Today we went with Br. Shantamrita to the United Nations Development Program headquarters in Nairobi for a mini workshop on stress management.  Br. Shantamrita was invited in to conduct a meditation with 50 members of  senior United Nations directors of various UN programs, undergoing a 3-day orientation program for their new assignment in Somalia. In addition to receiving training in security and safety they had a ½ day module on stress management, a badly needed skill in Somalia, torn by war, terrorism and piracy. The psychologist who manages the Somalia UN group told us the staff in Somalia cannot even leave the building they live and work in because of the life threatening environment for their situation. She is required to physically go to Somalia and work with the staff on a regular basis.

Br. Shantamrita’s session began with a short presentation on the psychological and physiological benefits of meditation. He then guided the participants through a 20 minute meditation, teaching them how to relax their minds by focusing awareness different ways.  The meditation was wonderful and the group was very focused as you can well imagine they would be.  If well received, the psychologist wants us to come and start teaching the IAM meditation technique.

- Nikhila & Hanuman

There is much to learn from virtually everything – from the sunrise, from the blue skies, from the air around us, from the birds and insects,…. from everything.  They can teach us so many things – about the nature of the world, about living in harmony, about life and death and so many other things. Children can also teach you something. It is a very valuable thing that they can teach, something that the world needs desperately in these times and like the rest of nature which teaches just by being what they are – children too teach just by being children. They teach us what it is to be children. To laugh and to cry, to shout and scream, to play, to fall and bound up again, to live.

We had a three day childrens camp in Hyderabad – for senior students of Amrita Vidyalayam. The camp was meant to impart values to children, teach them to explore their own hidden potentials and to be more aware of the world around them.

We had a whole lot of activities for them – IAM meditation & yoga, walking meditation, loving & communicating with nature, values, classes on leadership qualities,  being grateful for what you have and being aware of the suffering of people around you, awakening compassion and caring, respect for parents and lots and lots of games and fun.

Rohit a class 10 student said, “What I liked most about the camp was that it made me open to the suffering in the world. I could identify with the suffering,” “What we learnt was acceptance. All were equal in the camp,” said another boy.  Rajalakshmi was able to see good in people whom she had disliked before. Gayatri was grateful for the enhanced respect and love for her parents. Manasa liked talking to the plants. Akhil liked the meditation and the sessions on leadership.

All were so happy to have an opportunity to be with their friends and classmates for three days – learning more about themselves and others, learning to share and accept. All said that they would definitely try to be better people.

The games were a riot – we even had boat races on land! Towards the end of the camp all the children were almost in tears at the prospect of parting – them going to their homes and Manoj and me on to other places on our itinerary. But though we parted we carry them in our hearts.

- Nijamrita

31 Jan 2009, Guam Island

During my stay in Guam, we took a group of children for a nature hike, in order to give them a chance to bond with Mother Nature and value the many blessings that She always showers on us.

The name of the place was “Shark’s Hole”, which is a hidden beach about a 1 hour hike from any roads. Only local residents know about this place, but we were fortunate enough to have such a guide.

While walking the 1 hour, we encouraged the children to appreciate the beauty and splendor of nature, as well as the delicate balance of life contained there. After reaching Shark’s Cove, we gave the children time to swim in the ocean, then we built a huge Shiva-linga out of sand. We then guided the children to do abhishekam to the Siva-lingam, followed by bhajans and eco-meditation.

The last time I went to Guam, we had a different hike to an underground cave, where the children also swam and did eco meditation.

- Shantamrita

[geo_mashup_map]

3 -4 Jan 2009, Trivandrum

IAM classes were conducted for the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) personnel stationed at the Trivandrum International Airport.  The total number of participants exceeded 150. All the Officers including the Commamdant actively participated in the classes. The peronnel  stationed there have to deal with a lot of physical and emotional stress due to tough working and living conditions over an extended length of time. By the time we finished the class, we could see the change in their expressions.

At the end of the first class, the officials were so enthususiastic and impressed with the results that they immediately arranged for two more classes so that the entire unit could benefit from the course. The management staff of the Trivandrum International Airport also requested a class exclusively for them. We were taken aback by the response it generated. Of course, it was not the class itself, but Amma’s Grace that they could palpably feel. Since Amma is visting Trivandrum Ashram at the end of January, the Commandant of the CISF unit promised that he would come for Amma’s Darshan – along with his entire unit of 250 personnel. That would be some sight!

With aeroplanes taking off and landing every few minutes in the nearby landing strip, it might not have been the ideal  place for a mediation class, but then, as we had been telling them all along, the outer situations are not the problem – it is how the mind  interprets the situation that matters.
So, every time a plane passed over us, we decided to interpret the drone of the engine in the vein of Om…and it actually became fun !

We decided to visit the unit again for further classes in the near future.

- Mohan

6 Dec 2008, Tel Aviv, Israel

A 4 day program that was held in Israel was concluded with an Integrated Amrita Meditation retreat by Brahmachari Shubamrita accompanied by Nath.

The 1^st program was held in Tel Aviv. On that night Tel Aviv was quiet as in the morning there was an alert for terrorist attacks, so the city was half closed. On all people mind there were tragic events of the terror attacks in Mumbai, an attack that mutual both countries with a sad outcome. This did not prevent from people to attend, and the hall was full.

From there we went to Jerusalem program, held in the same place in the 3rd year in a row. The weather in the holy city was pleasant with its famous mountain breeze. We visited the Western Wall and the ancient city.

The 3^rd program was held in Pardes-Hana, a place that becomes a center for spiritual activities in Israel. The small hall was packed and the people were very interested in hearing more about Amma.

The day after, Friday Evening we celebrated the Shabbat with a Jewish traditional ceremony, with all the Israeli Satsang members attending. We sang Shabbat Jewish “Bhajans” and concluded with chanting Amma’s 108 names and a Puja conducted by Brahmachari Shubamrita. We ate together Indian and Israeli dish combined.

It was a unique and special week for Amma’s Israeli children, and the dream of having Amma for a program one day, was boosting our Seva.

On the end of the retreat, we danced Israeli HORA dance, while singing Amma Amma Taye, a mixture that we are so thirsty to have more and more.

– Migo

[geo_mashup_map]

14 Nov 2008 Guwahati, Assam

The Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) is the largest paramilitary force in the world. We were invited to conduct  Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique classes for the CRPF personnel in the north east sector. Just as we had finished making the final preparations to depart to Guwahati – we were informed of the distressing news that the city of Guwahati had been rocked by serial explosions – claiming nearly a hundred innocent lives. Though we were offered the option of postponing the classes, we decided that Amma’s message was all the more required in the prevailing scenario, and we went ahead anyway.

Guwahati is a city still in mourning. The residents are brimming with grief and rage. As always, it was the innocent who had to face the brunt of this rage. On the day that we arrived, two CRPF personnel were lynched to death by an angry mob as these personnel were helping in the rescue operations . The mob needed something or someone to vent out its anger against the government – and these jawans  found themselves at the wrong place at the wrong  time.

The north eastern region is a hot bed of terrorism. The paramilitary forces find themselves in an unenviable situation. They are required to fight a war which nobody seems to  want to end (or even overtly acknowledge its existence ). The figures speak for themselves – the force is battling with over 6500 cases of hypertension within its ranks. Last year, more lives were lost due to suicides and fratricides (soldiers killing their own compatriots) than in actual counter insurgency operations on the field. They are deployed unsolicited all the year round in terrorism hubs without proper support, infrastructure, equipment or incentives. It is in this context that these meditation classes are being conducted for all the military and the paramilitary forces of the country.

The class was well attended, with the Deputy Inspector General of the North East sector along with other top officials actively participating in the classes – as did the jawans. We did not have anything else but Amma’s message of Love and Peace to share with them – which we did -  and it was wonderful to observe  a glimmer of hope on the battle hardened faces.

At the end of the class, the DIG announced to his troops, “More than the technique itself, I realize that the hope that the message of Amma has given us is elevating – the message that, indeed, there will be a better tomorrow for all of us. I am sure that this technique will go a long way in helping our soldiers to find peace and happiness in their otherwise tough lives”. The soldiers we talked to, echoed the same sentiments, and most of them were very eager to see and meet Amma as soon as possible. I am sure that they must be closer to Amma than they realize – for it is the spirit of sacrifice and dedication that  really pulls Amma closer.

In reality, we are sure that Amma is working tirelessly to bring peace and hope everywhere though we may not be aware of the specific details of the process. May we become worthy instruments in the accomplishment Amma’s Divine purpose.

- Mukesh

[geo_mashup_map]

There have been a series of IAM meditation classes here in Amritapuri – even for the children. It was the first time I was taking a class for children in Amritapuri. There were children from all over. Some serious and some…. – You Know!

It was so beautiful to watch all the children and how Amma was so deep rooted in them. But thought that was the case – before the actual meditation we all sat with eyes closed and imagined that Amma was there right in front of us and She held a chocolate in Her hand. So obviously we all opened our mouths and the chocolate was so smooth and sweet!

And then we opened our eyes and everybody opened their mouths and lo and behold – there was chocolate in my mouth! It was so good! I had snuck some chocolate in my mouth when all the kids had their eyes closed! I enjoyed it.

And I did give chocolate to all of Amma’s little darling children at the end of the class. Those who meditate get chocolate.

- Nijamrita