Jai HO ! - Haidakhandi Samaj

International Haidakhandi Journal
Autumn 2014
Jai HO !
Jai ! Haidakhandi
Outreach
For On-Line version of this Journal see:
http://www.internationalhaidakhandijournal
.com/internationalhaidakhandijournal/welco
me_journal_autumn_14.html
Page No.
Babaji quote
3
Gorakhvani - the words of Gorakhnath
Gurupurnima at Schweibenalp July 2014
4-5
7
Jai HO !
8-9
Jai Haidakhandi Outreach – Mission Statement
News from Around the World
Holland
10
USA
11-12
France
12
Poland
13
Russia
14
Bulgaria
15
Haidakhandi Samaj - News from India
Letter from Alok
16-17
Invitation to this Ashwin/Autumn Navaratri
Maha Shakti Dhuni
Foreigners Long Term Visas
Shri Babaji’s Charitable Hospitals
The Babaji Ashram in Bihar
Hindu Festival Dates 2014-2015
18
18-19
19
20
21-23
24
Jai HO ! Jai Haidakhandi Outreach - Satsangs
Jai HO………Next Steps………
Haidakhandi Family by MayaRam
In Memoriam for Sam Shyam
Welcome to the natural world – Permaculture at Schweibenalp
Gopal Hari
The charitable programmes of Planetbabaji
Editorial
25-33
34
35-36
36
37
38-40
41-42
43
‘My Fire is upon you
and it will not leave you,
not in battles, nor in times of rest.’
3
Gorakhvani - the words of Gorakhnath
In 1976 Shri Babaji made a trip to Nepal with Shastriji and several other
devotees. He started to recite versus in the old language of the Sadhu and
Yogi's of India. He said that Shi Guru Gorakhnath was speaking through
Him. It was there that Shri Babaji spoke words of Shri Guru Gorakhnath to
Kamalo (Vishnu Datt Shastriji) who noted down this precious message the
Lord gave to the world. It has been lovingly compiled and translated
together with Gaura Devi into a small booklet now known as the
Gorakhvani.
Gaura Devi wrote: …Babaji told me to sit in meditation inside the temple
of Gorakhnath in Hairakhan…. I felt Babaji was showing me what would
have been my way (in previous lifetimes): a yogic path of detachment and
meditation, a hard path that he conferred to only a few people. In fact He
said that during this Kali Yuga it is very difficult to practice inner
concentration, because in this period of decay, man’s mind is stressed
since the very first day of birth and never finds peace: so the most
effective practice is that of karma yoga, action dedicated to the divine.
4
In the Gorakhvani book, Babaji spoke as Gorakhnath:
“Give up all the negative karma and keep a firm determination in
your mind.
“If you want salvation from Kal (time) come to My shelter, then you
will liberate and take across all those who are sleeping in this world.
“Strength in yoga is not required at this time;
Strength in penance is not required at this time;
The only strength required is the power of the Name of the Lord.
“I have given many types of knowledge and many teachings.
Now the time for knowledge and meditation is gone, the only
practice left is the repetition of the name of Hari.
Do not try to churn the ocean, Kamalo, churn your mind instead.
There is nothing outside; everything is in the mind Kamalo.
Inside the mind there is a big ocean of milk and big islands.
Everything is present there and all of creation is present inside
one’s body.
Always sing the glory of Gorakh and repeat the name of Shiva with
attention.
“Keep a firm determination and the Name will take you across the
ocean of this world. Do or don’t do other things, but do Japa
perfectly and this will take you to the heaven of Shiva.
5
6
Gurupurnima at Schweibenalp July 2014
We celebrated wonderfully at Schweibenalp, 250-300 of us…
A joy filled concert with Turkantam, inspired dance performances,
Sundar’s daughter Elischewa sang classical western prayers, and we
sang bhajans and preformed Puja. It was as amazing as it usually
is, whenever we gather in His name. The weather was challenging
but actually we all enjoyed the time immensely. Our family came
to gather and Magic Happened !
There were many gatherings (satsangs) discussing the future, and
so this time the satsangs were not so much about stories from the
past. The question arose: "What are we doing to serve humanity, to
serve the Babaji in our hearts, how do we live the message today,
Right Now!”? “ How can we unite as individuals and “Invoke the
Lord of our Hearts to inspire us to Be the service that brings Joy to
our lives?” Babaji’s family warmly received and joyously celebrated
the bigger, broader and more universal concept, exploring ways to
reconnect and be inspired to serve.
Sundar and Schweibenalp embodied the idea of the universality of
Babaji and his message. Some seem to believe Babaji was an
Indian man whose gift was a lot of rules to follow, but most
embrace a larger reality of Babaji as the invisible Presence the
living Universal Guru, who is guiding our lives moment by moment,
the Presence that when remembered always encourages us to a
higher purpose. You were with us, we felt your presence, and how
can it be otherwise?
Kharku and Jamuna
7
Jai HO !
Jai Haidakhandi Outreach
While reading this you might like to listen to the original soundtrack on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxLSZoFK8EM the lyrics, in a medley of languages
including Hindi, Urdu & Punjabi, evoke hope and a sense of triumph overcoming obstacles.
The Vision: To expand joy through service
Mission:
To inspire and support a profound new impulse of the
international Babaji community into service, teaching and action.
Tasks and Functions:
To invite a spirit of radical and far-reaching questioning and opening of
ourselves and the Babaji community for a positive future. An initiative
that gives a platform for international devotees seeking to embody Shri
Babaji’s teachings of truth, simplicity and love, and create shared
pathways to happiness through service. An initiative that, through its
modern interactive, process and system oriented methods is a
compliment to the Indian Haidakhandi Samaj, and one that will inspire
and unite people in harmony to make a difference and fulfil Babaji’s
mission of serving humanity.
We agreed to set up a non-profit/charitable organisational in the form
of a non-hierarchical association or cooperative, and to organise who and
what team focalises each of the following tasks, while holding the
connection question: is everything we do connected with the sacred
presence of Babaji ?
Maintaining a talent inventory and Supporting groups /projects such
as:
Health, healing and education; sustainable living; business people;
crafts people; new projects; internet technology; musicians and pujas; the
next generation/younger persons.
Supporting Ashrams and Centres by:
Organising Visits/Tours - satsangs, music, teachings; educating
communication skills (e.g. recommended daily community conversations
8
and meetings); looking at how to help with local community needs;
encouraging voluntary work in local communities, and encouraging
business opportunities.
An Education wing covering areas such as:
Health and Healing and sustainable living models (as in the Kamalaya
project, Schweibenalp Permaculture, etc); meditation, japa and puja
training; and communication competences.
Communication tasks:
Establishing internet presence (blog, website, Facebook, etc.);
communication with India Samaj; maintaining and promoting the
International Haidakhandi Journal; networking within and beyond the
Babaji community; and supporting initiatives by Planetbabaji.
Finally we committed to International Fund Development involving:
Fundraising coordination and establish a funders group.
This Jai HO mission and tasks project was initiated by:
Lok Nath (USA), Sundar (Switzerland), Kharku (Thailand), Jamuna (Thailand), Gayatri
(USA), Uday (India), Raghuvir (Thailand), Ramloti (USA), Bo (Sweden), Giuliano
(Switzerland and Italy), Sam (USA), Raghunandan (ITALY), Mukundi (France), and
Rob (UK).
For the full report on the Gurupurnima Satsangs and the Jai Ho initiative
please see pages 25 to 34
9
News from Around the World
Holland
- Guru Purnima 2014 at Sada Shiva Dham by Bhaskaranand
It is not only at Siddhashram, the Centre of Unity in Switzerland that Guru
Purnima has been celebrated this July.
Also at Sada Shiva Dham we
celebrated the day of Guru Purnima. It has been a beautiful day with lots
of sun and the prevailing feeling was one of peace, harmony and
happiness. This day, where we celebrated the inner and outer guru,
especially Mahavatar Babaji and Shri Munirajji, was clearly imbued with
Babaji and Munirajji's spiritual Presence. About 50 people including
children visited on that day. In part it was a reunion, in the sense that
people who had not been visiting the ashram for some time had returned
and we met each other again so there were many happy faces.
A Bhakti Festival at Sada Shiva Dham - May 2015
by Kailash
Next year, end of May, Sada Shiva Dham is celebrating the Bhakti Festival.
As Kharkuli said: “What you did in England has inspired us to run a Bhakti
festival in Holland next year!” So, on a weekend between Spring Navaratri
and Gurupurnima 2015 there will be a bhakti festival at Sada Shiva Dham
in Holland. We had this idea after attending the bhakti festival in England
organised by Trisha and Tabla Tom and others. We enjoyed the music, the
open atmosphere, the diversity of activities and people taking part, such
as those connected with gurus like Ammaji and Neem Karoli Baba.
For our Holland festival we have invited musicians like Tabla Tom,
Turkantam and Moti Ma and others will follow. Apart from the ashram
programme there will be hatha yoga sessions and a great variety of
workshops. We intend to raise money for charities such as the eye camps
in India. The Bhaktifestival starts Friday 29 may 2015. Those wanting to
help are very welcome some days before it starts and will get reduced
prices. More news will be spread on the website of Sada Shiva Dham.
From November 2014 you will be able to sign in. Hope to see you there.
10
USA - Lessons Learned at the Ashram by Ramloti
Having lived at the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram in Crestone, Colorado
for nearly 25 years now, I am surprised by all the new insights I have while
doing the practices that I have done so many times before. For instance,
getting up early to be pujari in the temple. This entails a wake up at 4am
and coming to the temple after my meditation, bath, and yoga. This is
always a special time for me in the quiet, dark hours of the morning.
Bathing and adorning all of the murtis is the primary duty, and it is
definitely our life-size murti of Haidakhandeswari that takes the longest,
usually a good hour. (see back page of Journal – Ed)
As I dress and decorate Her with malas, jewels and flowers I am in such
bliss and I am totally focused on every detail. Suddenly an hour has
passed away and I realize that during this time, I have had no other
thoughts except the Divine Mother. She is amazingly beautiful so it is easy
to be concentrated on only Her. As I sing the aarati, the verse, “Sadhak ki
budhi simit tu sidheshvara maha hai, Sadhana sulabha bata de O shanta
svarupa vale,” suddenly takes on a deeper meaning. It speaks about giving
us easy sadhana because our minds are limited. For me this morning puja
to Ma is a perfect example of easy spiritual practice because I am so
captivated.
We recently received a magnificent murti of Old Haidakhan Babaji that
was enlivened by Shri Babaji and Shastriji in 1978. It lived for years in the
Hawaiian Ashram with daily pujas. Since that Ashram no longer exists,
Hiroman, who received the murti from Babaji, decided it should now live
here. This brought up a bit of a dilemma for me as to whom to bathe first
in the morning, Baba or Mother ? I had been reading the Shri
Divyakathamrit the night before and had come upon the touching part
when Lord Shiva was telling the heavens that He was going to incarnate
for the welfare of the world as Shri Babaji. The Divine Mother quickly said
that She wanted to come with Him to help serve as well. His response was
so sweet: “Oh Divine Goddess! Every moment You dwell in My heart. You
are known by the names of peace, contentment, and intellect. There is no
difference between Me and You just as the fire and its property of warmth
11
are inseparable, likewise there is no difference between You and Me….I
always dwell wherever Your blessed feet set forth.” The minute I began
the puja, I knew immediately that They should be bathed together
because They are always one and the same. This was another strong
insight.
Finally I want to speak about our Annual Family Week and how
serendipitous it always is. In May, a couple from Boulder and their 8 yearold son came into the Ashram Shop. As they bought their son an Om tshirt I blurted out, “That is what I bought for my grandsons to wear at
Family Week, perhaps you should come too. They asked a little about the
week and on the spot they reserved the last room. The parents felt it was
just what they needed, a week of spiritual refreshment at the Ashram with
many other like-minded families. And their son loved it. I just received an
email from them as they travelled visiting family. They said that the usual
long driving was a joy this year as their son wanted to listen to “Om
Namah Shivaya” over and over again.
France
After our summer week-end dedicated to Babaji at Nirmal and Kalaa’s
organic farm on the tip of Brittany, the French Samaj is already preparing
its next fall retreat in the Auvergne central part of France. In a wild and
beautiful area, the gite of Michel will accommodate us to experience
together the ceremonies, satsang, karma yoga and much more. This kind
of event is a great way to share and enhance our faith, to support and
know each other better and discover each other’s talents. Once for
example, we were enjoyed a presentation on mandalas, followed by a
small recital of Indian traditional music by some of the participants.
To come to our Auvergne gathering the date is 8th to 11th of November (it
will be possible to arrive on the evening of the 7th)
Place : Saignes near Ussel (by train), or Clermont-Ferrand (by plane)
Contribution : we will share food and energy (at cost)
All is still in preparation and if you want to get more details when
available, please contact Mukundi :
[email protected]
12
Poland - Bhole Baba Seva Dham Ashram,
Lanckorona - by Paramanand
Here is some short news from our center in Poland. We are recently
developing in the direction of a bed and breakfast with vegetarian food.
As before we are also hosting Yoga groups.
Bhole Baba Seva Dham now has its own piece of ground for a temple to
be built in the future. We always attract some visitors at Navaratri and at
our weekly 10am havans on Sundays.
We are also offering ayurvedic
massages. All these activities seem to integrate very well and you could
say we are a Haidakhandi Holiday center where Babaji can give something
good for everyone whether it is a coffee or liberation: the choice is up to
our guests !
Please click on:
To read about my Soft Skill
Trainings & Vision Management consultancy
Russia – The new Russian Samaj
We have now had an open meeting in Moscow to register and sign the
official papers for the Russian Samaj, with 22 members. Muniraji had
stressed the importance of first creating a Samaj and going on from there.
The Samaj will spread Babaji's message through website and publications,
and it can support Ashrams, centres and devotional activities throughout
the Country.
The board members chosen and appointed on this meeting are Pujari,
Annapurna, Giriraj, Sunita, Mayaram, Namrata and Arman.
Also the
advisory board members for life are Tara, Giriraj and Pujari.
Looking forward to meet and work with many devotees in Russia, from
Moscow to Surgut.
Pujari and Anjani
13
Russia - Hairakhandi Love Center
(Zaluchnoe, Moscow)
Since the beginning of 2014 many changes have happened here: we have
normal electricity, drilled our own artesian well and have a constant
source of hot water (solar battery). We planted some fruit trees and a lot
of flowers. There are some temporary constructions but we are planning
to build a residence building with some rooms and a dormitory. So a large
pile of building materials is already stacked up on the compound waiting
to take shape ! So that visitors can to stay in more comfort. There are
plans for a temple, a kitchen with a large space to make a bandara. This is
a cute centre where karma yoga is practiced with love in the past, present
and future. This August we are starting the foundations for the residence
building. We perform puja and araati and every Friday, Saturday and
Sunday, and also on Sundays Uma Shankar does havan.
Uma Shankar and Jai Shri are very often present in the summer months
hosting visitors who can free themselves from the clutches of Moscow to
join the peace of Babaji’s centre outside Moscow. They are warmly inviting
you for a visit for next summer. A swim in the velvet waters of the river
close by is warmly recommended. Contact: [email protected].
Mobile phone: +7 926 127 13 37 Arman. Social net:
http://vk.com/zaluchnoe108
(Zaluchnoe is 140 km south west of Moscow (2 hours drive) and in 2011 Munirajji
visited here during Gurupurnima celebrations in Russia. - Ed.)
14
Bulgaria SHRI HAIDIAKHANDI SURYA KIRAN DHAM
Contact:
fb: Babaji’s Ashram Bulgaria
fb: Markus Maria Ludwig
Rai Dass: 00359 878 575 681
Email: [email protected]
Translated the name of the Babaji Ashram in the hills of Bulgaria means
“Sacred Place Sunray”.
It was given in 2009 by Shri Muniraji who
approved and supported my vision of creating a place where people from
different spiritual backgrounds can meet and work together in truth
simplicity and love.
As I had to realise through time, far less people than
I had at first imagined were ready for such a common project; even
though nearly everyone visiting felt it a very positive experience only very
few would take this inspiration as a reason to regularly participate in the
activities. Activities means: to keep up the morning and evening devotional
program taking place in the tipi, plus the permanent work to maintain the
land of nearly 5 acres, the garden and the various building activities.
In the last 2 years the universe has started sending people, sometimes in
very magic ways, from all around the globe. Be it just for a short visit or a
longer stay, they all expressed deep appreciation about the highly
energetic transformational power of the place, which at the same time
offers a very close contact with nature and simplicity of living. Much like it
used to be in Haidakhan in the older days.
You are all welcome to spend time with us any time between mid-April
and December. Our simple straw-bale guest house as well as a wooden
house will offer necessary shelter and comforts. Come, get inspired and
experience the joys of simple karma yoga and see the place grow and
develop in front of your very own eyes..
Since 2007 we have been celebrating Navaratri at the Black Sea in the
month of August, it is a very enriching experience healthy for body, heart
and soul. Feel welcome to join us also for this event.
15
News from India
Dear All,
For the past couple of years we have been discussing various plans and
suggestions regarding the much needed renovations and maintenance of
Shree Babaji's property in Haidakhan. In November 2012 our Gurubhai
Raghuvirji spent a lot of time and energy and came up with a report on the
proposed renovation work. Thereafter Col. Bhagwan Rana on joining the
Samaj was asked to make a survey of the work and give an updated report,
which he submitted in December 2013. Some of the suggestions made by
the above have already been carried out but the major work still needs to
be undertaken.
The Executive Committee of the Samaj has been actively looking into all
the possibilities of undertaking the major renovations. During last Navratri
hectic discussions took place to draw up an action plan for the Ashram
including Fakirabad, with cost estimates. I am glad to inform you that one
of our members Smt. Taruna Patel was present during the ongoing
discussions and volunteered to offer the services of their Civil Engineer to
carry out a survey and give his report on the total project. As a result, Mr
Hitesh B Prajapati and his team visited Haidakhan on 19th & 20th April'14
and have submitted his comprehensive report with measurements and
approx. cost estimates.
Mrs. Taruna Patel has very kindly committed to a major part of the cost of
the project and has agreed to provide the initial funds to start it. So Phase
1 of the project can be started immediately and completed before the
16
monsoons set in. Shree Vijay Bhattiani has offered to coordinate with the
team to work out the details of logistics.
Friends, the total cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs.1.25
Crores (about US dollar 260K) and needs the support of all the members.
We intend to complete the total renovation work within a period of one
year, so I appeal to all to support and cooperate to make this big ' karma
yoga ' project a big success . This will be a big ' seva ' to our beloved Guru
Shree Shree Babaji.
BBKJ With Kind regards, Alok Banerjee
Necessary Repairs to Haidakhan by Hitesh Prajapati
Roads from ashram to bridge and bridge to mandir at the entry need to be
widened. Repairing of outside floor /passages leading to all buildings, connecting
passages of buildings, mandir, and rooms. All the terraces having cracks and in
50% of the area they are in bad condition.
Heavy seepage problem back side the
office area where there is open land, during monsoon heavy leakages.
and leakages in toilet blocks in Russian building.
building.
Drainage
Roof replacement in office
Roof replacement with structure at Fakirabad building. Fakirabad – 2
attached toilets require in rooms and expansion of toilet block. Changing of WC‘s
throughout ashram.
drinking water.
Water tank construction for storage of good water for
Kitchen expansion and sore room renovation.
General
maintenance and repair for wooden door/window. Solar system for hot water,
light
and
for
pumping
of
water.
telecommunication.
17
All
electrical
related
issues
plus
Invitation to this Ashwin/Autumn Navaratri
In the name of our Guru Babaji, the chairman of our Samaj, Shri Alok
Banerjee is inviting you to celebrate the Ashwin Navaratri with us in
Anandpuri ashram in Chiliyanoula, India.
This Divine Mother festival will start at 25th of September and will last till
the 4th of October. These joyful days of celebration are a devotional feast
filled with worship and heartfelt bhajan & kirtan. To be present there is
for your spiritual upliftment and purification the best gift you can give
yourself. But if you are unable to join us in Chiliyanoula then try to visit
your local ashram during these days as the Divine Mother is omnipresent
and this blessed period very beneficial to deeply connect. This is so
wonderful when we are united in good numbers and Babaji's presence is
strongly sensed amongst us. Wherever you are and whatever you do,
take some time off during these Navaratri days to renew, refine, and
rejoice with your connection with the source of all form, The Divine
Mother.
Maha Shakti Dhuni
Most of us know from out Herakhan visits how wonderful it is do an aarti
and havan ceremony at the Maha Shakti Dhuni. Particularly around the
Navaratri period one can be lucky to get a seat inside, and quite a number
of people enjoy the ceremony from the platform outside. With the dhuni
building nicely painted and well cleaned, included the gardens around, it
may be hard to imagine but for the last few years this sacred place is left
to itself a few weeks after Navaratri. This lack of puja goes on all thru the
monsoon and practically until Ashwin Navaratri. This our beloved Maha
Shakti with its big open windows - where nature blows the leaves around
and the fire goes out completely.
Last year Planetbabaji jumped into action. He created a circle with friends
from the dhuni and collected some funds. From this Shri Baji Singh, a
villager who has been serving the dhuni and Fakirabad since many years
was hired to keep the Dhuni clean and the fire on once a day. But the
18
desire rose for more. Planetbabaji then shared this story and he lobbied
for pujaris to perform the fire puja. Almost instantly the call was
answered by two young Germans who were ready to serve. One has
already been serving from the beginning of this present monsoon, and the
next one is ready to do so from October all thru the winter. The Maha
Shakti Dhuni has always been independent from the Indian Samaj
organisation, including financially. How wonderful to know that now this
Magical place where the kund was originally shaped by Babaji's own hand,
where so many people have been able to serve the Divine Mother and so
many more have had wonderful moments and darshan of Her, is now
taken care of properly.
There is a chance for you to be part of this circle by offering yourself for a
time to do this seva. Being pujari there through the monsoon is not a duty
for the fainthearted. One is mostly alone, the weather and conditions are
challenging, but it is such a powerful place to do sadhana and experience
a close connection with Shakti Ma. You can be assisted if necessary with
visa applications and if needed a small pocket money can even be
provided. There is also possibility of joining the Maha Shakti circle and
making a small donation to keep all these services possible. But for this we
are still in the process of setting up a paypal account to make this easy.
You can get more info here : www.planetbabaji.com go to “Dhuni
Seva leela"
Foreigners Long Term Visas from Indian Samaj:
We are providing better service for our foreign devotees who apply for
long term visas. In the past year I have been able to assist several people
get long term visas as well as renewals. Now this task is being handled by
Mr VR Rao our Administration Manager,
contact: [email protected]
19
Shri Babaji’s Charitable Hospitals
During Gurupurnima in Switzerland we spoke about Seva in action. Even
if suffering is all around, it is not always easy to know or trust how to
respond to today’s global needs. However regarding this we are lucky in
that we have our charitable hospitals in India where we know that we can
help a lot in Babaji's name. Here are just a few facts: we have been able
to serve 22,385 outpatients in the last year with subsidised charity. 6000+
have been given free medical help in various camps in the mountainous
regions. In addition we have performed 1329 cataract eye surgeries a year
with 40% free charity. And Rupees 3,000,000+ of medicine has been
distributed.
We can give back sight to a practically blind eye for 25 Euro's given the
systems we have set up in Chiliyanoula. The number of camps we are
setting up in remote rural areas in the Himalayas is still increasing. It is
still happening and we are doing it together in His name !
We will be continuing these services on into the future and we therefore
request that you continue to be part of it.
See what you can do to
connect organisations and people who are moved to help sustain this
service. We have all sorts of ways of expanding our service and with that
our responsibilities also increase. Most of all we request you to remember
this hospital and feel part of it and help in any way you can to sustain it in
its service to the poor & needy of the Kumoun region, the Himalayan
province that Herakhan Baba loved so much.
For more information and bank details etc please visit our page :
http://www.babajihospital.com
20
The Babaji Ashram in Bihar
- Extracts from Letter by Shri Alok Banerjee
‘During His physical presence Shree Babaji visited Bihar many times and
established many temples and ashrams in Patna and other places and
thousands of Biharis became his ardent devotees. One such Ashram/
temple established by Him was in Dariyapur , about 30 kms from Patna, in
the family owned home of Late Shree Shiv Nandanji better known as
'Sethji of Bihar'. After the passing away of Sethji this Babaji Ashram was
engrossed in family disputes and became a neglected property. By His
grace and the initiative taken by the Samaj through the Babaji devotees of
Bihar , a Babaji Trust is in the final stages of being registered. The trustees
have been able to amicably negotiate with the family members and
restored this old Babaji Ashram Property and have carried out extensive
renovations through their own resources.
It is a matter of great joy that Shree Padukas of Shree Babaji will visit the
restored Dariyapur Ashram for a three days Paduka Pujan , Havans and
Kirtan from 2nd to 4th May 2014 . The devotees of Bihar have extended
their invitation to all Babaji devotees to join them on this auspicious
occasion.
Letter from Vijay Kumar - 9th May 2014:
‘Dear Sanjeev, Kudos to Alok Bhai for having revived Dariyapur Dham,
Bihar which was in a sort of oblivion since Baba's Mahasamadhi. Infusing
life back into Dariyapur Dham would have taken some persistent follow up
and dedication. After seeing the report I feel motivated to join you next
time. I have been told that your initiative of organising Baba's Padukas at
Dariyapur Dham has infused lots of enthusiasm and energy amongst
hundreds of devotees who had gathered there to celebrate the Paduka
Pujan.
Please see next two pages for a lively report of these events
from Sanjeev Sarna.
21
22
23
2014 - 2015 DATES
st
SEPTEMBER 2014
2nd
Radha Ashtam
8th
Anant Chaudas
th
9
Purnima & Ekam Shradha
24th Pittar Amavasya
25th
Ashvin (Autumn )
Navratri Starts
21
22nd
23rd
24th
25th
Dhan Teras
Choti Diwali
Diwali, Amavasya &
Laxmi Puja
Annakoot
Bhaiya Dooj
NOVEMBER 2014
6th Purnima & Guru Nanak
Jayanti
15th Mahakal Bhairav Jayanti
nd
22 Amavasya
OCTOBER 2014
2nd
Gandhi Jayanti
3rd
Durga Navmi
(Navratri Ends)
4th
Vijay Dashmi
8th
Sharad Purnima
12th
Karwa Chauth
16th
Ahoi Ashtami
DECEMBER 2014
6th Purnima & Dattatreya Jayanti
22nd Amavasya
25th Christmas
___________________________________________________________________________________________
JANUARY (2015)
21st
Chaitra Navratri starts
st
1
New Year
and Samvat 2072
5th
Purnima
28th
Shri Ram Navmi
th
13
Lohri
29th
Navratri Ends
14th
Makar Sankranti
20th
Amavasya
APRIL 2015
24th
Basant Panchami
2nd
Mahavir Jayanti
th
th
26
Republic Day India
4
Hanuman Jayanti &
Purnima
FEBRUARY 2015
…………………………………………..
1st
Shri Babaji Mahasamadhi
JULY 2015
3rd
Magh Purnima
31st July Guripurnima
th
17
Maha Shivaratri
…………………………………………..
18th
Amavasya
OCTOBER 2015
22nd
Shri Babaji’s Prakatya
13th
Ashvin (Autumn )
MARCH 2015
Navratri Starts
th
5
Holika Dahan & Purnima
21st
Durga Navmi
6th
Dhulandi Holi
Navratri Ends
20th
Amavasya
24
Jai HO !
Jai Haidakhandi Outreach
To inspire and support a profound new impulse of the international
Babaji community into service, teaching and action.
The group of elders who have been organising the European
Gurupurnima celebrations since 2004 met for two days at Schweibenalp
before this 2014 Gurupurnima festival. As one of us said: “We are in a
new era without one eminent guide. This must be Babaji’s will. Babaji left
us like this in order that we communicate and become a strong brothersisterhood.” So we began creating an opportunity among ourselves for
reflection and open communication and spontaneity, not prescriptive but
opening to new possibilities with no fixed agenda. We wanted to look at
our Babaji family situation and find new ways of being effective. So we
heart/brain-stormed about the following:
“what do we have (as a Babaji community) ?”
Answers came: ‘Devotion, shakti, love, bliss, holy fire, rituals, properties,
ashrams, bhajans, navaratris, gurupurnima, international community,
Babaji’s teaching, Munirajji’s teaching, music, experiences of Babaji,
hospitals, satsangs, books and CD’s, friends, His promise, service, freedom,
Om Namaha Shivay, etc.’
and “what do we need more ?”
Answers:
‘A language for the young, an educational system, concrete
worldly projects, more charitable work (outside India), projects for human
service, bhajan tours, structure, communication, supportive network,
cooperation, a clear vision as to how to spread Babaji’s message, clean
water in Haidakhan, vision for the future, staff, walking in each other’s
shoes, shared values, courage, money and power, unity and stability.’
Then the question: “Just suppose Babaji does not return in body before
we elders die, what do we want to envisage/vision for our Haidakhandi
community ? What would we like to help create for the future – leave
behind us as a legacy ?”
Our answers included:
25
‘Self-supporting ashrams. Good communications inside and outside our
ashrams.
More togetherness – support of ongoing projects.
Ecologically
sustainable ashrams.
An international structure to better connect and train our community and
ourselves and with which to connect with other well-intentioned
communities.
An organisation which is flexible enough to be continued and which can
transmit without dogmas.
An inspired Babaji community for young people and which is well
connected with other divinely inspired communities.
A common basic
language for all, to share ideas.
Eco-humanism – connecting with others and recognising our
interdependence.
A management structure to organise and fund Bhole Baba Tours all
around the world.
Revolutionary Babaji – finding its purpose and contribution in the new
radically changing world, and how this can be expressed in our language
and culture.
Finally, we all agreed that we wanted to help create for the future: more
love and light, music, vibrant loving Babaji centres, more hope, less ego,
harmonic moments, and that we can live Babaji’s teachings in new radical
ways to help others and to build interconnectedness with God.’
We then asked: how to take these aspirations forward ?
We looked at what is the role and what are the functions of the
Indian/international Haidakhandi Samaj and whether we are a world-wide
or an Indian spiritual sanga? How does this express itself culturally,
socially structurally now? How would we want it to be? Are we in a
position to choose? Do we consider additional forms? If so what might
be the purpose and role of another form to compliment the Indian Samaj?
Our answers included among other things: supporting Ashrams/Centres
and their succession issues, supporting outreach (global work), inspiring
and uniting the Babaji family and communicating with the next
generations. So we drew up the Jai HO document to describe the sort of
26
organisation that would be needed to take all these ideas forward. We
would like it to be non-hierarchical and more like an international Babaji
association or cooperative. But because this organisation of like-minded
souls needs to raise money to fund projects, we need a minimum
structure and membership in order for it to have a bank account and to be
internationally registered/recognised as a non-profit charitable
organisation (so as to be able to receive charitable funding and also not
have to pay taxes on these funds). How to create this structure and not
fall into the old patriarchal-hierarchical patterns of the past ?
The following are extracts from the General Satsang meetings held at
Gurupurnima regarding this proposed new outreach.
27
GENERAL SATSANG MEETINGS during Gurupurnima –
attended by 50 to 150 people at a time.
Lok Nath began each of the three Satsangs explaining that the group of elders
who had been meeting each year had discussed how to enhance and nurture
all the work of Babaji’s people in the world. That we concluded that needed
new outreach and support in the West and that we had made concrete
proposals as to how to provide this. He opened the floor for contributions and
comments and the sharing of ideas and projects for serving Shri Babaji’s work
for humanity. Here follows extracts from each day’s large group Satsangs:
Lyla
Talked of her work to distribute Babaji books in France
from a simple beginning of a book on Mahendra Baba.
Sabine
Encouraged us to communicate through Singing
Paramahansa Gives stress prevention and release exercises to others and
talks about Babaji when asked what motivates his
teaching.
Kharkuli
Suggested we distribute a questionnaire with open and
inspiring questions. Necessary for us to look at our dark
side so maybe we should ask those who have stopped
coming to events ?
Sam
We are His Body. He has lit our lamp from His lamp. If I
am a little finger on the body then it’s good to know other
parts of the body. Then the body can move in a
coordinated way.
Also, the point of power is who is in
the room at the moment and who has a YES ! It is not
fruitful to speculate why people may have left.
Raghunandan How to involve young people ? Finding ways such as yoga
classes maybe. But I feel a bit helpless: how to inspire
and talk about values ?
Megha
Young people do not respond to rules and dogmas. Give
then something really shining and deep.
I work with
distributing food, like my Mama did for me. Give them the
chance to experience good things: something of value that
they can relate to, not just dogmas. The 20’s are searching
and the 30’s are deciding and settling.
28
Gayatri
Ramloti
I cannot imagine what it’s like to be a daughter or son
where a family is falling apart, where the children do not
witness truth, simplicity and love. Where there are photos
of Babaji up, and yet fighting between parents. There are
people out there who can help us walk our talk. Other
Foundations that inspire young people, such as the Neem
Karoli Foundations meals on wheels for the poor and
hungry.
People are missing family. In Crestone it is this family
atmosphere that people are attracted to, such as serving
people with food.
Lok Nath began the second Satsang asking the question: how can we enhance
and nurture all the work and look to the future? What things are being done
now and what would people like to see done ? How is your genius manifesting
in the world. (We finished by discussing how we would form small discussion
groups at the final Satsang the following day):
Jamuna (Kamalaya)I know there is more to germinate. How to foster that?
What are the breadcrumbs that Babaji is putting on our
way to lead us and for us to find out where we are being
pulled ? I believe in collaboration with others who are
more experienced in a particular area. And crosspollination and support.
Jamuna and Kharku want to set up internships for young people, sponsor
people through schools, support women who need help during transition,
fund a pujari for a time in Kamalaya, and to be more participating in the
local community (such as their garbage collection and clean beaches
projects).
Gayatri suggested encouraging voluntary work in local communities such
as litter days where we organize clean-up-our-streets crews and also
establishing free boxes (clothes, and household recycling boxes), as easy
29
ideas to implement and get us started. Check out our free box system in
Crestone at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4ajLDoQiJ4 She also
said that in Crestone they have a full moon drum circle in the woods which
gets lots of interest and brings the community together.
Sam said that we have not had a structure or mechanism to support and
honour all the work Babaji devotees are doing. We are the body of Babaji
and act as his sacred presence in the world. How can we find out about
each other and interconnect. We need online communication system
immediately.
During the satsangs difficult material emerged: people expressing their
pain, tensions, VIP problems.
Someone said that where we have Babaji
as our master/guru then we will be confronted by our own shadow
(unconscious) sides. The pain needs space to be heard.
Maya explained how in some ashrams people have been treated badly:
working all day and still having to pay to stay there. It was agreed that we
need trainings within ashrams, trainings in communication, and meetings
with no time restriction maybe.
It was suggested that when a new
person arrives at one of our Centres or Ashrams that they are teamed up
with a mentor, a brother or sister. In Bacca they teach children about
deities and puja: encouraging even small children (6 yrs old upwards) to
bring round the aarti lamp and prasad.
An Italian man shared how the Italian part of the body is very sick. There
was a huge majority of Italian devotees when Babaji was in body, but now
more than 50% of Italian devotees think that it is finished. People are still
repeating the black army leela, shouting at someone because they are not
wearing a lungi in aarti or are wearing shoes in the wrong place. It is
impossible to do things together, business or social in this abusive
atmosphere. But now we have a fantastic younger generation. We need
to build cooperative ways of working. Why have we never been able to
create an Italian restaurant at Cisternino ?! Raghuvir said that there had
been very serious attempts in Italy to heal these problems and to try to
start cooperatives.
These problems are not new and we need to take
30
the chance to put together ways of solving these problems. Ed: But we
are being invited to attend Gurupurnima in Cisternino, Italy in 2015 !
Usha who is English but lives in Italy, said how she is hoping to start a
project on 6 hectares near Bologna to help children who live in cities to
relate to animals and plants, and to have a dhuni. She has started a little
private English language school for children and wants them to learn
about the land, such as the Permaculture system of land management.
Sundar shared how tough it was to set up the community of 30 at
Schweibenalp, as it is functioning now. (But it seems to be working very well
– Ed.) The shadow shrinks if you look at it !
Haripyari from England came to Babaji through Gopal Hari and Ambika’s
music. “They just played music and when I asked about the photo beside
where they were playing, they said that it was of their teacher Babaji and
how he was the Band Leader !” She went on to talk of the Bhakti festival in
Glastonbury organised by Trishna, Tabla Tom, Durga Das and Harisudha
etc. How hundreds turned up to attend whole ‘immersion’ days of kirtan
singing and celebration of music – from many Indian traditions: Neem
Karoli Baba people, others from Ammachi, Anandamayi Mar, etc. To start
with short pujas were conducted from different Indian traditions followed
by kirtan from each tradition, so that not simply Babaji, but all the
traditions/gurus took part. As Kharkuli said: “What you did in England has
inspired us to run a Bhakti festival in Holland next year !”
On the third Satsang day Gaby helped us self-select being part of a smaller
interest group. These groups met for 1 to 1½ hours and comprised:
A Young people and New Projects Group, A Health & Healing Group,
Music and Puja Group, Craft & Business Group, Admin Jai HO group, and
an Anyone Else group.
31
Young Persons and New Projects Group
Music and Puja Group
Health, Healing and Teaching Group
32
Five people from General Satsang chose to join the Admin/Jai HO Group –
Urmila from Germany a member of the German Board, Bo from Sweden
(who founded the Swedish ashram in 1992), Sam from USA , Giuliano from
Switzerland and Italy, and Mukundi from France.
Giuliano sits on the
Italian Bhole Baba Samaj committee and will share with them our
discussions and proposed Jai HO project.
Mukundi chairs the French
Samaj.
Unfortunately the Admin Group was unable to rejoin the larger group at
completion of that day’s satsang as it had to attend a pre-arranged
meeting with Marc from Kamalaya who was offering us an hour’s
group/business consultation. We learnt many useful ideas from Marc but
particularly how the oldest unifying forum known in the world (as gleaned
from both American Indian and other traditions) was a ‘council of elders’
………but who themselves were beholden to a ‘council of guilds or trades.’
Both these would then support leaders/managers that carried out the
actual work required.
Mark suggested that as soon as structure is
planned that some people will run away. There is no structure without
hierarchy and that the more the structure the more the potential for
dissent and negative authority projection. We need room for free
movement and chaotic process within our structure, as creative lateral
thinking and work need not threaten the structure. We need to create
spaces within for flexible groups representing other tribes and geographic
regions.
We felt that the various groups meeting that afternoon for Satsang were
groups of the guilds/trades being built – the council of guilds and maybe
geographic tribes.
The key challenge will be to build unity and to
concentrate on who does what task in this new project.
We decided to
sit together as a team for 3 to 5 days as soon as physically possible. The
meetings so far had been about inspiration, intent, enthusiasm and
commitment; the next stage will be about grounding the tasks.
‘Babaji is showing us the way, Munirajji quietly smiling and wondering when
we will wake up, they want us to be bold, to be brave, to connect with them
and be instruments of their love.’
33
Jai HO………Next Steps………
How to create a forum for each of the ‘Interest/Talent Groups to
communicate together, welcome new members, etc. ?
For instance see
MayaRam’s Portal (on opposite page) or create an invitation only Facebook
group, etc ?
Some groups were initiated in Schweibenalp and these
first ones were as listed below. Email lists of those who attended each
group were recorded and members of each group shared their interests
and talents, and their thoughts about this new Jai HO impulse of
communication and support. These email lists by group are held by
Mukundi in France [email protected]
Health & Healing Group had two sub-groups, which were:
(a) Different kinds of Yoga, Tai-Ji Quan, Wutao, Rebirthing, Jahra etc.
with 5 participants from Italy, Estonia, USA, Germany and France
(b) Psychotherapy, Food therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Herbs,
Cooking Courses, Art Therapy, Naturopathy, Panchkarma, Healing,
NVC, Education, Peace Demonstrations with 7 people from Germany,
and one each from Thailand, UK and Italy.
Music and Puja Group with 15 people from 7 different countries
Craft & Business Group with 12 people: such as a tour operator from
Latvia, people who teach and practice healing, organic farming,
dressmaking and stitching, catering, beekeeping, candle making, malas,
copper crafts, kindergarten, English teaching.
A Young people and New Projects Group – with 10 people from Italy,
Switzerland, Germany UK and USA.
Jai HO Admin Group – of 14 elders and country coordinators who have
been meeting for a number of years at each European Gurupurnima.
Anyone Else Group - interests: integration in ashrams, to offer our
presence, work with marginalised people (e.g. in prisons), communicating
about philosophy, values, linguistic skills and listening.
34
Haidakhandi Family -
by MayaRam
Bhole Baba Connect :
www.babaji.si
My gratitude towards Babaji is infinite: he cultivated me, gave me strength
to live and guided me. But after years of selfishly relating just me-Him, I
realised my stagnation and turned to other people. I realised that in group
development we can learn more, experiment with new ways of
communicating and help Humanity in difficult transitions. Maybe He came
to support us, and not to be different and special for us.
I call our society Haidakhandi Family. We are spiritual brothers and sisters
because we have the same spiritual Father and Mother. But for my blood
relatives, brothers and sisters, I take care. I am curious what they do and I
help them, if I can. What about my spiritual relatives? I do not even know
their birth names. I meet them a few times per year when we gather for
celebrations. When Babaji brings us together! But I am interested to
continue contact, conversation and projects with my spiritual
relatives also in daily life. I am not hiding myself and maybe I can find
some Family members with similar ideas.
Babaji did not accept a division into public and private. Today’s idea of
private is a product of modern industrialisation, begun in the 18thC.
Everyone who meditates and concentrates on God cannot divide private
life out of communication with Him. But everyone has Him in his heart and
we all are connected. Actually all individuals in our group, who are
interested, can intuitively connect to everyone and get information during
meditation from each part of the group. Pain or happiness from one
person is part of everyone’s feelings. Our separation and division is an
illusion. What we need to do, is to behave in accordance with this Truth,
we need to talk freely about our personal worries, pain and problems. We
should not hide our feelings about group activities, such as ashrams and
centre projects, West-v-India relations, Haidakhan organisation…
Spreading bad news around like whispers, or behaving as if problems do
not exist, is the most negative action we can imagine. In this way we create
negative thoughts. Somebody expressing themselves is not bad; but when
we judge that expression, then we exclude and divide. To tell bad news
35
openly, is not excluding and dividing. We need to learn from each other’s
experiences. So, I’m suggesting that we should freely share all our
experiences, and not just “holy” ones. We should admit that we don’t know
how to make good organisation, how to make ashrams, centres and
personal relations. We should admit that we, as humans, need to learn
how to create better society.
In 2010 we created Portal Bhole Baba Connect www.babaji.si where one
can share thoughts, feelings and experiences about our family and
activities in Haidakhandi society.
Let’s re-activate communication
between ourselves.
We invite all interested to also join the business part of the Portal, where
we can share ideas and join our strengths together to manage money
flow, personally and as a group. Individually most of us are not very strong
in business matters, because most of us devoted a large part of our lives
to spiritual interests and work. But if we join our small powers together,
we could be much stronger than each one of us can individually. Today’s
world is divided and people believe that everybody should do his/her thing
alone. This is exactly what perverse sovereignty power actually wants. To
rule is to divide. We should turn around this – in Babaji’s name.
_____________________________________________________________________________
In Memoriam
SAM Shyam - from Stroud, UK.
Sangita has emailed to let us know of Sam’s
passing. She writes: “Going through Sam's
papers after his death, I came across the
following he'd written to himself: ‘Do puja every
morning, mantra every day. Whatever spiritual
practice, do gradually. It doesn't happen
overnight. Be content and happy with your life
situation and try to live a good life, based on
spiritual values and ideals. Try to serve others.
Be content, be happy. Be at Peace. I am always
within you.
Bhole Baba ki jai.’
36
Welcome to the natural world –
Permaculture at Schweibenalp
Watch this video and all will be revealed:
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/multimedia/alpine-permaculture-catches-on-/37069174
A Sustainable Permaculture system for an Alpine environment
Since 2011 Schweibenalp has begun to develop the first alpine
Permaculture system at 1100 meters above sea level in the central
mountains of Switzerland. Because of the long winters and the height, the
time for cultivation is short, therefore many micro climate zones have
been developed, especially to harness and store solar energy and to store
water by building stone walls, etc. The beauty of this project is that it
allows the growing of vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, and other good things
for the whole community and also for some local restaurants, such as the
5 star hotel down the road where they deliver gourmet herbs. These
outlets are willing to pay for quality.
So what is Permaculture?
It is an approach for sustainable planting, but it’s also a way of life that’s in
balance with nature and all beings; an interactive, interdependent ecosystem between animals, humans, minerals, plants, water, earth, and air.
Permaculture is concerned with storage and the renewal of energy, and
natural recycling During Gurupurnima we had a 45 minute inspirational
guided tour through the permaculture garden, with expert Nina
Webekind. Please see the link above to learn and see more about it.
37
Gopal Hari
Our beloved Gopal Hari left his body on
Good Friday 18th April 2014 at 13.45
Thank you for your love and support,
Ambika, Shambo and Veda
Bhole Baba Ki Jai !
Bhole Baba Ki Jai !
www.gomaretreat.wordpress.com
For the past 3 years, Ambika cared for
Gopal Hari like a murti, with love and
joy. Ambika really lives Babaji’s teaching –
“karma yoga is the real kirtan”. We
remember Goma for their cosmic kirtan,
but it is Ambika, Shambo and Veda’s
dedicated service that continues to
inspire so many.
GOMA by Gopal Hari
Since I was young, music was a very import part of my life. I got my first
guitar when I was 14, and since 1971 I have played in various bands. In
1979, some musical friends and I moved into a big house with many
rooms and started recording. In 1981, there was an opportunity to have a
recording contract – but essentially I was no longer happy about our
message. For me, music was always a medium for expressing the joy of
life and to elevate others and making people happy. In spite of the
seductive opportunities offered, I decided to leave the band. I needed a
fundamental change in my life; everything seemed to be empty and
meaningless. This was my Saturn Return period. I told the band that the
th
concert of the 5 of June, 1982, was to be my last one, saying good-bye.
So on that day we all were sitting together in a rather depressed mood
before leaving to give this concert, when suddenly the phone rang: my old
friend had just returned from India and wanted visit me the next day.
It was at that moment that an invisible hand gripped my heart and
pressed it tightly, this horrified me. I left the house overwhelmed with
emotions and ran into the garden as I felt I might be having a heart attack.
38
The most horrible thing was that I had no idea what was happening to me:
it was as if my whole being was falling apart into chaos. After some time
the thought occurred to me that this must be to do with the return of my
friend. The rest of my day’s experience was as if I was enveloped into
some nebula: everything around me appeared unreal, like a shadowy
world without any reason and sense.
The next day my friend arrived, and I was astonished to find in front of me
a totally transformed person in whose eyes there was shining a wellknown yet also alien Light. He moved into an empty room in the house
and for the two next days I stayed exclusively with him, as far as was
possible. It was as if another world had come in with his arrival. My
feelings were confirmed when he set up an altar and burning incense
sticks.
On the altar there was the photo of an exotic young man whom
my friend called “Babaji”. An extraordinarily strong radiation both horrified
and enticed and thrilled me. On the third day after his arrival, my friend
asked if I would accompany him on his next Indian trip in order to meet
Babaji. A joyous “yes” came from the inmost depth of my heart.
That
night, Babaji appeared to me for the first time in a dream – in the youthful
shape of Krishna. Dripping with sweat and with a pumping my heart I
awoke and knew that Babaji had called me.
Over the following months I had to let go everything that I was used to,
and I opened myself to this new adventure. Finally in November 1982 we
set off for India and Babaji. I find it very difficult to describe in words what
this first encounter with Babaji unlocked within me: to be standing in front
of a being who knows everyone of your thoughts and feelings is like both a
destruction and a creation, both together in one ”eternal moment”.
The
first words which Babaji spoke to me were: “You Kirtan” (Kirtan is the
singing of holy mantras and chants). Over the following months, which
appeared to me like several lives, I was allowed to stay in His Divine
Presence.
Babaji said to me: “Every day you stay with me is like twelve
years.”
39
One evening during my stay I was with Babaji in the temple, he was
drawing me towards him and said, “Your name – Gopal Hari”, and he
smiled at me radiatingly (Gopal and Hari are two names of Krishna).
At
this moment I felt as if my past was washed away and a new life kindled
within me.
After three months I returned to Germany. My stay however was but short.
After about four weeks, one evening I asked Babaji inwardly if I could see
him again soon, and the next day an air ticket was offered to me, and two
weeks later I was again with Babaji.
During this second visit I received
initiation as a Pujari (temple priest) and received Babaji´s blessings for
passing on his message through Bhajans and Kirtan. He told me that I will
have a family with two children. On the last morning of my stay Babaji told
me that I will never see him again in this form, but he will always be with
me and will guide me and my work. Some months later Babaji left his
body.
In November 1981, touring through England, I had met my soul partner
Ambika. We recognized each other at once and felt that we had known
each other for a very long time. Ambika lived at her home in Ireland. She
is a wondrous, hilarious, friendly and magnanimous character. In spring
1984 we moved together to England. Ambika and I soon began working
together under the name GOMA. In 1987 and 1991 our sons Shambo and
Veda were born who both are now good strong parts of GOMA – as
essential now as ever. Throughout all these years we have worked
together to give concerts and satsang in Ashrams, spiritual and alternative
centres, in schools and churches, at festivals and exhibitions and in city
and village halls. We performed regularly in England, and also in Ireland,
Belgium, Holland and Germany, and other countries also invited us. The
holy mantras, the names of God and the Divine Mother have power to
inspire, elevate and heal. They touch our hearts and fill us with Love, Hope
and Light.
Bhole Baba Ki Jai !
40
The charitable programmes of
planetbabaji.com
For nearly five years we have been sending daily news from Haidakhan,
Chilianaula and other Babaji’s Ashrams on www.planetbabaji.com
People respond very positively to these daily pictures from Babaji places
and a leela has started now that people are beginning to donate money
for this work. First planetbabaji invested in technical equipment and when
this was enough, then more and more charitable projects have been
completed. It started with the school established at Sri Visnu Datt Misra
Shastriji place in Rajgarh, where rooms were painted, a computer room
with six working places, new windows and doors and two water cool/filters
were installed.
After this the village school of Haidakhan was provided with water, warm
mats for sitting on and every Christmas the children receive warm socks.
Also they get regular food additives such as soya and channa and once a
week fruits. This will continue. In addition the electricity will be repaired.
And now the next school project has begun: the Bhoria School Haidakhan
(http://www.planetbabaji.com/omline_news/Eintrage/2014/4/30_the_haida
khan_bhoria_school_project.html) which is a forgotten school in a
forgotten part of Haidakhan village at the bottom of Mount Siddhesvar.
Water is running again and soon there will be new toilets made by myself.
Also warm seats will be provided, the ground in front of the School will be
renewed and again a food service will be established. Now with my motor
bike all the necessary things can be bought without having to pay
commission, and Gopal, our taxi driver helps me get the right prices.
After the terrible news from India that girls are often raped and the most
horrible news of girls hanged after being raped, planetbabaji created a
new leela: Toilets for the poor, this to avoid the untouchable girls with no
toilets having to go out into the fields where they are vulnerable to attack.
I will start at the Haldwani railway station where a slum is located, to give
families with daughters toilets attached to their huts or other systems, so
they don’t need any more to go outside. In the mountains this is also
danger from tiger attack in the wilds.
41
So planetbabaji.com is now asking for your support to enable these
worldwide charity projects to happen. The results of the charitable
donations are posted on planetbabaji.com and there you can see all that’s
been done, and details of what is work-in-progress or planned in the near
future.
For donations there are the links on this site and there is a PayPal account
under the name: [email protected] and also there is the bank
connection. Here people can send money free of transfer costs from
Europe:
Name: schediwy
IBAN: DE18490510650008533895
BIC: WELADED1RHD
Please write on the transfer as to which area you are donating:
For planetbabaji
or for Bhoria School
or for Haidakhan school
or for Toilets
Thank you for your love. lalbaba
Bhoria School - Haidakhan
42
Editorial
We want to inspire you to communicate about our new Jai HO project in
the West, in addition to your continuing support of projects in India as
described in this Journal. So why not:
(a) Start up a Talent Group on Facebook (we recommend a closed group
by invitation only) and share ideas and support each other in your daily
work.
And if you want to contact those who joined talent groups at
Schweibenalp – then email Mukundi in France on [email protected]
(b) Write about your business or Blog, make links and discuss global issues
on www.babaji.si
(c) Come up with new ways to support and help our struggling ashrams (in
Europe particularly) by organizing visits and tours to share music, satsang,
or help them with vital business/educational/outreach projects.
(d) Help us organise fundraising to pay for tour travel, educating
communication skills and other educational programs, and health and
healing events at these ashrams and centres.
(e) Just get networking to help each of us not to feel so on our own, in our
daily karma yoga and life’s difficulties.
But whatever you are inspired to do please check the connection question:
is everything we do connected with the sacred presence of Babaji ?
The responsibility for the content of the IHJ lies with the Editors, with the
support of their Editorial Board of Alok, Lok Nath, Gayatri Devi, Raghuvir and
Kharku. The Editors do not take responsibility for individual’s stories or
articles. We often need to edit information sent to us, for the purpose of
shortening the length of articles or improving written English or presentation.
Please contact Editors on [email protected]
43
Divine Mother murti Crestone, USA
This Journal is printed in India by the Haidakhandi Samaj,
Regd Office: 54 Hanuman Road, New Delhi -110 001 Regd No. Delhi – S-1455
For On-Line version of this Journal see:
http://www.internationalhaidakhandijournal.com/internationalhaidakhandijournal/welcome_journal_autumn
_14.html
44