What’s Happening In East and West

Dada in Goa

The coconut palms swayed to a new rhythm, the waves seemed to kiss the shores with more love, the sun shone with a brilliance, and each heart leapt with joy as Dada J.P.Vaswani’s plane touched down at the Dabolin airport in Goa.

The Goan sangat welcomed Dada. Shri Raju Bharat drove Dada through the scenic countryside to the residence near Utorda beach.

The first public function in Goa was an inter collegiate Youth Meet at Chowgle’s College in Margoa. Chowgle’s college is an established and premier educational institution of Goa. Over 450 students from nine colleges participated in the Youth Meet.

Dr. A.S. Kanade, the Principal, welcomed Dada and a Guard of Honor was presented to him by the N.C.C girl cadets. Shri Bhushan Bhave, All Goa N.S.S coordinator, introduced Dada, and escorted him to the dais.

In his forceful speech, Dada emphasized that by changing your attitude you can change your life.

Thereafter followed a very interesting question-answer session. Students asked questions on a wide range of subjects from studies, success, de-stressing, and relationship problems to metaphysics.

Dada answered all the questions and regaled the youthful audience with jokes and anecdotes. Some of the questions were:

Q- Who is God? Does He have a form or is He energy above?
A- God defined is God denied, God has a form, and is formless - He is beyond both form and formlessness. God cannot be described, but has to be experienced. There are disciplines which, if followed, can lead you to “experience” God- one of the disciplines is silence. Therefore, daily, spend some time in silence.

Q- How may we improve concentration?
A- First throw out the T.V. set, for it is the biggest source of distraction!

( At this point, Dada demonstrated a simple breathing exercise whereby you can concentrate on the tip of your nose and watch the breath as it goes in, and as it comes out, repeating the word “I………….N”and “O….U…T”. All the students did the exercise with Dada 5 times and experienced tremendous benefit.)

Q- How can we be successful in life?
A- Keep a goal in front of you, and work towards it.

Q- If I have only 24 hours left to live how should I spend them?
A- By smiling at everyone and giving as much love as you can to all those who are around you.

Q- What is the secret of your success?
A- I keep smiling all the while.

Dada requested the principal Dr. A.S.Kanade, to institute an award - The Sadhu Vaswani Award - to be given to a college student who lives by the ideals of positivism and helpfulness.

On Sunday the 23 rd, Dada spoke at the spacious auditorium of the Kala Academy at Panjim on Eight Magic Words That Can Change Your Life.

Sigmund D’Sousa, a well known Goan musician, rendered a classical solo song to welcome Dada. Children between the age of 3 and 12 trained by Anne Barnetto performed a skit based on the teachings of Sadhu Vaswani titled “Eight Golden Words”. Children dressed as flowers, birds, sun, moon, trees, rain, and rocks came together along with Sadhu Vaswani to sing “Children of the earth ye all are one.” Dr. Prashant Bhangui, a young surgeon, introduced Dada.

Dada started his talk on a note of gratitude to all concerned. He said that the children are our richest treasures and we should spend more time with them, give them more attention and love. Science and Technology have provided us with more and more means but lesser meaning in life. Dada further stressed on the tremendous power of thoughts which are forces and are a blue print of our future. They are the building blocks of our life.

There was a tremendous energy generated in the eight magic words Dada gave, especially when the entire audience of the Kala Academy repeated the magic words. Dada was offered a shawl by Srinivas Dempo, the kind sponsor of the event.

On the 24 th, Dada visited the Bascillica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa – the Rector of the Bascillica, Father Savio Berreto, received Dada and took him around the famed Bascillica which houses the relics of the patron saint of Goa – St. Francis Xavier. Dada also visited the Se’ Cathedral which has altars dedicated to several christain saints.

On the 25 th, Dada was received at the Coba Raj Nivas, Dona Paula. There, the Governor of Goa, His Excellency, Mr. Jamir met Dada. Both of them exchanged views on spirituality which is the most urgent need of India today.

On the 26 th, a Sindhi Rooh Rihan was organized at the famous Kenilworth Hotel. Mr. Raju Bharat ,the owner, was overjoyed to welcome Dada to his hotel. The all Goa Sindhi Association welcomed Dada J P Vaswani and listened to his precious words of wisdom.

On the 27 th , Dada visited the historic Pillar Seminary. He was received by Father Sebastian Mascheranas and Father Thomas Gonsalves. He saw the museum that contains artifacts excavated around the Pillar Seminary dating back from the seventh century AD upto the 19 th century. Father Cosme D’Costa presented him with a book relating to the history and excavations in this region. The senior students of the seminary sang songs for Dada. On the request of the Fathers, Dada spoke a few words to the students who were about to be ordained as priests. Dada said, “Let us make Jesus real in our lives, let us walk with him, let us talk with him and repeat with love, the words, ‘I am not alone, Jesus is with me’, as often as we can.” Dada also visited the beautiful chapel of the Lady of Pillar and the shrine of Blessed Father Agnello.

Dada left for Bangalore on the 28th afternoon.