Journey of a lifetime

What a journey since the last post! Let’s start with the most recent news, as you would see when you open your email account full of new messages!

Message 1: Wedding countdown: 2 days!

My parents have come Monday for their first time to India! It was almost surreal to welcome them at the Bangalore airport! For all my previous visits to India, I was only able to communicate with them trough Skype and through my blog. Being able to share what India is really about with them was really exciting. Furthermore, being able to share with them what has changed my life (Art of Living) is even more exquisite, since they have just started yesterday the Art of Living (Part 1) course in Bangalore ashram!

The wedding is only 2 days ahead, and preparations are well on the way. Whenever I invite people to the wedding, they all tell me they have already attended! This is because of the Mala exchange we did after Navaratri! The wedding Monday will be very special, and all the pictures and details will be on the next blog post, I promise!

Message 2: Navaratri 2010, Bangalore ashram

Mala exchange with Guruji after Navaratri!

Wow! Navaratri was mind-blowing. I contemplated for some time after Navaratri about writing down my experience, but the more I thought about it, I realized the big limitation of words. When it comes to describe such a subtle experience with the self, the deep meditations and the enchanting ceremonies that were performed, only somebody who has been there in person (forget the videos, too!) would understand. All I can say is that at my first Navaratri, last year, I took the intention to never miss this celebration. Well, this year again, I am renewing this intention and I am booking my return ticket to India at that time for sure! Come, you won’t regret it!

On a related note, I had the thought on the last day of the ceremonies last year that, should I get married in my life, it should be on that last day (10^th day of the ceremonies, which is considered an auspicious day to start new things in life). Well, so it happens that we did Mala (garland) exchange in front of Guruji and around 15 000 people this year’s 10^th day! Let me tell you it was magical, and I am very thankful that many of my Canadian friends were present that day (we finished with a party in the kitchen that night!).

Message 3: Canada VS India

The number one question I have been asked since I came to India, is where we will settle after wedding. “Good question” was my favorite answer, since I love to keep things open until the last moment (everything changes, isn’t it!). Since time is running out, we had to make a decision, Muthu and I finally decided that the most logical choice to start our new life would be to settle in … are you ready! … Canada! As much as I love India, it will have to wait for now. So much work is needed for next year in Montreal (in Art of Living), with Guruji’s visits for His birthday in May and for the first ever Guru Purnima in July. Also, it makes sense for me to start my career in Montreal and get paid around 7 times more than for a similar position in India! Already I have applied for 25 jobs in Montreal, including Facebook ! And it looks like our apartment is already booked! Also, Guruji is coming at the end of the month for a visit at the Canadian ashram. Muthu is already scheduled to teach the Art Excel course, and they asked for my translation skills. All is well!

Message 4: Advanced Course no. 9 with Rishi Nityapragyad

After writing this post, I have now completed 10 Advanced courses (Part 2, or the Silence course)! This course happened mid-September, where for the first time Rishiji came to Chennai to take a course! I was told that there are 3 people with whom you should do Part 2, Rishiji being one of them. I understand why now! Not only the way he presented the knowledge was very powerful and simple, his evening satsangs were rocking concerts! The presence this man has makes him look like a king, so much strength and love is pouring out of him. Somebody to meet in person, for sure. I will put the videos shortly on YouTube, but a search under his name will reveal so many already there. Check them out!

Attachments: Wedding invitation

For those in India, or even abroad, you are invited to our wedding in Bangalore ashram, on November 8^th, 2010.

One month in Bangalore ashram, clearer vision!

One month! Almost. It seems like I spend less than one month at a time in an ashram! Some people go for couple months at a time, I seem to prefer going often for short stays!
So what happened during this last stay? It was an interesting stay in the sense that I did a mixture of many things. It started with a Teachers Training course, for the Know Your Child workshop, which is a 2 hour seminar for parents to learn more about their children. It is very insightful, and it made me realize also how we were as children and how much we used to live the knowledge, naturally! Don’t worry, I didn’t go all the way to India to do a 2-day TTC. The next 4 weeks were a pretty even mixture of Ayurvedic treatments and Seva with the famous Web Team.


Ayurveda first. I did an intensive treatment called “Sri Sri Netra Jyoti”, to cure any eye “diseases”. I used to have far sighted blurriness, with a power of -2.50 in both eyes (hence the glasses!). According to the beautiful science of Ayurveda, glasses (or specs in India!) are not the way to go for having healthy eyes. Being in general a science opposite to the allopathic medicine of the West, laser surgery is not an option! As in many Ayurvedic treatments, this Netra Jyoti treatment is very holistic, in the sense that it cures using natural ways (exercises, herbal medicines, yoga) over a period of time (opposite to instantaneous, i.e. laser surgery). OK, I already feel the impatience to know whether it works or not! Well, although I was skeptical after 2 weeks of intensive exercises and treatments (almost 1.5 hours of exercises and 2.5 hours of treatments, everyday!), my doctor measured my new power and said that it improved beyond expectations! I reduced one point, to -1.5 in only 2 weeks! Which is a lot, since apparently beyond the age of 21, he can only guarantee an improvement of 0.25 (after the initial 2 weeks). I believe my prayers got answered, thanks Guruji :) Now in order to achieve perfect vision, I believe another 3 months of daily exercises (45 min) along with the prescribed Ayurvedic medicine, carrot juice and raisins (yes yes, carrots are indeed good for vision, it is not a myth!) should provide long lasting results. It is a commitment for sure, but if that means good vision for the next 80 years of my life (thanks to yoga and meditation), I am all for it!

The mystical WebTeam, the day of the lanch of the Global Website

Seva now. I got the unique chance to work with the famous Web Team which is building the new Global Website of Art of Living(.org) ! Under Guruji’s guidance, the team has to create a unique website that represents the activities of Art of Living all over the world. When we know that we are in over 150 countries, and that in every country so much is happening, that is quite a challenge! Right now, there must be hundreds of local websites, in so many languages with so many activities going on (Courses and Seva projects). All this will be unified into one website, which has been already launched a week ago. There is so much work left to do, such as integrating payment systems for courses, and translating the interface in so many languages. If you are a web techie, or a good content writer, or a translator (to mention only a few), contact me and I will gladly put you in touch with the team here in Bangalore! Go check the new website now! www.artofliving.org

Celebrating after the launch with Pizza and Cake!

That’s all for now, I am going to Chennai tomorrow until Navaratri (Oct. 8th – 17th), which I title the best event (or celebration) in AOL ! Next: organizing the upcoming wedding and planning our lives, that sounds amazing, and lots of Seva as always :) Jai Guru Dev!

Max in Bangalore

Max is indeed back in India, so it is time to resume the blog with the new adventures that are bound to happen in the next few months! For the sake of the time lost, let’s recap the last 8 months. Lots of school work (especially physics!), where I just graduated from Software Engineering last week. There has been some Seva organizing courses in Montreal, and of course spent a lot of time with Guruji who blessed us with 2 visits in Montreal and with Guru Purnima in Hartford.

At Guruji's feet during Teachers Refresher Meeting in Hartford

I could write a whole post on Guru Purnima, but it was a wonderful experience. I got to see all the friends I have made over the last 4 years (already!) in the Art of Living. We had great time and other than partying, I was blessed with learning the Guru Puja from Bhanu Didi herself! Guru Puja is a hymn that we chant to honor the lineage of Gurus that have come to spread the knowledge, and chanting the Puja brings good vibrations in the environment and calms the mind. I can’t think of any better way to celebrate the 4 years in Art of Living than by doing Guru Puja during Guru Purnima!

Morning power-walks with Swamiji!

For these past 8 months, I have been 10 000 kilometers away from my dear fiancé! Although we are both very thankful to have met in modern times (big thanks to video chat on Skype and cheap calling cards, without both my bank account would be empty now!), it is nice to be back together now that I have graduated! Fun time ahead with the wedding in Bangalore ashram schedule for November 8^th (everyone should mark their calendar and if abroad, schedule holidays and book flights now!).

Guruji meeting all the course participants on Guru Purnima day

Before I left, I realized just how much people love me! I had parties with both Art of Living family and my family. For Art of Living party, we had “Dine with Max” and “Bowl with Max”, except Max was an hour late thanks to some problems with finding a “parking spot” for the Bixis (bikes) Simon and I rented! Bowling was hilarious, and believe it or not I won the first game with lots of spares and zero strikes! In Blainville where my parents live, they have invited not only my grandparents as I expected but also all my cousins and uncles and aunts from both side of the family! We enjoyed eating corn outside and finished with some lovely sweets. My sister, mom and dad had prepared a beautiful presentation of my life story and what was to come (trip to India and wedding!). My mom (who has not done the course yet) even presented the Art of Living saying that it is people who are smiling! :)

Before the flight to India, at Montreal airport

I am now in Bangalore, India and I have a great time so far. Life is good in ashram; it is great to be back “home”! I was a little confused with the jet lag in the beginning, but now I just completed a Know Your Child TTC which is very insightful for parents to get to know more deeply the behavior of their children. I am starting today some Seva with the webteam which is in charge of the International websites of the Foundation.

I will upload soon the pictures on Picasa! Keep reading, more stories ahead now that I am back in India! Never a dull moment, I promise!

2,5 kilometers high in the French Alps!

What a day! I didn't go snowboarding for the past 2 winters, mostly due to AOL activities. Which is a bit sad, since I was 4 years old when I started learning skiing (thanks mom and dad!). Well, to catchup the time lost, what a better idea than to go in the French Alps! Couldn't find any reasons not to go, so I talked to my neighbor (another Maxime!), and we found a beautiful ski resort an hour away only! When we arrived in the area, we couldn't see anybody on the slopes! We realized only until later that they were skiing just one kilometer above..! For those concerned about our safety, although we went off-piste all day in almost vertical slopes, my friend and I didn't break any parts of our skeleton! My feet were hurting because I had all my snowboarding equipment, except the boots :) But the weather was really nice, and I warmly recommend anyone to go try it at least once ! Enjoy the pics!

French Alps Snowboarding!

Nature walk in Aix les Bains

I'm not on an Advanced course, but still I am wonder struck how a nature walk can be so beneficial to the morale!! Today was a holiday in France (Remembrance Day), cutting quite beautifully the week into two! After indulging in a long morning practice, watching knowledge and eating pizza for lunch (gotta feel the opposites, right!), I looked outside and decided the next course of action would be to take a long walk. I'm glad I listened to my legs, which brought me to far reaches at the feet of the gorgeous mountains surrounding the cute little town. And the word are not strong enough, the scenery is really breathtaking and give you that strong "in the present moment" meditative experience! Enough said, I let you admire the pictures of today and all of those I took in France so far. I hope for you guys in India you can get a glimpse of fall! Next time, I might give a try to these famous thermal baths! Let's see :)

Aix-Les-Bains & Le Bourget

Lyon Weekend

Update! After this enlightening walk, I decided to make a second recipe of Dal. I cannot pinpoint the exact improvement between nothing burnt, salt(!) or tomatoes, but I have to say in all modesty it was sooo tasty and yummy!!! OK, maybe because I made it with so much love :0)

Lyon la Belle

Hi folks!
I am overdue for an update, and I'm afraid it shows the low activity happening in France!

Nonetheless, what's new? Well well, after being to Lyon several times for transit, I finally got the opportunity to not only be in Lyon for a while longer, but got a 5 star tour of the majestic city (nothing to envy with Paris I tell you!) with Dikran and Evelyn. I got to see lot of buildings (Dikran's passion!) dated for centuries with the Romans! It makes me think of Asterix and Obelix! He was an excellent guide, and everything was walking distance. And somehow, everything was accessible for free! No tourist trap. Good, I don't like tourist traps!

It started with a nice meal at an Indian restaurant. Do I need to tell you how much I was craving Indian food?! You have to know, in France, Indian restaurants are scarce. Also, most of the restaurants are non-veg. And not to mention the price in Euro! Bottom line, I had enough of pasta-pizza-sandwich! Perhaps my expectations were too high, but the quality and quantity for the price didn't leave me satisfied (I am spoiled with my Chennai experience!).

I had a plan B in store! I asked Evelyn, who happens to be from Mumbai (how convenient!), to teach me how to prepare a delicious Indian dish called Dal (lentils). And since there is no Indian store in the vicinity of where I stay, I was brought to Madras store (yes yes!) in Lyon and got all the spices for a Cooking 101 class! After hours of hard work and good smells, I let you admire the results of the cooking class (for this one, I don't have any credits!):


It turned out the salad was more yummy than the Dal. Evelyn did a big exception to allow me to be in the kitchen, she normally doesn't let anymore breath down her neck! She promised next time I come over to cook another dish, but ALONE this time!
I didn't wait more than one week to put this beautiful wisdom into action. See for yourself my first chef-d'oeuvre!

I have to say it was a first attempt, and maybe I needed to add more colors. I realized only later that I forgot one crucial element in all the Indian dishes: salt! Yes, I ate without salt! I'm happy to be still alive! At least, the next time I can only improve with salt (!), more veggies, and a little less burnt rice :) I will not publish the recipe yet, just give me one more month of experimenting and when I come back to India in December I will teach them how we prepare a real Dal!!! Until then, keep eating well, and send me some good recipes for me to experiment, in the comments below!

P.S.: I certify that my first dish was edible!

Germany Guruji Gratitude

I'm the luckiest person on this planet. Seriously. I've been traveling abroad for the past 4 months already, getting a great work experience on one side, and getting to see my worldwide family on the other side. I've been in France, India, Bahrain, and this past weekend Germany, and the constant in these four countries is that I've made new friends that are vibrant of energy and full of wisdom. If it wasn't enough, I got to see Guruji more than I ever did, to the point that there is almost no longing anymore !! When I see him in my mind I think : "Hey what's up? I'm here as well, nice to see you, thanks for coming"! It is amazing to see the scale of the movement He created, and now when I tell people that we're in over 153 countries and its aim is to create one world family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam), I can really feel it and speak from experience. The bottom line to all the good things that are happening on the path, I've found, is that whenever we put a strong Sankalpa (intention) on something good it often manifests. Although my intention of staying in India didn't work, it made me discover my European family!

This past weekend, I took the train to Lyon and met 2 awesome teachers, Ryan and Mariette, who are creating havoc in the universities for "le stage YES!+" (it's good that they keep the name intact, as I was fearful it would be translated to Oui!+). The 7h road trip back and forth to the German ashram was great, exchanging guru stories and talking about many interesting subjects, deep and light, such as cheese for instance. I almost insulted the French heritage when I asked my coworkers where I could buy cheddar! With their variety of 400 cheeses, asking for an industrial cheese is certainly not the best way of creating good inter-cultural relations :) I shall know better !

Diwali at the German ashram

First impression: I'm freezing ! I might have been spoiled going to Chennai in term of weather, but even for a Canadian it was freezing cold during the Maha Kriya (in Germany, Maha is closer to 100, not lakhs of people!). We have to open windows for fresh air during the breathing! I didn't get an opportunity to visit the grounds (mostly consisting of the Black Forest), but the building itself is very nice. We improvised our accommodation in the basement where we found a warm empty room for the future Ayurvedic center. I might have a chance to see more of this ashram this coming weekend as Guruji is coming for Satsang again!! It's too much :D

To finish, I cannot but give you the link to what Antoine wrote about the course he is currently teaching in Iqualuit, in Canada. Bawa even couldn't resist putting it on his blog, so make sure you read it! Yes yes, go read now :)

Jai Guru Dev!