangalore was very high. It was hard for me to leave Mangalore due to the love of people and care of the teacher. I went to the room of AOL-center(Mangalore) which had huge picture of 'Gurudev'. That was the room we used to conduct satsangs and courses. No one was there in the room that day, lights were off. I did not want anyone to know that I am in the room. Without switching ON the lights knelt down the picture of 'Gurudev'. And was crying because it was hard for me to leave this wonderful place. Suddenly Gurudev appeared in front of me, the clarity was like HDTV. He said,'Are you a fool? I am calling you towards me and you are crying? Just come to Bangalore.' I suddenly opened my eyes. Was it just my thoughts??? I looked around to see if anybody noticed. No, room was still dark. Did not speak a word to anyone about this incident, people would think I am a fool....

I realized that day that I was attached to the AOL -teacher and failed to see Who made my teacher 'the teacher who is so knowledgeable and caring'?Who started this Sudarshana Kriya(A breathing technique- which allows you to release stress instantly- As fast as instant coffee:) )?Who gave me these friends? It is this Guru- Sri Sri Ravishankar, The founder of this Art of Living foundation. Also realized that the picture of Gurudev is not mere picture. It has life in it. He will listen and answer your prayers/questions too.

I recall one incident shared by an Advance course (Silence course now) ** participant in 2005. A man wanted to message his fiancee on some urgent matter; However, His phone had no charge in the battery. He had forgotten to get his charger. He kept his phone in front of Gurudev's picture and asked to charge the phone. To his surprise, the phone was charged 100% in no time. While he was sharing the incident after the course, he was crying in disbelief. That was the first time I was seeing a man cry.

गुरु के सामान नहीं दूसरा जहाँ में(Guru ke samaan nahi doosra jahan mein)

There is no one like the Guru in this entire world.

Alright...See you next week with interesting stories of Gurudev.

श्री श्री नमामी(Sri Sri Namami)
Upasana

*Happiness Program is a three-day workshop at the Art of Living Foundation where we learn breathing techniques to release stress and remain calm in most difficult situations. It is a life changing program. To check program near your location, log in to: https://www.artofliving.org/

**Silence Program is like servicing your body. We service our vehicle every year, but forget to realize that our body too needs one. Has it ever occurred to you that you need a vacation for yourself, but end up being more tired after vacation? Then, this program is for you. Where you will get the perfect vacation for yourself and be energized.

Sri Sri Mahatmyam- Series Part 1

Longing

At the Art of Living ashram in Bangalore we have satsang every evening Monday through Saturday from 7.30 pm to 9 pm,which consists of singing,knowledge sharing and celebration.We can also see Sri Sri if he is in town. Sri Sri is fondly called Gurudev or Guruji(Master) by his devotees. Sunday, satsang starts slightly early, around 4 p.m. Anybody is welcome during that time,provided you leave all your worries/problems there and go back happily.

Just want to share an incident that occurred in 2005. That was the time when I was doing internship in a Multi National Company at Koramangala in Bangalore,India. It was 7.30 p.m in the evening,when I had intense longing to meet 'Gurudev'. I called up my friend and told him that we need to go to ashram in Kanakpura, which is 21 km from the heart of the city of Bangalore. He replied,'Even if we start now,we will reach ashram only at 9 p.m.Are you sure you really want to go?' My reply,'Yes, I want to go. At least we can see Sri Sri'. And we started,I was crying through the entire journey with complete longing, with only intention in the heart to meet HIM. We finally reached at 9 p.m. And satsang was still going on. I was still crying for reason unknown. Anyone who would have seen me, would have thought I am in some deep problem.This was nothing to do with anything mundane- career,relationship, money...etc.

Rishi Nithyapragya started with singing,'Mussu mussu haasi, dil malailai, mussi mussu haasi dil. Zara muskurade, muskurade ,zara muskurade aey kushi..'

This is one of my favorite song in Hindi Bollywood music. I was amazed at the timing. How did he know? May be just a coincidence. Whatever it is, loved the coincidence.It means just smile:)

Gurudev turned towards my side, His angelic smile and charm brushed away the tears flowing and I was calm, again for reasons unknown.

After the satsang, somebody said the satsang started at 8.30 p.m. that day. The satsang schedule had changed in AOL-Bangalore ashram that day. Gratitude towards Gurudev knew no bounds. He had decided to have a permanent spot in my heart.

Just remembered a shloka in Hindi:

तीव्र प्रेम के पाले पड़कर, अपना नियम बदलते देखा
अपना मान टले टल जाए, भक्त का मान न टलते देखा

Guru will change the rules for intense love even if it is at the cost of his fame. He will never let his devotees down.

Tears rolling down the cheeks,
श्री श्री नमामी(Sri Sri Namami)

Upasana

P.S:
Here is the address of Art of Living,Bangalore Ashram in case you want to visit:
Art of Living International Center
Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth
21st Km, Kanakapura Road, Udayapura
Bangalore, Karnataka 560 082, India
Phone: +91 80 28432273 / 74. e-mail: info@vvmvp.org

Gurudev as my Navigator

Finally squeezed some time to write something. Special thanks to Art of Living teacher, Abhay Ladhe who said recently during long kriya that if you have a talent to write, you must do so.

Like any movies, starting with flashback :)

In 2014, When Kala Aunty was giving me a ride said to me, 'Gurudev makes you do lot of things. He even teaches you to drive.' I smiled and thought in my mind,'It is true for her, cannot be true for me.' Was wondering how can Gurudev make you drive? At least, it can never be true in my case because I am hopeless in spacial awareness. I used to fidget to take car on new road.It was so high that I used to sweat while driving.The series of thoughts were halted by peppy talks.

Three years later on July 2017, I happened to do Shakthi Kriya course under Michael Fischmann. What pulled my attention to this course is: we need not practice the techniques taught in the course on daily basis. The lazy me was obviously delighted :) Little did I know then that this course would change my life drastically. A course that took away the fear and taught me to let go and continue. A course that brought me back in touch with the infinite presence of the Master even in his physical absence.

We were told to 'Let go' of our fear and 'continue'. The third day of the course, I decided to test out what was taught in the course, to Let go and continue...Yes, took the car to Medina.Asked Gurudev to sit beside me in car while I drive. There were times when I was wondering where to take left, immediately a car would come from nowhere.It was as if to show me just take left here. There were times when I wanted to just have a red light to check if I need to change the lane to go right/left, The light would turn red. There were times when I had no idea how to do parallel parking in street, the car in front of me would decide to leave. There were times I would freak out to change the lane in busy street of downtown, the car behind me would wait patiently until I manage to change lane. There were times when I had feared to take reverse in the midst of too many cars, a Man would get down and guide me how to go about taking reverse. And when roads were covered with snow, Have experienced Gurudev himself driving the car for me. In this non-doership mode, keep wondering what is the role of 'me' here? Just nothing...a ripple in that vast ocean of existence, playing different roles before I perish.

Its been 6 months now, I have driven to Oakdale, St.Paul, Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis,Bloomington, Eden Prairie with Gurudev by my side.(Would rather say, Gurudev drove it himself, making me HIS instrument) Now,The hammering heart while driving had started beating steadily, the fear to face new roads had vanished in thin air. I was born again, Aho Niranjan!

I accidentally stumbled upon a knowledge of Gurudev where he said,'When something happens to you beyond your logical sense, it is called grace'. It was as though Gurudev spoke to me through these words and evoked, from center of the being, a response of surrender and gratitude. If this is grace, then I am drenched in it...completely soaked.

Knowledge takeaways from the course:

1. We have two thoughts , one is the intuitive thought and other the doubt/fear ,other negative thoughts which bring down the intuitive thought. All the practices we do is to awaken this intuitive thought.
2. The life follows a cycle of waxing and waning in everything, which includes spirituality as well. You need not feel guilty if you are not able to do any course in certain time.
3. This one was the best: While driving your car, if you go to a wrong lane, does the GPS yell at you? Instead it just re-routes you to ensure you reach the destination. In the same way, you need not get wild when somebody does mistake.
4. Last but not the least, Let go and continuuuuuuuuue....... :)

More later...

Love,
Upasana

The one day trip , made my day :-)

July 2, 2017:

Around 10 in the morning we went to pleasant Valley orchard in Minnesota . It is 1hour drive from Minnetonka. It was last season for strawberry picking. We took a box for us and two smaller ones for the kids. The kids loved to pluck the berries, the weather was perfect too. Infact, Two year old daughter was eating as she was plucking them. The 7lb of strawberries costs us $17.00. Already made strawberry jam with two pounds of strawbeery...yummmmmmmmmy!!!!

We got done by noon and headed to 'Fawn Doe Rosa Wildlife Educational Park' at St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. It is pretty close to pleasant valley, just 15 minutes of drive. We found a picnic spot and had our lunch. The entry fee was $8 for kids and $9 for adults , not to mention the pony ride and pet food(we bought 3 bags of them which is $2each). It was spacious , grassy land. First we saw some goats and rabbits. Anvi loved to see the hen and husband amazed to see the antique car. We headed straight to pony ride, Advait enjoyed to ride. He rode the pony named Libby. Although our two year old Anvi was reluctant to sit on the pony, Advait was overjoyed after the ride.Later we went to see the goat. We fed them. Saw the peacock, donkeys and mule. We found an interesting fact that Male donkeys are called Jack and Female Donkeys are called Jenny. Jack and Jenny are such a common names here, wonder if they know the meaning ;-)

As we walked further, we saw fawns and deers ...awww..their calm and composed nature made me quieter. Advait hugged the deer and fed it. Adu and kutti, fed the ducks too. As we walked further, we saw elk, mountain lion and fox too. This was definitely a PURR-fect vacation :-)

We were tired to hike at Taylor falls, so directly went to Minnehaha Falls at Bloomington, MN. Kids just loved to play with water there. We had to change their clothes since they were all wet.They had strawberries on their way home too. End of the day, Advait asked me : Can we repeat what we did today some other day, with no change in the plan . Both were tired after the trip, we slept very early after dinner.

Work is worship!

Well, Long back in one of the courses of AOL, somebody asked me , " Whom do you see God in? Or In what do you see God?"

I replied, work is worship. I see God in all that I do. At that time, it probably was a smart answer. However, over time I have realised that subconsciously I hated people wasting time, who do not perform action and respect people who work sincerely. This in turn is a block of its own.Lazy people have a unique ability of letting go. They are less tensed ;-)

Accepting people of not your own nature is not easy. But when it happens effortlessly, it has its own beauty.

Humpty dumpty had a great fall

I have been thinking since quite some time to write about parenting. Somehow was too busy with little one. Being new mom is a challenge to lot of things.

There were zillion people who have advised me, to ensure baby will not fall. Even after all the efforts...thud!!!!fell the little one...

My aunt had advised me, don't worry when kids fall- its a common phenomenon, she re-iterated 'Daivam kaakum'( 'God will take care of them, when they are doing it naturally...my son fell many times from the cot.' )The cry of baby is more because of our reaction to it, not from the fall. If we are cool and accept it as it is, they can handle better. Even scientifically it is true, the pediatrician himself says, nothing to worry if baby falls.

Do know of some babies, who took lot of time for every development because of the same fear, not of itself because of the fear of parents. This applies especially when the baby is sick too, they will be fine very fast. Don't bother about it too much. If mother is happy, baby is happy too.