Fun and lessons I did not sign up for....

'Sanyam' began. Some days passed and I had this urge for change in the city I was staying. Bawa and Dinesh Da have always told me, 'true leadership lies in creating more leaders'. So Yours Truly thinks in terms of Volunteer Training Program (VTP) in the city. I had few friends in mind who will benefit leaps and bounds from the beautiful sessions. I meet Shalin Desai, Director of VTP outside the Dining Hall, Boone Ashram. He was chatting with someone and I was busy rehearsing the 'convincing conversation' we are about to have.

I had interacted with Shalin Bhaiya when he was the National Teachers Cordinator(NTC). The quality of his that struck me was his impeccable memory. He recollected my e-mail to him and details, when he met me in the half-constructed  Canadian Ashram too. Leaving that aside, the next time we meet is in Chicago downtown, where I had decided to start teaching again. I thought I will begin by observing the new-format of the course that was being taught by Shalin Bhaiya and Kshama Di. Treading on the realms of infinity in a very light, witty manner, he shared the knowledge with so much ease. I enjoyed the 3-day session, and thought he should teach VTP here in Naperville. I go a lot by hunch. My friend Sharika knows that's how I am about people. 

                                                Photo Courtesy: Prabu Vijayan

Before Sanyam, organized a course for Kshama Di. We taught the course together and I realized what loss it was for me, that being given this seat of highest knowledge, I was letting it rot within. I knew how I was when I was teaching and what became of me. I was feeling 'lack' in many ways. This is the part of awareness that I am not a big fan of :)

So coming back to VTP, spoke to Bhaiya in Boone about coming to Naperville for VTP. He told me to contact him for dates.He must have thought I would not call him. But I called! He was booked and the only dates which opened up was April last two weekends. I had three months and around 7-8 people I would approach. So here is Shalin Bhaiya who made place in his busy schedule, so I wanted to make the best out of it. With the enthusiasm of a child began talking to all the above said people and somehow none of them seemed interested in this adventure. I had handful registrations and to add to the fire, personally/physically suffered a large setback in personal life. I had this high opinion about how strong I was from within. This tragedy literally removed the ground from beneath. I was completely lost and confused. I called up Bhaiya to cancel the VTP and we spoke about the setback and everything else not even remotely connected to the same, but I could not bring myself to tell him to cancel the Course. Though I did not have faith in myself, i did not want to fail :) But after the conversation I began working on this. This kept my mind and body busy. If on his own Bhaiya would have asked me to take a break, I would not have been so gratefully writing this post. I would still be brooding in the 'lack' which was never there! Somehow on D-day  the VTP happened. Other than 3 people, rest of them were not in my assumed-list, but this was even better. 

My BIL Rakesh, describes me as a sarcastic queen. There are times when he has messaged me for sarcastic replies to be sent to his friends. Shalin Bhaiya is the CEO of sarcasm. Somehow that works for me. I must say that worked with me. He never gives you a break to be lazy. I have got angry, felt happy, sad, upset and what not! but at the end for all the mistakes I made and things I overlooked (list is endless) he never even for a second made me feel guilty but made me realize where I went wrong, a quality I need to learn ASAP. Best form of service is to uplift someone's mind-Sri Sri. Have seen him follow this. I learnt to be independent. It strengthened the knowledge points which I knew theoretically. With all this polishing, I know there is some shine. Above all this I became awesome at preparing crispy dosas with Idli batter :P

Little did I know when I stepped into this country that I will be driving, on my own taking charge and organizing courses, giving talks and talking to Hotels, booking Halls, interacting with random people of various designations and most importantly little did I know Ratheesh will always have bhaiya's support even if Ratheesh is wrong. In 3 months I learnt the Masters of Business Administration and Management without even enrolling for one :) We as a team are organizing the biggest course in Illinois and it is because of him and his energy. Full time working- career wise, father of two beautiful children and traveling and teaching the Art of Living courses, he has not left a room for me to complain of no-time :P

I learnt a lot. I never had so much fun in life. We became a well-knit family. Vini whom I felt was missing from 2009ish days came back, in a better way. Every bit of this gratefulness belongs to my Guru. I have always noticed that He always sends right people at the right time and place. A friend recently asked me how I managed the 'setback' - I replied "With a smile from within' :)

Love

V

(I am glad my blog post came out before your book "My fair-share of experiences working with Vini!")

Why Art of Living and Me?

Why has Art of Living, a volunteer based organization spread over more than 152 countries in the world. Founded in 1981 by one person, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Is it a big deal to touch more than million lives, across the globe, within 3 decades? I am not sure.

I have been associated with the Art of Living since 2004. The very fact that I am here to say this about the organization, says it all. There are some issues with The Art of Living. Since my social network is filled 50:50 with AOL and yet-to-do AOL people, I can take a stand here.

I have noticed, when the party we are attending, has no more topics to discuss it deviates to, "Ah! Vini, You are an Art of Living teacher. Tell us why should we do the Course?" or it goes, "She is smart, she has made her husband do the course." or even more, "Why don't you take a course for us 5?" So yesterday while doing my spiritual practice, this whole blogpost came alive in front of me. Many of us reading it, will exactly know what I am talking about. So here are some answers, in my-style way.

1) Why don't you convince me to do the course?
Ans: The very fact that no one has come to you and asked you to do the course, simply means, "You are still not ready to do it."

2) Why don't you take the Course for us now?
Ans: I was into teaching school children, English and other subjects and I loved it. But I never had anyone asking me to teach the family the subject, when I was visiting them. Being a teacher does not make one eligible to teach. The atmosphere, students, timings and various other factors have to pave way for the learning to happen. Teaching does not hold any importance if the learning does not happen.

3) Oh you are into Art of Living and you have problems? You fell ill? Then what is the use of doing Art of Living?
Ans: This is just like saying, a General Physician can never-ever fall sick. How could he/she have fever. I mean they slogged for 5 years and has 5 years of experience, and now they are on leave. Isn't he a Doctor? Same holds true for an AOL Volunteer/Teacher. My mentor, Khurshed Batliwala a.k.a Bau puts it so well.
"I will not say that after the Art of Living courses and even becoming a teacher, problems went away and everything was always great. That I never got angry or never felt bad. Sometimes life did suck. Problems did come, but along with them came the quiet confidence that I could handle them." http://www.bawandinesh.name

4) How comes its so costly? Can't we first try it and then pay?
Ans: It is paid for a 5 day workshop, 4 hrs during the weekdays and 6-7 hrs during weekends. And one time one donates, and they are welcome to do the follow-ups anywhere and everywhere in 152 countries. They can also repeat this course for literally Free! This is not even allowed in restaurants or schools. And this is for one's own self. Can we price it?
It is a win-win situation. Just for instance The Red Cross Society. One donates and gets a tax-credit receipt for tax-exemption. The same holds true for the AOL Course, but first it empowers oneself with new tools and makes one happy or more happy and at the same time one is contributing to the society.

5) Where does the money go?
Ans: There are various social-service projects which we are currently under-taking, world-wide. Catering to all the sectors, need-based, be it the Rural Development, Education, Trauma Relief, Prison SMART programs, Women Empowerment, Peace Programs. We have volunteers and resources reaching people and places just in time, and not just providing food, shelter and clothing but empowering them to lead a life of their own, with the help of stress-relief programs, education, farming and services. We might not be there personally but our resources are. We have been doing our bit here.
For Instance:

• Reached 40,212 villages
• Trained 110,000 rural youth in YLTP
• Conducted 165,000 free stress-relief workshops benefiting more than 5,688,000 people
• Conducted 49,500 hygiene camps and 25,950 medical camps benefitting 2,582,500 people
• Planted more than 10 million trees
• 1895 homes, 5418 toilets, 1152 bore-wells and 904 bio-gas plants built
• 55 model villages developed benefiting 115,000 people
• Trained over 6000 people in organic farming
• So far the lives of more than 3,50,000 prison inmates have been transformed through the ‘Prison Smart’ programs
• 210 free schools that are revolutionizing education in rural and tribal India and almost 95% of the students are first generation and the school is proud to have a 100% success rate in local exams.

They are just some of the many information. Our website www.artofliving.org would do more justice to the above statistics. AOL believes in "One cannot do charity with an empty bowl' and the bulk of the donation goes for the same. According to the Indian RTI(Right to Information Act) you can just mail them and get the answer. I would want one to do that. What we say is what is going to reflect.

6) Why can't I teach my friends?Cousins etc???!?!?!!
Ans: First of all, it is a process, and has a procedure which many are not even aware of. We put it very simple. So here I teach my friend, and something goes wrong or does not work, as it was supposed to, what will happen??? "The Art of Living does not work. OMG! " Now where did AOL come from, God Knows!
Now I do have to take MBBS or Surgery example. The moment my friend comes home after she performed her first surgery, we have a get-together, just so that she can teach some basic MBBS classes and Surgery lessons, so that we need not pay the doctors the huge sum and we can help each other. Smart Us :):):)

7) Why do you worship Sri Sri? Or have His photo in your house?
Ans: I have my parents photo because I love them and I miss them a lot. So now we know. And He personally does not want us to go ga-ga with His photos all over. But I have one, because, I admire this person, who practices what He preaches and has empowered me to do something. He is my role-model. I want His photo.
In India we bow down to our elders especially our Mother, Father and Guru. They have added value to my life and bowing down comes so naturally to me, so I bow down. Of course I loose something called the arrogance and gain confidence and faith in myself. :)

What it means to be in AOL!

These are the questions more often I deal with, with this beautiful smile which the course has gifted me, and/or with the silence, the Advance Courses have gifted me with, and/or an answer DSN has empowered me with!

Now as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, "Choice is yours, and blessing is mine."

Love
Me

Dasanagu Visheshanagu!

The Old Mangalore Centre is having this unusually usual hustle-bustle. After enquiring we know that some one senior from Art of Living would be coming for that particular Monday Satsang. We (Sharika and I) being a week young in Art of Living, felt the energy extra-ordinarily high there, but used it to stand in the pathway and chat away. All of sudden, a car enters the gate and this person in White with fairly long beard and hair steps out and walks in, with a smile. My heart skipped a beat! I literally saw Sri Sri Ravishankar Ji passing right in front of me, when they told us some Chayanna (PS: Anna is the term used to refer to brother in Kannada) so was expecting some one between the age of 25 to maximum 35 years of age.  Open-mouthed I walked inside and saw him greeting each and every one. I kept hearing the word Chayanna and that’s when my logical mind rested but my heart went in with my First Impression!

Just now attended Live Satsang with Swami Suryapadji  (Chayanna ) from Someshwara Temple, Ulsoor, Bangalore. (Thanks to smart people; read Suman Ramaswamy and smartphone era J) After the first experience back in Mangalore, any opportunity to be in the company of this learned person is a chapter in one’s own. A Physics lecturer by profession, and Sanskrit scholar (talk about science meeting spirituality) has Goddess Saraswathi in his voice and a Dhanwanthari touch! Being with him in Kamamlashile for Art of Living Part 2 Course and Seva has added new realms to my fanship! You ask him about anything in this world, he has an answer. And any new information which seems to have missed, he would listen with wonder-eyes, even if it is from a LKG student of our SSRVM or a teacher or even Sri Sri J

 Ekalavya, from Mahabharata! It is his spirit which, is beyond the human realm, makes it a wonder-full and inspiring story. Chayanna is that spirit. The devotion and faith with which he sits next to Sri Sri Ravishankar Ji brings tears of gratitude in a devotee. His undying efforts to bring back the ancient Scriptures, through his engrossing and humorous story-telling, Mantras being taught through the best method of listening and repetition,  Ayurvedic  remedies for ailments’  has to be mentioned.  Yes, I was not kidding anyone when I said he is a one stop solution.

Chayanna has seen us take our steps in Art of Living and has guided throughout whether it was spiritualyity, family-related, education, marriage, misunderstandings etc  and have noticed that he is the same with all. Guru Tattva we often talk about and see in the presence of our Master is there Chayanna’s presence. I still remember when my father had gone to the stage to seek his blessings for the marriage proposal,  Chayanna had said to him that he would like to talk to be before we proceed.  He continues to flatter me with every step.

Inviting Chayanna and seeking his blessings, for my Marriage

When Chayanna asks us ‘How are you?’ it invariably means he takes responsibility for whatever answer we give,to genuinely make it 'good' if the answer is other, just like the Divine!

Jai Guru Dev

A Gift !!!!

Its so beautiful to see how one can become His instrument. Once we put our mind to rest and being there with the 'Presence' and you have a beautiful time. There are no words to express this feeling but the end result is what you will read along. I have been with G for long, yet it feels as though it just began. But I never did expressed, and here is the expression from Shrikanth (Appu) who gifted this beautiful work to me... Way to go... Keep penning more...

U Made ME,What I Am!!!

U Make Me think the Way U want,and Tell me thoughts are Meaningless ! 

U Make Me Lose My Senses,and tell me to be more sensitive ! 

U Make Me Broaden My Vision,and Tell me this is all an illusion ! 

U Take My Breath Away,and tell me to just Breathe... ! 

U Make Me a People's Person,and Tell me to be with My-self ! 

U Make Me go totally Crazy,and Tell me not to get Excited ! 

U Make Me Lose My Mind,and tell me to be Aware of it ! 

U Take My Belongings away,and put me where I Belong... ! 

U Make Me Laugh and Cry,and tell me Love is not an Emotion ! 

U Make Me get everything I want,and tell me I need Nothing ! 

U Make Me Fall in Love with U,and tell me I am U ! 

U Take Me everywhere with U,and make me feel soo Divine... !

YES! U were the one who made Me,and tell me it all just Happened !!  

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!n HAPPY 1st WEDDING ANNIVERSARY  ....I am not Sure whether this is something U give to a Couple...Make some sense out of this poem,so that this qualifies to b a Wedding Anniversary Gift....!!! Tell Ratheesh to give U a bigggg Hug from my side...

For a long time, i thought that was the day that Broke me...But now, i can proudly say that was the day that MADE ME!!!

We...

Sharika and Me.. A letter sent to me, one day before Friendship's Day, boosted myself with this one ...:) Did not edit it much :)


To have a friend who is by your side, no matter what, in spite of all the misgivings and fights and judgments and cries, is a blessing. I do not know what have I done to have such a beautiful blessing in my life. It is not in my nature to be in touch with people and yet somehow we seemed to have been stuck with each other for 9 years now!! For all the times we shared here, for all those midnight sobbings, for all those encouraging messages and forwards, for all the mean fights, for all those silent prayers, for all the infuriating acts, for all those stomach-hurting laughter, for all those mindless chats and gossips, for all those unseen acts of kindness, for that space and stillness shared in silence and for all the patience.. I am truly blessed to have a friend like you...

I KNOW you are supposedly my twin and all.. but I would still like to celebrate friendship day and some wise-ass said" Pyaar ko bus, pyaar hi rehene do, Use koi naam na do". So friend or sister or mum or teacher and guide , or my better half ( which I have felt so very many times, and which is why I believe we can have more than one soul mates:) I don't know what to call you.. But I have to say this you are someone who has been through me in this beautiful journey of self-discovery and in many ways than one helped me to know me better, the Guru better.


So, happy friendship day in advance and tons and heaps of love
p.s. just in case you didn't figure out, I am missing you :)

Blah... Blah... Bliss... Bliss

This is going to be one of my Favourite posts. All of mine are mine... yet this one is going to Be One :). Last week was tremendously loaded with emotional extremes. Do not want to go into the details as it is pure gossip :P Blah Blah... Was feeling blah all together and found out that was spreading Blahness around :) This is not fair nah.. So decided to willingly go through it, not before my mind conflicting on the Very Presence of Blahness... How can I feel Blah????
First and foremost reason being, am an Art of Living teacher. But then this awareness would not have dawned if I was not in Kriya World too. Second reason is ,I am getting, married, so am supposed to be all excited. Says who???!!!! Third, Its not the right time... Blah ness ... Blahness... OMG! It was so sandy..

Then yesterday night after really long started dancing :)

At a tender age itself I was trained in classical dance, and then within a span of 3 years laziness overtook and that stopped it. The first major decision I took in my life and the result is, REGRET! :) Coming back to the topic:  I began dancing at around 11 and could feel myself fuming with anger at the same time. Continued the 'process' for sometime. As the songs changed, so did the emotions, feelings and thoughts. The war inside began to calm. It was such a revelation.

Then I sat and meditated. It was ocean-calm. Blahness and Bliss are both within us, a matter of shift. Instrumental for this is awareness and a technique :)

Acceptance Realized!

Today was supposed to be like any other day. But it was not, as it triggered me to write a post after long hibernation. :) These events make it to my blog. Today took up follow-up and unique thing about this one being, it was for the Part-1 graduates. This is no different. But the events which lead to the main one are 'THE EVENTS' you see.
Murali Anna (Part-1 Faculty) calls me up and informs me about the follow-up to be taken at a place called Radhakrishna Mandir. But my head and memory voluntarily decides to work. Yeah! I hear it as Centre. Can you imagine Radhakrishna Mandir mistaken to be Centre. The two places are on two corners of the city. Rain gods too thought let her have a shower, so it starts pouring. As I walk to the bus-stand, I debate on taking an auto-rickshaw or board a bus. But then, I become responsible and decide to board a bus. Bus was over-crowded. The conductor himself was hanging out. Impatience can lead to meditation??!?! I have no clue! But I begin mediation with co-passengers and enter the bus completely after about three stops. Walk to the Centre as a proud teacher and responsible citizen and an awesome daughter. Saved  lot of energy! money! fuel! :)

I reach there to find just Ghate Mam (Center in-charge), happy to see a human-being in otherwise deserted place. We exchange pleasantries!!!!  no longer pleasant. Its already 5:55 PM and at 6 PM am supposed to be there ar Radhakrishna Mandir.I catch 3 ricks, as Mangalore Rickshaws (refer my post put in last year) are highly God-save-them kinds. Don't even mention them. Go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reach at 6:10 PM for follow-up. People are shocked to see a young girl who refused to introduce herself or rather forgot. I begin the Pranayams and tape in which new batteries are installed, refuse to work :) I plug it instead and it begins. My Kannada was put to test, or rather people were put to test and the I meditated !

All this happened and Acceptance point was put into practicality today. As it is always, my smile was impressed on my face and I was also laughing. Accepting people, situation and oneself is difficult! I agree, that is why only brave people excel in it!!!!!

Happy Navrathras :):) Enjoy the Satwa and be that...

Who is a volunteer?

One who comes to help, without being asked to help; one who is self-motivated, inspired, becomes a volunteer.

There is the possibility of the inspirational motivation going down in a volunteer, which could bring frustration.

Usually volunteers come from the space of demand rather than humility; this dilutes the quality.

Another slack that could happen to a volunteer is that they could slip away from commitment, thinking there is no boss“ "If I like it, I do it; if I dont like it, I dont!" It is like the steering wheel of a car if all the tires say they do not need steering, then the car cannot run smoothly. If you want to construct a building, you have to accept the authority of the structural engineer.

All these can only be overcome by being more grounded in spiritual knowledge. A volunteer devoid of spiritual dimension is utterly weak.

1) A volunteer needs to stick to his commitment.
2) The integrity in a volunteer comes from spiritual practices.
3) The authority needs to be acknowledged.
4) The strength of a volunteer comes from the challenges he is ready to willingly face.
5) A volunteer moves beyond boundaries as he finds he is capable of doing so many things he never ever thought of doing.
6) A true volunteer does not expect appreciation or reward.
7) A volunteer has such a joy that joy, itself, comes as the reward.
8) If a volunteer thinks he is obliging somebody, he is thoroughly mistaken. He is volunteering because he derives so much joy out of it.

The joy is immediate it does not come on the first of every month in the form of a salary!

When a volunteer realizes this, he is filled with gratitude.

When a volunteer waivers from within, the support system is knowledge and good friends.

- Sri Sri

|| Jai Guru Dev ||

A must read :)

http://www.vikramhazra.com/2010/06/case-of-dyslexic-farmer.html

From Bawa's Blog...

Guruji has indicated that the next few months, upto around the middle of October are not so good and He has advised that we keep three things in mind
1. No adventure trips at all. No trekking, rafting, mountain climbing, etc
2. Cut down on partying and night outs
3. Drive slowly, carefully and don’t leave your house till you have finished your Sadhana
For these few weeks, please be more sattwic, eat at home more, not outside as much as possible…

What i see in this, is it’s an opportunity for all of us to go more inwards. Clean up our life and start up some really good habits.Do all your Sadhana, Surya Namaskars, Padma Sadhana, Sudarshan Kriya, Sahaj. Also do chanting, Om Namah Shivaya and the Guru Pooja if you know it.

Start to read the Bhagavad Geeta and the Yoga Vasishtha … You know you have been wanting to do it, instead of that trek, sit home and read these books. Doesn’t matter if you don’t understand or it is too deep for you, just reading will open something up in you… Read these books just after meditation.
Go Inwards.
Be safe…
Jai Gurudeva!
love
bawa
www.bawandinesh.name

Random Realizations in a Random Manner :)

Last fews days beautifully added to the pages of my life. :) :) :)

TTC (Teachers Training Course) has actually changed and polished my life. Sharika is leaving for the same. It is going to be a beautiful milestone in this Journey of ours. Life is all about accommodating people into the realm of love. Unlike the Reality shows jargon, it is about 'Selection', rather than 'Elimination'.
Only a lighted candle can light other candles. And a candle does not limit its light to itself. Just like Mother-Nature it is there to give and serve. Since few months i realized, how by sharing and caring, we are in harmony with the nature and the nature goes to any extent to 'Take Care' of us. You all are light! Spread the light!

Possession Vs Love! Guruji says it beautifully. The moment we see something or sense something/someone really nice, we want to possess it. Instead of soaking in the beauty we plan and design ways to possess it! Not just possess it, but possess it FOREVER. The moment we decide to drop this feeling, we feel light from within. At least there is this better feeling than the feelings we have while we Thought we owned it.

Last week was a thunderous week! Intro-Talk training in Mangalore and YES!+ course in Manipal :)
Nature was so happy, that she saw to it that , it rained while I was there so that I feel even more good.
Lives transformed...

Love is in air

Mangalore and Manipal is buzzing with activities. Love is in the air! Yes! Both the places are watching Narad Bhakti Sutras- A commentary by His Truely on Aphorisms of Love. The magical part of His talks are, it will come packaged for us the way it has to, matching the day’s happenings. I must have watched and heard the talks before, but still it all looks like the first time :). Like the other day, after the whole bunch was done with the upgrade, we sat on to watch the CD. We had gone to Pabaas, to celebrate the Upgrade :) So we were cool. (P.S: Pabaas is an ice-cream parlour).


The talk begins and His examples are all on ice-creams. The volunteers were discussing one day about the laughter of a YES!+ girl. Fun and frolic. That day Sri Sri mentioned about laughter, transcending joy and spreading love through laughter :).

This is Him. Magical and a Mystery, just like our life. Up for the week is Vegilicious- Cooking Competition at Manipal and Movie Marathon in Mangalore.



Love

Me

August 11, 2009

When I got the news that I got the overall Gold Medal this year, I was in heaven literally. Yes! At Art of Living Ashram, Bangalore. Was undergoing the Teachers Training Course (TTC) and the day was 11 August 2009. I remember this day vividly. Was walking from Gate no 3, opposite to the Kitchen, and taking the cart-route, as had to buy some items from Divine Shop. Forough (Iranian Classmate) calls me up to tell me this. Was happy and very well in awareness. Usually what happens is I jump, I howl, I shout, I cry and roll. I would not even be able to tell the other person what is the matter without choking. But here I just heard her and thanked her for the news. She again repeated the same. I called up amma to inform her, she was just so happy, and I was happy for her.

That day was D Day. The day I would always treasure. The day I never thought I would be witnessing. That wait or tapas is non-describable. I was going to be an Art of Living teacher. Many things in life I wanted to be, wishes, desires. This was never a one or D One. It just happened. Being there and sharing the Highest knowledge with others.

Many loved ones around me were so upset that I was going to be an Art of Living teacher. Parents were confused whether to support me or to listen to others. This worry matters is generally about happiness of the child. They just want their child to be happy, but the less-informed loved ones flavour this love of our parents.This freaks my parents. Saints and good people who teach knowledge is needed, but not in my Home, neighbour’s house :) attitude.This freaks me.
So here Art of Living was implemented by me, full too.

I look back. Parents wanted me to do well in studies and I wanted to be a part of Highest Knowledge. Don’t you think even without any clue or panic to me, Guruji handled everything so beautifully.

Now I take up courses. Parents are still freaked and full of love. I continue... celebration continues...

“Everyone has their right to ignorance and narrow-mindedness, just like how I have my right to intelligence.”

Love

Me

How I got Gold Medal...

Just back from Mysore after attending my convocation at University of Mysore. Manasagangothri is the second oldest University in our country. I never thought would be a part if this majestic institution. If anyone would have told me about all this about 3 years before I would have just laughed at it. Getting a merit seat, Anu and Shri as my friends in this new anjaan city, getting into this cool PG, studying a bit and having lots of fun organizing, travelling and growing as a person.

I was an average person, happy with what I have. No drive to perform more. In case I get something more than I perform is considered as a bonus by me. Only when my ego button was pushed, I perform. For Instance my distinction in my X std was the result of this.

In my MSc first year was bad! Pathetic! Confusion! Frustrating! Politics! Ill-health! Home-sickness! If anyone else were there in this place we 3 are so sure, they would have left it all and gone back. We thought and thought and stayed back. Many times I did not let home know what was happening. That is when I became prayerful. Went inwards and started my Sadhana regularly. Did my YES!+ in Mangalore and prayed to Guruji that this should happen in Mysore. You pray and it is given. Sandeep Reddy became YES!+ teacher in Mysore and we met him at Mangalore. :) :)

Organized very many courses and we just did not look back. We used to rush back from home, in order to be there for the courses. Visited all the nook and corners in the city, got to know many people and personalities, treated with lots of love and more than that, visits to Ashram became frequent, learnt how to be in politics, handling people, watching movies, late night walks, breaking PG rules, eating out, train journeys, birthday celebrations, panipuri luxuries... Good Lord!

Bad! Pathetic! Confusion! Frustrating! Politics! Ill-health! Home-sickness! WHAT ARE THESE TERMS??!!!?

We never ignored our studies. If at all I had, I would not have been attending the Convocation and receiving the Gold Medals. Studying became fun. Sadhana, Seva, Satsang and Silence (Part II courses) and an undying smile :)

The wholehearted GOLD Medals actually rightly belongs to my father who insisted on me doing the Art of Living :) and standing by me when the entire world thought otherwise. No doubts about it.
My father himself just got the President's Medal for his service.Super cool na. My pillar. You can wish him :) He does not read my blogs but will forward :P

I miss Mysore! Never thought would be :)

Love

Me

Global Ambassador In Mangalore

There was an explosion of Music, Youths, Enthusiasm, Dynamism, Relaxation, an Acceptance, Silence and a connection with the musicians. Who am I speaking about? The ever-mesmerizing, smiling, happy and dynamite- THE VIKRAM HAZRA and his troupe i.e. Mr Ajay Kadam (Tabla) and Mizo (Electrifying Guitar).

Vikram Hazra is the world renowned singer, musician, corporate trainer, budding photographer, Art of Living (AOL) faculty, writer, journalist, blogger and many more. But along with all this his smile and positive presence remains intact. Travelled across the globe, people wait for him to come back and spin the world around. Gaan, Gyan and Dhyan have been his watch words. We can rightfully give him the credits of making Bhajans a global brand. When Bryan Adams can make the youths of the world rock, why can’t the positive Sanskrit verses bring in life and make our souls dance along with our body. Cool Na. That’s what 1300+ youths hearing bhajans with western touch felt. They could not sit still and had to sway. This was something they never expected. After a bhajan and some jamming, the crowd was cheering encore! Encore! P.S. 80% were the ones who were hearing him or any AOL Bhajans for the first time.

Youths are the future. Vikram Bhaiya, as we fondly call him, told that this is a form of investment which he can be proud of. India needs stress-free, young, relaxed, happy politicians, business people, doctors, engineers, teachers etc. We spend a lot of time on various activities, but what about our personality. Ability to stand-apart from the crowd, ability to handle our emotions and relationships and other soft-skills are taken care by the YES!+ courses.

YES!+ is for people who have EXCELLENCE and RESPONSIBILITY in their life. It’s a challenging course for sure. (Hence I would say mediocre people stay away :)) Blossoming of creativity, skills which we did not even know existed, happens effortlessly. Vikram Bhaiya was telling us, how he had no training in music or singing in his life, is now where he is, because of Art of Living and Guruji grace. A person who did not know how to play the flute, starts playing it as soon as he got it. Amazing!!!!People were just mesmerized. One’s intuition also develops. Meditation is the coolest and happening thing in today’s world around. He led us into this beautiful 20 min meditation where in the hall was so silent that we could even hear the sound of the AC.

80% of the contributions in Art of Living courses go for the service projects and free courses across the world for the people who need them that way. Once a couple wanted to do the course free and was ready to travel to any place just to learn Sudarshan Kriya free. So they were told not only the course but even the food & accommodation is available free. Venue: Tihar Jail.

The moments we spent with him: enlightening. A source of inspiration, a wave of grace that is what happened in Mangalore. ‘Anantrang’ smeared colours of love and devotion in Mangalore and among the youths :)

Kudos to Saurabh, Chandini and the set of warriors who are better known as volunteers for an awesome show :)

Bhaiya Love you....

Love

Me

Shivratri: Wake up & Shake up!

Shivaratri is the day of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the lord of meditation and therefore the lord of awakening. Shiva Tatva means to be awakened. Shivaratri is thus an occasion to awaken one’s self from all sorts of slumber.

Shivaratri is not a night to be slept over. One should try and be up through the night. It signifies being aware of everything you have and being grateful about it. Be grateful for the happiness which leads to growth, and also for sadness which gives a depth to life. This is the right way of observing Shivaratri. For the pious, the following method of Shiva worship is advisable – sit down in lotus posture, do some Pranayam to stabilize your breath, then indulge in Dhyana, followed by chanting of “Om Namah Shivay”. It is the greatest mantra and the devout should drown himself in its Kirtan. Shivaratri worship leads to fulfillment of a devotee’s wishes. There are certain days and time frames in a year that enhance one’s mental and spiritual faculties. In such times, whatever one wishes, materializes. Shivaratri is one such day.

All this is very scientific. Going to temples on this day is OK but you should remember that Shiva is everywhere. The meaning of Kailasa (legendary abode of Shiva in Himalayas) is celebration. So where there is happiness and celebration, Shiva is present. Whether in Sanyasa or Sansara, you can’t escape Shiva. Feeling his presence all the time is the essence of Shivaratri. That is the real Sanyasa. No worship is complete without offering something to the deity. Shiva is a very simple lord, he is innocent – bholanath. One just needs to offer bel-patra to him. But in this simplicity is a deep message. Bel-patra offerings signify the surrender of all three aspects of one’s nature – Tamas, Rajas and Sattva. You have to surrender the positives and negatives of your life to Shiva and become carefree! The greatest offering is your self. To offer one’s self is the key to happiness in life. Afterall, why do you get sad? It is mainly because you are not able to achieve something in life. At such times you should surrender everything to the all knowing God. The greatest power is in surrender to the divine. It’s like a drop owning the ocean. If a drop remains separate, it will perish. But when it becomes the ocean, it is eternal!

(The above is an excerpt from an exclusive conversation that Guruji had with Zee News.)

Long time, No see.

Have been lagging behind and not kept my promise of updating the blog rather regularly. A mast batch of YES!+ graduated in Manipal and Mangalore. I met Bawa and Dinesh Da recently in Goa. Cool na. Roller coaster ride for sure. This time Tanushri, a dynamic teacher from Pune, Bangalore and Singapore came down. :) No no, there were no three teachers. She is from all these places.

Had a talk today in an esteemed college of Mangalore. I started a new trend in talks. Giving out health menu card.  Around 90% of the student crowd have back-related problems, head-heaviness, and acidity, stomach related problems, cold and cough attacks. Even I used to have this terrible back-pains and acidity. Thank you AOL and Sudarshan Kriya, it just remains a memory now. Yeah! Future of India you see. At 9:00 AM in morning they are yawning and burnt out. Stressed out at such a young age, as though the entire universe is on their shoulders. Confused! Stressed! Have become the watch words of their life. Teachers are there to take care of the knowledge banks, busy completing portions, setting up papers and correcting them. Phew... at the end they puke out the answers and become hollow and empty in non-spiritual terms for a second.

By the by, Pain is inevitable! But suffering is optional!

Heal the world. Have taken a step. It is your turn.

Love

Me

Breaking Patterns!!

I had taken a break to be there at our Bangalore Ashram.Part II course was the reason. Part II course in a course,simply but profoundly put, where in we take an appointment to meet ourselves.  I have no clue how it happens, but it’s so beautiful to see one at the end of four days! You fall in love with yourself. I remember the reason for doing my second advance course was because of the glow I experienced and became, after the first one ;).

Guruji speaks of taking a vacation. Why do we take a vacation?

Yes! All the reasons seeking attention in your mind right now. It is to energize ourselves, to be with oneself and our loved ones, so that we can come back, all ready to conquer the world. But many a times we need a break after this break of ours!

Now last year was there for YES++,Winter Break! Youths from world over came to Bangalore, celebrated in silence, meditation, singing, dancing and welcoming the New Year. I had my semester exams 3 days later but who was tensed???!!!. Was surprised at this change in myself. Did the exam extremely well.

Art of Living always fascinates me, because of its ability to become a way of life. Neither is it devoid of knowledge or fun. A combination rare to see nowadays in the world i.e. fun+ Knowledge...But this happens naturally here.
These are random thoughts of mine, felt need to be shared.... We are here to share & care ... Huge but extremely sacred responsibility.

Love
Vini

50th Post Dedicated to my First AOL Teacher....

Day before yesterday attended my first AOL Teachers’ Meeting at Mangalore. Was all excited, since it was my first meeting attending as a Teacher. Another factor which pulled me towards this meeting was meeting Shenoy maam and Radha Akka. They are this amazing Art of Living teacher couple. Shenoy Maam is a Part 1 teacher and PhD holder in Physical Education. He must be over 65 years, an area of conflict for him and me, but he will put all youths to shame with his enthusiasm and energy and rive for novelty. Will never sit idle and is always on his feet. He has the distinction of being  my Part 1 Teacher. Oh my God the amount of fun we had was so great.

Radha Akka is Part II or the Advance Course teacher. Just sitting next to her will make us feel how she is a Part II teacher. She is so serene, down to earth, always in knowledge and innocent and intelligent. My! They both together are like this mythological couple. Lovely couple coupled with lots of fun and knowledge. Being with them, we are so much in knowledge and at the same time we are ourselves. We meet ourselves.

Love you Radha Akka and Shenoy Maam!!!!

Making a difference....

This is a letter from Antoine, a YES!+ Teacher from Montreal. This is why I say Being an Art of Living Teacher/Volunteer gives me 100% job satisfaction....Read on...Antoine sends a letter of the experience...

Thank you for your amazing guidance on the phone yesterday. Everything you told me about creating a family, doing Puja, being their spiritual guide…it felt nice but I had no idea how to make it happen! It turns out I didn’t have to do anything, it just all happened effortlessly and spontaneously on its own.

Yesterday night when I returned home after Day 1 of the course, I sat with my 2 hosts Emma age 24 and Jessica age 22. Jessica is addicted to pot and Emma is an alcoholic. I told them I wanted them to become completely drug and alcohol free. Not just for the 6 days of the course but for life. I spoke to them about how drugs and alcohol was destroying their community and said: “It’s better to put liquor in the garbage than to put garbage in your body. Are you ready to throw it away?”

The analogy was too good; Jessica got up, opened the fridge, and gave me her last beer can. She said: “Here you go, I don’t want this anymore.”
I asked her to bring me whatever pot she was smoking as well. She went to her room, brought a plate that had a pipe, rolling paper, and little lump of weed on it.

I turned over to Emma, the 24 year old with the 8 year old daughter. I said: “Your cousin did a brave thing. Is there a bad habit you want to surrender as well?”
She went to the kitchen under the sink and brought me 4 bottles of hard liquor. She was hugging the bottles with such attachment. She couldn’t let go of them. Then she finally gave me 3 of the 4 bottles. The last one, a bottle of Kahlua, was her favourite. She said she wanted to keep that one for her birthday party. I looked at her and said: “In that case, keep them all, it’s no use.” Before I could hand her back her 3 bottles, she had kissed her Kahlua goodbye and surrendered it to me.

I turned back to Emma and felt she was still hiding something. “You must have a bigger stash of weed somewhere?”
“No this is it.” she replied.
I lovingly told her “You can’t hide secrets from me. I’m here to take care of you!”
She went back to her room and brought back a large Ziploc bag filled with weed. She looked a little embarrassed as she was revealing her addiction.

She held on to it saying: “This is worth 250$. I can’t throw it away, I already paid for it. I’ll finish smoking this stash and then I promise I won’t buy any more after that”.
I told her “I don’t care about a measly 250$, I’ll give you 250$ if that’s want you’re concerned with. What I care about is your health and your future.”

Jessica and Emma started consulting each other in Inuktitut, their native language. They had come to a consensus: “We promise we won’t smoke it but we can’t give it to you. We rather get our money back by selling it on the streets.”

“What good is that? If you improve your health by destroying the health of others?”
They had to agree, and she handed her bag of weed over to me. I put everything on the kitchen table and said I wouldn’t flush it because it had to come from them. They were both staring at their addictions with such attachment as though they were about to surrender their new born babies. Their breathing was heavy, they were trembling at the thought of having to give it up for good. Emma was holding back some tears. “It’s ok to cry, we are family here” I told her.

She got up, took the liquor and flushed it down the kitchen sink. Her attachment to the poison was so strong, she was sniffing above the sink to imbibe herself with the smell of Baileyes, Rhum and Kahlua one last time as it was going down the drain.

Jessica felt inspired by her cousin’s heroic move. She took her weed, we walked over to the toilet, and she emptied her stash and flushed it. The moment was so intense for them, they were trembling as I hugged them both.

I was proud of them. I told Emma it was the best thing she could have done for her and her daughter. She felt some truth in that, walked over to her room and brought a whole other crate of liquor she had ordered in by ship this summer. “This is all I have left” she said as she surrendered it. “There’s 500$ worth of alcohol in here.” she said. I was really proud of her.

“But what will I do on my birthday if I’m the only sober one?” she asked. I said “This year on your birthday you will not waste yourself. Your birthday should be an occasion to grow in wisdom. You will invite Art of Living people for your birthday and you will have a nice time.” I asked her cousin if she would support her and organize an Art of Living get together for her on her birthday. She agreed as Emma started pouring her alcohol down the drain more confidently this time, three bottles at a time. She felt so relieved.

Jessica noticed her cousin’s relief and walked back to her room to bring another bag, this time filled with magic mushrooms. This was her last stash. She flushed the mushrooms down the toilet saying: “Anyway this stuff is stupid, the only reason it makes you hallucinate is because it makes your brain bleed”. She was sure of herself this time.

Jessica said: “I feel so much lighter now. This house will be drug, cigarette and alcohol free from now on.“

I told them: “I am proud of both of you. Had you sold this stuff on the streets, what kind of role model would you have been? Today you took a stand and became a leader in your community. You are now role models and can inspire others to do the same.” Emma was so touched. It felt as though she had been called a loser by many people in the past. Today someone was calling her a leader.

I warned them that the days ahead would be really hard because the temptation would come back to haunt them and they had to be strong and inspire each other to stay clean. I reassured them I would be there for them.

They really wanted to come out of it for good, but it was apparent that they were not confident they would have the strength to do it. You could tell they were going through a lot of emotions and were both quietly praying for help and strength not knowing where to find it.

So I took out a picture of Guruji, lit a candle, put an asan on the couch, sat on it, and invited them to come closer and sit with me. I told them: “Now, we will sing the most ancient prayer in the world. It brings strength, blessings, and protection to those who hear it.” Just by seeing Guruji’s picture and hearing those few words they immediately felt confident that everything would be fine. I sang the Guru Puja as they sat at my feet holding hands with their eyes closed.
They had tears of gratitude. The moment was so serene; the whole atmosphere in the house had changed. Peace had dawned. They sat in silence for a long time afterwards as we meditated together.

I gave them each a blessing and sent them off to bed telling them to sleep with a blanket of grace.
When I arrived 2 days ago, the vibrations in the house were so intense; I was awake for most of the first night. But last night, everything had shifted; there was finally an atmosphere of calm and peace in the house.
Guruji had done his magic once again, changing people’s lives forever!

Today there are 2 more people who walk on the planet with Guruji in their hearts.
Jai Guru Dev.

ps You can directly write to Antoine, his email id is antoine.tinawi@artofliving.ca

Shamelessly cut copied n pasted from Bawa's blog....with his permission :)