August 2009
71 posts
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long distance relationship
Tonight, I encountered a man who had never once met Gurudev but was the epitome of pure and true devotion. The man does not understand Gujarati so HE never picks up on Gurudev’s words. He simply had a photograph of Gurudev since 2 years and awaited HIS arrival patiently.
Tonight HE got the chance to express his love to Gurudev in person and I was there to witness this milestone of an event...
reconnoitre:
homeofthevain:
Alva Noto &...
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living the talk
When you are constantly surrounded by people who all speak the same language and follow the same culture, it becomes easy to absorb the meanings of the words they say to one another.
I figured out a phrase earlier tonight and confirmed with our desert Safari driver. It’s neat to know that something as obscure (to me) as Arabic can become understandable simply by observing and living...
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trust me, i'm a local
Salesperson: You look Muslim. Do you know Ramadan? Do you practice Iqtar? (the fasting where you eat only after sunset).
Me: No, I don't follow it but I know of it.
Salesperson: Why not? You should follow it. . . you look Muslim, but they (3 of my friends one of them with a beard) do not
Me: We are all the SAME!
Salesperson: No! We are ALL different (pointing to my friends) but WE (pointing to me and then himself) are the same.
chronicling dubai
Today I suggested to the cashier that a stranger at the coffee shop within the Crowne Plaza would pay for my coffee, as well.
He chuckled and read my nametag and said “Dhaval here will pay for my stuff - in cash!”
And then he asked me if my computer was a Macbook air and then he said, “Can I introduce a new Website into your life today, my friend?” And he showed me...
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Zaatar for life.
yummyvegan:
Zaa’tar, Zaatar is a spice blend that is eaten with fresh pita breads in the form of a sandwich throughout the Middle East. Originating in Lebanon, I had this for dinner last night and breakfast this morning in Dubai. A salty, herby, satisfying sesame seed combination — great with hot fresh pita bread.
And it makes water taste a lot sweeter. But also, after eating it by itself, your...
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around the world
10 p.m. August 25th - Landed in Mumbai
11 p.m. - Reached home
11 - 1 am - Packed for Dubai
1-2:15 am - Napped
2:15 am - Woke up from nap
3:00 am - Left for airport
6:00 am - Reached Dubai - Temperature expected to be 115-120 in the afternoon. 94 when I landed. Woot!
“Silent and thoughtful, pleased with what little comes his way,
homeless, having...”
“Who has given up all efforts for himself, same in praise or in blame…
(18)”
“Who does not care whether good comes or evil, and never becomes
miserable… (17)”
– Beloved Bhakta continues
“He who does not depend on anything, who is pure and active… (16)”
– Beloved Bhakta
“He from whom comes no disturbance, who cannot be disturbed by others,
who is...”
– Beloved Bhakta - Continued
“Whose self has become controlled, whose will is firm, whose mind and
intellect...”
– Beloved Bhakta - Continued
“He who hates none, who is a friend of all, who is merciful to all, who
has...”
– Bhagavad Gita
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“I ask for your forgiveness. Please forgive me if I’ve done anything to...”
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“Divine Vision is being able to see the inherent consistency in the apparent...”
– Gurudev explaining the meaning of the Divine Vision which enables Arjuna to see Lord Krishna. The latter is the Supreme Personality of Godhead… so in Jainism, Krishna = Pure Soul. That which exists within all of us. And when Arjuna “receives” this Divine Vision, what he’s...
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“Do or do not. There is no try.”
– Yoda said this and it is truth, friends. When we “try” to remove our negatives, we’re exerting force. The natural way of the influx can only be observed and with a mild gesture, it can go poof into thin air. There’s no trying in awareness; it simply happens. (based on Satsang...
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“When you put in effort towards attaining higher levels of self-awareness;...”
– ~paraphrasing Gurudev
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p.s.a.
this blog looks 1000% better when using firefox on a macbook.
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Generator. Operator. Destroyer.
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The Boss - James Brown
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“Intelligence, knowledge, freedom from doubt and delusion, forgiveness,...”
– Bhagavad Gita 10.4-5
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stardust - benny goodman
Stardust - Benny Goodman
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“God is HE who has opened up our eyes to the beauty within. God is our pure soul...”
– ~paraphrasing Gurudev
“In happy occurrences, YOU. In “unhappy” happenings, YOU. In...”
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“To live in peace and harmony when the biggest hurdles come at you is to be...”
– ~paraphrasing Gurudev. HE said that many people feel like taking excursions to places so they can “go within” but these people forget that in order to go within, they don’t need to spend money, travel great distances or be anywhere else. All they need to do is stay wherever they...
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“Sadness is experienced when we allow an external situation to become internal....”
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Paryushan - The Festival of Forgiveness →
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letting I go
When I go, only HE remains. Without HIM, there is no existence to have. Today at lunch with Bill, he asked the reason for the move to India. The honest answer is that it is for Gurudev. To be with HIM constantly and in HIS guidance, to do HIS seva, to perfect ourselves by letting HIM be our Guide.
“Boy, it’s amazing how much control HE has over you,” was Bill’s response.
...
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“The indulgent me v. The observer me. Year 27, Month 2, Day 285. The battle...”
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“Any service done in HIS guidance, only with HIM in mind is the only one worth...”
– paraphrasing GURUDEV
tenfour:
silent talk - love go’s