Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Leap of Faith Sarvarpit Mehnaz Jasani, Head of the Samarpit Shibirs and a part of the Shrimad Rajchandra Youthwing (SRY) Programme Management Committee, shares her experience of the Master’s unconditional love that transcends religious boundaries to sow seeds of devotion. My love story with Pujya Gurudevshri is like a true Bollywood movie love story with all the drama… First the heroine hates the boy – then she slowly falls in love with him, then there is that inevitable fight which pulls them apart and the joyous reunion and The End, well in my case not the end but the beginning. The Early Days Who is this man that Shyam, my husband, is running after? What is so great about Him? Why is Shyam mad after Him? Our life was fine without Him having to come and “ruin” everything for us. As the distance between Shyam and me grew wider, I had inevitably allowed Pujya Gurudevshri to creep into my life, if only to save and salvage our relationship. A friend of mine recommended trying out what Shyam was so interested in. Once I gave Him that little space, little did I know that He would take over my entire life! The entire process happened underground – it was something solid, committed and deep. It was faith. I had allowed my head to process it, my heart to feel it and now my mouth to speak it. It all started with Tumhari Amrita, a skit, where unknowingly I read every letter of that play looking directly into His eyes. How I spoke I didn’t know, for I had lost my voice and I didn’t know any of the letters by heart. Today I can proudly say it was He who flowed through me. Then came another skit – Mother Teresa. I remember so clearly, in the Group meeting Bapa was reading, “Come be my light.” I think I must have cried for the first time. I cried through the entire meeting and I still don’t know why. I believe I was washing away the ignorance, the lack of trust and was cleansing my soul for the Lord to begin His work on me, through me. I just could not understand what was happening to me. Was I mad? I had done all these plays because I enjoyed being part of a drama. Little did I know that I had planted a little seed of love and these plays were nurturing them into a strong deep-rooted tree. After Mother Teresa, He asked me what had touched me the most. Without thinking I replied, “It’s not whether something is big or small, it is how much love you put in that matter.” I had no idea why I said those words but today I realise that from that day on, no matter what I did, I would give it hundred percent of love and I found that nothing was too difficult or impossible to do. I am a Muslim by birth. And He has constantly encouraged me to read the Holy Quran. He has, on 3 different occasions, given me the Quran personally to read. It was a sign. I need to understand my roots. I started classes in Gujarati. It was beautiful. Every morning I had the teacher come over and we would unravel the mysteries of this wonderful scripture. It was only a medium which brought me closer to Him. Not even once, directly or indirectly did He ever indicate to me that I need to change my religion. It was always about discovering my True Self. Letting Go The two most dramatic incidents of my life were when we decided to change our children’s school and moving to Prithvi Apartments. Did He tell us to change their school? No. My kids went to one of the most coveted schools in Mumbai. I was proud of it too, as it was my school. And here He is telling me, looking directly into my eyes that our holidays will not be together now, as that school had holidays in May and the newly started IB school, which other Garbharpits went to, had them in June. But how could I give up such good education for holidays? Well, He had hinted at something. The hint was not lost on me. It was the beginning of losing ‘Me.’ Those two months, I went through mental turmoil. My attachment to my school and my concepts started loosening. I learnt that all decisions have to be made with your head and your heart working in tandem. If made with only one, most probably it will be the wrong decision. And most importantly, all decisions have to be made with Him being present. No decision is complete if He is not involved in it. And He, in some form or another always gives me my answer. It’s just the matter of how tuned I am with Him. It’s just that much easier. The second most important incident was moving to Prithvi Apartments. What is so great about that? Well firstly, we are always in His aura. We get to see Him almost every day. Even if it means that we had to move from a large house into a house half its size. It was then I realised that size did not matter; it was your heart which was important. How can you live without His love? Your world revolves around making Him happy. You live for His smile. The “I” dissolves and He is the most important. What does He like? Is He happy? The world then seems like such a wonderful place. How can you live any other way? The Big Lesson The world is so wonderful when in love. I was blessed with seva as the Head of Samarpit Shibir with Sharnarpit Nipa Shah and member of the SRY Programme Management Committee. What more could I ask for? Life was great. But He was not satisfied with life being great. He wanted to free me from my flaws and faults. During one of the Samarpit Shibirs, Nipa and I were flying high. We got to meet Gurudev every morning and discuss the shibir with Him. On the last day we made a blunder. So badly, that in a second we lost His Rajipo. He was so unhappy that He didn’t even talk to us or give us a chance to say sorry. The reason of the blunder was that we lost our connection with Him. We thought we had done everything right. But karta bhav, the villain of my love story, destroyed everything by making me weak and lose His connection. The entire evening, from that moment went downhill. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. Things that we were so sure about also went wrong. The biggest realisation to me was that I, Mehnaz, could make a mistake and I too could lose my connection with Him. Something that I thought was impossible. And what is the big deal if you lose connection with Him for a second? What wrong can possibly happen? What wrong? Your entire world can come to a grinding halt. He, you realise, is so important. How much He carries you through your life, through all the good, through all the bad. He is there by your side. This realisation has changed my life forever. The important thing I have learnt is His love is unconditional; but is mine? His love is boundless; is mine? He is ready to help me; am I ready to take that help? He will be with me no matter what; am I ready to stand with Him no matter what? He has faith in my abilities; do I have faith in mine? He sees God in me; do I see God in myself? I am one of those blessed souls to have a Guru in my life. How do I even begin to comprehend what I have gained from these priceless experiences. He has been watching over me continuously. Watching and carving and sculpting me slowly but surely. How do I thank Him for what He has done for me? My every step, my every breath is indebted to Him for bringing me to this path. It is His power, His grace, His compassion which has kept me here. It is just His grace, grace and more grace. Thank you does not suffice and are mere words, it is my transformation, my upliftment which I wish to offer at His Lotus Feet. Please Note: This Tale of Transformation was published in Sadguru Echoes magazine, November 2012 issue. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 My Guiding Light Sarvarpit Chirag Shah, offering seva as a member of the Mission’s Steering Committee and as a member of the core committee of the Ashram’s Master Planning project Sadguru Prerna, pens how Pujya Gurudevshri’s precise and practical guidance illuminated the path of his spiritual progress. In 1995, during the Paryushan Parva, my mother asked my brother and me to attend some religious activities and we were taken to Gurudev’s pravachan at the Bombay Market Apartments Centre. I had no interest in spirituality at that time. I was just twenty years of age, we had lost our father just four years back and were struggling with our studies and still managing business. My mother like an iron lady, with no background in business, was holding on to business, managing the family and her spiritual commitments. This was the first time ever I saw and met Gurudev in this birth and those eight days of pravachans were just life transforming. I was blown. The topic was ‘6 Dhala’ and little did I know, meeting Gurudev would change the course of my life. Those pravachans made a deep impact on my mind and instantly corrected and realigned my beliefs and thoughts. I had met my Gurudev and my journey had begun. Experiencing His Love After I first met Him, my spiritual honeymoon period started where like a friend, He took care of me, took me to various trips, appreciated and motivated me for good thoughts and deeds, made me feel special. He made sure that I kept growing on the spiritual path. During that time I clearly remember in one of the group meetings, He had mentioned that I will be there until the end. I was pleasantly surprised by these words and kept pondering on them. In 1996, I was blessed to drive Him from Manju Apartments to our home for pratishtha. While on the drive I kept thinking that once I drop Him, He will directly go up and the bhakti would start. I would have to go and park the car, so I will have to sit right at the back! But just as these thoughts ran in my mind, Gurudev asked me to go and park the car and told me that He would wait for me in the lobby. I was pleasantly surprised by how He read my thoughts and felt truly blessed to experience His purity and love. After almost 23 years, in one of the pravachans in Mumbai, He mentioned the bhajan which was taken during the pratishtha. Simply astonishing! Working on me On a trip to Mahabaleshwar in 1996, my compassionate Gurudev took me for a one and a half hour walk, alone with Him. Just like a loving father, He pushed me to open up to Him about a girl that I liked. Not knowing that my family had already informed Him, I like a foolish person did not acknowledge and lied to Him about the same. This was one of my biggest sin that I did not open up to my Gurudev, where I am supposed to be hundred percent open. I realised the importance of transparency with Him. In the early days, He gave me ajnas like shaving every day highlighting that such routine activities should also be done regularly. This was to inculcate the value of discipline as otherwise it will lead to laziness in spiritual activities too. Today I see myself being disciplined in my ajnabhakti, meditation etc. only because of such values inculcated by Gurudev. When He moved from Manju Apartments to Prithvi Apartments, in His mysterious ways, He also made us move to Prithvi Apartments. I have experienced, that since the time I have moved to Prithvi Apartments and whenever He is in the building, His pure Aura has always kept me away from internal vices and connected with a feeling that He is around, taking care of me. Growing Through Seva By now my seva journey had begun. The journey as sevak in the kitchen team washing 2,000 vessels during a Mahotsav, to Sarvarpit Group leader, to handling the Shri Samet Shikharji Tirthyatra, Goa Shibir and more, showed the faith and responsibility He was entrusting onto me. I was blessed in many ways to learn and imbibe His vision. He continuously taught us to grow spiritually with the core values of a seeker and the passionate spirit of a responsible sevak. I have been blessed to see many forms of His love. Once, we in the kitchen department had taken a grossly wrong decision where other seekers were getting affected. We experienced a completely different form of love where He had to be strict. We can never forget that day – on one side He kept on expressing His displeasure strongly for almost two hours until we realised our mistake and the moment I said sorry, He gave such a wonderful smile as if nothing had happened. It was all a drama for Him wherein He was completely unaffected and had taken up this role only to train us. The smile was just mesmerising and we all were relieved that while it was our mistake, He still loved and trusted us. In this manner, while training us He made sure that the motivation of sevaks was maintained. During Sadguru Prerna meetings, I have had wonderful opportunities to be closely involved in taking decisions. I have always noticed Gurudev taking keen interest in designing of the Ashram and its culture to be followed, such that the Ashram becomes a spiritual abode where seekers from all walks of life can come for their spiritual growth and not as a second home, a weekend place to enjoy or as an old age home. He has always kept the policy of seekers first. While there was no need for Him to personally get involved in allocation of each and every unit of the Sadguru Prerna housing, He spent hours and hours in deciding who should be allocated which unit, just to make seekers comfortable for long stays and eventually make them grow spiritually. In Steering Committee (SC) meetings, the conduct and discipline of the meetings are such that every member has to complete their points within the allotted minutes only. This is the culture set by Gurudev. Hence even though the Mission is at this huge scale and growing at a rapid pace, SC completes their meeting in maximum two hours and then one hour is spent with Gurudev to run Him through the points. We usually land up completing this meeting with Him in thirty minutes and Gurudev gives satsang in the remaining time. These are the attributes inculcated by Gurudev to maintain high level of discipline, clarity, alertness and connection. When SC members refer the points to Him, for His guidance, He instantly completely understands the points and provides His guidance, which reflects His supreme awareness level. He does this while maintaining His spiritual height which is a mesmerising sight to see. His most outstanding quality which I have witnessed is His love and devotion for His Guru, His Lord, Param Krupalu Dev. Everything He does is only with His ajna and only for Him. Any initiative He undertakes, everything begins and ends with Param Krupalu Dev. In the end I would just like to pray to Him that I too develop such devotion for Him as He has for Param Krupalu Dev and may my heart, in this life as well as all forthcoming lives, pursue the true religion as expounded by the Sadguru. Please Note: This Tale of Transformation was published in Sadguru Echoes magazine, April 2019 issue. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Mind and Meditation The so-called meditators try in vain to manoeuvre their minds through various techniques to experience peace. Pujya Gurudevshri explains that peace is natural to the Self and to meditate is not an act to control the mind but it is to transcend the mind. To stay noisy, turbulent is the nature of the mind. By no means can it be quietened. However, there surely is a way to become free from the mind, transcend the mind, and be in the state of no-mind. Therefore, the only meaning of a quiet mind is the absence of mind. There is no relationship between silence and mind. As long as there is mind, there cannot be quietude and where there is silence, there is no mind. The basic purpose of all spiritual practices is to dissolve the mind, to be free from the mind, to transcend the mind. Just as, to cure a disease, you must understand it well. Treatment without right diagnosis can aggravate the disease or even invite other diseases. In the same way, understand the mind well, or you may end up either suppressing it or making it numb. Erroneous Ways of Quietening the Mind You know how to suppress emotions. Anger comes and you repress it thinking it is not wise to show anger right now. You also know how to suppress passions and desires because every time it is not possible to fulfil them. The more you suppress, the more hideous the mind becomes. You create a volcano within. Whenever it erupts, it will create a disaster. Hence, though it seems that suppression makes the mind quiet, it actually becomes the creator of terrible unrest. Suppression can save you from committing a sin at that moment but it may make you sin in future. Energy suppressed could blast and shatter you one day. Therefore, the path of suppression is not the path of freedom from the mind. Similarly, benumbing the mind is not the way to peace. Making the mind unconscious of the pain may temporarily make you forget your suffering, but pills, alcohol etc. cannot cure it. The moment the mind comes back to consciousness, the suffering will rise again to harass. It can create physical illness too. Thus, suppression makes the mind restless and benumbing makes the mind insensitive but they cannot make you free from the mind. Mind is a constant flow of thoughts. As long as it exists, you cannot be at peace. Each thought is capable of disturbing you. Is Witnessing an Act of the Mind? Witnessing is not the act of the mind. In meditation, in witnessing, the Self acts in accordance with its nature and so it is not an effort, rather, it is effortlessness. Meditation or witnessing happens without the help of mind, speech or body and so it is non-action. This needs to be understood well. Due to the limitations of language, many non-actions are considered as actions. Like, taking birth is an activity, yet there is no effort of the child in it. In the same way, dying, sleeping, are not activities, even though in language, they are referred to as activities. You say, ‘I slept at night’. But when asked, ‘How did you go to sleep? What was the process of sleep?’ it will be difficult for you to answer. You may have slept for a long time and yet you cannot describe the process of sleep. You may be able to describe in detail what you did before going to sleep, like making the bed, turning the lights off, switching on the fan. They may help in going to sleep but they are not sleep, nor do they ensure that you will get sleep because of them. You cannot bring sleep, so sleep is not an action. You may prepare for a good sleep but can’t make it happen. It is easy to sleep in darkness and difficult in a bright room. Yet sleep comes without any doing. A child takes his thumb in his mouth and goes to sleep. When the thumb is pulled out, it is difficult for him to sleep. An association is built that the moment his thumb goes in his mouth, he is ready for sleep. It is a mere signal that soon he will be asleep. Likewise, bed, darkness, fan etc. are only signals. Meditation or witnessing when said to be effortless, it means that whatever is done for meditation is all external. It facilitates meditation. The efforts are mere superficial endeavours, not meditation. Meditation is a relaxed state of being, a state of effortlessness, just a happening and not doing. And so like sleep, it has no definite technique. Remove the Obstacles Understanding three basic principles regarding sleep should help remove all confusion about meditation. Sleep cannot be created, sleep comes and efforts are also made for sleep. There are preparations made for sleep but they are not the direct cause of sleep. One has to silently wait for sleep to come! Sleep when it comes, comes on its own and cannot be brought. All preparations like making bed etc. are only to facilitate sleep, to remove obstacles to sleep and nothing more than that. The same applies for meditation or witnessing. The techniques of meditation and all its preparations are taught or made to practice so that the mind does not become a hindrance. Hence, to meditate is to remove all that hinders meditation and then silently wait for meditation to happen. Meditation is a natural activity of the Self. Doership is the obstacle to it. Meditation occurs when doership dissolves. The sun dawns in the morning and you are sitting in the room with doors closed. Now, you ask, what should be done to get the sun inside the room? Can you bring the sunshine in a basket? Can you pull it in by the elephants? Or may be with someone’s help? The Wise Ones say that you need not do anything to bring the sunlight inside the room. All you have to do is remove the obstacle to it. Open the doors. This is the only method. The sunlight will enter on its own. Even though you may say you brought the sunlight inside the room, it would be a lie. All you did was open the doors. It’s the sun that brings in the sunlight and not you. Meditation Happens on its Own This means that you cannot do meditation but can surely stop it happening! To do meditation is to give up all efforts that obstruct meditation. Meditation does not require efforts. It happens naturally when you become choiceless and effortless. To meditate is like opening the doors, and the sunlight naturally floods. And so, when meditation happens, you shall not claim its doership. You prepare a room conducive to get a good sleep. However, sleep may occur without any preparation too. Like, a person can go off to sleep on a sunny, noisy, hot day; laying his head on a stone. But the condition is he must be exhausted. In the same way, when you are completely tired of the play of mind, you let go of the mind and meditation occurs. Then you do not need a conducive environment or technique. However, without being tired, you will need both, a correct setting and a right method as preparation, yet they are not meditation. For meditation cannot be done, it occurs on its own. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Managing Emotional Baggage The Power of Right Mindset in Controlling Your Emotions. Do you often find yourself struggling with negative emotions? Do you wonder about the true meaning of emotional baggage and how to effectively deal with it? In this enlightening discourse, profound wisdom is shared on how to deal with emotional breakdown and take control of your emotional well-being. Situations may not change, but you can change your feelings by changing your thoughts. This powerful insight serves as the foundation for understanding how to deal with negative emotions. Just as a steering wheel controls the direction of wheels, our thoughts direct our feelings. To transform how we feel, we must first change our thought patterns. Cleaning Your Mind Daily While we clean our homes and bodies regularly, how often do we clean our minds? The importance of mental cleansing is emphasised: You clean your house, you clean your bodies, you should also clean your minds. The place you will get your happiness from, you don’t have time to clean that place? This daily practice of mental cleansing is essential for maintaining emotional balance. It is advised to close our emotional accounts every night without exception — even if it’s just for two minutes. This practice helps prevent emotional baggage from accumulating and weighing us down. Opening Folders with the Right Mindset One of the most practical teachings on how to control emotions involves what is called “opening folders.” Often, we open mental folders of past incidents when we’re angry, which only reinforces negative emotions. Instead, the advice is: Become a little devotional, a little meditative, become calm and happy and then open the folder. You will release that. By approaching difficult situations or conversations from a place of calmness rather than reactivity, we can process them without creating more emotional turmoil. This approach helps us deal with emotional baggage effectively rather than adding to it. Understanding the Source of Irritation The discourse challenges a fundamental wrong belief—that others are the cause of our irritation and hurt. The clarification is made: Thoughts—meaning all negative thoughts, hurt, hate, everything—don’t come from situations, they come from your beliefs. This shift in understanding is crucial for anyone wanting to know how to deal with negative emotions. When we recognise that we choose our reactions based on our beliefs rather than blaming external factors, we gain control over our emotional responses. Building Emotional Immunity Just as physical immunity protects us from illness, emotional immunity shields us from negative influences. It is explained that our emotional distress comes not from situations themselves but from our low emotional immunity. By strengthening this immunity through right beliefs and mindset, we can remain stable even in challenging circumstances. Rising Above Negative Energy The discourse concludes with a beautiful metaphor about climbing to higher floors when encountering unpleasant smells on lower levels. Similarly, when faced with negative energy from others, we should elevate our inner state rather than being influenced by it. See that the positive energy from you influences the negative energy, be alert that the negative energy does not influence you. This practice involves cultivating forgiveness, friendliness, and love—moving from the “second floor” to the “third floor” of consciousness. The encouragement is to learn the language of blessings and good wishes, especially toward those with whom we have difficulties. For a more immersive experience of this transformative wisdom on how to deal with emotional breakdown, watch the complete satsang at FAQs About Emotional Baggage What is the meaning of emotional baggage? Emotional baggage refers to the accumulated negative feelings and unresolved issues from past experiences that we carry with us. As explained, these emotions stem from our beliefs rather than from external situations. Understanding the true source of emotional baggage is the first step toward releasing it. How can I deal with negative emotions effectively? To deal with negative emotions effectively, it is recommended to change your thought patterns and beliefs. Instead of blaming others for your irritation, acknowledge that you choose your reactions. Practice “closing accounts” daily by reflecting on your emotions from a calm state of mind, and open mental “folders” only when you’re in a positive mindset. What are some practical ways to control emotions during conflicts? When faced with conflicts, the suggestion is to elevate your inner state—moving from anger to forgiveness, and then to friendliness and love. This helps you maintain control over your emotions rather than being influenced by negative energy. Practice sending good wishes and blessings to the person you’re in conflict with, which can transform the dynamic entirely. How do I prevent emotional breakdown in challenging situations? Building emotional immunity is key to preventing emotional breakdown. Just as physical immunity protects against viruses, strong emotional immunity shields you from being affected by difficult situations. This involves cultivating right beliefs, practising daily mental cleansing, and approaching challenges with a positive mindset. Remember that situations don’t cause your distress—your response to them does. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Pujyashri Deepakbhai paid his respects at the Jinmandir and Gurumandir, and spent blissful moments with Pujya Gurudevshri as well. Seekers were blessed with an address by Pujyashri Deepakbhai at Raj Sabhagruh. During his visit, Pujyashri Deepakbhai also saw the various social initiatives of the Mission, including Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 SRM Wallpaper 126 Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Announcements 17-05-2025 Shilanyas of Jinmandir and Gurumandir at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA: On the pious day of Chaitra Vad Pancham, Pujya Gurudevshri blessed the American soil with the Shilanyas of the Jinmandir and Gurumandir at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA. Please click here to watch a video of the Shilanyas and Pujya Gurudevshri’s USA Dharmayatra. Gurupurnima Shibir 2025 at the Ashram (Sat, 12 – Sun, 13 Jul, 2025): Seekers will be blessed to celebrate the devotional occasion of Gurupurnima in the physical presence of Pujya Gurudevshri at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur from Sat, 12 – Sun, 13 Jul, 2025. The shibir will commence at 10:00 am on Sat, 12 Jul and will conclude by approximately 6:00 pm on Sun, 13 Jul, 2025. Immerse in a spiritually uplifting journey with profound Pravachans by Pujya Gurudevshri, Gurupurnima Pujan, the rare blessing of Pujya Gurudevshri’s Charansparsh, bhakti and heartfelt experience-sharing by devotees. On the morning of Sun, 12 Jul, devotees can take laabh of performing the Gurupurnima Pujan of Param Krupalu Dev. Laabh can be taken in pairs by couples, siblings or friends. Preference will be given to the Gurupurnima Pujan laabharthis at the time of Pujya Gurudevshri’s Charansparsh. Throughout the Gurupurnima Shibir, to take laabh of Gurupurnima Pujan, Tilak to Pujya Gurudevshri, Swamivatsalya, Arti, Mangal Divo, Chamar etc. please contact Mission Trustee Premarpit Gautambhai Shah, +91 9821049338; [email protected] For those attending the Gurupurnima Shibir, it is mandatory to register even if one does not wish to avail the food and stay facilities at the Ashram. Sadguru Prerna unit holders in the Ashram are requested to invite and accommodate as many friends and relatives as possible, in their unit. Please click here to register online for the Gurupurnima Pujan Laabh. Please click here to register for Gurupurnima Shibir 2025. Pujya Gurudevshri’s Presence at the Ashram (Mon, 19 May – Wed, 4 Jun, 2025): Pujya Gurudevshri will bless the Ashram with His physical presence from Mon, 19 May – Wed, 4 Jun, 2025. From Tue, 20 – Fri, 23 May, there will be paravartana of Pujya Gurudevshri’s pravachan held in Mumbai on Sat, 17 May, 2025. On Tue, 20 May, Pujyashri Deepakbhai from Dada Bhagwan Foundation will visit the Ashram for a day. He will also address the seekers with a swadhyay at 4:30 pm. From Sat, 24 – Sun, 25 May, 2025, there will be shibir on Shri Natak Samaysaar wherein Pujya Gurudevshri will expound upon the essence of Ashrav Dwar. In the evening session on Sat, 24 May, the Arpit Group Leaders’ Changeover Ceremony will be held. From Thu, 29 May – Sun, 1 Jun, teens from across the globe will gather at the Ashram for the Spiritualtouch Retreat Summer 2025. Themed ‘Echoes of the Past’, the retreat is open to all children and teens in grades 6-12. The evening programmes during the retreat are open for all to attend. Please click here to register for the Natak Samaysaar shibir. Forthcoming Pravachan: The next pravachan at Yogi Sabhagruh will be held on Sat, 7 Jun, 2025 at 7:30 pm. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 My Sleep Alarm! Waking up early has been a common problem for many seekers all over the world. Their biggest complaint is, “We set the alarm, get up, shut it off and fall asleep all over again. How can we overcome this problem and make our day more productive?” Here is a little experiment which you can try… To wake up early… First, determine how much sleep your body needs to feel relaxed and fresh the following morning. Say for eg. 6 hours. This depends on each individual person’s body type and daily activities. An average person needs anywhere from 6 to 8 hours a day. Next, decide your ideal to wake up time say 5 a.m. Then count the hours backwards to fix what time you need to sleep – 11 p.m. The trick is to set the alarm to remind you to sleep at 11 p.m.!!! Give yourself half an hour’s notice, set the alarm for 10.30 p.m. Wind up all your activities and begin to slow down. Sleep at your predetermined time – and let the magic work! Practising this helps you rise early and still feel fresh since you have had enough rest. You are not depriving yourself of sleep but are planning your sleeping hours well. Now you are the master of your sleep and you have that extra time for yourself. You can enjoy the quietude and peace to do all the things that you never had the time for – morning meditation, reading a book, going for a walk, listening to music etc. Yes, you can do it. You too can be an early riser!!! Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Holistic Wellness Course Creates Waves To foster a deep sense of harmony, balance, and fulfilment the Holistic Wellness course masterfully integrates physical, mental, family, social and spiritual well-being. It seamlessly merges ancient wisdom with contemporary insights to nurture every facet of life. Meticulously designed under the guidance of Pujya Gurudevshri, the Holistic Wellness course distils profound teachings into practical techniques tailored for the modern seeker. Conducted in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Spanish and French, spanning over twelve immersive hours across five dynamic modules, participants engage in guided practices, introspective exercises, and interactive discussions. The power of in-person learning amplifies the impact, allowing participants to forge deep connections with mentors and like-minded seekers. The course provides exclusive tools such as health trackers, personalised consultations, and advanced learning resources, ensuring that the journey continues well beyond the course’s conclusion. Since its inception, the Holistic Wellness course has hosted multiple sessions in the serene environs of the Dharampur Ashram. The impact has reached diverse spheres of society, touching lives from all backgrounds. From esteemed bureaucrats at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to accomplished professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and engineers to corporate leaders such as L&T, the programme has resonated widely. A participant shares “Before joining this programme, my life felt like a whirlwind world of stress and routine. But, just like a mother’s loving touch, this programme gently showed me the way back to my true self. It has taught me simple to understand but impactful changes that I’ve now planned to embrace in my daily life” Highlighting the essence of the Holistic Wellness program Pujya Gurudevshri explained “There is a huge bungalow which has a small door, smaller lock and even smaller key. Through this course, find that key, open that lock and it is going to open the whole bungalow for you, for your life.” For more information about the course and to enrol for a program, scan the QR code. Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 My Guiding Light Sarvarpit Chirag Shah, offering seva as a member of the Mission’s Steering Committee and as a member of the core committee of the Ashram’s Master Planning project Sadguru Prerna, pens how Pujya Gurudevshri’s precise and practical guidance illuminated the path of his spiritual progress. In 1995, during the Paryushan Parva, my mother asked my brother and me to attend some religious activities and we were taken to Gurudev’s pravachan at the Bombay Market Apartments Centre. I had no interest in spirituality at that time. I was just twenty years of age, we had lost our father just four years back and were struggling with our studies and still managing business. My mother like an iron lady, with no background in business, was holding on to business, managing the family and her spiritual commitments. This was the first time ever I saw and met Gurudev in this birth and those eight days of pravachans were just life transforming. I was blown. The topic was ‘6 Dhala’ and little did I know, meeting Gurudev would change the course of my life. Those pravachans made a deep impact on my mind and instantly corrected and realigned my beliefs and thoughts. I had met my Gurudev and my journey had begun. Experiencing His Love After I first met Him, my spiritual honeymoon period started where like a friend, He took care of me, took me to various trips, appreciated and motivated me for good thoughts and deeds, made me feel special. He made sure that I kept growing on the spiritual path. During that time I clearly remember in one of the group meetings, He had mentioned that I will be there until the end. I was pleasantly surprised by these words and kept pondering on them. In 1996, I was blessed to drive Him from Manju Apartments to our home for pratishtha. While on the drive I kept thinking that once I drop Him, He will directly go up and the bhakti would start. I would have to go and park the car, so I will have to sit right at the back! But just as these thoughts ran in my mind, Gurudev asked me to go and park the car and told me that He would wait for me in the lobby. I was pleasantly surprised by how He read my thoughts and felt truly blessed to experience His purity and love. After almost 23 years, in one of the pravachans in Mumbai, He mentioned the bhajan which was taken during the pratishtha. Simply astonishing! Working on me On a trip to Mahabaleshwar in 1996, my compassionate Gurudev took me for a one and a half hour walk, alone with Him. Just like a loving father, He pushed me to open up to Him about a girl that I liked. Not knowing that my family had already informed Him, I like a foolish person did not acknowledge and lied to Him about the same. This was one of my biggest sin that I did not open up to my Gurudev, where I am supposed to be hundred percent open. I realised the importance of transparency with Him. In the early days, He gave me ajnas like shaving every day highlighting that such routine activities should also be done regularly. This was to inculcate the value of discipline as otherwise it will lead to laziness in spiritual activities too. Today I see myself being disciplined in my ajnabhakti, meditation etc. only because of such values inculcated by Gurudev. When He moved from Manju Apartments to Prithvi Apartments, in His mysterious ways, He also made us move to Prithvi Apartments. I have experienced, that since the time I have moved to Prithvi Apartments and whenever He is in the building, His pure Aura has always kept me away from internal vices and connected with a feeling that He is around, taking care of me. Growing Through Seva By now my seva journey had begun. The journey as sevak in the kitchen team washing 2,000 vessels during a Mahotsav, to Sarvarpit Group leader, to handling the Shri Samet Shikharji Tirthyatra, Goa Shibir and more, showed the faith and responsibility He was entrusting onto me. I was blessed in many ways to learn and imbibe His vision. He continuously taught us to grow spiritually with the core values of a seeker and the passionate spirit of a responsible sevak. I have been blessed to see many forms of His love. Once, we in the kitchen department had taken a grossly wrong decision where other seekers were getting affected. We experienced a completely different form of love where He had to be strict. We can never forget that day – on one side He kept on expressing His displeasure strongly for almost two hours until we realised our mistake and the moment I said sorry, He gave such a wonderful smile as if nothing had happened. It was all a drama for Him wherein He was completely unaffected and had taken up this role only to train us. The smile was just mesmerising and we all were relieved that while it was our mistake, He still loved and trusted us. In this manner, while training us He made sure that the motivation of sevaks was maintained. During Sadguru Prerna meetings, I have had wonderful opportunities to be closely involved in taking decisions. I have always noticed Gurudev taking keen interest in designing of the Ashram and its culture to be followed, such that the Ashram becomes a spiritual abode where seekers from all walks of life can come for their spiritual growth and not as a second home, a weekend place to enjoy or as an old age home. He has always kept the policy of seekers first. While there was no need for Him to personally get involved in allocation of each and every unit of the Sadguru Prerna housing, He spent hours and hours in deciding who should be allocated which unit, just to make seekers comfortable for long stays and eventually make them grow spiritually. In Steering Committee (SC) meetings, the conduct and discipline of the meetings are such that every member has to complete their points within the allotted minutes only. This is the culture set by Gurudev. Hence even though the Mission is at this huge scale and growing at a rapid pace, SC completes their meeting in maximum two hours and then one hour is spent with Gurudev to run Him through the points. We usually land up completing this meeting with Him in thirty minutes and Gurudev gives satsang in the remaining time. These are the attributes inculcated by Gurudev to maintain high level of discipline, clarity, alertness and connection. When SC members refer the points to Him, for His guidance, He instantly completely understands the points and provides His guidance, which reflects His supreme awareness level. He does this while maintaining His spiritual height which is a mesmerising sight to see. His most outstanding quality which I have witnessed is His love and devotion for His Guru, His Lord, Param Krupalu Dev. Everything He does is only with His ajna and only for Him. Any initiative He undertakes, everything begins and ends with Param Krupalu Dev. In the end I would just like to pray to Him that I too develop such devotion for Him as He has for Param Krupalu Dev and may my heart, in this life as well as all forthcoming lives, pursue the true religion as expounded by the Sadguru. Please Note: This Tale of Transformation was published in Sadguru Echoes magazine, April 2019 issue. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Mind and Meditation The so-called meditators try in vain to manoeuvre their minds through various techniques to experience peace. Pujya Gurudevshri explains that peace is natural to the Self and to meditate is not an act to control the mind but it is to transcend the mind. To stay noisy, turbulent is the nature of the mind. By no means can it be quietened. However, there surely is a way to become free from the mind, transcend the mind, and be in the state of no-mind. Therefore, the only meaning of a quiet mind is the absence of mind. There is no relationship between silence and mind. As long as there is mind, there cannot be quietude and where there is silence, there is no mind. The basic purpose of all spiritual practices is to dissolve the mind, to be free from the mind, to transcend the mind. Just as, to cure a disease, you must understand it well. Treatment without right diagnosis can aggravate the disease or even invite other diseases. In the same way, understand the mind well, or you may end up either suppressing it or making it numb. Erroneous Ways of Quietening the Mind You know how to suppress emotions. Anger comes and you repress it thinking it is not wise to show anger right now. You also know how to suppress passions and desires because every time it is not possible to fulfil them. The more you suppress, the more hideous the mind becomes. You create a volcano within. Whenever it erupts, it will create a disaster. Hence, though it seems that suppression makes the mind quiet, it actually becomes the creator of terrible unrest. Suppression can save you from committing a sin at that moment but it may make you sin in future. Energy suppressed could blast and shatter you one day. Therefore, the path of suppression is not the path of freedom from the mind. Similarly, benumbing the mind is not the way to peace. Making the mind unconscious of the pain may temporarily make you forget your suffering, but pills, alcohol etc. cannot cure it. The moment the mind comes back to consciousness, the suffering will rise again to harass. It can create physical illness too. Thus, suppression makes the mind restless and benumbing makes the mind insensitive but they cannot make you free from the mind. Mind is a constant flow of thoughts. As long as it exists, you cannot be at peace. Each thought is capable of disturbing you. Is Witnessing an Act of the Mind? Witnessing is not the act of the mind. In meditation, in witnessing, the Self acts in accordance with its nature and so it is not an effort, rather, it is effortlessness. Meditation or witnessing happens without the help of mind, speech or body and so it is non-action. This needs to be understood well. Due to the limitations of language, many non-actions are considered as actions. Like, taking birth is an activity, yet there is no effort of the child in it. In the same way, dying, sleeping, are not activities, even though in language, they are referred to as activities. You say, ‘I slept at night’. But when asked, ‘How did you go to sleep? What was the process of sleep?’ it will be difficult for you to answer. You may have slept for a long time and yet you cannot describe the process of sleep. You may be able to describe in detail what you did before going to sleep, like making the bed, turning the lights off, switching on the fan. They may help in going to sleep but they are not sleep, nor do they ensure that you will get sleep because of them. You cannot bring sleep, so sleep is not an action. You may prepare for a good sleep but can’t make it happen. It is easy to sleep in darkness and difficult in a bright room. Yet sleep comes without any doing. A child takes his thumb in his mouth and goes to sleep. When the thumb is pulled out, it is difficult for him to sleep. An association is built that the moment his thumb goes in his mouth, he is ready for sleep. It is a mere signal that soon he will be asleep. Likewise, bed, darkness, fan etc. are only signals. Meditation or witnessing when said to be effortless, it means that whatever is done for meditation is all external. It facilitates meditation. The efforts are mere superficial endeavours, not meditation. Meditation is a relaxed state of being, a state of effortlessness, just a happening and not doing. And so like sleep, it has no definite technique. Remove the Obstacles Understanding three basic principles regarding sleep should help remove all confusion about meditation. Sleep cannot be created, sleep comes and efforts are also made for sleep. There are preparations made for sleep but they are not the direct cause of sleep. One has to silently wait for sleep to come! Sleep when it comes, comes on its own and cannot be brought. All preparations like making bed etc. are only to facilitate sleep, to remove obstacles to sleep and nothing more than that. The same applies for meditation or witnessing. The techniques of meditation and all its preparations are taught or made to practice so that the mind does not become a hindrance. Hence, to meditate is to remove all that hinders meditation and then silently wait for meditation to happen. Meditation is a natural activity of the Self. Doership is the obstacle to it. Meditation occurs when doership dissolves. The sun dawns in the morning and you are sitting in the room with doors closed. Now, you ask, what should be done to get the sun inside the room? Can you bring the sunshine in a basket? Can you pull it in by the elephants? Or may be with someone’s help? The Wise Ones say that you need not do anything to bring the sunlight inside the room. All you have to do is remove the obstacle to it. Open the doors. This is the only method. The sunlight will enter on its own. Even though you may say you brought the sunlight inside the room, it would be a lie. All you did was open the doors. It’s the sun that brings in the sunlight and not you. Meditation Happens on its Own This means that you cannot do meditation but can surely stop it happening! To do meditation is to give up all efforts that obstruct meditation. Meditation does not require efforts. It happens naturally when you become choiceless and effortless. To meditate is like opening the doors, and the sunlight naturally floods. And so, when meditation happens, you shall not claim its doership. You prepare a room conducive to get a good sleep. However, sleep may occur without any preparation too. Like, a person can go off to sleep on a sunny, noisy, hot day; laying his head on a stone. But the condition is he must be exhausted. In the same way, when you are completely tired of the play of mind, you let go of the mind and meditation occurs. Then you do not need a conducive environment or technique. However, without being tired, you will need both, a correct setting and a right method as preparation, yet they are not meditation. For meditation cannot be done, it occurs on its own. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Managing Emotional Baggage The Power of Right Mindset in Controlling Your Emotions. Do you often find yourself struggling with negative emotions? Do you wonder about the true meaning of emotional baggage and how to effectively deal with it? In this enlightening discourse, profound wisdom is shared on how to deal with emotional breakdown and take control of your emotional well-being. Situations may not change, but you can change your feelings by changing your thoughts. This powerful insight serves as the foundation for understanding how to deal with negative emotions. Just as a steering wheel controls the direction of wheels, our thoughts direct our feelings. To transform how we feel, we must first change our thought patterns. Cleaning Your Mind Daily While we clean our homes and bodies regularly, how often do we clean our minds? The importance of mental cleansing is emphasised: You clean your house, you clean your bodies, you should also clean your minds. The place you will get your happiness from, you don’t have time to clean that place? This daily practice of mental cleansing is essential for maintaining emotional balance. It is advised to close our emotional accounts every night without exception — even if it’s just for two minutes. This practice helps prevent emotional baggage from accumulating and weighing us down. Opening Folders with the Right Mindset One of the most practical teachings on how to control emotions involves what is called “opening folders.” Often, we open mental folders of past incidents when we’re angry, which only reinforces negative emotions. Instead, the advice is: Become a little devotional, a little meditative, become calm and happy and then open the folder. You will release that. By approaching difficult situations or conversations from a place of calmness rather than reactivity, we can process them without creating more emotional turmoil. This approach helps us deal with emotional baggage effectively rather than adding to it. Understanding the Source of Irritation The discourse challenges a fundamental wrong belief—that others are the cause of our irritation and hurt. The clarification is made: Thoughts—meaning all negative thoughts, hurt, hate, everything—don’t come from situations, they come from your beliefs. This shift in understanding is crucial for anyone wanting to know how to deal with negative emotions. When we recognise that we choose our reactions based on our beliefs rather than blaming external factors, we gain control over our emotional responses. Building Emotional Immunity Just as physical immunity protects us from illness, emotional immunity shields us from negative influences. It is explained that our emotional distress comes not from situations themselves but from our low emotional immunity. By strengthening this immunity through right beliefs and mindset, we can remain stable even in challenging circumstances. Rising Above Negative Energy The discourse concludes with a beautiful metaphor about climbing to higher floors when encountering unpleasant smells on lower levels. Similarly, when faced with negative energy from others, we should elevate our inner state rather than being influenced by it. See that the positive energy from you influences the negative energy, be alert that the negative energy does not influence you. This practice involves cultivating forgiveness, friendliness, and love—moving from the “second floor” to the “third floor” of consciousness. The encouragement is to learn the language of blessings and good wishes, especially toward those with whom we have difficulties. For a more immersive experience of this transformative wisdom on how to deal with emotional breakdown, watch the complete satsang at FAQs About Emotional Baggage What is the meaning of emotional baggage? Emotional baggage refers to the accumulated negative feelings and unresolved issues from past experiences that we carry with us. As explained, these emotions stem from our beliefs rather than from external situations. Understanding the true source of emotional baggage is the first step toward releasing it. How can I deal with negative emotions effectively? To deal with negative emotions effectively, it is recommended to change your thought patterns and beliefs. Instead of blaming others for your irritation, acknowledge that you choose your reactions. Practice “closing accounts” daily by reflecting on your emotions from a calm state of mind, and open mental “folders” only when you’re in a positive mindset. What are some practical ways to control emotions during conflicts? When faced with conflicts, the suggestion is to elevate your inner state—moving from anger to forgiveness, and then to friendliness and love. This helps you maintain control over your emotions rather than being influenced by negative energy. Practice sending good wishes and blessings to the person you’re in conflict with, which can transform the dynamic entirely. How do I prevent emotional breakdown in challenging situations? Building emotional immunity is key to preventing emotional breakdown. Just as physical immunity protects against viruses, strong emotional immunity shields you from being affected by difficult situations. This involves cultivating right beliefs, practising daily mental cleansing, and approaching challenges with a positive mindset. Remember that situations don’t cause your distress—your response to them does. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Pujyashri Deepakbhai paid his respects at the Jinmandir and Gurumandir, and spent blissful moments with Pujya Gurudevshri as well. Seekers were blessed with an address by Pujyashri Deepakbhai at Raj Sabhagruh. During his visit, Pujyashri Deepakbhai also saw the various social initiatives of the Mission, including Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 SRM Wallpaper 126 Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Announcements 17-05-2025 Shilanyas of Jinmandir and Gurumandir at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA: On the pious day of Chaitra Vad Pancham, Pujya Gurudevshri blessed the American soil with the Shilanyas of the Jinmandir and Gurumandir at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA. Please click here to watch a video of the Shilanyas and Pujya Gurudevshri’s USA Dharmayatra. Gurupurnima Shibir 2025 at the Ashram (Sat, 12 – Sun, 13 Jul, 2025): Seekers will be blessed to celebrate the devotional occasion of Gurupurnima in the physical presence of Pujya Gurudevshri at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur from Sat, 12 – Sun, 13 Jul, 2025. The shibir will commence at 10:00 am on Sat, 12 Jul and will conclude by approximately 6:00 pm on Sun, 13 Jul, 2025. Immerse in a spiritually uplifting journey with profound Pravachans by Pujya Gurudevshri, Gurupurnima Pujan, the rare blessing of Pujya Gurudevshri’s Charansparsh, bhakti and heartfelt experience-sharing by devotees. On the morning of Sun, 12 Jul, devotees can take laabh of performing the Gurupurnima Pujan of Param Krupalu Dev. Laabh can be taken in pairs by couples, siblings or friends. Preference will be given to the Gurupurnima Pujan laabharthis at the time of Pujya Gurudevshri’s Charansparsh. Throughout the Gurupurnima Shibir, to take laabh of Gurupurnima Pujan, Tilak to Pujya Gurudevshri, Swamivatsalya, Arti, Mangal Divo, Chamar etc. please contact Mission Trustee Premarpit Gautambhai Shah, +91 9821049338; [email protected] For those attending the Gurupurnima Shibir, it is mandatory to register even if one does not wish to avail the food and stay facilities at the Ashram. Sadguru Prerna unit holders in the Ashram are requested to invite and accommodate as many friends and relatives as possible, in their unit. Please click here to register online for the Gurupurnima Pujan Laabh. Please click here to register for Gurupurnima Shibir 2025. Pujya Gurudevshri’s Presence at the Ashram (Mon, 19 May – Wed, 4 Jun, 2025): Pujya Gurudevshri will bless the Ashram with His physical presence from Mon, 19 May – Wed, 4 Jun, 2025. From Tue, 20 – Fri, 23 May, there will be paravartana of Pujya Gurudevshri’s pravachan held in Mumbai on Sat, 17 May, 2025. On Tue, 20 May, Pujyashri Deepakbhai from Dada Bhagwan Foundation will visit the Ashram for a day. He will also address the seekers with a swadhyay at 4:30 pm. From Sat, 24 – Sun, 25 May, 2025, there will be shibir on Shri Natak Samaysaar wherein Pujya Gurudevshri will expound upon the essence of Ashrav Dwar. In the evening session on Sat, 24 May, the Arpit Group Leaders’ Changeover Ceremony will be held. From Thu, 29 May – Sun, 1 Jun, teens from across the globe will gather at the Ashram for the Spiritualtouch Retreat Summer 2025. Themed ‘Echoes of the Past’, the retreat is open to all children and teens in grades 6-12. The evening programmes during the retreat are open for all to attend. Please click here to register for the Natak Samaysaar shibir. Forthcoming Pravachan: The next pravachan at Yogi Sabhagruh will be held on Sat, 7 Jun, 2025 at 7:30 pm. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 My Sleep Alarm! Waking up early has been a common problem for many seekers all over the world. Their biggest complaint is, “We set the alarm, get up, shut it off and fall asleep all over again. How can we overcome this problem and make our day more productive?” Here is a little experiment which you can try… To wake up early… First, determine how much sleep your body needs to feel relaxed and fresh the following morning. Say for eg. 6 hours. This depends on each individual person’s body type and daily activities. An average person needs anywhere from 6 to 8 hours a day. Next, decide your ideal to wake up time say 5 a.m. Then count the hours backwards to fix what time you need to sleep – 11 p.m. The trick is to set the alarm to remind you to sleep at 11 p.m.!!! Give yourself half an hour’s notice, set the alarm for 10.30 p.m. Wind up all your activities and begin to slow down. Sleep at your predetermined time – and let the magic work! Practising this helps you rise early and still feel fresh since you have had enough rest. You are not depriving yourself of sleep but are planning your sleeping hours well. Now you are the master of your sleep and you have that extra time for yourself. You can enjoy the quietude and peace to do all the things that you never had the time for – morning meditation, reading a book, going for a walk, listening to music etc. Yes, you can do it. You too can be an early riser!!! Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Holistic Wellness Course Creates Waves To foster a deep sense of harmony, balance, and fulfilment the Holistic Wellness course masterfully integrates physical, mental, family, social and spiritual well-being. It seamlessly merges ancient wisdom with contemporary insights to nurture every facet of life. Meticulously designed under the guidance of Pujya Gurudevshri, the Holistic Wellness course distils profound teachings into practical techniques tailored for the modern seeker. Conducted in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Spanish and French, spanning over twelve immersive hours across five dynamic modules, participants engage in guided practices, introspective exercises, and interactive discussions. The power of in-person learning amplifies the impact, allowing participants to forge deep connections with mentors and like-minded seekers. The course provides exclusive tools such as health trackers, personalised consultations, and advanced learning resources, ensuring that the journey continues well beyond the course’s conclusion. Since its inception, the Holistic Wellness course has hosted multiple sessions in the serene environs of the Dharampur Ashram. The impact has reached diverse spheres of society, touching lives from all backgrounds. From esteemed bureaucrats at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to accomplished professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and engineers to corporate leaders such as L&T, the programme has resonated widely. A participant shares “Before joining this programme, my life felt like a whirlwind world of stress and routine. But, just like a mother’s loving touch, this programme gently showed me the way back to my true self. It has taught me simple to understand but impactful changes that I’ve now planned to embrace in my daily life” Highlighting the essence of the Holistic Wellness program Pujya Gurudevshri explained “There is a huge bungalow which has a small door, smaller lock and even smaller key. Through this course, find that key, open that lock and it is going to open the whole bungalow for you, for your life.” For more information about the course and to enrol for a program, scan the QR code. Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Mind and Meditation The so-called meditators try in vain to manoeuvre their minds through various techniques to experience peace. Pujya Gurudevshri explains that peace is natural to the Self and to meditate is not an act to control the mind but it is to transcend the mind. To stay noisy, turbulent is the nature of the mind. By no means can it be quietened. However, there surely is a way to become free from the mind, transcend the mind, and be in the state of no-mind. Therefore, the only meaning of a quiet mind is the absence of mind. There is no relationship between silence and mind. As long as there is mind, there cannot be quietude and where there is silence, there is no mind. The basic purpose of all spiritual practices is to dissolve the mind, to be free from the mind, to transcend the mind. Just as, to cure a disease, you must understand it well. Treatment without right diagnosis can aggravate the disease or even invite other diseases. In the same way, understand the mind well, or you may end up either suppressing it or making it numb. Erroneous Ways of Quietening the Mind You know how to suppress emotions. Anger comes and you repress it thinking it is not wise to show anger right now. You also know how to suppress passions and desires because every time it is not possible to fulfil them. The more you suppress, the more hideous the mind becomes. You create a volcano within. Whenever it erupts, it will create a disaster. Hence, though it seems that suppression makes the mind quiet, it actually becomes the creator of terrible unrest. Suppression can save you from committing a sin at that moment but it may make you sin in future. Energy suppressed could blast and shatter you one day. Therefore, the path of suppression is not the path of freedom from the mind. Similarly, benumbing the mind is not the way to peace. Making the mind unconscious of the pain may temporarily make you forget your suffering, but pills, alcohol etc. cannot cure it. The moment the mind comes back to consciousness, the suffering will rise again to harass. It can create physical illness too. Thus, suppression makes the mind restless and benumbing makes the mind insensitive but they cannot make you free from the mind. Mind is a constant flow of thoughts. As long as it exists, you cannot be at peace. Each thought is capable of disturbing you. Is Witnessing an Act of the Mind? Witnessing is not the act of the mind. In meditation, in witnessing, the Self acts in accordance with its nature and so it is not an effort, rather, it is effortlessness. Meditation or witnessing happens without the help of mind, speech or body and so it is non-action. This needs to be understood well. Due to the limitations of language, many non-actions are considered as actions. Like, taking birth is an activity, yet there is no effort of the child in it. In the same way, dying, sleeping, are not activities, even though in language, they are referred to as activities. You say, ‘I slept at night’. But when asked, ‘How did you go to sleep? What was the process of sleep?’ it will be difficult for you to answer. You may have slept for a long time and yet you cannot describe the process of sleep. You may be able to describe in detail what you did before going to sleep, like making the bed, turning the lights off, switching on the fan. They may help in going to sleep but they are not sleep, nor do they ensure that you will get sleep because of them. You cannot bring sleep, so sleep is not an action. You may prepare for a good sleep but can’t make it happen. It is easy to sleep in darkness and difficult in a bright room. Yet sleep comes without any doing. A child takes his thumb in his mouth and goes to sleep. When the thumb is pulled out, it is difficult for him to sleep. An association is built that the moment his thumb goes in his mouth, he is ready for sleep. It is a mere signal that soon he will be asleep. Likewise, bed, darkness, fan etc. are only signals. Meditation or witnessing when said to be effortless, it means that whatever is done for meditation is all external. It facilitates meditation. The efforts are mere superficial endeavours, not meditation. Meditation is a relaxed state of being, a state of effortlessness, just a happening and not doing. And so like sleep, it has no definite technique. Remove the Obstacles Understanding three basic principles regarding sleep should help remove all confusion about meditation. Sleep cannot be created, sleep comes and efforts are also made for sleep. There are preparations made for sleep but they are not the direct cause of sleep. One has to silently wait for sleep to come! Sleep when it comes, comes on its own and cannot be brought. All preparations like making bed etc. are only to facilitate sleep, to remove obstacles to sleep and nothing more than that. The same applies for meditation or witnessing. The techniques of meditation and all its preparations are taught or made to practice so that the mind does not become a hindrance. Hence, to meditate is to remove all that hinders meditation and then silently wait for meditation to happen. Meditation is a natural activity of the Self. Doership is the obstacle to it. Meditation occurs when doership dissolves. The sun dawns in the morning and you are sitting in the room with doors closed. Now, you ask, what should be done to get the sun inside the room? Can you bring the sunshine in a basket? Can you pull it in by the elephants? Or may be with someone’s help? The Wise Ones say that you need not do anything to bring the sunlight inside the room. All you have to do is remove the obstacle to it. Open the doors. This is the only method. The sunlight will enter on its own. Even though you may say you brought the sunlight inside the room, it would be a lie. All you did was open the doors. It’s the sun that brings in the sunlight and not you. Meditation Happens on its Own This means that you cannot do meditation but can surely stop it happening! To do meditation is to give up all efforts that obstruct meditation. Meditation does not require efforts. It happens naturally when you become choiceless and effortless. To meditate is like opening the doors, and the sunlight naturally floods. And so, when meditation happens, you shall not claim its doership. You prepare a room conducive to get a good sleep. However, sleep may occur without any preparation too. Like, a person can go off to sleep on a sunny, noisy, hot day; laying his head on a stone. But the condition is he must be exhausted. In the same way, when you are completely tired of the play of mind, you let go of the mind and meditation occurs. Then you do not need a conducive environment or technique. However, without being tired, you will need both, a correct setting and a right method as preparation, yet they are not meditation. For meditation cannot be done, it occurs on its own. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Managing Emotional Baggage The Power of Right Mindset in Controlling Your Emotions. Do you often find yourself struggling with negative emotions? Do you wonder about the true meaning of emotional baggage and how to effectively deal with it? In this enlightening discourse, profound wisdom is shared on how to deal with emotional breakdown and take control of your emotional well-being. Situations may not change, but you can change your feelings by changing your thoughts. This powerful insight serves as the foundation for understanding how to deal with negative emotions. Just as a steering wheel controls the direction of wheels, our thoughts direct our feelings. To transform how we feel, we must first change our thought patterns. Cleaning Your Mind Daily While we clean our homes and bodies regularly, how often do we clean our minds? The importance of mental cleansing is emphasised: You clean your house, you clean your bodies, you should also clean your minds. The place you will get your happiness from, you don’t have time to clean that place? This daily practice of mental cleansing is essential for maintaining emotional balance. It is advised to close our emotional accounts every night without exception — even if it’s just for two minutes. This practice helps prevent emotional baggage from accumulating and weighing us down. Opening Folders with the Right Mindset One of the most practical teachings on how to control emotions involves what is called “opening folders.” Often, we open mental folders of past incidents when we’re angry, which only reinforces negative emotions. Instead, the advice is: Become a little devotional, a little meditative, become calm and happy and then open the folder. You will release that. By approaching difficult situations or conversations from a place of calmness rather than reactivity, we can process them without creating more emotional turmoil. This approach helps us deal with emotional baggage effectively rather than adding to it. Understanding the Source of Irritation The discourse challenges a fundamental wrong belief—that others are the cause of our irritation and hurt. The clarification is made: Thoughts—meaning all negative thoughts, hurt, hate, everything—don’t come from situations, they come from your beliefs. This shift in understanding is crucial for anyone wanting to know how to deal with negative emotions. When we recognise that we choose our reactions based on our beliefs rather than blaming external factors, we gain control over our emotional responses. Building Emotional Immunity Just as physical immunity protects us from illness, emotional immunity shields us from negative influences. It is explained that our emotional distress comes not from situations themselves but from our low emotional immunity. By strengthening this immunity through right beliefs and mindset, we can remain stable even in challenging circumstances. Rising Above Negative Energy The discourse concludes with a beautiful metaphor about climbing to higher floors when encountering unpleasant smells on lower levels. Similarly, when faced with negative energy from others, we should elevate our inner state rather than being influenced by it. See that the positive energy from you influences the negative energy, be alert that the negative energy does not influence you. This practice involves cultivating forgiveness, friendliness, and love—moving from the “second floor” to the “third floor” of consciousness. The encouragement is to learn the language of blessings and good wishes, especially toward those with whom we have difficulties. For a more immersive experience of this transformative wisdom on how to deal with emotional breakdown, watch the complete satsang at FAQs About Emotional Baggage What is the meaning of emotional baggage? Emotional baggage refers to the accumulated negative feelings and unresolved issues from past experiences that we carry with us. As explained, these emotions stem from our beliefs rather than from external situations. Understanding the true source of emotional baggage is the first step toward releasing it. How can I deal with negative emotions effectively? To deal with negative emotions effectively, it is recommended to change your thought patterns and beliefs. Instead of blaming others for your irritation, acknowledge that you choose your reactions. Practice “closing accounts” daily by reflecting on your emotions from a calm state of mind, and open mental “folders” only when you’re in a positive mindset. What are some practical ways to control emotions during conflicts? When faced with conflicts, the suggestion is to elevate your inner state—moving from anger to forgiveness, and then to friendliness and love. This helps you maintain control over your emotions rather than being influenced by negative energy. Practice sending good wishes and blessings to the person you’re in conflict with, which can transform the dynamic entirely. How do I prevent emotional breakdown in challenging situations? Building emotional immunity is key to preventing emotional breakdown. Just as physical immunity protects against viruses, strong emotional immunity shields you from being affected by difficult situations. This involves cultivating right beliefs, practising daily mental cleansing, and approaching challenges with a positive mindset. Remember that situations don’t cause your distress—your response to them does. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Pujyashri Deepakbhai paid his respects at the Jinmandir and Gurumandir, and spent blissful moments with Pujya Gurudevshri as well. Seekers were blessed with an address by Pujyashri Deepakbhai at Raj Sabhagruh. During his visit, Pujyashri Deepakbhai also saw the various social initiatives of the Mission, including Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 SRM Wallpaper 126 Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Announcements 17-05-2025 Shilanyas of Jinmandir and Gurumandir at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA: On the pious day of Chaitra Vad Pancham, Pujya Gurudevshri blessed the American soil with the Shilanyas of the Jinmandir and Gurumandir at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA. Please click here to watch a video of the Shilanyas and Pujya Gurudevshri’s USA Dharmayatra. Gurupurnima Shibir 2025 at the Ashram (Sat, 12 – Sun, 13 Jul, 2025): Seekers will be blessed to celebrate the devotional occasion of Gurupurnima in the physical presence of Pujya Gurudevshri at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur from Sat, 12 – Sun, 13 Jul, 2025. The shibir will commence at 10:00 am on Sat, 12 Jul and will conclude by approximately 6:00 pm on Sun, 13 Jul, 2025. Immerse in a spiritually uplifting journey with profound Pravachans by Pujya Gurudevshri, Gurupurnima Pujan, the rare blessing of Pujya Gurudevshri’s Charansparsh, bhakti and heartfelt experience-sharing by devotees. On the morning of Sun, 12 Jul, devotees can take laabh of performing the Gurupurnima Pujan of Param Krupalu Dev. Laabh can be taken in pairs by couples, siblings or friends. Preference will be given to the Gurupurnima Pujan laabharthis at the time of Pujya Gurudevshri’s Charansparsh. Throughout the Gurupurnima Shibir, to take laabh of Gurupurnima Pujan, Tilak to Pujya Gurudevshri, Swamivatsalya, Arti, Mangal Divo, Chamar etc. please contact Mission Trustee Premarpit Gautambhai Shah, +91 9821049338; [email protected] For those attending the Gurupurnima Shibir, it is mandatory to register even if one does not wish to avail the food and stay facilities at the Ashram. Sadguru Prerna unit holders in the Ashram are requested to invite and accommodate as many friends and relatives as possible, in their unit. Please click here to register online for the Gurupurnima Pujan Laabh. Please click here to register for Gurupurnima Shibir 2025. Pujya Gurudevshri’s Presence at the Ashram (Mon, 19 May – Wed, 4 Jun, 2025): Pujya Gurudevshri will bless the Ashram with His physical presence from Mon, 19 May – Wed, 4 Jun, 2025. From Tue, 20 – Fri, 23 May, there will be paravartana of Pujya Gurudevshri’s pravachan held in Mumbai on Sat, 17 May, 2025. On Tue, 20 May, Pujyashri Deepakbhai from Dada Bhagwan Foundation will visit the Ashram for a day. He will also address the seekers with a swadhyay at 4:30 pm. From Sat, 24 – Sun, 25 May, 2025, there will be shibir on Shri Natak Samaysaar wherein Pujya Gurudevshri will expound upon the essence of Ashrav Dwar. In the evening session on Sat, 24 May, the Arpit Group Leaders’ Changeover Ceremony will be held. From Thu, 29 May – Sun, 1 Jun, teens from across the globe will gather at the Ashram for the Spiritualtouch Retreat Summer 2025. Themed ‘Echoes of the Past’, the retreat is open to all children and teens in grades 6-12. The evening programmes during the retreat are open for all to attend. Please click here to register for the Natak Samaysaar shibir. Forthcoming Pravachan: The next pravachan at Yogi Sabhagruh will be held on Sat, 7 Jun, 2025 at 7:30 pm. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 My Sleep Alarm! Waking up early has been a common problem for many seekers all over the world. Their biggest complaint is, “We set the alarm, get up, shut it off and fall asleep all over again. How can we overcome this problem and make our day more productive?” Here is a little experiment which you can try… To wake up early… First, determine how much sleep your body needs to feel relaxed and fresh the following morning. Say for eg. 6 hours. This depends on each individual person’s body type and daily activities. An average person needs anywhere from 6 to 8 hours a day. Next, decide your ideal to wake up time say 5 a.m. Then count the hours backwards to fix what time you need to sleep – 11 p.m. The trick is to set the alarm to remind you to sleep at 11 p.m.!!! Give yourself half an hour’s notice, set the alarm for 10.30 p.m. Wind up all your activities and begin to slow down. Sleep at your predetermined time – and let the magic work! Practising this helps you rise early and still feel fresh since you have had enough rest. You are not depriving yourself of sleep but are planning your sleeping hours well. Now you are the master of your sleep and you have that extra time for yourself. You can enjoy the quietude and peace to do all the things that you never had the time for – morning meditation, reading a book, going for a walk, listening to music etc. Yes, you can do it. You too can be an early riser!!! Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Holistic Wellness Course Creates Waves To foster a deep sense of harmony, balance, and fulfilment the Holistic Wellness course masterfully integrates physical, mental, family, social and spiritual well-being. It seamlessly merges ancient wisdom with contemporary insights to nurture every facet of life. Meticulously designed under the guidance of Pujya Gurudevshri, the Holistic Wellness course distils profound teachings into practical techniques tailored for the modern seeker. Conducted in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Spanish and French, spanning over twelve immersive hours across five dynamic modules, participants engage in guided practices, introspective exercises, and interactive discussions. The power of in-person learning amplifies the impact, allowing participants to forge deep connections with mentors and like-minded seekers. The course provides exclusive tools such as health trackers, personalised consultations, and advanced learning resources, ensuring that the journey continues well beyond the course’s conclusion. Since its inception, the Holistic Wellness course has hosted multiple sessions in the serene environs of the Dharampur Ashram. The impact has reached diverse spheres of society, touching lives from all backgrounds. From esteemed bureaucrats at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to accomplished professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and engineers to corporate leaders such as L&T, the programme has resonated widely. A participant shares “Before joining this programme, my life felt like a whirlwind world of stress and routine. But, just like a mother’s loving touch, this programme gently showed me the way back to my true self. It has taught me simple to understand but impactful changes that I’ve now planned to embrace in my daily life” Highlighting the essence of the Holistic Wellness program Pujya Gurudevshri explained “There is a huge bungalow which has a small door, smaller lock and even smaller key. Through this course, find that key, open that lock and it is going to open the whole bungalow for you, for your life.” For more information about the course and to enrol for a program, scan the QR code. Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Managing Emotional Baggage The Power of Right Mindset in Controlling Your Emotions. Do you often find yourself struggling with negative emotions? Do you wonder about the true meaning of emotional baggage and how to effectively deal with it? In this enlightening discourse, profound wisdom is shared on how to deal with emotional breakdown and take control of your emotional well-being. Situations may not change, but you can change your feelings by changing your thoughts. This powerful insight serves as the foundation for understanding how to deal with negative emotions. Just as a steering wheel controls the direction of wheels, our thoughts direct our feelings. To transform how we feel, we must first change our thought patterns. Cleaning Your Mind Daily While we clean our homes and bodies regularly, how often do we clean our minds? The importance of mental cleansing is emphasised: You clean your house, you clean your bodies, you should also clean your minds. The place you will get your happiness from, you don’t have time to clean that place? This daily practice of mental cleansing is essential for maintaining emotional balance. It is advised to close our emotional accounts every night without exception — even if it’s just for two minutes. This practice helps prevent emotional baggage from accumulating and weighing us down. Opening Folders with the Right Mindset One of the most practical teachings on how to control emotions involves what is called “opening folders.” Often, we open mental folders of past incidents when we’re angry, which only reinforces negative emotions. Instead, the advice is: Become a little devotional, a little meditative, become calm and happy and then open the folder. You will release that. By approaching difficult situations or conversations from a place of calmness rather than reactivity, we can process them without creating more emotional turmoil. This approach helps us deal with emotional baggage effectively rather than adding to it. Understanding the Source of Irritation The discourse challenges a fundamental wrong belief—that others are the cause of our irritation and hurt. The clarification is made: Thoughts—meaning all negative thoughts, hurt, hate, everything—don’t come from situations, they come from your beliefs. This shift in understanding is crucial for anyone wanting to know how to deal with negative emotions. When we recognise that we choose our reactions based on our beliefs rather than blaming external factors, we gain control over our emotional responses. Building Emotional Immunity Just as physical immunity protects us from illness, emotional immunity shields us from negative influences. It is explained that our emotional distress comes not from situations themselves but from our low emotional immunity. By strengthening this immunity through right beliefs and mindset, we can remain stable even in challenging circumstances. Rising Above Negative Energy The discourse concludes with a beautiful metaphor about climbing to higher floors when encountering unpleasant smells on lower levels. Similarly, when faced with negative energy from others, we should elevate our inner state rather than being influenced by it. See that the positive energy from you influences the negative energy, be alert that the negative energy does not influence you. This practice involves cultivating forgiveness, friendliness, and love—moving from the “second floor” to the “third floor” of consciousness. The encouragement is to learn the language of blessings and good wishes, especially toward those with whom we have difficulties. For a more immersive experience of this transformative wisdom on how to deal with emotional breakdown, watch the complete satsang at FAQs About Emotional Baggage What is the meaning of emotional baggage? Emotional baggage refers to the accumulated negative feelings and unresolved issues from past experiences that we carry with us. As explained, these emotions stem from our beliefs rather than from external situations. Understanding the true source of emotional baggage is the first step toward releasing it. How can I deal with negative emotions effectively? To deal with negative emotions effectively, it is recommended to change your thought patterns and beliefs. Instead of blaming others for your irritation, acknowledge that you choose your reactions. Practice “closing accounts” daily by reflecting on your emotions from a calm state of mind, and open mental “folders” only when you’re in a positive mindset. What are some practical ways to control emotions during conflicts? When faced with conflicts, the suggestion is to elevate your inner state—moving from anger to forgiveness, and then to friendliness and love. This helps you maintain control over your emotions rather than being influenced by negative energy. Practice sending good wishes and blessings to the person you’re in conflict with, which can transform the dynamic entirely. How do I prevent emotional breakdown in challenging situations? Building emotional immunity is key to preventing emotional breakdown. Just as physical immunity protects against viruses, strong emotional immunity shields you from being affected by difficult situations. This involves cultivating right beliefs, practising daily mental cleansing, and approaching challenges with a positive mindset. Remember that situations don’t cause your distress—your response to them does. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Pujyashri Deepakbhai paid his respects at the Jinmandir and Gurumandir, and spent blissful moments with Pujya Gurudevshri as well. Seekers were blessed with an address by Pujyashri Deepakbhai at Raj Sabhagruh. During his visit, Pujyashri Deepakbhai also saw the various social initiatives of the Mission, including Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 SRM Wallpaper 126 Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Announcements 17-05-2025 Shilanyas of Jinmandir and Gurumandir at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA: On the pious day of Chaitra Vad Pancham, Pujya Gurudevshri blessed the American soil with the Shilanyas of the Jinmandir and Gurumandir at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA. Please click here to watch a video of the Shilanyas and Pujya Gurudevshri’s USA Dharmayatra. Gurupurnima Shibir 2025 at the Ashram (Sat, 12 – Sun, 13 Jul, 2025): Seekers will be blessed to celebrate the devotional occasion of Gurupurnima in the physical presence of Pujya Gurudevshri at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur from Sat, 12 – Sun, 13 Jul, 2025. The shibir will commence at 10:00 am on Sat, 12 Jul and will conclude by approximately 6:00 pm on Sun, 13 Jul, 2025. Immerse in a spiritually uplifting journey with profound Pravachans by Pujya Gurudevshri, Gurupurnima Pujan, the rare blessing of Pujya Gurudevshri’s Charansparsh, bhakti and heartfelt experience-sharing by devotees. On the morning of Sun, 12 Jul, devotees can take laabh of performing the Gurupurnima Pujan of Param Krupalu Dev. Laabh can be taken in pairs by couples, siblings or friends. Preference will be given to the Gurupurnima Pujan laabharthis at the time of Pujya Gurudevshri’s Charansparsh. Throughout the Gurupurnima Shibir, to take laabh of Gurupurnima Pujan, Tilak to Pujya Gurudevshri, Swamivatsalya, Arti, Mangal Divo, Chamar etc. please contact Mission Trustee Premarpit Gautambhai Shah, +91 9821049338; [email protected] For those attending the Gurupurnima Shibir, it is mandatory to register even if one does not wish to avail the food and stay facilities at the Ashram. Sadguru Prerna unit holders in the Ashram are requested to invite and accommodate as many friends and relatives as possible, in their unit. Please click here to register online for the Gurupurnima Pujan Laabh. Please click here to register for Gurupurnima Shibir 2025. Pujya Gurudevshri’s Presence at the Ashram (Mon, 19 May – Wed, 4 Jun, 2025): Pujya Gurudevshri will bless the Ashram with His physical presence from Mon, 19 May – Wed, 4 Jun, 2025. From Tue, 20 – Fri, 23 May, there will be paravartana of Pujya Gurudevshri’s pravachan held in Mumbai on Sat, 17 May, 2025. On Tue, 20 May, Pujyashri Deepakbhai from Dada Bhagwan Foundation will visit the Ashram for a day. He will also address the seekers with a swadhyay at 4:30 pm. From Sat, 24 – Sun, 25 May, 2025, there will be shibir on Shri Natak Samaysaar wherein Pujya Gurudevshri will expound upon the essence of Ashrav Dwar. In the evening session on Sat, 24 May, the Arpit Group Leaders’ Changeover Ceremony will be held. From Thu, 29 May – Sun, 1 Jun, teens from across the globe will gather at the Ashram for the Spiritualtouch Retreat Summer 2025. Themed ‘Echoes of the Past’, the retreat is open to all children and teens in grades 6-12. The evening programmes during the retreat are open for all to attend. Please click here to register for the Natak Samaysaar shibir. Forthcoming Pravachan: The next pravachan at Yogi Sabhagruh will be held on Sat, 7 Jun, 2025 at 7:30 pm. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 My Sleep Alarm! Waking up early has been a common problem for many seekers all over the world. Their biggest complaint is, “We set the alarm, get up, shut it off and fall asleep all over again. How can we overcome this problem and make our day more productive?” Here is a little experiment which you can try… To wake up early… First, determine how much sleep your body needs to feel relaxed and fresh the following morning. Say for eg. 6 hours. This depends on each individual person’s body type and daily activities. An average person needs anywhere from 6 to 8 hours a day. Next, decide your ideal to wake up time say 5 a.m. Then count the hours backwards to fix what time you need to sleep – 11 p.m. The trick is to set the alarm to remind you to sleep at 11 p.m.!!! Give yourself half an hour’s notice, set the alarm for 10.30 p.m. Wind up all your activities and begin to slow down. Sleep at your predetermined time – and let the magic work! Practising this helps you rise early and still feel fresh since you have had enough rest. You are not depriving yourself of sleep but are planning your sleeping hours well. Now you are the master of your sleep and you have that extra time for yourself. You can enjoy the quietude and peace to do all the things that you never had the time for – morning meditation, reading a book, going for a walk, listening to music etc. Yes, you can do it. You too can be an early riser!!! Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Holistic Wellness Course Creates Waves To foster a deep sense of harmony, balance, and fulfilment the Holistic Wellness course masterfully integrates physical, mental, family, social and spiritual well-being. It seamlessly merges ancient wisdom with contemporary insights to nurture every facet of life. Meticulously designed under the guidance of Pujya Gurudevshri, the Holistic Wellness course distils profound teachings into practical techniques tailored for the modern seeker. Conducted in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Spanish and French, spanning over twelve immersive hours across five dynamic modules, participants engage in guided practices, introspective exercises, and interactive discussions. The power of in-person learning amplifies the impact, allowing participants to forge deep connections with mentors and like-minded seekers. The course provides exclusive tools such as health trackers, personalised consultations, and advanced learning resources, ensuring that the journey continues well beyond the course’s conclusion. Since its inception, the Holistic Wellness course has hosted multiple sessions in the serene environs of the Dharampur Ashram. The impact has reached diverse spheres of society, touching lives from all backgrounds. From esteemed bureaucrats at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to accomplished professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and engineers to corporate leaders such as L&T, the programme has resonated widely. A participant shares “Before joining this programme, my life felt like a whirlwind world of stress and routine. But, just like a mother’s loving touch, this programme gently showed me the way back to my true self. It has taught me simple to understand but impactful changes that I’ve now planned to embrace in my daily life” Highlighting the essence of the Holistic Wellness program Pujya Gurudevshri explained “There is a huge bungalow which has a small door, smaller lock and even smaller key. Through this course, find that key, open that lock and it is going to open the whole bungalow for you, for your life.” For more information about the course and to enrol for a program, scan the QR code. Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Pujyashri Deepakbhai paid his respects at the Jinmandir and Gurumandir, and spent blissful moments with Pujya Gurudevshri as well. Seekers were blessed with an address by Pujyashri Deepakbhai at Raj Sabhagruh. During his visit, Pujyashri Deepakbhai also saw the various social initiatives of the Mission, including Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Announcements 17-05-2025 Shilanyas of Jinmandir and Gurumandir at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA: On the pious day of Chaitra Vad Pancham, Pujya Gurudevshri blessed the American soil with the Shilanyas of the Jinmandir and Gurumandir at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, USA. Please click here to watch a video of the Shilanyas and Pujya Gurudevshri’s USA Dharmayatra. Gurupurnima Shibir 2025 at the Ashram (Sat, 12 – Sun, 13 Jul, 2025): Seekers will be blessed to celebrate the devotional occasion of Gurupurnima in the physical presence of Pujya Gurudevshri at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur from Sat, 12 – Sun, 13 Jul, 2025. The shibir will commence at 10:00 am on Sat, 12 Jul and will conclude by approximately 6:00 pm on Sun, 13 Jul, 2025. Immerse in a spiritually uplifting journey with profound Pravachans by Pujya Gurudevshri, Gurupurnima Pujan, the rare blessing of Pujya Gurudevshri’s Charansparsh, bhakti and heartfelt experience-sharing by devotees. On the morning of Sun, 12 Jul, devotees can take laabh of performing the Gurupurnima Pujan of Param Krupalu Dev. Laabh can be taken in pairs by couples, siblings or friends. Preference will be given to the Gurupurnima Pujan laabharthis at the time of Pujya Gurudevshri’s Charansparsh. Throughout the Gurupurnima Shibir, to take laabh of Gurupurnima Pujan, Tilak to Pujya Gurudevshri, Swamivatsalya, Arti, Mangal Divo, Chamar etc. please contact Mission Trustee Premarpit Gautambhai Shah, +91 9821049338; [email protected] For those attending the Gurupurnima Shibir, it is mandatory to register even if one does not wish to avail the food and stay facilities at the Ashram. Sadguru Prerna unit holders in the Ashram are requested to invite and accommodate as many friends and relatives as possible, in their unit. Please click here to register online for the Gurupurnima Pujan Laabh. Please click here to register for Gurupurnima Shibir 2025. Pujya Gurudevshri’s Presence at the Ashram (Mon, 19 May – Wed, 4 Jun, 2025): Pujya Gurudevshri will bless the Ashram with His physical presence from Mon, 19 May – Wed, 4 Jun, 2025. From Tue, 20 – Fri, 23 May, there will be paravartana of Pujya Gurudevshri’s pravachan held in Mumbai on Sat, 17 May, 2025. On Tue, 20 May, Pujyashri Deepakbhai from Dada Bhagwan Foundation will visit the Ashram for a day. He will also address the seekers with a swadhyay at 4:30 pm. From Sat, 24 – Sun, 25 May, 2025, there will be shibir on Shri Natak Samaysaar wherein Pujya Gurudevshri will expound upon the essence of Ashrav Dwar. In the evening session on Sat, 24 May, the Arpit Group Leaders’ Changeover Ceremony will be held. From Thu, 29 May – Sun, 1 Jun, teens from across the globe will gather at the Ashram for the Spiritualtouch Retreat Summer 2025. Themed ‘Echoes of the Past’, the retreat is open to all children and teens in grades 6-12. The evening programmes during the retreat are open for all to attend. Please click here to register for the Natak Samaysaar shibir. Forthcoming Pravachan: The next pravachan at Yogi Sabhagruh will be held on Sat, 7 Jun, 2025 at 7:30 pm.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 My Sleep Alarm! Waking up early has been a common problem for many seekers all over the world. Their biggest complaint is, “We set the alarm, get up, shut it off and fall asleep all over again. How can we overcome this problem and make our day more productive?” Here is a little experiment which you can try… To wake up early… First, determine how much sleep your body needs to feel relaxed and fresh the following morning. Say for eg. 6 hours. This depends on each individual person’s body type and daily activities. An average person needs anywhere from 6 to 8 hours a day. Next, decide your ideal to wake up time say 5 a.m. Then count the hours backwards to fix what time you need to sleep – 11 p.m. The trick is to set the alarm to remind you to sleep at 11 p.m.!!! Give yourself half an hour’s notice, set the alarm for 10.30 p.m. Wind up all your activities and begin to slow down. Sleep at your predetermined time – and let the magic work! Practising this helps you rise early and still feel fresh since you have had enough rest. You are not depriving yourself of sleep but are planning your sleeping hours well. Now you are the master of your sleep and you have that extra time for yourself. You can enjoy the quietude and peace to do all the things that you never had the time for – morning meditation, reading a book, going for a walk, listening to music etc. Yes, you can do it. You too can be an early riser!!! Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Holistic Wellness Course Creates Waves To foster a deep sense of harmony, balance, and fulfilment the Holistic Wellness course masterfully integrates physical, mental, family, social and spiritual well-being. It seamlessly merges ancient wisdom with contemporary insights to nurture every facet of life. Meticulously designed under the guidance of Pujya Gurudevshri, the Holistic Wellness course distils profound teachings into practical techniques tailored for the modern seeker. Conducted in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Spanish and French, spanning over twelve immersive hours across five dynamic modules, participants engage in guided practices, introspective exercises, and interactive discussions. The power of in-person learning amplifies the impact, allowing participants to forge deep connections with mentors and like-minded seekers. The course provides exclusive tools such as health trackers, personalised consultations, and advanced learning resources, ensuring that the journey continues well beyond the course’s conclusion. Since its inception, the Holistic Wellness course has hosted multiple sessions in the serene environs of the Dharampur Ashram. The impact has reached diverse spheres of society, touching lives from all backgrounds. From esteemed bureaucrats at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to accomplished professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and engineers to corporate leaders such as L&T, the programme has resonated widely. A participant shares “Before joining this programme, my life felt like a whirlwind world of stress and routine. But, just like a mother’s loving touch, this programme gently showed me the way back to my true self. It has taught me simple to understand but impactful changes that I’ve now planned to embrace in my daily life” Highlighting the essence of the Holistic Wellness program Pujya Gurudevshri explained “There is a huge bungalow which has a small door, smaller lock and even smaller key. Through this course, find that key, open that lock and it is going to open the whole bungalow for you, for your life.” For more information about the course and to enrol for a program, scan the QR code. Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Holistic Wellness Course Creates Waves To foster a deep sense of harmony, balance, and fulfilment the Holistic Wellness course masterfully integrates physical, mental, family, social and spiritual well-being. It seamlessly merges ancient wisdom with contemporary insights to nurture every facet of life. Meticulously designed under the guidance of Pujya Gurudevshri, the Holistic Wellness course distils profound teachings into practical techniques tailored for the modern seeker. Conducted in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Spanish and French, spanning over twelve immersive hours across five dynamic modules, participants engage in guided practices, introspective exercises, and interactive discussions. The power of in-person learning amplifies the impact, allowing participants to forge deep connections with mentors and like-minded seekers. The course provides exclusive tools such as health trackers, personalised consultations, and advanced learning resources, ensuring that the journey continues well beyond the course’s conclusion. Since its inception, the Holistic Wellness course has hosted multiple sessions in the serene environs of the Dharampur Ashram. The impact has reached diverse spheres of society, touching lives from all backgrounds. From esteemed bureaucrats at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to accomplished professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and engineers to corporate leaders such as L&T, the programme has resonated widely. A participant shares “Before joining this programme, my life felt like a whirlwind world of stress and routine. But, just like a mother’s loving touch, this programme gently showed me the way back to my true self. It has taught me simple to understand but impactful changes that I’ve now planned to embrace in my daily life” Highlighting the essence of the Holistic Wellness program Pujya Gurudevshri explained “There is a huge bungalow which has a small door, smaller lock and even smaller key. Through this course, find that key, open that lock and it is going to open the whole bungalow for you, for your life.” For more information about the course and to enrol for a program, scan the QR code.
