Here is a short photo montage followed by an update...
School of Hindu Studies: A shelter for the psycho-spiritually challenged!
School of Hindu Studies began in early January and ran for 12 weeks. We had a variety of teachers on worldview, culture, music, communication, prayer, worship, satsang development and even a week on developing authentic Indian spirituality at a Catholic ashram.
Each morning of the ashram spiritual retreat weeks the students and staff of the School of Hindu Studies were immersed in a practical application of our lectures. We rose just before the sunrise and took our places in the mandir, a type of temple for the ashram. The mandir was constructed in Hindu style with a simple representation of Christ on the cross to the side, incense, flowers and an oil lamp signifying his being the light of the world.
Evenings we would retreat to the meditation hall, or dhyan bhavan, for teaching on Christ as Guru (spiritual teacher), as Swami (spiritual master or lord), and as the supreme Yogi (the one who leads you to spiritual union). One of the more touching illustrations the teacher gave that week was that 'Jesus wants us to let down our nets in the deep waters'. Students would sit in padmasana, which is universally known as the lotus position, and spent deep times of interiority, prayer, yoga and communication which generated a depth of intimacy with Christ in Indian style.
It is hard to imagine that our modern day universities were often birthed out of places like these in the West where monks spent time in deep contemplation, meditation and learning. Likewise it was hard for us to slow down our busy lives and become silent, listen, and pray to Christ silently without our mind wandering! We also had excellent times of wild bhajan singing where we expressed our love to God through loud singing, drums and great emotion!
At the ashram there was ‘a shelter for the psycho-spiritually challenged’, so we knew we were in the right place! Actually it is for those with psychological disturbances and those who have been attacked by evil spirits. The inmates are brought by Hindu relatives and left at the ashram as a last resort before being committed to the state mental hospital facilities. Some of the patients have returned to normal through prayer, worship and loving kindness.
So many stories could be told for each of the weeks but eventally all good things come to an end and the School of Hindu Studies concluded at the end of March with 13 graduates. The graduation message was given by Jai’s former mentor and co-founder of the School of Hindu Studies, Dr. M.A. Raju, now a neurologist with a nearby hospital, the very same person out of whose house Aarti and Jai were married 7 years ago! Jai and the area director of a local organisation, Narendranath Tiwari, handed out the certificates.
Gurukulam Training Programme
Aarti is excited to develop the upcoming Training programme here in Varanasi. It will be very close to the approach of the School of Hindu Studies. Much more times of teacher student interaction and one on one spiritual development times rather than lecture. It will be called the ‘Gurukulam’ which is a Sanskrit word for ‘school’ or place where the Guru resides to teach the disciples. Apt huh? This will begin mid January 2009.
The Ashram
You may remember that we were able to purchase a property to use as an ashram. This 250 year old heritage building is the reason and motivation behind Jai joining INTACH and it has now been running smoothly for over one year! We were able to host an Indian music concert (bhajans, tabla and violin) in the ashram on Easter weekend which also fell on the Hindu holiday of Holi so we also used as an opportunity to share of Sadguru Yeshu's death and ressurection in relation to Holi, as that holiday also has redemptive links in that direction. It was attended by many neighbours and all of our School of Hindu Studies students and staff. We even got a mention in the local newspaper!
Family News and Tidbits
Aarti will have her hands full with directing the upcoming Gurukulam project but she has also expressed her desire to help local poor women in sustainable job development through the ashram. We need to see how that can work out practically. She will also be involved in hosting a Bhajan Music seminar next fall with the ashram.
Jai has been interested to enter more into the fabric of society, to incarnate himself in service to Hindus and continue his learning in a variety of areas, so he is trying to enter Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) which is distance education towards a BA in the area of Social Work. He also has been trying to get an artist workshop of the ground to paint on the issue of ‘Pollution of the Ganga River’ in September with the ashram.
Arjun now 3 years old has been going to ‘Fun & Learn Play School’ down the street from our house. Each day Jai walks him there and Aarti picks him up. His Hindi is great and he can quote a few English and Hindi poems and songs. He is pretty excited to travel all the way to USA with papa in the month of May 2008!
Our family has hosted tons of guests this winter and spring and has been growing in a depth of understanding of our part here in the city. As a family we have been persevering in prayer to purchase a small house in the centre of the city as well. Jai will head out to USA with Arjun for a month in May this year and Aarti will go to her hometown in Gujarat with a friend.
With love
Jai, Aarti & Arjun
