Wish you a very very happy New Year.
2008 has been a fantabulous year for me. My gratitude to Gurudev, he has literally guided me in every step that I have taken. For me the year started on the Art of Living advanced course in Bangalore Ashram. I was in silence and Guru Pooja was going on right at 00:00 of 1st Jan 2008. Previously, I used to jump, dance, make noise, hug friends but this year, I was in complete silence, even the hug was quiet; no halla-gulla, no dance, no singing, and still blissful from inside.
After a gap of nearly two years, I spent the dawn of a new year in my house in bangalore. I’am not a guy who believes in having a blast and revellry to celebrate new year, so I promptly went to sleep after wishing many of my friends and gosh, I was woken up at midnight 12 due to bursting of crackers in the neighbourhood. And, this reminded me of the the new year celebrations I had in the ashram doing the YES+ winter break during the last two years wherein we welcome the new year in silence, wishing everybody in silence, praying for everybody in silence and believe me that was the most fulfilling celebrations I ever had for new year in my life. The celebrations, which happen in our neighbourhood, bursting crackers, making merry, drinking, dancing, yelling, i felt is so superficial.You feel so hollow at the end of it.
And, yesterday night I couldnt forgive myself for not having been on this Years YES+ Advance course. Just had to feel contended by the fact that my friends- Balki, Harsha, Karthik, Rikku, sanath and my whole YES+gang were doing the course on behalf of me.
And, for those of you who havent experienced the power of silence, I really pity you.
Jai gurudev,
Vinay
