the ashram web log

We're fortunate!

Listening to Guruji on Patanjali YogaSutras, live!
Exploring the depths of Yoga in his gracious presence is so beautiful.

And thus Yoga sutras are continued:

Talked about Abhyasa or practice.

Habits are nothing but practices done over a period of time so that become your nature.
Good as well as bad practices take time to become habits. The only difference is that bad practices take less amount of time ot become habits. No one likes smoking when they fag for the first time. It is only habituating yourself over a period of time that you really start liking it.
Restraining of thought waves is called dispassion or which you need a lot of practice or abhyasa over a long period of time.

Lalsa kab paida hoti hain, when we smell something. If you want to create the lalsa then you show something that is seen and heard to them. Your mind hibernates when in greed, when your mind has the 'tadap'(longing) towards the materialistic things then it is called a-vairagya (non dispassion). This is because the 'trishna'(longing) is not in our control. When it is in our control then it is called vairagya (dispassion).

Vairagya is like finding treasure in ourselves then there is no need for bothering about things outside. Like when you have 'gulabjamun' then you will not bother about sugar, when you have sunlight then you will not bother about the lamp.

There was a saint who was asked by someone whether he remembers them or not. To which the saint replied that 'muje mere bare main sochne se fursad nahi hain to main aapko kaise yaad karu?'

A sentence which says a lot – 'khud vyakti ke hone par koi parchai kyon dekhega?' (If we're having someone in person, why we'll look for his shadow?) This is called para vairagya which is of the highest quality.

Smashan vairagya is low quality when the things which we do not get we say that we anyways don't need it.

Q: Someone from Corporate Workshop asked that AOL has a lot of research done on the Sudarshan Kriya and other aspects of effect of breath on body and health then why is it not called Science of Living?

Guruji: Look, Art is common to everybody. 6 billion people in the world and out of that atleast 5.99 billion people listen to music or watch movies or enjoy some form of art. Great scientists also say that and if you see many of them used to either play some instrument or enjoyed some form of art. Dr Kalam who is a great scientist, also plays Vina too.

Music or art is prevalent to mankind, inclination towards science is very low. Science of brain is logic and music both and it nurtures both. AOL reaches more people in need of science.
Art is nothing but appreciation like a piece of cloth when decorated in a particular way becomes a beautiful 'paghadi'. Life when appreciated is art, when life is not honored or appreciated then it is a crime.
That is why it is named AOL and that also I have not given the name. I just started teaching and then the first few people called it the intensive program,meditation program and things like that till we came to know that this is actually the real art of living and then 'the real' dropped and so it is now called the Art of Living.

Q: What is the truth?

Guruji: You want me to give you a simple answer? (Questioner nodded for yes!).

Then truth is that which is not false. It is as simple as it can get.
What is false- it is that which is affected by time and space.
This definition is still mind boggling to all the scientists that someone could actually define it so simply.
Adishankara gave this definition of truth is that which is not affected by space and time.
For eg we say that it is raining outside now. Take the sentence word by word.
Was it raining yesterday- no, is it true that it was raining an hour back- no, but when it is raining for that time it is true.
Similarly when you are dreaming. The experience you have when you are dreaming is true but the moment you get up that is false. For as long as it is there it is true. Even while dreaming , your sleeping is false.
Defining truth like this is a brilliance by itself. There should be an urge or the quest for this truth, when you get it then nobody can take that smile from you, you become absolutely unshakable.

Q: How should one wake up from this dream before this lifetime?
Guruji: Are you dreaming now? When answers in affirmative then it means that you have already woken up.

Q: Comments on Global warming~ What Art Of Living has role to play in that?

Guruji: It is there, that there is global warming happening. That is a fact but what is happening now is that this fact is being exaggerated . 6 years back it was told in America that the everything is going to be lost and people had stacked up months of food and water and withdrawn money from the accounts and basically gone beserk. But what happened… nothing much
Similarly to global warming, this has become a business for some ppl.
Like for AIDS also the statistics quoted kept changing. They, the bodies who were doing the research, said 2.5 million people and then said the whole village and then went on to 3 million and in this way the figures kept changing.
They had claimed that the whole village (in UP) was AIDS infected. The village was so conservative and there was no chance that this kind of thing to happen. Later on it was found out that the antibody test which they were using to determine was giving wrong results.
Same thing about dying out of starvation in India.
It is all wrong and highly exaggerated. You claim of half the country dying due to starvation? That is not possible. I have been to so many villages and I have not seen people die due to starvation.
People do starve but there are much more people there to serve. Someone comes along and gives them food. In India we care and share and so out of 100 crore 50 crore agar bhookhe hain to kaha jayenge. That is sheer exaggeration of the numbers. In Vidharba there are 4000 farmers who I just met and all of them were happy and were dancing and enjoying the satsang. There is 4000 crore allotted by the government for the agricultural sector but nothing reaches the farmers. In that 507 villages which AOL volunteers have worked on have now 0% suicidal death. Global warming and these things are hyped up and very less work is done on the cause.

Someone commented that they are living so much in the present that now they have forgotten all that He has told them in the past (sutras).

Laughter….

(And Look what Guruji has for him .. )

See for example if you have an exam (for yoga teacher) tomorrow then you can not say that you forgot what you have studied. This should not happen. You intellect gets sharper when you live in the present moment. So many people think that I am not listening to them so they repeat the questions 4 times to me and I have to tell them " bas .. abhi aap mujhe 4 bar yeh poonh chuke ho aur main yeh bhi bata sakta hoon ki kaha par apne muze kya kaha tha. " (Look, you've already asked me this 4 times , and also I can tell you where did you ask what?!!!!")

I remember when I met someone and it doesn't matter how long back and where. Hain ki nahi?

Q: Why is there conflict in the name of religion when it was created so that one attains peace?
Guruji: Religion is devoid of spirituality that is the reason for conflict today. That is why there is identity crisis rather than a journey for betterment. Emphasis should be on spirituality so that all religions will merge.

Q: Do we attain abhyasa and vairagya through self effort or the grace of the Guru?
Guruji: Abhyasa is through ones effort and vairagya is awakening to reality.
For eg when you are watching the TV do you say I will watch the TV first and then listen to it. No, it is a simultaneous happening . Just like that Grace helps you be in vairagya after you do your abhyasa.

(Contributed by : Gauri Parashare)

Joy GuruDays~

Posted in: on Sunday, November 4, 2007 at at 2:12 PM 0 comments  

Today's Satsang began with Guruji annoucing that he will first talk in Kannada, then in English and finally in Hindi. Fortunately or Unfortunately he told the Patanjali Yog sutras in Kannada and we were still all smiles and GAGA at the end of it.

The English session began with a question like -
In Astavakra Geeta,Mahatma Gandhi is said to have preached non violence but it is also said that he was very violent on himself/ his body. His death was also very violent. Vishal added that it is similar to Jesus's death, which was also very violent.

Do not know what question he was trying to ask (:-)) but Guruji's reply was like an exclamation mark, "This is for you to Ponder"

Second question followed and this was also related to Astavkra ," It has been mentioned that if you are caught in some sensory pleasure then you are bound but also those are bound who are against it. Is the same applicable to those who are against alcoholism, poverty etc? Gurudev answered: there is a difference between being against something and hating something. If you hate something then you are bound. The Kannada session began again with bits of the Sanskrit in it about the sutras. The again we started in English The TTC of SRI SRI yoga had another question where the relationship between the panchkoshas and the 7 layers of existence was explored?Admist giggles the answer was," you can make a relation wherever you want, All koshas are anyways interrelated. You can play with the relations as much as you want.

Q: What is that which we should be doing so that we see you in everyone?

Guruji: Question was interrupted and answered that you should not try and see me in everyone.
Don't try to do anything, just be natural and innocent as you are (sahajta se) and that will suffice .

Q: How to become centered?
Guruji: See what is it that is taking you out of the center. Living in the present moment is being centered. Holding anything against in your mind makes you decentered. Being free from opinions is being centered. Like when you have a fight, can you go to the person immediately after the fight with a smile without thinking what he or she will say and smile at them and start a new fight? That is being centered. Going from Gyana to Prema, Bhakti and love. Devotion has no opposite that gets you to the center, love has hatred but devotion has no opposite and that is why it takes you to being centered. When you see life as a dream then how can you live it like a perfectionist? When there is freedom to see the past present and future as a dream then your mind is free and your intellect sharpens.
Do you notice when you are witty what is the state of your mind. Dull person or sad person can never be witty, your mind needs to be free so that you can be witty which is nothing but a sharp intellect. Everyone must have experienced this sometime or the other.
See the people who commit crime can never be free, they don't have feelings for others, no compassion. They dont know that happiness is in them and to be free is going more into yourself and realizing that you are Joy and you are Happiness.

Patanjali Yog Sutra:It is a story about Ved Vyas who goes to Lord Brahma and asks to be given some Knowledge. Brahma then gives him the Vast Himalayas and asks him to take how much ever you can take.

So Vyas then takes how much ever he could with his four hand and thus were the four veds formed: Sangitha, Aranya, Brahman and Upanishads.
Sangitha is that which is born out of what the Rishis said when they went deep in meditation and their words were heard and then written thus it was called Shruti- suna hua gyan ( Knowledge which is born from hearing from others)
From the Sangitha the other three Veda's were born. Then there were the Up Vedas and the 6 upangs. Veda is from the upang which is the Patanjali Yog Sutra. Story goes that Patanjali Rishi used to teach around thousand children in the gurukul. There used to be a curtain between him and the students. He used to teach from behind the curtain. Soon there was curiosity that arised in the minds of the students and one fine day they peeked beyond the curtain. As soon as they did that there was a blinding light, which destroyed all of them. All but one, as he had gone on a nature's break so he was saved. Rishiji told him that he was lucky that he was not with them but none the less he will be punished. So he was made into the Brahma Rakshas and was told to sit and write of whatever he had been taught by him. So he sat on the tree and wrote everything on the leafs which then fell down and were eaten by a goat.
Now it is a Paheli which needs to be solved by us as to:
Why all the 999 were destroyed?
Why were they destroyed?
Why not the one who left the class?
Why make him brahma rakshas ?
Why make him sit on tree top and write on leaves?
Why does the goat eat the leaves?First sutra was:
Anushasan : Which means the Shashan which is made out of our will. Generally shasan is rules put by others, which is then not followed fully with 100% and these are the rules, which we try to defy. Thus there should be anushasan. Lucky is the one whose Anushasan is Yog.
Yog is about freeing your mind, ego and intellect from the past impressions.

Acha why do you need to clean this mind every time? Its like a slate and the impressions are like chalk on it. Like in the school if without using the duster you have the English class and the science and then the geography and the math as well then firstly you should be able to write all the classes and even if you achieve that then you really don;t know anything as it is impossible to make things out. Like we use the duster we need to clean or free our mind of this confusion. and freeing your mind of this confusion is called Yog.
You should shift from seeing the view to the viewer. So that you can experience happiness.
Here he said a beautiful thing. Like in a movie there are people who get so involved that they also start crying. That is getting caught in the view, people get so involved that they tear the screen if something doesn't happen the way they want it to be.
So one should come back to the viewer for bliss ( Anand swaroop) .Then He did a revision of Patanjali Yog Sutra.
Aho......

Posted in: on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at at 6:36 PM 0 comments  

Glimpses of Satsang on 31st Oct,2007.

For us, it was totally a surprise visit of guruji to the ashram and that gives so wonderful feeling when we see him in satsang.
Satsang is filled up with glory, as he moves in! And slowly he takes us to the Knowledge Ride, which is full of fun today...

Someone asks Gurudev regarding his trip to Bombay..
He says : Just Guess, how many programs did I attend yesterday? After a few guesses, he reveals, “14 programs”.. from morning 6 to night 10:30 .. !!
(And as you know, still he was bubbling with joy,smiles and enthusiasm)

Then some fabulous Q-A session goes on like this :

Someone asked guruji about Shiv linga to which he answered:
" linga has two meanings, one is the genitals and it also means symbol or something which symbolizes. Like when you look at a newborn baby the only thing, which tells you whether the baby is a boy or a girl is the genital. That is why it is called linga.
That is the place, which symbolizes the genesis of the being. Similarly one cannot see the divine, it cannot be experienced through the five senses, so to give it a symbol the same linga was used and thus we have the shiv lingam in this particular shape.
There should be a certain amount of sacredness to the lingam so the norms of pati vrata and monogamy were introduced in the religion so that people will respect it with some sacredness. The people who you see are promiscuous do not respect this aspect at all and that is why you have prostitution in the society.
Same person then asks why Shiva was the destroyer and how come Vishnu and Shiva are the same.
Shiva and Vishnu are so to speak two different avatars, but essentially they are the same.
There is no two. Shiva is shankara, which means peace and doing good to all.
Peace is also brought sometimes by destroying.
Someone else asked about how imp it is to eat, Maharaji doesn't eat anything other than ice and banana's?
Guruji goes on to explain that a true yogi is someone who can be balanced.
Not eating too much and not eating anything at all will make you loose your focus in your sadhana. Not eating will increase your Pitta and eating too much will increase your Tamas.
Similarly about sleep, enough sleep is necessary. There are people who don't sleep at all and there are some who sleep a lot. Both is not good.
A true swami is a person who has control over his tongue and mind.
If the mind gives everything what the tongue asks then there is no control.
You keep feeding yourself whatever your stomach asks you that means you have no control over your tongue and if you have no control on this then you should forget about having control over anything else.
He then told a story how he is fed so many times by different people and all will say that it is a small bite for him to take and he lands up having small bites of half a gulabjamun from 5 different people.
Once he knew he will be forced to have lunch so he skipped breakfast and he was hungry when for the lunch they served him only rice and dal as someone had said he likes plain food. The entourage with him was also very hungry and all they got was rice and dal in the plate. Then they asked what the others had eaten and out came all the veggies and other stuff.
There was another time when he already had dinner and was visiting someone in England; he was not hungry till he entered the house. By the time the food was brought from the kitchen to the hall where he was sitting he started feeling hungry.
So one should not do what maharaji is doing. We should do what he teaches and not try to imitate him. Similarly don't try and be like Krishna, bhari padega, krishna ne bataye hue raste pe chalo, usko banne ki koshish mat karo. Log bote hain dekho guruji ko, ek din main chowdah chowdah programs karte hain main bhi karunga. Yeh sab mat karo.

Yogi is a person who can walk the path between the two extremes.

Posted in: on at at 6:29 PM 0 comments  

Oh my lord, all the Icons are born in October.

It was Swami Brahmtej ji’s turn to celebrate his birthday with Sri Sri.

Satsang was in Amphi Theater. Cool breeze was blowing. Sweet Tamil and Hindi bhajans were being played. Moon was spreading its light all around the ashram. Celebration and peace could be felt at same time. Knowledge session in such a climate was giving deep relaxation to mind and energizing body.

Q. Guruji, Why sharad poornima is called “Moh Ratri” ?

Ans: Because it’s so beautiful everyone gets mohit (tempted).

Q. In all spiritual paths there are certain concepts which do not make us feel free forever?

Ans: When you get bound then only you feel freedom. So in order to feel freedom it’s great to realize freedom again and again.

Q. Guruji, What is Viparya?

Ans: When your mind thinks something wrong and than it bothers you, is called Viparya.

You would have felt sometime. You would think that your friend has thought something wrong about you and finally you discover that this fellow didn’t have time to even think about you. :) Here we can also understand Vikalpa. It means totally imaginary which can not exist. Like lotus in sky etc. Vikalpa is something that can not be real while Viparya is something, that you are sure, is there but actually not.

Q. Guruji Why all Dashavatar are male?

Ans: All the scriptures must be written by men. :-) But you see they have come out of nail of mother divine. This is called consciousness.

Q. Guruji, It is said that on the day of sharad poornima, Krishna took as many forms as number of gopis and danced with them. What is your plan?

Ans: You were already dancing. We would do meditation. Dance we have done.

Posted in: on Thursday, October 25, 2007 at at 10:21 PM 0 comments  

Today is the day when a wave remembered its ocean.
Today is birthday of a man of celebration, our lovely… cutie.. Rishi Nityapragyaji (Nitin Bhaiya). And I saw that joy in and around VM. Angels were waiting to see that. Guruji cut the cake gave it to Prasanna ji and Nitin Bhaiya.

We got to listen to some new interesting points.

Q. Guruji, You asked us to offer all the negativities into fire of yagya. I felt relaxed doing so, But after sometime problems appeared again. Is there any permanent way to get rid of it?
Ans: Ok, Tell me one thing. Do you get satisfied by eating once? Do you never want to sleep once you had enough of it? Your body needs cleaning time to time as it gets dirty. So what to say about mind, It would get dirty sooner.

Q. Guruji, What are good karmas and bad karmas. Does “Chitragupta” really exist, who takes care of our karma account?
Ans: You see the meaning of name “Chitragupta”. “Chitra” means “image” and “Gupta” means “secret”. So what ever you do, it leaves an image or impression in your mind somewhere hidden. But when you do “sadhana” then all images are vanished. An elephant’s footstep’s impression would cover all other animal’s footstep’s impression. Same way sadhana would cover all the impression.

Q. Jai Gurudev, Few days back you commented “What you see is only 0.003% of existence” Can you throw some more light on this?
Ans: There is one scientist “Michio Kaku” who wrote a book “Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos” You should read this as it says that there is dark energy in this entire creation which is not visible and governs the world. Like you can not see your thoughts but they are very powerful and make things happen. This enormous energy which you see in universe (sun, stars etc) is only 0.003% of what you can see.

Q. Guruji, Where is Hanumanji nowadays?
Ans: He has entered into your breath nowadays. Rama is self. Sita is mind. Ravana is ego. Laxman is alertness or consciousness. So with the help of Hanuman and Laxman (Breath and Consciousness) Rama (Self) would meet with Sita (mind) which Ravana (Ego) had taken away . And victory of Rama is sure. So everyday there is Dussera or Diwali.

Compiled by Satish

Posted in: on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at at 9:51 PM 0 comments  

Living in a city like Mumbai, battling the same chores daily, one gets very used to the monotony and the non-stop pace of life. In this never-ending pace, a small break to visit the ashram makes you at peace with your own self.

Today, I reached ashram. And after dinner, it was immediately satsang time. Yippee! A few more insights gained in daily life, as is the case when you listen to anything that Guruji says and I will go sleeping today with a few more bulbs glowing in my brain. Heres a sneak peek into some of the questions asked and some of the answers (This is purely my re-collection. As you all know, Guruji said much more, so forgive this shishya's flaws).

Q. People say 'Adhyaatma maarga Guru aagya kevalam'. Please elaborate.

Guruji: Before commenting, we need to know what is the source of any quotation.

So, I guess it was time for question no. 2.

Q. Sometimes, we feel very pained when we look at a beggar in the street. Is this corect?

Guruji: If you see someone hungry and you feel something in your heart, it is only a natural thing. It only means that you have humanity alive in you. If you do not feel anything, then your heart has become a stone.

But, you should at the same time know that if you start feeling very depressed about it, you have only increased the sadness in this word and contributed to nothing. If you feel sad, do seva. Help these poor, hungry people. Convert your sad feeling into compassion immediately. If you only feel sad and pained about it, it is of no use. Look at the doctor in the hospital. He is amidst patients all days. He cant say that since everyone is so unwell out here, even I should become unwell. Rather, a doctor or a nurse has to remain healthy among the patients and serve the unhealthy people. Similarly, you should not just be sad about this but you should make a difference by doing seva.

Again, at the same time, dont do seva by giving money to all beggars on the street. You might give a beggar a Re. 1 not realizing that he has enough money to give you a loan. People have converted begging into a profession. Dont let such people deceive you. If you see children begging in the streets, take them to a school and get them educated. We, and many other institutions too, are running schools for such children. India, today, has a lot of job opportunities and needs. There is a severe lack of household workers, drivers, plumbers, electricians etc. Today, the number of uneducated unemployed people in India is less than educated unemployed people. Perhaps, its time to look at our education system too, and make it far more application-based. Afterall, what is the use of you studying so much if your PC is not working properly and you cannot repair it on your own. [Everyone around seems to be smiling!]

Q. Today, people have lost the meaning of festivals. How can we revive it?

Guruji: Festivals will have some amount of rituals. You cannot talk about knowledge all the time. A person who has a high level of understanding can understand knowledge. But, festivals are meant to forget all differences at all levels. They are meant for everyone from kids to grown ups. Everyone needs to forget the differences and come together. That is true 'Utsav' or festival.

Yes, but sometimes, we forget the larger picture of things. Festivals have a bigger purpose than merely following rituals. They bring us together, and we should together celebrate with some silence, some music, some sadhana, some seva. We should not forget the bigger picture in following rituals.

Q. We have 1 day for MahaShivratri and 9 days for Navratri. Does that mean that it is easy to please Lord Shiva compared to pleasing Durga Ma?

Guruji[Smiling]: No, this is not the case. There are so many forms of Durga and the 9 days are for the 9 forms of Durga. Afterall, a man becomes a father in one day but the woman feeds and takes care of the child in her womb for 9 months before becoming a mother.

But, if you fast to please Durga Ma, and you eat fried potatoes and puri, it doesnt make sense. If you wish to fast, eat only fruits or vegetables and drink a lot of water. It helps in cleansing your body. And do not fast to please Durga Ma. A mother is always pleased with her children. All she needs is her children to be happy. So, fast to keep your body cleaner and healthier.

Q. Does working in an old age home help me to clean away my sins?

Guruji: Working in an old-age home, children's home all of this helps you clean away your sins. Rather, every second you have an opportunity out here to clean away your sins.

Q. Does destiny exist and has it got anything to do with karma?

Guruji: When things dont work out the way we wanted them to, we call it destiny. And if they work out as we wished, we call it free will. [Smiles again] Yes, ofcourse karma plays a role in all of this. Karma makes you take your decisions - right or wrong and thus, you get the fruits of your decisions based on this karma.

Last question!

Q. What does the spiritual self feed itself on?

Guruji: All the spiritual self needs to feed itself is sadhna, meditation, seva, music, love... That is all that is needed to feed your soul.

I hope after reading this, you too will go back to whatever you were doing with a few more bulbs glowing in your head. I am feeling blessed again!

- Shreyans

Posted in: on Thursday, October 11, 2007 at at 1:06 PM 1 comments  

He breaks the ice with his usual but very special "Hmmm... " chant, and which gives the same joy to AOL devotees that omkar would have given to our rishis.

He announces to talk in hindi today as for next few days he would talk in English or probably won't talk at all.

When guruji said to ask a questions one lady stood and ask “Guruji When are you coming to chhatisgarh?”

Gurudev “ Don’t ask these question? For this ask at counters?”


Q) What is the significance of "Shradh"*?

Ans) This very world has come out of world "shradhha". Remembering our parents or grand parents who are not in this world is called shradh. This tradition is there across the cultures and continents. In china they they burn currency notes thinking that their ancestors become happy and would return them ten times. At some other place they make cars and other things and burn it. But in India during the shradh we give away something, that was very dear to the passed away person.

We offer food, clothes etc. When we offer food or any thing to someone, he becomes happy and emits positive vibrations. These vibrations are transmitted to our fore fathers because though they are not there in body form but their consciousness remains here. But it happens only when you offer it to a person who is in need.

But when you offer something to a greedy person, he would still want some more and would not help. It’s not the food but that happiness is transmitted. At the same time we don’t give it for the sake of getting these vibrations. They just come on the way. We do it for own sake. When you start giving something, just know, that humanity started dawning into you.
You are the part of this creation.

Q) Do we have to bear our negative karmas of past lifetimes in this birth.

A) If has been doing something wrong for many years he has to bear a fruit of it.
Timeline may vary. But if you do your sadhana, seva, satsang regularly it would burn the seed of all karmas.

Guruji told two incidents that happened during his recent visit to “Kosovo”.
All cops were standing and suddenly a teacher came. Guruji asked “so how is courses going on?” . She innocently said “ No one comes for follow up. Those prisoners have run away after the course” ( Actually one wall of prison was broken or something had happened in prison and prisoners could escape.) How funny it was? In front of all cops.

After a big function guruji met with the health minister of Kosovo. He was very greatful for the work that AOL has done there in last 7 years. So he asked guruji whether he can do anything for him. Normally guruji would say nothing. But this time he said “ Ok, If we can get a place to do courses, kriya, pranayam?” So minister said “ He would work it out once he gets the project plan from AOL?” Then suddenly one teacher curiously jumped into conversation and innocently said “ Can we get that big hall in mental hospital for courses etc?” ( Everybody laughed) Guruji said can you imagine an announcement for course or satsang in mental hospital.

There was a big function organized where the cream of that place took part. It is said to be a biggest gathering in Kosovo. People from all walks of life had come there. Guruji was taking meditation and suddenly cops asked to vacate the hall as some terrorist group had given wrong information about the bomb. So guruji asked them to wait as meditation was going on. (Guruji laughed “ I knew there is no bomb in the hotel.” ) But since they have to perform their duty. Guruji made everyone open their eyes soon and then they evacuated the place.

Cops were stunned as first time they saw such a fearless crowd that was moving out without any hesitation and then talking and gossiping out there. They felt the calmness of those people gained from meditation. Then guruji told the significane of knowledge, satsang and asked us to do it regularly. Even if 2-3 members are their we should do satsang.

On one question he said that we have to take everyone together if they are following some different practices, don’t be against them but add meditation into their path.

You have right to be ignorant

A) Guruji, what’s the difference between luck and action. If everything depends on luck then why I am blamed for a mistake?

Q) Human being have been given intellect to take decision. You are free to take decisions. Animals don’t have this ability.

Cows are called as “saadhu”. They don’t harm anyone . Also they give us many things.

Now I don’t remember some points. Probably Ishan would update it with his inputs.

Jai Guru Dev,
Satish Kumar Suthar

Posted in: on Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at at 10:12 PM 0 comments  

... And after a long awaiting, He's back to the ashram, bringing big smiles on our face!
Well, ashram is in its full glory with 'lights' all around.. People from all over the globe are joining celebration here day after the day..
Its stunning to see, various faces with overflowing charm of serving and ecstasy of satsang.
And above all - HIS Presence!
Yesterday (8th OCT) he just came for satsang, asked about any programmes happening in the ashram and then we all had a brilliant presentation on 'Bharat Gyan' (Knowledge of India - rather Indian Heritage)..
Guruji did not speak then , he just bloomed the birth day buddies and dissolved behind the VM stage!
Thats it for yesterday..
We'll come up here again to update this space..

Joy with GuruDev!

Posted in: on at at 7:28 PM 0 comments  

I'll be going to Trivandrum for some time, related to the operations Sumeru started there.

So I'm going to miss Ashram for some time - Morning Sadhanas, Rocking Satsangs, Overflowing love of the nature here, my dearest friends in Sumeru Ashram office etc - and especially, Guruji himself when he is here.

When I told about this to Ajith some time back, he told me - "If you are in Ashram, then you'll miss the longing, because you have more access to Guruji. You can enjoy the longing if you are away".

Hope Ishan and Satish will keep you updated regarding the happenings here.

Jai Gurudev,
Anoop

Posted in: on Monday, September 17, 2007 at at 3:33 PM 1 comments  

Guruji was here for Satsang today - after two days. He was in Kerala for a couple of days.

Today was the last day of the TTC course. Everybody danced, overflowing with Gratitude and love, and Vishalakshi Mantap erupted with the waves of celebration.

The participants from Middle East were singing a song they specially composed – committed to bring this message of knowledge and love to all people way back in their home.

“We are the angels, we are with you”

Today the Satsang was very vibrant. Guruji hasn’t spoken anything – it was not required. Everybody experienced the connection with him. He is there for everyone, and everyone is there for him. With one heart and one soul, with out any difference.

I felt myself merging and melting into that joy and silence.


And Unni sung that very beautiful song –

“Vrindavanathile Sakhimare, Ningalende Kannane Kanduvo
Hey Nanda nandani Nitya sundara, Shyamala Komala Bala..”

Guruji garladed all TTC teachers including Bawa, Sangeetha Didi, Seigel Didi, Vinodji, Vikram, Dinesh, etc.

Sundarbhayya also got a 'special' garland for his 'astonishing' seva in Kitchen. You know how amazingly he is managing the Kitchen - catering to more than five thousand people three times a day.

More than 130 people were selected as teachers from the TTC batch - and around 100 people were selected as teachers from the Middle East TTC Course.

Posted in: on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at at 9:44 PM 0 comments  

Guruji : How are you all? Should we sing more or discuss? Discuss? See I got you pulse! (Laughter!!)

Question : There is a saying "trees that have its roots up and the branches underneath".. What does it mean?

Guruji : Trees that has roots in the sky and branches downwards.. is that your question? Yeh, that's an analogy you know, a simile. That is when things are all upside down in that realm. If the tree is growing upwards with its roots down and branches up that is natural. But if the branches are going downwards then it symbolizes adharma. Used like a simile. That means you have to set things right there. In life when things are topsy-turvy to have to keep things straight!! That's the message there.
(Simile: a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared, as in "she is like a rose.")

Question : Guruji, what is the meaning of the word Bhajan?

Guruji : In Sanskrit the word Vibhajan means separation. Therefore the word Bhajan means togetherness. When we all are together and have only one thought, and that is the thought of the Lord, it is Bhajan. We are together thinking about that Eshwara, then there is a lot of shakti in that. And what else do we do? We clap. Clapping brings you in the present moment. Tell me if you are very happy what do you do? You clap. Right? Someone is very happy how do they express? By clapping! All throughout the world.. . there is this practice.

Question : Guruji, many people come everyday and attend the Satsang. Most of them don't even know what there are coming here for? After sometime they don't come.. what could be done with this?

Guruji : Leave about others. Krishna says,...

There are crores of people who take birth and out of that only a few come to the path. And out of that few who pursue the path, only a few reach me, understand me. Thousands come and go don't think about them. You think about yourself. Again Krishna said, "......" Which means, even out of several Muni's are Siddhas, only a few reach me.

Question : Guruji what is Dasha-angula?

Guruji : Dasha angula means, we have pancha(five) Gyanindriyas and pancha Karmaindriyas. What are the gyanindriyas? They are the sight, the ears.. etc and the Karmaindriyas are the hands, legs, words.. like that. Ten dimension are there. And the one who has all the ten dimension is a Purusha.

Question : Guruji, I am feeling very empty right now. Feeling like nothing. Why?

Guruji : Do you have a smile on your face? Are you happy? That's good! Then that's how it should be!

Question : Often when I do seva, I think I have other responsibilities also. Which needs my equal attention. That's the time I feel extremely in secured. Guruji how do I get rid of my insecure feelings?

Guruji : You know, perhaps you are unaware of your capabilities. And you are unaware that nature loves you, supports you. Once you know that you have the ability, then you know your life is made. All your wishes, which are good for you, will get fulfilled. That's why you know, in India our National Flag has this saying, "Satyam eva Jayate" which means Truth will always triumph! Our every note, currency, it is there, "Truth will always triumph!"

Question : Guruji, tell something about positive and negative karma.

Guruji : Karma is in the Mind. Not in the soul. The soul is free from all Karma.

Question : Guruji what are the different dimensions of consciousness?

Guruji : There are four different dimensions of consciousness. They are
1. Awaking
2. Dreaming
3. Sleep and the fourth one is
4. Transcendental

Question : Guruji, how to fight circumstances?

Guruji : Why do you want to fight? Accept it.

Question : Guruji, why is it so difficult to get love from other but so easy to love them?

Guruji : Have you read this book called Celebrating silence? No? You must read that book huh. I have spoken about love there.

Question : Guruji, what is the difference between Knowledge and science?

Guruji : Knowledge is "Who am I?" and science is "What is this?"

Question : Guruji, after having done so much of sadhana also I get negative thoughts. This leads me to very awkward feelings. What do I do?

Guruji: You know, don't bother too much about the thoughts. I tell you it comes and goes. But if you see that you are still not able to handle them then... then you should run!! Just run for some few kilometers! And then you will feel so much out of breath that no thoughts can come to you. (Laughter!!) Or can you swim? Do you know to swim? Ok so swim... Swim for a few hrs and then you will see not a single thought is coming to you! Just do as I tell you. 5 kms of run. But do it in the daytime. At night if you run then police will follow you. (Laughter!!)

Question : Guruji I have seen you 13 years back once. And after a long gap I am seeing you now. Guruji am so shocked to see that age has not touched you. How have you kept yourself so young!??! Guruji, my next question is I am very restless. How do I handle this restlessness?

Guruji: Have you done the Sudarshan Kriya? No? You should do the Sudarshan kriya!

Same devotee who asked the above question: Guruji what else?

Guruji : What else? (Laughter!!) You are asking what else? (Laughter!!) Ok pranayama, Meditations. Are you in TTC? No? Then you should do the Teachers Training Course. It makes you so firm! Then nothing shakes you!! (Laughter!!) 15 days of grinding and grooming!! (Laughter!!) Its good! Very good!

Question : What is life force?

Guruji : How are you speaking? There is some life, that's how, right? Are you alive? Yes you are. If you are not living you cant speak, right? So that which is getting the drive in you to speak is the life force. When you in Satwa then your parana is high. You feel more energetic. But if you eat too much then it is not so high. And if you eat more than that then you know what happens to you!!

Question : Guruji, how to sharpen my memory?

Guruji : I'll tell you the answer by 15th July 2019. (Laughter!!) When will I tell you I said? Let me see if you remember.

Question : Why is your name not there in any book?

Guruji : You asked me this question yesterday also right? And I answered you...

Question : Guruji, at times I get very angry, How do I deal with it?

Guruji : You like perfection. Right? You are a perfectionist. If you leave a little space for imperfection then you will see things are different. Then you can have but anger will never have you!!

Question : Guruji, what should we do for the less fortunate people?

Guruji : You are fortunate, you have the eyes the ears, the legs, the hands the tongue in place and perfect! You should use in a proper way to do good to others.

Question : Guruji, I don't get sleep at night, Only get our thoughts of you at all the times.. What should I do?

Guruji : (laughter!!) That's all right no?!!?

Question : Guruji, what happens when we die?

Guruji : You know I want you to have some surprise when you die. (Laughter!!) If I tell you everything right now then you will not enjoy the scene after death! Then you will feel "Oh! I already knew it!!" (Laughter!!)

Question : Guruji, what is the difference between Atma and Paramatma?

Guruji : Atma came in the beginning and Paramatama is beyond that. The in between the Atma and Paramatma is the Mahatma. (Laughter!!) So catch hold of the Mahatma and see the atma to ultimately reach the Paramatma.

Question : What is the spirit?

Guruji : Spirit is the life force. That helps you to see, helps you to function.. Like the thoughts arrive. Its like electricity, it is there you cannot see it. But you can see the lights shining! The air condition working! The fans moving! But cannot see the electricity. Similarly the prana you cannot see. Do you see this?

Question : Guruji, how to realize the soul?

Guruji : Have you done the Sudarshan Kriya? Yes. Tell me how do you feel? Blank? That is it!

Question : Guruji, how can we prevent the mind going around the world?

Guruji : Have you done the advance course? The part II program? There are several meditations there to help you huh.

Question : Guruji, do you believe in rebirth?

Guruji : I don't believe it. I just know it!

Question : Guruji, I have gone through several experiences, which are not so good. Some of them I am not able to forget. What to do?

Guruji : By experience you become mature. Every pleasant or unpleasant experience makes you strong!

Question : Guruji, can you please talk about the levels of consciousness?

Guruji : The intellect forms the consciousness. It is a part of the conscious mind. The mind, memory and the ego is the part of the sub conscious mind. And mind is both conscious and sub conscious. When you are in the waking state the intellect is awake. But during the dreaming state it is not. But the mind is still there! Do you see what I am saying? Like in a dream you see you are in a train and you are sitting on a horse! Now that is not possible! Or you see you are sitting on Maheshwara and Maheshwara is in the Vasuki room!! It is not possible!!
What happens here? Your intellect is gone to sleep! Intellect is in the dormant state now. Only the memory and the mind is active! The subconscious mind, all is functioning. That's why it is said you are dwelling into an ocean of energy. They do regression process to get rid of the past impressions. Psychiatrists talk about the Conscious and sub conscious and the unconscious state.

We say Samadhi. That's why Samadi is so beautiful you slip in to the transcendental state and the ego is also not there at that state. In meditation memory is still awake. You become free from the clutches of memory if you practice Samadhi. During your meditation you will find some thoughts are connected and some are unconnected. They come and go. Some stay for a longer time than the other.

Posted in: on Friday, September 7, 2007 at at 4:56 PM 1 comments  

Today during Satsang, somebody wished "Happy Teachers Day" to Guruji

Here is what Guruji told, as we understood (not exact verbatim).

Everybody should play the role of a teacher, in some part of their life. As everybody is a son or a daughter, brother or a sister, everybody should play the role of a teacher also at some point.

A teacher (Guru) means unconditional love – he gives everything, and expects nothing in return. A good teacher is happy with the growth of the student.

A good teacher teaches with out even thinking about his position as a teacher. The joy is in becoming no body.

A lot of qualities will dawn on you as you grow on the path. Some times you will get some visions, you may get the ability to heal people – but then you should not get stuck into that. A good teacher will honor everybody, and will be very natural and simple.

Some times, people become teachers everywhere – they start teaching in home also, to their wife, children etc. This is not the way.

Once for a basic course, a gentleman came with his wife. When ever the teacher was mentioning a course point, like “accept people as they are”, he started repeating the same thing to his wife – “Look, this is what I tell to you – accept people as they are – now the teacher is also saying the same thing”

You should apply knowledge yourself, instead of advising others to apply knowledge.

Posted in: on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at at 10:08 PM 0 comments  

Giridhari Kamalanayana, Kumudavadana,Kamalanayana, Kumudavadana
Giridhari, Giridhari, Giridhari, Giridhari.

Satsang started in style to celebrate Janmashtami in the amphitheater, Guruji came to the decorated stage and started accepting all the flowers and Crowns ornamented with feathers of peacock- and odd enough – suddenly the skies started showering.

But today, he didn't raise another Govardhana to stop the showers. Just a glimpse towards the sky was enough.

Few people already started running towards Vishalakshi Mantap, thinking that the venue will be shifted – everybody got soaked a little bit in the shower - and a lot of chaos, confusion, laughter and fun prevailed for some time.

We continued to sit there, curious enough, to find that Guruji was not in a hurry at all.

HE stood up and glanced towards the skies – and probably that was enough to remind the God of the skies what happened long time back – the rain stopped and the crowd started cheering. If you were there, you knew – it was a very exceptional moment, because you can’t see him doing that every day.

---

“Today is the day of celebration. And you can’t be dry today” – he told with a mischievous smile – “You can go back and dance. We used to pour water, curd, milk and everything on each other during child hood right? Now even nature has joined the play. Today is the day of chaos and celebration”

During Rasaleela, Krishna took that many forms as Gopies, and danced with each one of them. Divine is very unique and personal.

Krishna told – ‘‘yo mam pasyati sarvatra sarvam ca mayi pasyati" - For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me. I'm with him always. He is the one with supreme intelligence.

Krishna is not a person, but the all encompassing consciousness.

All of you start reading Bhagvat Gita daily

Gita contains valuable spiritual knowledge, and Krishna has told everything – about three Gunas, Yoga, Spirituality, Pranayam, Food – everything.


--

Everybody danced and celebrated the Janmashtami, the birthday of Krishna.

Posted in: on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at at 9:44 PM 2 comments  

Today the Satsang was very eventful and colorful. The whole TTC participants went crazy today in Satsang (you know the reason if you’ve done TTC) – few people acted like Robots, few people tried to sell clothes and other stuff, and so on.

Here are the questions Guruji answered today, as we understood (Not exact verbatim).

Q – What is the difference between Selfishness, Self Love and Self Realization?

Ignorance and small mindedness brings selfishness. When you become little bit aware, it turns to self love. Self realization is, knowing that you are part of others, and others are part of you.

In Self Realization, there is no demand for love. Demand for love destroys love.

Love is not an act. It is your very nature. When you realize that you are love, you won’t get sick of love. For example, a Mother won’t say “Oh I’m sick of love”. A mother won’t get tired, loving her baby.

When you realize this, nothing can shake you.


Q – What is Enlightenment? How to recognize whether a person is enlightened or not?

Enlightenment is becoming a child again. When I was in Sweden, a journalist came and asked – “Guruji, are you really enlightened?”

I told “No”. When you say “Yes”, you have to bear the burden of proving it.

Then this gentleman again asked. “No, you are not telling the truth. Tell me the truth!”

(When you are near a master) If you are sensitive, something with in you can feel the difference.

Your eyes can only see the flower, but cannot taste it. Similarly, your tongue can only taste a fruit, it cannot see it. You cannot see a fruit by go and licking it.

Similarly, it is impossible for intellect to understand enlightenment. Only heart can realize it.

Then, Narayana Naryana swamy gave a wonderful discourse on Tripura Rahasya.

In the end, some body started singing a very beautiful song, and we all joined, with full of gratitude - looking in to HIS eyes.

Aap ki nazron ne samjha pyar ke kaabil mujhe
Dil ki ae dhadkan thaher jaa mil gayi manzil mujhe
Aap ki nazron ne samjha

Ji hamein manzoor hai aap ka yeh faisla
Keh rahi hai har nazar banda parvar shukriya
Hanske apni zindagi mein kar liya shaamil mujhe
Dil ki ae dhadkan thaher jaa mil gayi manzil mujhe
Aap ki nazron ne samjha


[Your eyes have understood me to be worthy of love
Stop, oh heartbeat I have found my destination
Your eyes have understood

Yes I agree to this decision of yours
Every glance is saying oh Lord thank you
With a smile you included me into your life
Stop, oh heartbeat I have found my destination
Your eyes have understood]

Jai Gurudev

Compiled by Satish, Anoop

Posted in: on Friday, August 31, 2007 at at 9:22 PM 0 comments  

Each expression of Guruji is total and complete.

Today he was overflowing with compassion as usual, but still, the authenticity in his tone was so clear that it spread a serene silence and attentiveness among the entire crowd, when he addressed the TTC participants. Even the doves in VM unusually kept themselves quiet for some time.

Here is what Guruji discussed today, as we understood (Not exact verbatim). He started with the question.

Are you all doing Padma Sadhana?

If you do Padma Sadhana, you’ll have access to your inner strength, and then your words will have power. Padma Sadhana makes you very strong. If all your buttons get pushed here, then your buttons won’t get pushed anywhere else.

Though we want to spread this knowledge everywhere, I don’t want to create teachers with out quality. You should have focus and interest in three things - Knowledge, Knowledge, and Knowledge.

Q – How can we bring peace in and around?

A- Let us see what all reasons are causing disturbance. When people are stressed and shaken, they get angry and depressed.

To bring peace and calmness,

• De stressing should happen – we have various tools for that, like Pranayams, Yoga, Sudarshana Kriya, Meditation, Being with Nature, Being with Animals. Nature does not create stress in you.
• Understanding yourself and others – Understanding yourself is spirituality, and understanding others is a little bit of psychology and commonsense
• Accommodate people – not everyone is same in this world.
  

If you are not well founded, you cannot be much useful. You cannot change the world.

When you shake hand with others for blaming some one, know that you are becoming not better than them. In Kannada, there is a saying, which states, “Somebody committed a sin, but the sin entered in to the mouth of some body else gossiping about the same”

There is a story of Mulla Nassiruddin. He met with an accident, and got bandages all over his body. Then one of his friends visited him, and asked him – “How you are doing?” – The question which generally people ask (Laughter). Mulla replied with the same automatic answer – “I’m alright”. He continued – “It only pains when I laugh”.

“Oh, can you laugh even at this condition?” Mulla’s friend asked with surprise.

“If I cannot laugh now, then I’ve never learnt to laugh”.

If a child is grown up with out getting scolded even once, he becomes so vulnerable – so that he can’t stand even a single criticism or argument.

You see what is happening in various places – people cannot stand even minor criticism, and they start spreading waves of negativity and violence. People go into streets, burning trucks and vehicles. This is utter foolishness, isn’t it?

About some one's question about making mistake, Guruji replied. If you keep making the same mistake again and again, it is not acceptable. One drop of lemon in a jar of milk is enough to spoil the whole milk. So you have to be careful.

Compiled by Satish, Ishan, Anoop. Jgd.

Posted in: on Thursday, August 30, 2007 at at 9:14 PM 4 comments  

Here are few questions and answers from today's Satsang, as we understood.

Q – Who is a true Sadhak (Seeker)? What are his characteristics?

The one who is having thirst (Pyaas) is a true Sadhak. There are two types of Sadhak. One who is weak, and the one who is strong. The weak, who wants to come out of his weakness is also a Sadhak. The one who doesn’t want to come out of his weakness and misery is not a Sadhak.

Q- What is the difference between a ‘Sadhu’ (Saint) and a Sadhak (Seeker)?

The one who is between Sadhak and Siddh is a Sadhu. The one who is calm and wise is called a Sadhu. Outer appearance doesn’t make one a Sadhu.

Q – What is the purpose of Life?

Give a pat on your back first. Very few people in this world even ask this question. You are in the right path. Continue with these practices, and you’ll get the revelations from time to time.

Start finding what not the purpose of life is. You are not here to be miserable and make others miserable. You are not here to worry on small little things.

Q – What is the difference between ‘Childlike’ and ‘Childish’?

Even if a person is 30-40 year old, and mind is still in ten years, that person is called Childish. One who has both wisdom and innocence is called Childlike.

Q – Why are you still a bachelor?

Because I refuse to grow up (Laughter)


Compiled by Satish, Ishan, Anoop

Posted in: on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at at 9:14 PM 0 comments  

Yesterday Guruji came to the stage with both the hands full of 'Rakhis' .. Still he moves round the stage, accepting the all forms of love from the devotees (rakhis, flowers, sweets, tensions and what not :) )

He's removing rakhis, one after other,and simultaneously pours knowledge , very gently ..

"Dekho, kitne sare bandhano mein hum ko bandh diya.. (look, i'm tied in so many bonds...)
Love ties you down, so these love ties"

Rakhsabandhan means -"I'm Here For You"

Now people celebrate Friendship day. Everyday there should be friendshipday.. Friendliness..
"Bandhano mein baandhana hai, aur phir bandhano se sulajhana bhi hai"

Like this , every nation should tie the rakhi of friendship to each other., Care for each other, protect each other.

Posted in: on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at at 11:03 PM 0 comments  

Somebody asked a Question - "Guruji, your grace has become such an important pillar in my life now . I'm so happy. But I'm worried, whether I'll be having this always or not ?? "

Guruji replied in his usual style - "You need to ask , whether the sun will rise tomorrow or not?" You ever worry that - Wow,this full moon is so beautiful, whether it will come again or not ... etc'

Like That . . (grace too) whatever is yours , will always remain yours - you dont need to worry about it.

Posted in: on at at 10:57 PM 0 comments  

Here is what Guruji discussed today, as I understood (not exact verbatim)

In Eastern school of thought, God is expected to take care of the evil, while in West, the individual is left to take care of the evil and fight it by himself. This is very interesting.

In India, God is seen in anything and everything, including trees, animals, people etc. Even the formless space is considered as divinity - Niraakar. The same divinity is seen in everything.

A child is first taught that his mother is God. Then he is taught that his Father is God. Then, Guru and Guest are also taught as God to him.

The whole world is seen as the manifestation of love or consciousness.

If a person asks the question - "Whether the divine is form or formless?", a saint will answer it with another question – “What is your form? Are you form or formless?”

In all religions, the innocence with in you is considered as the divinity. In India, God is also considered as a child, a friend, and a companion. Christianity also, this concept is there as Infant Jesus.

If you see, there is only one Buddha, but there are more than thirty schools of Buddhism. Similarly, in Christianity, there is only one Christ, but several schools of thoughts are there. In Islam also, various schools of thoughts exit. In Hinduism, you can’t even count the number of schools and sects.

Diversity is good and it adds beauty to the entire creation. If nature created only potato for you to eat, you’ll get tired of eating the same potato again and again.

But we should find the common thread of love and spirituality among all these various schools and religions, so that everybody will honor and love each other.

Posted in: on at at 9:18 PM 0 comments  

Today was Onam, a festival normally celebrated across Kerala. In Ashram too, we had onam celebrations, and during Satsang, people from Kerala performed various art forms.

Guruji told the story about Onam in Satsang.

Once upon a time, there was a king in Sounth India, named Mahabali. He was so generous, and he used to donate anything to anyone at anytime. He was known as 'Danveer' Mahabali. With time, he started taking pride in this quality. Often, when people aquire good qualities, they become arrogant and start taking pride in their qualities.

Lord Vishnu decided to teach Mahabali a lesson. He took the avatar of a dwarf, called Vamana, and came to Bali and asked for three foot of land. Though Bali's Guru warned him against satisfying the desire of Vaman, Bali decided to give Vamana what he asked for.

Soon, Vamana became very huge - and with the first footstep he measured the entire world, and with the second, he measured the entire sky. And he asked Bali, "Tell me where should I put my foot next?"

At that moment, Bali realized about his own ego. He realized that he is not the giver - and divine is giving through him, and he is just an instrument. Once he understood this truth, he bowed down to Vamana, and showed his head requesting the divine to take care of his givership and ego.

People celebrate Onam to remember this - that There is celebration only when there is no doership and ego.

Posted in: on Monday, August 27, 2007 at at 10:28 PM 0 comments  

Some questions and answers from the Satsang (Not exact verbatim)

Q- What should I ask you Guruji?

If I tell you, then it is my question, and not yours. (Laughter) The question should come from with in. Only then it'll be a genuine question.

Q-Guruji, Is "Everything is fair in love and war"?

I'm not going to comment on these English proverbs. It is fair if there is love in war and there is war in love. If there is love in a war, civilians are not affected by the war. Unfortunately, recent wars are not like this.

And in love, often you see people fighting each other.

Q-You said that there is free will. If there is free will, then why there is so much misery in life?

There are few things that you can't change. If it is a rainy season, you can't stop the rain. But you can prevent yourself from getting wet, by carrying an umbrella - It is your free will, to carry an umbrella or not.

Q-Mind always like to do easy jobs. What to do Guruji?

The definition of 'right' is the action that gains you short term misery, and long term joy. The definition of 'wrong' is the action that gains you short term joy, and long term misery.

Posted in: on at at 10:03 PM 0 comments  

In Ashram, when Guruji is here, each day unfolds with an untold tale. Today was no different.

Today morning there was Mahakriya, where almost eight thousand people did Kriya and meditation in the Yagyashala.

After Kriya, every body rushed to the dining hall for their lunch, and Sundar bhayya's wonderfull efforts proved too good once again - today the food was very good, and more importantly, the sincere efforts of a large group of volunteers made sure that every one is having a great lunch.

In the Satsang, Guruji addressed the whole crowd and answered some questions (mostly in Kannada). - "This is your second home" - He told everybody. "When you feel yourself down, just come to the Ashram, spend some time and go back so that you bring up your spirit"

Few people from Iraq, attending the large Arab course going on in Ashram, shared their experience.

One of them told - "We are sincerely thankfull to Guruji for the support he is giving us, to re establish peace and democracy in Iraq. We'll take this knowledge and techniques back to Iraq, to give it to the people there"

The satsang was followed by a short meditation. Contentment filled the whole space.

Posted in: on Sunday, August 26, 2007 at at 6:12 PM 0 comments  

Today during Sat sang, Vishalakshi Mantap was erupting literally and metaphorically – literally with the thousands amassed here for various courses like TTC and Advance course – and metaphorically with the vibrancy of love, joy and laughter.

Apart from this, tomorrow, around ten thousand people will come to the Ashram to take part in the Maha Sudarshan Kriya.

Here are few points Guruji discussed, as I can recollect.

About the importance of trees - In ancient India, we had various rituals – like, a person has to plant at least five trees in a year. New generations discarded a lot of such good rituals, considering them as superstitions, with out understanding the values behind them.

About the meaning of Bharat – Bharat also means brilliance. Earlier, the entire continent, from Iran to the tip of Indonesia, was called Bharat Varsh. Some places in Indonesia, like Kalimantan and Sumatra, are having Sanskrit names. The word meaning of Kalimantan is ‘where the place kali is churned’.

About today’s work culture – No body will make you work fourteen hours and all, if you don’t want to. People work for fourteen hours and all in call centers, because of Greed. It is essential to mix meditation and pranayams with your work, if you are working long, which help you to sustain your energy. A lot of companies are having M & M sessions today – Meditation & Meals session – where meditation provides food for your mind, and meals provide food for your body, so that you can be at ease through out your work time.

In reply to some one, Guruji also asked to read Yoga Vasishta and Thripura Rahasya

Guruji was rocking as everyday, few devotees bought a huge picture of HIM printed on glass. A person from Bihar shared his experience with transforming terrorists.

And, in the end, he danced in style with this tune..

tujhe dekh dekh sona..
tujhe dekh kar hain jagnamaine yeh zindagani
sang tere bitaani
tujhmein basi hain meri jaan haai

dhadak dhadak jiya..dhadak dhadak jiya..

and vanished :(

Posted in: on Saturday, August 25, 2007 at at 9:30 PM 2 comments  

"You are a happening in this ocean of consciousness. Your heart beats by itself; you're not making it beat. Your breath moves by itself, sleep comes, you feelhunger, you feel thirsty, you feel good, you feel bad.

All these phenomenon are happening in your life. Whenthis realization comes, a deep relaxation, a trust, afeeling of "at home" and fullness arises in you. That is surrender. "

Posted in: on at at 3:53 PM 0 comments  

Once again, a precious opportunity to do Maha Kriya with Gurudev tomorrow at Bangalore Ashram. It's happening after a period of 18 months (the last one was during the Silver Jubilee Celebrations - Feb'06).

Date :- 26th Aug'07 (Sunday)
Venue:- Bangalore Ashram (Amphitheater - Opp Vishalakshi Mantap) Time :- 11 AM

It is advisable to be there by 10 AM along with mat & water bottle. Make sure you inform all your AOL contacts.

Posted in: on at at 3:44 PM 0 comments  

Here is what Guruji told, as I recollected

In the presence of the sat guru; Knowledge flourishes (Gyana raksha); Sorrow diminishes (Dukha kshaya); Joy wells up without any reason (Sukha aavirbhava); Abundance dawns (Samriddhi); All talents manifest (Sarva samvardhan). Guru is just like a mirror, to show yourself your SELF. You can be at ease with Guru, because he won't judge you, because he already knows. Judging comes out of prejudices.

Posted in: on at at 12:20 PM 0 comments  

Today, Guruji talked about the difference between intention and desire. Here is how I understood the same (Not exact verbatim).

If you have an intention to goto Mysore from Bangalore, you get into the car, relax yourself, and drive calmly to your destination.

On the other side, what if you get into the car and say all the way 'I need to goto Mysore, I need to goto Mysore' - you may end up in mental hospital. A desire brings craving to you.

Once you have an intention, offer it to the nature to get it fullfilled, and drop the botheration regarding the same. It is a skill to transform your desire to an intention. Pay attention to your intention, and if your intention came out of true need, it will be fullfilled.

People often concentrate on lack of something, rather than abundance. Where ever you have attention, it'll grow. If you pay attention to your lack of something, it'll grow. So better be positive. This does not mean that you have to be self affirmative. Auto suggestions like "I am strong" or "I am happy" will not work, because when you repeat this, it'll kindle a doubt about the same in your inner being.

Hence, if you have an intention, pay attention to it, and offer it the nature - then drop it and wait for the time to get it manifested. Meditation will bring this skill to you.

You should be sincere with yourself to get your intentions get manifested into actions and objects. If you are so self centered and installed yourself in non-violence and truth, nature will take care of all your intentions.

Posted in: on Friday, August 24, 2007 at at 11:30 PM 3 comments  

The soft yellow light spreading to infinity through the lamp shades combined with the light green shades of the leaves to weave magic around us, as me and Ishan unusually decided to take a walk to the other side of the Ashram for almost no reason.

The nature stood so alive in front of us, with all its glory, just like an extension of our own body. I felt the liveliness in each moment.

The serene silence of the night was spreading through us, and we were listening to the sound of our own footsteps with great interest, with a child like innocence.

The impact of that silence was so profound that my mind was transcending itself, to take me back to a joyful, blissful realm which was so familiar to me – something that I mislay at times.

Solitude is best when celebrated with the Self! Perfect!

Posted in: on at at 11:30 PM 5 comments