Gurudev In Vasad Ashram, Gujarat on 10th November 23
Feel that you are always new (नित नूतन), The mind is new, body is new, everything is new. Because true happiness (आनंद) is in feeling new.
Also remember that we are पुरातन (Ancient) as well. We are here from 5000 to 10000 years. This is Sanatan. Live life in a way that real positivity and goodness spreads, light spreads. Spreads through you everywhere.
And do watch the World Culture Festival Washington DC 2023. 10,000 Gujaratis Performed Garba in Washington DC. Everyone should watch this unprecedented event and send it to your friends and tell them to watch as well.
See so amazingly this tradition of lighting lamps and bursting crackers etc. Have you seen what happens when crackers are burst. Suddenly the mind becomes empty. So we distribute sweets and light lamps and that's how Diwali is celebrated. But when we light the lamp of knowledge within, then there is eternal joy, that is Diwali. And in Art Of Living Everyday is Diwali. Isn't it?
(Looking at the shiny shawl offered by Devotees) Whoever comes near me has to shine. There's no other option. If anyone has come close to me and yet not shining means they actually haven't really come close to me.
Today is Dhanwantari Jayanti - Day of Ayurveda. Dhanteras comes before Diwali, so we focus on health. In Tamil Nadu they give one Ayurveda tablet to all early morning after getting ready, that ensures that, then In Diwali whatever sweets namkeen etc we eat, everything gets digested nicely. Good idea we should promote that.
(Referring to the story of how God of Ayurveda Dhanwantari appeared from Samudra Manthan and then Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini to distribute amrut to Devtas and how Asuras got fascinated and the story goes on)
So in life many times we get caught up/attached to small little things. But if we remain centred in our self, then we get the amrit tattva right where we are sitting like the Devatas.
So today when you sleep, Remember I am New, always Fresh (नित नूतन), yet पुरातन (this consciousness has been there for thousands of years). When you look at stars think ‘I have been observing these same stars for many many centuries’. So sab प्रसन्न रहें (Be happy) और प्रसाद (Dinner) लेकर प्रस्थान करें