Just another ‘Family Counseling Meeting’ ... with a difference this time.

Till now all our family counseling meetings have been mainly about residents in treatment, problems which family members face and finally about the treatment process which we follow at SHAFA. However, on this Saturday, we thought that every time we talk about various associated problems, so this time let us concentrate and have focus on our own selves, do a little self-introspection and hence get closer to our master, to our high power.

Reciting of 'Gurbani' was the ultimate way of achieving this. Gurbani is a sort of celestial melody used for offering prayers by the Sikh Gurus. These Shabad's combine the beauty and significance of inspirational poetry with melodic excellence. They produce a feeling of the super conscious and link human consciousness with the supreme reality. Guru Ramdas calls it Anahad nad - heavenly strains containing unending nectar.  Bhai Surinder Singh Matharoo was invited to organize 'Shabad Kirtan' on this occasion. 

Even if one does not know ‘Gurbani’, but by simply following the recital of it, the sounds  feel so mesmerising and sends a strange echo to our heart that one keeps on reciting it even for the whole day. We did see the tears in people’s eyes, we did see them totally in a different space, as they were engrossed in singing ‘Gurbani’. All family members old and new residents and volunteers had a gripping experience. Finally, the program had to be stopped against every ones wishes. Our residents served everyone with Prasad, Pakora and Tea. Every one seemed to have enjoyed the evening. 

MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL!!

Today as I woke up early in the morning, my feet felt the floor, I was feeling alone, I was feeling the pain of my past and the feeling that I have to carve out my future alone. The raffling sound of flowing winds compelled me to see out of window, I was awed to see the clouds in the shape of huge balloons; the rainbow in different colored ribbons; the chirping sound made by the birds, my favorite koel singing some tune; flowing winds moving the clouds across the blue sky, and the trees dancing to the birds tune. Seeing the work and wonders of our mother nature, tears came to my eyes. I could clearly see my own mother in between those clouds with open arms, ready to hug me, ready to hold me when I felt lonely, ready to offer me her security, warmth and solace, when I need it the most. “I love you my dear mother”, you have built an ocean of love in my heart. I thank you and thank God, for sending you to be there in my life for me.

At my New Home, “SHAFA HOME”, we had a full week of celebrations on the occasion of  “Mothers Day”. All my brothers wrote quotes, made greeting cards and designed small bouquets to share their feelings for their dear mother. One of the resident expressed how he always used to react badly with his family due to addiction and how his behavior never allowed him to express his love for his mother and understand his mother’s love for him. Today was a turning point in his life too, he stated that how today he was able to understand the importance of relationships.

The idea seemed to have got across, to realize the importance of parents in our lives, to leave our ego and anger behind and to move forward in our lives with love and gratitude for our nears and loved ones.

“Bhajan Sandhya” ... An evening with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s philosophy of peace is that “unless we have a stress-free mind and a violence-free society, we cannot achieve world peace.” To help individuals get rid of stress and experience inner peace, Art of Living offers stress-elimination programs which include breathing techniques, meditation and yoga.

Representatives from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar organization, “Art of Living” conducted “Bhajan Sandhya” at Shafa Home, Delhi Project site. This spiritual musical event was attended by our residents volunteers their families and staff members.

During addiction, the residents never used to socialize with their families or become a part of such events. For them, they and their “drug of choice” used to be their power, their higher power,  their God. This was our way to make them realize the truth and an effort to make them mend their relations and socialize with the other world.

The whole atmosphere was filled with joy and spirituality. Residents may not have understood the lyrics or may not have followed the tune, but most importantly they were participating and singing freely.

As they say the entire universe is made up of ‘rhythms’, when we participate or sing in a satsang, the ‘rhythms’ help us to reach our inner self. One can experience a peaceful, calm and blissful state of mind.