Guru Grace Rocks Ahmednagar!

From our Staff Reporter:

Press offices in Nagar were flooded with calls from panic stricken residents in and around Savedi, Ahmednagar during the weekend and many of them reported 'hearing the roar of lions', 'earth trembling as though a herd of elephants were marching through', etc, etc. Our reporter who visited the scene saw a congregation of 180 men and women who were ready to take on the world and recounting several miraculous experiences. There were stories of blind gaining sight, deaf being able to hear and paralyzed people walking straight and tall. We learned that these were people who were blind to the woes of the world around them, deaf to the cries for help and paralyzed due to their own fears and inhibitions which prevented them from walking the spiritual path.

The whole atmosphere was charged with energy and enthusiasm with people singing and dancing and radiating the positive energy all around. Our reporter met Shri. Anand Rajendran, the one man army, who, in a most unassuming manner credited all these events to the grace of his master, Poojya Sri Sri Ravishankar-ji.

YES ... we had Ahmednagar rocking for the whole of three and a half days after a thunderbolt in the form of Anand-ji hit the Ganga Lawns hall and shook people out of their cocoons transforming them into roaring lions and lionesses. From the very moment he walked into the hall amazing things started to happen (I guess this part shouldn't be a surprise to all those who have been fortunate to do the DSN with Anand-ji) and it was a privilege to be present there witnessing the way the buds were blossoming into beautiful flowers spreading their fragrance all around. Now that DSN is over, a new life has begun for the team of dedicated Seva Warriors and we will keep you posted as we continue to make further progress in our endeavors. Some of the interesting coming to hit Nagar include… Mega-Part1 course with Mahesh Giriji and a Part-2 course with Rishi Nitya Pragyaji!!!

For more information about courses and activities in upcoming days in Nagar contact Nagar TC Shri Padmakar Kulkarni +91-9422223329.

For next DSN with Anandji in Pune contact Tejal 9970153953.

My new year resolution

Some of the things I would like to do this year...


Resolution #1: Reduce my carbon foot-print by half!!

When / What / How? =

A) Cut down on the car travel -

Never commute to office alone, come what may use the office bus!

Walk to the nearby places instead of driving whenever possible!!


B) Stop using plastic -

Carry cloth/paper bag while out for shopping, avoid plastic bags totally!

Stop drinking from "mineral" water bottles - at office and while traveling!!


C) Use the available resources judiciously -

Minimize the wastage of water at home, cut down on use of water while bathing!

Save electricity by reducing usage of gadgets and switch to a daylight saving time table!!



Resolution #2: Work on the personal discipline rigorously!

When / What / How? =

A) Wake up before sunrise come what may (really!!!! guys I am serious here)

Even if I go to bed past midnight! Get out of bed as soon as I am awake!!

Express gratitude for everything and pledge to strive for best before starting the day!!!


B) Sadhana - Stronger Deeper and More!!!

One round of Padma Sadhana, Sudarshan Kriya, and Sahaj is a must...

Remind myself "If Rick Evertz can do it, so can I" ... and remember "no kriya = no dinner"


C) Become more health conscious = Food Control + Daily Exercise - Excess Net Access!!!

Spend less time on net and more time reading books, meeting friends outdoors, going for jogs/treks/walks, etc. Remember that I got only 1 life to live, so got make the best of it!

Work sincerely at office. personal use of net in office is strictly prohibited - no gmail, gtalk, facebook, whatever.

Avoid eating late, watch the food I eat, and learn to cook some new healthy dishes!!!


Resolution #3: Spread the love and awareness to each and every person that I meet!!!

When / What / How? =

A) I am so fortunate to get Guruji as my guiding star... the best expression of gratitude will be to introduce as many people as possible to this wonderful path of knowledge of the Self...

B) Caring n sharing... let's celebrate the joy of giving by helping the less fortunate ones... my target = raise Rs. 51 lacks for the tribal schools project this year.

C) The Honda City can wait... but the first priority is to ensure the less fortunate kids of these schools have proper cloths, books, and smiles :-))))))


Cool!!! Sounds great! Let the fun begin....

Dear friend, if you happen to read this, appreciate if you call me once in a while and check if I am on track with this new year resolution!!!

Season's Greetings!!
Love, Sandesh

Thoughts as we reach the end of this year...

Flashback: 15th August 2009. Hire High School playground, near Parvati hills, Pune.

I am invited to address the students and teachers at the school’s Independence Day celebrations…

I have never given a speech in front of such a huge audience my life before, so obviously I have no idea how’s it going to be! Well in the Art of Living we are told to be natural, and feel at home with everyone everywhere you go. So I decide to follow the knowledge and just air the thoughts that come in my mind at that time. I don’t remember exactly what I spoke there on that day; but hardly did I realize that it was the beginning of a long relationship between us, the volunteers of the Art of Living foundation and the children in the school, who hail from the largest slum in Pune – Janata vasahat…

Move ahead to end of year 2010…

The school principal, who was very skeptical about our efforts in the beginning, has mellowed down a lot. This amazing transformation in his attitude is the result of him witnessing the change in the students post the mega bal-chetana-shivirs that we conducted at their campus. Today one of the school teachers has become an Art of Living instructor and another well on her way becoming one. Our team has been instrumental in raising funds to aid the less fortunate one among the students with footwear, school bags, and uniforms… and now efforts are on to cover the kids with sweaters from the chilly winter breezes that flow across the Parvati hills that the students cross everyday to reach the school.

A lot needs to be done yet. The journey is long, but our hearts are full of hope and enthusiasm… drawn from the love and wisdom of our Pujya Gurudev His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji. May the world see a day when every fortunate one in this world understands his or her responsibility to share what they have got with the less fortunate ones… and experience the joys of giving… and finding the purpose of their life while doing so!

Amen.

My first online survey :-)

Hello Everybody!

Just finished creating my own online survey...
It's about the AOL Tribals project...
As some of you know, this month I am going on a field trip to visit the tribal schools run by AOL in the inner jungles of Jharkhand state in India...
So thought of getting your opinion on this topic which will make my visit a more meaningful excursion!

Click here to take survey

Thanks and happy holidays in advance!
Best,
Sandy

Diwali Cards Fund-raiser... I am loving it:-)

Hola Amigo!

As I write this, I am overjoyed about the response we've got so far to the Diwail greeting cards sale in Pune! Although it might not raise huge funds for the AOL Tribals project, I believe it is a great way to spread the awareness about this wonderful project. Looking forward to similar and even better activity for the New Year's card sale!!! If you would like to do your bit of service and experience fun while doing so, do let me know before the cards go out of stock!!! Call me now on 9423076562 or write me to sandesh dot sawant at gmail dot com.

Mejores Deseos!
San