Being in the Present

Workshop on Being in the Present

Kharghar Jalvayu Vihar Phase 2

December 8, 2013

     Group Discussions Topics:

     1. Relevance of Ego in Being Present

     2. Ego – Absence of Ego v/s Freedom from Ego

     3. Living in Present vs Being Absent

     4. Flowing in Life vs. Drifting in Life

     5. Being Stressed vs. Being Present

     6. Sanyaasa vs Presence

Topic 1 Relevance of Ego in Being Present Jyoti, Ramdas, Lata, Samir, Uma Ego = I. It is a measure of how I perceive myself and the world changes my experience of reality. Ego projects distorted opinions onto reality.  Ego can be good or bad .... it can be hindrance for individuals in  institutions and in families. Ego can be integrated with Presence through six practices – awareness, acceptance, responsibility, assertiveness, living with purpose, and living with integrity. Awareness and acceptance of strengths and weaknesses, mistakes etc.   Responsibility and assertiveness helps in choosing our actions and reaching important goals.  Goals are Dharma, Artha Kaama and Moksha. Purposeful life involves Living, Learning, Loving and Letting Go. The ultimate purpose is Moksha.   Integrity makes you whole and free from conflict. You integrate your likes with Dharma... i.e. what is right. What you think, say and do are aligned so there is no inner conflict.

Topic 2 Ego – Absence of Ego v/s Freedom from Ego Sadhana, Subramaniam, Kala, Hema, Pushpa, Kasturi There can only be high or low ego.... absence of ego is not possible. For a jnaani who is fulfilled, we can say there is no ego (issues).  For a person with low self esteem, the ineffective ego can  appear as an egoless state. Lack of knowledge, and dependence on others can appear as egolessness when it is actually very low self esteem. Freedom from ego is not absence of ego but the ability to manage ego. We achieve this when we come out of our own position, disassociate from material world (status)  and participate freely in the interaction. Freedom from ego comes when we are willing to accept and respect the other’s opinion and individuality.

Topic 3 Living in Present vs Being Absent Nandini, Sujit, Apurva, Kartyayani, Subramaniam Living in present means focusing on one thing at a time. It means that we focus on the moment and stay on target to achieve the goal. We act with all our energy using our resources optimally until the goal is reached. We are aware of, adapt to, and accept realities. We understand our purpose, and utilize our potential fully. We plan with purpose and choose our goals. Living in absence means to be mentally disconnected. Wdisconnected. We waste time, energy, potential and focs. We lose opportunity to utilize the moment. How is this connected to Vedanta? The goal is here and no w. Liberation is the awareness that our nature is free from limitations.... that we are free from our limiting conditions here and now. We are present to what we really are.

Topic 4 Flowing in Life vs. Drifting in Life Geeta, Meenakshi, Rajalakshmi, Vijayalakshmi, Sandhya, Lalita, Mansukhani Flowing = Glowing. Drifting = Darkness Flowing is liking flying on Autopilot... unmanned. Flowing is like the river which has a purpose -  the need to reach the sea. It able to skirt around obstacles, go over the rocks with its force that does not stop until it reaches the sea.  On the other hand drifting is like pollen scattered in the breeze... most of it gets wasted over unfertile territory and is lost. Flowing involves a natural awareness that things and beings possess to reach their destination. What we need is to focus on awareness and be aware where we are not awareful. Flowing involves the ability to accept situations and to keep going without giving up. One needs to know where to accept, what to accept and how much to accept. The river not only is able to reach the sea, but also polishes and rounds off the rocks in its path. Likewise we can not only flow on in life but enhance the lives of people who cross our path. Flowing means being responsible -  saying “I want to” instead of “I have to”. Growing together  involves a minimum common program where our goals are integrated with the others around us. Six aspects of being present are themselves integrated with each other ....each aspect is complete only when the other five are present.  Asking for guidance is part of awareness. Acceptance is part of the flow of life.  Assertion is important to reach our goals.Assertion is different from stubbornness which prevents one from growth.. Oneness is a purpose. For reaching Moksha, one needs not do anything.... it is already present waiting to be discovered.  Following the path of dharma helps us to come to oneness. Flowing involves growing together, enhancing and improving ourselves in all areas without hurting others. Integrity follows from the previous five aspects. Integrity involves having the courage to say ‘No’ and the humility to say ‘sorry’. Flowing involves making a impact on others and the environment... fulfilling our responsibilities to the planet.  Some wisdom words from one of our quieter members: Follow elders for they follow dharma. Follow it and pass it down to posterity.

Topic 5 Being Stressed vs. Being Present Radhakrishnan, Srinivasan, Selvaraj, Srinivasaraghavan, Giridharagopalan We want to be present. But when we step out, we react to environment. When in the class, we are well, all is well. But there are many issues outside due to which we are stressed. How to manage stress? Plan for future. Learn from Past. Be present. What causes stress? Two sources.... one is self inflicted and the other is external.  Stress is due to lack of ability to face the world... inability to fulfil goals. We get stressed when children do what we do not want them to do. Stress can be avoided by reasonable goals. Learn from others skills. When stress gets unmanageable, we can delegate and pass it on. We can set limits based on our capacity. We need to be part of the group and enjoy the harmony rather than being one up against them. Stress cannot be avoided.... only minimized. Stress has a positive side... Stress is stimulant. It can make you achieve, and make you fight back. Our strength is related to our belief systems. How is ego related to stress? Presence is the ability to deal with the situation. Inability to deal creates stress. Freedom from ego allows us to enjoy presence and be free from stress.

Topic 6 Sanyaasa vs Presence Shankarnarayan, Leela, Kharche, Parvez, Krishna Sanyasa attitude born from knowledge. With knowledge, the Jnani enjoys  a healthy functional ego. The ego being fulfilled, the jnani can work for welfare of community and is a role model for others. Karma ... is action .... doing material or spiritual activity. Karma can involve good karma, or bad karma. Karma usually involves attachment. Karma yoga – means doing your karma with no expectation of guarantee with respect to results. You work to fulfil desires but do not depend on the end results.

Our small contribution for Uttrakhand Floodhit

Have sent a small contribution from Vidya Vaaridhi Trust to Ganga Action Pariwar for flood relief and rehabilitation of Uttrakhand flood victims.

The Trustees of Vidya Vaaridhi thank all the donors for your valuable contribution. It will go a long way in helping people who dearly need it.

http://www.projecthope-india.org/uttarakhand-flooding-relief/

Personality Development: The Dawn Club

We are happy to announce a personality development program by our associates The Dawn Club. 

The Dawn Club has been conducting such programs and workshops on soft skills for the past 20 years. 

Gerald D'cunha, the principal faculty, is the founder secretary of The Dawn Club. In association with its founder president T R Ramakrishnan, he has conducted many personality developments for the youth of all ages. 

We strongly recommend the course which has developed able leaders, great entrepreneurs, renowned trainers and confident executives in every field. 

Details of the program are as follows:

1. Course duration - 2 months... Apr. 10 to June 10 (A few days here and there as far as starting and ending dates are concerned)

2. Five sessions a week - Four on week days and one on Sunday... each session with 2 1/2 to 3 hrs duration;

3. Essentially a Self-growth programme through series of sessions on Public Speaking/Workshops/Debates/GD's/ and sessions to sensitize young ones towards careers and goals in life;

4. Faculty consists of Mr. T.R. Ramakrishnan, Mr. Gerald D'Cunha, Shri. Uday Acharya, Shri. Ram Mohan, Mrs. Soniya Oberoi, Mr. Manjeet Singh and others;

5. A certificate will be issued on completion of the course;

4. Course fees: Rs. 5,000/-;

5. Cheque to be drawn in favour of THE DAWN CLUB;

6. For enrollment/inquiry contact Mr. Gerald D'Cunha on  9833997266 or o22 30562152.

Visit to construction workers children

Visit to construction workers children at Ghatkopar.

Lalita and I paid a visit to the Construction workers 

to distribute Diwali Sweets and gifts to the children at Ghatkopar.

Our project at Diamond garden has come to an end because the workers have shifted.

Our aim was to see that all the kids go to school. 

We are happy that all of ;them are attending school

 including Asif who goes  to a. special school .

- sandhya.

Helping Hands 


A REPORT

                                      

As part of  "Helping Hands" group,  the  members of Vidya Varidhi have been actively engaged in motivational activities for children.

Some of our activities include:  

- visits to Balanand Ashram (home for destitue children),, 

- visits to CWC - Construction workers Children 

- visits to Vivekanand Day Care Centre 

- visits to Rochiram Thadani School for the Hearing and Speaking Impaired 

Activities include:

• Story telling, 
• drawing
• colouring, 
• writing 
• also counselling and 
• monetary help in special cases.  

Happy bond with the kids at Bal Anand Home

Experimenting with Art:
CWC Project

We are happy to announce that the Construction workers children are all attending school now. Specially Asif who is hearing impaired, and who had never been to a school in the nine years of his life is now attending school regularly. Recently the children of Balanand and Cwc were taken for a outing for a puppet. show/summer camp, which the children enjoyed.

Mr. Srinivasan and Mrs. Viji Srinivasan,have generously donated a large sum for a Balanand child who recently had a major kidney surgery done. The child has now recovered and is her happy normal self again,  all thanks to the their efforts.

We hope to put in our best and do as much as it is possible to reach out to people and specially children in our own little way.

Sandhya Bhaskar..

ASIF 

  

                           

If one was to see Asif you would find  nothing amiss. Animated, ever smiling, full of joy, prancing around in the mud, stones and gravel and in between iron bars and machinery where he lives at the construction site. But Asif is hearing and speech impaired. His parents who are construction workers and totally illiterate had accepted his handicap as fate. The concept of sending a child with 'special needs' to school was alien to them. (Schooling was never on their priority list anyways).

Our group chanced upon him when we went to teach and spend time with children of construction workers in Chembur. ( An activity of Vidya Varidhi Trust). Unperturbed by his handicap, Asif zealously wanted to learn anything that we could teach him. Within no time he learnt to write his name, recognize pictures, and loved to draw and colour which he was excellent at.Our initial hurdle was making the parents understand that each child needed schooling, and more so Asif.

Fortunately for us a friend working at the Deaf and Mute School was our key to get Asif admitted to Rochiram Thadani school. After much cajoling, the parents agreed. Elated and charged we embarked into getting all formalities done. But as they say - only when you jump into the river you know how  strong the current is. We never anticipated the long list of "dos"that had to be accomplished. From getting a birth certificate done,to getting  Audiographs, trips to Ali Yavar Jung Institute for ascertaining his hearing and speech limitations, to JJ Hospital, Byculla where he would get a handicap certificate,etc. It is we who were getting educated in the bargain.

Finally last August he started school. Considering his age he was put into vocational training plus basic learning skills in maths etc. Last week when we were called by his teachers to collect his report we were more then thrilled to see that Asif had scored 59% marks. From 0% to 59%. Wow !!.  The credit goes to him and also his mother who after all the initial hesitation, religiously sent her child to school and had him participate in all the extra curricular activities.

We wish Asif all the best for his future, though a long way yet but slowly and surely he will get there.We are thankful to our friends and  family members who have extended a lot of monetary help in our endevour. Very soon Asif will get a set of new hearing aid too. There is considerable improvement in his speaking and listening skills.

Sandhya Bhaskar.

(project members- Lalita Subramaniam, Geeta Balram, Sandhya.)

Urban Leaves - The Promise of a Green Earth

National Seminar on Urban Organic Gardening, Mumbai

National Seminar on Organic Urban Gardening, 10th -12th December 2011 Mumbai

Dear City Farmer friends

We are back (after sending out the pre-invite) with details of the National Seminar. Please excuse us for the delay, but we hope that our initial notification of the dates has enabled many of you to plan your trip and book your tickets.

The aim of hosting this seminar is to give faces to names, learn some amazing gardening secrets from experienced practitioners, interact and meet all those like minded people across the country with whom we have been sharing our joys of harvests, sharing tips on composting, sowing and reaping up till now on e--groups and networking sites.

We hope this seminar will act as a catalyst to the growth in urban gardens which began last year with the first ever urban farming seminar in Bangalore. The seminar has therefore been designed keeping in mind the needs of urban gardeners.

We hope to have loads of interaction and fun, group discussion and a happy heart to take back sweet memories and a song in our heart as we begin working on our urban gardens once we are back at home.

Please see the  BROCHURE below  for details on agenda and programme, location, fees payable. 

National Seminar on Organic Urban Gardening 10th - 11th Dec Mumbai 2011

View more presentations from urbanleaves

Click on the last icon in tool bar below , to viw FULL SCREEN.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for the event.

Hope to meet all of you in December in Mumbai.

Smiles and happiness
Team
Urban Leaves 

July 31, 2011: The Power of Purpose

July 31, 2011: The Power of Purpose - A Workshop on Personal and Spiritual Growth

The Power  of  Purpose A workshop to be conducted by Uday Acharya

Vedanta Workshop

Topic: : The Power of Purpose

Faculty       : Uday Acharya

Day/Date:   : Sunday July 31, 2011 

Time:          : 9.30am – 3.30pm

Venue:        : Chembur (address to be announced)

Fees:           : Rs. 200/- per head (includes lunch and
                         workshop material). 

Contact:        : Geeta: 9819179899

Participants  : Persons interested in spirituality, personal growth,
                         balancing roles, coping with stress, and

                         improving interpersonal relationships.

This workshop will look into the insights of the Bhagvad Gita and other scriptures of the world to build an atmosphere of leisure and harmony centred on our inner being. Vedanta creates a paradigm shift in the way we see ourselves. Are we human beings pursuing spiritually, or are we spiritual beings behaving as human beings?

Uday Acharya is a Vedanta student conducting Vedanta Satsang classes in Mumbai/Navi Mumbai. He organizes spiritual camps and weekend workshops on Vedanta and related topics. He is a mentor for VESLARC which conducts workshops for teachers, students, parents of Vivekananda Education Society (VES). He is Trustee of Vidya Vaaridhi Trust, an NGO promoting learning and personal growth.

A Sunday Well Spent - Notes on Identity Crisis March 13

A Sunday Well Spent

Chandni Ramadasan

This Sunday that I call well spent is because this was one of the rare occasions where I got the opportunity to hear from a very experienced and wise group of people under the guidance of Sri Uday Acharyaji. This was a workshop that was being planned for years now, had finally realized on this beautiful day!

Everyone sat around Acharyaji with eager eyes knowing that they are about to get to learn something new today. Acharyaji with a subtle smile said "who am I?" and asked us to pen down one word answer for this question directing it to yourself. Everyone looked confused. Someone even asked if they could write a sentence or at least a phrase. But Acharyaji insisted that it should be just a word. I wrote down the simplest thing that came to my mind that was "Human". Then we were asked to reveal our answers…The answers that came were words like "Nothing", "insignificant being", "a dot", "responsible", "form", "thinker" etc

After this we were told to do another round of the same exercise and words like "mother", "dreamer", "charitable", and many more came out. Then Acharyaji asked us to go for the third round…by now everyone was forcefully thinking of more traits about themselves and were in a way giving some time out of their lives to figure themselves out! And  at the end of this round we came up with many more words.

Then we were asked to categorize all the words that came up in the session. Under categories such as behavior, relationships, work relationships, physical characteristics etc

When this was done we realized what we think of ourselves, do we give importance to our behavior, or do we identify ourselves with our jobs, or with the relationships we are in. This was when a streak of realization struck everyone's mind.

Then Acharyaji asked us if we found this exercise useful and if we did then how?...many interesting answers like " it was forcibly thoughtful", "multiple implications of words were discovered", and for me it was a great learning experience.

Now everyone was waiting to hear from Acharyaji about this topic "Identity Crisis" that we all had spent so much time hacking our brains over.

During the talk he spoke about how we all tend to get confused between the roles we are assigned by nature to play. We try to do everything perfectly and that is where we fail!. We need to understand the difference between "chores or routine" and "purpose"! Once we are able to do this the "identity crisis" will fade away and we will be able to see our true self. Contentment and self confidence will follow!

After this session the fun session started where we were divided into groups and asked to enact some situation depicting identity crisis. This was the part where people really opened up and had a blast!... A lot of laughs and joy filled the room.

Later we all sat down and everyone came up and shared a life experience that had made an impact in their lives. It was amazing to get to hear from such experienced people from such vivid backgrounds talk about such simple experiences that changed their lives!..One aunty spoke about how she had copied n her exams and once was almost caught!! And she said that that was when she realized the presence of God!!  As funny as it may sound but it was truly something we all could relate to!...It was the time when we all saw how simple things can be so impactful and life changing!

With that the day ended…everyone left with a big smile on their faces! And as the hosts my parents and I felt a sense of contentment and happiness!....and hence this is how a beautiful Sunday  ended! 

Workshop Photos: Identity Crisis and Personal Integration

25th June 2011
Uday Acharya conducted a workshop on Identity Crisis and Personal Integration
At VesLarc Vedanta Room in VES Management Institute, Mumbai.

Ram Keshwani, Trustee Vivekananda Education Society

 Uday Acharya - Trustee, Vidya Vaaridhi Trust

Anushka Panjabi - Executive Manager VESLARC

Piya Mukherjee - Director VESLARC

A Nagananda, Faculty VESLARC 

Workshop Participants 

A...U...M...?

Vidya Vaaridhi  Volunteers : Lalita and Geeta

Dr Geeta Mohan

Ravi Raman Presents

Ram Iyer Represents

Relaxing Time

There's room for more

Till we meet again 

A Sunday Well Spent

Chandni Ramadasan

This Sunday that I call well spent is because this was one of the rare occasions where I got the opportunity to hear from a very experienced and wise group of people under the guidance of Sri Uday Acharyaji. This was a workshop that was being planned for years now, had finally realized on this beautiful day!

Everyone sat around Acharyaji with eager eyes knowing that they are about to get to learn something new today. Acharyaji with a subtle smile said "who am I?" and asked us to pen down one word answer for this question directing it to yourself. Everyone looked confused. Someone even asked if they could write a sentence or at least a phrase. But Acharyaji insisted that it should be just a word. I wrote down the simplest thing that came to my mind that was "Human". Then we were asked to reveal our answers…The answers that came were words like "Nothing", "insignificant being", "a dot", "responsible", "form", "thinker" etc

After this we were told to do another round of the same exercise and words like "mother", "dreamer", "charitable", and many more came out. Then Acharyaji asked us to go for the third round…by now everyone was forcefully thinking of more traits about themselves and were in a way giving some time out of their lives to figure themselves out! And  at the end of this round we came up with many more words.

Then we were asked to categorize all the words that came up in the session. Under categories such as behavior, relationships, work relationships, physical characteristics etc

When this was done we realized what we think of ourselves, do we give importance to our behavior, or do we identify ourselves with our jobs, or with the relationships we are in. This was when a streak of realization struck everyone's mind.

Then Acharyaji asked us if we found this exercise useful and if we did then how?...many interesting answers like " it was forcibly thoughtful", "multiple implications of words were discovered", and for me it was a great learning experience.

Now everyone was waiting to hear from Acharyaji about this topic "Identity Crisis" that we all had spent so much time hacking our brains over.

During the talk he spoke about how we all tend to get confused between the roles we are assigned by nature to play. We try to do everything perfectly and that is where we fail!. We need to understand the difference between "chores or routine" and "purpose"! Once we are able to do this the "identity crisis" will fade away and we will be able to see our true self. Contentment and self confidence will follow!

After this session the fun session started where we were divided into groups and asked to enact some situation depicting identity crisis. This was the part where people really opened up and had a blast!... A lot of laughs and joy filled the room.

Later we all sat down and everyone came up and shared a life experience that had made an impact in their lives. It was amazing to get to hear from such experienced people from such vivid backgrounds talk about such simple experiences that changed their lives!..One aunty spoke about how she had copied n her exams and once was almost caught!! And she said that that was when she realized the presence of God!!  As funny as it may sound but it was truly something we all could relate to!...It was the time when we all saw how simple things can be so impactful and life changing!

With that the day ended…everyone left with a big smile on their faces! And as the hosts my parents and I felt a sense of contentment and happiness!....and hence this is how a beautiful Sunday  ended!