The Jayanti Tour Arrives in Argentina
Beginning with a brief history ….
Nora Battaglia,
known now as Shiva or Shiva Mai, was a 37 year old householder from
After staying
in the ashram for several months, Baba told Shiva to take Siddha Yoga
to
Wednesday, July 4
We were greeted
by our host, Federico Oliveri, as we arrived at the airport in
We slept that night, peaceful and fulfilled pilgrims, on the threshold of unforgettable experiences.
Thursday, July 5
We began the day, along with other pilgrims staying at the hotel, being transported by taxi to Federico and Vicky Oliveri’s home for the Guru Gita, breakfast, satsang and lunch. Their charming and newly renovated home was the setting for many of the Argentinean devotees first meeting with Gurudev. The atmosphere of love, sincerity and devotion created by those present was something we will always remember.
An informal satsang with Gurudev followed the chant. This was a lovely time to witness the long awaited meeting. The room was filled with a light and happy feeling and the fulfillment could be seen in the eyes of all present. I thought about the early days with Baba when we sat so close, so personal, so fulfilled in the moment being with the Guru. I would see this repeated so many times in the days to come in the company of these loving and genuine people.
After a light
lunch, we departed for the hotel and homes to prepare for the public program
that was scheduled for that evening. After a quick setup, the first public
program in
Friday, July 6
With an early
start, the devotees converged at the home of Susana Quaglia for Guru Gita
and breakfast. Situated in a lovely section in the suburbs of
Gurudev shared a few thoughts with us after listening to the words of Susana. He reminded us that crying is not always bad and that the scriptures tell us that tears can be a sign of love. He related a story of a sage that was meditating on a mountain top. His devotion was great and one pointed on the Lord. Tears ran down from his eyes as he continued to meditate. The birds seeing the tears, landed on his cheeks to drink the drops. They were drinking in tears of joy. Gurudev encouraged us to watch, like the lens of a camera, the ever changing presence of Muktananda in the faces of all those we meet, drinking in the joy of what Baba gives us.
After a wonderful
day at Om Narayana, Susana’s home, we returned to The Bauen Suite Hotel
for a
Gurudev spoke
affectionately about the love and devotion that was given so naturally
by the people of
After the
conclusion of a long day and the second public program, we took down the
decorations and returned to our rooms. We quickly packed for an early
morning drive into the country to the the coastal City of
Saturday to Tuesday, July 7, 8, 9, 10
We arrived in the hamlet of Sierra de los Padres in the early afternoon to a reception and lunch at the home of Jai and Ram. A large white tent adjacent to their home served as the satsang hall. An evening of satsang and a wonderful dinner sent us all to our small nearby cottages for a good night’s rest. The next morning we traveled by van to the retreat site at Villa Marista. For the next two days we practiced silence and contemplation on the grounds of this old monastery. During his talks Gurudev stressed the need for regular meditation. He emphasized the need for a clean place in our homes for regular practice. A peaceful, special place creates a supportive atmosphere, not unlike the facilities of Villa Marista.
Late on the night of Day 6 we embarked for a return trip to Sierra de los Padres. The next morning we chanted the Guru Gita in a tent set up next to the home, known as Om Shanti, which belongs to Rebeca and Shuara Kornijenko. After breakfast we traveled by car to the beach community of Mar de Plata for an afternoon outing. In the early evening we returned to Om Shanti and satsang in the tent. The cool air kept us all alert and ready for a good nights sleep.
Jai & Ram of Sierra de los Padres, have also contributed their heartfelt sharings of the time spent with Gurudev and the Tour. Their notes are indented below. July 7, Saturday: Om Prema, Sierra de los Padres, Welcoming Program Surrounded
by the coldest winter, a group over 100 persons gathered to offer
our “warm” welcoming to Most of the people that were present had never met Gurudev before, only some of us knew him, but either way, the emotion, the chanting, the laughs and the joy was so contagious that tears as a manifestation of love overwhelmed everyone. His words, full of gratefulness regarding our welcome, were kind and full of gratitude. He introduced himself by saying: “…If you see in me a simple man, I’m a simple man; if you see in me a man of knowledge, I’m a wise man, If you see in me holiness , I’m a saint; I’m a mirror in which each and every one of you reflects and my only purpose is to transmit the teaching that over 30 years my Guru Baba Muktanand gave to me, and that I took the commitment of following his work…” Later, Gurudev expressed knowledge about Shiva’s work, whom he met during some of her trips to India and the US by saying, “If only one person, touched by the Shakti, was capable of doing all this, what couldn’t you do with such a long way already walked by her…” Finalizing we shared lunch all together July 7, Saturday -- Hotel 13 de Julio, Mar del Plata, Satsang Two halls were ready for 700 people but this hall turned out to be not enough to embrace all the people that came for Satsang. Gurudev came in to the hall as Lavar and Naveen chanted. After Ram welcomed everyone and introduced Gurudev, Kamal, Shiva’s daughter, shared the experience of meeting Baba Muktananda at the age of 3 years on a trip with Shiva. Kamal shared the remembrances of Baba’s hands, perfume and so on by saying “… meeting a saint is an experience that you can never forget even though you are a child of small age…” Gurudev talked about his Guru, Swami Muktananda, about his influence, and the teachings he shared with thousands of people in the world; how Baba shared the teachings of Maha Yoga and the Maha Mantra, OM NAMAH SHIVAYA. Those
were the teachings that Baba gave during the time Shiva was with
Baba in Gurudev explained the meaning of Maha Yoga as “great union” and also explained the purpose of practicing Yoga - to quiet the mind and stay established in the quiet. He said, “If someone promises you that enlightenment is instantaneous, without effort, do not believe them! There is noting instantaneous, but if you keep on doing the work within yourself, the reward is enormous.” July 8 and 9, Villa Marista, Mar del Plata, Living Intensive On Sunday, July 8th the feeling was like to been reunited with old good friend, lots of chanting, all very casual, question and answer session. Gurudev’s answers were filled with wisdom, patience and love. We also shared an audio visual on the 20th Baba Muktanand Mahasamadhi celebration, and Gurudev spoke about the teachings Baba gave to him during his life, and that this teaching was shared by him with all of us… everything was beautiful. Monday the 9th was Independence Day for all Argentineans, and the atmosphere was filled with concentration and respect. Gurudev introduced us to the meditation intensive, a tool invaluable to all seekers of pure heart. Thank you Gurudev! Before finalizing the afternoon program, and because it was Independence Day, we all stood and sang the national song with Gurudev. We felt a moment of great emotion because we felt that by chanting the national song, Gurudev blessed our beloved country. During the Intensive, the 140 people rested in their inner self and some had experiences hard to express. There were people who were able to share their experiences and one we would like to share with all of you: There was a lady wandering in her own mind thinking: “Why is everyone dressed like that and why am I supposed to bend in front of a person all dressed in orange?” She kept on moving with the Darshan line and when she was approaching Gurudev she started to feel an intense internal heat until she finally reached Gurudev’s feet and tears wouldn’t stop falling out of her eyes. Several days later she was sharing this experience with another person that she met at the retreat, she was telling that in her heart the fire continues to burn. Even though she was always a negative kind of person, now she could only see the positive things in life and when she realized what her feelings were inside, tears of joy came out of her eyes; an internal peaceful feeling surrounded her with an incredible sweetness. Cecilia offered a coconut to Gurudev’s feet and she told him. “I give my life to you, so you can mold it in the right way.” With profound emotion and carrying the sensation of having been released from a huge weight, she walked away. When she got back to her 14 hours a day job she realized that it wasn’t her place, she felt that she must do something to make her situation better. A big surprise came with a phone call that offered her a new job from Monday to Friday with a better salary, and leave on Saturdays and Sundays. Now she can attend Satsang! Her happiness while she was sharing the experiences was contagious, she continued to say, “So much grace, so many blessings we have received from our beloved Gurudev!” Another story was of a yoga professor, Gerardo Bianchi from Rosario. In a very unusual way he had learned of the “In the Footsteps of Bliss” yatra a couple of days before Gurudev arrived in Argentina. Someone saw on a television commercial about the arrival of Baba Muktananda’s successor coming to our country. This person sent an email to his friend that was staying in Japan for studies and the person in Japan emailed all his friends back in Rosario, including Gerardo, so they could attend the many programs in Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata and Tucuman. Gerardo got in touch with Mar del Plata to register for the retreat with Intensive, but all the space was reserved. He got on the waiting list and was fortunate to get a space. Gerardo sat on the front line at the Intensive and felt the shakti work through him. When he approached Gurudev to receive his Darshan he had many questions in mind to ask, but at the moment he was in front of Gurudev he had the experience that he had only read about in books; “Being at the Gurus feet is having all one can need, and find all answers to all our doubts.” As he raised his head from Gurudev’s feet, he had an experience of ananda, complete contentment. To end we must mention that it was a great surprise to all, even for Gurudev’s staff, the many spirituals names that Gurudev gave during those days. July 10, Om Shanti, Sierra de los Padres, Guru Gita After sharing breakfast, there we were, over 120 people chanting, very excited after having lived the retreat with an intensive at Villa Marista. After the chant we shared Satsang listening to Gurudev teachings and we also heard from Brahmin Priest, Lavarji. Later, Gurudev went back to Om Shanti where, seated on the floor he delighted all of us by playing Tablas and we sang kirtans and other chants. It was a beautiful and magical moment for all of us! |
Wednesday & Thursday, July 11 & 12
A very brisk morning greeted us at Jai & Ram’s ‘Om Prema’ house. We chanted the Guru Gita in the satsang tent. When the chant was complete we quickly converted the tent for a mini-yagna. Jai & Ram performed worship during the puja conducted by the Brahmin priest Shri Anant Lavar Shastriji. It was a fitting farewell to Sierra de los Padres and the warm, generous and loving attention of our hosts.
| July
11, Om Prema, Sierra de los Padres, Guru Gita, Yajna and Arati
On that cold morning, over 150 people were gathered. We chanted with great love and Gurudev explained the ceremonies that we were about to witness. The two Brahmin priests, Lavarji and Naveenji fulfilled the ancient ceremonies from the Vedas and then started the Yagna in honor of Lord Vishnu. We had been chosen to participate in this important ceremony, and with profound emotion at receiving so many blessings and having the opportunity to honor our parents in front of the divine fire, we felt that not only that piece of land had been blessed, but all of Argentina.
Later we shared the last Darshan and all did Pradakshina around the fire to consume in it all that is not right in our life. We all shared the prasad. Many went back to the city and others stayed waiting for the moment of Gurudev’s departure; knowing that this “good bye” covered another way of reunion. After sharing 5 wonderful days we realized Gurudev’s welcoming words were a beautiful reality: “…If you see in me a simple man, I’m a simple man (seated on the floor chanting with all of us); if you see in me a man of knowledge, I’m a wise man, (answering questions in every Satsang); if you see in me as holy, I’m a saint (introducing us to the deep knowledge of meditation during the intensive); I’m a mirror in which each and everyone of you reflects” Initially, many of us thought, all the effort was focused on welcoming Gurudev. During these 5 days we realised that “we” were hosted by him; he welcomed us; he took care for our comfort, our food, asking if it was too warm or too cold. He was like a father/mother taking care of his kids. Thank you Gurudev! “It does not matter how many things a person can have, he or she will always want peace and happiness -- both can only be obtained through God.” Swami Nityanand |
Friday, July 13
In the early
morning we left
 |
| Castillo del Piedra |
July 13, Gurudev’s arrival at Tucuman City Gurudev was received
with great love by Kamala while their daughters Josefina, Carlota
and Melina did Arati and placed a beautiful garland around his neck.
Later we enjoyed a great lunch offered by the family and various
devotees. That afternoon a public Satsang took place in a beautiful
Hotel Hall right in the heart of |
Saturday & Sunday, July 14 & 15
The Hosteria
Castillo del Piedra is situated in a small valley in the foothills of
the
Monday, July 16
In the morning we traveled to Viviana & Alejandro’s home for a special Yagna ceremony. Shri Anant Lavar Shastriji conducted the puja near the entry to their home, where a special space was constructed. Gurudev arrived and the yagna began. What an unbelievable setting it was in this remote place. One could not help but wonder where we were and how we had managed to gain such blessings, to share in this moment with Gurudev in this beautiful setting.
Following the ceremony and a wonderful lunch we returned to Castillo del Piedra for a short rest and an afternoon of exploring and shopping in the local marketplace.
 |
| Lavarji, Viviana & Alejandro |
| Yagna
at Alejandro and Viviana’s place
After the Guru Gita chant at Castillo del Piedra, Gurudev and several devotees took a walk of 5 Km, until they all reached Alejandro and Viviana’s place who were hosting Gurudev. That day Lavarji and Naveen performed a sacred ceremony, at the feet of Tafi del Valle Mountains and next to a small river. Gurudev began the ceremony explaining that the pooja was in Honor of Lord Shiva. He said, “I’m sure Alejandro and Viviana must be very happy doing this party at their place. It is very good for Argentina that Satsang is being shared in so many places.” He also requested that the speakers of the sound system be pointed to the mountains and the river, so when the Vedic mantras were sung, they might reach all elements; mountains, wind, earth, water, and all of these elements will be enjoying these mantras. It is an offering to nature that gives so much to us.” On the next day, at the end of the Guru Gita, all of us went to visit one of the last aboriginal places on the north of Argentina. With great joy, the people from Tucuman said goodbye to Gurudev and all the pilgrims, wishing from the bottom of their hearts to have him back soon in Argentina. The last Satsang took place once Gurudev reached Buenos Aires City, when after sweet words to the many people present, he said that in order to cross a river you could not do it with one foot in one boat and one foot in another. In order to see the fruits of practice, you should do it during your whole life. He made a public announcement that in Mar del Plata City, the first Shanti Mandir Center of Argentina was formed, “ … since the people from Mar del Plata already knew in which boat to cross the river.” |
Tuesday, July 17
We spent
this day as tourists, traveling by bus and visiting the Ruins of the
Returning
to Castillo del Piedra that evening for our last night in
In the afternoon, many of us, a little bit sad, went to the airport to say goodbye to this beautiful group of devotees and Gurudev who visited us for the first time in Argentina. In the end there many hugs, goodbyes and wishing deeply for another such visit.
SADGURUNATH MAHARAJ KI JAI