Guru Ji in Seattle

Many people have asked for pictures from Guruji's Seattle visit. This one was long due...

It always surprises me how each person experiences such a personal connection with Him. Others, I am sure, secretly think "Gurudev has come to visit me alone, and He is just humoring the rest." Also, at a macro level, every city feels that Guruji is visiting the US, just to come to their city....
Well, we all know all of this fantasizing is not really true. After all, He came just for me :)

Once, Ron Sharp, a teacher, asked Guruji, "why did You start the Art Of Living ?"
Gurudev looked at him and said, "because some need the personal touch...."

We are blesssed !
Guruji landed around 3 pm, SeaTac airport on July 10th (Thursday - गुरूवार).

Its a warm fuzzy feeling to be at the airport to receive Him. A billion thoughts before we see Him and immediately blank when we come in His presence. Its like someone pulled the hand brakes on a 120 mile speeding car :)

Since I was in Bangalore ashram in June, I had returned back with Him to the US (New Jersey via Germany) , few moons back. I was quite tired and jetlagged, but Guruji just continued with His public appearances and talks in NJ and conducted a 3 day Yoga workshop there. He averages about 2 days per city in different time zones in the US. To have that smile after each travel is testament to His energy !



Once in the hotel, Guruji asked for his Seattle schedule which yours truly presented. He teased me , "Oh, I have an appointment with Abhishek."

That's Gurudev, holding the schedule, me hugging Him *and* He pulling my cheeks..

The hat and fur was presented by Kaveri-Arun. Guruji had loads of fun with that followed by Sukshma Yoga for those who were in the room..

The boat satsang was very intimate. Hats off to the Seattle team for organizing this. Guruji came in with glares to match the ocassion!
That is Vani, in white, ever-smiling, right behind Guruji. Gurudev has told her to become a teacher. To me, Vani is right there, at the top. She has a heart of gold.

Harish went to the hotel instead of the boat thinking Guruji would be at the hotel. On the boat, Gurudev asked where Harish was. He had realized that Harish was M.I.A.. Gurudev doesshow off, once in a while :))


The Seattle youth team presented various property details to Gurudev for our Seattle center.
The site He has in Mind was not in there. The hunt continues..

After Guruji had dinner, He came down to satsang on the boat's lower level where Brooks presented Guruji with a beatiful wizard hat and cloak. Guruji just loved it !!



With Lisa, Rishi Nityapragya and Bhanu didi, the satsang was sooo soo sweet. Timed right around sunset time, the setting couldn't have been more perfect..

Kanishka once shared a beatiful story that happened 2-3 years ago.. He was going through some personal issues when he first met Guruji. When he bent to touch Guruji's feet, Gurudev simply said ' झुकना नही'. Loosely translated in this context, it meant 'dont bow down in life'. Kanishka says that when he looks back now, that was exactly the mistake he was making in life at that point.. Interactions with Gurudev have such depth...

How does He know ?
Not a question that can be answered, but an experience you may get if you are lucky enough...

Our Guru is the best. ......... And He's got style !

|| जय गुरुदेव ||

Courtesy: My Yahoo! Mailbox :)