Once again Dr. Rakhee Thakar has provided a dedicated service in faithfully recording the wisdom of the days spent in travel throughout Europe and Africa with Gurudev Nityananda and the Footsteps of Bliss Tour. We are all grateful to her for her efforts to share with us so much of the inspiration, stories and anecdotes from the satsangs as well as graphic details of the travel.

Again and again throughout the Tour, Gurudev humbly dedicated and rededicated his inspiration for commencing on such an elaborate pilgrimage throughout the world when he said, “… the whole world became an ashram for me to experience Baba’s slogan, ‘Find God in the world. Words cannot express what I received from Baba.”

The Europe retreat was rich with internationality, with participation from Spain, Belgium, France, Australia, India, USA and Holland; another reflection of the effect Baba had on so many people all over the world. In Africa also, many people from Baba’s days came to the programs as well as many who had never met him. The last public Satsang in the international portion of the tour was held in Nairobi, Africa, marking a significant footstep in the Footsteps of Bliss pilgrimage around the world. Rakhee recounts: “Vasla ka din aur itna muktasar; din gine jate the is din ke liye” - the poet has captured our feelings so aptly, ‘So brief this bliss of reunion seemed, for which we had been counting days for so long.’

Today the Tour embarks on the first of many yatras throughout India as the excitement and enthusiasm builds for the grand finale celebrations of Baba’s 100th Birthday. Many people from throughout the world who have tasted some or much of the sweetness of this celebration will join Gurudev in May 2008 for the festivities.

It is a wonderful report … thank you Rakhee! More will follow as the Footsteps of Bliss Tour makes its way across the continent in India rallying the multitude in celebration of Baba’s 100th birthday celebration in May 2008.