The joy of working full-time in Chinmaya Mission

When I started working with CM full time it was just as a physiotherapist in the Community Based Rehab programme in Sidhbari (Himachal Pradesh).  Slowly I found myself getting involved in Alcoholics Anonymous, Mahila Mandals, and so on.  Before I knew it Pujya Guruji, Swami Tejomayanandaji had put me in-charge of the vocational training programme of sewing, handloom weaving and carpet making.  Imagine me, who knew nothing about clothing and fashion and someone who firmly thought that fashion was a waste of time and energy was suddenly in charge of teaching women how to bring out good quality clothes!  Life reminds us in its own way not to have strong likes and dislikes.  Always be open to do just about anything and if one is determined and has a desire then one can learn just about anything.  Nothing is impossible.  A person like me was soon interacting with designers from NIFT and the National Export Council for Handicrafts etc.  What a change.  Suddenly I also got to learn about the various art and craft forms of our great country.  

This is when I discovered the joy of creativity.  It was sheer ecstasy when one plans something and then sees the finished product particularly if the finished product far exceeds the original expectation.  I experienced this as a physiotherapist when Doctors would tell us that a particular patient can’t walk and be independent.  Within me I knew that it was not true because the patient wanted to walk and I knew the exercises if followed would get us to the goal.  The joy seeing the smile on the patient’s face as he / she took the first steps is indescribable...  I guess just doing something challenging successfully gives a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction.

It is now almost 7 years that I have been working in CCMT and almost 11 years of working full-time in CM.  I must admit I found my job as a physiotherapist to be most fulfilling and satisfying as I knew I was improving the quality of life of a person.  But these last 10 years despite all challenges have been the most memorable and fulfilling years of my life to date.  I was reflecting why would this be...  What is it that gives me so much joy?  Why is it that I don’t have to drag myself to work?  Why is it that there is satisfaction?  What is it that drives me so that I can put in 18 hours a day and still have energy to do more (on many days)?  Why can’t others understand the joy in doing this and join me?

Many people do jobs to make money.  This of course is important.  However, gradually for those who have some money and basic comforts, the focus slowly changes to doing what one enjoys and feels satisfied with doing at the end of the day.  Money and material comforts cease to be the only yardstick for finding a job.

CM is a huge organisation that is spread throughout the world.  CM has touched the hearts of innumerable people.  We all have received so much.  If we don’t start repaying we will soon become slaves and debtors forever.  People love Gurudev, people love the Mission but still when it comes to committing to working for the Mission full time they hesitate.  Why?  I guess there are innumerable reasons like:

1.      Youth want to climb the career ladder and achieve something in their field.  They want to make it.  They want the financial security.  The Mission to some extent cannot totally provide this as people don’t see this as a career opportunity.

2.      Married couples need their social life and have to provide for a family.  Many feel awkward taking too much from the Mission.  Also living in an Ashram (if required) can be a challenge for many young people.

3.      People want to do something like this after they have been out in the ‘real world’ for some time.

4.      Most would rather do it after retirement.  However, a lot of time after retirement actually goes in either taking care of one’s health or spending time with one’s grand kids!

These are the main points I guess.  For me this sort of thinking just shows that people don’t really know Chinmaya Mission.  Guruji says again and again, ‘I don’t want your money, I want you’.  Though Guruji keeps saying, ‘Values are important, not valuables’ we still think it is more valuable to give the Mission our money than our life!  Usually we think that it is important to be humble when we donate for a charitable cause but Guruji taught me that even to accept anything given with love by someone requires humility.  So we should not hesitate if CM gives us a salary to do the work for CM.  Once this mental block is removed then it becomes easier to work for CM.  No one stops us from donating the excess back to CM!

I reflected on what was it that inspired me.  The answer was simple – it was Pujya Gurudev, His Vision and His Mission.  Vedanta itself was one of the greatest sources of inspiration.  I finally found that my hobby and pass time had become my full time passion and love.  In such a situation, exhaustion, fatigue etc don’t count.  One never feels like one is doing a job.  It is 24 hours of pure joy and bliss.  No longer did I have to work out how I was going to spend my precious 4 weeks of leave from work.  Now work and leave were all one!  Amazingly delightful! 

After spending 11 invaluable years in the Mission I finally feel that I am getting a vague idea of Pujya Gurudev, His Vision and His Mission.  It is so wide and all encompassing that it is mind boggling.  What is most amazing is that Guruji has it crystal clear in his mind.  Often he can’t understand why we don’t have this clarity.  How can we?  Where is the purity in our minds?

Anyways, I have discovered lots about CM.  The opportunities available are unending and that too in every field.  People wonder how can a spiritual organisation have opportunities matching those available in the corporate world.  But I say most corporates actually can’t match the opportunities available in an organisation likes CM.  Just think of the stats:

1.      300 branches worldwide.

2.      Over 80 schools in the country.

3.      If every centre which has property is seen as an office then CM has over 200 offices worldwide.  In addition, many Ashrams and temples all over the world.

4.      The number of staff would be mind boggling as we would have to include Acharyas in this list along with office staff, teachers etc.

5.      Over 800 publications!  Which MNC has such wide variety of activities?

6.      Managing web portals like chinmayakids.

7.      Social activities are the fabric of the organisation – CORD is inseparable from CM.  Most MNCs try to contribute in some way to society.  But this is not part of their culture.

8.      A well-equipped hospital in Bengaluru.

9.      A Research Institute which is one of the best of its kind in the country – Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF).

10.   Innumerable eCourses successfully being carried out.

11.   An organisation which has made a TV serial – Upanishad Ganga.

12.   A school of Indian Classical Music and Dance – Chinmaya Naada Bindu.

Actually the list in unending.  And most importantly the sky is the limit for what can be done.  It depends totally on us.  This is one organisation where we are given total freedom to do what we feel is good for the organisation.  We can think big and do big too.  I feel that the opportunities available in CM for just about anyone in any field can be most challenging.  But it is totally up to the person concerned to take the initiative and go that extra mile.  CM members can work full-time in their own centres and don’t necessarily have to move if they can’t.  But still people are happier doing what is safe and secure than following the call of their heart and doing what they really want to do.  Let us try to follow the path less taken. 

Imagine if our Pujya Gurudev would have decided not to come down to the plains and teach Vedanta in English where would we be?  Would our lives feel complete?  Today the little feeling of completeness and satisfaction we have is because of CM in our life.  Still we hesitate to give our self to HIM.  We only want to give things we have.  HE gave HIMSELF to us and we like misers can’t give ourselves.  We are also frightened but this is not what Pujya Gurudev taught us.  Vedanta teaches us to be fearless and not be cowards.  What is the use of Vedanta if we can’t put it into practise?  Why can’t we quit and follow the call of our heart?  It can be a little frightening as we don’t know what is ahead of us in store for us.  Also what if it doesn’t work out and we have difficulties.  Any job is full of challenges and a boss anywhere can be tough.  We should just have faith and patience and be prepared for anything but not budge from our decision.  The Lord is there to look after us.  Why fear?  Let us do our job and let Him do His!  Trust me it is real fun.  Like being on a roller coaster ride in darkness.  You have no idea when you will go up or down.  But it is a lot of fun and you know you will be fine in the end so you just thoroughly enjoy the ride and the moment.  Why can’t we let go in life too?

For those who are atleast willing to try to follow their heart I strongly recommend Pujya Gurudev’s Sevaks’ Training Camp being held in Feb 2011 in Mumbai.  This camp will give them an opportunity to understand CM with the variety of job opportunities, express their concerns about working full-time in CM, interact with those who are already working full-time with CM, meet other likeminded people and finally understand the Vision of CM directly from Pujya Swami Tejomayanandaji himself.  Do consider this great opportunity and don’t hesitate to contact me for any clarifications or assistance.

mk

Satsang with Param Pujya Gurdev - 12th Dec 1987

Hari Om Everyone!  Diwali Greetings to all!  Its been a long break but I shall attempt to get back to some sharing of precious moments with Great Masters...

Sat 12 Dec 1987 (taken from my diary of those days)

A very memorable day for me... many years ago of course now...  I was still a student of Physiotherapy then and used to go for the Adult Study Classes with mum to Kamdar Amma's house in Breach Candy.  I was the kid of the class!  That evening was the Geeta Class.  I had the loosies but still decided to go for the class.  Didn't want to miss out...  Reached  Amma's place with mum and was most pleasantly surprised when told that there would be no class as Param Pujya Gurudev was there at Amma's place!  Can you imagine the state of my mind.  Obviously I was simply thrilled and could have jumped for joy!

Pujya Gurudev entered the Hall, I prostrated and sat right at Pujya Gurudev's feet.  He started.  My mind was totally with my Gurudev and I know almost throughout the talk Pujya Gurudev's gaze was fixed on me (we all like to imagine this I guess!).  I felt that he was talking only to me.  I was no longer aware of the presence of others around me.  Gist of the talk now follows:

Pujya Gurudev started by telling us to remember that whatever we have - our body - diseased or healthy, our mind, our intellect - sharp or dull - everything is a gift from the Lord.  This is something we must never forget.  The Lord is the Giver and we the recipients, are His slaves.  When the son is dependant on the father, he has to do as his father says and abide by his wishes.  Similarly a sub-ordinate has to carry out the demands of his boss.  If the wife is the bread winner, the husband who is dependant on her is no longer the boss.  When the son grows and earns and supports his parents, though the parents say that he is the same naughty kid to them, they do have awe and respect for him.  In all situations the giver is always the boss and the recipient his slave.  We must always learn to give.  Whatever we have from the Lord must be utilised to its best extent and given back to the Lord, so that the Lord becomes the recipient.  When a child is giving chocolate to his father, however well dressed or important a status the father has, he must bend down and eat the chocolate despite the fact that it doesn't look tempting.  After eating he will even thank his child.  Similarly, whatever we do, if done well the Lord will accept and thank us.  Arjuna in the 1st chapter of the Geeta was in a terrible state.  He wasn't willing to give the best in him and therefore, he became and considered himself a slave.  The most important thing for all of us is to do our duty and to do it well.

I must say this lesson was most pertinent to me in those days.  I guess it still is.  But the message was strong and most appropriate for me.  It hit me strong.  I was after all studying to become a health professional.

I know we all have heard this very often and are aware of Pujya Gurudev's quote too on this topic - 'What we have is a gift from the Lord.  What we do with what we have is our gift to Him'.  But I still thought I would share this, as all moments with the Great Master are precious....  Following this brief satsang, two questions were asked.  The first was asked by one of the ladies present and the second by myself.  They will follow in due course...

Till then let us all learn to become givers and most importantly give ourselves totally to the Lord...  The joy of giving...

More to come...

mk


Questions asked to Pujya Gurudev

Q1
One of the ladies present asked Pujya Gurudev a question.  She said that when she starts chanting her mind wanders away and she finds it difficult to bring her mind to concentrate on the mantra.  Gurudev replied saying that it is important for us at that time to raise our volume (mentally).  The chanting should be so loud that the mind is totally concentrating on that and can't wander.  Once this is done then we must try and meditate on the meaning of the mantra as well.

Great practical tips from the Master Himself.  I am sure all of us know all this but still it is a great reminder for me atleast... 

Now my question...

Q2
My question was that Arjuna was on the battle field and therefore, we can conclude that it was his duty to fight.  Also Lord Krishna was there to directly instruct Arjuna.  However, sometimes we are in such a dilemma that we are unable to decide what exactly is our duty.

Pujya Gurudev's answer most practical and useful.  I have used it many times. 

If we have to make a choice we must sit down and think.  While deciding, if we feel that there will come a time in the future when we will regret our decision, then we must not do it.  If we will not regret it, then we must definitely go ahead with what we have decided.

What an amazing day for me...  My heart was simply bubbling with joy.  Pujya Gurudev had this magical effect every time on me and if anything the pull became stronger after every meeting.  He often used to joke and call me all sorts of names implying that I was a gone case!  Well now I am happily trying to be totally gone!  I can only smile and close my eyes and thank the Lord for His Grace and Blessings...

mk

Live Webcast of Kaivalya Upanishad

Hari Om Everyone!

Finally it is happening....  The live webcast of the Kaivalyopanishad Camp of Pujya Guruji's presently being held in Mumbai.  Tomorrow, 9th Oct, onwards 7am and 7pm.  Enjoy viewing!

See mail below for all details...

Enjoy

mk



Hari om!

Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, is conducting a sadhana camp at
Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Powai, Mumbai on the 'Kaivalya
Upanishad' (8-14th Oct, 2010). For our viewers of Chinmaya Internet
Channel, live webcast of the camp would be carried out on
www.chinmayainternetchannel.com.

The Kaivalya Upanishad belongs to Atharva Veda. Its poetic diction,
systematic development of thought are at once clear and concise. Its
scientific arrangement of highly philosophical ideas makes it one of
the most striking minor Upanishads.

The webcast live starts at 7:00 AM, 9-oct-2010, Indian Standard Time
with Pujya Guruji's first talk.
Please check out the complete schedule at: http://www.chinmayamission.com/webcast-schedule.php

We wanted to provide an uninterrupted and high quality video but there
were a few technical snags. Hence, we couldn't provide an intimation
well in advance. However, do please see the LIVE as Pujya Guruji
delivers his talk each morning at evening at 7 AM & 7 PM respectively.

Also please inform whoever you can about the webcasts. It would be a
great service to our gurus.

Some of our popularly watched preloaded videos on our channel which
might interest you are:

Ramayana Saudaryam: Los Angeles, USA, August 2010
Jeevan Sutrani: Boston, USA, July 2010
Pujya Guruji's 60th B'day Celebration: Chinmaya vibhooti, July 2010
Narada Bhakti Sutra: Mumbai, March 2010

Happy Viewing,
CIC Team

Upcoming Kaivalyopanishad Camp...

Hari Om Everyone!

Pujya Guruji returns to Mumbai tomorrow to start the Kaivalyopanishad Camp.  Pujya Gurudev's commentary is available for this so I will not try to reproduce what Guruji said (that is what I have planned now!).  Hope that from the various talks I will be able to put down some precious nuggets.  I know we will get some kutia satsang so will try to get that down too.  Need good wishes of everyone so that alertness is there to do this work.  Presently the work load here is too high.

Really wish some of you would just drop everything and come and join in the fun full-time.  Why read the blogs when you can be around the Master himself?  I would much rather prefer that.  That's why I quit and I tell you its been the best decision of my life.

Anyways I know everyone is not in a position to just drop everything and come.  But everyone is in a position to help.  There are a number of people who read this blog - stats show it.  This is an appeal to everyone - spread the word around...  2015-16 is Pujya Gurudev's Birth Centenary Year.  We will have a huge Vishwa Sammelan.  The work for this has already started.  CCMT needs a lot of support from all members everywhere.

• We need high resolution scans of Pujya Gurudev's letters.
• We need photographs of Pujya Gurudev and Guruji which you may have.  Preferably do identify place taken, people in the photograph, year, photographer and so on.
• Need photographs of events at your centre.  Once again do identify it all.
• Need photographs of your centre - from outside and inside; with and without people.

There is lots more needed but for now that is a good start.  Please do spread the word and help out...

Back to Kaivalya...  Let us pray that we are able to grab the gems and share them with everyone online...

Thanks.

mk

Talk to the 5th Batch of Yuva Veers, Kolwan

Talk 3 - 17 September 2010

The final talk given by Pujya Guruji to the Yuva Veers at Kolwan.  What follows is something most practical.

When one goes to medical school one becomes a doctor.  When one goes through the Yuva Veer course, one must come out as a Veer Yuva!

What is the difference between the two?

When one goes through a spiritual training course it is expected that one will change.  The result of the education is that transformation must happen (Transformation Technology!).

When we pray too we say that may our learning or knowledge be bright, ie, may the knowledge be available to us to use when we need it (one of the reasons for me to type up these notes - my reflection).  Our life must be as per the knowledge we have learnt.

This according to me is so simple and so important.  Vedantic knowledge is not something to rattle off.  It has to become a part of us.  It has to become me or rather I have to become That!

Now some simple questions and practical suggestions by as I said the epitome of practicality and the instrument of Transformation Technology!

• How to make our knowledge bright?
• How to bring about transformation in our lives?
• What factors affect mind and life?

A great answer follows.  The beauty of this is that Guruji always most amazingly uses the scriptures to bring out simple points.  How often we may have read the same point again and again but never thought from such a perspective.  That is the difference between us and a great person endowed with an all-inclusive pure vision.

The answer is from the 11th Canto of Srimad Bhagvatam.  Bhagwan Krishna is teaching his friend Uddhavaji.

There are 10 factors which influence our thinking and life:

1. आगम Aagama - Vedas.  This is the traditional meaning.  An extension of this is the literature that we expose ourselves to.  The literature we read, listen to has a great impact on us.  As you think so you become is something we have heard often enough.  Thinking is influenced by all that we are exposed to.  Our opinions are often made by what the media says.
   
   mk: Only much later in life do we realise how all that we were exposed to right from our childhood has influenced us.  Thus it is all the more important that atleast now we take extreme care of what we read and see particularly on television.  Only when our thinking changes, can our vision.  Only when we have a clear and inspired vision can we make a difference in everything we do.  Also we need to realise early on how responsible we are for what our children become later in life.  Thus we must ensure that atleast they are exposed to literature which gives them the right values in life right from the beginning.  Its high time that we learn to behave like responsible citizens of the world.  We should not wait for others to change but let us start with ourselves.  Its never too late.
   
   
2. आपः Aapah - Water.  This includes everything we eat and drink.  Light or heavy food, the drinks we drink (very obviously hard liquor), all affect both our body and our mind.
   
   mk: no further comments.  Its a known fact.
   
   
3. प्रजा Prajaa - Company.  They say that man is known by the company he keeps.  The mind is definitely coloured by the company we keep.
   
   mk: That is why they say satsang is very important.  Satsang is keeping company of people who have values in life, of people who are 'good'.  As Pujya Guruji says, 'we should learn to value values and not valuables'.  A perfect example is peer pressure.  We know how we all have at some stage in life given in to peer pressure.  Imagine if that peer pressure made us always act correctly!  Yes I know its wild imagination!  But no harm in indulging in it!
   
   
4. देश Desha - Place or locality.  Where we have grown up and where we live definitely has an influence on us.
   
   mk: one can say this is not something in our control particularly if we are kids.  True.  But later we can choose.  Also when we have children we know how important the place is in influencing our children.  So keeping this in mind we should ensure that at home we impart the correct values to our children so that the external influence is minimised.
   
   
5. कालः Kaalah - Time.  Time is the same for all.  Time is available to me.  It is my choice how I choose to use it.  Lovely example given by Guruji.  An old man went to his friend's home.  His friend was not there and so he was talking to his friend's daughter-in-law.  He asked her how old she was and she replied 25 years.  Then he asked how old her husband was.  She replied 15 years!  She said that her father-in-law was 10 years old and her mother-in-law was just born!  The old man thought that may be she is angry with the family and hence she is giving such answers.  Seeing his confusion, she explained.  'Actually I am 35 years old.  I did nothing and just wasted my first 10 years.  A Mahatma came, taught me japa etc and I learned to remember the Lord.  Thus the first 10 years of my life can't be counted and so I am 25 years old.'  Suddenly everthing became clear to the old man.
   
   Similarly we all have 24 hours in a day.  How do we choose to use that time?  The wise person spends his time in the study of literature, scriptures, poetry, science, etc.  A foolish person spends it on some addiction or sleep or unnecessary quarrels and fights with people.
   
   mk: It is so true that we all have 24 hours.  We should reflect and see how much of the 24 hours we spend qualitatively either learning something useful or doing something useful.  My guess is that we would find that we probably do something like this only a few times per month.  We never even spend quality time with ourselves reflecting on our actions and thoughts.  Thinking of God - no ways.  How can we do that?  We are way too young for all that.  Once we are older we shall consider that proposal but for now let us enjoy God's creations!
   
   
6. कर्म Karma - Action.  We have karma shakti.  My hands have the power of action.  With my wealth too I can act.  The same with my knowledge.  But what do we act for?  That action which does not purify my mind, which does not serve anyone, by which no worship of God or a Mahatma is done is useless action.  It is futile action.  Karma which only creates agitations and desires in my mind, which disturbs others too is useless karma.  Real karma is that which only serves the Lord.
   
   mk: I just love this thought.  Its actually very easy.  When one is in love one does everything for one's beloved.  I am sure we can all easily relate to this whether love for one's spouse, or children or parents.  We never think of ourselves.  There is no question of calling any action a sacrifice.  It is done even if we don't like to only because we know it will please the beloved of our heart.  We may want to deny this but if we really reflect on it, it is true.  Imagine if we had this sort of love for the Lord...  Then truly all our actions will automatically be only for Him.  Our eating, dressing, sleeping, working, etc.  Everything just for the Lord of our heart.  So beautiful...  So elevating.  So joyous.
   
   
7. जन्म Janma - Birth.  Where I am born, my parents, my siblings etc all do influence me and my thinking.  Yes we can say this is not in my hands.  However, Vedanta has a beautiful definition of Janma.  It is bhaavaapati, ie, identification with a particular state of mind.  When I identify with anger an angry person is born.  Moment to moment depending on what we identify with we are born in different ways.
   
   mk: This is one of the reasons I simply love Vedanta.  Such mind blowing explanations.  So we can definitely control our identifications.  The moment we start identifying with some negative emotion we should become alert and immediately correct ourselves.
   
   
8. ध्यानं  Dhyaanam - Meditation, single-pointed thought.  The maintenance of a particular thought only is dhyaanam.
   
   mk: This is true thought power.  All sports people are taught this.  If we keep our mind on our goal and all our actions are focused on that too then we will definitely reach that goal.  We must eat, sleep, drink our vision, our goal.  With that sort of dedication why can't we get what we have set out to achieve?
   
   
9. मन्त्र Mantra - Chant, slogan.  Once we have fixed a goal in life and focussed on it that is dhyaanam.  We are clear that we want to achieve it.  As I go through the process of working towards the goal or doing my sadhana the mind sometimes gets impatient, distracted etc.  At that time there must be some thought to make the mind focus again.  This is mantra.  Often it is the name of the Lord.  It keeps me focussed and inspired.  In political language we call it a slogan.
   
   mk: An inspiring thought can bring one's focus back.  I remember asking Gurudev this question.  Often in our spiritual journey we find that most of the time we keep falling rather than rising.  He replied saying that it is okay to fall but we must be like rubber balls, spring back up!  The Lord's name or thinking of a great person or thinking of our goal or reading some inspiring quotes or books get help bring that focus back in our lives.  I am sure all of us have gone through these downs!
   
   
10. संस्कारः Sanskaarah - Value Education.  What kind of values do we inculcate in life?  We find many with cars but how many with sans-k(c)ars!  Most are without any culture.
    
    mk: These values must be inculcated right from pre-natal days.  Actually even before conception.  Only if we as parents have the right values, will our children have the correct values.  Children learn more from what they observe than what they are told.  If we tell them not to lie and then tell them to lie on our behalf what will they learn.  For eg, a parent tells the child to tell so and so person who calls on the land line that he / she is not at home though one may be at home.  If they see us pray they will understand that it is important to pray, it is good to pray etc.  But we can't tell them to pray and we ourselves never do it.  Similarly if we want them to control their viewing of TV then we too must control our viewing!  The examples are many.  It is important that we understand the import of this.

In summary, real transformation is possible when all ten factors become sattvika in nature.  True transformation technology from the master of TT!

Now tell me is this not most practical.  Most things we can change in ourselves.  The choice is ours.  Its high time that We Just Do It.  We can, We must as Pujya Gurudev used to say.  The most important quality to bring about this change (I can almost hear Guruji say this) is alertness.  If we are alert about our shortcomings we can change.  So let us, because only when we will change, will our society change.  It is all in our hands.  We can no longer blame anyone.  No politician or celebrity or industrialist or any other person is repsonsible for our society.  We only are.  Let us stop being passive thinkers and instead let us become dynamic workers / servants of this great land of ours - this Bharat Bhoomi.  After all we all have a huge debt to pay off to this great motherland who has given so much to us.

Hari Om!  That is all for now on the Exposition of Greatness as heard from a Great Master.  I have no idea what is next but this itself is a lot to digest...  So happy chewing!

mk

Talk to the 5th Batch of Yuva Veers, Kolwan

Talk Two - 16 September 2010

Some more points on greatness...

Once when Guruji had gone to Chinmaya Gardens in Coimbatore he enquired about the usual driver whom he did not see.  He was told that the driver had left his job and had started his own mess just outside the Ashram as there was an Institute right there.  He had a thriving business.  The food was mainly south Indian fast food like dosas etc.  Then Guruji asked about the barber only to be told that he too had left.  The barber had called his three brothers from Nepal and together they started a north Indian snack shop!  They too were doing well.

Now earlier, both were only employees.  They had increased their status to having their own businesses.  So in life one progresses from being an employee to a business man to an industrialist.  Some enter politics and become MPs.  A rare few go on to become the PM.  The PM has his / her advisors too.

A businessman provides employment to others and becomes a creator of wealth.  CEOs become leaders and guide organisations.  The PM guides the entire nation.  However, the highest is the advisor to the PM who guides the PM too.  Eg of an advisor is Chanakya.

This only is the Varna Vyavastha of the earlier days.  A sudra is an employee.  Vaishya is one who does business.  The one in politics is the Kshatriya and finally the ones with vision who alone can truly guide are the Brahmanas.  Interestingly, nowadays a majority of people only want jobs.  They are happy to remain as employees.

We can start from anywhere but must not remain at the same place.  We must move ahead.

For example, Swami Ranganathanandaji went on to become the President of the Ramakrishna Mission.  Prior to that he was only working in the kitchen.

A person with vision only can become great.

Hence, it is really important for us not just to have a vision but to have a clear and correct vision.  We must have an all inclusive vision and not a divisive vision.  This is a very simple tip and it can be practised by us anywhere even in our homes.  We must learn to start thinking beyond ourselves and our family.

Now another interesting sign of greatness.  In Hindi we say, 'Ramji mahaan the', ie Ramji was great.  We also say, 'Ravana bhi mahaan tha' ie Ravana also was great.  Both were great in their own respects.  But what is the difference in the greatness?  We never add the 'ji' for Ravana!

Ravana made everyone small.  He supressed everyone.  However, Ramji raised every small person to a height of greatness and divinity.  Tulsidasji says, 'Ramji sits on the foot of trees but the monkeys sit on the tops of trees.'  The monkeys were raised by Ramji to the status of divinity just like Ramji himself.

There is cut throat competition in the world.  It is either kill or get killed.  A rise in this sort of a world is bad and the fall can be fatal.

Guruji aptly says, 'Think big, act wisely and show results'.  There is no need to limit one's imagination.

A great person dissolves his / her individuality and helps and serves others to grow.

Of course it is great to hear about greatness.  But we need some recent relevant examples.  Is it possible in this day and age to be allowed to become great?  Isn't it that the world nowadays only teaches us to be more and more selfish and self centred.  Guruji comes up with the perfect example to get his point across to all of us...

Notes on talks of Day 2 will continue...  Till then think who was the perfect example used by Guruji to elucidate everything about greatness....

Hope that some were able to guess who Guruji spoke about...  None other than Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayanandaji...  Guruji spoke on the first two verses of Kritagyata (written by Guruji himself).

Pujya Gurudev is the pinnacle of spiritual greatness.  He was the best among the knowers of Brahman.  This knowledge when flavoured with karuna or compassion becomes most beautiful.  This was the amazing aspect of Pujya Gurudev - his most compassionate nature.

George Bernard Shaw says, 'Hatred has not destroyed others as much as lack of consideration for others'.

This compassion made Gurudev work tirelessly and kept him forever engaged in the welfare of all people irrespective of caste, colour, creed etc.

Gurudev saw all around him the decline of culture and the pitiable condition of the nation.  His heart melted because of that and inspired him to serve the people.

This is the difference between an ordinary person and a great person.  We all feel but majority of the time do nothing!  Pujya Gurudev knew that just passive compassion will not help anyone.  It was time for action.  Therefore, day and night he engaged himself in Karma.  Thus it is important to be actively compassionate.

Often people are very good in delegating work to others and they themselves do nothing.  But Gurudev was not like that.  In his doing and acting he inspired and motivated others to do and act.  However, he himself always remained detached.

Thus to sum up, a great person is actively compassionate working for the good of all.  He himself acts and while doing so inspires others to do the same.  In and through all this he remains detached.

But what did Pujya Gurudev do?  Actually the list is endless but Guruji did make an attempt to list out a few...

• Balvihar classes for children to inculcate them with sanskara.  
• Classes for the youth to teach them to do vichaara.  
• An ocean of literature which will provide inspiration and guidance to all for years to come.  
• Jnana Yajnas for people to attend and gain inspiration.  
• Vedanta training programmes to impart the immortal Vedantic knowledge to one and all and thus keep the Guru shishya parampara alive.  
• Loka Seva in many fields - spiritual, social, educational, medical and so on and so forth. 

The Mission is vast and gives everyone a platform to select their area of expertise and aptitude and serve the society.

Now time for my comments...  Truly this Mission is vast.  We all have gained so much.  Atleast I know I have and many around me feel the same.  Let us learn now to actively express our gratitude.  What is the point in just saying I have learnt such a lot.  Our Indian Culture is so good and should be told to all...  etc...  Its high time that we stop this coffee table talk and as Pujya Gurudev would say, 'roll up your sleeves and get to work'.  How many of us contribute a few hours weekly for this amazing work?  Actually we should do it daily.  People will say how?  How can we go to our centres daily?  We don't have to go anywhere to serve.  Even by studying daily and applying what we learn consciously in our lives we are doing a great service.  This will make us change.  Once we change people around us will automatically change.  We don't need to tell our children do this and don't do this.  They will learn from our actions only how one should act.  So first we should be good students and apply what we learn.  Its not just theory.

Those of us who have the spare time should make use of it and serve the organisation.  Pujya Guruji says, 'We must remember that the organisation doesn't need us.  It is we who need the organisation!  It is our privilege to serve such a Master.  We alone will benefit.'  So actually by doing this so called service we are being totally selfish.  Thus it is not really service.  We are doing what we really should.  It appears so simple but still so many of us hesitate to take the plunge and serve the Mission worried about what the world will say, etc.

In Feb next year Pujya Guruji is conducting Pujya Gurudev's Sevaks's Training Camp for 15 days in Mumbai (for details please go to www.chinmayamission.com).  This Camp is meant for those who wish to serve the Mission on a full-time basis.  I take this opportunity to implore to the youth to seriously consider making this life time committment.  Trust me your life will be made!  Its worth a committment.  Yes it is not easy to do so.  It requires a lot of courage, daring and vision.  Our country needs our services.  Why should we worry about how we will manage with so little.  Actually there is true joy and peace only in having little.  I have been working full time for over 10 years now and so far it has been the best time of my life.  Materially I have always wanted much more than what I need.  Mentally, intellectually and spiritually I have gained tremendously, immeasurably.  I have learnt what is real faith, patience, courage and slowly from Pujya Guruji I am learning about Pujya Gurudev's vision.  Come.  Let go of your fears and do something different because you should, it is your bounden duty.

mk

Talk to the 5th Batch of Yuva Veers, Kolwan 2010

Talk One - 15 September 2010


In his inimitable style Guruji started off with a joke and everyone was relaxed and waiting for the message behind the joke.

Visitor to a town asked the resident, 'Are great men born in this town?'  Pat came the reply, 'No, only babies are born here!'

Perfect answer really.  All of us are born the same.  But what makes one person great?  Thus Guruji raised the following questions:
What is greatness?
How to become great?

The answers to these questions were simply exquisite.  Guruji explained that we need to understand two important concepts:
i) Vision of life - How do I look at my life.  How do I look at his whole world.  The important point here is How.

ii) Life of vision - Do I know why I do what I do.  Here the important point is Why.

How do I look at life?
Through my eyes!  We can look at our lives in two ways:
From a worldly standpoint
From a spiritual standpoint

The Bhagawad Geeta says that there are three types of vision:

i) Sattvika vision - inspite of all perceptual differences we see one Truth which is common and present in all beings.  This is the Vision of Oneness.  One Self in all.  It is an all inclusive vision.

ii) Rajasic vision - to see differences and take them to be real.  There is no common Truth.  It is little expansive but creates likes and dislikes.

iii) Tamasic vision - this is to take the part for the whole.  It is the vision of most of us.  Eg, money is everything.

Person with a narrow vision will remain very self-centred.  One with a sattvika vision will think of all.

What exactly is greatness?

To rise above his / her individualistic considerations and think of the totality makes a person great.

Lokmanya Tilak was in jail.  He received a telegram giving him the news that he had lost his wife.  The jailor took the telegram to him and saw that it was in the bin.  He took it out thinking that Lokmanyaji had not seen it.  Put it in front of him.  Once again he found it in the bin.  Unable to control himself the jailor gave the news of the demise of Lokmanyaji's wife to Lokmanyaji.  Lokmanyaji replied, 'I have no more tears to shed on my personal tragedies.'

What an amazing reply?  How many of us would be able to think in this manner.  No wonder he was so great.  His title 'Lokmanya' meant the one who is respected and revered by all.  Truly such people only should be our role models to gain our inspiration and vision.  How many of us know anything about Lokmanyaji?  Unless we read about their lives how will we gain the inspiration from them?

Thus greatness is rising above one's own profits / gains / considerations and identifying with the majority and working for them.

A lovely quote by someone, 'It is nice to be great but it is greater to be nice.'

Now an amazing example from the Ramacharitamanasa:

When Sitaji was at Ashoka Vatika, Ravana pleaded with her to look at him even once.  What a fearless and fitting reply Sitaji gave!

'Does the lotus open in the light of a firefly or only in the light of the sun?!'

Both the firefly and sun have light.  However, the firefly's light is only to show itself.  It can't dispel darkness and its light is of no use to anyone else.  In contrast, sunlight dispels darkness totally.  In the light of the sun all are energised and are able to do their work.  The sun doesn't show itself off.  Similarly a truly great person doesn't need to tell anyone to look at him / her.  In the great person's glory only are all motivated, inspired, energised.  Truly great people are blessings for all around

We all have experienced this.  In Pujya Gurudev's presence all of us have felt motivated, inspired, energised.  Till date Gurudev's vision drives each one of us to higher and higher goals.  But truly this inspiration and motivation is impossible to maintain just by remembering Pujya Gurudev and His Vision.  Atleast I know I am not so highly evolved.  We are lucky to have Pujya Guruji in our midst.  Despite all that goes on around him, he motivates, inspires and energises each and every one of us at all times!  The perfect indicator of a great person.  We are truly blessed - doubly so actually!

What exactly is a Life of Vision?
What ideal should one stand for?
Why do we do what we do?

In verse 7 of Bhaja Govindam Bhagwan Adi Shankaracharyaji describes a life of graceless ageing.  A life of no vision at all.

Pujya Guruji composed a verse with the same metre on Graceful Aging.  This is found in Pujya Guruji's books 'Graceful Aging' and 'Life of Vision'.  I highly recommend both books.  Loved them thoroughly.  The second one is an interesting compilation of some of Pujya Guruji's compositions which comes with a free audio CD with audio recordings of all compositions done by our Chinmaya Naada Bindu team.  If you have still not read them both you have missed something...

Getting back to the topic!  In a life of graceful aging one's childhood is engaged in true learning.  Guruji presented an interesting thought.  If one knows a particular language then suddenly all the knowledge written in that language is available to the person.  It is very obvious but how many of us thought with this perspective.  Guruji knows English, Hindi, Marathi and Sanskrit so knowledge in all these four languages are available to him.  I have seen Guruji read Gujarati books and understand them too!  Most of us can just about manage to understand English let alone anything else!  I truly feel that we all should really try hard to know Hindi, one regional language and definitely Sanskrit besides English.

One must have a love for learning and we should pursue that field which we wish to truly learn.

After childhood comes youth.  This phase must be a sort of vow in which we resolve to serve ourselves and others around us through the knowledge we have gained.  Simultaneously we must contribute to our field of knowledge.  There must be a firm abidance in this.

I feel that this only is true strength not that which young people are proud of nowadays - physical strength.  Of course that is important but without mental strength the physical strength is totally useless.  Ma Jeejabai (mother of Shivaji Maharaj) told him that the most important quality he needed to win over the Mughals was 'manobala'.  She was an amazing lady.  Not many of us unfortunately know about her...

Continuing...  Mahatma Gandhi was clear that even his politics was meant only for Self Realisation.  Madan Mohan Malviyaji valued education and so established the Benaras Hindu University.

We too should take a vow to abide firmly in the knowledge we have gained and make a positive difference wherever we are.

In old age, as far as worldly objects are concerned there should be total contentment.  No craving or hankering for objects of the world.  One should only want spiritual unfoldment.  The goal is truly only spiritual.  Such a person alone revels in the Supreme Brahman and has found true fulfillment.

Let us pray that we all may have only a spiritual goal...

End of day one talk.  Two to go.

mk

Arrival in Chinmaya Vibhooti

14 September 2010

We left Mumbai just before 4pm for Chinmaya Vibhooti.  Someone had been kind enough to give their personal Mercedes for Pujya Guruji to go in.  They sent a driver to drive the Ashram Corolla.  So we all set off.  Guruji, Madhabi and myself in one car and Parvati Amma, Meera and Chitta Bhaiya in the other one. 

The journey was smooth and we had some general discussions and chatting.  I got to pull Madhabi's legs and showed her the red ST limousine which I had recommended for her travel (red ST bus of Maharasthtra)!  Reached Vibhooti comfortably by 7.20pm or so.  Enroute we had stopped only for a few minutes to refuel and offload!

All the Yuvaveers with their Commander Swami Mitranandaji and the Chinmaya Vibhooti team members were present to welcome Pujya Guruji in Swami Sadan.  It was lovely to hear the chants resounding in the peaceful surroundings of Chinmaya Vibhooti.

Guruji sat down and started the informal discussion with the Yuva Veers.  They had studied Bhaja Govindam and so Guruji gave some wonderful insights into this.

Bhaja Govindam is repeated three times.  The first one implies knowledge.  Seek that which is told in the Vedas. 

To seek knowledge one needs purity of mind which comes from doing selfless work.  Hence, the second one implies Karma Yoga.

Selfless work demands sacrifice which comes out of love and love is nothing but Bhakti.

Thus we have all three - Jnana, Karma and Bhakti.

But at the end of all this one is going to die.  One can't be freed from death with this knowledge but one can be freed from the fear of death.  Fear only worries us.  Taking the Lord's name will free us from this fear.

But what is death?  It is not just leaving the physical form.  Change itself if death.  We must be totally fearless of change.

All secular knowledge should be learnt only for a higher purpose.

Bhaja Govindam tells us all to wake up.

Guruji went on to say that there are three types of people:

1. Those who are asleep.
2. Those who pretend to sleep.
3. Those who are asleep but think they are awake.

The first type are the ignorant ones.  The second have the knowledge but pretend to be ignorant.  The third variety are the most dangerous.  They are asleep (ignorant) but think they are awake (jnani). 

Well I guess often I fall into either the first or the third category.  Sometimes I do admit ignorance.  At other times I think I know the answer and the truth is that I really don't.  This only is dangerous.  If I stick to my guns and say what I think only is correct and the other's view points are not then this could become a sticky situation.  Here is where we all have to learn to step back and understand that often our view point is incorrect.  We are ignorant though we can pretend to have all the knowledge!  Easy to write all this now.  When the crunch time comes so easy to forget this simple nugget of common sense.

Then Guruji went on to say that Bhaja Govindam tells us to wake up.  The Upanishads too roar, stand and wake up (Uthishtha Jaagrata...).  How can we first stand up and then wake up?  Is it not usually wake up and then stand? 

A mother is waking her child up to send him to school.  He has to be ready by 7am.  She starts from say 5.30am.  Very lovingly she will try to wake him up.  He turns and says few minutes more.  This goes on till its 6.30am.  Now any further delay and she knows he will miss the bus.  So she rushes in and forces him up.  Imagine if she had to wake him up when the house was on fire.  Would she most lovingly say, wake up.  No she would just rush get him up and in his sleep only bundle him out of the house.  So in an emergency situation it is first stand up and then wake up.  Similarly the scriptures too roar to us to stand up and wake up.  They want us to understand the gravity of the situation.  We have no time to waste...  Our goal is too precious for time to be wasted in frivolous pursuits.

What a great introduction by Pujya Guruji for the YEPs...  It was most practical...  Something we can all learn from.

Finally he asked the YEPs to chant something.  They chanted Medha Suktam.  It was amazing to hear them all in one voice.  My hair stood on end.  The effect was most stimulating...  Then Guruji explained to them the importance of daily chanting.  If this is not done we forget what we have learnt.  He said someone can say where is the time to chant everyday.  Guruji's most practical answer:

Don't you bathe daily.  Yes replied everyone.  So simple, when bathing one can chant a few stotras, the Hanuman Chalisa etc.  Think that we are bathing the Lord who resides in us.  Chanting to the Lord when bathing becomes an upasana.  Beautiful...  Simply touching!

Simple practical tips from the Master who epitomises practicality in its true sense...  Let us serve Him by following these simple tips...

Lots more to come but I need to be like Lakshmana bhaiya - manage with no sleep!

mk

Night Satsang with Pujya Guruji - Dharma

8 September 2010

Guruji got up to go in as it was getting late and finally he was feeling a bit tired.  We were just a handful of us in his kutia in Sandeepany Powai.  One of the members asked him, 'Guruji how do we please other people?'  What a masterpiece of an answer from an amazing master...

Do not try to either please anyone else or yourself.  Only do what is correct.  You can never know the mind of the other person and so can never please the other person.  If you try to please yourself it would be at either a body, mind or intellect level.  One can never satisfy the demands of these instruments.  Doing what is correct only is Dharma.  For eg, Lord Rama was told to go to the forest.  He could have tried to please himself and refused to go as he had been promised the kingdom.  But he did no such thing.  Alternatively, he could have pleased his father and not gone to the forest.  Once again he did not do this.  He followed only Dharma.  Sacrifice only is the essence of Dharma.  Only a Tyaagaveera can become a Dharmaveera!

A very thought provoking reply.  I think most often when we act, we do it either to satiate some hunger of ours or to please the other person.  If the other person is not pleased or does not acknowledge what we have done often we get affected by the act of ingratitude etc.  However, if we always act thinking of doing only what is correct then our satisfaction or happiness is forever with us.  It is not relevant how the other person responds to our action nor whether any of our desires have been satiated.  The only thing important is that we follow our Dharma.

It is high time that we as the youth (relatively speaking!) of the world have good role models.  Our culture offers us the best and still we choose to ignore them.  What better role model can we ask for, other than Lord Rama.  For those of us in Chinmaya Mission, we are even more lucky.  Here we have seen Pujya Gurudev living Dharma and now we have Pujya Guruji who continues this great tradition.  We could have said that this is Kali Yuga and who follows Dharma now.  But no, we are lucky.  Today too, we have Pujya Guruji with us, a perfect role model.  Let us pray we learn to act and live correctly.

mk

Evening Satsang with Pujya Guruji

8 September 2010

Post dinner we were all sitting in Pujya Guruji's kutia in Sandeepany Powai and Guruji was complaining that no one was asking any questions.  All that we were doing was talking nonsense.  Then Guruji only asked us all a question:
'What would I want for if I was assured of success?'

Gave us all some time to think and then started going around asking for thoughts.  Raviji said Darshan of the Lord.  At that time Guruji said that can't be.  These answers are given only to please.  For eg, youth in USA will ask why do Hindus worship so many Gods.  The real question in their mind may be What is wrong with dating or inter-caste or inter-faith marriages.

Then Guruji asked Brni Vividisha.  She said she wanted to ensure that all girls get their education and money earned from her writings be used towards battered women.  Thus started people's answers.  Some were simple and to the point like I want to get married or I want to put on some weight.  Another said she didn't want to be misunderstood.  Raviji's thoughts had changed.  Others said I would have brought up my kids differently.  Some are definite that they want to realise.  Another wanted more education and knowledge of music.  Thus the discussion continued.

I was thinking what I wanted as I knew that soon enough I will be asked too.  The first thought that came to me was that obviously I want something that is most precious to me.  So then I had to think what was most precious to me.  The only 'thing' that I could think of was Pujya Guruji.  I thought again and again so that I was sure.  I always wanted to serve my country.  But that is exactly what I was doing I thought.  If I wanted to do it any other way then I would not be here.  So that was clear Guruji was the most precious.  I can't say that what I want is to serve Guruji.  That again too would sound like I just want to please or something to that effect.  So I kept reflecting what I really wanted.  It was true that I wanted to serve Guruji but that was too superficial.  I needed to know how to serve Guruji.  For that I needed to know what he expected of me.  Perfect.  What I really wanted was to be able to understand Guruji.  Guruji always emphasises that the thought flow is most important.  So what I wanted was to understand Guruji's thought flow.  Once this was clear to me everything else would automatically fall in place!

Sure enough my turn came.  I said that I really wanted to be able to understand Guruji, to understand how Guruji thinks.  Then I asked Guruji what did Guruji really want.  Guruji said nothing or something to that effect.  I replied that was not fair.  Then Guruji said what Guruji wanted, 'I would want to be what I expect others to be.  For eg, if I want the other person to be loving then I should be loving first.  If I don't want to be misunderstood then I must not misunderstand first.'  More egs flowed from Guruji.  What a perfect answer!  That is why I need to understand his thinking process, his perspective.  Only then can I be a more effective instrument.

Lovely satsang and end of a beautiful day...

mk