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

SURPRISE!!! :)

I was just going through some old albums and here's what i came accross...

This is the a picture from the 2nd day of my first YES!+ course (it was my b'day!)... and these are the guys that literally built YES!+ in S.Mumbai. Aren't they a happy lot!!! :) :)

Where r u guys?? Come back soon!!

Jai Gurudev :) Pooja

A journey well travelled...(and it's just the beginning)!!

My first encounter with YES!+ was way back on July 28th 2006 , when I did my first course as a student. Even back then I loved & believed in this course so much that I asked my teacher Rashmin how could I teach this wonderful thing. The answer wasn’t easy , but is something that every volunteer lives for – REGISTRATIONS ! Just kidding :) From a student then, to a teacher now the journey has been full of ups & downs – wait a minute!! – by UPS I mean those highs that you get when you’ve avhieved your targets or simply made life easy for your teacher & by DOWNS I relate to those moments that take you deep within yourself to an unknown dept of the real you .As a volunteer – I always thought that one day I’ll be a TEACHER & now its funny but I miss those moments of volunteering, those late night meetings, that hanging around with no pocket money, those desperate attacks on lunches that were innocently brought by some homely volunteer. But the fun doesn’t become any less as a teacher – it wouldn’t be wrong to say that we have fun at the cost of volunteers – now I was seriously kidding :) :) Now instead of running behind the lunch boxes – the lunch boxes run to you! Instead of yelling at each other now we yell at the volunteers! Jokes apart but it really isn’t all that different, cause both serve the Guru and as Bau says it doesn’t matter what your doing as long as your doing what the master wants you to do! Only the side I face now is different – the rest is still the same , cause I still continue to learn from YES!+ like the way I did on July 28th 2006 – JGD!

love Sonia

GREAT News!!!

Hey Guys!!
I am happy to announce that the YES!+ Program is now an official part of the curriculum at Cornell University (something we should mention in our intro talks :))!!! Cornell University is an Ive League school - one of the TOP Universities in the world!! Students were GLUED to Guruji's knowledge videos and are now super excited about doing the YES!++

Here are some of the experiences students had on the first YES!+ Program at Cornell...

"This course has taught me a lot about how to look at life and work withwhatever comes my way. It has proven how the good comes with the bad but howpositive will always outweigh the negative. It has given me techniques tofocus and ways to slow down worrying. It helped put everything intoperspective about the big picture (accepting people, situations, the present)and so far has really changed my attitude about negative people/situations.Thank you sooooo much!!!"

~Cornell University freshman, 2008

"After YES!+ I feel much more relaxed, happy, and less stressed. This was avery life-changing experience that everyone should have the opportunity to try. I will carry these lessons and this experience with me throughout my future."

~Cornell University freshman, 2008

"YES!+ is a course of self-discovery and liberation from the world. I feeltransformed. It was a discourse into a way of life that leads to astress-free, happier society. It's a very intense course that not only helpsyou to calm down but also to look at life with a different perspective."

~Cornell University senior, 2008

Jai Gurudev!

Are you driving a car without brakes?

This time Guruji gave us some really beautiful knowledge at the TRM (Teachers’ Refresher Meet)। He said "we are driving a car without any brakes!!" Imagine driving a car which only has an accelerator!! (whew!!) The result – the car goes in all directions and then meets with an accident!

Guruji compared the accelerator to ‘desires’ and the brakes to ‘meditation’ - we keep thinking about “what to do next” and find ourselves caught up in an unending chase towards stress, fatigue and disappointment! He said that it is important for us to apply the brakes (meditate) every day so that the car runs smoothly। For those of us who "cannot meditate" Guruji gave us three sutras to keep in mind –

“अचाह” or “I want nothing”

"अकिनचन ” or “I am nothing”
“अप्रयातना” or "Effortlessness"

These sutras are super effective!! Implement them when you meditate today! :) Jai Gurudev!

A day of 'First Times'...

Today, the oldest advocate at the Bombay High Court fell victim to a massive heart attack and passed away rather dramatically while he was delivering his arguments in court. Mr. V. T. Walawalkar was the senior most advocate who practiced predominantly on the Appellate Side of the Bombay High Court. I regret that I never had the opportunity to work with him. In fact, I didn’t know who he was until I heard of him today. From what I hear, he was a thorough gentleman who had mastered the art of advocacy. Advocacy is not always about winning cases… it’s about using every skill that you have for the sake of your client. It’s about grit and determination and giving your 100% till the very end. It’s about boundless patience and humility, all of which I could see on this man’s face when I paid homage to his body. The body was brought into room no.36 where judges & fellow lawyers paid their respects to his departing soul. Although I didn’t know this man, I felt drawn to the room. Soon enough I knew why... When they brought in his body, I saw the most loving eye(lid)s in the world! It was the first time I was seeing a dead body but the experience was not quite what I thought it would be. The brief that he was arguing when he suddenly collapsed was kept by his side (yea yea, we're a dramatic lot!:)) His face reflected the sheer passion with which he advocated his cause (he looked like someone who would take up a cause; not a case). Around him were keen faces all of whom suddenly seemed like family to me. I saw a humanness in lawyers that I had never seen before. For the first time, I was PROUD to be a part of the Bombay Bar Association. For the first time it felt like we were all on the same side! I felt a rush of ambition and passion for my profession. I was reminded of how important it is to be a part of a family… the larger the family the greater the pride! Like Guruji says, we are all part of an ocean and when we recognize and cherish this, we become the Ocean (Vasudeva Kutumbakam). I became the ocean today thanks to Mr. Walawalkar.
May his soul rest in love and peace! जय गुरुदेव :)

a beautiful city called AMBY VALLEY!

My good friend Tej turned 27 last Saturday and decided to spend the weekend with his close friends at Amby Valley! It pays to know a diamond merchant or people who work for diamond merchants ;) Tej belongs to the second category. He is an extremely hardworking boy and has this fantastic ability to dramatize the most trivial things and have you rolling in laughter … things that I otherwise wouldn’t have even smirked at ... you know what I mean?!

Anyway, the drive to Amby Valley from Lonavala was almost as long as the drive from Mumbai to Lonavala! We spent the journey laughing at Imran’s conversations. Actually we were laughing at Imran! Imran is one of the nicest people I know. He’s a sure short stress buster and the amazing part is that he doesn’t even know it. The drive was beautiful. Tree clad mountain tops interspersed with the occasional waterfall. Some of the not so impressive waterfalls were described by Imran as ‘nature’s call’. It was more like the ‘call’ that ‘nature’ didn’t answer for a year :)! The road to Amby Valley was incredible! We couldn’t see anything that was 10 mts away AND IMRAN WAS DRIVING (he drove surprisingly well though)! When we finally reached Amby Valley, my jaw dropped at the sheer size of the arched gates and I began imagining what it would be like inside. It felt like an achievement to be there (one of those gifts parents give you when you do well in an exam :) … more so because the last time I visited Amby Valley with a group of college friends, we were thrown right out (the place is open only to members and their guests)!

As the gates opened for us, they unveiled one of the most incredible places I had seen. Amby Valley is heaven away from home (Bangalore Ashram qualifies as home for me :)) There were hills and lakes and rivers and mountains... 10,000 acres of sheer peace. We were put up in cozy timber chalets with even cozier bathrooms :) (the first thing I do when I enter a room is check out the bathroom!).

We dropped our bags and rushed to the ‘paint balling’ field. Paint balling is an extremely challenging yet exciting game where two teams equipped with loaded guns compete against each other to capture a red flag in the middle of the ‘battle field’. The guns are loaded with paint balls instead of bullets which burst into a splash of paint when they hit you. The instructor briefing us took a look at my pink ashram rubber chappals and I could guage he wasn’t to happy with my footwear :) “Are you okay with falling?” he asked and I vigorously nodded as I fondly remembered how i played “dahi handi” at the Pune YES!++ course two years back! The whistle (or the conch during the Mahabharata) was blown and both sides began shooting at ach other in the pouring rain. Suddenly I was reminded of a war that we had to win for the sake of our dignity and self respect (it was boys versus girls :))! The first game got over in two minutes and it took us time to recover from the sheer speed with which the boys had captured the red flag! The second game and every game after that (except for one) was won by us … never mind that we were given a bit of a lead by the referee ;) . Sure enough, I fell in the muck and injured my back real bad. Nevertheless, the important thing is that we won!

… more to come tomorrow!
love Pooja

FUN-n-FROLIC At MARINE DRIVE

GuYs....ppl out of the loop R MIssin SUMthin!!!!! virTUALLY evERYDay is a party FOR us...WORKIN FOR YES!+ is fun..u know??????ne wys focussing on the FUN part ....Was in my off. workin till at abt 2 p.m recieved a call FRM aloK.THE TEAM was comin TO mariNE drIve!

1st Satsang for WAYE Mumabi Zone 1

Jai Guru Dev friends!
Today, on 22nd May 2008, we had our first Satsang. It was something I never expected. Never.
As per the plan Satsang was planned at Saurabh's old place. I had no clue about his old place. Where it is? How it is? No idea. I smsed everyone on my list. I bugged them a lot from Internet messaging. :) I was very excited. I planned to leave my office by 4:30 PM. I packed my bag and was about to leave, suddenly my Senior popped up. And what happened, I don't need to tell you guys. It was 6:45 in my wrist watch. I finally picked my bag and got out of the office. Lucky got the bus to station and fast train from Malad to Dadar. I was feeling very lucky. Guruji was watching ;)
While I was enjoying my AIR in the train, Saurabh called me and told me to buy one cake. Cake! For Satsang! Cool! I came to dadar bought the cake. It was Chocolate Ambrosia, was looking simply amazing. I was just waiting to put it in my mouth. I was able to feel it. :)
Got the cake, found the Saurabh's building and just looked at my watch. It was 8 o'clock. As Deepa Didi always say, I WAS ON TIME. But imagining our first satsang and cake I forgot every thing and started walking. While in the lift I was trying to hear the sound of satsang. Excited!!! And finally arrived on 14th floor.
When I stepped out of the lift, I was wondering which song must be going on. But there was no sound. I popped my head inside the open door, and what a site. Only 9 people were there. 'ONLY 9' I was disappointed. I was expecting entire zone 1 and there were only 10 people including myself. I handed my bag and cake over to Saurabh. And just sat down. And the worst part was there were no lead singer. Every time we used to meet, Vaidehi used to lead us. And today no one to lead. Pissed off!
I was just sitting next to Guruji's photo. Didn't say anything to Guruji. But I had no idea what Guruji had for us, what knowledge he had for us. Just closed my eyes and suddenly Saurabh started singing. Guys! You should hear him singing. And only after that you can understand how I was feeling. But as Guruji says, accept people and situations as they are. Yes! I accepted the situation. I started listening him and following his words. We finished one whole song. It was a bad experience for me at least. No sense on rhythm and tune. But its Satsang, can't complain. Now Saurabh and Priyanka started second song. It was Devi's song. Singers did not change but this time I felt very good. Don't know why but it was very pacifying to my ears. I started singing too. I went deep into the meaning of the song than it's tune. And didn't even realised how we finished the entire song. Something was there in that song. I got charged up. Started sing Achutam Keshavam, and first time in my life I realised how bad I can shout. Hahaha! But it was the magic of Bhajans, I was floating. And after this song I was completely into the Satsang. We sang almost all the Art Of Living Bhajans. Every single bhajan we have ever heard. Teri Diwani, Some marathi bhajans, bhajans from movies, everything and didn't even realised it was 9:30
Frankly, it was the neighbor's nightmare. People singing Bhajans in such a voice. You have no option. Either bare them or join them. But you must be thinking what is so great about this Satsang? Its just a meet of all the bad singers, making beautiful chaos. No!
I was waiting for this answer for a very long time, since I have attended my first satsang. Even I was wondering, what we did today. But Guruji was waiting to answer me. And in next 10 minutes, he himself answered me. Wow! Guruji, himself answered me. But how?
As Pooja didi had told us, just go through the knowledge sheet and you will find all the answers you are waiting for. Farnaz opened the book. She randomly picked one page and started reading. Wonder what, it was about Satsang and home.
Guruji told," Why we need the home? Without home we will be like wild animals moving all over the jungle. We need home for us physical needs. To relax our body. In the same way satsang is the home for your spiritual body. One who doesn't come for the satsang is like a wild animal in the jungle."
After this answer I realised why I was feeling so great in such a cacophonous surrounding. The only reason was, my restless mind got home to relax and refresh. It was very amazing experience for me. Got my answer. Thank you Guruji. How do you do this every time? Don't want to know this now, just want to thank you.
Yes! All I needed was rest, not for my body, but for my mind. Coming to satsang is not about singing in great voice, but its all about being there. Sing, dance or simply clap but be there. Guys! It is the home of your mind, let it relax. And make sure you will make it to the Satsang next time.
Hey! You must me thinking about the cake now. It was Saurabh's parents 23rd anniversary. Saurabh called them on the venue and we sang 'Sagar main Ek lahar uthi tere naam ki' for them. They were very happy. And we got our first head quarters for Zone 1. After that Bimesh came up with great idea to improve ourselves. We will work on it from next Satsang. Cake was fantastic. Loved it.
Just waiting for the next satsang of zone 1.

Jai Guru Dev! And thank you Guruji for everything!

PS: Sorry Saurabh! Please don't mind my comments. We need you to start the sutsang every time. Finally its your house, where we have satsang. :D And please don't mind my English too.

Mtv Wassup review!

Well! I saw MTV wassup for first time on Monday. I saw the entire show. Many of my friends told me; It's a show for youth about youth. I was really excited to watch such a show. But guys! Honestly speaking, only disappointment. All I can say is Pepsi and MTV marketing themselves on the name of youth. It was more about the Movies and Serials than youth. Just adding youth in the show will not make the show for youth. Very poor!
Anyways, coming back to the Clean Up part, I wonder how they managed 45 seconds for us. I hope their crew need the Clean Up! :)
But the way our volunteers talked, love you guys! And thanks to Aditya for managing these MTV people.

Jai Guru Dev!