Max in Bangalore

Max is indeed back in India, so it is time to resume the blog with the new adventures that are bound to happen in the next few months! For the sake of the time lost, let’s recap the last 8 months. Lots of school work (especially physics!), where I just graduated from Software Engineering last week. There has been some Seva organizing courses in Montreal, and of course spent a lot of time with Guruji who blessed us with 2 visits in Montreal and with Guru Purnima in Hartford.

At Guruji's feet during Teachers Refresher Meeting in Hartford

I could write a whole post on Guru Purnima, but it was a wonderful experience. I got to see all the friends I have made over the last 4 years (already!) in the Art of Living. We had great time and other than partying, I was blessed with learning the Guru Puja from Bhanu Didi herself! Guru Puja is a hymn that we chant to honor the lineage of Gurus that have come to spread the knowledge, and chanting the Puja brings good vibrations in the environment and calms the mind. I can’t think of any better way to celebrate the 4 years in Art of Living than by doing Guru Puja during Guru Purnima!

Morning power-walks with Swamiji!

For these past 8 months, I have been 10 000 kilometers away from my dear fiancé! Although we are both very thankful to have met in modern times (big thanks to video chat on Skype and cheap calling cards, without both my bank account would be empty now!), it is nice to be back together now that I have graduated! Fun time ahead with the wedding in Bangalore ashram schedule for November 8^th (everyone should mark their calendar and if abroad, schedule holidays and book flights now!).

Guruji meeting all the course participants on Guru Purnima day

Before I left, I realized just how much people love me! I had parties with both Art of Living family and my family. For Art of Living party, we had “Dine with Max” and “Bowl with Max”, except Max was an hour late thanks to some problems with finding a “parking spot” for the Bixis (bikes) Simon and I rented! Bowling was hilarious, and believe it or not I won the first game with lots of spares and zero strikes! In Blainville where my parents live, they have invited not only my grandparents as I expected but also all my cousins and uncles and aunts from both side of the family! We enjoyed eating corn outside and finished with some lovely sweets. My sister, mom and dad had prepared a beautiful presentation of my life story and what was to come (trip to India and wedding!). My mom (who has not done the course yet) even presented the Art of Living saying that it is people who are smiling! :)

Before the flight to India, at Montreal airport

I am now in Bangalore, India and I have a great time so far. Life is good in ashram; it is great to be back “home”! I was a little confused with the jet lag in the beginning, but now I just completed a Know Your Child TTC which is very insightful for parents to get to know more deeply the behavior of their children. I am starting today some Seva with the webteam which is in charge of the International websites of the Foundation.

I will upload soon the pictures on Picasa! Keep reading, more stories ahead now that I am back in India! Never a dull moment, I promise!