SwamiJi Anubhavananda's Visit to Mississauga By: Anjali Prasad
Seated on the Aassan beautiful decorated with red cloth and a white lace trimming sat Swami Anubhavananda. My first time listening to a Swami and their teachings. I am a pundit believer," I am not sorry to say". However was very enlightened with what I heard. Sometimes I think I take to much nights off from my classes how would I learn anything but needless to say I have been able to have my grades up so far. Tuesday morning I got an email from a devotee who was there the previous night she was telling me I was missing out on a treat, now I don't like to miss out on treats so told her I will take the time off and go. Left work early, asked my seventeen yr old Nephew Sudev if he would like to accompany me seeing its Summer holidays he said yes Poowa he will go, spending holidays with me until school reopens. When I got there Mr.Balkisson was just pulling in the driveway. We helped him light the deyas and we sat and spoke for about 10 minutes before the crowd arrived. He was telling me that the Swami eats no rice, flour, does not drink milk etc only consumes vegetables which can be prepared any which way. Swami stayed at the Balkissoon's house where Sarah ( nirvan's wife) prepared all that he wanted to eat, he eats little portion but on a regular basis. At about 7:15 people started walking in followed by Swami, please forgive me in only saying Swami but if I were to write his name every time it would take up to much space. There was about 25 people that night, a bit disappointed though, for my feelings are "we Hindus do no like to participate when its a week night but if it was an event I am sure they would have taken the time out" again for those of you who missed indeed this was an event and a Happy Event I will add.Nirvan started off with the recitation of the Gayatri Mantra and Swami followed by Sri Krishna, Sri Krishna. I would like to tell you a little about what Swami spoke about. He said there are two types of people in this world the ordinary and the extra-ordinary, the ordinary "likes to do things they like, not what is right where-as the extra-ordinary is one who likes to do whatever he is supposed to do. "Makes sense doesn't' it"? As he said whatever we do we should do it whole heartedly I was amused with his facial expressions in the manner in which he spoke never stopping to take a breath it was non-stop happiness experienced that night. He was asking us if we knew the meaning of LBW went on to explain it means "lungee before wicket" sorry folks I guess my attention swayed a bit there so I cannot fully expand on that topic. Again just a little about what the topics were about. Swami further went on to explain "don't blame others for your misery, we all are miserable by our own choice, none in this world can make you this way not even God.
Swami told an interesting story but its lengthy, briefly I would relate" There was this woman who said she was doing all the necessary things in life"japaying the maala, taking bath twice a day, no eating of achar,onion, garlic or Sat wick food, no TV, she complained about everything she went as far as to complain about the guru and we all know when we complain about the guru in our next birth we will be born as Frogs ask Pundit Balram Persad he will tell you. She was all so goodie goodie. Swami went on to say she was suffering from "spiritual Influenza" anyways she went to him and his response to her "why don't you go to a beauty parlour", Learn to dress and address properly, start taking normal food "kitcheree ke chaar yaar" mix with people and you will see these are the necessary things in life its not abnormal its spiritual. I have another little story to share as per Swami. In this particular household there were children, parents and grandparents, the children always say' Krishna Rascal" one day a pujari went to this house and heard the children he asked why they are giving a bad name to the lord, to his dismay the children said" anytime Agee and Ajaa come back from the Krishna temple they would quarrel non stop so they think that at the temple 'Krishna is bad and they teach bad things hence the reason "Krishna Rascal". Folks, you see when you go to the temple its to be enlightened not to come home and Jhatkay and Patkay. I think this one is very interesting, most of us says "TGIF" which means thank god its Friday and then "OGIM" which means oh god its Monday. Now when do we really want to work, we like money, we like nice things then instead of using up our good energy why not meditate on it and when we say meditate we don't mean closing the eyes for about an hr when in reality we are sleeping if someone passes by and touch us we will fall down. The last one I am going to tell you is that there is "No such thing as a soul mate in this life" The soul leaves and only the shoes remain. Do things for yourself" Know your capacity". Also when you are cooking please cook with a smile, the people who are eating the food will know when they taste, cook with love. Swami says "don't fret". When we are at peace with ourselves only then can we think. I have indeed learnt so much of Swami teachings and I am hoping that what you all have just read could learn from it also, there is so much more to tell and this is only one night so can you imagine. He spoke non-stop without taking a sip of paani.Before the Guru Aarti was sung Swami said" Think then decide, only then will it be a correct decision. To Sarah Balkissoons's parents I want to say "what wonderful people you all are always making sure in making the effort to find out how I am doing, to Uncle ( the father) thanks for telling me you enjoy my stories it means a lot to me. Until .