One Day Retreat in Pune
40 of us from gathered in a beautiful nunnery in Pune just like we did at the Empty, Gather, Ripple retreat earlier this year. It's been a few days since the retreat we can all still feel the vibes of the beautiful day we spent together yesterday at the Sisters' Home.
So much happened, yet there was such stillness in our collective energy.. The silent walk up the hill, heart warming stories around Mujawara (or being better 'neighbours' in our communities), a love filled lunch in communion with nature, powerful journaling exercises, laughter and games, compelling videos, the many conversations in between...
Many invisible hands worked tirelessly to gift us these experiences.. Feeling such deep gratitude for the incredible volunteer support.
Feeling gratitude for all the beautiful pilgrims who responded to the invite to attend this gathering.
Here are some pictures from the circle.
Jagruti, one of the volunteers at the event had this to share:
"​"It was such a beautiful experience yesterday.. Being in service of others for the entire day.. It felt good from within serving others.. And bringing them to smile.. Never had i felt so satisfied about being able to serve:)
I am grateful to all those who received the love i had to offer.such kind souls.everyone said thank you and appreciated the help i had to offer and it couldn't have been better:)
Being invisible or anonymous and still serving was indeed a great experience and shifted something within.
To top it off Sister Usha held me by the hand and took me to the terrace just to see the sunset. Wow! What an experience.. We were standing still admiring everything we could till we more see the hot perfectly round ball disappear.. Never been that still before..
What an amazing day and made me feel so good about myself and humanity."
Posted by Sheetal Sanghvi on Nov 23, 2013 | permalink
-
khushru wrote ...
At the retreat I was looking at the wonderful spread of books you'll laid out for us and on the window sill half hidden I saw a copy of 'Infinite Vision'. It has been four days since and I have almost completed reading it. It is such an inspiring story, so well written and has answered so many of my own questions.
I am very clear that I now want to use my practice as a complete form of service to those who cannot afford our services. We will continue to have paid clients who will subsidize the services for our non-paying clients, like the Aravind model. -
neela wrote ...
I am noticing a change in my behaviour since I have returned from the retreat. So far I used to feel gratitude in my heart, but did not necessarily share it openly with all. Now I see myself involuntarily expressing it to all right from the sweeper who cleans the street outside my house to anyone and everyone whom I pass through the day. And I am not thinking about it and doing it consciously.... it just oozes out on its own!!
Peace and joy are the byproducts. This also makes me greedy to be in touch with this lovely MBL family to get more and ever more!! -
urmila wrote ...
Thank you so much everyone for this beautiful day, made all the more special because it brought back special memories for me from the past. Sr.Josephine gave me a crystal from the hill that I will put alongside the crystals that I used to collect from that same hill when we went for walks when I was little. I still have them in a bag under the bed!
Kindness' time has come, and you all make my heart burst and overflow, not knowing who is the giver and who, the receiver.
May we always be joined in this blessed-ness.
Love -
aabha wrote ...
Thank you so much for being there and making the day a special one. It was a blessing to be in such a beautiful place with you all. It was pure joy to be able to serve. Thank you all for receiving so beautifully.
-
Nick wrote ...
Those pictures are fabulous! I LOVED this day so much! Not only in seeing all your smiling faces and feeling the energy, but also in reconnecting with a memory I had long forgotten.
Having grown up in the church as a young boy (my father is a minister) I used to spend many weekends in the church kitchen cooking with the ladies of our community. Being able to take part pseudo-invisibly helped me connect to a sense of sangha from what seems almost like another life. The preparation of meals is truly a form of meditation intrinsic in my family. Combine that with hearing the sister's stories and it might as well have been a round table discussion at a family holiday during feast preparation. This Christmas will be the first time I have ever spent away from family, but I think this day truly filled that moment for me. -
Anubha wrote ...
I feel blessed to have been a part of the retreat and having connected with such beautiful kind people. Thanks to all for reminding me of the larger purpose that we are all born with and connecting me back to that.
-
Kineree wrote ...
Dear Partners in Crime (read crime: the divine purpose of loving ;-)), The memories of the day keep coming to me......I feel so blessed to have met such wonderful souls......n the warmth each one of you carry....im touched so deeply by some of you.....that I feel ull r my soul sisters n brothers.....its the connect I felt that day with nature and the energies around.......and I know this is jus the beginning to many such events.....but this one in particular is sumthing thts going to remain very See full.
Dear Partners in Crime (read crime: the divine purpose of loving ;-)), The memories of the day keep coming to me......I feel so blessed to have met such wonderful souls......n the warmth each one of you carry....im touched so deeply by some of you.....that I feel ull r my soul sisters n brothers.....its the connect I felt that day with nature and the energies around.......and I know this is jus the beginning to many such events.....but this one in particular is sumthing thts going to remain very close to my heart.......I couldnt miss this one for anything!!! :)....I also so vividly remember the sisters asking me to come up the hill more often now......n I guess its jus gonna happen in the next couple of days......tht place is synonyms with 'peace n love'......... .n The friends I have made in u people im sure im going to carry for a lifetime........n chase u people to be in touch......n all of you can chase me too.......for anything.......n ill be more than glad holding posters n flowers on a sunday....making sum1s day!!!! Just count me in.....!!! :) Also to mention Urban Ashram is like my "alma mater'....its been my lifes first steps to many into....meditation, life sciences.....n many more holistic approaches im associated with these days.......n I always remember" Stay calm......n be in love"....Thanks..... Love
-
Harsh wrote ...
Wah wah. The pictures speak a lot. :)
Love is flowing. :) -
sheetal wrote ...
For those who are interested in a deeper understanding of the Arabic term, Mujaawarah, which means "neighbouring" here is a beautiful article.
(see link) -
meera wrote ...
Thank you for inviting me to attend the retreat. It was the first time and I hope I shall be able to attend many more in future. The joy of selfless and unconditional love, togetherness, sharing, peace, joy .... has left a very happy space in my heart and I found myself calmer and a more accepting person. Thank you for connecting me with myself. Hope to meet all of you in the near future. Thanks a ton to the generous and loving Sisters for letting us share their home.
-
Vinod wrote ...
How can I subscribe to or be informed about the Pune events?
-
Piya wrote ...
I would like to be a part of these events, especially the Karma Kitchens, if there any in Pune. Such a wonderful way to bond with the World
-
Manisha wrote ...
I am in Pune .I want to join these sessions
Jagruti wrote ...
We had decided to offer special gifts to participants that included working with Jute. But as I was working with the material, I realized something incredible.
As i was cutting it into pieces .. The strands were falling apart and the more i pulled or cut a particular strand,a few more would come off making it even shorter..
So i feel the piece of jute is like the universe ..and the strands are the beings:) we are all so interconnected yet so individual in our own way. we've definitely got something to do with each other for we are social beings but staying together is the only way to be.or we'll fall apart like individual strands with no strength.
In love with jute:)
Thank you!!!