I'll start off with pure gratitude. I am so grateful for this time with Gurudev. I started my road trip to California on June 19th. I remember driving away from my dream home that I had remodeled just 9 months ago. I had hand picked everything in my cottage house by Mozart's, a coffee shop on Lake Austin, from the hard wood floors to the allergen filters I wanted. I thought I was done...then the email came...the next Art of Living Course was possibly my final departure from Austin. The course is a two year Master's Degree program in Yoga at Sri Sri University in India. I signed up immediately as I often did for whatever came my way from The Art of Living.
On June 19th, I said my goodbyes to my parents, sister and her family. I hit the road for San Diego with everything I had left, about three luggage bags, after letting a fellow meditator hold onto all of my stuff.
I love being on the road. I was about to see H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, my Master, Teacher, and Guru within a week! I was so excited. I did my morning Sadhana & hit the road. I popped in the Yoga Vashishta audio CDs and listened...and day dreamed.
My first stop was an old friend of over 25 years, Will Wyatt, in San Diego. I had a nice time meeting him and his wife Jill and their three beautiful little daughters...true angels. They were excited about building their dream home overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Point Loma. We had a good time, but on I went.
I met several old friends and family along the way and was happy to see their family life and material worldly success. I had a feeling of compassion for their being stuck in the hamster wheel of life with bills to pay, mouths to feed, and desires to continue chasing after. At one point I learned a valuable lesson when a dear friend took me to the Newport Country Club...a lesson I will carry. I was reminded of what Gurudev has often said...he says to always have a sense of belongingness with everyone no matter where you are...whether among the homeless or the wealthy...the happy or the miserable, for the world belongs to you.
On June 26th, 2014, I picked up a fellow meditator and friend on the path, Vyom Kumar from the airport. We checked into the Marriott in Santa Clara and were excited about meeting the Guru. The next day the course started & we met Gurudev during one of our first meditations. I was so excited to see Gurudev, I chased after him and joined a group of about 30 people known as Guru Chasers! I did a lot of Guru chasing in the Bay Area and Boone.
The first silence course was challenging...I often felt spacey and tuned out from Gurudev's voice after a few minutes. I felt many negative thoughts and emotions coming up, but also many moments of peace and rest. I battled my body pain from postural scoliosis in my thoracic vertebrae and a herniated disc in my C6 vertebrae; but no matter the pain, I persisted. I knew the body pain was just a mind trick; and the mind & spirit can easily heal the body.
On the last day of silence, I had to leave early for my drive home before heading out for my flight to Boone, NC from Houston, where my folks live. I was a little disappointed about not speaking to Gurudev yet, so I approached John Osborne, a senior teacher that's been with Gurudev since the late 80s' and got his blessing. John Osborne had a charming smile as I walked away...like he knew something I didn't. As I was walking out the door with all of my stuff, I saw Gurudev walking with a large group of devotees. I immediately dropped all of my stuff and proceeded to chase after Gurudev. As I got close, I found myself side-by-side next to Gurudev. He smiled at me and I said, "Gurudev, I have to leave early and want to get your darshan (blessing). Can I get your blessing?" He tapped me on my head with his finger that felt like pure love. I then proceeded to fully take advantage of this time, these few moments I had with the master...I said, "Gurudev, can I get your blessing for my move to India?" He said, "oh, why are you going to India?" When he says "oh" your heart just skips a beat...he's so full of love. I replied, "I am going to Sri Sri University to pursue my Masters in Yoga." He said, "what's your name?" I was so happy I just said "Ritesh"...not even sure how to pronounce my last name correctly to Gurudev...I then said, "Can I get your blessing to study & then come serve you?" What he said, lit me up with enthusiasm :-). He said "yes yes good." I was off...I peeled away just as quickly as I found myself next to him. I was so happy I could have jumped off the walls...and I was off for my 24 hour road trip to see my parents.
After unloading my truck at my parents house, I spent a day with them before catching my flight to Charlotte, North Carolina to see my beloved again. I was anxious as I wasn't sure if I even had a place to sleep. I booked a rental car as I was arriving early on July 2nd. To my delight, I was joined by three other hard core full-timers on the path. We had a fun time and I was amazed at their depth and enthusiasm. I was attracted to one of the girls with us for a brief moment, but told myself that I was a warrior on this path and fully dedicated to my master. I had renewed my vow as a Bhramacharya, a celibate constantly abiding in the divine. To my surprise and delight, I found out this young 23 year looking woman was actually married and had been married for 17 years! Go figure, our Shankara products coupled with a Sattvic Ayurvedic diet & daily Sadhana, really do keep people looking 20 or 30 years younger. I was amazed and happy for her. What was also interesting was both of the guys I was with with were genuinely happily married, not something I see often.
We finally arrived in Boone, NC at our heavenly retreat center that was formerly run by the TM movement...the Art of Living was lucky and smart to have purchased the dilapidated retreat center out of an auction for a great price..from what I heard. Volunteers for months turned the place into heaven...so many hours of tireless labors of love (seva) were put into the Ashram. The place looked amazing. The best part was that evening I got to see Gurudev again at Satsang. I proceeded to see Gurudev every day from July 2nd until July 22nd when he left from Montreal to Germany.
I registered for the Ayurveda Conference and proceeded to attend many sessions and do seva in my free time. I struggled with group Sadhana, as I prefer my own company, but loved the prana and energy from the massive Maharishi Meditation Hall and the Master himself.
The Ayurveda conference was a great chance to go deep into meditation and catch up on much needed rest. Unfortunately, the meditation hall has so much prana in it from years of TM meditations that I would just shut my eyes and be taken to another world....it's amazing! I also loved the fact that my Master was close by. What I found interesting is that, of all the presentations, Gurudev's was the most engaging. I fell asleep during so many others, but the way Gurudev gives a talk, it just grips you and you're left disappointed when he stops talking. I loved my evenings with him in Satsangs singing and crying with heart-felt tears of gratitude.
I found myself Guru chasing again in Boone and ended up right beside him walking down to his Kutir (cottage house). I felt so contented in bliss, I forgot to speak...so he said, "how are you?" I said, "Gurudev, I am wonderful." He said, "didn't I see you in DC?" I said, "no Gurudev, you saw me in Bay Area." I told him, "Gurudev, I am so happy I spoke to you and am good for two years." He smiled and I peeled away as he walked into his Kutir. He said to everyone, "thank you all for walking me home and dropping me off." We all laughed in love.
I happily returned to my silence course. One of the rules in silence is that the only person you are allowed to break your silence with is the Guru himself.
I love Boone and had so much fun with so many friends there...my TTC (Teacher Training Course) and Austin AOL (Art of Living) family among many others...I even saw some Vedic Wisdom buddies from our time in Bangalore. The silence was difficult with so many dear friends to give hugs to and smile at. I was told I'd have better silence in Canada.
On July 13th at 4am, four of us piled into my rental car and we headed to Charlotte airport. We reached Montreal and parted ways. I was taking the shuttle to the Ashram while the rest were watching some soccer finals...I think watching sports is really boring and Gurudev even says, "why not just give each player a ball and let them be happy?" I couldn't agree more! He also says that the world watches because everyone is so fascinated at the players present moment awareness. This awareness is so rare that many are glued to seeing the present moment awareness of the player. This reminded me of a book I just finished today called Way of the Peaceful Warrior...an amazing read! If you don't like to read, at least watch the movie, Peaceful Warrior.
I checked in for my 3rd and 4th silence courses in a small town just two hours or so from Montreal. The Ashram there is one of my favorites less the mosquitoes! We have a beautiful pond and a beautiful lake there hence the bugs. They bug me! One of many aversions to overcome.
I found myself fully contented from my time with Gurudev. I started to wonder if I was a true Gopi...why wasn't I chasing after Gurudev. I found a lot of peace and happiness in my deep silence as I didn't know that many Canadians there. We had a handful of Americans there, mostly full-timers &/ senior teachers. They are distracting to me for one reason or another. I find the senior teachers inspiring and have great curiosity as to how they got on the path and how they walk the path with such awareness and consciousness. I know they are in the field of consciousness...this mysterious field and this other world is unknown to most of the material sensory world that's sleep-walking.
As I settled into seva and meditations I found many vasanas still coming up. I found myself surrendering these to the river of consciousness and telling myself to be happy a midst the chaos in the small mind. I went deeper and deeper into silence and began to finally follow the breath in hollow and empty meditations. I found peace in our beautiful meditation hall on the water. Towards one of my last days at the Ashram, I promised a dear friend, Natasha, I would go swimming in the lake. My back and herniated disc were feeling better, so I decided to give it a shot. I put on my trunks and felt like a million bucks as I dove into the lake. As I dove in, I noticed a lady floating on her back and decided that would be my safety net in case I couldn't swim out to a floating dock we had in the lake. Little did I know how far out that dock was. I don't recommend trying to swim out to the dock unless you're a good swimmer / have a life vest. I got winded multiple times and thank god I knew how to take a break and do a back float. I hung out with a few teenagers on the floating dock and did a sun salutation. It felt so good to feel my body again and feel the sun's rays. Amazing how we begin to become one with nature when we are in silence. The mind truly begins to stop it's chattering as we begin listening from a space of equanimity. After I caught my breath, I dove back into the lake and started swimming for shore. I felt like a warrior again and completely forgot about my herniated disc / postural scoliosis until the next day!
On the 22nd at 1pm, our love, Gurudev, left for Germany. I waited for three hours & finally got his darshan. I was happy to get his blessings, but sad to see him go.
I remember my mind saying as if it were him speaking to me: "you come close to me and I'll come close to you." So here I am, flying back to the US from Montreal and getting ready to embark on my journey to India in two days.
May this life be filled with joy and love. May we all be connected to him for he represents what we can all aspire to become: unconditional love for all, belongingness beyond imagination, the infinite consciousness and the unbounded space. You are that. You are love.
Love & Jai Guru Dev,
All of us...
www.artofliving.org
Experience the Power of Breath and Meditation for health in ALL respects: Disease Free Body, Quiver Free Breath, Stress Free Mind, Inhibition Free Intellect, Trauma Free Memory, An Ego that Encompasses All and a Sorrow Free Soul
On June 19th, I said my goodbyes to my parents, sister and her family. I hit the road for San Diego with everything I had left, about three luggage bags, after letting a fellow meditator hold onto all of my stuff.
I love being on the road. I was about to see H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, my Master, Teacher, and Guru within a week! I was so excited. I did my morning Sadhana & hit the road. I popped in the Yoga Vashishta audio CDs and listened...and day dreamed.
My first stop was an old friend of over 25 years, Will Wyatt, in San Diego. I had a nice time meeting him and his wife Jill and their three beautiful little daughters...true angels. They were excited about building their dream home overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Point Loma. We had a good time, but on I went.
I met several old friends and family along the way and was happy to see their family life and material worldly success. I had a feeling of compassion for their being stuck in the hamster wheel of life with bills to pay, mouths to feed, and desires to continue chasing after. At one point I learned a valuable lesson when a dear friend took me to the Newport Country Club...a lesson I will carry. I was reminded of what Gurudev has often said...he says to always have a sense of belongingness with everyone no matter where you are...whether among the homeless or the wealthy...the happy or the miserable, for the world belongs to you.
On June 26th, 2014, I picked up a fellow meditator and friend on the path, Vyom Kumar from the airport. We checked into the Marriott in Santa Clara and were excited about meeting the Guru. The next day the course started & we met Gurudev during one of our first meditations. I was so excited to see Gurudev, I chased after him and joined a group of about 30 people known as Guru Chasers! I did a lot of Guru chasing in the Bay Area and Boone.
The first silence course was challenging...I often felt spacey and tuned out from Gurudev's voice after a few minutes. I felt many negative thoughts and emotions coming up, but also many moments of peace and rest. I battled my body pain from postural scoliosis in my thoracic vertebrae and a herniated disc in my C6 vertebrae; but no matter the pain, I persisted. I knew the body pain was just a mind trick; and the mind & spirit can easily heal the body.
On the last day of silence, I had to leave early for my drive home before heading out for my flight to Boone, NC from Houston, where my folks live. I was a little disappointed about not speaking to Gurudev yet, so I approached John Osborne, a senior teacher that's been with Gurudev since the late 80s' and got his blessing. John Osborne had a charming smile as I walked away...like he knew something I didn't. As I was walking out the door with all of my stuff, I saw Gurudev walking with a large group of devotees. I immediately dropped all of my stuff and proceeded to chase after Gurudev. As I got close, I found myself side-by-side next to Gurudev. He smiled at me and I said, "Gurudev, I have to leave early and want to get your darshan (blessing). Can I get your blessing?" He tapped me on my head with his finger that felt like pure love. I then proceeded to fully take advantage of this time, these few moments I had with the master...I said, "Gurudev, can I get your blessing for my move to India?" He said, "oh, why are you going to India?" When he says "oh" your heart just skips a beat...he's so full of love. I replied, "I am going to Sri Sri University to pursue my Masters in Yoga." He said, "what's your name?" I was so happy I just said "Ritesh"...not even sure how to pronounce my last name correctly to Gurudev...I then said, "Can I get your blessing to study & then come serve you?" What he said, lit me up with enthusiasm :-). He said "yes yes good." I was off...I peeled away just as quickly as I found myself next to him. I was so happy I could have jumped off the walls...and I was off for my 24 hour road trip to see my parents.
After unloading my truck at my parents house, I spent a day with them before catching my flight to Charlotte, North Carolina to see my beloved again. I was anxious as I wasn't sure if I even had a place to sleep. I booked a rental car as I was arriving early on July 2nd. To my delight, I was joined by three other hard core full-timers on the path. We had a fun time and I was amazed at their depth and enthusiasm. I was attracted to one of the girls with us for a brief moment, but told myself that I was a warrior on this path and fully dedicated to my master. I had renewed my vow as a Bhramacharya, a celibate constantly abiding in the divine. To my surprise and delight, I found out this young 23 year looking woman was actually married and had been married for 17 years! Go figure, our Shankara products coupled with a Sattvic Ayurvedic diet & daily Sadhana, really do keep people looking 20 or 30 years younger. I was amazed and happy for her. What was also interesting was both of the guys I was with with were genuinely happily married, not something I see often.
We finally arrived in Boone, NC at our heavenly retreat center that was formerly run by the TM movement...the Art of Living was lucky and smart to have purchased the dilapidated retreat center out of an auction for a great price..from what I heard. Volunteers for months turned the place into heaven...so many hours of tireless labors of love (seva) were put into the Ashram. The place looked amazing. The best part was that evening I got to see Gurudev again at Satsang. I proceeded to see Gurudev every day from July 2nd until July 22nd when he left from Montreal to Germany.
I registered for the Ayurveda Conference and proceeded to attend many sessions and do seva in my free time. I struggled with group Sadhana, as I prefer my own company, but loved the prana and energy from the massive Maharishi Meditation Hall and the Master himself.
The Ayurveda conference was a great chance to go deep into meditation and catch up on much needed rest. Unfortunately, the meditation hall has so much prana in it from years of TM meditations that I would just shut my eyes and be taken to another world....it's amazing! I also loved the fact that my Master was close by. What I found interesting is that, of all the presentations, Gurudev's was the most engaging. I fell asleep during so many others, but the way Gurudev gives a talk, it just grips you and you're left disappointed when he stops talking. I loved my evenings with him in Satsangs singing and crying with heart-felt tears of gratitude.
I found myself Guru chasing again in Boone and ended up right beside him walking down to his Kutir (cottage house). I felt so contented in bliss, I forgot to speak...so he said, "how are you?" I said, "Gurudev, I am wonderful." He said, "didn't I see you in DC?" I said, "no Gurudev, you saw me in Bay Area." I told him, "Gurudev, I am so happy I spoke to you and am good for two years." He smiled and I peeled away as he walked into his Kutir. He said to everyone, "thank you all for walking me home and dropping me off." We all laughed in love.
I happily returned to my silence course. One of the rules in silence is that the only person you are allowed to break your silence with is the Guru himself.
I love Boone and had so much fun with so many friends there...my TTC (Teacher Training Course) and Austin AOL (Art of Living) family among many others...I even saw some Vedic Wisdom buddies from our time in Bangalore. The silence was difficult with so many dear friends to give hugs to and smile at. I was told I'd have better silence in Canada.
On July 13th at 4am, four of us piled into my rental car and we headed to Charlotte airport. We reached Montreal and parted ways. I was taking the shuttle to the Ashram while the rest were watching some soccer finals...I think watching sports is really boring and Gurudev even says, "why not just give each player a ball and let them be happy?" I couldn't agree more! He also says that the world watches because everyone is so fascinated at the players present moment awareness. This awareness is so rare that many are glued to seeing the present moment awareness of the player. This reminded me of a book I just finished today called Way of the Peaceful Warrior...an amazing read! If you don't like to read, at least watch the movie, Peaceful Warrior.
I checked in for my 3rd and 4th silence courses in a small town just two hours or so from Montreal. The Ashram there is one of my favorites less the mosquitoes! We have a beautiful pond and a beautiful lake there hence the bugs. They bug me! One of many aversions to overcome.
I found myself fully contented from my time with Gurudev. I started to wonder if I was a true Gopi...why wasn't I chasing after Gurudev. I found a lot of peace and happiness in my deep silence as I didn't know that many Canadians there. We had a handful of Americans there, mostly full-timers &/ senior teachers. They are distracting to me for one reason or another. I find the senior teachers inspiring and have great curiosity as to how they got on the path and how they walk the path with such awareness and consciousness. I know they are in the field of consciousness...this mysterious field and this other world is unknown to most of the material sensory world that's sleep-walking.
As I settled into seva and meditations I found many vasanas still coming up. I found myself surrendering these to the river of consciousness and telling myself to be happy a midst the chaos in the small mind. I went deeper and deeper into silence and began to finally follow the breath in hollow and empty meditations. I found peace in our beautiful meditation hall on the water. Towards one of my last days at the Ashram, I promised a dear friend, Natasha, I would go swimming in the lake. My back and herniated disc were feeling better, so I decided to give it a shot. I put on my trunks and felt like a million bucks as I dove into the lake. As I dove in, I noticed a lady floating on her back and decided that would be my safety net in case I couldn't swim out to a floating dock we had in the lake. Little did I know how far out that dock was. I don't recommend trying to swim out to the dock unless you're a good swimmer / have a life vest. I got winded multiple times and thank god I knew how to take a break and do a back float. I hung out with a few teenagers on the floating dock and did a sun salutation. It felt so good to feel my body again and feel the sun's rays. Amazing how we begin to become one with nature when we are in silence. The mind truly begins to stop it's chattering as we begin listening from a space of equanimity. After I caught my breath, I dove back into the lake and started swimming for shore. I felt like a warrior again and completely forgot about my herniated disc / postural scoliosis until the next day!
On the 22nd at 1pm, our love, Gurudev, left for Germany. I waited for three hours & finally got his darshan. I was happy to get his blessings, but sad to see him go.
I remember my mind saying as if it were him speaking to me: "you come close to me and I'll come close to you." So here I am, flying back to the US from Montreal and getting ready to embark on my journey to India in two days.
May this life be filled with joy and love. May we all be connected to him for he represents what we can all aspire to become: unconditional love for all, belongingness beyond imagination, the infinite consciousness and the unbounded space. You are that. You are love.
Love & Jai Guru Dev,
All of us...
www.artofliving.org
Experience the Power of Breath and Meditation for health in ALL respects: Disease Free Body, Quiver Free Breath, Stress Free Mind, Inhibition Free Intellect, Trauma Free Memory, An Ego that Encompasses All and a Sorrow Free Soul
