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Published: October 3rd 2008
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Happy 54th Birthday Baba!
In the morning today, I went to Ram Rai Darbar …a temple and mausoleum. Ram Rai was the son of the 7th Sikh guru Har Rai but was excommunicated from him. Ram formed his own order and there are still schools and hospitals run by this organization. His four, yes four! wives tombs are here. It is a set of beautiful buildings and gardens, and of course the Rai part was of great significance for me.
Later, I went back to Baba’s ashram and the birthday celebrations had begun. The day before everyone was getting ready decorating the outside of the ashram with beautiful coloured lights and singers were practicing their bhajans. The meditation/gathering room was also being decorated and set up for the occasion. Caterers were arriving with lots, and lots of food! Rekah and Rahul said they were expecting 500 people. So as the day went on, I had a chance to chat with Rekah, and many other devotees, help out and contemplate. There was a big contingent fron Mauritius and they were very interesting to talk to. It has been raining a bit in Dehradun but for this evening, it was dry
and very pleasant.
Like any party, all us women had to get ready and dressed up. This was the fun part. I got to share a room with Rekah, Manju, Baba’s sister (her name begins with a B but I regrettably have forgotten) and another woman from Delhi. These women were all so wonderfully friendly and open. So in the tradition of girl talk, we laughed a bit, chatted about many things and dolled ourselves up. I was so nice to let my defenses down from my time in the Punjab where people on the street and who don’t know you scrutinize your every move. I felt so relaxed and comfortable…so at home ahhhhhh here at the ashram.
The birthday ceremony started at 7:00 pm with some introductions and a few acknowledgements. People trickled in with offerings and smiles. I was the only westerner there as far as I could tell. Then the Bhajans….ah the beautiful chanting which always elevates me to a place of light. I am getting good at singing the bhajans without too many mistakes…of course the easy ones are my specialty.
Many singers led the chanting from young boys to women and men and
the usual tabla, and harmonium and of course keyboard (the long lost traditional Indian instrument-lol) were accompanying the angelic voices. Everyone was anticipating the arrival of the birthday boy, Baba.
So like any enlightened being, when he/she enters the room the energy changes to one of total silence and reverence; I can taste in every cell of my being. Baba arrived in his usual long orange lungie (simple sannyasin cloth). He didn’t have time to dress up I guess…hahaha! He sat in meditation at the front for a long time while we all chanted. Many, many people were arriving by this point.
After sometime of chanting, which always goes on for a long time of which I never want it to end though, especially if I have found myself in the flow of divine energy, the procession to pay respects to Baba started. I didn’t rush to the front to the line but hung somewhere in the middle. When it was my turn, I ceremonially washed Baba’s feet with water and laid some marigolds in prayer. Birthdays are auspicious days so I felt ultra blessed to have been here today. I was pleasantly surprised to see a few
Sikhs who came to honour Baba today.
After a few hundred people touched Baba’a feet and honoured him, Baba opened his eyes and was back on earth. He spoke for some time in Hindi then English. He spoke of happiness and contentment regardless of material wealth. He said a few words about happiness and things like birthdays and celebrations with loved ones is a simple a way to express this contentment. This is the reader’s digest version of course. His brother and Rekah were at his side the whole time taking care of his every need. Baba was given a compiled photo album of all his travels and a new painting as a gift. This was revealed and presented by Mr. Singh, Baba’s longest serving devotee. We did more chanting, then the usual aarati…final light, fire ceremony for the evening and were given prasad (offering).
I was feeling so happy being here. It has been one thing to study and revere many awakened beings who have left their bodies, but to be in the presence of a living guru is special. Baba’s smile and glowing cheeks would make anyone feel lifted. Unfortunately, I had already and paid hotel
time in Mussoorie, 24 km away for that night, but I wanted to stay. I was being overwhelmingly encouraged to stay but opted to go. So before I left, I ate the best Indian food I have had yet here in India…the buffet was incredible, and some birthday cake. Rekah found me and wanted me to come say goodbye to Baba…so she took me up to see him, we had a few nice words, I paid respects, wished him a happy birthday. He again said I could stay and hoped to see me again. He told me he was off to Singapore, Malaysia and Australia in the next two days…he is a non-stop world traveler spreading the message of love and peace. What an awesome job!
I invited my taxi driver to come eat dinner and to meet Baba too as he was waiting some time for me. He was a young guy whose English was amazing. He graciously accepted and said he has been doing Vipassana meditation and needs to find peace after recovering from drug addiction. I said well, “You’ve come to the right place.” He was overjoyed at the synchronicity of the events that brought him here and for me to be his “cab fare.” He said he would now come see Baba and do meditation regularly here. Wow what a formidable evening! A living guru…wow!!!!
Om, Leila
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