Ever since the last post (continued)

So...soon after returning from Winter Break, we channelized all the energy we gained from the Advance course to make Bhakti a success.

BOOKING THE HALL :

We wanted to hire a hall but there was no way we could get it. We had to book the hall we did not want to book. We were choice less you see. I got to know later that the hall we booked was the first place Guruji addressed an audience in Rajkot years ago.

I'd also add, now that I more than like the place, that it belongs to the British era. This was the place where Britishers held political assemblies for Gujarat and Maharashtra. It is surrounded by fountains, lawns and gardens.

Life  revolved just around Bhakti.

THE BAND ARRIVES :

We finished 90% of the preparations days in advance. Each and every volunteer was eagerly awaiting for all the Band members they had hyped so much. We then found that some of the band members were missing. After a lot of pleading, last minute ticket booking, everybody did make it. Phew! what a relief!

OUR DEAREST TEACHERS, BAWA AND DINESH BHAIYA, WE MISSED YOU:

I did everything falling within sanity and insanity to get our teachers Bau and Dinesh bhaiya here. Did not work out. : (

RASHMIN BHAIYA WITH THE TRADEMARK CONTAGIOUS LAUGHTER DID COME! :

We are sooo... much thankful to Rashmin bhaiya for coming to Rajkot . We had a lot of fun organising press conference and radio interview for you bhaiya. : )

RESULT :

Everything fell into place like little little miracles happening every now and then. Grace was working overtime. Responsibilities were divided amongst volunteers and everybody did it wonderfully.

The Band

Rashminbhaiya telling a story

Sweta telling a story

Rajkot Bhakti was Grand!!! (once in a while it is good to massage one's ego : ))) )

BEING PART OF THE BAND :

We (me and Sweta) were asked to share stories on Bhakti. Believe me, my 1st response was that I'd faint. Taking a course is fine; I'm comfortable. But Bhakti! No!

I was told that it was OK if I fainted ( it would be more dramatic then!) but we should be sharing stories.

Like fairy made Cindrella into a beauty, Bawa turned us, the organizers into Story tellers.

Rashmin bhaiya, Sweta and me were the story tellers. It all feels like a dream today that we told stories not only in Rajkot but also in Ahmedabad and Baroda. I just loved it.

Right through all the three Bhaktis ie Ahmedabad, Baroda and Rajkot, we had a really really great time with Rashmin bhaiya full of learning, laughter, some wishes coming true(this one from me), some frantic calls, back stage excitement and much much more.

Must say, all the members in the band, each of them is superb! They all stole people's hearts. Feedbacks like, it was the best concert they ever attended, the experience of meditation during Bhakti being equivalent to an Advance course, etc etc still keep pouring in. Wow!!!

The cherry on the top was Guruji's visit to Gujarat at the same time. Yaa! We met Him! Thanks to an all knowing Guru to make me realize many abilities I never knew  I had or maybe HE gifting them to me. Organizing Bhakti was a very big learning experience for us.

Lastly, hats off to our parents for patiently tolerating our and the YES!+ team's craziness, our odd working hours and our weird working styles. : )

PS : This period also saw the 1st YES!+ DSN in Ahmedabad and YES!++ in Vasad Ashram and Chintan Shibir (where there was an Art of Living course for the bureaucrats of Gujarat).

We also got to spend some quality time with Dinesh bhaiya in Ahmedabad since he was there for the Chintan Shibir! Does all this make you fell jealous?!! My job is done then! : )

Luv,

Krishna.