Gurudev shared with us- that it was on Buddha Poornima day that Lord Buddha was born, he attained enlightenment and he also took Samadhi. Today being such an auspicious day of Buddha Poornima, thought to myself to treat my mind with some spiritual knowledge. And revisit my Bhagavad Gita chapter-6 notes, I had taken during the live discourse of Gurudev in Arosa, Switzerland in May 2019.
After all every single moment of life is an opportunity to learn, express and celebrate , isn’t it…Para 3
English Book translation-To the contemplative soul who desires to attain Karmayoga, selfless action is said to be the means;for the same man when he is established in Yoga, absence of all ‘Sankalpas’ is said to be the way to blessedness
English Book translation-When a man ceases to have any attachment for the objects of senses and for actions, and has renounced all ‘ Sankalpas’, he is said to have attained Yoga.Gurudev explained -For the one for whom the journey on the spiritual path has just begun, effort is the way. For example- If I have to take a train, I have to go to the station, buy a ticket, and sit in the correct seat. This much action is needed. But once on the seat I must relax. knowing that the train will take me there. But generally either we do nothing or we cannot relax. Like some people who do rosary day and night without any break. After the stepping stone one must let go. So one requires to put effort to do Pranayam and drop all efforts for meditation to happen. Love and Happiness is given as a gift to us. It’s a gift for the merits we have earned. Merits are earned through good gestures. Charity has been a part of our tradition.
We are fortunate to be provided with so many opportunities for seva in the art of living organisation. And it’s our experience that the meditation becomes so much deeper when seva is done, isn’t it:)
Para 5
English Book translation-One should lift oneself by one’s own efforts and should not degrade oneself; for one’s own self is one’s friend,and one’s own self is one’s enemy.para6
English Book translation- One’s own self is the friend of the soul by whom the lower self (consisting mind ,senses and body)has been conquered;even so the very self of him, who has not conquered his lower self, behaves antagonistically like an enemy.Para7
English Book translation- The supreme Spirit is rooted in the knowledge of the self- controlled man whose mind is perfectly serene in the midst of pairs of opposites,such as cold and heat, joy and sorrow,and honour and ignominy.Guruji explained -“Whether your mind is acting as a friend or an enemy to you would reflect on your life’s direction. Work on your own mind so that it becomes your friend, unwavering. If mind is bombarded with multiple impressions it becomes your enemy. Depression is result of that.”
On the poornima days(full moon), I have observed that the mind can be more restless than other days. Have you observed this too? Instead of blaming myself or others for the conflicting situation that may arise due to this restlessness, I am being able to witness the effect, knowing that it’s the full moon’s affect on the mind and no one person’s fault. And so now the mind does not go on a blaming trip, either blaming myself or others for the same.
Guruji has given us the three fold path ‘Seva’/Service, ‘Sadhana’/practice, ‘Satsang’/knowledge to be able to befriend the mind. Yes, It’s almost like “Taming the dragon”. But even a dragon can be tamed with effort and practice, and so can be our mind be .. 🙂
Gurudev further explained- Almost 30% of the population is said to be depressed in the world. This is alarming. We are simply moving outwards. It’s the mind which perceives through the senses. Inward journey is Yoga outward is Bhoga. Unless inward journey is taken you cannot even enjoy the outer. Nothing appeals to you. When union with inner being happens, mind becomes your friend, otherwise it can be your greatest enemy. “Save the mind at any cost” is the message of Bhagavad Gita. If the water is still reflection can be seen. In that mind the universal mind reflects which is still. And because you are anchored within, ‘the opposite do not touch you’.
Wow! That’s quite a revelation – Opposite do not touch you. One remains centred no matter how good or bad the situation may be. And that possibility is within each one of us. Like Gurudev shared in Ashtavakra Gita, only the husk has to be removed from the paddy, the rice is already there in it. At this point I have a question for Gurudev i.e how much more husk is there to be removed 🙂 😅😅😅
Guruji with Art excel kids at Arosa. YES!! that is Shashwat in the center, the youngest art excel student in his class:)
How does he manage to look soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Good in every headgear!!
Our dear teachers Bawa & Dinesh Dada.
Wishing all a Happy Buddha Poornima 🙏
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Ms. Vasudha Jhunjhunwala holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. She is associated with the Art of Living since year 2000. Born and brought up in a pink city Jaipur, Rajasthan she currently resides in Amchi Mumbai with her family. For nearly a decade, Vasudha has inspired more than 10,000 youths with her teachings and social work. She has undertaken various projects and has been an instrument of change for its success. Juggling between home and work, in her spare time Vasudha likes to paint, write poems, learn music and play badminton. She is a Social Worker, Entrepreneur, State Coordinator of The Art of Living, Student of Sanskrit & Classical Music, Writer, Homemaker, Mother, Meditation Teacher, Public Speaker, Recipient of CSO-2014 award by Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam and has travelled in 30 Countries.
She is a quintessential deshbhakt. It is difficult to match her youthful Energy.
Vasudha is extremely passionate about her initiatives. One of the most successful projects lead by her was the ‘Vote For a Better India’ - A campaign that facilitated the voter registration process and lead to 5 lakh citizens new voter registration across India in 2014 Lok Sabha Elections. Bringing more awareness to the people in the community she began the initiative ‘Mind your Vehicle’ - A project to sensitize citizens towards traffic discipline with 2000 volunteers in Mumbai. The project saw good media coverage. She was also the founding member of ‘Save Aarey’ project. In this project more than 300 volunteers cleared 5-truck loads of garbage from Aarey colony. With an aim to instill a sense of responsibility and nationalism among the youth, she has spearheaded several initiatives that included women’s safety drives, blood donation drives, cleanliness drives at railway stations and sea-shores, health and hygiene awareness camps and others.
Often people ask her what made her belief so strong to walk the spiritual path. She affirms that, “just like the light house guides the ship through darkness of night, our conscience guides us through decisions of life. For a smooth sail, just listen to it!”
The drought in Maharashtra had led to an increasing number of farmer suicides and Vasudha decided to contribute towards River Rejuvenation Project in the state. She along with her team revived around 22kms of Manjara river. The river Manjara rejuvenation in Latur District benefited 5 lakh villagers in its vicinity. Vasudha was also a part of the Solar Lamp Project. She was the catalyst in the distribution of solar lamps to flood-hit villagers in Orissa during Fani.
Her courage and valour gives her the skill to bring out the right perspective in every project she undertakes. Worry or Uncertainty are not words she rhymes with, Vasudha believes that’s Spiritual knowledge shields the flame of life from the winds of uncertainties. Vasudha is currently working on Project Pavitra. Since its inception this year, the project has imparted menstrual hygiene education to more than 2000 young girls in BMC schools and it aims to reach out to many more. She is also the founding member of SORT Club - Student's organization for Reform and Transformation. The club is now operational in 10 colleges in Mumbai. The project aims to remove the menace of substance abuse from the colleges of India. Vasudha is also working on a Happy Neighbourhood Project. The project aims to establish Happiness centers in societies to make societies stress-free.
If you meet her once, you would know that she has a very charming, intuitive, and jovial personality, her ideas and thoughts are ahead of it’s time. Her ability to perceive something new and unique in every individual is what draws people to her company. She gives a very comfortable and cool vibe something young students connect to and find easy to talk and open up to her about their problems. Make impossible, possible is her mantra. Her sessions are filled with grit, humor, inspiration, and some awespiring wisdom. People feel rejuvenated, energetic, experience clarity of thoughts, immense love in their hearts after attending her Mind and Breathe Workshops.
Mysteries of life intrigues her and even though she has traveled in 30 countries she found her best place within. She, by herself is a ‘Happiness Express’ moving swiftly on the spiritual path.
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Vasudha Jhunjhunwala 