Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Paunar Mitra Milan

Vinobaji set up the Brahma Vidya Mandir Ashram, commonly known as the Paunar Ashram in 1959 for women to practice inner transformation. He spent the last 13 years of his life in this Ashram and initiated collective meditation practices and the practice of a self-sustainable life (Kaanchan Mukti). The Ashram is by the devotion and love of around 36 nuns.Vinobaji would often insist to celebrate his death anniversary instead of his birthdays.

Each year a 3-day gathering – Matri Milan, is organized in the same spirit around his death anniversary. The gathering hosts around 400 friends from all places who are aligned with the values of Vinoba and Gandhi. We were introduced to the
Paunar Ashram six years back by Gopal dada. This year we were given the opportunity to make the sanitation arrangements for this event. Gopal dada, a dozen volunteers and Sureshbhai marched in the space all charged with a deep sense of love and gratitude for this pure land. With the positive spirit of the volunteers we took the responsibility of the overall cleanliness of the campus and toilets; ambience with wisdom art; providing hot water for bathing etc. The volunteers worked day and night. They would jokingly say to the Gandhian elders to pardon their grown beard, as they did not have time to shave.It was a great spirit of service and our minds were sparked of with many ideas and we also got spaces to implement them.
The theme for this year was Maitri – friendship. We all volunteers were reflecting on the word – Maitri and thought that listening to each other’s stories deepens friendship. He suggested having everyone share in a circle rather than having few speakers. 400 powerhouses broke into 6 big groups forming giant circles. It was beautiful to hear each persons sharing. Powerful connections were built amongst people as everyone found out about everyone and deeper friendships were made.

Vinobaji would say to work from a mental makeup of Giftivism instead of activism. Sureshbhai set up a kindness table in the same spirit, where products were offered without a price tag and it was for the person to choose how much they wanted to offer from their heart. It was for the first time for most of the people to experience something like this. Everyone was so happy about the experiment and was received whole-heartedly. It was such a beautiful experience for the team to receive blessings from the Gandhian elders for this experiment in kindness. Not only people gave more than what we would have received if it had been only on a transaction basis but also friendships were established and so many beautiful stories were shared as the narrative changed.

Gopal dada was our constant inspiration through all these days. He was an 85 years young volunteer. Each day we would sit through circles for reflections and bring stories and values of Vinoba. He lived each day with the inspiration from Vinobaji. When someone asked him if he would want to go to the Vinoba Kutir he said that I don’t need to go there as Vinoba is in me. Gopal dada fell sick and was hospitalized. He was in constant prayers to god to delay his death by a day so that the Matri Milan gets over peacefully. He passed away on the next day early morning at 2 am. 

My self suresh had spent long years with Gopal dada’s fills his heart with so much gratitude and kindness just by his sublime remembrance.
My self sureh shared whenever he would think of Gopal dada’s sublime presence, his heart would be filled with so much kindness and gratitude. 

Monday, February 17, 2014

A Smile and An Act of Kindness a Day to Keep the Doctor Away

For approximately the last eight years, St. Xavier's Social Service Society has held an annual health-care fair to educate people on health and on disease prevention. My self suresh, a few staff members of the Environmental Sanitation Institute (ESI), along with a few of us volunteers came to spread messages not only sanitation and personal hygiene as a means of good health, but on the mental and spiritual aspect of well-being also. Thus, a gathering of a couple thousand people from all over Ahmedabad, during the course of two days allowed for many opportunities to share and connect over kindness and generosity! The ESI stall was set up on one side with it's usual demonstration equipment, various models on low cost toilets and educational posters. However, on day two of the fair, an impromptu gift-economy style kindness table was also laid out. This came about after Suresh-bhai the day before in his slightly feverish state of being- cooked up the idea to step it up the next day and really hone in one 'inner cleanliness' as well!

The kindness table was a bit hit, as people flocked in puzzlement to understand it and how it related to health. This included thirty plus volunteers at the fair who were students studying for their Masters in Social Work. First off in the early morning, Suresh-bhai explained the idea of the smile card and deck, and within minutes had all volunteers off to tag random participants, health-care educators and kitchen staff with small gift items and acts of kindness! Before doing so however, a moment of silence and prayer was held to start the days intention off right. A sight that had strangers holding hands within minutes of knowing each other and kindness blooming big.


Later on during the day, two men off in a corner were all smiles as the other was seemingly explaining the surprise random act of kindness he received. The gift- a small “Be the Change You Wish to See” flower lay, now hanging around his neck.

Small acts of kindness were spreading like wild fire across the fair and breaking even language barriers! Caruna and Zoe, (two inters visiting India from China), who were with us for a day, were lovingly nudged by Suresh-bhai to go give one of the students a hug. Zoe, who speaks very little english was asked to complete this 'kindness mission.” Initially in shock at the request, she then hesitantly went over the group of students and gave one of them a hug. Culturally very different for both Zoe and the student, but within minutes the entire group along with Zoe and Caruna were laughing and connecting over kindness!

At the end of the fair health, educators were asked to share a few thoughts from the day. In his closing remarks Suresh-bhai shared that when we connect with each other through kindness and generosity it is a process of self purification. Further that our mental and spiritual health is enlivened because through this connection we recognize ourselves as one with each other. So I leave you with this Rx: a smile and an act of kindness a day, will be sure to keep the doctor away!


Tribute to Gopal Dada

A Tribute to Gopal Dada a Devotee of Vinoba Bhave at the village of Unjha
January, 16th 2014

It was a remarkable day, for approximately four hundred people gathered, both friends and family, from near and far to honor the late Gopal dada in his birth town of Unjha just two months after his passing. Gopal dada, whose spirit and legacy still lives vibrantly in the hearts of all whom he touched. In this spirit, his disciples, whom he mentored and shared his values on Gandhian philosophy, and his life lessons, came together to share small stories that inspired them about their beloved Gopal dada. More than fifty of his personal disciples shared loving stories of inspiration. Many of these stories highlighted how Gopal dada was known for spreading kindness with small acts of love.

One such story was shared how he had created fifteen black boards all throughout the village. Before sunrise,with a lamp in hand, he would write positive messages and quotes for people to wake up to. Another story highlighted his spirit and devotion to nature. He planted more than five hundred trees in his home village and would with his own hands carry water from a nearby small lake and water these fragile trees with such care. Gopal dada was also a man of great integrity and honesty. Another shared how the people whom gave contributions with faith, to his revered cause and support of the Vinoba Ashram, were all returned with a receipt of their contribution.

This tribute was organized and sponsored by life long student of Gopal dada Ramji bhai. Ramji bhai whom finds deep gratitude for the lessons and values imparted by Gopal, shared that he never had the honor of meeting Vinoba Bhave, but that found his spirit in Gopal dada. He believed Gopal dada was the Vinoba of Unjha. He also in his honor, promised to lay down, for each of the trees planted Gopal, a seated area surrounding and encasing each tree.

Gopal dada, and the way with which he lived is life, was a great inspiration to many. Jayesh bhai, a long time friend, was particularly inspired by the way which Gopal dada lived a life of Sadhana- a life of great spiritual practice, and a life of simplicity. Among others that were inspired were Engineering students, from Stanford University in California, whom shared a reverence of his spirit. Particularly, a story that was recounted by Jeyesh bhai was that of which he was walking with Gopal dada on a road and saw him clearing the rocks away to the side of the road. In which Maria, a Stanford University student accompanying them asked him why he was doing this. Gopal dada proceeded to explain that in spirit of Maitri Bhav, noble friendship he is doing this. He may not know the person who may possibly walk behind him, but in doing this he may spare someone from hurting their feet on the small stones.

Among others the others who spoke about Gopal dada, there was also an individual who is known for singing great spiritual and devotional songs.  He sang with great might a personal favorite devotional song of Gopal dada.  It was with sang with so much heart and moved some to tears.
 
Gopal dada, whom by his legacy and with how he lived his life inspired and continues to inspire us, begs the question, how can we too, live a life with such purity and intention? His 'outer cleanliness' was a mere reflection of his inner purity. The small and in great ways with which he served has had a profound impact on many and continues to to this day.