A banking dozen recieve a sermon at valapady

              We have heard of  fish markets,fruit markets and flower markets, but who would coin a term as a money market,that is what a bank is during a working week day.

The tensed customer and the agitated tellers are anxious to get the money in or out.

Such a State Bank of India valapady branch had accepted to have SWAMI ATMA for the  evening after the banking timings.

The manager was kind to make the available space, with arranging the furniture to suit the occassion.

Swami let the bankers talk from the heart about their difficulties in the bank, and how they cope with the stress, of the crowd and the seriousness of money matters and the rules of the bank.

Swami reasoned with them, and shared ways of overcoming the difficulties with methods of yoga and meditation.

He invited them to take part in the uppanisha programmes for the welfare of themselves, and the bank in general.

            

A walk of consciousness at Belur

The Guru Poornima was on the 3 rd of July, and a small number of us had collected at Belur near Valapady for the trek around the hillock and temple,on this auspicious occasion.

It is supposed to be a  bare walk programme, but freedom was given for those who could not ,to wear foot wear.

Atmaguru flagged off the walk, with a short speech by one of the disciples,explaining to the gathering the significance of the day and the ritual of walking around the hillock.

 By now the numbers started to swell, and the 14 kms walk  started off with  simple steps.

Many of the local citizens watched the marchers with amazement, not knowing where they were going and for what and why.

It was an awareness creating scene, and the walkers kept to the tempo of the moves, silently.

The first 3 kms was on the main Valapady Belur  road , and then a cut across towards the ashram site .

A benevolent person had made arrangements for some refreshments of tamarind rice , packed water for the tireless  walkers.

There was a stop over at the ashram site , for a break, and it continued , making a right turn at the foot of the Godhu malai, to later join the main Belur  Salem road.

Many of the local folks have gotten to see us for the past two full moons, and have started to feel left out for a walk across their fields and garden.

In all honesty  the walkers felt more alive and refreshed after the walk.

May what ever it is that is supposed to happen at such times , reach us all, and we be receptive to its occurrence.