January 2012

We had a beautiful spiritual gathering on the 26th of January. Pravin-ji started on time leading the group into a vipAsana meditation. The time was not noticed at all, the one and half hours we spent on meditation. One senior had a vision of Lord Ganesha on the forehead as we were guided by Pravin-ji during the guided meditation. I have attached the writeup by Pravin-ji on what he covered during this session. Our deep gratitude to Pravin-ji for his time and most of all the warmth he shares with us all. His love for humanity is sincerely felt and is an inspiration for the rest of us to spread that warmth!

Hema MaReddy, our EC President single handedly prepared the delicious lunch for us all. It showed Mrs. Reddy's support and the HTCC's commitment to the seniors program. Our sincere thank you to Mrs. Reddy for making the delicious wholesome lunch. So many varieties and home made chhappati, delicious fruit salad - your effort is sincerely appreciated.

We had a soulful music session led by Mrs. Malati Agashe. It was a delight to see talents from seniors who keep it hidden and hesitantly bring it out to delight the audience. We hope Mrs. Agashe will continue to perform for us in the future. Thank you Mrs. Agashe for taking the initiative and inspiring other seniors to come forward to share their hidden talents. Nitya-ji and Pravin-ji shared their soulful rendition of patriotic songs to commemorate India's Republic day on Jan 26th. The lyrics simply touched our heart. Thank you to Nitya-ji and Pravin-ji. Mrs. Agashe ended the music session with us all singing the national anthem.

Many volunteers, seniors stepped in to help with setting up the tables, serving the meal and clean up. Thank you to Tikaram-ji, Devraj-ji, Sonali Nikam, Runalee, Bharati Khandekar, Mrs. Thakkar, Mrs. Chandra and Mr. T.N. Ramachandran. My apologies to anyone who I might have missed mentioning here.

Thank you to Nitya-ji, Alok-ji for accommodating last minute requests to give ride to seniors.

Here is Pravin-ji's writeup:

HTCC, Thursday, January 26, 2012

During “Vipasana Meditation” following discussion took place ...

  • See the things in the way it is (without reacting)

  • Do NOT react to good or bad experiences in life – Ever changing universe

  • While observing breath, you may get burning sensation (i.e. you are focused on nostril area)

  • During consciousness you will hear sound of cricket within, THAT’s the Pran …

  • It was a diverse group (namely, Spanish/American folks)

  • Importance of Choti/Shikha/Crown Chakra to get connected with Universal Power

  • Swadhistan Chakra (at the root of genitals – location is “different” by ~4-6 inches for male/female)

  • Above Chakra (energy wheel) have “different rotation – CW & CCW direction” for male & female

  • RIGHT HAND carries Pran/Para Shakti/Vital Life Force … Pingla Nadi

  • LEFT HAND carries physical strength … Ida Nadi

  • 72,000 Nadis carries Pran/Para Shakti … Pran circulation can be improved by Udjjayi Pranayam

  • Gave example of “roast beef dinner” @ Immanuel Church in Wichita, Kansas, 1996

  • Explanation of above: Briefly … one person didn’t go for dinner … instead pray for Christ @ home!

  • THIS one individual American had a STRONG desire to uplift himself & decided to SKIP the dinner.

  • Gave example: African tribe got together every year on birthday and “CRIED” together …

  • Why they were crying on birthday? Because NO spiritual progress was made since last birthday

  • “Vipasana technique” is the fastest growing in the world today … because it is logical.

  • “Vipasana” is a technique for AntahKaran: Sweeping internal organs while watching breath.

  • Don’t look at anyone … we had 4 bunk beds during Vipasna training & I didn’t know 3 faces!

  • Don’t look @ anywhere … look within (or put a ‘Soft Cotton Cloth” around eye/forhead & Do it!)

  • Do it like Gandhari (I mentioned Mandodari @ HTCC, it was an error on my part) ….

  • I follow my parents guru/my parents Guru’s Guru & I have a Guru. He gave me mantra in 1991

  • I use Mantra very sparingly (approved by my Guru) … used only once for young woman in 2006

  • During meditation: The whole body becomes ONE, that’s super consciousness!

  • Vipasana: One to several hundred ants will crawl in the area of Crown Chakra (really no ants!)

  • Ants will enter in ears/throat/whole body …. This are signs of tap/Penance… Just Do it!

  • Sung 2 lines of “Pahle Bhi Jite they Magar” by Nida Fazli (Ghazal – Spiritual in nature)

  • There are 4 sounds within the body (I haven’t given details yet) …

  • Explained briefly about “Brahmanad” during Vajrasan Pose … incomplete, not explained yet!

  • Vajrasan performed during prayer by: Hinduism … Jainisam … Islam … *Shinto (Japanese) …

  • Vajrasan: Will improve blood glucose level … try for 2-3 minutes and increase time … if possible.

  • Do NOT read books … benefits are in practice! Do Abhyas later-on (Optional).

  • During meditation one can get many experiences … KEEP ON DOING …

  • YOUR meditative experience will equate to: Ved’s Upanishad Smriti Smruties Bhagvat Gita etc…

  • Missed Sukhshma Vyayam exercises for Seniors …

  • NUF said … love yourself and humanity … makes heart softer … do community service.

Delighted to see Hemaji, Nityaji, Mathurji and Seniors. Please feel free to distribute or wherever

deem appropriate.

*Shinto - ("the way of the gods") is the indigenous faith of the Japanese people and as old as Japan Itself. It remains Japan's major religion alongside Buddhism.