Every time I go to the ashram, the receptionist hands over a form for me to fill, and every time I happily answer a particular question from the form, "Who is your teacher?” "Sri Ramnik Bansal", I write, in a flourishing hand. This brings a smile on my face as everytime I write his name, it brings to my mind the benevolent face of my first Art of Living course teacher and his immense love for me. Today it
has been a decade since my initiation and I count myself as among the most fortunate ones, since Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar sent me His most vibrant angel to guide me to Him; in this life.
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| The Art of Living International Center, Bangaluru, completing check-in formalities. |
Dear all, meet my first Art of Living course teacher, Sri Ramnik Bansal. I did my YES!+ (Youth Empowerment Seminar) a decade back. During the program he advised me that it will be great if I practiced the techniques I had learned in the program for the next 40 days. I promised him that I would. Those 40
days have turned into a decade and those practices have become an intrinsic part of my
existence. I feel a sense of pride that so far I have never
ever missed my practices. Ramnik bhaiya inspired in me a deep commitment
towards my spiritual practices. He became Gurudev's instrument who whispered the wisdom of infinity in my ears.
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| The three stooges doing the three stage Pranayama. |
Ramnik bhaiya is a happy soul, a dynamic yet contented package. With a graduate degree from IIT Bombay, MBA from IIM Bangalore, and ancient Vedic wisdom from Sri Sri Himself, he started travelling and
conducting the Art of Living programs across the world since a very young age. I am indeed fortunate to have met him.
I never
knew Gurudev personally, but I was just in love with Him just the same. After my first Art of Living program the longing to
meet Him became intense and kept growing every living moment. Ramnik bhaiya with his usual adeptness arranged for me to do an advance program and meet
Gurudev in Hrishikesh. Our team had travelled from Patiala to Hrishikesh, that too during my exams and there I met Gurudev for the first time in this life.
My first encounter with Him was magical. I caught my first glimpse of Gurudev while He was walking towards the Ganges. I distinctly remember that my heart was doing somersaults and I could hear it galloping with excitement. His presence was magnetic and I was pulled towards Him. He looked at me with His unforgettable mesmerizing smile and asked me, “How are you?” I replied, “Good”. He went on and said, “Good Good Good, Finally, you have come".
Later, I asked Gurudev for a kiss. He immediately complied and wiped His beard on
my cheeks, and in His own special style took me for a tour of Divine Love.
It has been ten years now, I have
been on Gurudev’s rollercoaster of Happiness and on each ride I am spreading Happiness in this world.
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| An unforgettable walk with Gurudev in Hrishikesh. |
These past years, I have not had the opportunity to meet Ramnik bhaiya frequently, but occasionally, especially during Navratri, our paths cross at the Ashram and we have a great time together with the gang. Whenever we meet, he simply inquires about my life and health and gives me a nice tight hug. He inspires humbleness and gratefulness in me whenever he gracefully accepts whatever small gift I give him as a token
of my love.
No one can beat his sense of humor. I once asked him,"How do
you eat?" (What I meant to ask was; who cooks for you) He sheepishly replied, "With my hands and mouth”.
He has conducted hundreds of Art of Living courses and has trained thousands of students like me, but what amazes me the most is that he sends me messages and wishes on every important occasion - my birthday, new year, festivals - he does not miss them - Ever!
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| My 6.5 years in the Art of Living, during Navratri. |
My mentor Mr. Tapan Vaidya always tell me, "Ramnik is one
of the most intelligent people on this planet." Tapan bhaiya is all praises for him.
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| With my dearest Tapan Vaidya |
Ramnik bhaiya's pet adage, "Do 1 advance program with 100% awareness
rather than doing 10 advance programs with 99% awareness." leaves me in a state of meditative wonder. Such a deep thought in such few words! Rarely do we come across someone who is a person of such few yet profound words.
Recently, Gurudev said, "Vishnu Prakash is doing awesome work in the North East." On hearing this Ramnik bhaiya's heart expanded in gratitude. Whatever I achieve is actually his success. He made me into the instrument that I am today, capable of doing what I am doing. I have yet to learn so much from him, - his organizational
skills, one pointed focus on the Master, dispassion, - to name a
few.
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| Recently during the TRM, we posed specially for this blog post. |
Paulomi Mukherjee aka Paumaa, is another angel sent to me by Gurudev. She instilled the attributes of Love, Service and Gratitude towards the Master in me. She had a phenomenal impact in my life. I will write more about her and share some inspirational and charming stories about her and her role in my life on one of my upcoming posts.
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| With Bibi Paulampreet Kaur in our TRM-2017 |
These 10 years have been a perfect 10/10 on the scale of Grace of Gurudev. Without Him, this life would not have carried any meaning. I feel so proud that I was born in a time when I have a living Master with me, someone who can
do anything to make everyone happy. He has given my life a mission - to spread Happiness. It feels that I grow younger with time in His Divine Grace.
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| In His Grace and I pray that I continue to Be. |
Gurudev
I pray to You today,
Do give me strength...
to serve as Your finest instrument!
