"events" Archive
Jain Nun, Buddhist Monk
Once in 60,000 years. Last night, Yaniv pointed to the sky and showed me a bright shining light next to the full moon -- it was Mars and he said it will be another 60,000 years before we see it like that again. They say it was an auspicious day. But we didn't need to know the position of the moon to know that. We were in the company of true cultivators of truth, in the land of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, in the sanctuary of our own pure nature.
So many of you took the day off work, spontaneously, so many of you went out of your way to accomodate others, and all of you drove six hours! Thank you for making it happen; if not for anything else, for allowing me the opportunity to experience such a wonderful day.
[ read more ... ]
by Nipun Mehta on Aug 13 '03 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
What A Friday!
Viral's Birthday, 2004
Dear Friends,
It was 2AM. The stories were still unfolding. Mark spent a long time with a homeless man and showed him a way to give back to others by replacing his "Hungry, will work for food" sign with his wisdom-scroll quote from Christmas: "Read man: he is the living poem." Harita gave a smiley-face stress ball to a neighbor. In Atlanta, Neerav parted with his favorite high school ski jacket to bring warmth for a more needy person. Guri played Sherlock Holmes to find a nurse who helped her mom 7 years ago. Janani donated to a homeless shelter for the first time. Paras connected with an unknown 92-year-old elder. Trishna bought umbrellas for the homeless.
The whole evening was an experiment. Like my Dad said, it is unusual to spend a birthday with some time in silence, to do acts of kindness and share stories about it as gifts. But after repeated "unbelievable evening" and "twenty years from now this will be the only 25th birthday I'll remember," it seems like the experiment worked! Thank you.
[ read more ... ]
by Nipun Mehta on Jan 10 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
2004 Night of Inspiration!
"Simply watching the dish-washing on Sunday night showed me the spirit of CharityFocus. It was like poetry," Sandy told me. One person does about 50 dishes, another spontaneously takes over, Vijay Uncle refuses to leave, and before you know it, yet another person is in. And it all just flows naturally -- because everyone cares, everyone wants to serve.
Sunday's Night of Inspiration was in the home of two CF volunteers, with homemade food, hand-washed dishes, heartfelt offerings, and music that moves the spirit. It was not a black-tie event, nor a fundraiser, nor a CharityFocus infomercial, nor a manipulated pitch to impress; it simply was an _expression of service and an experience of kindness, in a space of thankfulness.
[ read more ... ]by Nipun Mehta on Feb 29 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Evening with Ocean Robbins
Dear Friends,
Thank you for an awesome, jam-packed evening with Ocean Robbins last night, for sharing a space of silence, service, and inspiration, for making such good use of our 'extended' family room.
Two thirds of the world's surface is named after me, Ocean opened. Spontaneously, his child-like spirit finds _expression in eloquent prose -- everywhere there is oppression, there is someone working for justice, everywhere there is fear and violence, there are people working for love. And you can just feel that this is a person who has spent 30 years of his life trying to unleash that essential goodness inherent in himself, and thousands around him. Even when he was ten, instead of letting his mom buy a fly swatter, he wrote a letter to the fruit flies to get out of the house. Much to the surprise of his mom, it worked!
[ read more ... ]by Nipun Mehta on Apr 1 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Legend Comes Alive
The security guard didn't let him in. He told Dr. V, the founder of the hospital he was entering, to sit on the bench outside. And so Dr. V calmly sat and waited. "He is doing his job. It's not his fault he doesn't know me. He deserves the same compassion as anyone else," Dr. V tell us.
Immediately, the legend comes alive in front of us. Don't know how all these extra"ordinary" people make it to Wednesdays, but they do.
Last night, sitting in front of the same arthritis-ridden hands that have directly given vision to over 100,000 patients -- often, 100 a day -- you feel the inspiration that turned a retired man into an opthalmologist, that gave him the guts to turn his home into a 11-bed hospital in 1976. Hearing stories about the President of India standing in the lines for free surgery, about the encounter with Sri Aurobindo that changed his life, about his outlook on money, obstacles and humanity ... it was easy to see why this 85 year old man still goes into work everyday at 7AM! Service makes him come alive. Being around him, even just for that one evening, made us come alive too!
As a thank-you the world, we used the Sun Microcystems grant to pay forward 100 copies of Infinite Vision, the documentary by Pavi.
by Nipun Mehta on May 6 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Die With an Empty Inbox
"When you die, your Inbox still won't be empty," Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo joked. Funny, relevant and practical yet profound and subtle. That, in a way, describes the whole retreat on "death and dying", on life and living. To do meditation practices that the Dalai Lama does seven times everyday, to learn about the Tibetan view of death from a woman who was herself so close to death, and to have an experience of listening to a nun who has deeply cultivated dharma ... is a rare opportunity that can only result after years -- maybe lifetimes -- of generating incredible merit, Tibetans would say. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to be an instrument in your journey.
As Ven. Lekshe led a couple minute "Om Mani Padme Hum" chant on the last day, I opened my eyes and saw her sitting erect on the meditation cushion. I did not see a woman who has earned 3 post-graduate degrees and written many books, or a nun who has built 13 nunneries in remote Himalayan regions without a dime in her pocket, or a revered teacher who is the president of reknowned institutes. No, I didn't see that. What I saw was a mountain of dharma, with radiant streams of compassion, flowing selflessly to all beings, without any discrimination, pride or ego. And I saw that everyone in the room was blessed and I tried -- in all my ignorance -- to repay the kindness. All I really did was cry. :)
[ read more ... ]
by Nipun Mehta on May 30 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Leveraging Privilege
My brother Viral and Sukh from LA represented CharityFocus in a Youth Jam, where young visionaries from around the globe come together for a week to dig deeper into themselves and learn from other exemplary leaders.
The title of this "jam" was "Leveraging Privilege". Average net worth of these attendees under 35 was 2 million bucks. Some were musicians, some had a strong public voice, some were famous. Bottom line-- everyone was privileged.
When I visited them on the last day for a roundtable introduction, Sukh had the most interesting comment (and I'm paraphrasing): "My privilege is my desire to be the change I wish to see in the world."
Silence. That kind of stuff can steal your breath.
by Nipun Mehta on Jun 9 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
My Honeymoon Story
I wasn't going to write about this. Then I got an email: "You've got Nipuned!" I opened up the email and saw this:
[ read more ... ]
by Nipun Mehta on Aug 1 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Butterflies in Berkeley
Sandra is 30. And her breast cancer is spreading quickly. Doctors give her 10% chance of living but our friend (and Sandra's best friend) John gives her a 110% chance.
When we heard about this, we figured it's time to unleash the compassion army once again! Sandra is in North Carolina but what if we did a chalk "mandala" in the middle of the Berkeley campus, what if we sat in a circle, colored hand-drawn mariposa (butterfly) cut-outs and asked random passerby's to write prayers on the back? Surely, Sandra would feel our prayers, especially if we sent her all the pictures and butterflies!
It turns out, it was John's wife's birthday yesterday. It turns out that someone anonymously gave her a gift to fly John to Raleigh, North Carolina, to hand deliver those butterflies! One of the mariposas was signed: "There is nothing that the human spirit can not overcome with a smile."
[ read more ... ]
by Nipun Mehta on Aug 29 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Living in Impossible Times
At Frank Lloyd Wright's legendary Gummage auditorium (aka the "wedding cake" building), I got a chance to address an animated audience from around the country, after receiving North South Foundation's "Role Model" award.
Think of impossible as one circle. Think of love and service as another circle. Each one by themselves is incomplete. Put them side by side and you have infinity -- a cycle of virtue that knows no bounds.
You see, history has been made by people who can do the impossible. But humanity has progressed only by those who are in touch with the infinite. Hitlers of the world have made to our history books, but it takes Gandhis of the world to transform lives.
Following the talk, Janet Napolitano -- Arizona's governor -- was herself quite moved and urged me to consider politics for bringing positive social change. While politicans skillfully compromise, it is the sages who unconditionally surrender ... I want to be a sage, when I grow up. :) Below is a somewhat edited transcript of the talk.
[ read more ... ]by Nipun Mehta on Sep 6 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Walk For Hope
 |
Every year, our good friend, Sukh Chugh, puts on an amazing Walk For Hope on 9/11. We took our compassion caravan to Huntington Beach this year and lit up the beach with smiles. |
by Nipun Mehta on Sep 11 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Butterflying to North Carolina
Read the full story.
Sandra, a cancer patient with doctors giving her 10% chance of survival, said this was the most incredible thing anyone has done for her. Since she doesn't know who's responsible for it, she's going to "get busy paying it forward."
by Nipun Mehta on Sep 15 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
How Berkeley Can You Be?
|
At the How Berkeley Can You Be? parade today, I saw a couch turned into a car, a 'Jehovah Witness Against Soliciation' group, a zero-emission bus that cleans the air as it drives, caricutures including 'Billionaires Against Bush', Free Tibet and so on. Even Mayor Tom Bates randomly introduced himself and shook my hands. Photo: Zen flute players, with their faces and ego covered with a translucent straw hat. An anonymous melody! Next year, Miles of Smiles needs to go up there. :) |
 |
by Nipun Mehta on Sep 19 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
A One Man Band!
After a near fatal motorcycle accident in 1987, Scott Huckabay picked up a guitar for the first time. He attributes much of his miraculous recovery to a year spent in solitude swimming with dolphins and whales off the beaches of Hawaii.
Last week, I saw Scott dedicate his last song as the clock ticked towards Guri's birthday ... and he was indeed a one-man band on the stage:
He glides on to the stage already playing his Taylor electric-acoustic guitar, wild black hair framing a dramatic yet benevolent face. His body moves like a dancer's, the cordless guitar his partner, as he begins to turn in smaller and smaller circles. He touches the strings lightly at first and then more and more passionately. Golden bells tied 'round his ankle shake in percussive accompaniment. He touches the ground in benediction, rises, hand and eyes moving up to the heavens. And then he plays the guitar for the next three hours like no one you've ever heard before.
by Nipun Mehta on Sep 25 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Most Smiles Create More Smiles
I was to knock on Mark's door in Iowa City, yell "Tammm-da-damm!", and demand food from his refrigerator. Much like his Uncle John had done six months back. I figured he would be totally surprised but what I didn't figure was that I'd meet two people in Chicago, who would cut school, call-in sick and alter their plane tickets to join me. (Later, they both would say that the "joy ride" was among the most transformative experiences of their life.)
As we were leaving the building, we ran into a hand written quote in the front lobby: "Most smiles create more smiles."
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 20 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Temple of Accumulated Error
Seva Foundation's board meetings are great for two primary reasons -- its people and its traditions. From world reknonwed activists to clowns to philanthropists, people of Seva are a unique bunch that poetically weave together spirituality and action. Just as inspiring are their traditions like opening the meetings with a 3 hour (yes, that long!) "circle of sharing", with a "puja" table where everyone places something sacred from their spiritual journeys.
My top three reflections from this year's "circle of sharing":
- "I am a temple of accumulated error." (Wavy's usual introduction)
- "En-lakesh." (phrase used in Gautemala to mean "I am another you.")
- "It's easy to fly, when you travel light." (Quote Dennis heard once)
Oh and this morning, Jerry Jones's wife was reading him the vows from her cousin's upcoming wedding to a Peruvian guy. Half way through, he thought they sounded familiar. Turns out, it was a copy of my wedding vows. Open source wedding vows. Yeah, baby! :)
by Nipun Mehta on Nov 7 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Gift of Presence
Best gifts are unplanned. And they are usually not bought at Macy's either.
In early December, when I returned from eight days of meditation, I found out that I missed Mark Peters' birthday. Almost spontaneously, I wrote him this note:
[ read more ... ]by Nipun Mehta on Dec 24 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Wisdom Scrolls
We've got a new Christmas tradition: Rev. Heng Sure. Like last year, Rev. Heng Sure gave us an amazing talk on "Post Gratitude Studies".
At the end of the talk, we have yet another Christmas tradition: wisdom scrolls! The night before, few of us get together and print a bunch of insightful quotes on fancy paper, wrap it up with a nice ribbon and a silent prayer. At the end of the talk, Rev. Heng Sure hands a random one to random people.
And the messages are off the hook. Rev. Heng Sure, a Buddhist monk, got a quote by the Buddha for the second year in a row! This year, his message was exactly what his talk was all about. One after another, it was amazing to hear the stories of how relevant the quote was for people.
My wisdom scroll for the year: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."
by Nipun Mehta on Jan 16 '05 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Searching For God
It was raining hard. Everyone was driving down the mountain but we were going up. Guri looked at me and nodded her head, thinking "Oh boy, another one of those Nipun things."
"What?" I ask her quizically. She says, "It's pouring like anything, we can barely see the road, and everyone is heading in the opposite direction. Don't you think we are headed the wrong way?!?"
"No. We're going to find God. This is just God testing our conviction." For me, saying words like "God" is a awesome experience in paradox -- at one level, it's just another word that no one understands yet at another level, it symbolizes the eternal. So it's impossible, for even myself, to know what exactly I mean. But I like saying it anyhow. :)
We go up, all the way to the top of Waimeya Canyon. It turns out that one other car made it up there. We run out of the car in the pouring rain -- with me insisting (in a joking sort of a way): "Seriously, we are going to meet God" -- and check out the magnificent view. Folks from the other car head back but we're still there looking for "God".
Curiously enough, amidst the pouring rain, out comes the sun. And a majestic rainbow across the canyon. Almost unbelievable.
We soak it all in and get back in the car. The sun disappears and it starts pouring again.
by Nipun Mehta on Jan 19 '05 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Latest Communication Technology
From the emails I received, Viral delivered a stunning talk to an almost 5000 person audience at the National Jain Convention in early July. Not being Jain and being 26 years old, it was a great privilege for him to have that opportunity to be of service.
His keynote address, after Dennis Kucinich (the 2004 presidential nominee), went a little something like this:
[ read more ... ]
by Nipun Mehta on Jul 21 '05 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Miles of Smiles
"Right on. This is my kind of protest," he says while going past me. I hadn't thought of it way before. But perhaps it is a protest for lack of smiles in the world.
About 15 of us gathered earlier today to create poster boards that we would proudly hold up on busy street intersections of San Francisco. The posters would say simple things like "smile" or "smile anyways" or "spare a smile?" or "smile, it's free". We weren't doing this as a part of any organization but rather as friends and well-meaning citizens of the world.
After our morning creative sessions, we split up into teams of four and spread over various intersections on San Francisco's Van Ness Road. My team was at the Lombard intersection, one of the busiest.
For the first couple minutes, there's always that awkward question mark on your face -- "I am making a fool of myself?" But then, you realize that this is not about you. It's about delivering an unexpected smile on someone's face and the best way to do that is with a big fat smile on your own face. So, you look to your other friends at the four intersections, light up your face, yell "smile" at the car stopped at the intersection.
[ read more ... ]by Nipun Mehta on Jun 16 '06 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'
Article in San Francisco Chronicle
As I shuttle from a meditation retreat to a "evolutionary role of philanthropy" conference in Colorado to a youth conference in NY, life feels serenely eventful. :)
Today, SF Chronicle did an interview with Guri and I. Unlike the usual media stories, this one feels quite real.
by Nipun Mehta on Jun 26 '06 | add comment | permalink | more 'events'