Project Hope "22nd March YES!+"

Ironically most often it is only asked from a participant after a YES!+ course,his/her experience and not to those organizing it.Though for a participant learning happens only 4-5 days when he was on the course but for a volunteer it starts from the day the course is announced.This time it was almost 50 days for us:)

Wow! What an experience....Guruji says life moves from one perfection to the other. Milk is perfect by itself, so is curd and so is butter. All is born out of the same Fullness. So here are some experiences of our journey from one level of fullness to another..

Akhil says

My faith and devotion has increased leaps and bounds and from once or twice a week :) to almost every moment, every day i feel grateful to be on this path...
After an intensive seva day, when i close my eyes and sit in silence with myself.Oh my God! :) i think there is no other better feeling.(& thats when i experienced a strong seva - sadhana connection) :) So many questions get answered when u are in that state...
Every evening on the course i had goose bumps and it felt so special and i thought, yes, we have certainly reached to a different level than before. I have certainly seen growth in myself and others and its such a strong and beautiful feeling.I don't think anything could have been more pleasurable 4 me than being a part of organizing this beautiful course and sitting on it and experiencing it throughout...wow! :)
Also, i want to bow down again :) to my YES!+ teachers: Virat bhya and Vasu di who are always there for us and responsible for our growth in so many ways... "agar aap na hote toh pata nahi kaun kya hota!" :)

Prashant says-

The formula of Smaller talks bigger courses clicked for me. Also how much ever hard work u put in, its going to pay off sooner or later. The most imp thing is doing my sadhana 2hrs daily it became much

easier for me doing any work.

Thanks vasu di for inculcating this habit in me.

Jhalak says-

After my DSN, it is for the first time that i learnt what is working in courage zone. The best part for me is i began giving college introtalks while organizing this course, I never imagined I had this potential. I learnt how to fix

up challenging situations specially with important people like was in case of Dalmia college.I also realized how serious this suicide issue is when i personally met a guy who had attempted killing himself 5 times , yes 5 times he actually told me what all he did each time.I felt sad but also blessed that yes i have a solution to offer the YES!+. I imagine everyone being happy like aol people and world would be such a beautiful place to live in.

Raghav says-

I really loved working for this course and really cherish the time spent on field with all the people in the team. Specially new volunteers and people from the last course they are simply fabulous,and are really inspiring. The most amazing thing i like about working for such courses is the experiential learning which happens and this course was full of that. I would share a few of them precisely.
* Bawa once shared if you are doing seva and you compromise on sadhna bitterness comes. I experienced that :). I was juggling between the job and seva and wen it came to sadhna, lot of times i said myself "i will do it later" (though i never skipped it :)). And because of this couple of times when things did not go right it lead to anger and bitterness. And when i corrected this towards the end, the result would matter less, i was much more relaxed and natural.
* Another thing i observed was how the love for people changes.Whenever i would see people doing amazing work i would feel wow that person is so nice and immediately when the same person screws up i would not feel the same for that same person. This was happening and after one of the meditation i happened to read guruji's knowledge sheet which said - Often we love ppl for their qualities and this kind of love keeps shifting but if we love them because of kinship, simply because they belong to us, then we truly are in love.

* Dinesh bhaiyya often says in advance courses "meditation is relaxing in the self" and you can do that when you are in love with the self.Now when ever we give priority to other things over sadhana that clearly shows that our love for those things is more than the self and obviously when we sit to meditate those things only will cover the mind like clouds. Mind goes only there, where our love lies :).
* I really enjoyed being there on all the sessions with bawa and dinesh on and off the course. I really find it difficult to put it into words how much i love listening to both of them. The experience is so wonderful just listening to them can lead us to meditation.

* How can i forget our musical drama :). love you virat bhaiyya you are superb :). Vibhu's part was mind blowing. Hitesh was the best pirate :) and the live music toh i don't have words :)
I look forward for our next venture "8 April YES!+" :)

One post cannot capture all the experiences so keep reading...for more.. more and MORE :)

VJ

My Father- My Hero

Its a very special day for me today as we celebrate the 61st Birthday of Papa. He is an integral part of me and I take this opportunity to share this beautiful day with all our dear readers.

Few qualities that come close to describing him are, Strength, Sincerity, Righteousness, Intelligence, Kindness, Generosity, Wisdom, Extremely loving, Caring and Spiritual.


He was the first to introduce the spirit of inquiry in me. As a teenager I often found myself discussing subject like purpose of life, human evolution, history, politics etc with him. For any answer that I needed I knew he would have it. His decisions were always right as they were a based on logic and reasoning.
He encouraged us to make our own decisions based on logic and his words conveyed “If something goes wrong I AM THERE” This gave me immense confidence and trust in myself while growing up.

I have two elder brothers and they often said ,He has a soft corner for you (as he supported me in many decisions even when my bro's thought I was wrong) and I never wished to correct them.
Today when I asked Shashank bhaiya (my elder brother) to send a message for him he said “He loves you more than us. Go ahead and put this” ☺


He is a self made man and most of our childhood he was busy supporting our family (It was a big joint family set up then). And he succeeded is giving all of us probably more than he ever enjoyed materially as a youngster. He provided us more than we could have ever imagined.

He says, to earn credibility takes a lifetime and to loose it only one wrong deed. His true wealth is, the respect and faith that he has earned for himself . I want to follow his footsteps and be as honest and truthful as him all my life.

One of his favorite philosophies is that I find very interesting, "at work one should play the role of Krishna, skillful and diplomatic, but at home one should be Rama , sacrificing and giving".


I feel jealous of his Grandchildren as they are getting so much more time and attention from him than we did at there age .
Ritvik and Prisha say “ He is the best grandfather in the world , Very intelligent and creative. We love him very much. I like to do craft activities with him.”
Shashwat says “Nanu you are the best”

To whatever I have learned today I contribute to my Hero, A person who has always lived by his values and never compromised righteousness over small term gains. Without the lessons you taught me Papa, Life would be meaningless. And if I ever have to be born again, I would want you as my father
Here is my first poem, I wrote when I was in my 8th standard, ofcourse! dedicated to him.

He is the only man in my life,
Who since my childhood has been on my side.

He caught my finger and taught me to walk and when I fell ,
I could see his heart cried.

I pray to God to make me like him,
Soft-Gentle-Patient-Wise

I want him to be my father again,
If ever I get a second life,

The mere thought of parting from him,
Brings tears in my eyes.


Ruchi Bhabhi says,
Never came across a gentleman like him. Has always thought others. Always gives the correct advice. He is the best dad.

Rishi says.
It is purely coincidental that I was asked this question from one of my customer that to name one thing that my father has taught me and I was not able to answer, as I told him that I cannot just say one thing that he has taught me because it has been an evolution of his teachings what I am. It is an art to teach contradictory things and finally imbibe intelligence of putting the contradictions of life together and make a purposeful human being if I am one for the family society and the country therefore my true feeling is that he is larger than life individual for me just like a Hero of movie who is capable of performing the impossible.
“ wish you a very happy birthday “
Proud to be your son



Happy Happy Birthday Papa
WE LOVE YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH….

(From left mummy,papa,Rishi bhaiya,Shreyas,Shashwat,Ritvik,Tanay,Aarti bhabhi,Ruchi bhabhi,Prisha)


Regards,
VJ

Art of Living- The ultimate Spiritual Service provider

The Invisible-visible Connection

Technology used- Sudarshan Kriya

Target customer base- The most confused mammals on planet earth who have been gifted with the ability to breathe in different patterns

Key Network strength- Dedicated satellites (Swamis and Rishis)

Basic plan -

Coverage area- International Roaming (upgradation possible)

Connectivity- Moderate (upgradation possible)

Rentals- Connectivity for a life time only @ Rs.2500.00

Free services-

1) Weekly free refills of long Sudarshan kriya for a life time

2) Top ups- Satsangs and Knowledge sheets

Terms and conditions

1) Daily recharge required - Kriya everyday

2) For stronger signals- Seva and Satsangs

Advanced plan-

Coverage area- Universal access (All Planets)

Connectivity- High (upgradation possible)

SMS- Instant intuitive connection with other instruments

Terms and conditions

1) Recharge- Twice a year for unlimited access

2) For 24*7 signals- 2 hours Sadhana, daily Seva,Weekly satsangs

For instrument upgradation

1) DSN- Increases Battery life

2) Patanjali Yoga Sutras- Makes instrument weather proof

3) Bhakti Sutra-Rings melodies of romance

4) Ashtavakra Geeta- Extra antenna

Rewards for patrons-

1) TTC-Transmission Tower channels

2) Free will-Access to the universal Browser (Source of thoughts)

3) Grace downloads 24*7

New Offer- For 1,00,008 new friends apply for a basic plan (18th march YES+ in Mumbai). Special discounts available.Conditions apply :)

In Service

VJ

Your ideas and comments will help in better services:)

WHEN HE IS AROUND YOU...

What an unpredictable day!!!!

It all started with usual proceedings

the Same route, Same office, Same colleagues, Same desktop, Same boss and the Same WORK….

That’s when I heard ,Delhi-Gurgaon is gearing up to welcome “The Master “ as he had plans to visit the Capital.

I also heard, a night before he inspired thousands of people in Bhubaneshwar(capital of Orissa) to create a violence free society as this region is badly hit by the anti social activities of Maoists.

He was reaching Delhi airport at 5 pm and It was already 3.00 Pm, when I found myself caught in a state of confusion, to go to receive him or not???

It was 3.10 pm & I gave it a second thought. By 3.17 pm I had already made the arrangements to leave the office early to meet HIM. My roomy (Ish) and myself, reached the airport just in time.

We decided to follow him on the bike.(More popularly in Art of living this is called Guru chasing)I had often heard interesting stories of Guru chasing but personally never got an opportunity to do so.

So here we were , following him….

I was admiring HIM more than HER…

HER over here means “The Epitome Of Luxury On Wheels – BMW” in which he was traveling. :)

With the Master waving at you at regular intervals of time, It felt like the most Fulfilling ride ever.

He had a conference to attend, directly after landing, at Nehru Museum which is near India Gate. It was WOSY’s(World Organisation Of Students and Youth) 25^th year and they had invited him as a speaker. Youth from all over the world had gathered to attend it. Guruji gave a brilliant talk on how every religion has similar principles and are parallel. He emphasized, youth must take active roles in politics and lead it with Spiritual values, so that the World is a better place to live in.

My learning of the day started when we left from the conference to reach the place where he was staying for the night. This event was an eye opener for me, though many of you might have experienced this before.

I was literally seeing the love people flow for Guruji, specially how explicitly they express it. I was observing how one can loose his complete awareness when he is around. Youth would just not leave him alone, including myself, :P.

There were other youth who were following him in their cars and they got out to meet him at every traffic signal, including the small halts due to traffic on the road. Because of this other cars lined up and honked and honked and honked and created Noise Pollution. Such craziness I had never seen before…:P

Soon we reached the destination where a mob was waiting to greet him. People surrounded him right from the exit of the car to the entry of the house. Even after he disappeared from the sight, the satvik hangover remained.
Devotees kept chatting amongst themselves and stayed there to have one more glimpse of the master. And their prayers were answered as he gave Darshan again. He also sent Prasad for those who were waiting outside for him (my mouth still waters when I remember the “Garam Garam Gajar Ka Halwa” that was served to us)

While all these events happened…I did observe him…He was just so very calm, as if nothing on this planet could bother him. And at the same time he was so very caring also.

In the physical presence of Guruji, I have learnt a lot today…

While people were meeting and greeting him in an Indian style, I was being constantly hit by the words of Dinesh Da and Bawa, which they said during the Winter Break 09. “It is never the PUSH, but the PULL that works with the Master. The Love of yours has the power to PULL HIM towards you. Therefore we need to be in control of ourselves and not misbehave when he arrives.”

Its been a little while that I am associated with the A.O.L. foundation and its my observation that whenever I have seen the photographs or heard stories of Guruji visiting the West & meeting all Devotees, the Devotees are really really Disciplined.

The words DISCIPLE and DISCIPLINE are synonymous. Disciple is the one who practices Discipline every moment. Being in discipline would surely ensure that our Master is not tortured, physically. Not only when the Master is around, but when practiced in all walks of life, he/she will be differentiated from the rest of the world.

The famous Pareto’s Principle of 80-20 applies here also. It is always 20% of the crowd who create 80% of the chaos.
My question to you is, during the chaos what should the rest of 80% do ?

As Rashmin puts it, IT IS the responsibility of 80% to bring back the peace and control to those 20%. Technically & practically, it is really very simple to do it.

Once we start coinciding these two words DISCIPLE and DISCIPLINE, then I think the whole experience of meeting Guruji would, altogether, be at a different level.

Don’t you think so….?

Jai GuruDev!!!

Missing You All…

Kuldeep

P.S- I am totally charged up to work for the mega project of “Meri Dilli, Meri Yamuna” which would include 100000 people (over here also, :P).

Q: How important is prana (life force energy)? One, of course, is it gives life. How does one improve one’s prana?

Guruji: Prana is present in everything. In fact, we are floating in air, in prana, an ocean of prana. When the unit of expression varies, it makes a difference. Stones have got one unit of prana. Water has got two units of prana. Fire has got three units of prana. Air has got four units of prana. Plants have got five units of prana. Animals have got six units of prana. Human beings are capable of holding from seven to 16 units of prana. The expression of prana is the whole universe. When prana is lower than one, that’s when you feel depressed. When prana goes further low then you feel suicidal. When prana is normal, you feel normal. When prana is higher, you feel enthusiastic. When prana is very high, you feel energetic and blissful. That is why when people are depressed, low just giving counseling doesn’t work, what needs to be done is to raise the level of prana. When prana is high there is joy, vibrancy, understanding. When prana is low, then the mind starts complaining, depression, lethargy, suicidal tendencies arise. All is play and display of prana.

Q: There are so many attractions and distractions but still youth are so bored?

Guruji: Youth are bored and it’s their fortune. If the

y were satisfied, then growth would have stopped. When they are bored, then the quest comes in them. They are not satisfied with the things available around. And this is the stage when they can take a step to look within, a leap in their inner journey, a step towards spirituality. And interest in higher growth gets kindled, when you are bored with things around. When you find the source of joy within, then obviously everything around is also reflecting the same source of joy, then you find interest in everything. Continuous bombardment of senses by stimuli can cause inertia. Inertia is boredom, is a form of boredom. Again, when prana level goes up, you move from inertia to enthusiasm.

Q: Why does the Divine answer and reward some while the prayers of others go unanswered?

Guruji: Well, I don’t know why some prayers get answered and some are not. I have no idea. Perhaps it is good for you. Perhaps you may change your mind about what you want. People go for shopping - this often happens at least in India - go for shopping and ask shopkeeper, ‘Can I come later and exchange it if I don’t like it?’

They go home and don’t like it and get it exchanged the next day. The most unreliable thing you have is your own mind because you don’t know what it likes and when it doesn’t like that. That is why bringing mind to its source is so important. Its centeredness is the most important thing in spiritual evolution. Understanding what is transient and what is permanent, what brings you permanent joy and what causes temporary convenience and long term misery, what causes temporary discomfort and permanent joy and what causes long term discomfort? That is what is called viveka, discrimination, wisdom – knowing this from that.

Guruji says"That is why when people are depressed, low just giving counseling doesn’t work, what needs to be done is to raise the level of prana. "

In our last YES+ course 22nd-25th Jan there was a 18 year old student who had contemplated suicide. From her face no one could ever say that what was going on inside her.After the Yes+ course she blossomed like a flower and was filled with energy and enthusiasm,all ready to share her happiness with the whole world.The techniques taught in the YES+ course helps in raising the prana level of a student,helping him over come his stresses and pains.

Kunal Mehta a Yes+ graduate shares his poem.

Before YES!+


अपने इरादों में उलझ जाता हु मैं
बहुत से रास्ते देख, डग मगा जाता हु मैं

चंचल मनं को संभाल नहीं पाता हु मैं
हवा के झोकों को तूफ़ान समझ, डर जाता हु मैं

वक़्त की कीमत भूल जाता हु मैं
उससे व्यर्थ कर पछताता हु मैं

सपने है मोती की तरह मेरे
उन्हें माला नहीं बना पाता हु मैं.


After YES!+


रास्ते की चट्टानों को तोड़ के दिखा,
मुश्किल के पहाड़ पर चढ़ कर दिखा

कदम उठा जहाँ मंजिल है तेरी,
अँधेरे में दिया बनकर तू दिखा

टेढ़े रास्ते दिखाने वाले बहुत मिलेंगे,
उन रास्तों पे सीधा चल कर तू दिखा!

Jai Gurudev! :)

The Five interesting Stages of Volunteering

The Five interesting Stages of Volunteering.

In the past 10 years of my life in the Art of living organization I have observed that the Life of an Art of living volunteer mostly goes through a few stages described below.

1st Stage is what I call as the ENTHUSIASM (or New born Baby ) stage- This person has just experienced Kriya and completed the course ,he feels elevated and High to go and share his experience with everyone. He feels like new born baby, ready to transform the world with his knowledge. His AOL teachers are like God for him and the volunteer’s are like angels. He wants to be like them.

2nd Stage is the LEARNING stage- He shortly realizes that there is more to learn than he thinks because his/hers enthusiasm is not being taken very enthusiastically by people of his world. So he becomes a perfect student. Ready to listen and do what his mentors want to teach.

3rd Stage is called the GRACE stage- This is the Best stage, when the volunteer experiences Guru’s Grace flow through him. He is in a constant state of wonder about how nice he feels while doing seva . When people actually listen to him with open ears ,and words which he has no clue of come out of his mouth. He feels on cloud nine when he sees a person he registered sitting on a course and thanks him for it.This feeling keeps growing as others start complimenting him and look up to him like a hero.

There are 2 kinds of people in the Art of living

1st are Those who have gone through the 3rd stage

2nd are Those who haven’t

For the 2nd kinds I have an advice, You are missing the most elevating experience of life. So quickly join the 1st category.

4th Stage is called the SVS (Senior Volunteer syndrome)stage- At this stage suddenly the “New Star” starts hallucinating. He in his own mind has imagined a position for himself and thinks himself superior now .He /she feels like a King or a lion/Lioness. You will generally hear such sentences from a SVS patient

‘ You know, when I give intro talks everyone listens”

or

“It’s a small talk ask a new volunteer to give it, I just give BIG talks”

or

”When I sing in satsangs people go so deep”

or

“In my last talk every single person registered, my talks are the best”

or

“You know, Bawa and Dinesh know me by my name”

or

“You know Guruji personally told me to sit on a TTC”

or

“For me a TTC is just a formality, I am ready to teach”

etc etc.

They have an air of authority around them and whenever they find a Bakra they grab their change to exhibit there seniority.

This stage can last Really Really long in one’s career in the Art of Living.

I think at this stage Master is having fun watching the show as he lets it continue for as long as he wants, until the 5th stage comes.

5th and the final stage is the Great Fall – One day you open your eyes to find that now you are in Ethiopia (A place where your existence means nothing more than a dust particle). No one knows you or your qualities here. And the harder you try the further you move from your goal of creating an identity in this place. This is the Great fall. Until you realize fully that you are only an instrument in the hands of the Master and he is the director of the whole show he keeps cooking you.

Our Master makes sure that we do not get stuck in any false identities and only aim for the highest and keeps giving us such experiences.

He is himself the epitome of humility and that’s for us to learn from. He even feels the thirst of a plant ,so very sensitive he is. His message of love is moving this world and as his messengers the 1st and foremost for us is to learn to be humble , polite , sensitive and loving to all.

If we have these qualities and none other, we are eligible to represent him but if the above are missing I think we missed the boat.

I shared the above with the volunteers in our weekly satsang .Both Siddharth and Virat suggested that I share with you. Hope you like it. Please comment☺

Vasudha.

Bad Antogast (31st Dec'09-1st Jan'10)

As promised some snapshots exclusively from SJ's(Sids) personal album just for you, straight from the German Ashram.

Even nature seemed to be celebrating the divine's presence

German Ashram -A home away from home.

The coolest Hero on the planet:)

Dont miss the cap.Super cool is'nt he?

And the celebrations continue....

A very Happy New Year to all our readers:)

In service

VJ