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
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
posted by Susan at
10:00 PM
