This is the season of love, joy and reflection. For us, Swami’s students, all these are amplified several times. For we have tasted the bliss of being in Swami’s presence, in Prasanthi Nilayam, welcoming a new year, with service, celebrations and going deep within our own hearts to hear Swami’s loving message. That has been the highlight of the annual alumni meets year after year at the abode of highest peace.
In this edition, our brothers have captured a slice of that love, joy and reflection. The cover story is indeed about the alumni meet. A line from the essay will deeply resonate with all of us, “The moment we limit ourselves asking, why me, why do I need to come, why do I need to play, why be part of this… things stop moving, we stop evolving. Just being there is all that matters, the rest is the presence of being.”
Bhagawan Uvacha recounts a lesson from the misty hills of Kodaikanal. In that, Swami says, “At the right time, like the wave of the ocean, the Lord will raise his benevolent arm accepting the well tested devotee into His fold.”
In Gratitude corner, Sri Nimish Pandya shares a gem that Bhagawan blessed his younger brother with. “In life, whenever you are in difficulty, whenever you are far away from me, think of me, ponder over the time that you spent with me… just remembering that itself, will bring you closer to me and my experience.” That’s the blessing all of us have.
In Bhagawad Gita, the Lord said, “If one offers to Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or even water, I delightfully partake of that article offered with love by My devotee in pure consciousness.” It is the spirit that moves the service activities of the alumni. Love in Action throws light on the silent service being performed by the alumni in Tamil Nadu, Delhi NCR, in Puttaparthi and other places.
In the Alumni Profile, we feature brother Sathya Pramod, who shares a practical piece of advice from years of putting Swami’s teaching in his professional life. “Always be a good listener. There are many speakers we know of but listening is the greatest skill and will take you a long way in your professional journey.”
In the From My Diary section, we have two brothers sharing memories of their blissful days as students. A sentence by Brother Dr Neil Bardoloi’s echoes what Swami told Sri Nimish Pandya’s brother, and underscores how Swami’s explicit blessings one devotee, is a blessing to all of us. Bordoloi brother writes, “Whenever, a depressing thought or an unseen obstacle appears in our life, just remembering His compassion and loving glance continues to dispel all negativity and propels us forward towards Him.”
Patience is the key. In the same section, Brother Suresh Ramaswamy writes, “The journey I had to go through to get close to His physical presence really helped form my work ethic that I continue to follow till date… It gives me hope to keep continuing to do the right thing and not to worry about the results. They come if not sooner, a bit later and when it does it is really sweet.” We wish you all a very sweet year ahead.
We dedicate this at the Lotus Feet of our most beloved Bhagawan.
