Every year, on Guru Poornima there is a frenzy of celebrations.

But have we ever acknowledged the people who have taught us the greatest lessons of life?

I make a humble attempt to express my deepest gratitude to those who have guided and shaped me.

Let me begin by mentioning my parents, especially mother, who selflessly lived for our wellbeing. I remember her — graceful and elegant, always adjusting, sacrificing and living for us four siblings. Never did she say anything negative about those who had pained or wronged her…. Her hard work, dedication and love for perfection always inspire, even though she is not with us in her physical form.

My father, strong, loving, an upright policeman, a patriot and most of all a good human-being….hope that one day I can do them both proud.

My siblings, whom I love dearly…. such incredible human beings! Nisha didi, Anshu didi and Bhuvan…truly, life would be miserable without them. I see a bit of Mummy in all of them every Sunday, during our weekly Skype, nudging me lovingly and at other times admonishing me, just like her.

My Uncle Yogendra Kalia, who sowed the seeds of love for our culture and Sci-Fi, through countless books and stories, he so lovingly regaled and continues to do so. And let me not forget his healing with Homeopathy!

My maternal grandparents, who were the most caring. Nani’s love for Nature and Nana’s organisational skills were beyond belief! Somethings that continue to inspire me.

Teaching how to live life fully, is my loving Uncle Anup. He resembles my mother in many ways and each time I look at him, I see a bit of her.

My many teachers – especially, Mrs. Brar, who very thoughtfully cared for me in class at the age of 8, when I, in the pain of losing my beloved father would stare at the lone calendar hanging in our classroom because it had the image of Harmandir Sahib, the house of God, as I was told — where everyone went after they died. Somehow my childish brain searched for him there.

Our school principal Sister Vincent, who took me in without charge as I had two elder siblings studying in the same school. Those were tough times.

Sister Denise, who loved me so unconditionally. Parminder Ma’am, who taught me my first meditation just before her hugely graphic history lessons. Unique and special that she is, her daily Facebook posts continue to inspire.

NIFT was full of mentors too, but Mrs. Asha Baxi I remember clearly for what she said at the time of our orientation, and I quote – ‘most people think that they have arrived when they enter NIFT, but actually your journey has just begun.’ Powerful words that stuck with me throughout!

Then there was Hibino San who was the first person I ever worked for. Her Japanese style and impeccably organised bag were a treat! As I sat in the luxury car that came to fetch me, a part of me promised myself to one day own a chauffeur driven car too. Simple aspirations of youth!

And finally of all the people I worked for, there is my incredibly creative loving ex-Boss — Rohit Bal, who taught me so much about the design world and Delhi society!

My mentor Meena ji always says that the ones who give us maximum pain are our greatest Gurus, because they teach us the biggest lessons of life. There are many in this category….some have made me feel like hating myself, some pained me beyond my understanding and some made me feel used and abused, yet I respect them ….because they have taught me and are teaching me things that I could not learn otherwise! The lessons of the University of life.

And through this all, I cannot forget a few great souls….as a child I read Gandhiji’s ‘My Experiments with Truth,’ and till today there are certain episodes that guide me, first being that he always tried to speak the truth no matter how difficult it was.

Shri Krishna, whose life was revealed to me through Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Krishnavtar series and I realised that he was as ordinary as I, but just far more courageous….and the seed was sown. I tried to emulate him in my life on many occasions and still do, except now I have him manifested and alive in front of me…in my sakha, cosmic mother, best friend, greatest teacher and partner in crime (yes! In umpteen naughty things, that only she and I know)!!!  — Meena Om.

Let me share an anecdote – years ago when I had barely met her, we were asked to fill in a form during one of her healing sessions. The form asked – ‘why do you want to do this course?’ Since by then, just in a few meetings and experiences with Meena ji, I had realised that she was evolved beyond this worldly realm, I simply wrote – ‘To be Meena!’ It seemed to encapsulate all that I ever wanted to be, and this still holds true. Still in awe of her, I try to catch up to her level of love, honesty, hard-work, perfection, humanity, knowledge, duty, grace and wisdom. Dear Meena ji, nothing compares to you…. And here I quote from one of her beautiful poems that I am reminded of –

I may not….

I may not be a writer to write bestsellers

I may not be recorded again and again

I may not be in the rat race to win the Nobel Prize

I may not be head of any organisation

I may not be a celebrity star

I may not be an industrialist

I may not be successful in worldly language

May be the Supreme Consciousness which is my guiding force does not want me to spend that purest energy in these perishable gains. My supreme intelligence wants me to be in purest human form, real human form to tell human on this Earth that a human in its purest form, essence only can lead to constant natural growth which is bliss in itself. We are not to reject or renounce this material and worldly world but to reject ignorance, inconscience and hypocrisy – falsehood – which fills our lives when we are not in CONNECTION

 WITH

OUR TRUE BEING

CREATING CONNECTION, THEN FINALLY MERGING WITH SUPREME CONSCIOUSNESS – OUR TRUE BEING, IS THE PURPOSE OF HUMAN LIFE.

THAT IS THE TRUTH OF YOG.

This is the truth.

To my soul-light, Meena ji, you are all of the above….a prolific writer who captures consciousness like the seer scientists of yore, a genius who uses more of her brain than any other known human (open invite to any scientist who wants to test), an essential link in the chain of human evolution who is adding to the Geeta as per time requirement, a Super Star of the Universe, not an industrialist but an ‘Industrious’ and very successful TRUE human.

My being is filled with humility and gratitude, to witness you shine, as a Sun – that will not only illumine the sky, but the whole Universe for ages to come. This is not only my faith, but my firm conviction.

Naman and Pranam to you on this auspicious day of Guru Poornima.