The day before yesterday our dear Sonia Gandhi, a loving member of our Mohanji global family and a fellow Acharya, left this plane due to cancer. This made me think that we really don't have much time ahead of us. Clock is ticking. What do we want from life? We should do something about our dreams, goals and duties right now.
Another thought appeared to me today. A person with hospitality and aviation management background had met Mohanji recently and was added to one of Mohanji groups on WhatsApp, in which there are core team leaders and close contacts. One of our Mohanji global family members welcomed him and said something which made me think deeper. He said,
“You may be knowing how vibrant the whole Mohanji Family is and that's the beauty of such a group. We have individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, professions and I bet you will have fun working with such energetic members. Jai Mohanji”
When I read this text message, it made me remember all the people that Mohanji global family consists of. I recalled all the precious moments I shared with many, hence I decided to dedicate today's blog to them. What is Mohanji family? How are we connected? How do we treat each other?
How best to describe Mohanji Family but through personal experiences...
Before starting to describe one by one from my experiences, I will first share a few points, briefly answering the questions above. Mohanji family consists of people from all around the world, of different ages, genders, professional backgrounds, nationality, religion. Love for Mohanji unites us. Some people look at Mohanji as a guide, some as a friend, as a father, a mother, a sibling, it doesn't matter, and Mohanji never objects too. In whichever way people connect to Him, He just accepts everything and everybody. How do we treat each other in Mohanji family? Well, my experiences will speak for themselves, but very shortly - as a true, unconditional family.
Experience 1 - Living together
Some people such as the core members of Mohanji Family got the golden opportunity to experience Mohanji in close quarters, seeing how He lives and I'd say that's the best way Mohanji ever taught us about life. As much as I love what He writes or talks about, for me, nothing can be measured to the time spent with Him.
One time, a few of us lived together for a few weeks in Belgrade, Serbia. We were staying in a house and our time together was just beautiful. Prior to that we had already been connected to Mohanji for some time, so our days were shaped with clarity, diligence and neatness more than it would usually be the case. We would work together, talk, share, inspire, eat together, do our spiritual practices and so on. Togetherness inspired us so much. Despite that we knew each other for a small period of time, our connections were so deep, and today, after many years, they are just the same. Same naturalness among each other, but at the same time - respect. When we spent time with Mohanji closely He would always radiate with respect, respecting whoever comes to Him, even that small number of individuals who abused Him, and somehow this habit got engraved in our blood too. We spontaneously picked His manners and that's how beautiful connections with zero hatred live to this day. As I initially shared, I speak from my experience.
We have our downs, but nothing bitter ever stays permanently. If, for example, we talk about work, and somebody is wrong about something, we openly share ideas and we grow together. Any small misunderstanding that I might have had with Mohanji Family members is so tiny compared to the large purpose we are united for. Our focus on the higher purpose that Mohanji always empowered us to have, melts any ice among the hearts that yearn for unity. Whenever we didn't let our minds control us, the challenges only brought us closer together.
Those couple of weeks were so precious, and I remember them with love. Good memories really make our life taste good.
Experience 2 - Warm welcome to India
My first trip to India was special too. Despite many people thinking that my decision to go was wrong, I had crystal clear clarity why I was going, and I received many blessings along the way. From the moment I landed till the moment I departed I was endlessly respected and taken care of, by all Mohanji Family members (from India and those who travelled from abroad), and even by Mohanji Himself when He was around.
For example, when we were in Mumbai, we stayed at the house of Preethi (global Early Birds Club and Kriya coordinator) and Madhusudan (the CEO of Mohanji Foundation). From the moment I stepped into their home I was treated no less than as a family member. I had all the freedom to choose my bedroom, open the fridge and eat whenever I wanted, ask for coffee and tea whenever I wanted, laugh, cry, and I was never asked a single question - where did I come from, how long would I stay, what is my age, what is my background, how much money did I have or what education I had. I got so much from those trips and nobody ever asked anything in return, I was fully accepted. That is the true gold of this family - you can come anytime, go anytime, and you will be accepted and respected.
When Mohanji treats somebody as family, just like I was treated, the rest accept them equally, and that's how we got this far in the number of hearts being touched every year. What unites us is love, having each other's back, unconditionally supporting each other, no hatred, no judgements. It's needless to say that Mohanji energetically reduces the number of obstacles as much as possible.
Another thing is that Mohanji has always taught us to have one person to pay when we are in a restaurant or paying for a taxi. Mohanji never liked when we pay separately, He'd say that we are a family and that there should be only one to pay on behalf of all. Later, if somebody is scarce of money, we may contribute for our part or meal. When we are physically with Mohanji, I don't remember a single time when He didn't instruct His personal Office Team to pay for all, and He would often refuse any discussion on that. He strongly wants to create a culture of unity, and He is also conveying that we can be more relaxed about life, and focus on important things. He always taught us that all we need will come to us, and even though we should give our best, we shouldn't worry, because He indeed takes care of us, especially when our focus of life is selfless.
Even though it has happened that Mohanji Family has even accepted poor people without any payments for our programs, and always accommodates and takes care of people who are totally dedicated, one of our family members had shared before that when she was scarce of money, in His invisible ways, Mohanji made sure she received income from unimaginable sources. Clients would call out of nowhere, and she would be able to earn. So, Mohanji takes care of both these sides - actually accommodating people and energetically bringing opportunities to be independent. Nobody who is really sincere and dedicated was left alone, and that’s another manner Mohanji spontaneously 'transferred' to us during our time with Him.
He often says, “Those who don’t like us are not our responsibility, but those who really love us, we should never let go of their hands. It’s like when somebody lives in your house, you have to feed them. So if somebody is under my roof, I definitely take care of them, and unless they decide to leave the house, I will not leave them. Because you become my responsibility.”
For me, I haven’t had a regular job in years, but with techniques like Mai-Tri I always managed to earn for myself.
Mohanji is like an ocean of opportunities, you just need to dare to jump into it, and you will find treasure. Tests will come, doubts will creep in, but if your conviction is strong, if you understand that treasure may be hidden even in mud just to test you, shake your faith and clarity, you’ll succeed in getting that treasure. In getting to know who Mohanji really is. That’s when the ocean opens up for you to pick any opportunity you like.
The part about tests is definitely not easy, and that’s why many call the path of liberation as the path of fire. Masters who have lived time and again to take people to liberation of mind always offer that opportunity, but we have to be ready to walk on fire and thorns to have it.
Experience 3 - Fairytales are real
The last but not the least, an experience that speaks wonders. Very briefly, when I was at the very lowest, dealing with severe anxiety and almost depression towards the end of my second trip to India, I received unimaginable help from more than a few Mohanji Family members. Two of them were doctors, one was their daughter, one was their sister, and two were young ladies. Some supported me remotely too. Everybody had their lives going on simultaneously but they were there for me when I needed them the most. They had to bear with my problems, yet they never gave up on me. One of those people, my friend, said to me once that it was a blessing that I lived with her and her family for those couple of weeks. Blessing? For her? Simply unimaginable. During that time, I didn’t miss a thing. Bitter challenges taste sweet to me today, because the love I received back then cannot be put in words.
One time, a few of us including one Mohanji Family member who is highly respected in his company, sat with Mohanji for lunch, laughed and shared wonderful moments. As always, it's always precious to be around Mohanji. I will address this particular person as Haan, as I don't want to disclose the real identity. Mohanji then said to us, “Do you know how much Haan is respected in his circle? People wait for months to have a meeting with him, and we freely sit here with him.” It's funny that Mohanji says that, because to me, His time and presence are the most valuable, yet I understood His point. He said and looked at me, “Do you understand? Mina you, for example, you spent a lot of time with a lot of people - did anyone from Mohanji family ask about your status or discriminate you in any way based on age, gender, status? Did anyone ever ask you if you had a degree?” I said no, because in absolute sense, it is really not important.
Mohanji continued, “That's the point. That’s the culture I want to create. Not that you never ask - that’s not the point, but the point is, you feel accepted. If somebody wants to share, it’s okay. That's how you people should also behave. Never discriminate. Just accept everybody. Don't be a doormat for sure, but if somebody is really sincere, accept them. Anybody who comes to us is sent to us, we shouldn't reject anybody or make anybody feel unloved.”
There are many more stories that I can and will share when the time comes, but to conclude, I must say I learnt a lot through all the experiences with M family. Above all, it gave me a different dimension - even if we are not blood-related, we can be heart-related. Hearts can unite if conviction is strong, only if we delete overwhelming expectations, and give priority to relationships rather than ego.
Mohanji spoke about relationships in Empowered 2.0. He said even if some relationships are difficult, but the root is sincere love, don't leave them, because it is so difficult to find those. Don't come with all your garbage and put it in front and speak. Come garbage-free and then speak. Just be natural with people. Social capital is so important these days. If we lose precious relationships, it's likely that they won't come back in a long time, or it may perhaps take lifetimes, not only this life.
For the end of this blog, I send lots of love to all. I again offer my sincere condolences to Sonia Gandhi's family, who was one of the inspirations of this blog. I love you so much Sonia, rest in peace, my dear.
Best wishes to all.
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