The journey is amazingly exotic and full of celebration.It has started. And Yes today,I am celebrating the century of GuruPooja's performed throughout the world.I have been LUCKY and super Fortunate enough to do so. As Gurujee says,"Why do we celebrate birthdays? It is to remember and rejoice.The ocean becomes a wave,And when the wave remembers-'I am the ocean,' the wave remembers it's original nature and rejoices that infinity.
What is Pooja?
Pooja = Poo+ Jaa ” means Poornata (fulfillment) and Jaa means Jayanti ,The act which is done out of fulfillment to please the divine. Guru Pooja is a very special Pooja.I learned it from Bhanu maa.
The journey started with the blessings of Bhanumaa. On the last day of GuruPooja course,all of us were in a rush to take her blessings.I was standing lost with a grateful throat and eyes pouring rains and suddenly to my surprise in a huge crowd,She looked in my eyes and said "You perform Pooja very well..ummm".I was on the top of the world.
Become like Kids
It is all about becoming kids of the divine.Innocent as well as Intelligent. GuruPooja is a prayer( In sanskrit). Guruje says"Prayer is not asking for something,Prayer is gratefulness; a recognition of the huge tidal waves of Love that God is pouring on you every moment."
The Process of Pooja
We offer from our heart to the divine,the following samagree. Everything has a scientific meaning but it is done out of devotion and innocence .
1) Water ..It always flows down,makes u down to earth and humble.
2) Vastram/Cloth..Makes u feel very safe and secure
3) Chandanam..Makes u alert and calm.
4) Rice..Symbol of completeness and abundance
5) Flowers..It always remind us "a Big Smile" and also expansion of consciousness
6) Incense sticks..To spread positive fragrance in the environment
7) Diya/dipam ..To remove darkness (of ignorance)
8) Fruits..Completeness and vividness
9) Tambulam.. Clarity of communication
10) SriPhalam/Coconut..Let my existence be useful to serve the Divine
11) Karpuram..To perform arti,like the sun and moon does for us.
GuruPooja was a great excuse for YES!+ meetings/planning.Eventually I went to Rajahmundry with Venkatesh and he gave me some valuable tips(what not to do).We had 6 Poojas in a short span of 15 hours.Its was simply incredible.Then we started a Group Sadhana practices and everyone of us willingly started arranging Pooja samagree.This helped us to connect better to each other.The reason were simple,Home inauguration,promotions,birthdays or nothing.We became more innovative and I started online Poojas also.
Later on I decided to travel & work,I went to Vishakhapatnam… performing Gurupooja was a simple but profound tool to connect with new people. It helped me in organizing the first YES!+ course at Vijag.
I went to Bhubneshwar to meet Guruje.It so happened that Guruje was supposed to inaugurate Samwad Bhawan and people were waiting for Him.I sat just besides His couch and suddenly someone told me to move on.I pretended that I don’t know Oddiya and closed my eyes and started chanting Pooja in my mind.The moment I opened my eyes,I saw Guruje looking in my eyes and blessing me.I had met with an accident in Vijaz.Later on He gave me a rose and said”Be happy”. I realized that the pain had flipped in to pleasure.
I went to Bhubneshwar to meet Guruje.It so happened that Guruje was supposed to inaugurate Samwad Bhawan and people were waiting for Him.I sat just besides His couch and suddenly someone told me to move on.I pretended that I don’t know Oddiya and closed my eyes and started chanting Pooja in my mind.The moment I opened my eyes,I saw Guruje looking in my eyes and blessing me.I had met with an accident in Vijaz.Later on He gave me a rose and said”Be happy”. I realized that the pain had flipped in to pleasure.
I went to Kolkatta and everyday I used to perform Pooja at devotees home. Many of them had blissful experiences, they had a deep meditation, someone felt His Physical presence, many of them cried with gratitude. One Sasu maa had arranged Pooja at her home and her Bahu after Pooja told me that”I had heard many people telling me to go and meet Gurujee.I wanted Him to come to my Home and meet me.And today He came,I am so grateful,don’t know how it works”. I knew the magic:).
My friend Dharamveer Invited me to Asansol for the Art of Living Center 1st anniversary and I was supposed to do Pooja.300 people witnessed that. I continued travelling. One night I had to travel from Ara to Kanpur.the train got delayed and it was supposed to come at 2:45 am. I had Put my Pooja kit,passport,watch,phone,purse etc in one bag and clothes in the other.I met a small boy(18) who I believed that was helping me.He was running away from home and wanted to go to Punjab for some job.With my repeated denial,he continued to run away.The train came and this boy at last moment decided to come with me till Delhi.I said OK.The train started and I slept like a dead body.45 minutes later,I just got up and looked at my bag.It was not there.I went at the gate,the train was slowing down and that good boy was carrying/looting it.I was not angry but was shocked.I took the bag from the boy and put it at my seat.Later on,I went to confront him,He had already jumped from the moving train.
I don’t know who wake me up. Somebody was taking care of me. It was the connection that was working fantastically. I was in deep gratitude. The lesson was make friends with strangers but don’t sleep like a dead body(careless).
I was in Delhi and one guy(MF Hussain disciple) invited me to do Pooja at his home. We all started and suddenly a voice came..Where is my purse?The mom said “check with your wife”..I started and there was a Tom and Jerry fight in the Home between the spouse.I continued doing Pooja,when I finished,the fight also ended.It was like a test for me for my focus.Later on,surprisingly both couples accepted each other and thanked me for doing a wonderful Pooja.
I went to Rishikesh and whenever I wanted to meet Guruje,I used to chant Pooja in mind and believe me it works(100%).This worked at Hartford and Boise too.
Then I went to Seattle and Boise.I was invited to perform Pooja.I got an exposure to taste an Indian-Chinese dinner hosted by Pavel and Yuana, Russian dinner hosted by George and Eman,Mansi and Satyajit for a desi food and Nijesh and Nandana for superb delicious South Indian authentic food. The Platinum Jubliee of Gurupooja was celebrated at Abhijit and Anwesha’s home.
I came back India and there was a Pooja planned at Neha home.She had worked so hard an invited 50+ people.1 am in flight the airhostess comes to me. Mr.Prakash,We are sorry,Your luggage cannot be transported,you will get your luggage after 24 hours. I said"Thik hai".I was wondering how I will do Pooja at Neha's home.I was helping a beautiful Afgani lady(whom I fall In Love for some time) carrying her baby and looking for her luggage.I jumped with enthusiasm when I saw one of my luggage which had my Pooja Kit at the conveyor belt.It was like a wonderful wow for me that how come suddenly one luggage popped up at New delhi airport. The Pooja at Neha's place create an atmosphere to celebrate Guruji' birthday.
Later on. Dr Seema Bawa invited me to Patiala to do Pooja before the AOL workshop.I realized that it was the same hall where I learned my YES!+.Eventually,both of us were invited at Rajanvir’s home in Mohali for lunch.Rajanvir is my close friend and he cracked IAS.He was super excited in showing/expressing the newspaper articles where people came to interview him asking tips., I got a thought, How do One feel when u get an article in the newspaper. I never thought about it after wards.
My massi felt so good when I did Pooja at her home.She had an amazing experience of dropping the past and let go.My first gramin Gurpooja was in a beautiful place called Jabrela,Lucknow.I had to eat Karela as Prasad.Eventually I ate as it was full of Love and devotion.
Later on my parents had planned a GuruPooja at Anpara(Sonebhadra).Nextday, I got a call that go and see the newspaper. Here is an article.. which tells how Guruje makes things happen. This is not a big thing but surely a hidden miracle...Karyakram ka utghatan bataur bangalore se aaye Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji ke Yuva Shishya .. .. Ahhhhaahh !!! My parents were so glad…I knew the magic.
I met one lady Subodh , and later on she felt that Guruje has sent me to listen and resolve to her complaints against HIM.
One thing I realized that I knew the magic.Many a times,I had small materialistic desire in my mind which used to got fulfilled by people’s gift like(Kishore Kumar DVDs, Rudraksha braclet,or shawl or the food).People generally give some cash to me,which eventually I donate for Gift a Smile. Guruje says "The more you beg,the more you crave for something,the further away it goes.And the moment you drop it and just repose in the Self,You'll find all those things come,manifold".
The best one was on GuruPoornima,doing GuruPooja with Gurudeva.It was a life time opportunity.Cannot explain it.
Recently,I was reading the Book Stumbling into Infinity by Michael Fischman ,The President of US Art of Living.He has documented some of his experience of GuruPooja which exactly maps mine.The ancient chantings are so powerful that one experiences absolute bliss and gratefulness.
I thank everyone who have participated/organised Gurupooja’s. It has 6 pillars. It brings blessings, wisdom, courage, strength, gratefulness and grace/blessings. I will encourage everyone to experience this.
I have written long back some lines in praise of my Master.Here u go.
I have experience presence which is unfathomable.............
I have experienced a moment called now....
I have experienced space which is infinite.........
I have experienced time which is eternal.........
I have experienced myself....
Gurujee,
With You,I have learned an expression called smile....
With You,I have filled my heart full of love....
With You,I have a dedicated connection ...my devotion...
From You,I have taken blessing .... krupa...
Aho!!! I have experienced You....
I have experienced infinite love , eternal devotion, unfathomable krupa , smiling every moment and a Guru which is my own self...
--
Vishnu
All my Love
Jai Gurudeva
