Yes, our beloved Guruji finally was ordained by our Mother Shri Nimishamba to visit Malaysia! Guruji informed us that Amma has set the path for Guruji's visit to Malaysia and that Guruji would arrive on 2.10.2009. Guruji also told that we are not to worry and that everything will be taken care off! All we needed were open, honest and sincere hearts! "How could it be so simple?" My mind asked. What transpired thereafter, is set forth below.
Yes, "Not to worry" was our Guruji's words and that "Amma will take care of everything!" was also Guruji' words. Words of wisdom that I only understood as we progressed into action. In the beginning, it was quite difficult for me to understand, "How not to worry?" "We need to plan and pre-plan and get everything organised" said my little mind! However, having trust and believe in my beloved Gurudev, my heart kept saying with total conviction, "Hang on Leena, yes, this will happen! Have faith in Guruji".
My mother (Aunty Vicky) was so confident in Guruji that she went on happily planning all the necessary itineraries for food, looking for lodgings, transportations, etc. This was still all too sudden and shocking for me as I was worried of the costs factor and still pondering on the "How" issue. Thanks to my hearts faith in Guruji, I never questioned any decisions and just moved on simply on faith, faith and faith.
This was the first time my family was involved in preparations towards Guruji's visit to Malaysia. During Guruji's previous 2 visits to Malaysia, my family only attended the nightly satsangs at Devanji's home which was the ashram. Now that my family was given the chance to take part and SERVE our beloved Master and Guru, we were really excited, grateful and full of energy. Especially my Mother! What energy!
As the organising committee went on with the preparations, the funds came in with perfect timing. Yes, what Guruji said that "Amma will take care of everything was so true!" The words "Not to worry" just kept ringing in my ear!
Next, we were looking high and low for a place for Guruji and the 26 followers from india to stay. My mother so wanted a bungalow for the followers and even wrote a note and left it at our prayer alter infront of Guruji's photo. She wanted everthing perfect for Guruji as in her heart she verily believed that Guruji deserved the BEST!
True to her faith and believe, a boutique hotel was discovered by Sathya and Kavitha whilst meeting a client. Lo! True to my mothers faith and believe, a beautiful self contained abode with 16 rooms for everyone came into place. Again Guruji words, "Amma will take care of everything" rang in my ear.
The place of abode was an ashram in itself with luxuries such as being fully air-conditioned, self contained rooms with heaters and air-conditioned, a pool, beautiful garden, terrace, dining area with a large table to fit easily 20 people at a time, a kitchen, common bathrooms for visitors, a large conference room that was turned into a darshan hall for Guruji, a sitting place in the higher floor for devotees to meet and have satsangs, parking for devotees, etc. Such was Amma's divine plan and love for Guruji that the best abode ever was found. As we moved to decorate the place with flowers, lamps, carpets, vases and everthing to give it a divine and indian touch, the place simply blossomed into a perfect ashram. Indeed, my mothers sincere wish for "The best abode for Guruji and his followers" came true!
The transportations also fell into place and the food was also arranged. My mother along with aunty Kamala Maniam were in charge of the food and they kept a close watch on the food itenary and the ingredients that were used. Again the motto in both their minds were, "Only the Best for Guruji"!
The rest of us went on with our asignments. Sathya and Kavitha deserve a special mention here as they worked day and night getting Guruji's posters prepared and banners ready to be placed in all the temples that Guruji was to give a talk. Again their full concentration and aim during the weeks that went by was "The best picture of Guruji and the best information and Banner for Guruji"!
Uncle Mahen and Uncle Maniam also diligently along with my mother went to all the temples numerous times to see to it that everything was properly organised for Guruji's satsangs at the particular temple along with the proper protocal for receiving a Guru. Again the motto for the them was, "Only the best reception for Guruji!"
Raagitha, Yogita, Roshini and Thasha and myself were in the welcoming committee and we were to see to the welcoming of Guruji at the ashram, the followers at the airport and to the decorations at all the temples where Guruji was to give a satsang. This was a 'first time' for all our team members. We really did not understand what it really entailed but were given briefings by Bakiamji and we went on with listing the items to be purchased and flower arangements. Special mention must be made of Yogita who really worked hard in preparing the floral arrangements as it was the first time for her as normally her sister would do it. Yogita really toiled at it and took numerous pictures of her sisters floral decorations and spent a lot of time buying all the necessary items and prepared all the floral decorations during the 2 weeks that Guruji was in Malaysia. Uncle Maniam and Uncle Mahen were really superb as they arrived very early at every temple and would call me as early as 4:30pm asking me to quickly get there. Kala and Karthik also took leave from work and really worked hard to get the flowers,decorate the peetam and place the sarees for Guruji's patham! Kala's sister from Melaka would also rush in to help us when she was down from Melaka! A big hand to the Mahenthiran family from all of us!
Roshini, Raagitha and her sister Thasha definately deserve applause as they worked really hard to clear the place after every satsang and keep the items back in the ashram. They would leave right after work for the temples and stay late to clear the diaz and the "peetam" which was Guruji's seat. As for me personally, my favourite was clearing the flowers at the ashram every morning and helping to set the new flowers for Guruji. I never knew that keeping an ashram clean for a guru could give me such pleasure. Jai Gurudev! Decorating Guruji's peetam was also such a gift from Amma! placing the sarees for Guruji to walk upon was also such a wonderful experience. Again, "Only the best for our beloved Guruji" was the motto that rang in all our ears.
True to Guruji's words, "Amma will take care of everything" was a vital energy force that was really felt by all and propelled every minute arrangement and event during Guruji's stay. My question, "How will Amma take care of everything?" was finally answered by an understanding within my heart and mind by Guruji divine darshan, grace and love. It's in the FAITH that we have in our Guru and in OUR SELF that matters at every beginning and end of any journey. That very FAITH, will carry any project, aim and mission far and high and make it an adventure never to be missed and only to be felt by the heart of hearts!
What more can I say? Have Faith in the Guru, absolute faith in the Guru and Complete faith in the Guru and ,that is all that is required in this journey of life. With the hand of a Guru, life will be like gentle whispers of fresh air that comes by and waves that moves back and forth on the wide spread sea shore of love and guidance of a Guru! Jai Gurudev!
All I can think of right now to end this post is, 'Lokaha Samastaha Sukino Bhavanthu'! What else can I pray for? I already have a Guru! Jai Matha!Jai Guru Nimishanandaya Namaha! I surrender all the fruits of my actions, thoughts and deed at my beloved Guruji's lotus feet!
