Being together

I was standing at the entrance of the yoga hall dressed  in white traditional Indian attire. I looked at the watch it was about 4.30 PM and it was time for her to arrive. We were two volunteers in the advanced meditation course being conducted by Guruji and we had to welcome all the participants and show them their respective positions in the hall.

I got a text message. I looked at the mobile and the message was “sorry am late by one minute – CR”

I was surprised and looked around. I saw her standing with a big smile on her face. She was dressed in full white. I smiled back and started handing over the papers with the details of the participants.

I looked at her and said “wow, you look as splendid as ever”.

“Thank you handsome” she replied.

Chandana Rao had taken the meditation course along with me couple of months ago and we were volunteers for the next batch. It was the last day and Guruji had told us that he would talk about togetherness. This particular course was for couples and the idea was to help them lead a blissful life in each others company.

Three hours earlier -

“Rajesh please come out of the washroom faster. We need to do some shopping before going to the meditation classes” Sanjana shouted.

“Give me 5 more minutes and I will be coming out” Rajesh replied.

“You always go in either with a book or your mobile and spend 15 to 20 minutes there” she said.

There was an alert on Rajesh’s mobile. Sanjana picked up the mobile and read the message. It was a message on Whats app. It was from Sangeeta. Sangeeta was Rajesh’s friend living in Australia. Sanjana scrolled down the messages and could see that they both were chatting regularly on a daily basis. Her face became red with anger.

Rajesh came out of the washroom and said “Honey I am back. I took only 10 minutes this time”.

Sanjana was furious and said “Sangeeta again? You chat with her so much. What is there to discuss daily?”

Rajesh was surprised and remarked “Hey do not be jealous. You know very well that Sangeeta is my classmate and we know each other well since more than a decade. You can go through the messages and you will know that there is nothing doubtful between us”.

Next ten minutes was full decibel fight between the two.

Sanjana started crying and said “I am a fool to believe you completely. You have good friends outside and keep chatting with them regularly”

Rajesh was also furious and he said “Do not start it all over again. Who has stopped you from chatting with others? You can also chat with your friends .I have no objection”

Sanjana said “Look at yourself in the mirror. You do not have any empathy towards me. I will never chat with any other male. I do not blame Sangeeta. She is doing it out of true friendship. I am doubtful about you. Your intent is not ok”.

The fight continued for another 10 minutes. Later they started getting ready for the meditation class scheduled in the evening.

5.40 PM Meditation hall -

Rajesh and Sanjana walked into the hall. I could observe that they were upset with one another. I looked at Chandana.

 She came closer to me and whispered “Looks like the young couple had a fight”

I nodded and said “Let me talk to them”.

I went to Rajesh and asked him about the issue. Rajesh explained everything. Sanjana was staring at me. I smiled at her and nodded indicating that everything would be alright.

By 6 PM the Guruji entered the hall and sat on the high pedestal and closed his eyes. The volunteer who was sitting in the front started the chanting. All the participants closed their eyes and with a pleasant smile on their faces started following the instructions in the guided meditation that followed.

I was standing outside the hall. Chandana came to me and said “It has been a wonderful session and all the participants have been enjoying and feeling blessed”.

I smiled back and said “Meditation builds the person stronger from inside”.

After few minutes we entered the hall and the Guruji was speaking.

He said “Have you ever wondered why we whisper or shout? Tell me when do we whisper or talk in a lower tone?”

Few of the participants gave answers. I was observing Rajesh and Sanjana. They were sitting next to one another but were not looking at each other.

The Guruji continued “When we are in love the distance between the hearts becomes less. We speak to one another in a sweet and lower tone. The love may be between spouses, siblings or friends.

The physical distance does not matter. The two will keep talking to each other sweetly and show a huge amount of understanding and care toward one another.

When we fight or we are in hatred we shout. Have you not seen people fighting? They will be standing next to each other but still they will be shouting and in many cases the surrounding people will be hearing their fight. In such cases the distance between the hearts will be so much that they will have to shout to be heard”.

I looked at Rajesh. For the first time in the evening Rajesh and Sanjana looked at each other. I could see guilt in their eyes.

The Guruji continued “Now I would like to demonstrate the power of togetherness and I need two volunteers for this. Rajesh and Sanjana please come on to the stage”

They both went to the stage. Two chairs were on the stage and they sat facing one another. The Guruji asked them to get closer and hold their hands together.

He continued “Now both of you look into each others eyes and start remembering the events that happened in your life recently”.

I looked at Chandana and gestured her to come near me. I bent closer to her ears and said “Now let us see. Who will blink first?”

“Sanjana of course. She is a woman” she said.

I continued “Knowing Rajesh very well it is going to be the other way round. Anyway let us wait and watch”.

The Guruji continued “Both of you remember one event that happened in the recent past which was uncomfortable and try to figure out why it happened. It was whose mistake? Was it a mistake at all?”

Sanjana and Rajesh continued holding their hands together and looking into each other’s eyes. Their eyes started becoming moist. Maybe they were recollecting the fight they had in the afternoon. It continued for next 5 minutes and the Guruji kept telling them how important it was to be together though many differences could arise.

Suddenly Rajesh broke down. He started crying like a child. He held Sanjana’s hands very tightly and said “Please forgive me. I have been very unfair to you. I could have explained to you today about my friends and could have pacified you properly when you were upset. Instead my ego came in between and I spoke nastily to you”.

Sanjana too started crying and held his hands tightly.

I looked around. I could understand the mood that was created. Many of the men and women in the crowd had tears in their eyes. They were getting connected to the couple. It was silence all around. After another 5 minutes of silence, the Guruji started speaking. He said “We know that Rajesh and Sanjana love each other. They always speak to one another with love. Sometimes due to external pressures and circumstances the hearts move away and partners start shouting and become angry. Ultimately true love prevails”.

The session ended and one by one the participants started moving out. I was standing in the entrance wishing them as they went out. Chandana came near me. She placed her hand on my shoulder and said “I saw your eyes were moist during the event. Even I could not hold myself back. Go home and have dinner with your wife and kids. Love them more that ever”.

 I smiled back. Shook hands with her and started walking to my car.

 I saw Rajesh and Sanjana walking hand in hand to their car. I felt happy, smiled and got into my car.