VW enters my life once again!

My beetle VW was my first step towards Independence. It was a gift from my husband when I was a young woman in my 30s. My desire to probably drive a VW as my last car during this lifetime was once again fulfilled! Thankyou

Mike Handcock Dave Rogers

Attended an International workshop on the X Factor (presented by  Quantum Business School and the Sage Foundation.)

conducted by Dave Rogers and Mike Handcock.

It particularly taught us:

How to maximize our uniqueness which everyone has..How to get noticed in an interview or deal even if you're not a Star profile.

Some interesting learnings and experiences

Dont think your way through things

BUT

feel your way through things

What is a billionaire's formula?

Ability to recognize opportunity multiplied by intuition and topped by decisiveness.

I asked: "What does one do, if one has the passion but less energy (In my case I have a passion to understand spirituality and Interfaith dialogue).

The answer was: Become a consultant

Will you believe that Rael Padamsee said: I will contact you to become a consultant for my plays based on religious stories! :)

Aspi Supriya Kitaab Khaana

Like wine, it feels one can never have enough of Sufi Poetry. After last month's evening with Sufi poetry, those who came wanted some more. So in this month's Poetry Corner at Kitabkhana, we continue where we left off, with a focus on Omar Khayyam this time.

Myself when young did eagerly frequent
Doctor and Saint, and heard great Argument
About it and about: but evermore
Came out by the same Door as in I went.

“The very best poems produce a shift in awareness that takes us outside ourselves. In this place, momentarily, time seems to slow down or even stop. From this vantage point, we view life from another perspective — one that seems strangely familiar, and perhaps even more real, than our casual, day-to-day way of looking at things. In this way, by stepping beyond ourselves into the Tavern of Wonder, we catch a glimpse of what the deeper self, and our deeper ties, are really like.”

— From the introduction to Love’s Alchemy: Poems from the Sufi Tradition by David and Sabrineh Fideler

Sufi’s are lovers of the truth. Through love and devotion they seek to become one with their beloved. Through poetry many of the great Sufi mystics have been able to encapsulate and share their spiritual experiences.

Aspi Mistry is the founder member of the Dharma Rain Centre for Buddhist Studies, Free Tibet and human rights activist, who prays, with apologies to Shantideva, “May I be a thorn in the sides of those who desperately need a thorn in their sides…”

Independance Day at Documentary at Chavan Centre

Shashi Vyas the man who conceived the documentary

Ms Maya Shahani and Shekhar Kapoor

Was invited to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the National Anthem at the Chavan Centre. The Documentary explains the Anthem. 

Bharat Bhagya Vidhaata means ' The architects of India's Destiny'

As such they introduced extremely interesting and inspiring characters who followed their heart and passion with little else and reached heights...

Janmashtami is on the 9th of Aug. Get to know Krishna better. Click:http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/janmashtami.htm 

Rumi Omar Khayyam Aspi Mistry Poetry club Kitab khana

Attended a most enjoyable evening at Kitab Khana located near Flora Fountain.
I love the way the place has been done up. It is a must visit whenever you are visiting Mumbai.
I have always wanted to understand poetry better...Ms Supriya Rai felt the same way...so she initiated a small group. For the last few turns we have been reading and trying to understand what  drives the poets?
I was particularly pleased at the way the attendance has grown...

On July 18th 2012 Aspi Mistry presented an evening of Sufi poetry where masters like Rumi, Hafiz, Omar Khayyam were read and discussed.


It started six years ago. A small group of people in Mumbai, led by Aspi Mistry, a practising Buddhist, decided to meet every Saturday. There was no real agenda: the Dharma Rain Centre was established to discuss in a lively manner all aspects of ethics, spirituality and its practice, to study religious texts and to meditate together.
Anita Anand believes: The shift to spirituality is attributed to the pressures of modern life, in which marriages and families are breaking down. People are realising that material comforts may be fulfilled but emotional needs are not. “Once the children leave the house, and job responsibilities are routine, midlife crisis strikes. People start to wonder what their life is worth,” 

As Aspi puts it, most people usually turn to spirituality after some trauma, a common enough occurrence in this age, asking two versions of the same query—‘Why me?’, or the more general ‘Why do bad things happen to good people?’

Perhaps modern-day urban living is making people ask the eternal, existential questions at a much earlier age.

Load the ship and set out. No one knows for certain whether the vessel will sink or reach the harbor. Cautious people say, "I'll do nothing until I can be sure". Merchants know better. If you do nothing, you lose. Don't be one of those merchants who wont risk the ocean."

Gerard Senehi

Attended a session at Ms Maya Shahani residence. Google Gerard Senehi to know more about him. He reads minds, bends spoons...Here are some of the notes that attended the session including mine!


As usual the evening at your house was electrifying and awesome,Gerard not only amazed us with his unique and amazing powers,but also enlightened us on the subject of evolution and its connection to spirituality.
Combined with your lovely persona and wonderful hospitality,the evening has been immortalized in the minds of those who have been lucky and destined to be a part of it.
I thank you for the experience
Love and Best Regds,
Umesh Pherwani
Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone



Dear Maya,
 The evening with Gerard was very enjoyable and I truly wish that I had been able to stay for a longer time.
 I agree with Gerard when he says that there is an unseen force at work once one perseveres in the Spiritual path.
 I believe that various doors of opportunity open as we go through the path. Most of the time people do not 'enter the door' because of fear of ridicule, rejection, failure...and these all manifest due to our 'ego'...and we lose great opportunities to grow...
 Thankyou Gerard and Maya...
Dear Maya, persevere in the path that you have chosen and I will follow...and also be by your side.
Much love
Shakun Narain Kimatrai



Dear Gerard,

It was truly an  'out of the world experience'  having you with us. Now that we know what Andrew and you are all about, I am sure collectively we can achieve some positive results.

I am copying your mail below to all the participants who came that day, so that we get inputs from everyone as to how they see themselves as catalysts in this movement.

I would request Linesh to forward us Emails of his student invitees who I have not been able to copy in this mail as I do not have their contacts. They had made some profound observations.

Look forward to receiving some inspiring inputs from all of you.

Warmest,

Maya


On Tue, Jul 3, 2012 at 8:53 PM, Gerard Senehi wrote:

Dear Maya,
Thank you very much for organizing the afternoon at your home! It was a beautiful and meaningful time where you created an atmosphere where everyone had the chance to take important questions very seriously. I really appreciate how you hold this atmosphere of deeper values and meaning...
Gerard Senehi, Founder,

Attended a talk on Spiritual Healing at Dr Anand's home. 

I personally believe in Reiki and Christian Science, but mostly (more, and less stressful)  I prefer to believe in the curative power of medication. I like the fact that one of the Ratnas (gems) mentioned in the Shrimad Bhaagvad is Dhanvantari (physician for all Gods, power of medicines)

So, in acute or chronic cases, I take medication. Rather than stress that I have more faith in God than in medication, I prefer to visualize the Lord in medication and 'believe' that the medicine will not harm me.

There is a mantra which you may use before taking medication:
Om Rum Rudra Rog naashaaye
dhanvantarye phat

How to know God

The larger will that rules events always tries to make itself known. If you align with it, the path through this phase is smooth. If you don't there are many ups and downs and your ability to manifest your desires can run into as many obstacles as it overcomes... The way to power is to give up power. This is the great lesson the ego is confronted with... Deepak chopra in How to know God.

Had a marvelous May/June
Attended the Graduation ceremony of my 1st Grandchild in the US and then visited China (Beijing) to explore the unexplored spots in my life! I had started to think that I was slowing down, but these trips really made me realize that you can do anything if your heart is in it! I walk, but am not a great walker...and I 'conquered' the 'Wall of China' Like the latter 'Life is full of 'ups and downs' but yet 'Bahut diya dene wale ne tujhko, aanchal hi na sammaye to kya keeje, beet gaye jaisey yeh din raina, baakee bhee kat jaaye dua keejey'

Sunita Godbole, Trustee of Women's Movement for Peace and Prosperity (WMPP) and President of Women's Forum for Justice CHS organised a seminar on Housing Society related issues & Redevelopment on 27th june 3pm to 7pm.Times of India Nalanda

Click:

http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/shacune/WMPPTIMESFunctionsAttended/ 

Trip to Alibaug

Dear friends,
Here are some of the great activities I have participated since the last month or so that I have not shared in my dear blog.
Ms Amla Ruia celebrated her birthday in such a lovely way. She invited us to her lovely home at Ali Baug. She invited Vikram Hazra. How very well he sings! One cant help dancing to his tunes!
Amlaji also recited her compositions on Narad Bhakti Sutra.
What better way than to enjoy a 'day'

Thanks Amlaji and Happy Birthday

MY MOTHER, Mrs. LAJWANTI JAMNADAS KHIANI

My mother and I had a very strong Karmic connection.

I lost my father when I was very young.

My sister, being older to me by 7 years, got married at an early age and stayed overseas.

Until I was a young teen-ager, I lived in Spain.

My outlook and thoughts were totally western.

I could not meet my classmates in discussion when they wondered aloud, how Hindus could be so pagan as to worship cows, monkeys and elephants

After my sister got married, my mother decided that I needed to be introduced to our rich Indian heritage.

Thus, I returned to India, confused.

My mother was deeply religious. She spent most of her time going for Spiritual discourses. She would not leave me alone at home, hence we would strike a deal.

If I went with her for a religious gathering, she would allow me to go somewhere I enjoyed.

At the Spiritual discourses that I was made to attend, my mind would wander to whatever was fancying me at the moment.

But, somehow, somewhere, sometimes a sentence would find its way into my intellect. Questions within me would surface. Initially the questions overflowed, probably to argue, to prove myself right. But as I came across scholars in front of whom my arguments seemed to have not a chance, I realized the Ocean of Wisdom that Hinduism is.

Mummy’s Ishtdeva was Krishna, but she had deep faith in the Guru Granth Sahib.

I would sing with devotion at Janmashtami and Radhashtami functions, and pay my respects to the Guru.

So I grew in the company of Krishna and under the benign Grace of the great Gurus.

Thank you mummy, for being the instrument in instilling a spiritual interest in me.

Mummy was extremely independent. She lived alone after my marriage.

Did I say alone? No way! She would spend time, traveling to the abodes of the various Deities, be it, in the lofty Himalayas or in Southern Bharat-Desh.

But did all these prayers and rituals make her superstitious and afraid?

No! Love and Faith in her life were paramount

She always, concentrated and thanked the Lord for the glass half-full, rather than it being half-empty.

Thank you mummy, for giving me the gift, of learning to be grateful, and the capacity to love, despite odds!

She helped me nurse my children through their various childhood illnesses.

My children teasingly called her the night nurse.

Thank you mummy for being a great mom and Big-mama!

The last years of her life, she withdrew into herself.

I was not sure, whether the above, was a spiritual method to reduce her attachments and desires, until a Spiritual Giant, described her condition as Sahaj Samaadhi.

She did not trouble me, in the last 7 years that she stayed with me.

I was troubled however, by watching her go, through the inevitable difficulties of old age. But she bore them with patience.

She told me that I (should not fret as I) had done my best, and she expressed the desire of moving on.

So, Good bye mummy,

Thank you, for being my mother, my friend, my Guide.

Until we meet again, fare you well!

Your daughter,

Vimlu (My maiden name)

Sincerely,
Shakun Narain Kimatrai



Read more, click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/articles/a_mother.htm

Swami Vivekananda Birthday celebration

I attended the 150th Birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

The talks were based on'Unity in Diversity' or one may also call it  'Interfaith dialogue'

Very Inspiring!

In the top photograph: Padmashree Dr Mehmoodur Rahman.

In the lower photograph: Dr Mrs Ela Dedhia, spoke on what Jainism advocates, and how it relates to what Swami Vivekananda believed in.

I like very much, the Anekant Vada axiom, which states that there are many truths to anything that we perceive!

Municipal Elections Malabar Hill Mumbai

Was invited to meet the new elected candidates at TG Pavilion, opp Cadbury House, Bhulabhai Desai Rd, Mumbai

A new Help line number is 1278

It is a Lodha Foundation Initiative.

So we met Arun Dudhwadkar from ward 211, looks after Tardeo slums...

Sarita Ajay Patil from ward 212

Anil Singh from ward 213

Jyotsna Mehta (in a purple saree) said something interesting:

She said: "I am like a new daughter-in-law, scold me when I do not learn (to do my job)

What these candidates do and how they perform is to be seen, but in the meantime, Hanging Garden is looking absolutely gorgeously like a piece of Heaven....and I have reason to believe that it is Lodha's work...Good start but hope the efforts continue....

Attendeded a talk by Jaya Row at the Bhawan 0n Feb 2012,

What touched my heart:

Clarity of thinking comes with Purity of heart.

However

When you dream that someone is attacking you, clarity is not required as much as 'waking up' is

Akshay Tritiya falls on the 24th of April
Important Information:
Occurs on the third day of the bright half of Vaisaakh.
Aksyaya is a Sanskrit word meaning one that never diminishes nor perishes.
It is considered to be one of the most auspicious days of the Vedic Calender.
On this day the Sun and Moon are at their peak of brightness.
Hindus, Buddhists, Jains celebrate this day.
Every minute of the three and a half days is considered sacred.
It is believed that Satya Yuga, Golden Age and Treta Yuga started on this day.
New beginnings like weddings, business ventures, new deals, new audit books, business trips are considered to bring luck.
Valuables bought on this day, such as gold is deemed auspicious.
It is believed that gold multiplies if bought on this day.
Goddess Vijaya Chamundeshwari killed Asura on this day.
On Akshay Tritiya the writing of Mahabharata was started by Ganesha dictated by Ved Vyasa.
It is believed that Lord Narayana comes visiting on this day, so offer something to whoever comes as a guest to your home.
It is believed that prayers havans done on this day reach the Creator of the Universe-Lord Brahma.

Read more, click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/akshaya_tritiya_or_akshatrij_or_.htm

I have heard that there are two and a half 'sukh' in life.
One is health, two is sleep and half is wealth and all its trappings...

A friend also shared the following with me
It seems to be the ultimate crux of life..so here it is with meaning.


PEHLA SUKH NIROGI KAYA
You have bliss if you have a healthy body
DOOSRA SUKH GHAR MEIN HO MAYA
You have bliss if you have a home filled with wealth
TEESRA SUKH PATNI AGYAKAARI
You have bliss if you have a faithful wife
CHAUTHA SUKH PUTRA ADHIKARI
You have bliss if you have an obedient son
PAANCHWA SUKH SWARG MEIN BASSA
You have bliss if you have a heavenly home
CHHATAA SUKH SUFI SANT MILAN KI AASA
You have bliss if you have time to do religious activities
SAATWAN SUKH GURU KI CHHAYA
You have bliss if you have your Guru/Parents blessing you
AISE MEIN TUM MEIN SAB JAG SAMAAYA
So if you attain all 7 of the above then the whole world smiles at you and all its pleasures are in your lap.

May we all always be blessed by these 7 Happinesses in our lives !

Festivals Galore

Navratras start on the 24th of March. Read about it, click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/navratra.htm

It is considered auspicious to read the Ramayana during Navratras. I have written a short version which would be very easy to complete during these days. Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/books/symbolisms_ramayana/intro.htm


We celebrate Cheti Chand, Jhulelal, on the 24th March, Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/jhulelal.htm


Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the 23rd of March, Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/GudiPadwa.htm

Group 21 celebrates its 35th Anniversary

We have been in the Group 21 for the last 35 years! And so we decided to celebrate in the 'Village' a restaurant in the 'World Trade Centre building at Cuffe Parade.
It was real fun, but the more endearing part is that we joined the group as young mothers and today we are grand mothers! We have seen each other through our joys and sorrows...and no one wants to leave the group. Why? because we remain 21 and if their place is taken...very very difficult to get it back! No presidents or commitees...all decisions taken by vote...and we allow many a slip, knowing full well that we are human and prone to err...We were presented with a mug with our personal name on it, with a caption 'Forever 21'