My Experience at the AOL ashram!!!

I reached the AOL ashram on 3rd morning around 9.30 am.My dear friend came along with me and waited until I had registered and my room was allotted.Once the formalities were completed I said bye to my friend.With the enthusiasm and joy of a kid I was ready for my exciting journey.

They say the word ashram means dropping off all your fatigue and tiredness,and it is so very true I felt.It was indeed very relaxing and refreshing to the mind and body,though I had just entered there.Isn't that wonderful???

I waited for my turn for the buggie(they have a battery operated vehicle to pick up and drop people to and from the VM(Vishalkshi Mandap),and once my turn came,loaded my baggage and sat with four others all going to the same block.The block where I was given room was 'Aparna'.The buggie dropped us there, and after thanking the person who did the seva of dropping us,tugging my suitcase along I went inside the gate and was shown way to my room by the staff at thehelp desk.They had given me a very beautiful and lovely place in the ground floor,close to the ashram, the dining area etc.The room was very neat and was really bright and lovely.Since I was the first to check-in in this room I had the option of choosing a bed for myself.I quickly settled down and after a quick survey of the surroundings and the view outside,came and lay quietly on my bed,thinking about the days I am to spend here.I dozed off and was in deep sleep when I was woken by a knock on the door.The second person sharing the room came in and after a brief introduction,it was indeed quite surprising and interesting to find that she was from Pune,and was a prof in one of the prestigious medical colleges in Pune.This introduction was enough to break the ice and we found ourselves having so much in common to jabber away.By that evening felt we knew each other for a long time.That evening we went to the Vislakshi mandap and attended the evening satsangh which was simply wonderful. In the centre of the stage there is a huge picture of Guruji placed on an asan,which is very beautiful and full of Grace,&Love. From the entrance backstage,when we enter the hall, we have Guruji's mother Vishalakshi ma's huge picture which is again very very beautiful.Though I carried my camera along,first couple of days I did not take any pictures,thinking it is not allowed, but I found every one clicking pictures and finally by the third day only drew courage and started taking pictures.No doubts plenty of it all is stored in my memory chip which I am sure will not fade soon enough.I hope and pray it remains with me always though.
After the power packed satsangh we were given a talk on our AMC (Advanced Meditation Course)and the do's and dont's and a lot of other interesting information on what all we should go around see around while at the ashram.The first day at the ashram ended by 10.30 pm and we went back to our rooms to find the others had moved in too.So we were now one complete family there,all ready and eagerly looking forward to next day, when our course would actually start.There was one old lady there, one of the participants mother actually, and I truly do admire her for her enthusiasm at that age to come all the way from Calcutta and participate in AMC.Isn't that wonderful.This reassures the fact that age is actually in the mind only.If we have the enthusiasm age is not a barrier for sure.She reminded me of my dear mother so much.
Made a couple of phone calls to family because we will be in silence soon.Thus ended the first day stay at the ashram,and we said good night to one another and went off to sleep,because the day begins early from 4th as early as 4am.
Jai Guru Dev!!!!
More en route........................