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
Friday, July 25, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
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!
Friday, May 23, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
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!
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!
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