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

The New Year Resolution

1) Adopt

 A slum, an orphanage, a railway station, etc

2) Health

 Consult the Naadi doctor once in 2 months and take the herbs prescribed.

3) Finances

 Earn wealth , don't be allergic to it. Use 2-5% of it as charity and good work.Spend the wealth in the right way at the right place.

4) Learn

 Cooking, musical instruments, dancing etc

5) Spend

 At least 1/53 week with your parents and loved ones.

6) Buy

 Clothes, gadgets for your parents, blankets for poor.

7) Travel

 Explore the world, go to new places. Plan for North India:)

8) Stretch

 Stretch with your body, do Surya namaskars, gym, swimming. Your hands first.

9) Fix your Big rocks

 Do an advance course, learn and practice your Sehaj, Spend one weekend with Guruji, be an instrument of grace.

10) Be available right now

  Spread Happiness , care and share, participate in all mini Yagyas.

11) Relax

 Plan for a spa, massage, smile more and be the reason for others smile.

12) Listen

 To knowledge, Narada Bhakti Sutra, Keno Upanishads, Chants.

13) Party

 Dance and enjoy in marriages. Party within too.

14) Grow

 Get a promotion, look for a change, SME of one area in your field. Start something on your own.

15) Run

 A marathon, Yogathon and challenge your body. Silence your mind.

16) BIG NO

Only 3 things Smoke, wine and Non veg including eggs:)

17) Attend

Satsangs, compose and sing. Repeat Happiness Program thrice.

18) Celebrate

The differences and appreciate the commonalities. Celebrate the breath, what you have received and blessings.

19) Meditate

 Date with Yourself daily without fail. Do Sudarshan Kriya.

20) Explore

 Yourself, your inner world, the purpose of my life, who am I?

21) Lead

A social event, camp , a drive, a cause, Volunteer for a Better India, Back to the Roots.

22) Plant

15 plants in the name of your family tree in 2015.

23) Solve

Problems, puzzles, the mystery of life, visit a village to solve their problems.

24) Write

Blogs , views and articles, Tweet, code, articles

25) Experience

Grace, Glow and what Guruji has to offer.

With each passing breath, we are approaching our death. Before we die, two basic questions will be asked.

1) How much love you have shared?

2) How much knowledge you have gained?

Keep Breathing!!! 

Vishnu