Strings of Bliss...

BLISS- a five letter Word. Maybe it is the feeling of being absolutely hollow and empty or maybe it is that feeling of being one with one's soul or probably it is that amazing feeling when one is completely dissolved in unconditional love.

This is what I experienced at that amazing, amazing, super cool satsang at Birla House. It was a perfect setting—an open air satsang on the beautifully landscaped lawns of an archaic Birla House accompanied by a gentle breeze and of course the soul stirring, mesmerizing voice of THE VIKRAM HAZRA (fondly known as Vikram Bhaiya). I was really amazed by it.

How we got there itself is an adventure in itself. It was at 7. We were pretty worried that we would miss the satsang as we were caught up at the Tree Plantation Drive at Bandra. So we reached late at around 7.45 pm. We were deeply praying to GURUJI that plz plz plz let the satsang not start without us (a wild thought but I was heavily relying on it). And guess what…it actually happened. It was a Miracle (actually we Art of Living people r so used to it that we heavily rely on them)!! I thanked Guruji from the bottom of my heart and sat in the front row. We even got seats bang in front of Vikram Bhaiya.

As soon as we sat Vikram Bhaiya started with a Ganesha bhajan as always. Its symbolic considering the Elephant God is honored before the start of any event. It was amazing…It is always!! Then followed the Devi (Durge Nandini) bhajan. (I Miss U Bala!!!!! It’s his favourite and mine too) It just dipped me in complete love for my Master.

But what completely DISSOLVED me was my favourite “Radhe Radhe” and “Narayana Hari OM” n that too back to back!!! It was the “Ulltiiiimate” (God knows what that means but this expression is heavily relied upon by Tushar to describe something that really really excites him) …like icing on the cake types. Anyway I just closed my eyes and starting feeling the melodious symphony of Vikram Bhaiya’s soothing voice as the breeze gushed across my face. All of a sudden tears started flowing from my eyes (I dunno why). My friends were surprised. Even I was!!!! I don’t know what struck me; I just opened my eyes and looked straight at Guruji’s photograph, which were exquisitely n delicately wrapped in Blue orchids.

The longer I looked at him, the more tears rolled over my cheeks and I couldn’t control them. But the most amazing part of it was that I was SMILING!! I just couldn’t stop smiling!!!!!!!! They were TEARS OF JOY!!!!!!! (I though that was just an idiom until that satsang)

Maybe this is what people mean when they say “Absolute Bliss”. Maybe this is what you experience when you’re dissolved (and I mean literally DISSOLVED) in unconditional love with your Guru. May be, May be not!!!!!! Who knows YOU jus have to experience it find it out!!!!!!

JAI GURUDEV!!!!!

Saurabh

Life is a Roller Coaster … you just got to ride it!!

Remember that feeling you got in your stomach when you were strapped onto a deadly roller coaster ride? You were wondering what the next few minutes had in store for you – whether you would scream or shout or laugh or cry! You took a deep breath in as you suddenly realized that there was no way you could get off until it was officially over!! There was a feeling of excitment and unrest at the same time. You looked around to see what the others were going through... you were relieved to note that it wasn't much different from your state of affairs!

Well, life’s pretty much the same, isn’t it?! Some moments you love, some moments you hate! Some moments you wish they would continue for longer (like when you’re on a date with that special someone!) and some moments you just want to delete from life’s archives. While it is really easy to look back and reminisce upon life’s ups and downs with a smile on our face, somehow none of this comes to our rescue when we hit the all time low!! Like Bawa says - its easy to say “Don’t get angry!” or “When you get angry, count from 1 to 10” but the important thing is to REMEMBER that when you do!!! :) :) :)

Let’s face it - we go through what we do because we deserve it - it’s called the law of karma (of which I know very little :) But often when we think we have no choice, we actually do! Remember the “bucket of shit” process from the YES!+ course? Well, sometimes life does throw a bucket of shit at you (some of us may be perpetually living in it even!) but it will never rob you of your choice to smile through it!

I would like leave you with some really precious knowledge that I took home with me from this year’s Navaratri celebrations (at the Bangalore ashram). This knowledge has transformed me in many ways! Guruji said to us, “Be in total acceptance of the present moment. When we are not, we are denying the presence of God. Nothing that happens in this universe is outside of His will. Not even a blade of grass will move without His instruction.” Take the example of this very moment - this is how He wants it. And for you to want it any other way is simply foolish!! Just the knowledge of “This is how He wants it” coupled with an unbounded faith in His love for you and your unshakeable devotion will allow you to enjoy even the free fall!! :) And we have anyway experienced that His way has always been the best way for us, haven’t we??! Guruji often says, “There is no point in two people worrying about the same thing. So either you worry about it or I worry about it!” I think its pretty obvious what you would choose! :)

WAKE UP! This life is a roller coaster alright, but when He’s at the wheel why bother? Just enjoy the ride!!

Nevermind, if you didn’t understand (it took me six years of sadhana, seva, satsang and teaching to really truly experience this), but keep it at the back of your mind – it will surface when it has to (it’s His will remember?) :)

Jai Gurudev!
love Pooja

"HE'S COMING TO MUMBAI!!" - AOL's worst kept secret :)

As most of you must know by now, GURUJI'S COMING TO MUMBAI!!! For those of you who don't, well aren't you glad you're visiting our blog ;)?! But i must warn you...if you haven't heard of His visit yet, there is something drastically missing in your life and you better do something about it!! (for eg. attend follow ups). I mean, the grapewine IS quite a long one, but the 'news' does trickle down even if its 'just in time'!

Anyway, Guruji has been invited by YUVA to address a youth gathering at the University Campus (yes, the building with the big clock!!) Convocation Hall, Fort on Saturday 27th September, 2008. The program starts at 3 pm so you guys should be there by 2:15 pm LATEST (unless you want to see the back of our heads :) The talk is open to all, so it's a good idea to bring along friends who have been bitching about your recent spiritual interest and do them a favour :)!! Those of you who haven't met Guruji yet, I suggest you grab a front seat and treat yourself to His beauty! Dont' be in a hurry to get Him to look at you (He knows you're there), just soak yourself in His presence and be grateful. Do come back here and share your experience!!

Jai Gurudev!

love Pooja

And some more...

Check out http://www.bawandinesh.name/ for some secrets about Ganesha!!

p.s. Im vacationing in Sri Lanka!! Back on Sunday. Sri Lanka stories coming up soon.. :)

Not just idol worship

Today (Anant Chaturdashi), marks the end of yet another celebration of worship of the Elephant God, Lord Ganesha. We just finished visarjan and there's such a vaccum inside, it feels like a part of my family has gone away. But of course as Virat puts it, "He'll be back in 52 weeks!!!"

Blaring loudspeakers, beautifully lit up streets, looong darshan lines, crowded flower markets, overflowing sweet shops, and above all ecstatic devotees fill the city to announce the much awaited festival of Ganapati … 10 days where Lord Ganesha steps out of our hearts and into the murthi so we can do for him what he does for us (puja).

Interestingly, this time's murthi chose me instead of me choosing Him. A couple of weeks back, when I walked into the Chinchpokli workshop (where most of Mumbai’s bigger Ganesh idols are sculpted), I was thinking “Gaawd, which left over murthi will we have to make do with this time” (we had procrastinated over this for quite long). I asked the attendee to show me all the idols that were available. It was almost freaky when he said, "just one". I looked to where he was pointing and there was the most adorable Ganesha in the whole workshop looking up as if He was ready to be taken! For the first time dad and me agreed upon something in the first shot (the other times, one of us would have to compromise - usually it would be dad :) and we jumped (not literally) to grab Him!!! Here’s what Ganu looked like this year…
It’s hard to believe 10 days are already over! I must admit though I did not spend enough time with Him this year and I don’t feel so great about it. But the time I did spend, I spent gazing at his innocent form and loving presence.

Letting him go was a rather teary affair (for mom at least, I wept in my heart). But there is a certain beauty in letting go, which is why we celebrate it so much (you should have seen the euphoria on the streets as zillions of idols made their way towards the sea) The atmosphere was electrifying and I felt proud to be the little drop that I was in the ocean on Ganesh Bhakts that were gathered on the streets yelling slogans of “Ganapati Bappa Morya; Pudcha Varshi Lavkar Ya”!!! Some really cute kids were also shouting “Undir Mama Ki Jai” :)) (I know, very cute!!) There were emotions of love, joy and sorrow all at the same time.

Well, what can I say to capture these awesome moments!! Enjoy the pictures and imagine them yourself :)

Ganapati Bappa Morya!

Pudcha Varshi Lavkar Ya!!!

Ganapati Gele Gavala,

PAUSE ( I had to put this one up. It's just so cute!)

Chain Pade Na Amhaala!!

Jai Gurudev!
love Pooja