Staying with Arun Dada at Banyan Grove was like living in a Gurukul. When I shared my experiences with a few friends, they asked me to document it in writing, so here are some highlights.



It is an experience, just to witness and soak in a demeanor that is so humble, kind and joyous. Arun Dada's presence was so healing and strengthening, and it continued to show itself in the smallest gestures.

Whenever any of us went out, be it 5 in the morning or 2 in the afternoon or late evening, he is always there at the door to say bye and open the gate for the car. And always affectionately there to greet us when we are back.

If anyone is out, Arun Dada will always lovingly and gently inquire about their meals time of return etc. -- caring but not attached with expectations.



When we are in the kitchen, he will quietly do his bit to lay out the table and cleaning vessels. If you stop him, he will say, "We shouldn't delegate work to an elder, but if an elder offers service, we should also never stop them."

Once, in the car, he was singing in the back seat. When I told him, "Dada, we can't hear your song," he gently replied, "I am not singing for you. I am just singing." To be singing by oneself, not for any ones approval or even response, was an example of sheer joy of the doing!

Whenever we would ask him questions, his answers were always decisive with no hesistancy. His clarity of thought was a learning in and of itself.

Some nuggets from his sharings ...

"Do not attempt to overcome your fears. It’s more important that you become the kind of person who nobody fears."

"Do not resist anything and anyone. Just assist."

"When you are growing a tree, all your efforts -- planting seeds, watering, adding fertilizer, and so on -- are only 25%. Rest 75% is nature's gift."

"An NGO employee said to Vinoba, 'I am okay with fundraising but I feel reluctant when taking a personal salary from that contribution.' Vinobaji replied, 'Don't feel reluctant at all because your commitment and honesty is a result of your care for other people's salaries.'"



"When I was very young, a photographer showed me two black and white pictures of Vinobaji. I had to select one and return the other. I kept looking at both the pictures and liked both equally, and secretly, I was hoping that the photographer forgets to ask me to return one picture. Sure enough, he forgot. But I felt so much remorse for being so greedy, that I returned both the photos saying, 'I'm far too petty mindness to deserve any one of these photos!'"

Arun Dada said that was the last time he remembers being so petty, even in his thoughts. His sensitivity and mindfulness to observe himself is so constant!

"Vinobaji was once asked, 'How do I keep track of the good I'm doing?' He replied, 'Service is actions divided by ego. 100 good deeds with 10 ego yields 10 units of service. Same deeds with half the ego, yield double the good. If you do just one act, with zero ego, you get to infinite good."



And with all these lessons, add his beautiful and meaningful songs, kind eyes and smiling face -- and the lessons deeply seep into your consciousness with effortless ease.



When I look at a mobius strip, I see infinity of the inner transformation process. On that infinite path, I feel so grateful and blessed to have had this soulful experience with Arun Dada. Bows to all who made it possible for me.