Goa, goans and I

I’d left very silently, but I’m glad to be home with a bang. And as always, there’s a beautiful episode to share.. 
It was a Huge event and the first Huge event I’d been part of. I was not much of a travel person. I love home, mom and my comfort zone here… Somehow, Goa was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life so far.
Though we all know Goa just for the sands,seas, pheni, gambling, holidaying and relatives of these, there’s a beautiful aspect that I knew I saw only this time. Putting together 500 teenagers was an aim that every single teacher had in mind and action.
The challenges to these were really amazing… there was Ganesh puja, where the entire Goa celebrates for a week. All shops are shut, no colleges are open. People are all at home … with their dear Ganapathi bappa… inviting goodness… sharing sweets and time with loved ones.
Secondly, there is of course the age old teenage problem, … Exams. And honestly, every degree college had exams. It was a chosen bad timing. 
In spite of it all, when I saw 546 enthusiasts doing kriya on the course, it shook something in me. I wondered if Goa was just a bunch of relaxed people meant to enjoy life or if we may have been totally wrong in assuming so.
I have never seen such an integrated effort of young minds until now. The team of 25 core volunteers left me flabbergasted. There was an undying energy in each one. Now that I’m home, I realize that it was a super duper rock band we had.
Sawani always inspired me with her energy, akshata with her sincerity, archa with gentleness, girish with his care, krupa with her renewed strength, yogesh with his calmness, mandar with his happiness, nandu with his humour, nikita with her dedication, niraj with quietness, pallavi with her charm, suruchi with her love, pankaj with his simplicity, Prasad hedge with his words, durgesh bhaiya with his innocence, preetam with his honesty, purva with her softness, prasadji with his commitment, santoshji with his swamihood, supriya with her patience, swapnil with his talent,arpit with his openness, vishwanath with his balance, mohit with his helpfulness, Swatiji with her grace, Aru with her genuineness, Vaibhav with presence, Ishan with his responsiveness, vaidehi with her sweetness and Yuvraj with untainted love.
Shaila tai tended and cared for us like we were her own. Shraddha tai, Dr & Mrs Hegde,so many teachers, elders, volunteers for the advance course, I’d not met these people many times, but there was not an instance when we didn’t feel the onness.
Hetal di was inspiring for how she works, Sukeerti was inspiring for her persistence, arjun for his dignity and vaidehi for her tenderness.
I also learnt so much about the religious harmony that exists in Goa. Like, ganesh puja is also celebrated by muslims, eid by hindus, many have full names that have one Christian first name and the second hindu name or vice versa as their full name. It was just such a beauty.
I thought that maybe people were too casual in a holiday spot but I’m certain that that’s not the case with all. From many participants I learnt of their yearning for responsibilities that could change and mould the poverty, kids who wanted to take time and work in slums, kids who wanted to stop drugs, kids who wanted to take a stand against alcohol, kids who wanted to bring many more smiles, much more happiness in many more homes….
I remember Bawa having said in his course that every young mind is looking for spirituality. This was the learning I experienced. Somehow, it brought out a strength…… as for now it only makes me extremely grateful.
Jai Gurudev

The Coastal Bliss…. Mangaluru Course

Though I studied in Manipal, I had certainly forgotten a lot about the coastal belt. It was a reminder to me that the memory, unless is very aware does not record the reaction of every sense too…
So when I landed in Mangalore for a course in Yenopaya College, it was sticky, hot, humid and yet extremely beautiful…. 
Tashika ( Dr. Tashika, MD, Oral Medicine) was the first face I met. The energy this lean, beautiful and v. intelligent seva warrior has was the first thing I began to be infected with. It is amazing how she had worked out a schedule that easily balanced her home and seva. And since she was the staff at Yenopaya Dental College, she had worked every inch of herself, single handedly to make this Yes!+ happen. And the results were definitely showing loud and clear!
We began the course on 3rd May. We had 18 doctors, all of different colours, heights, intellects and yet all very special in their own way.
Innocence, energy, willingness to learn, dedication and such a cute little bundle of joy is the descrption of Mumin. He would sit in the front row and bombard us with questions all the time.
Manvi was this sincere, straight, caring, responsible and very eager to make things happen person.
From that course on,whenever I feel low I am going to think of two people-Maria, Binsia and Ameena. Maria is such a fighter with amazing high spirits, humble, lovely as ever and so enthusiastic. And Binsia- Never say never attitude, such amazing courage, care and an undying smile. Ameena has such an amazing flexibility, conviction, strength and a total willingness to do all that is needed to do good.
It was easy to see that even in a group of nearly similar ages, some of us in a very unspoken way include many in their circle of family. Aleena is one such person.I have seen so much love, belongingness, care, concern and leadership.
Heena is the epitome of simplicity, sensitivity with sensibility, softness and strength backed by understanding. It was lovely to see a beautiful blend of maturity and lightness coming from one person.
We also had a Prince cutness- not by looks but by the innocence, with us. Jijo is an honest, such a joyful and yet v balanced little chap. Very solemnly even after the course, he promised us to continue with being vegetarian. 
Nasleena is one of those with a smile to cherish, energy and enthusiasm to learn from and an openness that easily invites all.
The really silent ones in the course were Nimitha and Noor. Nimitha-a dynamite of positive energy( was saw that on the last day of the course ;) ),it was a wonder to see such silence and yet so much focus .
Noor Fathima is a very pleasant, pleasing, simple girl. It is inspiring to see her working hard at discovering all that she can do with utmost sincerity.
Being Post Graduates Pallavi and Tim, were so easy to mingle with. Pallavi is dedicated with a Capital D, a student whose eagerness would easily make any teacher stretch his or her limits.
Tim is a very patient, honest, ready to learn, grow person.
The real baby of the entire class was little Sabna. Soft, child like, ever smiling,very simple girl who very mischievously enjoyed the workshop with all of us.
Raghav is an amazing person to co-teach with. He has been a guide, friend and a student to me through those days.
Chetan as a volunteer was also a treat for me. I enjoyed pulling his leg as much as I am in awe of his hardwork during the entire course. Santu would travel from far away just be there for those few hours and ensure she give her best.

Obeida mam was also wonderful person I came across. The diversity of her knowledge and simplicity of her existence was a learning experience.

Again and again, it is so beautiful to see how much knowledge connects us all.
Different people from different places of different religions and different ages, yet, bonding together.
What can be more meaningful than this? :)

OH!...TO BE CRUSHED!:)

These days its not the ‘L’ word making the rounds. Oh no, people are more careful in using the ‘L’ word. The popular word these days starts with ‘C’..and its called the “CRUSH”!

Crush is synonymous to infatuation, the other long word usually used by adults to make the crush word sound more mature. Dictionary defines infatuation/crush as: ‘a foolish, unreasoning or extravagant passion or attraction, usually short lived. Going by this definition you would feel that probably you’re the only “foolish” person to make this “mistake”. But truth be told each and every person has had or are having their share of crushes and enjoy the mistake while it lasts!

The crush is not only short lived it also happens fast. A pretty face , a smile, a kind gesture , or sometimes even a stupid antic by that person can instantly give u an anxiety attack! Your heart beats faster, your palms feel sweaty, your pupils dilate and are alert to wherever he moves and you feel your stomach squeeze. But instead of preparing for the flight and fight reaction you’re rooted to the spot just smiling goofily at him whether he sees you or not. You become unaware that people are looking at you like you're a specimen. And if by any chance your goofy smile is returned by your object of interest your mind starts daydreaming instantly. You transfer from your office, school or home to the Alps in Switzerland dancing to the latest romantic song. And while you’re daydreaming in the real world you bump into people but smile, people make mistakes that should get you angry but you smile, your work doesn’t go the way it should but you still smile and if someone screams at you, you just aggravate their anger more by keeping that smile plastered to your face! Oh, how irritating you becomes for others!

Soon he becomes your life’s goal. You’re googling his name, checking his facebook accounts, trying out if u match on the love calculators and yes of course plucking the petals of those poor flowers to know if he loves you. U dress up prettily, go for that waxing or eyebrow shaping you’ve been avoiding all these days, and your world is all happy and gay. Wow what a lovely feeling it is to be crushed! And yes, I have to mention that it doesn’t matter if you’re single, engaged or married. The crush when meant to happen, happens no doubt.

Of course the crush doesn’t stay forever. Again it can be anything which makes you lose interest. Your life goes back to the “nothing much, life’s boring” phase, u wear your aunty type dresses again and become a yeti listening to sad songs. Pretty soon u look at your crush with new eyes, all his flaws glaring back at you and you typically laugh to yourself and think: “how could I be so foolish enough to make a mistake of liking him!”

But the point is you were happy. And mistakes never make a person happy. They make a person guilty. And being happy isn’t being foolish. There are people climbing mountains in search of happiness. Happiness is supposed to be the worlds best kept secret. And happiness is in now. Even if it is a crush which brings it on!

So next time u get crushed, think of it as the best blessing bestowed on you and live it 100 percent. Think of it as a golden opportunity not a foolish mistake. Ignore the world go moony eyed. Get goofy, stay happy!:)



By: Heena Mohiddin.

People Called Friendz….

My first friend was my mom. Not that I called or understood her in any role at that time… but yes! She taught me to play with my dolls. She drank with me at the tea parties and she became my daughter when I was barely 2 n Half years old..

Then in Kindergarden, my cousin was a friend, because I had no other option. We were growing up together and were familiar with each other. And as they say, a known devil is better than an unknown devil. Also, I had a very fine knack of bullying him without his knowledge. J

My 1^st standard, I was in Muscat. The definition of friendship was changing. I was uncomfortable in my school uniform. I had to sit in a classroom and that to next to a boy …. Yuk! And this boy- Benson, would steal my chocolates from my tiffin box. He had this unique skill of eating my tiffin box before I could get to it. Almost everyday, I would go home empty stomach, angry and with a resolve that I will convince my parents to complain to the principal and have that THIEF throw out of school J. Yet, he was my only friend for that year.

2^nd std we had moved to Bangalore for a year. It was a mess. I actually missed Benson. This school was too noisy. The kids were to loud and shouting all the time. I got chicken pox. Then I found my chicken pox friend- Rajesh, who stayed near my house. We used to exchange notes and study and his mom always gave me nice juice. After I recoverd, He was a boy… SO Payal became my best friend. We were so close that we made sure that even if one of us didn’t have lies we planted it into each other. That was a truly divine friendship.

3^rd standard,we moved back to Muscat. My parents were unable to tolerate the umpteen number of shampooing . I wanted to pass so that I could sit next to a girl. But what happens when we expect?????

We get the opposite!!!

Terry was a extremely jovial, humerous boy who taught me how we ought to prank with people and why it is cardinal to keep distracting the class all the time with the pranks. I certainly didn’t need any friends when I was having so much fun with Terry!

4^th-5^th std, Radha Pillai was a good girl. I thought she was a little too serious for my tastes. Still we both were learning to dance and that was a good enough reason why she had to be my friend.

6^th std I went into a boarding school. I thought it would be exciting. It was in the beginning, and later it was very strict. I wrote to my parents saying that I was in a prison. Next day my warden called me and blasted me for writing all that. It was time to find a friend again!!!

Ashwini was a super senior. We loved cricket, we were in the same dining table and we loved mischief. So I enjoyed with her till I got to 10^th std and she finished all the education our school could offer. L

Thankfully, by then I had my roommates- Anita and Shilpa. We would study, hide all the smuggled tucks and hide each others slippers during study hour .. that was too much fun.

Then, I had to grow up more. P.U in Bangalore, and for the first time in a Women’s college. Deciding that maybe it is about Girl Power all along, we were a gang of 9- Kavita, Kaushal, Zainab, Bibi, Mariam, Priya,Sowmya and Vaishnavi. We were all of different sizes, backgrounds and languages. And we really loved each other a lot…. So we would bunk together and get blasted together.

Dental was relatively serious. My first year Shiney, Mary, Deepti and Gowri were really knit to me. Having transferred to R.V I made a new set of friends. Kavita was with me again. But there was also Ashwini, Dubey, Vijay, Nazia, Amogh, Afifa , Shruti and practically my whole class…

After that there were friends from work. Imran , Pankaja… and so many many many wonderful people I’ve known in Aol.

It is beautiful feeling to have people in our lives all along. And it is amazing how we are connected to one another at a time we really needed someone. It is beautiful to have friends… and thank God for this Gift called Friendship!

An article By a Dear Student - Dr Heena

THE TOM AND JERRY LESSON By Dr Heena

The other day, a facebook status update of a friend of mine caught my eye. it said: “ some relationships are like TOM AND JERRY, they tease each other, knock down each other, irritate each other, hate each other BUT cant live without each other!”

I believe such a love-hate relationship exists in each person’s life. We all are bound to have that one friend who we love to bitch about to our girlfriends, that one friend whose antics we keep quietly sniggering about , that one friend who we wonder about sometimes, often thinking “why am I friends wit her actually!!”

Human emotions are very complex. Many psychologists have tried to analyse man and his emotions and still remain confused. Each one has his own theory about why we often stay in certain relationships and why we opt out of others. I have my own theory, even though I’m not one of those doctors who nod at u wisely, ask you a hundred questions about your childhood and then give u an explanation which is a lot of psycho babble that probably even the doctor has not fully understood! But its told wit so much conviction that questioning or asking for a layman explanation would only present you as a brainless twit!

Well my simple theory is that no relationship can exist without love. And love is powerful, its the most underestimated human emotion. It can win over hatred, make you forget all those irritating habits, those pressing issues, those times she ditched you or those times she put you down. And love is in the small things. That’s why even though that friend is irritating 80% of the time the rest 10% she probably stood up for you when you were bullied by your seniors, came with you to the doctor when you had that so called private problem or picked you up to the gym everyday in her expensive car (albeit bragging about its cost all the way!), in the end that 10% makes all the difference in your decisions of who u choose to be in your life. Love truly does conquer all and no matter what face you’re making thinking of that friend you know that if something happened to her, your life would never be the same and you’re sure it would be the same for her. Even in the cartoon TOM has no purpose in life if JERRY is not there and vice versa.

So to summon it up, listen to her boring stories about her foreign trips, her monthly shopping bills or her uncanny hysterical laughter over a silly joke, cause in the end its not a love-hate relationship it’s a total love – love relationship.

An Interesting Conversation

Recently a friend from my BDS years got in touch. We were good friends even though I knew i didnt appreciate certain traits. But then that’s why I realized the seriousness of what happens with many many people like him.

As usual, we caught up with what was happening in each other’s life. Through the conversation there was a point where I didn’t agree with what he told me. So, as candid as I am, I refused saying” No, I don’t agree….”

To this he said, “Whatever I say, You have to agree. I am not good with arguments. So you better agree with me whether you are right or not.”

Then, having learnt Gurudev’s language I explained to him how it is important to accept the things each one does and how it really is important to give each other the space to be opinionated and do what is best for many people.

In answer, he said “I AM ALWAYS RIGHT. Even if I’m wrong I’m right.”

This conversation hit me very hard. It was like a déjà vu. And I strained hard to recollect where and when I had been through this situation.

I woke up the next morning, irritated that I spoke to him and bothered as ever about what was happening with me. Then it dawned…..

All through my life I have grown up with people having accepted drinking as a social norm. Even as a child, when we were abroad, parties meant a group of adults who relax when they drink while kids and those who refuse to do so are left bored or under the responsibility of bringing home the “Relaxed” ones safe.Even now, at work people de-stress and unwind themselves with a peg or two. It is a social norm AGAIN!!

The first time of the déjà vu was when my father had spoken the very same words to the family. He had by then lost focus of values that mattered to us.

I have not read any scriptures on the effects that alcohol has on the mind because I accepted then that a social norm is good for all. And once in a while drinking is harmless…. Now a days I hear even people claiming that their doctors say it so…

I have seen how sound judgment within no time is lost. And when anyone refuses to listen to a meaningless statement, it brings a forceful way of getting things done…Repeated argument, blame, lack of responsibility, recklessness, forcefulness, aggression, and a million ways that say “ I am always right”. In my friend’s case, he’d lost track of sensibility and was set to ruin around him too… I had seen enough but not enough to realise that this is what happens to our own.

Ironic, because it was meant to de-stress and bring clarity…

I know that with people we love and care for we do not want to believe the long term effects of alcohol since we want nothing bad to happen to those we love. However, the truth differs…..

When we care, we protect…. If you really care, get people to stop Drinking! That’s the Only way you get to enjoy the real person. Doesn't matter if it is once in a while, social drinking or just 2 pegs a day.... because that's enough to do what it does...

I know that the present day trend is all about looking cool, hep, stylish… the beverage advertisements really promote all these…. But when you go to a satsang where each one is in the peak of happiness, spirit, creativity, sharing and a bursting enthusiasm then compare it to the scene you get to see in a bar… You’ll know what I mean….

Luck Lucky 13th

13^th July- An Experience of a Lifetime

I had absolutely no idea what taking a course would be like. The only reason I still wanted to do it because I will do all that Guruji means for me…So I had to start…. And what better date than 13^th to do it….

When we began with the intention there was Anusha, Anita (My dear dear volunteers) and I. Anjana was doing all she could for Gaurav and for the Course. Tanvi too…

HONESTLY, we just began with a team spirit. Anita did so much of running around work while anusha was talking to just about every person she knew to get to a decent number. Since I am simply amazed with Arvind Bhaiya’s way of taking the course I really wanted this course to begin with him taking it.

With all of it, even on 11^th we didn’t really know if there would be a course since we had only 8 participants.

This is when Arvind Bhaiya stepped in and encouraged us to still go ahead and give it our best.

Somehow, thanks to the support of all those people who just heard of the course, we had 17 participants in the hall on 13^th.

The best part is that we had 17 really really cute participants in the hall…..

And Thanks to Hema Di, I landed with a Goddess of Bindaas-ness(if at all there is such a word or pls add it to the dictionary with her pic too ) Tanushree…

When I thought I had almost completed thanking Guruji for all of this, I also landed up having 6 more volunteers at the spot… Nagraj, Dr Anusha, Siddhart, Ramana, Deepak,Tanvi…..It was almost like they’d dropped from the sky.

SO, we began with such a Big BANG!!!

Each one had an impact on me in a profound way.

Like our dear Jayanth, who looks naughty enough to run from spirituality but still sat through the sessions with such sincerity that it touched me.

Ujwal struggled so much with the vajrasan, yet i learnt through his determination and persistence of the kind of effort he was putting into it.

Adarsh stood out as a perfect student from the first moment. Doing exactly what was told, exactly the way it was told to be done…. I realized that even I did not have that kind of obedience to anyone so far…

Manu was really inspiring with his honesty. It takes heart to come into a course and open up yourself the moment you enter the door… and he certainly had that …

Naren is so so so cute…really candid and certainly willing to discover himself… he looks like a chocolate hero who is also good at heart… (a rare package)

Manju was someone with such a commitment , a yearning to understand and the openness to identify it too..

Ananya’s eyes would speak… so loud. Every time she listen with such sharpness and get it across through to her life, her eyes would show it…

Sowmya had this “I’m not giving up” attitude till the end. What was striking is that, through all her silence she still bonded so much with me…

Chetan was a beautiful blend of humour, sincerity and playfulness. It was good to have his jokes to lighten the air.

Cherry, it was so hard to see even a hint to dullness in this girl. She had a smile all the time and the energy about her was too good…

Rekha was this graceful girl who’d participate with an energy very contrasting to one could expect out of her… I was really inspired.

Amit was a person who I saw digging deep inside. I was amazed with the kind of effort he was making to mould himself into what he wanted.

Komal was this really sweet girl. Spontaneity and smile were really her logo.Yet, the eagerness in her was very prominent.

Chandrakala wow!!! It was humbling to see the kind of interest, creativity and effort she took into participating with all…

From Poornima was this attentiveness that was so striking that I was really amazed. She looked so soft and gentle yet while discussing I realized the depth of her being.

Nagraj, Anusha, Dr.Anusha, Siddarth,Anjana,Anita, Ramana, Deepak and Sidanshu…. What a team?

Needless to say, Arvind bhaiya’ssession was extremely knowledgeable and a learning experience of a kind…

I was of the opinion that something had to be taught. By the end of the course I realized that I had learnt so much from each one….

This being my first course, I really wanted to run away. I had no clue why I was subjected to being someone to spread spirituality by Guruji.

But, at the end of the day, I’d known that connecting with such wonderful people in a span of 6 days ,it is the most meaningful thing I have done and can ever do in this lifetime….

First times in our life are very precious… First time a baby say’s “ma” or the first time we win something, first love, first time we pray from the core of our being in a really difficult situation, first ……….everything…..

And this was My First Course…..And my first set of 17 Precious Jewels as students, 9 Precious Jewels in my team and 2 Ever So Precious Jewels Mentors…..

Can Life Get Any Better??? …… Most Certainly so…..