Tapan Vaidya as I know Him: Part 2

Today is the final ritual day for Tapan Bhaiya and I am not there physically to celebrate as a course is going on in Bangalore, but I have no regrets as if I had to ask Bhaiya, Should I come Hyderabad for the rituals?, He would have definitely told “No, Continue teaching the course”. I started my day with GuruPooja and paid my gratitude to my dearest Tapan Bhaiya who has left me grateful. In scriptures, it is said that if you don’t have a mentor, you are treated as an orphan and I feel the same today. Being with Tapan Bhaiya is a blessings and I am not missing him as I know He will continue guiding and inspiring me from the other world. Tapan Bhaiya has seen his success through my eyes.

 

The Ashtavakra Gita: Long back we started the Ashtavakra Gita, every morning with group sadhana followed by knowledge and discussion. My home was around 20Kms away and it was nearly impossible to get an auto so early morning. First day I managed somehow and then I started staying in my office whole night, which has a home drop facility. I used to get up, catch the cab, go to the group sadhana and come back home and then again to office. There were two basic reason to do this Tapas for 33 days. One, listening to Gurudeva and second without fail, meet and be with Tapan Bhaiya. Honestly, either I used to meditate or sleep in Guruji’s melodious voice. It was Tapan bhaiya who used to share the knowledge with us in such a simple and profound language. Listening to him, I used to fill that contentment that I have not missed anything. I still remember he used to carry his previous notes of Ashtavakra Gita and many times he used to drop me back home despite he also had  office to catch.

 

The Special Guru Pooja at his Home: Late night, Riddhi Bhabhi called me and asked, Panditji, how are you placed tomm morning for GuruPooja, I said anytime. Immediately got a call from Tapan bhaiya,” Vishnu Can you please come home for Pooja tomm, actually Riddhi has conceived(Vaishnavi)”. I was on top of world. My joy knew no bounds that I was one of the first few lucky ones to get this superb news. We had a series of celebrations at his home.



The Vaidyas

 

The Senior Volunteer: Mostly I used to take care of finances for course and file the CRF.I had given a cheque from my account and in my mind, I had presumed that the CRF is logically concluded. Couple of months back, we realized that the CRF is still pending and while tracking I realized that that some money mess happened. Money has gone from my account in my knowledge and still it’s not closed. I shared this with Tapan Bhaiya and he took all pain to go through my account statement and made me realize that the money is still with me, though I was not yet convinced. Then he told, “Sewa is selfless , with all your tan, man and dhan. I am  okay if you loose money but I am not Ok if you loose your mind.” I was now in complete acceptance with my mistake and then he shared, “Welcome Vishnu, You are now a senior volunteer”. And then I had to throw a party again as I became a senior volunteer.

 

The wish to go to Teachers Training course: One fine evening while bhaiya was driving, Bhaiya was normally asking about my work, plans etc., I humbly asked Bhaiya, Should I go for my TTC? And he said “Yes. I had been waiting to hear that from you.” I looked in his eyes and can see the tremendous Love for me. It is an  intimate moment and experience.

 

The Mug Story: One of my treasures of my life is a Plastic mug embedded with wishes from The Tapan Bhaiya CLAN. This was my last day and farewell party. I was literally sad. Tapan Bhaiya knew that and he made so many tantrums for me and others to make such a lovely environment. He was in his wittiness at his possible best .He shared that Vishnu has always came to me for smallest to smallest thing and biggest to biggest thing in his life.I was in deep gratitude.



The farewell party

 

The Food at my home and a great lesson: I had requested Bhaiya to come for lunch as I was cooking for the first time. He said Yes and later he called me and politely asked can I get Sanil too. Both of them came and I literally was Proud to cook for Bhaiya. The food also came out great. Bhaiya and Sanil praised me a lot that “I” cook great. And what was running in my mind” Bingo!!Vishnu is a great cook, Vishnu is a great cook, see Tapan Bhaiya praised me”. So I pinged Bhaiya couple of times to send a mail to all Yes!+ gang  that how was his experience of eating Vishnu’s food. He knew that I was looking for praise. He in sometime did that nicely and then I got a call. Bang, there was a bash from him. He made me aware that we are not here for praise and feedback. Our purpose is bigger. We are on a mission to serve people. Don’t look for respect, people naturally will respect you. It was a great lesson. If I look at this incident now, I am amazed how skillfully Bhaiya has communicated and made me grow on the path.

 

The Gift: Long Back,All my kids had planned a surprise anniversary bash for me as I completed 2 years of conducting programs. They gave me a nice Ganesha. I was extremely grateful to receive this but I asked them to give it to Tapan Bhaiya as he is the one who made me a teacher. I was amazed by the humbleness of Tapan Bhaiya that he readily accepted.

 



The gift back to the source

 

 

The massage: My favorite hobby was being with Tapan Bhaiya and give him a nice massage. It was a great way to relax him as I have seen him doing wonders, day in and day out, without a break. And I remember once, he did a nice massage to me too. I could not ask for more. Now  I realized that he offered all these opportunities just to make me happy and nothing else.

 

Part 3 will be the last article of being with Tapan Bhaiya and it will have some precious moments of being with Him. It will have the Last Journey, The awaiting moments, The Real wealth and the Ultimate goal.

 

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

 

 

The Expression of Love Letters

The Love letters

A glance in my Eyes,
Expands my heart Far and Wide.
You communicate Something,
And I keep Wondering.

Pure Intentions Bound to Pull You here.
And my Small Mind, immediately Disappear.

Letters I Offer,
And You Collect.
My Entire Consciousness,
Filled with Your Grace.

Love at first Sight,
This unfathomable Joy gets an Ignite.
At a sudden a heavenly Stroke,
Brings myself, an Inner Light.

A galore, not just Papers,
The music of the heart documented in Letters.
Your Holiness, with all respect.
I offer and You Collect.

Whoopee!!!
The postman is absolutely free,
 

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!!!