Rack your Brains and Rack up the Names

A group of us have been meeting with the intention of preparing to invite Maharaji to Vancouver.
We want this to be a worthwhile visit. One where many new people get to meet him and to hear his message. We want to be sure that everything is in place to support guests that decide that they would like to follow up on his offer of help. You, of course can help if you like ... and here is a simple yet effective way:

KEEP AN ONGOING LIST AND CONTACT INFORMATION OF EACH PERSON YOU TELL ABOUT MAHARAJI -

This is one of the simple ideas that came out of our meeting and one I resolved to commit to. Before I began to write this update I figured I had better put "my money where my mouth is" and I worked on my own list which I have entered into an Excel spreadsheet:name/email/phone/comment.

I came up with thirty names and that is not counting the 100 WhoUR DVDs Judith & I gave out randomly on campus! I will now forward the number of guests I will invite if Maharaji comes to eventmailbc@gmail.com (the information will get to where it needs to go). This information will help with planning the event and my persosnal list will make it easy for me to extend invitations quickly when the announcement is made that Maharaji is coming to town!

Want a simple way to help out? Wrack your brain and start your own list and periodically, as you rack up the names send the numbers in.

Along the same topic of inviting guests, bear in mind that folks that deffinately want to be informed of when Maharaji is coming to town can leave their contact information at www.invitationlist.org and they will automatically be invited to a regional event.

Susan

An Infinite option for the Twilight Years

Some months ago I approached a programmer at a community centre with the idea of introducing the possiblity of Peace. I was waiting for the right time to take up the lead once again when Judith mentioned that she had arranged to do a few workshops for Senior Citizens, through a different community centre.

One of them was entitled "Two Women and their Quest for Peace" and would I be one of the women. My pleasure, of course. It was a very laid back event as Judith had already met them. The ladies came in after their exercise class and we were ready for them. Judith spoke briefly about how her parents desire for her was that she be happy and that has been her priority ever since. We sat to watch the beautiful half hour Introduction to Maharaji which still impresses me every time. I stole a glance around the room and could feel the "open channels" taking it in. At the end I said a few words about the possiblity of enjoying life even in the twightlight years and we extended an offer to come back with more, if they would like. Twelve new hearts were touched.

I promised the coordinator I would be back with some Chinese material for the large group of Chinese seniors. I will also be reporting back to my first contact to let her know how things went.

Susan

Sweetness in Action

I've been living like a hermit in a hotel far from home for months until last week another guest, a beautiful 20-something IT pro, invited me watch a movie on her laptop in her room. We had a great evening and I casually left her the new "Words of Peace" DVD which also has "Discovering More" on it.

Then last Friday night, we cooked dinner together and afterwards I said I was tired and was about to leave when she suggested we watch my DVD. Of course, I brightened up immediately as there is hardly anything that could be sweeter. It was actually the first time I've viewed the DVD, and she and I were each enthralled. "My parents will really like this!" she said once and afterwards: "He says its more than words, so is there a practical aspect?" So, I mentioned that "Discovering More" was also on the same DVD and advised her to watch it.

Yesterday we went for a walk and as we battled our way through a sudden snow storm, she said, "I've invested a few hours researching your teacher, and I've watched 'Introduction to the Keys'. I need to think about it more before ordering the Keys."

She is such a sweet person. For instance she cooked a meal for the hotel staff person who makes us breakfast. I felt so honoured to be a conduit between her and what easily could become her solid rock through every storm and her direct link to inner joy.
Gwenda

Eventline Citynews

Eventline Citynews



WE ARE GETTING ORGANIZED IN VANCOUVER… AND IT FEELS GREAT!

This Sunday morning about 16 of us who have services came together to work on strengthening the Vancouver Participation team, with the help of a Team Leader, a note taker and a firm cut off time. We started out reviewing the guidelines Maharaji put forward at the recent Tenerife Participation Meeting and reflected on what participation means to us:
1) Work as a team
2) Be clear in your understanding
3) Set worthy benchmarks
4) Keep things simple
5) Remember why you came to Knowledge
6) Renew your commitment
7) The main ingredients are there – materials for introduction, the Keys, Knowledge Sessions etc.
8) What is the face of propagation? Active Aspirants

As we rarely gather as a group we took the opportunity to update each other as to what we each do as service, very useful to know if we are going to function as an effective team. That way we know whom we can to go for help or know whom we can point others to if they need help.

We then looked at the areas that each community/village should work towards if they want to be able to effectively support Maharaji’s work as identified by Prentis and team:

1. Regular, well attended, intro events
2. Regular introduction to the Keys events with local keys distribution (as an addition to internet orders)
3. Monthly Community Participation Meeting
4. Monthly Knowledge Reveiws
5. As needed Knowledge Sessions
6. Broadcast/cable TV/Radio support
7. DVDs and Print Material support

Having heard of the services being covered and after looking at the areas that ideally should be in place the areas that need attention or were missing became clear and quickly identified. We jotted them down and will proceed from this point next meeting.

We are all fired up and looking forward to meeting next Sunday for another two hours to continue our worthwhile exercise in honing our team and our common objective … as someone expressed “ I am honoured to be doing this work”.

Susan

Eventline Citynews

Eventline Citynews

I feel I have started 2007 on the right foot.

For months I had been mulling over the possibility and the implications of hosting a series of introductory events for neighbourhood folks but did not think I could sustain the commitment. I did not know what material I would use. Then in November I subscribed to PEACEFLIX (www.peaceflix.com) – a wonderful service that sends out a set of 2 DVDs per month for $20 plus postage. I have been really enjoying listening to the latest DVDs of Maharaji speaking in different cities, in the comfort of my own home, whenever the “spirit moves me”. Then I figured ‘why keep this all to myself? …. Perhaps others would enjoy watching them.’

Another piece of the puzzle fell into my hands when the new, low cost DVD The Message of Prem Rawat was announced. It fits 40 years of loving effort into half an hour and includes priceless excerpts of Maharaji sharing his beautiful message …. and … to boot …. Discovering More is also included. Now I had everything I needed to host a well-rounded event.

In early January I decided to take the plunge before the Christmas holidays drew to a close and everyone re-entered the grind. With my daughter’s help I created an invitation and set a date – which took a few attempts to stabilize.

One lovely afternoon I walked around the neighborhood and gave out 10 invitations to people that kind of know me. Everyone was polite… As the day drew near I cleaned, polished, dusted and scrubbed and on the day I bought flowers and treats from the local pastry shop and the Indian restaurant. And as it came down to the hour, I made chai, lit candles and burnt essential oils, plumped cushions and arranged chairs around the TV.

It was interesting to see who actually responded to the invitation. Seven people in all came. A premie, David, two Chinese ladies – Grace and Janet (my neighbour) who had been introduced previously. Margaret (also Chinese – my daughter Keiko babysits for her) and Keiko’s boyfriend’s parents and Keiko. The mood was loose, festive, jovial and comfortable.

We started half hour late as people came at ‘sevenish’. I gave the welcome, an overview of how the evening would unfold and shared a bit of my experience of Maharaji and Knowledge. We started with The Message of Prem Rawat. People were rapt. I felt so proud. We broke for tea and treats for about twenty minutes during which people connected, chatted, sipped and munched. I invited everyone back to view another half an hour DVD from Words of Peace – Nothing More Beautiful. I could feel the peaceful pleasure and focus in the room. When it came to an end I lent English DVDs to Grace (as she has classes on a Wednesday evening and would not be able to come to the following events) and Chinese subtitled DVDs to Janet (she commented this was a good way to learn more English), and gift packages for all with the Follow up DVD and contact information. I also informed everyone that I was hosting further events every Wednesday evening, but one, during the month of January and that they were welcome to return. I encouraged them to extend the invitation to a friend. I had calling card reminders with dates available for people to pick up.
I, for one, had a ball.

By the following Sunday, I figured I had better drum up some interest for the following Wednesday so I went back to the neighbours I had initially invited and gave out the reminder cards with the three upcoming dates, in case the first date had not worked for them. That Wednesday Janet, my neighbour, arrived seven on the nose, followed closely by David who brought a guest. I loved making the effort (simpler this time around). We watched the Intro again as David’s guest was new, then watched Maharaji speak in Benin (Peace Flix) to a jubilant audience.

Sunday rolled around once again and my strategy this time was to hand out The Message of Prem Rawat DVDs to the folks I initially invited so they could watch it at home. If they fall in love, they know when and where they will find a wee window of opportunity to hear more, during the month of January 2007.

On the Tuesday before the final event for January I made a few posters that I put up around my neighbourhood. “Are you interested in Peace?” it began. I said a few words about his forty years of dedication and quoted Maharaji’s reference to the fact that it’s not the world but each of us individually that needs peace and invited lovers of peace to come and hear more at my home. I also included websites both www.tprf.org and www.wordpaint.com which introduces Maharaji in many different languages.
On the last Wednesday in January I held the final introductory event of the series I committed to. By the time I had arrived home Keiko had prepared the living room and with an hour to spare I did the final touches to welcome any guests. At seven on the nose David arrived followed closely by another neighbour. We watched the introduction followed by the Discovering More. I will not begin to assume what my guest’s experience was. For myself I felt I did, with great pleasure, whatever I could think of to do, to ensure my best effort … I offered fellow human beings the opportunity to meet an exceptional person and take the first steps toward the beautiful world of the heart. I feel that it a worthwhile effort and one I am honoured and grateful to make.

How will I proceed? For openers, I think I will make copies of the Peace Flix dvds, create a library and make them available for loan. Perhaps I will open my home twice a month for people to come and watch the Peace Flix with me. Perhaps I will apply for the Keys in Chinese in the eventuality anyone would like to sign up to begin preparing for Knowledge ….
We’ll see.

Susan