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Finding Vinoba

Vinoba entered my life in 2004, tagged with an anonymous act of kindness, with a gifted Camera I stayed with Dwarko Sundarani, a then 86 yr old Karmayogi, who had worked with Vinoba. ‘Samanvaya’ was the essence of his quest, ‘Harmony between science and spirituality’ and for which he said ‘Jeevanam Satya Shodhanam’ (Search for your own unique truth).

Through that search, I found many service servant leaders, quietly doing their experiments of love, all over the world. One such seed is ‘Moved By Love’, a collective of volunteers, holding the space of Maitri, doing small acts of kindness. This led to ‘Vinya’, a film project, consisting of several short films, exploring the essence of Vinoba through the people who lived with him and exploring the universal relevance of his thoughts which shines the light for the generations to come

Like a moth who moves towards the light passionately, to be consumed by it, so was I towards Vinoba. A seeker, who walked more than 40000 miles, from home to home, from a person to person, looking deeply into their eyes, he would ask with immense love, “brother, won’t you share what you have with others who don’t”. Although he collected millions of acres of land for the poor, all he really was trying to do was connect hearts. Somebody said about him “Service of man is to him nothing but an effort to unite with God, He endeavors every second to blot himself out, to make himself empty so that God may fill him up and make him His instrument.” His Life than later became from pursuit of truth to practice of love, as he said ‘Jeevanam Sneh Sadhanam’.

So like a seeker, I too, make a humble effort to go on a journey with you, telling you his story in my own way, through words, visuals and silence. Knowing whatever needs to be expressed, has ready reached your heart and it’s really ‘us’ who is telling and listening this story to each other.

Sheela Didi
15:38

Sheela Didi

Sheela had worked with Vinoba Bhave in Brahma Vidya Mandir, Paunar, Maharashtra, India. Founded by Vinoba Bhave, Brahma Vidya Mandir is the temple (Mandir) where one seeks the wisdom and experience(Vidya) of the Absolute(Brahma). Women’s spiritual emancipation is the motto of Brahma Vidya Mandir. At present, in all, 28 sisters live in the ashram. they come from different states of India and one is from Japan. Without distinction of caste, creed, language, religion, and nationality they share their lives together. Brothers closely associated with Vinobaji also lived with the sisters. Life in Brahma Vidya Mandir is the fusion of the three classic currents of sadhana, Karma (action), Jnana (knowledge), and Bhakti (devotion). This threeefold combination provides the means to meet the fundamental needs of the body, mind and spirit. The members of Brahma Vidya Mandir are diligently committed to Samuhik Sadhana(collective spiritual pursuit for the realization of the Self). This collective spiritual sadhana is central theme of the ashram. In short, this means surrendering all of one’s capacities at the feet of the Lord, abiding in the group, and seeing the inter-union of all aspirants as different organs of one body. There are 5 pillars of the community’s spiritual life, all grounded in satya(truth) and ahimsa (nonviolence). The pillars are Brahmacharya(celibacy), Samuhik Sadhana, Shrama(productive manual labour), Swadhyaya (self study) and Bhakti (devotion). More about Brahma Vidya Mandir
Love_Usha Tai_Moments 3
00:58

Love_Usha Tai_Moments 3

Usha Tai had worked with Vinoba Bhave in Brahma Vidya Mandir, Paunar, Maharashtra, India. Founded by Vinoba Bhave, Brahma Vidya Mandir is the temple (Mandir) where one seeks the wisdom and experience(Vidya) of the Absolute(Brahma). Women’s spiritual emancipation is the motto of Brahma Vidya Mandir. At present, in all, 28 sisters live in the ashram. they come from different states of India and one is from Japan. Without distinction of caste, creed, language, religion, and nationality they share their lives together. Brothers closely associated with Vinobaji also lived with the sisters. Life in Brahma Vidya Mandir is the fusion of the three classic currents of sadhana, Karma (action), Jnana (knowledge), and Bhakti (devotion). This threeefold combination provides the means to meet the fundamental needs of the body, mind and spirit. The members of Brahma Vidya Mandir are diligently committed to Samuhik Sadhana(collective spiritual pursuit for the realization of the Self). This collective spiritual sadhana is central theme of the ashram. In short, this means surrendering all of one’s capacities at the feet of the Lord, abiding in the group, and seeing the inter-union of all aspirants as different organs of one body. There are 5 pillars of the community’s spiritual life, all grounded in satya(truth) and ahimsa (nonviolence). The pillars are Brahmacharya(celibacy), Samuhik Sadhana, Shrama(productive manual labour), Swadhyaya (self study) and Bhakti (devotion). More : http://hellowardha.com/leftsidemenu/pavanar-ashram/
Shunya_Usha Tai_Moments 2
01:01

Shunya_Usha Tai_Moments 2

Usha Tai had worked with Vinoba Bhave in Brahma Vidya Mandir, Paunar, Maharashtra, India. Founded by Vinoba Bhave, Brahma Vidya Mandir is the temple (Mandir) where one seeks the wisdom and experience(Vidya) of the Absolute(Brahma). Women’s spiritual emancipation is the motto of Brahma Vidya Mandir. At present, in all, 28 sisters live in the ashram. they come from different states of India and one is from Japan. Without distinction of caste, creed, language, religion, and nationality they share their lives together. Brothers closely associated with Vinobaji also lived with the sisters. Life in Brahma Vidya Mandir is the fusion of the three classic currents of sadhana, Karma (action), Jnana (knowledge), and Bhakti (devotion). This threeefold combination provides the means to meet the fundamental needs of the body, mind and spirit. The members of Brahma Vidya Mandir are diligently committed to Samuhik Sadhana(collective spiritual pursuit for the realization of the Self). This collective spiritual sadhana is central theme of the ashram. In short, this means surrendering all of one’s capacities at the feet of the Lord, abiding in the group, and seeing the inter-union of all aspirants as different organs of one body. There are 5 pillars of the community’s spiritual life, all grounded in satya(truth) and ahimsa (nonviolence). The pillars are Brahmacharya(celibacy), Samuhik Sadhana, Shrama(productive manual labour), Swadhyaya (self study) and Bhakti (devotion). More : http://hellowardha.com/leftsidemenu/pavanar-ashram/
Usha Tai_Paunar Vinoba Ashram
27:46

Usha Tai_Paunar Vinoba Ashram

Usha Tai had worked with Vinoba Bhave in Brahma Vidya Mandir, Paunar, Maharashtra, India. Founded by Vinoba Bhave, Brahma Vidya Mandir is the temple (Mandir) where one seeks the wisdom and experience(Vidya) of the Absolute(Brahma). Women’s spiritual emancipation is the motto of Brahma Vidya Mandir. At present, in all, 28 sisters live in the ashram. they come from different states of India and one is from Japan. Without distinction of caste, creed, language, religion, and nationality they share their lives together. Brothers closely associated with Vinobaji also lived with the sisters. Life in Brahma Vidya Mandir is the fusion of the three classic currents of sadhana, Karma (action), Jnana (knowledge), and Bhakti (devotion). This threeefold combination provides the means to meet the fundamental needs of the body, mind and spirit. The members of Brahma Vidya Mandir are diligently committed to Samuhik Sadhana(collective spiritual pursuit for the realization of the Self). This collective spiritual sadhana is central theme of the ashram. In short, this means surrendering all of one’s capacities at the feet of the Lord, abiding in the group, and seeing the inter-union of all aspirants as different organs of one body. There are 5 pillars of the community’s spiritual life, all grounded in satya(truth) and ahimsa (nonviolence). The pillars are Brahmacharya(celibacy), Samuhik Sadhana, Shrama(productive manual labour), Swadhyaya (self study) and Bhakti (devotion). More : http://hellowardha.com/leftsidemenu/pavanar-ashram/
Collective Spiritual Practice_Usha Tai_Moments 01
01:00

Collective Spiritual Practice_Usha Tai_Moments 01

Usha Tai had worked with Vinoba Bhave in Brahma Vidya Mandir, Paunar, Maharashtra, India. Founded by Vinoba Bhave, Brahma Vidya Mandir is the temple (Mandir) where one seeks the wisdom and experience(Vidya) of the Absolute(Brahma). Women’s spiritual emancipation is the motto of Brahma Vidya Mandir. At present, in all, 28 sisters live in the ashram. they come from different states of India and one is from Japan. Without distinction of caste, creed, language, religion, and nationality they share their lives together. Brothers closely associated with Vinobaji also lived with the sisters. Life in Brahma Vidya Mandir is the fusion of the three classic currents of sadhana, Karma (action), Jnana (knowledge), and Bhakti (devotion). This threeefold combination provides the means to meet the fundamental needs of the body, mind and spirit. The members of Brahma Vidya Mandir are diligently committed to Samuhik Sadhana(collective spiritual pursuit for the realization of the Self). This collective spiritual sadhana is central theme of the ashram. In short, this means surrendering all of one’s capacities at the feet of the Lord, abiding in the group, and seeing the inter-union of all aspirants as different organs of one body. There are 5 pillars of the community’s spiritual life, all grounded in satya(truth) and ahimsa (nonviolence). The pillars are Brahmacharya(celibacy), Samuhik Sadhana, Shrama(productive manual labour), Swadhyaya (self study) and Bhakti (devotion). More : http://hellowardha.com/leftsidemenu/pavanar-ashram/
Ram Hari
08:57

Ram Hari

A short film on the recent visit to Vinoba Bhave Ashram in Brahma Vidya Mandir, Paunar, India. Founded by Vinoba Bhave, Brahma Vidya Mandir is the temple (Mandir) where one seeks the wisdom and experience(Vidya) of the Absolute(Brahma). Women’s spiritual emancipation is the motto of Brahma Vidya Mandir. At present, in all, 28 sisters live in the ashram. they come from different states of India and one is from Japan. Without distinction of caste, creed, language, religion, and nationality they share their lives together. Brothers closely associated with Vinobaji also lived with the sisters. Life in Brahma Vidya Mandir is the fusion of the three classic currents of sadhana, Karma (action), Jnana (knowledge), and Bhakti (devotion). This threeefold combination provides the means to meet the fundamental needs of the body, mind and spirit. The members of Brahma Vidya Mandir are diligently committed to Samuhik Sadhana(collective spiritual pursuit for the realization of the Self). This collective spiritual sadhana is central theme of the ashram. In short, this means surrendering all of one’s capacities at the feet of the Lord, abiding in the group, and seeing the inter-union of all aspirants as different organs of one body. There are 5 pillars of the community’s spiritual life, all grounded in satya(truth) and ahimsa (nonviolence). The pillars are Brahmacharya(celibacy), Samuhik Sadhana, Shrama(productive manual labour), Swadhyaya (self study) and Bhakti (devotion). More : http://hellowardha.com/leftsidemenu/pavanar-ashram/
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