From the depths of my heart..

An offering in the lotus feet of my master.

The divine walks me by my hand, helps me drop the crutches of the “I” in “me”.

Beyond the threshold of my limits he carries me to infinity…

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No limits bind me, No depth scares me, Comfortable in the unknown, I float, gracefully…

What’s in tomorrow? What’s  behind? Nothing matters, in this moment, thankfully…

Hooked to my shore with my strong bond with him, I travel in a magnificent dream with my gaze fixed at him, firmly…

Nothing remains to be seen, nothing remains to be possessed, As I have discovered me in him, him in me, Completely…

He is “The Creator”,
He is “The Protector”,
He is also “The Transformer”,
And “HE” walks me by my hand
Yes! I recognise, it’s him and my gaze is fixed at him, firmly for Infinity…
Like a fish without water,  Like a bird that cannot not fly,

Like a flower without fragrance,
Like a peacock without it’s beautiful feathers,
Like a nightingale without a voice ,
Like a traveller stuck in a desert without water,
Like a prisoner without any hope,
Like a ship that never sailed,
Without you my life would be, purposeless.

Thanks for being born, my Dearest Master and for making life so much worth living.
A very Happy Birthday Sri Sri

YES! You have expressed it a million times already, Tera mein

Fortunes of a devotee are immeasurable. For them Without the presence of their “Lord” even existence is unimaginable. Soaked in his infinite love, for a devotee every breath is an expression of gratefulness for his master.

Happy Birthday Guruji! :)
                   Happy Birthday Guruji! 🙂
– Vasudha Jhunjhunwala

The phenomena called “DAR” or “FEAR”

A few days back, Shashwat, my 9 year old son, came to me and said “Mummy I don’t want to be alone in my room, I afraidcartoonam scared, please come and sit with me”. I tried to explain him that there was nothing to be scared of and there was no one else around him, other than himself but he refused to understand and I had to finally give up explaining him.
Later when I was sitting by myself I started to wonder, Why was Shashwat scared? What was the fear all about? He was in his own house, in his own room, then why..?? But then I recalled, when I was his age, I too felt the similar jittery feeling, if I was left alone, but why??!!
The flavours of fear have changed as we grew up, from not wanting to be alone to -Fear of future-Fear of loosing reputation-Fear of beingchickenfears wrong Etc etc. Innumerous fears bind us,  IT’S A LONG LIST and we can carry on and on and on. ..
What is this phenomena called “DAR” or “FEAR” that each of us experience! It would definitely be worth looking into this phenomena because fear can restrict our freedom, isn’t it!
Allow me to share with you an incident with which we could draw an analogy to reflect upon why Shashwat was afraid and also why we may be afraid in life.
The incident was as follows-
It’s a couple of years ago, when we were at our Bangalore Ashram for the Navaratri Pooja. On the last day of the week long Pooja there was Chandi Homa being performed. At the end of the Chandi Homa, Devi (divine energy) was being worshiped in her different forms. Also in form of Animals. Among oth
unnamed (1)er Animals who were invited for this ceremony was also Indrani (a female elephant who lives in ashram) .
To everybody’s wonder Indrani who is otherwise a well behaved obedient elephant on entering the Yagya shala (Pooja hall) suddenly became violent and retrieved backwards making a loud sound. She was immediately taken out of Yagya Shala. Everyone was taken aback by this unusual behaviour of Indrani as this had never happened ever before.
Something that no one noticed, Gurudev did (just like he always does), the reason for Indrani’s unusual behaviour. And he immediately asked the camera men to switch off their display screens. And then Indrani was once again called in the Yagya Shala. This time everything went smooth, she was her sweet obedient self again. And the entire Pooja concluded with all the sacred rituals.
But this incident made everyone think, What had happened to Indrani?  what was she so fearful about?? No one knew!!!
Later that evening in Satsang Gurudev explained the reason- “Indrani saw her own image on the screen and got scared of her own form” . She had no clue that she was looking at her own self and her majestic form scared her. Yes! An elephant is not aware of his/her own form. They don’t know how big they are. Wow! That can surely be scary, an encounter with oneself, especially when you don’t know how massive you are, isn’t it!!
So could that also mean, that we also experience fear because we don’t know our real self? Because we don’t know how massive we are?
Yes! We are unaware of our real self and that is the basic cause of fear in our lives. If I wasn’t on the spiritual path I would never be able to comprehend this.
As we grow older the flavour of fear changes because now we are grown up and we realise we are stronger than before but only to a limited extend.Because that which we recognise as ourself is limited, the limited gross body only. The body which is inert and perishable we identify with only that and so remain fearful throughout our lives.
Being on the spiritual path can grow us in strength and eliminate the cause of fear. An encounter with the real self and we get to know how magnanimous we are, all kind of fear can vanish from life. It’s when we grow in ‘that’ aspect of us which is indestructible the very reason for fear drops, naturally.
The irony lies in the fact that Indrani would never know how powerful she is and we too can remain ignorant towards our real fear_is_our_life_partner_888385strength and remain in the shadow of fear, for a lifetime and more.
But there is a sure short way to overcome all fear in life.  Meditation can wake us up to the reality of what we really are. And we as humans are gifted to have access to a solution.
In this sense the real growth for Shashwat would be when he discovers  himself and wakes up to his own strength. And then he will never feel afraid of being alone anywhere in this world…
And for you!!!
Just for fun!!
You might relate being in one of these situations if you have encountered this ghost called fear-
“Will you marry me”? What if she says no?? My life will be a hell without HER!!!!! OMG
“What if I don’t Pass a second time”? My entire future depends on this one?? How will I show my face to my Parent!!!! OMG
Office worker with 'Conquer you fear of public speaking' pack containing automatic weapon.fearfailure1629 -fear-of-success-cartoon
“I have never faced such a big crowd  ever before, what if I fumble”? What will they think about me ?? Everyone will laugh at me!!! OMG
ebola-fears-cartoon-cardow
MEDITATION is a MEDICATION for CHILAXation! So Meditate and Chilax bhai.. Mountain Dew won’t really help!! ;))

A letter from Your Guddia to You Papa- A very Happy Birthday

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Dearest Papa,
I can never fully express my love for you in words,  ever… I still keep making attempts for my own contentment 🙂
Though i have lived away from you after marriage, even for a moment, or for a breath, i have not forgotten to offer my gratitude towards God for having you as a Father and Mummy as a mother .
Your teachings continue to guide me, like the light coming through a tall light house does guide a ship through the thickest fogs and darkest nights, makes my sail steady and smooth always.
My experience differs from those who say that God is confined to the limits of the stone statues adorned in alters. And also from those who believe, that to be a saint,  you have to give up your worldly duties and resort to being on higher altitudes of physical space. As in the limited sphere of my understanding and learning, God reflects in his creations. And a Saint is one in whom he shines through more than in other beings. Like a mirror which reflects light in it’s totality, a saint’s inner faculties reflect though, even through his smallest mortal actions and behaviours, the pureness of consciousness more than it does in other beings .
And in my experience I have seen God reflecting through you all my childhood and I continue to see the saint shining in you ever since.
The remarkable strength of your character, the ability to be still through opposites, the laser sharpness of intellect and the sensitivity of a mother. The patience of a teacher and the objectivity of a scientist, the spiritual dept of a yogi and the playfulness of a child and your deep humble sweet voice. How could a name have matched a personality better!!
Now even more than before, after going around the world and experiencing so many flavours of life, that I have the maturity to cherish the worth of my invaluable gift that I was bestowed with, more and more. Blessed to be chosen as your daughter. 🙂
A Guru uncovers ignorance, a Guru raises you to a level where you acquire the inner abilities to recognise purity. The vision seems clearer than ever before and there are no clouds obstructing the light of the Sun, today. The fruits that are bestowed in my life are the results of the deeper roots that I have inherited. Believe me with my eyes closed and open I have always been grateful and thanked God!!
And I will continue to express no matter how many times i fail, thank you Papa, for being you.
May you continue to shine for hundred years and more adorning the world with your presence. It’s for creator’s creations as perfected as you, that the world looks more meaningful and beautiful.
Gratitude and love
Your Guddia

“Yatha Pinde, Thatha Brahmande”

“Yatha Pinde, Thatha Brahmande”- What is in one is in the other or as is microcosm, so is macrocosm.

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Having read the above in the book called creation (written by Dr. D.K Hari and Mrs. Hema Hari) (Page 52) many parallels of the macrocosm and the microcosm came to my mind.

It’s obvious that the qualities of parents are inherited by their child. Because the micro has emerged from the macro both should have similar properties, isn’t it.  In this sense knowing one can help know the other to a great extent.

A few years back, I got the privilege of travelling to CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear research, with Gurudev. The physicists in CERN are probing the fundamental structure of Universe. During our visit, I found myself in a constant state of wonder seeing the size of infrastructure created for research work. A whole township has been put together, a 18 km  underground tunnel has been built to enable particle collision, gigantic equipment have been put together, thousands of people there work tirelessly to discover more about matter in our extra ordinary universe.

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Being on the Spiritual path for last 20 years I could compare the thirst in the scientist for knowing the creation, the macrocosm, to the thirst of a yogi to discover the self. Both tirelessly seek the unknown and both are being carried by strong faith in the unknown which helps them take on all the challenges that come their way.

Being on the path I could draw parallels even then. And now after reading this excellent book.

-The concept of creation by many philosophers, sages and the modern scientists explain the concentration of energy or “Hirany

Creation-Book-Finalagarbha” or cosmic egg before the emergence of the universe.-They also talk about a force acting inside this egg called Indra and Vrtra , expansion and contraction-And the release of energy – Big bang  or Brahamanda Visphotak- Which finally led to the birth of the universe as we see it today.

(More on the above can be read in the book on creation which is a fine collaboration of thoughts of different schools)

But what I really wish to highlight through this writing are some of the interpretations that the mind can draw, the amazing parallels between the microcosm and macrocosm.

1)To start with when we observe the human body itself with it’s trillions of cells and the nervous system with it’s unique mechanisms we can find an as complex and magnanimous interplay of forces as the universe has.A single cell when seen heart-stem-cell_02closely has the two forces at work the positive and the negative just like the Indra and Vrtra was present in the cosmic egg. With a balance or neutral centre – which is described as the primordial state from which this complex universe emerged- or “Narayana floating in cosmic waters” (Pg 22) A cell with its electron, proton and neutrons in the nucleus can be compared to this cosmic egg. It’s the atom, a cell which is the basic building block of the nervous system similar to the Cosmic egg from which this universe emerged.

Just like a small seed ‘Hiranyagarbha” from which this complex universe came into being, from a single cell the entire nervous system comes into being.

Life2) In the process of birth the embryo in its prenatal state can also be compared to being in the same state of that of Narayana in cosmic waters. In a state of complete rest in a water bag of the mother’s womb. It’s after a child’s birth that his/her sensory organs become completely active. The five senses connected to the panchabhuta  through which this universe came into existence –  eyes/sight with fire,  ears/hearing with ether,  tongue/taste with water,  nose/smell with earth,  skin/touch with air (pg 26)  through which the manifest world is perceived by a child. Thus in the womb the birth process is comparable to the process of panchikaranam (pg 42) and it continues even after birth for a lifetime as it does for this entire universe.

3) The process of birth and death is comparable to the process of creation and dissolution as explained in the book (pg 43). After death the 4 elements merge back in creation just like after each cycle of creation. At such time the primordial elements (panchabhuta) revert in their 100% characteristic and are in their pure individual self.

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4)I have often heard Gurudev say that it is one space that permeates an atom and the universe. It’s this space that connects us to the entire universe – The Shiva Tatva  (Story of Vishnu and Brahma page no. 35).  There is no beginning or an end of this space.

The “Anu” “atom” has inherited its properties from the creation. In this sense we are the offsprings of the one. Exhibiting different qualities based on our constitution. “Guna” or the nature of panch bhuta.(pg 68) . Also the Space inside us and outside us is one, which connects all of us. And ths is what the saints have been pronouncing over thousands of years and which is now being authenticated by modern scientists too.

person-meditatingThe way prescribed by the saints of our land to know the world within is by practicing meditation. In the meditative state of complete rest we are in union with the macrocosm the infinite space, the shiva tatva.

As the book rightly describes this approach has also been recommended in Ishavasya Upanishads (Pg 81)“This universe and creation is a mix of both the subtle and the gross, it is not enough to understand creation only from internal spiritual perspective or parallel only from material scientific perspective. A good healthy mix of both is essential to understand the Srishti or creation.”

Gratitude to the master for having introduced the spiritual dimension in life and to all the scientists/researchers of the modern world who continue to establish the spiritual experiences with material evidences. Making the journey complete.

The book on creation by Dr. DK Hari and Mrs.Hema Hari  is a fine collaboration of both these dimensions as it is a beautiful blend of the modern and the ancient knowledge. It enlivens the knowledge of the 5000 year old Vedas for the modern world with parallels of modern science.

Like the white light when it passes through the prism creates different effects in the same way this universe is a magnanimous display of that ONE alone.universe

“Yatha Pinde, Thatha Brahmande”- Knowing one definitely gives insight of the other.

A firm belief.

Without the light of knowledge in one’s life, life remains like a directionless ship in a dark sea, lost in unknown purposelessly. This fact was understood by the people of our land since time immemorial and so they gave the name “Bharatha” to our land. Our country India is one in which knowledge has been regarded as supreme. ‘Bharath’- Bha means Light or Knowledge, Ratha means Immersed, Rathi also meaning delight. Bharatha- A Land and it’s people immersed in knowledge, a name given for the quality of people and their land (Extract from Bharath Gyan https://m.youtube.com/watch?index=1&list=PL9QLcyiVla35S_9PUMq0PRuLejVPXZYvu&v=LO8ZMbNqJMk).

The light of knowledge has been carried by the tradition of our masters, by our Guru’s from the very inception of our civilization, from several thousand years to us. Our revered masters dedicated their lives for the upliftment of human beings by introducing to us a broader dimension of existence. They have gifted us great values by setting examples from their own actions.

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Human life can be a constant struggle without knowledge.The mind, intellect and Ego have their limitations and are over powered by their own negative tendencies, which the mind refuses to let go. I often say that to train the human mind can be as difficult as training a dragon. Choices can be confusing and one can be surrounded by a constant dilemma of the right and wrong, good and bad, should and should nots.

The knowledge in our scriptures is like a road map that makes our life’s journey comfortable and smooth. But Wisdom remains locked like in secret chambers in these sacred texts until a proficient master reveals it for his student.
And so Upanishad is required. Upanishad means- Sitting close or mental proximity between the teacher and his student- As Gurudev explains- “Knowledge can only flow when a student has faith in the teacher’s wisdom and the teacher has faith in the potential and sincerity of the student”. Without faith and respect in one’s Guru, the flow of knowledge is not possible, It would be like trying to climb Mount Everest being blindfolded, I feel it would be next to impossible!

I often wonder, If I weren’t bestowed by the rare blessing of having SatGuru, Sri Sri Ravishankar ji, in my life how would I have had access to this mystical world. By putting the sutras into simple words, supporting them with examples of today’s world he has proved the relevance of this timeless wisdom for my own life. Gurudev encouraged me to have a scientific approach ask questions and have faith in my own experiences and that’s how he helped me to move ahead from one level to another, step by step patiently.

The unconditional love of a Guru and his infinite patience for his disciple is like the love and care of a mother for her child. So much so that a person without a Guru in the olden times in India was called Anatha. What award can we give to our mother or to the Guru for their contribution in our lives! What ever we give them will be trivial for their unconditional love. But I feel, we through our actions can at least demonstrate utmost respect for this invaluable legacy for our future generation to learn from, isn’t it! Like when I recently visited a friend’s marriage at a Gurudwara and was pleasantly surprised seeing the bride and the groom taking their marriage vows around the Guru Granth Sahib(the central religious text of Sikhism). I thought to myself that it was a tradition to learn from, where Guru was given utmost respect.

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This respect is lacking in the world today. Doubts have overtaken faith. And we are not being able to distinguish Sugar and Sand. The Guru principle and the great traditions of masters has often been belittled by the expressions of our near and dear ones, in films, our communication , in writings etc, this is an act of ignorance! And so education is needed. There are a few who have fallen the ladder but they cannot be compared or said to be akin those who have given their entire life for the sake of upholding human values. Who have kept the torch burning and alive even through the darkest night.

As we move pass another dark night when Life faces many challenges from the evils that have cropped up like monsters in the world today. Wrong knowledge and negative tendencies cloud the minds of human beings, driven towards destruction and violence. Today when the world is on such a cross road, its time we need to reflect upon truth, learn and bow down from the past traditions!

Bharatha will truly stand for it’s name again when we the people of this land revere knowledge and the Guru with all our heart . This is a firm belief of a devotee and a patriot.

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Reverence for my master for having lighted up lamps of knowledge on my path. Without which my life would remain incomplete, over shadowed by the blinding darkness of the world.

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CSO – 2014 Awards for VBI.

With the infinite blessings of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji, we got the honor of receiving the CSO – 2014 awards given by Election Commission of India, on behalf of the entire Volunteer for Better India team.

APJ Abdul Kalam honoring with the CSO Awards
APJ Abdul Kalam honoring VBI with the CSO Awards

More than ten thousand Volunteers contributed to making the ‘I Vote for Better India’ campaign a huge success. The campaign reached out to more than 3 million people with it’s message-

To strengthen Indian democracy by participating in the election process actively.

Grateful for being given the opportunity of being useful towards the vision of VBI for making a peaceful and prosperous India.

Congratulations to the entire VBI team for the valuable contribution.

Happy Republic day to all.

Jai Hind

– Vasudha Jhunjhunwala

Twice born- am I!

After 15 years of my daily spiritual practices, I have finally been initiated to the Gaytri Mantra through the sacred ceremony of Upanayan. They said “Upanayan is like a second birth”. I did not quite comprehend the meaning of this statement, until I experienced the depth of this sacred ceremony.

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On the first day at the time of initiation as soon as the 1st word of the mantra was chanted in my ears by Kashi Bhaiya, tears started to trickle down my eyes. It felt as if a switch was pressed and I got connected to the infinite universe, instantly.
What’s the science behind this? How does this work ? How did the Rishi’s know so precisely?
Many such questions have filled my life with wonder after the initiation ceremony of the Upanayan.KASHI BHAI

The next few days of the course was experiencing the infinite energy which got released, from somewhere I don’t know! As if a nuclear reaction had happened inside me, I could not fathom where so much energy was being experienced throughout the day. I was barely sleeping for 4hours still all daily chores were being completed effortlessly. In fact much more was accomplished than regular days.

The thoughts of the past and future are not troubling the mind.The mind is naturally being in the present moments. As if some fine tuning has happened and now the music of life is flowing more smoothly.

Something has changed for sure, what it is, I will only discover as I move ahead with this beautiful new friend, the Gaytri Mantra. I look forward to building a strong relationship with my new friend and look forward to exploring the possibilities of this new alliance in future. Because as they rightly said “I am twice born now” 🙂

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I thank all those who contributed to making it possible for me to experience this divine ceremony in Mumbai. In a city like Mumbai where we are bombarded with sensory stimulus constantly having made possible a scared ceremony like Upanayan is a true gift not only for those like me who participated but for the entire city, nurturing Dharma .I am committed to doing the bit I can to support this cause and would like to receive the great opportunity to be a part of the organizing group next time.

Special thanks to my friend Shibani, who has been a constant source of inspiration for me, for organizing the Upanayan so beautifully and flawlessly.

Always with us..

In sunshine and in rain,
In joy and in our pain,
In ups and downs,
In smiles and frowns,
Don’t stop, keep walking..
‘He’ is always there with us.

In tiredness and in exhaustion,
In carefree moments and in caution,
In peace and in rage,
In helplessness and in courage,
Don’t stop, keep walking..
‘He’ is always there with us.

In the love of a mother,
In the help of the other,
In the shade of a tree,
Is his love for you and me.
Don’t stop, keep walking..
‘He’ is always there with us.

Hey, I found this really awesome Etsy listing at https://www.etsy.com/listing/155152203/mother-daughter-nursery-gift-wall-art

We may fall into a pit,
get injured for a bit,
Hope may feel dim,
we are still a part of him.
Don’t stop, keep walking..
‘He’ is always there with us.

It’s when we give up our faith,
It’s when we close our gates,
that’s when we can’t see him, feel him or talk to him,
It’s us who have given up on him,
Don’t stop, keep walking..
‘He’ is always there with us.

When we reach up there,
We shall know his care,
In the darkness of death,
beyond the very last breath,
Don’t stop, keep walking..
‘He’ is always there with us.

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– Vasudha Jhujhunwala

I have been here too…

 

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I have been here too,

                                  standing TALL just like you.

Winds of change have blown and gone

facing them all, this form was born.

  

No avalanche, no storms could ever touch me

freezing cold and burning sun made me stronger, couldn’t crush me!

I have been a witness to them all,

                                                      to be here now, is a divine call.

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I have seen kings and queens come and go,

                                                                      to no pomp or show did I ever bow.

Will continue to stand here for a million years and more,

 Holding the weight of responsibilities on my robust shoulders, that I bore.

 

 

 image Offering my strength to the weak,

providing shade and shelter to the meek.

I rise above every cloud,

my strength makes me humble and proud.

 

 

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My form may change as millenniums go by,

they may call me with different names, standby.

But I am here too to stay forever,

to die isn’t my destiny, never-ever. 

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I will be here too


Standing STILL just like you.

Oh My GauSh!!

A Beautiful Journey..

Kishan Poddar

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday! :)

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