Evening with Ocean Robbins
Posted on April 01, 2004 in events.
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!
It's not just about planting the right seeds, Ocean said. It is about nurturing the right soil. With uncanny clarity and deep wisdom, Ocean reminded us that we must flow with the current of the river else we risk getting caught up in eddies. We must paddle but we must also surrender to the current. We must use maps, but first we must know the intersection at which we are.
He looks like a 16 year old, he shares stories like a wise elder, and he feels like he's your best friend. That's Ocean Robbins! Thank you for being there and creating the forum of sharing heartfelt journeys of service.
Few frequently asked questions, after the show:
- YES! SIGN ME UP.
YES! is inspiring youth all over the globe. If you'd like to donate money, volunteer or help them outreach, don't email Ocean :) but rather visit their website.
- BOOKS. THANK YOU.
When Sun MicroSystems offered to sponsor the event (thank you Sun!), we wanted to Pay-it-Forward -- we bought books of Ocean and John Robbins as meditation favors. :) Our hope is that you enjoy the book, pass it on and perhaps do something nice for someone else in the world.
- PLEASE, CAN I GET A COPY OF THE TAPE?
For my mom, who often can't listen to everything since she's busy serving the food, we did tape the talk. If you'd like a copy, please email me.
- THE FOOD. WOW. WHO MADE THAT?
My mom, known as the CharityFocus mom, is an incredible woman who has fed thousands of people over the years. While she continues to be the CEO, yesterday's food is a lot of hours of service by my grandma and Guri. And Meghna, Nisha, Madhu, Neeta and Vimi -- who helped with everything, including the cleanup!
- I'D LOVE TO COME AGAIN. WHAT'S NEXT?
Once a month, we invite guest speakers from diverse backgrounds. Next month, we are likely to have a revolutionary doctor who has given eyesight to millions. To keep up with the latest, signup for some of the email lists.
- WHY DO YOU DO THIS?
Giving is its own joy, silence has its own power. We have no agenda and simply aim to be instruments in the spirit of service. Thank you for giving us the opportunity. For the last six years, we've hosted a meditation sit every Wednesday, with a roundtable sharing of aha-moments, and dinner in silence. It's different every week and you're welcome anytime!
The real record for what happened last night is what lies in our hearts. We hope the evening energizes your journey of service in some way; surely, we feel blessed to host such powerful gatherings in our own home.
To end with the Ram Dass quote from yesterday: In India, when we meet and part we often say, "Namaste," which means I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides, I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us."
Namaste,
Nipun
(on behalf of the 'extended' Mehta family :))
original writeup on Ocean
what's the latest with CF?