The Pune retreat felt like i found a 'family'. Now, being someone who typically shies away from large groups or verbal sharing in such a midst, i have to say, this felt different. And i attribute this squarely upon the summational intensity of all the love from the positive souls and energies that congregated at the Urban Ashram. About sharing, it's not that i am cynical of it, or that i don't perceive its intrinsic value. I simply never engaged in talking about something that can be done. I suppose, i dream of a world where acting would obviate the need for speaking; a world where my perception of someone's need is not based on visible markers or material indicators, a world where giving and receiving is in such a healthy, harmonious abundance it is not spoken of, because it is a normal regimen of living and breathing. I chatted about this with Nipun over breakfast one day, referring to Ramana's [Maharishi] way, the succinctness of whose teachings i find to be the shortest path to realization. Nipun then said, "Yes, Ramana can be super direct. He can point us straight to the destination. But all of us do need these paths and explanations, too." Those words reiterated within me an important realization: it's not enough to practice acts of love however exalting and well-meaning they may be. It's important to participate wholeheartedly in the actions that sustain it. These little actions may seem superfluous or time-consuming but the energies and time are well spent for they prop up the nexus of love and mass-scale inner transformation. All of this, for some reason, brought my attention to the significance of the little actions, like, the kind gestures, the undertones of spoken words, a loving touch, a graceful nod and such. To put this idea across in metaphorical form, i'd say, "Sure the words make the difference but the tone of voice is how it does that." And it's in this regard that the retreat held much for me, and i'll share a couple instances of these seemingly 'tiny' deeds. Of the several gifts that we all received, one was a little sachet of chocolate balls. And with it was a handwritten note that listed out the ingredients. To me, this note was sweeter than the chocolate itself. You see, someone thought it necessary to include it, observing that it might be important for the recipient to know. And for me -- a vegan -- it WAS important. And what's more, the chocolate was indeed vegan! On the final day, we all received the 'Small is beautiful' envelope with Alissa's gift. As if the generosity of this gift wasn't humbling enough, there was a little 'heart symbol' hand drawn on the INSIDE of the envelope. Such a sweet touch! Again, someone thought, this tiny reminder of love had its place at that point of opening the envelope so it sets the tone for us to graciously receive its contents. There's more of course but i'll let this insightful quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe sum it up - "Character, in great and little things, means carrying through what you feel able to do."