I was born in Igatpuri, a small sleepy, beautiful, hill station near Mumbai. During my early years, I was a pampered, introvert child, the youngest in the family of four sisters. My doctor parents, though religious were not spiritual in nature and growing up, I had never heard the word “Guru” mentioned. College was fun till my mother was detected with Breast Cancer in 1993 and within a year my whole world collapsed with her demise. Suddenly I became the lady of the house who had to manage the home, groceries and kitchen…all these were alien words for me. I left my second year post graduation in Pune University and came back to Igatpuri to be by my father’s side. My two eldest sisters were married with families of their own and my third sister was finishing her studies to be a doctor.
For eight years I continued to stay with my Dad refusing to
get married as the thought of leaving him alone to manage the home was too much
for me. For all these years after my mother’s death, the fear of Cancer kept
eating me. Finally in the year 2001 I settled for an arranged marriage with my
husband Rajesh.
Life was once again blossoming for me till in 2003 mis-carriage
gave me a rude shock and then within 6 months at the age of 31 I was diagnosed
with stage 3 Breast Cancer - The most hated word in my life. I could see the
end that I had witnessed for my mother. I was certain that I had reached the
end of the road and the doctors were also not very positive of the outcome at
that time as the dreaded cancer had spread to my axila region and affected the
lymph nodes there.
While I was undergoing rigorous chemotherapy sessions, I got
a call from a dear college friend. She had just returned from Advance
Meditation Course of AOL in Malaysia and was very upbeat about the benefits of
Art Of Living Courses. She told me about Guruji and insisted that I do the
Basic Course ASAP. Soon after I had completed my Chemotherapy and Radiation
treatment I came across an advertisement for Basic Course in Thane. My husband
encouraged me to enroll in it. Though skeptical in the beginning I went ahead
and registered.
Jan 25, 2005 – The First day in the course was very painful
as I could not sit down and had to sit on the chair. Bhastrika was a monumental
task as one hand was swollen as a result of operations and the other hand was
bruised and battered with innumerable injections and IVs that were pumped into
it. Second day. the Sudarshan Kriya day was amazing and miraculous as I
experienced Guruji’s grace flowing inside me and calming me down. After the
Kriya I felt this sudden surge of positive energy inside me. For the first time
in years I felt that Cancer can be beaten and I could do that.
Then, in March I attended the Maha Sudarshan Kriya (Live
with Guruji). It was the first time I saw Him as well. When he approached the
area where I was standing, I could just raise my hands to wave out to him as my
throat choked with emotions and tears of joy flowed from my eyes. I had never
felt such strong emotions and bonding for a person I had never met before.
My first checkup appointment was the day after the Maha
Kriya. I was nervous about the outcome of my blood test reports. My Oncologists
were however happy and pleasantly surprised with the way my health had
progressed after the treatment. My Onco Surgeon who had given me only 60%
chance of survival, declared me Cancer
Free…. the sweetest words I had ever heard. I then knew that Sudarshan
Kriya was playing a big role in my recovery.
Now whenever I go for my Health checkup, I talk to the new
patients there and tell them my life story and how Art Of Living and Guruji
have helped me in winning this battle. My Faith in Guruji has inspired many
friends and strangers to do the course.
It has been eight joyous years since I was introduced to
this wonderful way of living. These eight years have completely changed my
outlook towards life…for the better. It has given me a new family… My Art Of
Living Family; with fabulous lifelong friends and most importantly given me a
Guru to whom I can look up to, give my botherations to and be assured that HE
will guide me out of any sticky situations. A Guru whom, I love, adore and
worship. My Guru of Joy.
Jai GuruDev!
Rajita
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