It was our great honour to host Vishwagurujis visit to Melbourne after nearly 3 (long covid) years. Also our first time hosting without an ashram. Here we share with you the programs, photos and some gems of wisdom.

 

 

 

 

Friday evening 9th September 2022

The first public program was at Sankat Mochan Temple in Huntingdale.

Attended by 120 people, including the Consul General of the Indian Embassy in Melbourne Dr Sushil Kumar, the evening began with bhajans sung by Swami Madhuram Puri. 

 

The captivated audience were mostly Indian so Vishwaguruji spoke in Hindi. At the end, the co-organiser for the event, Nand Gopal Dureja explained that the capability to understand spiritual teachings can only be awakened by being in the company of such saints as Vishwaguruji, and how fortunate we were that evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday morning 10th September 2022

Co-hosted with Rajendra Yenkannamoole, this workshop took place at Peacock Hall, Sri Siva Vishnu Hindu Temple, Carrum Downs and was attended by around 70 people. Rajendra welcomed Vishwaguruji and everyone. Amrut played the invocation prayer on flute. Swami Madhuram sang two bhajans. 

 

Vishwaguruji talked on Yoga. Explaining that yoga is many things but in the end we all come to yoga. Each and every one of us knows very well the feelings we have within us to find purpose and meaning in this life. We are all many things in life, we play many different roles, but yoga is first. We can come and should come in this way. There are many paths, but finally we have to come to yoga.

 

Vishwaguruji taught practical techniques for healthy digestion, a healthy heart, as well as asanas and bhamari pranayama.

 

  

 

 

 

Saturday evening 10th September 2022.

This program was co-hosted by Virendra Khatana. Held at Prem Prakash Mandal Mandir, Epping, the event was attended by Mr. Girish Singh Kavia, Consul from the Indian Embassy in Melbourne and 70 people, mostly Rajathanis. Again the Satsang was in Hindi. 

 

We are all in this room together and we are all one. We are all thinking differently, one person is thinking this way, another person is thinking something else and another something different again. Then we all come together like this in Satsang and its good. Yet after that we have to come even further. We are all coming to be the Guru, to have that understanding of Oneness.

 

 

 

 

Sunday morning 11 September 2022

A yoga workshop in a community hall in North Balwyn. 

Swami Madhuram began the workshop with Yoga Nidra and his divine playing of the flute. Followed by Bari Khatu Pranam.

 

Vishwaguruji started with a talk. 

He said in the same way that wood always floats in the water, our regular yoga practice is what enables us to float through this life. 

 

Then Vishwaguruji guided us through pranayama and meditation practices. While very little was said, in the peace of the Sunday morning the inner guidance was palpable.

 

 

 

 

  

 

Sunday evening 11 September 2022

Satsang in a community hall in North Balwyn.

A cosy group of about 25 spiritual seekers gathered to hear and imbibe deep wisdom. You know how it is in these small gatherings, first Vishwaguruji relaxed us with some jokes, then spoke on the value of Satsang. As he continued on various topics it was as if he was answering the questions that were in the hearts of the people in front of him. I heard from some people later this was the case for them. Here is one story …

 

This is a true story. A young couple got married. In Europe there is a tradition that when you go to someones home you give them the gift of bread and salt. So after they were married and people gave them bread and salt, the husband cut the bread and thoughtfully gave the soft middle part to his wife in the belief that it was the nice section and she would like it. He took the hard crust end for himself. Little did he know that she would have liked the hard crust, but to keep the ‘peace’ she said nothing. Instead, because of this, tension developed between them and they became emotionally distant with each other. They acted politely together but inside there was tension and distance. 

 

At their 50 year wedding anniversary they were celebrating at a nice restaurant. 

 

The wife says, “So, today marks fifty years since the day we were married?”

“How could I forget that?” the husband replied.

They sat and yet did not start eating. After hesitating for a while, the wife finally said:

“Today I have one special wish. For fifty years I have not dared to tell you, but now I must say it out loud, because I want us to spend the rest of our years together in harmony.”

“Just tell me what that it, please. I will do everything in my power,” the husband said.

“Today, I want...” the wife dropped her eyes, and then went on bravely. “Look, every morning when we have had breakfast, you always took the crust of the bread, and I have always really wished that just once you would leave it for me. Today I would like for you to fulfill this wish of mine...”

“And all these years I always wanted you to be kind enough toward me to give me the soft part of the bread, and you always gave me the crusty part...” answered the husband.

They had a good laugh about this, and all the tension which had lasted for all those years between them melted completely away.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” asked the husband sadly. “We wouldn’t have wasted fifty years.”

 

Reflecting on this story, it is not just about married life but all relationships that we have! 

• While our intention maybe kind, we can never really know what someone else wants, what they are thinking, their perspective and point of view.
• We never know someones story, so treat everyone with respect and kindness.
• Communication is also about active listening.
• Relationships need a safe psychological space for people to feel ok to say what they think and want and for the listener to hear without becoming defensive.
• At the same time, for all this to happen we must establish understanding and harmony within ourselves!
• Relationships are an ongoing dynamics of giving and receiving. 

 

 

Summary

In such programs we receive on multiple levels giving us with much to reflect on and how to integrate it into our daily life. Just like returning back to ordinary life after a retreat, the hard bit is to not just automatically slot back in the regular routine and habits, but to take at least a little something from that time, integrate it and keep growing.

 

These programs come together because of the help of a team! Here are some behind the scenes photos :)