A Decade of Grace !! 3rd Feb,2007 to 3rd Feb,2017 !! Tribute to Ramnik Bansal

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Love and Gratitude,

Vishnu

3 Feb, 2017

Tapan Vaidya as I know Him: Part 3/3

Today is a very very special day as it’s the birthday of my dearest Tapan bhaiya. An epitome of love in action, my local Guruji, a one stop Wikipedia to all my questions and solutions and more than a mentor. How much I miss Him, that only I know. Here is an attempt to relive some moments.

The last Journey 

One brilliant milestone in my life is I was lucky to witness Tapan bhaiya transition to the other world and seek His blessings. It was a call from within that I have to run to Hyderabad. Post his transition to the other world, I was supposed to be very strong and take care of the family, unfortunately, I broke down myself many times. In Rudram it is said that” prANAnAM granthirasi rudro mA vishAntakaH”. Crying is one way I experienced which takes away some temporary misery from the nadis. And I did it 100% as learnt from him.

 

Where is the Goal?

Here is an expression of what I have learnt from Tapan Bhaiya over the years, in the form of a poem.

 Vishnu:

Vast like the deep Sky,

The path is very long, far and wide. 

Every moment I am getting old,

Pause for 'now' and wondering, "Where is the Goal?"

Tapan:

The Goal is in every moment,

Balancing intelligence soaked in innocence.

Like the sun and the moon,

You being on the path, is not less than boon.

 

You are on a conveyer trend,

Running fast here, my dear Vishnu, does not make sense. 

This moment, Is "Infinite",

Guruji, He is awakening our inner light. 

 

Peace is our innate nature,

Cannot be changed, like our signature.

My dear, my dear,

One thing be very clear.

Guruji,

You are the goal,

And it is

Where I am.

The Real Wealth

Push or pull, life is an Utsav. And I have celebrated every moment being with him.

 

Utsav@Hyderabad

And the Laughter continues

 

Recently met Riddhi Bhabhi and took her for a lunch date, we had really an awesome time ,discussing how funny , interesting and indispensable  I was in their life. And she really shared some intimate experiences with me about Tapan Bhaiya.

Riddhi Bhabhi and Vishnu

 The Awaiting moments

 

When Gurudev blessed me as an AOL teacher on May 5^th,2011, the first call I made was to Tapan Bhaiya. More than me, he was on the top of the world. Now and then I had been asking Tapan Bhaiya, when should I be a full time teacher. He always used to tell me,” Ask Guruji”.

 

And recently I asked gave my application to Guruji, He asked me looking in to my eyes,” What is that which I want to do in my life?”, I responded with a grateful choked throat,” My intense wish is to travel and organize programs and work for Sridhenu project too, which You have already blessed.” He in His divine ways scanned my past, present and future, patted me and gave me a clear cut green. Go ahead, my blessings with you. Speak to Divya(NTC). Later He asked me reading whats happening in my mind, "You want a selfie ,come" and Guruji Himself clicked this.

 

A selfie clicked by my Gurudev,post His Blessings.

 

This was the most awaiting moments in my life and I wish I could have called Tapan Bhaiya to inform the same. I know, He would have been laughing from the heaven and sending me his love and blessings. I had been awaiting this moment and today, May 30^th on His 39th birthday I have written the world’s cutest resignation letter to my boss, a small tribute to him on his birthday.

 

 

I will be transitioning to North East soon and I am very sure that he will keep guiding me to be in Gurudev grace. A new world is awaiting.  I will be working closely with Swami Purnachaitanyaji.Thank you all for your love and blessings.

The World Culture Festival::Part 1

Here is an attempt to capture the unprecedented World Culture Festival 2016 which is now in the golden books. It all started with Guruji’s thought of bringing people together for a private function of whole world. The mere feeling to be there was an excitement and experience in itself.

I would like to share couple of my personal experiences and observations in this blog.

 

Delhi Chalo

I recollect my history books where the slogan was always for Dharna and pull down others. Guruji’s message Delhi chalo was “ Dil se Delhi chalo” .The whole world was congregating to celebrate the world culture festival,2016. 

 

Yamuna was, is and will be.

In Indian history, there was a serpent Kaliya who had polluted Yamuna with his poison. Krishna has to do a cultural festival on its 7 hoods. In modern context, Yamuna cannot be polluted anymore. This cultural festival stage spread in 7 acres was a dance of awareness to make all of us wake up and take responsibility. Rejuvenating Rivers is like reliving the life. I am getting goose bumps to digest this thought of Guruji picking up this location. The only take away home is that, Can we leave Yamunaji in a better shape for our coming generations?

 

 

The Rain and the Rainbow.

 

8500 artist were eager to perform and I believe even the angels wanted to bookmark their presence. Wind, Rains, hailstorm, sun and the rainbow. We felt that Gods were witnessing the biggest possible Yagya on the planet earth.

 

Bring down the Heaven

 

 

 

Only a lit light can lit others. It feels that the entire heaven came down to celebrate Sri Sri message of Love, Peace and service.

 

The power of Sankalpa Shakti

 

 

The power of Sankalpa leads to the manifestation of the good despite all odds. The WCF event and meditation has definitely lead us to a much needed awareness and belongingness to create border less nations. We can have Pakistan Jindabad and Jay Hind together as a win-win situation.

 

Being a volunteer is being available despite all odds.

 

 

Day 3 of WCF, while driving towards the venue and we realized that Kunwarji was not well. Dr Rachnaji suggested that he should take a Paracetamol. I asked one of the volunteers who was guiding the massive crowd where to get the medicine. He happily opened his bag and offered one to me, I was astonished, how come he is carrying the medicines. He told that he also had been suffering from fever last 2-3 days as he got wet in rains, despite that his commitment to do service really touched us. And like him, our entire AOL family was serving everyone with an undying smile.

 

Whats next?

This is my food for thought. I will share some more insights in Part2.

 

Tapan Vaidya: As I know him: Part 1

He has dropped his body, but he has influenced our minds to work for Guruji’s vision. I can feel him guiding me just closing my eyes and thinking what bhaiya will do if he was at my place. This is the synopsis of some intimate moments with my dearest Tapan bhaiya. Last 8 years, I have  spent minimum few moments with him either through phone, chat, in person or just remembering his presence, every day, without fail.

 

Tapan Vaidya @Mumbai

 

The Mind blowing answer: Bhaiya had got a major surgery at Breach candy. I was lucky to take him for a walk. I asked, how do you feel Bhaiya, ”He said, this life time I am doing Guruji’s work, other life I will continue doing the same. Riddhi Bhabhi later added, the doctor was amused looking at Tapan’s smile, he asked him what do you do and Tapan bhaiya gave him a talk about AOL while in Operation theatre and told me that he is going to do the program.

 

Most proud moment: I was proud to introduce him. It was a paid talk. When Tapan Vaidya graced at Microsoft for a Lifestyle talk to all my colleagues. That talk changed their perspective about Vishnu and suddenly they started appreciating me.

 

Grateful moments: There are lakhs, but the one , when I called Bhaiya just becoming AOL teacher, I can sense, he and Bhabhi were exponentially happy and proud for me. I was super-duper fortunate to have him on the last day of my first and second YES+ program.

 

My first Yes!+ program

 

Most funny moment: My email id srivishnuji@gmail.com. My earlier email id was vishnu4u1986@gmail.com which talks about my DOB and belongingness. While I was submitting my TTC application, I thought I will be doing Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s work, so add somewhere Sri in my new email id, I was fantasizing, I checked vishnuji, srivishnu which were already occupied, then I looked for srivishnuji and Aho, I got it. In 10 minutes, Bhaiya calls and addresses me SriVishnuJi, I have received your application. “Tu to abhi teacher bhi nahi bana aur ye Sri, Ji business started”. We had a great laugh.

 

When I met first:  Hyderabad, Madhapur petrol pump, 9^th Jan ,2008, 3:30 pm Bhaiya was taking a course at Tarun’s college. I was his travelling volunteer as we had to start at 3:30 pm. He first time took me to Basil( a veg affair). He gave me all the freedom, the way I was. Told me if you want, you can drink the lemon water(served at end).

The famous litchi malai

 

What he gifted me:  Riddhi Bhabhi. I was little insecure that we don’t get much time with bhaiya post his marriage, Infact Poornima shit scared me. Riddhi Bhabhi was other way round, she is our darling. I had been lucky to teach around 10-12 programs with her.

Rab ne bana di jodi

 

The Yoga Master of Hyderabad: Tapan bhaiya has always created leaders. He saw the spark in me to connect with youths and every program, by default I was his choice for warm-ups. I remember, we go until 54 surya namaskars some times in a duration of 30 minutes.

 

Yoga sessions

No of scolds I got: 3-4, my other peers have got in plenty and they can write a book on it.

 

Most intimate moment: Recently massaging his feet in ashram and chanting GuruPooja in my mind. Next day we had an exclusive appointment with Gurudeva. Guruji spent 10 minutes with us.

 

Best travel place: Maharashtra , we were chasing Guruji, we stayed in the same hotel where Guruji stayed. I remember, he had a great laugh, when I ran behind Gurudev with my brush and tongue cleaner. While returning, he drove all of us back as the driver was sleepy. We were amazed at his control of senses.

 

Best food: I used to cook Khichdi for Bhaiya and he used to cook dosa for me(when Bhabhi was not there). 

Khichdi

 

The 38 mantra: His all 38 size kurtas were actually mine.

 

My favorite time pass: Nice massage to Tapan bhaiya.

 

What I really missed: His marriage in Baroda.

 

Most grateful moment: He called me 2 am in morning for uncle’s hospital admission. I was there in hospital for 2 days. I was extremely lucky that he choose me.

 

Most humble moment: When I shared him that I am going for Gurupooja, He said, Awesome, you come back and bless us.

GuruPooja

 

 
 

Part 2 will have the mug story, the Trayambakam cycle, the Ashtavakra Gita, The Apollo mystery, being a senior volunteer, being with Vishnu’s Vaishnavi and many more.

 

 

 

 

The Goal is Where I am

Vast like the deep Sky,
The path is very long, far and wide.

Every moment I am getting old,
Pause for 'now' and wondering, "Where is the Goal?"

The Goal is in every moment,
Balancing intelligence soaked in innocence.

Like the sun and the moon,
I being on the path, is not less than boon.

I am on a conveyer trend,
Running fast here,my dear, does not make sense.

This moment, Is "Infinite",
Guruji, You are awakening my inner light.

Peace is my innate nature,
Cannot be changed, like my signature.

My dear, my dear,
One thing I am very clear.

Guruji,
You are the goal,
And it is
Where I am.

Inspired by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,
Gurukul, HSR , Bangalore

I am moving ahead!!!!!

I am ancient like the sun,

My wavering mind has stopped to run.

 

I am new like the moment

Past and future are no more opponent.

 

I expand like the space.

Making myself in absolute rest.

 

This “be-ing” is better than the possible best.

The bird is awaiting to fly soon from the nest.

 

I am here, you are near.

I am on a date with you my Dear.

 

Deep like the ocean and  empty like the sky.

Coolness of the moon,

Your Being here is not less than a  boon.

 

Your presence ,I am experiencing peace,

Connected in spirit and with absolute ease.

 

What else I want? What else I want?

There is light awakening the dawn.

 

Guruji!! Who are you?

Pulsating experience or the timeless wisdom.

 

In the ocean of gratitude,

You make me experience the truth.

 

I am Love, Joy and Peace,

With a little or more tinge of mischief.

 

A poem or a poet,

In your unfathomable love,

 

I am moving ahead.

I am moving ahead.

Thoughts of a thought

 

Thoughts of past, thoughts of future,

Thoughts of memories and thoughts of desires.

 

Where do I come from and where do I go?

I have been flowing like a massive river flow.

 

No tollgate, no checking filters,

I keep rushing without any tickets.

 

Running on thoughts express-way,

My mind had lost the way.

 

A ray of hope, a prayer so rare.

Guruji, You have delighted my soul

with abundance of love and care.

 

Holding on the permanent , letting go the temporary.

Your magical voice expands my inner space

and one more ultimate moment of abundant grace.

 

The moments of eternity, the moments of wait.

Takes the mind on its own real date.

 

A beautiful experience came in silence,

Being “thoughtless”

Is not less than a brilliant thought.

 

Inspired by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

 

 

Is Life a Linear equation?

One of the question I keep on pondering is "How much life do you have in your living?". Is this special life just for the living or how much life one has in one's life. Another perspective to look at it is "Are we just a human being looking for spiritual experience or are we spiritual beings having human experiences.

Those who seem to drive anything with intellect, here is a simple linear equation for Life."(Lx)

                            Lx = Sx + C
                                               where Sx is some special constructs or spiritual aspects &
                                              C is core common constructs
                                              or basic needs( रोटी कपड़ा और मकान).

Any spiritual aspects Sx tends for an inner call of being more responsible. Relatively one who take more responsibility, their needs are obviously less and that's the basic formula for Happiness. All our spiritual aspects are inherited to be useful to others.

It is said that in order to meditate or serve , one need to have Grace(G) or the G factor. So can we say that

             Sx =f(G)

Like we have air, but we need to feel it through fan, similar we already have grace, but a Guru makes us experience the waves of grace assuming the connectivity from our end.

So life is absolutely a grace factor with a confirmed return ticket. The sooner or later we are going to drop this temporary body. Before we drop, just two questions will be asked.

#1 How much knowledge I have gained?
#2 How much love I have shared?

I believe, its also a good idea to solve some complex problems of  the cows, prisoners, villages, farmers, " Who am I? " and the society rather than just solving the linear ubiquitous problems of our life. What do you say?

Love
Jai Gurudeva!!!