Shirdi Yatra

The Shirdi Yatra started on a crisp & clear morning on 19thDec 2022. The bus echoed with melodious bhajans during the journey. Yatris had an opportunity to share with Guruji, each ones, personal experiences of Sai Baba in our life.

After freshening up at the MTDC,  we went with Guruji for Sai Darshan. We were fortunate to get a very good darshan. We prostrated on the Samadi Stone to seek HIS blessings.  It was a blissful experience.

Guruji painstakingly guided us through all the important stanhs like Dwarkamai, Chavadi, the neem tree , the museum, etc .

We saw the display of the Kafni &  items used by Sai at the exhibition hall.

Darshan of Chote Baba next to Khandoba temple in the evening was a divine experience. We offered coconuts to the Dhuni after Aarti.

VVF organised Annadaan at the temple and we participated in the distribution of prasad. After chanting Guru strotrams we took darshan of Khandobaji.. We saw many photographs & paintings depicting Sai leelas mentioned in the Sai Satcharitra.

The day concluded with a thought provoking Satsangh with Guruji .

Next morning after Sai mukh darshan…we left for Upasani Maharaj Ashram at Sakori.. Upasani Maharaj, set up this ashram for  women in the spiritual path.   We could participate in the Aarti conducted in the temple of Godavari Devi.

We visited the Gondeshwar Mahadev temple at Sinnar. This shiva temple is over 1000 yrs old. The beautiful architecture was breath taking. We are glad it is now under Architecture Survey of India and will soon been restored.

The journey from Sinnar to Mumbai provided an opportunity to relive the yatra…Thanks to Guruji for the back to back yatra.

Visiting Shirdi is always an uplifting experience, but going with Guruji lifted it to a even higher level.

Raghav Rao’s feedback

Peace

Is it inner peace?  Upasani Baba’s place looks to be symbol of inner peace.

Same type  of peace can we get in our normal life ?

Acharyaji says it is possible.Atma anubhav gives you inner peace. It is not given to you, you have to earn it.

Wonderful lesson.

Shirdi yatra is made Wonderful by Acharyaji’s care, love and guidance in showing us all the places and their significance for us. I am grateful for her blessings.. Excellent satsang with all friends made it a fun.

Ravi Vishwanathan’s feedback

Koti namaskarams to Gurumaji for the “guided” tour of Shirdi and to Laxmiji and Girijaji for the logistics. 🙏🙏🙏”Annadhanam” followed by a small bowl of “Prasadam” brought about a wonderful experience of peace at the Chote Baba mandir. 🙏🙏🙏

Yatra signifies journey   – an outer one to Shirdi Sai Darshan – an inner one to maybe guage the yogic level achieved.

This one like many before highlighted the need to accept and enjoy the uncertainties that arise. “Love above tolerence”and “Seva for the needy” have been lessons learnt.

We visited the Gondeshwar Mahadev temple at Sinnar.  This shiva temple is over 1000 yrs old. The beautiful architecture was breath taking. We are glad it is now under Architecture Survey of India and will soon been restored.

The journey from Sinnar to Mumbai provided an opportunity to relive the yatra…Thanks to Guruji for the back to back yatra.

Visiting Shirdi is always an uplifting experience,  but going with Guruji lifted it to a even higher level.

Acharya’s message after Shirdi yatra

Many times, our own light dims and we need it to be rekindled by a spark from another person. That’s the need, importance and significance of a Satsangh.

Each of us, have our reasons to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. And when our spirits are rekindled, renewed and rejuvenated, we cannot remain without acknowledging the help of others.

Thank you Baba for allowing this wonderful Satsangh to happen with you and my beloved ones. Thank you friends for joining the yatra.

Saddarshana of Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi contains verses that guide us to attain a divine vision of Truth by enquiring into the very core of our being, into the root of who we are.

Vasudhaaji conducted a 6 day online series of talks on this text from 15th to 19th of August. The lucid explanation with ample life situations, set the participants into inquiring into the truth, letting go off the misconceptions of our old belief system. There is so much joy and relief in the guidance towards our True nature.
Life changing moments can be experienced while going through the feedback of participants Let’s go through the words of participants :
Feed back of Parvati, a VVF student.

Acharyaji’s teaching of Satdarshanam was really very useful.
The text which is apparently simple to read and comprehend is so very profound in its import that one could take a life time to imbibe its essence .
Acharyaji’s discourse has made it a little easier.
Acharyaji also clubbed together certain verses not in sequential order , and that seems to have enhanced the inter connectedness of the verses and lent a luminous clarity to her explanations.
We are grateful for having had this opportunity to listen to her teachings on Saddarsanam . Many thanks and Pranams. 🙏🏼.
Mr Raghu expressed his take away of Saddarshana discourse as follows :

I Enjoyed the session throughly .Recording were equally useful for revisions.

The text carries the very essence of knowing the ultimate reality and Acharya explained each verse of this great scripture in a simple and understandable way with related examples and also validated it by referring to other scriptures .

The session by Acharya quenched my intellectual thirst and has encouraged me to keep moving with my Sadhana and Seva.

My take away was :
(i) to contemplate more on the ” I ” thought and the ” Ego”
( ii) Keep Purifying myself in all dimensions.

Finally the session has inspired me and has set a direction to progres further more intensely and get the final ” Experience of THAT Reality ” and to remain established there.

These early morning session were very refreshing and has a very transforming effects.
My thanks and Gratitude to Acharya for taking us through this beautiful spiritual voyage .
Hari Om.🙏

Jayshree Srinivas expresses her feed back of Saddarshana in the following words:

Bhagawan Ramana Maharahi’s  Saddarsana, The  vision of Truth is a text where each verse is  contemplative. Guruma Vasudhaaji had beautifully glided us along with her, through all these verses with undisputable explanation and examples. Maa has shown how each verse, with a clear and inquiring mind  will reveal the “Sat” the Existence. The text is not to debate but to go inward inquiring about our existence through contemplation and abide in its reality. Guruma’s guidance had made possible to understand the Uncomprehendable text, so well and I am greatful to Guruma, for the same. She had explained vividly, the Bhagwan’s direct and the simple path to the True SELF. The take away message is to understand the sole purpose of our lives is, to know the TRUTH of who am I, sincerely and earnestly. The entire sessions were meditative with Guruma’s interpretations. I am ever, in gratitude to her for this opportunity. Hari Om

Students were indeed very fortunate to have had the opportunity to pay respects to Guru Vasudhaaji on this auspicious Vyasa Purnima day. The centre wore a festive look with puja being performed to Shiridi Baba, students chanting the Guru shlokas and the MMT children chanting Guru Vandana shlokas.

Since ancient times, on this auspicious day, students pay homage to Veda Vyasa Maharishi and the entire Guru – Sishya parampara. In one voice, our prayer is to gain thorough understanding and absorption of the teachings of the scriptures. Our salutations to Gurus for their unconditional love, untiring efforts and selfless service.

Sutras of Saints
12th, 13th and 14th May
25th, 26th and 27th May

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Evening satsanghs with Vasudhaaji were organized at the Foundation’s Parsik Hill center. The Sutras of Swami Chinmayananda and Shri Ramana Maharishi were taken up for discussion with the students.

Every Sutra can journey us to the Ultimate Truth. The powerful messages enshrined in each sutra shines like a lighthouse, ensuring our safe journey.

The inquisitive students had many doubts cleared during the discussions. The sayings of these masters point us to the Ultimate Truth. And the Gurus who stand at the pinnacle of Truth can bring about great awareness in the students while deducing the Sutras.

Many Sutras that were taken up that immensely helped the students to thoroughly dissect every segment of one’s life, thus helping one recognise the truthful permanent blissful aspect of our existence.

In the words of two students,

“Guruji introduced us to Sutras of Bhagawan Shree Ramana Maharshi and explained to us how to contemplate upon them for 3 days.
Understanding Sutras was like getting peeled from the layers of ignorance in us and was like getting tips “how to” and ‘”what to”.

Being students of Vedanta and seekers, Guruji’s lucid explanations helped us to understand about going inward/ within, than going outward, from chasing impermanent things to a permanent thing. How “silence” could find us answers. Contemplating upon “who am I” is self enquiry, a direct path to liberation. Hari Om.”

“Satsangh with Guru Vasudhaaji on Ramanna Maharshi’s sutras was once again a beautiful reminder on how we need to live our lives. Our body, mind, even death are all mere thoughts. We must not allow ourselves to be ruled by these endless thoughts, which are impermanent and hence not ‘ the truth’. Guruji explained how we need to carry on our daily transactions of life, do one’s karma, but with complete detachment and no expectations. As Guruji said, we are mere actors in this drama called life. We only need to play the role with perfection and not live the role. As always the satsangh was a lot of food for thought and we must see that our smaranam leads to pure mannanam .

Sincere Gratitude to Guruji

Feedback by a student on sessions on Sutras of Saints

We had 3 days of Satsang on Sutras of Shri Ramana Maharishi, was explained beautifully by Acharya Vasudhaaji
Some learnings:
1. With I-thought birth happens and with cessation of I-thought death.

2. Mind is consciousness which has put on limitations

3. Pain and Pleasure are a result of past Karmas

4. One should act as if not thinking as an Actor

5. Our Birth is for a purpose and it gets fulfilled whether or not one considers himself as an actor

6. Act must. Unselfish acts purify the mind which in turn helps to meditate

7 I’m the body, I’m the mind, I’m the Doer is nothing but a thought.
Worry, fear, Death is also a thought only, so don’t believe your thoughts

A Meditation session on Omkaar was conducted by Vasudhaaji at VVF centre. The much sought after session began with the explanation that AUM which represents the utimate Truth and chanting Omkaar cleanses the deep layers of the gross, subtle and causal bodies in order to bring an integration among all the seven chakras.
The different techniques of AUM meditation were taught, emphasizing the fact that when these practices are done sincerely, one is bound to gain the ultimate wisdom.The participants were absorbed into the chanting of AUM and were led into the meditation on the same.They were awestruck with the indepth meaning and the immense benefits of practicing Omkara meditation.

In the words of a participant,
“Hari Om Acharyaji. It was a great experience to learn the Omkaar Meditation from you and also practice it in your presence. The stepwise dealing of the process is very easy to remember. Also the likely mistakes that we are bound to make, that we discussed, helps in rectifying during our practice. This meditation makes us more thoughtless and connects to the Divine. Even after the meditation there is a feeling of peacefulness during the day. Pranaams to you for initiating this meditation for us.”

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Prayer has the power to connect one to the source by nurturing the emotion of hope, inducing a sense of strength and building patience in oneself. The power of collective prayer cannot be underestimated, and the magnitude of its effect is immense.
We students had the wonderful opportunity to join the collective prayer of chanting Hanuman Chalisa 21 times, at VVF Centre,  Belapur on 10th February,22.

Vasudhaaji explained how the one prayer with many voices is like an ocean wave that builds energy from the wind. The group energies raise us to great heights. Such unified prayers bring in good health and peace free from fear, ill- health and grief.
Each of of us experienced bountiful blessings of Shri Hanumana as we sang His glories.
Many students participated in this collective prayer through online session too.

We are sharing the heartfelt expressions of a few students.

🔸Hari Om
Thank you for this beautiful opportunity of chanting the Hanuman Chalisa. It was truly inspiring and rejuvenating.
The Online session enabled all of us who couldn’t be present at the Centre to participate fully and seek Hanumanji’s and Acharyaji’s blessings.

🔸Hari Om.
Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.
It was really, the need of the hour.
It was good to be part of chanting after a long time.

🔸Hari om.
Thank you Acharyaji and the team for this great opportunity to chant Hanuman Chalisa 21 times. Felt a lot of positive vibes and surrender to the Lord. Humble pranams.

18th and 19th January, 2022

On the first day, people were served with food packets consisting of soya- veg biryani, raita, ladoo and water bottles. On the request of the Pujari, food packets were also sent up to the devotees at Anuvavi temple.
On the second day, food packets were packed at Sai Nivas under the loving and indulgent eyes of Baba and were distributed to the devotees who were carrying the Kavadis enroute from Anuvavi Temple.
With immense blessings of Baba, under the able guidance of Vasudhaaji, the Annadaan seva went off smoothly. We thank all our well wishers for their contribution towards Thaipoosam Annadanam.

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Advocate Falguni Thakkar is a practicing lawyer in the district and High courts of Mumbai. She specialises in legal areas like Civil, Testamentary, Matrimonial, Property matters etc..
In this session, she talks about the basics and the importance of a Legal Will. She takes us through the various aspects of why and how to make our personal Will. A Will enables us to bequeath our wealth and property to the people or cause we want to support.

Her advice- Make it a top priority, make it through a lawyer and hence make it easier for the family.

Dr. Shubha Dhukle and Dr. Purushottam Dhukle are eminent and experienced Gynecologists with special interests in Female and Male fertility, and Geriatrics.
Awareness about Menopause and Andropause helps one understand this important stage in one’s life. Dr Shubha and Dr Purushottam gave simple and practical tips on intake of supplements, healthy diet and lifestyle changes, to help us accept this stage of our lives and move to physically and emotionally healthy years ahead.

Wellness series – 

Dr. Nirmala Shetty

Dr. Nirmala Shetty is an icon in the beauty and health world. She has won accolades and awards for her contribution in this area. Her philosophy is “Food is cosmetic”. She believes that all that we apply on our skin enters our system. Hence, she uses only natural ingredients available in the kitchen, for all her clients in her spas, and in all the cosmetics that her Company Nirmal Herbal makes

In this talk, she has given tips for skin care, pigmentation, acne, prevention of hair loss, remedies for dandruff problems, and recipe for natural shampoo.

Health with Yoga perspective – Mr. Mohammed Shabbir Shaikh

Mr. Mohd Shabbir Shaikh is a yoga professor at K.J Somaiya College, Mumbai. He is Post graduate with distinction in Yoga Shastra. He has 15 years of experience in Hatta yoga.

Here in his talks, he helps us understand our body. He also shares excerpts of the Bhagavad Gita connected to Yoga. 

He says, “Not suppressions or expressions but awareness of self is the remedy”.  Yoga is By – For- and To the self.