A New Beginning in Rye, New York
A New Beginning in Rye, New York ~ we are all truly connected
By Nicole and Scott Jandrucko
Nicole and Scott Jandrucko
Have you ever experienced such joy that you felt your heart could burst? Could you ever believe that it could come from watching a group of strangers come together and bloom?
The weekend of November 11th 2011, we had the honor of watching around 50 of the most courageous seekers come together for A New Beginning. The seminar, led by One World Academy senior faculty member Ananda Giri, took place at the Wainwright House in Rye, New York. Wainwright House is the oldest non-profit, non-sectarian holistic learning center in the United States. It sits majestically overlooking Milton Harbor in the Long Island Sound. The combination of magnificent stone buildings, beautifully manicured gardens and tranquil water created a backdrop of serenity and peace for all the OWA participants.
Friday evening brought everyone to a beautiful awareness of the interconnectedness of all life. Ananda Giri clearly showed how in each moment of our lives, we are connected to all life; past and present. He explained how we are all interdependent on each other and on the entire Earth itself. Do we not need the trees and plants to survive? Are they therefore not just an extension of our bodies? The evening was concluded with the One World Meditation. One participant expressed her delight to me in finally understanding the concept of Oneness. “I always thought the idea of Oneness was just far-fetched spiritual wishful thinking. What I realized from Ananda Giri’s discussion is that we are all truly connected to each other and thereby one! He made this concept so clear to me”
The session Saturday morning began with a discussion lead by Ananda Giri on psychological suffering: Suffering is not in the fact, but in your interpretation of the fact. Your mind is a “story telling” machine. By bringing your awareness to a situation you can be released from your story, and thereby change your reaction to the situation. Ananda Giri reinforced this teaching with a wonderful story of one of his students in India. How she realized through a series of incidents that suffering was not in the actual acts that had happened, but in what her mind told her about those instances.
Saturday afternoon continued with Ashwin explaining the importance of awareness and meditation. That by observing your thoughts you can break patterns that are habitual. He also spoke of how we do not need to be at war with our thoughts. We cannot control them; we can just observe them and be aware. Ashwin also stressed the importance of meditation. Meditation need not be an intimidating practice, where one sits in a structured position and tries to empty their mind. Meditation can be in the peace of observing a sunset, walking through the woods or just sitting quietly in a special place.
Saturday evening Ashwin discussed the importance of relationships. How the primary relationships in your life govern the quality of your life. He led the group through a meditation of looking at ones parents and their actions toward you, without passing judgment. Then Ashwin guided the group to look at one’s own actions toward your parents, again without judgment. Finally, after a day of tremendous growth and awareness, the evening ending with a joyous meditation of uncontrollable laughter!
Ashwin, OWA faculty
Sunday, Ananda Giri resumed the workshop. He pointed out to the group, that people always carry around in their heads the idea of the perfect person they should be. We are always comparing and judging ourselves and in conflict with whom we truly are. He led the group through an exquisite meditation of self-examination. To see yourself as you actually are, in this moment, and to embrace yourself for whom you truly are. The meditation was concluded with a reflective walk around the property, for all the participants to integrate the teachings. It was truly a magnificent moment to see the group walking around the grounds with their hearts overflowing with love and acceptance for themselves.
The weekend concluded with a discussion on God, The Presence, The Universe, Divine, Cosmic Conscious; whatever you choose to call that intelligence that surrounds and connects us all. That God is a part of us and within us all. God is not an entity outside of us, judging us. This presence is all loving. Ananda Giri discussed the importance of connecting with this presence in your daily life, feeling it in yourself and in everyone. The group was brought together with a special meditation to connect with the presence and share the blessings.
A New Beginning in Rye was a truly enchanted weekend. The awareness and teachings Ananda Giri and Ashwin brought to the group were tremendous. It was such an amazing experience to watch as people grew and blossomed due to this work. As we observed the group come together, from the first night to the last day, our hearts were overjoyed to know that such healing and learning had taken place! It is an amazing feeling to know that these individuals will continue to flower and thereby change our world! As always, Ananda Giri, Ashwin, and One World Academy continue to inspire and nurture us. For that, I know this group is truly thankful!
Recommended Website: ANB New York
