A New Beginning at Omega in New York ~ June 2011
By Nicole Jandrucko
How can I put into words the A New Beginning workshop that took place at the Omega Institute? Spiritual, joyful, connection, love, wisdom, awareness, presence, friendship, suffering, release, blessings, peace…
On June 3rd a group of very diverse people came together with many different objectives. Some were looking to deepen their connection within themselves and the Presence; still others had been drawn to Ananda Giri from a video. There were those who were familiar with the work of One World Academy and grateful for the opportunity to learn from Ananda Giri, Ashwin and Matthew (Uttama) and then there were those who were not quite sure why they were there, but felt they had been guided. What I believe everyone found was a weekend that was not only guided by our gifted teachers but also by a true sense of spirit and awareness.
Friday evening began with teachings from Ananda Giri about the interconnectedness of us all. For years I have heard people talk about how we are all “One.” I could never understand that concept. How can I be one with you? I am “Me” a separate person from “You.” Ananda Giri made it so clear; I am me, but I am also connected and interdependent on you and you and you. We are all connected to each other and all life. It has been this way from the beginning of time. We do not need to be one, but to live as one. To hear him teach this in his own remarkable words made me wonder, “How could it have taken me so long to get this? It’s all so clear now.” We finished the evening with the One World Meditation. It is a strong meditation that helps one to feel the connectedness of us all. It is also a powerful way to send out healing to the world.
Saturday morning’s session was again with Ananda Giri. He made us all aware of the “stories” we tell ourselves, of how they are often the cause of our psychological suffering. He spoke of a young Indian girl named Durka. At a very young age she realized that her suffering was because of the “stories” she told herself. We all tell ourselves these types of “stories” and they are the root cause of our psychological suffering. In the awareness of these “stories” is where we can stop our suffering.
Saturday continued with an afternoon session led by Ashwin on Art of Awareness & discovering love. He firstly described about our emotional states and how often we tend to hold on to certain emotions rather than they binding us and what is the reason for this habit. Through a simple process of asking right questions and bringing attention to this habitual thought process, he guided everybody to become aware of the ideas that have been limiting in nature. When you can find true happiness within you, then love can bloom. Ashwin spoke with great truth and humor, where he even shared how he experienced greater love & freedom after looking into his conditioning on love and thus acting and connecting from that awareness. We finished that session with a beautiful ‘gift of presence’. As people left the pavilion for dinner you could see an ease in their faces and they seemed to shine brighter.
One World Academy added a special Saturday evening session to the schedule. This was conducted by Matthew, and focused on relationships. How our conditioning determines our responses. “When you are aware of your conditioning it gives you the freedom to respond not react.” Again, it is in the awareness where we find the freedom. Matthew spoke candidly of his relationships with his parents. He then guided us through a process of observing our parental relationships in our own lives. After this very intense process, Matthew lightened the mood with a laughing meditation. If you have never had the honor of laughing with Matthew, all I can say is, it is sincerely an out of body experience! There was such joy when the evening concluded.
On Sunday morning, Ananda Giri taught about inquiring into ourselves and we explored the realization that we are all as God created us to be. We beat ourselves up over our thoughts, when they are just thoughts, “no one can even see them.” He shared a wonderful story from his childhood about how he let his own thoughts control him. Then we were led through a very powerful process of observing our thoughts, and embracing ourselves to find the love, joy and peace within.
Ananda Giri finished the teachings with a captivating talk about the Presence, God, the Divine, the Universe, the Higher Intelligence or what ever you choose to call that power which connects us all and guides us. That power is not something that is separate from you, but is inside all of us. We need to learn to connect with that Presence and call upon it for help.
I believe that this weekend was the beginning of an amazing voyage for all of us. The teachings of One World Academy are so significant that they will continue to deepen for all the participants for a lifetime to come. If you have not attended the A New Beginning course, I highly recommend it. It is a true life changing experience. I promise you will never look at the world, your relationships and yourself quite the same again.
In the words of Ananda Giri, “Your journey begins with an awareness of where you are, not with an obsession of where you should be.” I myself am grateful for the journey, right where I am.
Testimonials
“Ananda Giri speaks to your soul. My DNA resonated with the truth that he shares. Every person that One World Academy touches is one more soul that has a much better chance at navigating life’s challenges. For some it will help to create teachers that can help spread the word that we are all one with everything and the knowing of that will change the world. Thank you!”
~ with gratitude, Richard, Ontario, Canada
“Wow, to embrace all the aspects of who I am and give up the misery of not living up to what I think I should be is both scary and exciting. I cannot wait to get comfortable with me. I love this teaching, it is presented in such a real, accepting and nurturing way. Thank you Ananda Giri, Ashwin and Matthew.”
~ Melissa, Harleysville, PA
“The beauty of the sharing of love has opened my heart in a way previously elusive. I highly recommend this experience to anyone seeking a life changing experience that will stay with you long after you leave.”
~ Carla, New York
“Very moving meditations that make connection with the force of life personal and very real, thank you.”
~ Ruth, West Virginia
“A wonderful program filled with life changing advice and guidance. The opportunity to sit with Ananda Giri, Matthew and Ashwin, and experience their profound energy cannot be missed. The opportunity to have a better life is a choice that can be found here.”
~ Will, New York
“One World Academy teaches, in a loving gentle way, how to view the world in an entirely new way. I believe the shift in perception that they teach has the ability to heal and change the world. These teachings – teaching us to be at peace and connect as one - are part of the new world, which must be created because the old way is no longer sustainable. Thank you so much! My heart was opened! Thank you for your good work in the world.”
~ Melissa, Rhinebeck NY
