Experiences from latest MAdhuban visit in the Avyakt [tapasya] month

My this trip to madhuban was the most meaningful one, thanks to you, thanks to Akka [she doesn’t like being called ‘mataji’ – I didn’t know!] and few other souls! I had the fortune to be present at murli class on 18^th morning at Pandav Bhawan and spend quality time in Baba’s karmabhoomi on the special day and get lost in baba’s memories and baba’s remembrance! Akka informed me just before sleeping on the previous night, that one seat is available in the car and we must leave very early morning! I was thrilled! Not only that, I also had the chance to meet face-to-face, Dada Narayan, at Pandav Bhawan, just before leaving, as he spoke to others.

On 17^th eve, as I sat at Prakash stambh, I was wondering, ‘how fortunate these souls are who have decorated the place with so much love and dedication, wish I was there to only witness how it is done or could extend a hand..’ and I got up with this thought! And lo and behold! As I walked out, a brother called out to me to give some time for sewa! I was dis-oriented for a moment, if this is true! I got the chance to do a bit of sewa at Prakash Stambh! Spending a good 45 minutes there! Can you believe that! My goodness!!

Not only did I get very good accommodation and access to the VIP dining thanks to [a soul] and Bhai, I also got myself a chair-seating at Baba Milan thanks to Pappa bhai [who treats me like a daughter! He is so loving]. I was overwhelmed! Had a very good experience, a very emotional one during baba’s presence there! I could really feel baba with me, baba giving attention to me! Also had a small tea-chat with Ratna Didi [Ratan Dada’s lokik spouse] – she knows me by face; she was in the same accommodation as we were. She is also very loving and sweet.

And when I reached Lotus on 19^th eve, after dropping Akka at airport, we sat down [myself, Bhai and Behn] to discuss the sewa regarding chocolate making for the new building inauguration in February. And then out of the blue, I heard that DJ is expected to arrive any moment! I could not believe my luck! Yes, we waited eagerly for here – although only for a few minutes but I was in her presence! Next morning, after I left [at 4:00 am] she did give drishti and Toli to everyone present before leaving for London! The same night, I also connected with a lovely sister from Ohio, exchanging a beautiful, meaningful and fruitful conversation!

Just trying to count my blessings! To me these small little things make a lot of difference, to you it may sound insignificant, but here, it makes me very happy – just to be myself! 

I am over-blessed…and very very fortunate! I feel so deeply loved! Until now, I ‘assumed’ that it is only I who is so loving, but here, I also received so much of love! Incidentally, just a month ago, we were trying to understand the depths of the efforts that yagya has made for sustaining so many souls [during the IYC retreat] and I was wondering if I can actually experience all of this on baba’s avyakt day! Baba really fulfils every pure wish of the soul!

You know what, after breaking the ice with Akka, we gelled so well! She is very chatty and loving too! She blessed me by saying, ‘you are a very plain hearted, pure soul, your nature is very sweet and loving, just keep it as is’! It is the confidence and faith that Lotus House has on me, that they consider me worthy of such a sewa!

I am so lucky, I met all the Dadis so closely [DRM and DJ at madhuban last month and DG in Mumbai with you all] and also had the confidence of Senior Behn! I don’t think I can count all my blessings and all my fortune! This is so in contrast to what I have been through last whole year!

Thank you, from the deepest of my heart [for making all these things happen] and lots and lots of love to you, with a tight hug! Baba has fulfilled the empty space in my life of a brother and a father ….and of a companion [baba himself]. I did not even know this empty space existed!

Expressing gratitude to service providers instead of simply using the services mindlessly - An act of goodness. Making a difference.

Expressing gratitude to service providers instead of simply using the services mindlessly

-          An act of goodness. Making a difference.

[prompted to write inspired by the video documentary about how amazon and google cares for its sales boys, delivery boys by gifting them customized bike-helmets and head gears]

            What if one of us [service users or consumers] swapped positions with one of those people who provide services to us – like the guy at petrol re-fill station or the parcel delivery boy or mail delivery boy or your maid or the one who just did your facial or your cab driver or the air hostess or the usher in a cinema hall or your daily newspaper delivery boy or your apartment security guard or the cashier at the supermarket? Would we remain un-complained if our acts of services went unnoticed or un-credited? Would we not frown our faces if none of the people who take services from us never even bothered to look at us in our eyes and say a simple sweet word: ‘thank you’; ‘God bless you’? So what? Does it really matter? We are getting paid anyways aren’t we?

            We have got into a habit of almost ‘ignoring’ these people who selflessly [well they are paid] provide different services to us without a complain. We always ‘seem’ to be in such a hurry to finish our mundane tasks, we completely forget to even utter a single word of thanks to these people, failing to realize they make such a difference to our lives. It takes a fraction of a second. Or even a small expression on our face – which will perhaps express our gratitude to them without making the effort to say anything. It will make a difference to them. May be some of them may even ignore or ‘duh’ it away, but for many, a simple thanks will make a big difference. These are serving us, perhaps cause they have no choice. Perhaps they need the money they earn from the few hours of efforts they put in to give us the best services. Some are trained, some are beginners. Perhaps they are not as financially stable as us; perhaps they do not have even basic facilities in their homes like we do. Perhaps they do not have so many choices. But they are forced to work like this.

            I personally feel, it is wrong to ‘assume’ that once they have provided us with their part of the service, for which their recruiter is supposed to train them [and we expecting their perfection] and we have ‘paid’ them with money, its done. The interaction ends there – no it doesn’t. it makes no harm to ask the post mail boy if he needs to have a sip of water, or to ask your driver if everything is okay in his family. Or to check with the pizza delivery boy if he found it too difficult to find your address. Perhaps, it will take away some of their tiredness or pain that they have taken to ensure you get your service as per your demand.

            We may sometimes regret not having expressed our gratitude to those young children who provide us service only after we hear about an unfortunate incident happening to them. But its too late to say thanks. Once we come across an opportunity to thank them, in whatever way, we must not miss it. Some day we may want to be thanked for something we have done for someone [even if with a selfless intent]. It will be an act of goodness on our behalf and bring a smile to their heart if not to their face. It could make a difference to their world. How about this: how happy will they feel, apart from being content, when they collect a thousand thank yous and God bless yous at the end of the day…

            I have made a difference [to my attitude]. Have you?

fromthechokl8diaries.blogspot.in

            

“Mouth watering RASA chocolates in lemon and vanilla”

My latest chocolate experiments: January 2015

“Mouth watering RASA chocolates in lemon and vanilla”

I procured some chocolate [freeze-stable] compound paste from my vendor as a Christmas gift and was eagerly waiting to try that – incorporate into my products. Once I got the opportunity to, it was a hushed-hushed thing. I had to prepare a few trays in a short time. [There were guests coming next day and I had to visit someone; pack few boxes for them]. I also had with me as an ingredient, a few essences in oil base which when infused into the paste, gave amazing ready-fillings. And then flavours like lemon, mint and orange go extremely well with dark chocolate for whatever reason. But yes, it is a challenge to even make the filling with some of these essences, due to disparity in their chemical compositions [no matter how user-friendly or compatible they may be], temperatures of the ingredients when mixing, weather conditions and speed of working with these fat based products – which depends largely on the expertise of the chocolatier. Well, here, this definitely was a challenge for me, especially because I was in a bit of hurry that day and also had to pack several pieces of moulded chocolates, once done.

Once I added the fillings [the cavity-cone method of course], I decided to add some berries also. The red berries, since my blueberries were on their way still J. When I did that, they turned out awesome [like really mouth-watering]….ohhhhh yummm!! The next thing to experiment was: I had a tin of ‘milk-maid’ or condensed, sweetened milk; to which I added two of the oil essences I had and infused in the cavities…There I was- made my own fillings combining the ingredients! Wow! That was a wonder! Now I feel like I am the creator for all my ingredients for chocolates!

Now whilst wrapping those, it so happened that one of the poor chocolates collapsed, spilling out all the inside RASA [juices in Telugu]. In instantly picked it up and dolled it inside my eager mouth! Lo! I was lost in its flavour! So it is! This was my best RASAs. Last month, when I was at Hyderabad, doing a chocolate demo, my audience said that they are familiar with the method of moulded chocolates. But when they watched me roasting, spicing and fat-coating my dry fruits, that’s when they were amazed and said, ‘now this is something new for us’…that’s what gives me the satisfaction. Of having taught them something different, of adding to their knowledge. The glow on their faces when they learn something new from me!

Not only this, I also tried different styles of wrapping and came up with what looked most royal. Even if it means I have to spend an extra minute on each piece; but if it looks royal and decent, why not. Then the effort is worth it. It gives the look of an internationally procured or a branded chocolate to the finishing.

Coming up: RCD [keep guessing….!]

fromthechokl8diaries.blogspot.in

Expressing gratitude to service providers instead of simply using the services mindlessly

Expressing gratitude to service providers instead of simply using the services mindlessly

-          An act of goodness. Making a difference.

[prompted to write inspired by the video documentary about how amazon and google cares for its sales boys, delivery boys by gifting them customized bike-helmets and head gears]

            What if one of us [service users or consumers] swapped positions with one of those people who provide services to us – like the guy at petrol re-fill station or the parcel delivery boy or mail delivery boy or your maid or the one who just did your facial or your cab driver or the air hostess or the usher in a cinema hall or your daily newspaper delivery boy or your apartment security guard or the cashier at the supermarket? Would we remain un-complained if our acts of services went unnoticed or un-credited? Would we not frown our faces if none of the people who take services from us never even bothered to look at us in our eyes and say a simple sweet word: ‘thank you’; ‘God bless you’? So what? Does it really matter? We are getting paid anyways aren’t we?

            We have got into a habit of almost ‘ignoring’ these people who selflessly [well they are paid] provide different services to us without a complain. We always ‘seem’ to be in such a hurry to finish our mundane tasks, we completely forget to even utter a single word of thanks to these people, failing to realize they make such a difference to our lives. It takes a fraction of a second. Or even a small expression on our face – which will perhaps express our gratitude to them without making the effort to say anything. It will make a difference to them. May be some of them may even ignore or ‘duh’ it away, but for many, a simple thanks will make a big difference. These are serving us, perhaps cause they have no choice. Perhaps they need the money they earn from the few hours of efforts they put in to give us the best services. Some are trained, some are beginners. Perhaps they are not as financially stable as us; perhaps they do not have even basic facilities in their homes like we do. Perhaps they do not have so many choices. But they are forced to work like this.

            I personally feel, it is wrong to ‘assume’ that once they have provided us with their part of the service, for which their recruiter is supposed to train them [and we expecting their perfection] and we have ‘paid’ them with money, its done. The interaction ends there – no it doesn’t. it makes no harm to ask the post mail boy if he needs to have a sip of water, or to ask your driver if everything is okay in his family. Or to check with the pizza delivery boy if he found it too difficult to find your address. Perhaps, it will take away some of their tiredness or pain that they have taken to ensure you get your service as per your demand.

            We may sometimes regret not having expressed our gratitude to those young children who provide us service only after we hear about an unfortunate incident happening to them. But its too late to say thanks. Once we come across an opportunity to thank them, in whatever way, we must not miss it. Some day we may want to be thanked for something we have done for someone [even if with a selfless intent]. It will be an act of goodness on our behalf and bring a smile to their heart if not to their face. It could make a difference to their world. How about this: how happy will they feel, apart from being content, when they collect a thousand thank yous and God bless yous at the end of the day…

            I have made a difference [to my attitude]. Have you?

fromthechokl8diaries.blogspot.in

            

The pleasures of cooking for the self [inspirations from Nigella Lawson]

January 2015

Well, I do love to cook for myself, no doubt on that. Cause, I enjoy the freedom to plan my recipes as

per my wish and will. No one to disturb, no one to interfere, no one to instruct or peep in...so, I love that non-
dependency. It is more enjoyable, not only that, I also am better focused on my task, am much faster in my

movement, more efficient. Also, I can experiment – meaning, I can try something off beat from the ‘normal’

procedures that momy uses. I can try new tasks, new methods to execute the same mundane tasks, I can sing

and dance while I cook. I am in complete control of what I do. In charge! And yes, charged up. I am high on

energy levels. And yes, I do make sure I maintain an energetic ambiance while cooking. I am aware of who I

am cooking for! My intention is clear.

And then once the cooking is done, I silently enjoy the pleasure of my food! Wow! Now that is one

blissful experience. But nonetheless, it doesn’t matter if I have someone apart from me to share my food. I am

quite accommodating. Actually, this idea is a relief break from the mundane belief that one must [read a

woman must] only cook for others, for her family. Once cooking is done I ensure that I offer part of it in a

specialized format to our Creator. It not only makes a connection, also gives very powerful pure vibes to the

food, nullifying the effects of any ill intentions, or bad impacts or weak, negative vibes that may have come into

the food from anywhere.

My recent experiments in the kitchen includes trying to cook my veggies and even pulao in an

unconventional way. After heating and melting the fat, instead of directly adding the spices, I add the chopped

veggies, tomato puree [if it’s a part of the recipe], potatoes, and any other part of the veggies. Cook it in the fat

for a while, cover the pot and simmer cook the veggies. Then, a few minutes before turning off the heat, I add

two pinches of a spice-mix that I have meant for vegetable preparations. The taste completely changes with

this method! I tried first with a small batch of cauliflower and it worked! A welcome change of taste. And then I

continued using the same method for all other veggies irrespective of what it was. I began liking food prepared

with this new method. Once in a while, I do break the conventional methods and experiment with new things.

Recently, I hosted Sunday brunch for two of my brothers who were visiting Bombay from different

cities. I was happy and excited, wanting to be completely in-charge of the kitchen, the menu, preparations,

hospitality, everything! There was a lot of love, pure feeling, clear intentions and bonding! And so I did not

allow anyone at home to make any changes to my plans or contribute anywhere to my cooking preparations.

My menu included: Chholey, Matar-Pulao, Stuffed Parathas, Buttermilk, Fruit and veggie – salad, coconut-
chutney and momy-made dhokla [fermented & steamed small square cakes made with suji & curd]. I already

had some preparations night before; and few additional preps the same day early morning before leaving

for my meetings. Such that, once I return with my brothers in tow, I can finish my cooking asap. I thoroughly

enjoyed the process. Although there is one regret that I have – I was unable to monitor servings, or even

watch the expressions as they enjoyed my lunch and couldn’t spend quality time at the dining. But I know, they

completely enjoyed my lunch prepared with a lot of love and affection.

The menu, the items, their taste, the process, the combination of food, don’t matter as much as the

feeling with which the food is prepared. And served. And consumed!

Food, they say is a medium of bonding and connections between humans. Now I know...

Beggary part in Confluence Age- its significance

The beggary part in the yagya [meaning, God's own spiritual havan kund, for destroying the negativities of the soul and purifying the world] began in one of the early years of the yagya-history, as a test to assess the spiritual strength each soul in the yagya had at that time and also allowing the children [souls who were a part of the Om Mandali group] to assess their own spiritual stability and the quality of their yoga. Lately, a few years ago, we children who came to baba a bit late in the drama, wanted to experiment this in our own spiritual journeys and decided to experience and try the beggary part from the times of Brahma Baba - to know how it feels, though, individually in our own homes, in our domestic life. 

What this really means is, instead of focusing each day on the menu, worrying about the preparations of every meals and putting together the food menu, you make it simple for the mind to work out - just put two or three items put together in each of the meals, which is likely khichdi [rice & lentils], curry [cooked, spiced buttermilk], bajra rotla [flat bread made of jowar or any other nutritious grains] and jaggery [gur]. Although this menu is simple and easy to prepare, it is very healthy, nutritious and easily digested too. In fact, having such meals, ditching your regular heavy and square meals, once in a while, is absolutely necessary for the tummy as it gives a relief break to the digestive system. 

Once in a while, it is good to go easy on the diet and also on the tummy. Perhaps that's why the beggary part in drama was introduced for the children - to make life simpler; Brahma Baba also was a part of it, even he was not spared. But the beauty of it is, that despite his own condition of hunger, Brahma Baba ignored the same and focussed instead on the children and their condition. Inspiring them, motivating them, having conversations with them, checking on them, sustaining them with lots of love, expressing his faith on Shiv Baba, urging the children also to do the same, engaging them in spiritual service of the yagya..... As is re-countable from the experiences shared by one of the yagya seniors, Brahma Baba would regularly check on children [since they were quite young], caress their heads and lovingly ask them, "bache, bhookh toh nahi lagi hai?" ['dear child are you not feeling hungry?'] to which, the child would look upto Baba's eyes with innocence and reply, "Nahi baba, hum theek hai; Shiv baba ko yaad kar rahe hain" ['No baba, i am absolutely fine, just remaining in Shiv Baba's remembrance']. When this was shared, I had tears in my eyes! And I vividly recollect, this incidence was shared by Dadi Nirmalshanta ji.  

Interestingly, Brahma Baba would keep the children busy and engaged in physical service or tasks of giving gyan or spending time in spiritual study so that they do not even remember 'hunger'! Such was Brahma Baba's immense love, concern and responsibility toward the children and also exhibiting qualities of being a leader-father! Who else can attain this seemingly impossible task otherwise! 

It does not mean forcing yourself to fast [well that is bhakti-sanskars] but instead giving a monitored and well regulated diet plan to your body allowing it to have spans of rest and also helping in detoxification. It allows the mind to also relax along with the body and focus instead on more productive and useful meaningful tasks like spiritual study, self introspection, meditation and yog, spiritual service, etc. And then, there is absolutely no harm in trying this once in a while.

Interestingly, the month of January is celebrated in the brahmin clan as the month for tyag & tapasya [renunciation and spiritual detoxification] and remembering Brahma Baba [the founder Father, on his ascension day - the 18th of January]. To support this process, we, the brahmins [mouth-born progeny of Shiv Baba, via Brahma Baba] practice the beggary part over a few days to see how we can support our tapasya and meditation, as we need to be in "the journey of remembrance" all the time, or at least most of the time. And, as per experiences and observations shared by many, it really works; it helps a great deal. Along with the beggary part, one can also practice daily physical exercise routine, mental exercises to help keep the body and mind stable enough that they will harmonize and the mind can peacefully practice its yoga and self introspection. This allows a lot of time for study as well.

The more one practices tough things like beggary part [tyag/renunciation], the easier it becomes for the soul to focus on God [do tapasya]. It is not punishing your body, but uplifting your soul, through cooperation from the body!

Hyderabad Business trip - December 2014

My recent trip to Hyderabad exploring business opportunities was more successful than previous trips. Not just in terms of volumes of sales but contacts established and opportunities opened up ahead. I had just begun to contemplate on my relation with the pearl-city when i came across an opportunity to start working there [meaning re-locating from bombay to hyderabad]. My brother has supported the idea, allowing me to see clearly what our options and pros and cons could be for working in a new city and explore the possibilities there at the same time.
This opened up my mind which until now was a bit skeptical and closed to trying new ideas at Hyderabad. I did participate at a few residential township exhibitions there, and even though i wanted to achieve more that was on my agenda, when i left, i was smiling that i had actually achieved a lot which wasn't even planned, and the incomplete tasks could definitely be worked out in next trips.
Here are a few glimpses from my exhibitions:
[Venues: ICRISAT, Malaysian Township, Aparna Cyber Commune, L&T Serene County, Lanco Hills]