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Ramesh Balsekar's Second Punya Tithi
Friends and admirers to meet in Mumbai

Friends and admirers of Ramesh Balsekar will be meeting on the occasion of his second Punya Tithi on September 27, 20011 at 6.30 pm. The first Hindi book based on Rameshji's teachings titled Dharm Se Swadharm Tak will be formally launched on that occasion. Venue: Mr. Chaitan Balsekar’s residence, Fourth Floor, Sindhula, Nowroji Gamadia Road, Off Warden Road, Mumbai 400026 RSVP (please): Sanjay: +91 9819556141; Yogesh: +91 9820095462

Photo: Ramesh Balsekar



Ramesh Balsekar passes away
The Guru of Acceptance transformed thousands of lives

Ramesh Sadashiv Balsekar, wise old sage and Advaita teacher who pointed the Way to thousands of seekers from all over the world, passed away after a brief illness at 9am on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at his residence in South Mumbai, India. He was 92. His mortal remains were cremated at the Chandanwadi electric crematorium the same night at 9pm.

Rameshji was known the world over for the clarity and simplicity of his Teaching. His radical teaching concepts like the ego of the sage, the ‘thinking mind’ and the ‘working mind’, ‘biological reaction’ and ‘egoic reaction’, the difference between witnessing, observing and non-witnessing, and the concept that free will and predetermination being not opposites but complementaries, have been found most useful by seekers and teachers alike, all over the world.

Ramesh Balsekar



'A Dewdrop In The Ocean' launched at Granth Book Shop, Mumbai
Renowned Indologist Prof. Francis X. D'sa formally releases the book

‘A Dewdrop In The Ocean – Wisdom Stories for Turbulent Times’ by Francis J. Padinjarekara was launched at Juhu Granth Book Shop in Mumbai on July 3, 2009.

Prof. Dr. Francis X. D’Sa, the eminent Indologist and a close friend and former professor of the author, formally launched the book. In a most inspiring speech, Prof.D’Sa spoke about the power of parables and stories to communicate the deepest wisdom in life and the need for awareness to transform our lives.

The chief guest, Ms Suma Varughese, editor-in-chief of Life Positive magazine, was all in praise of the book. Life Positive carried the first review of the book in its July issue.

Francis spoke about his relationship with Tony de Mello and the profound impact of Tony and his teaching on his life. The book and its sequel were born out of the experience of awareness and its transformative power.

The event was organised by Yogesh Sharma of Zen Publications and was well attended by a capacity audience. The book, distributed by Zen Publications, is now available in major bookstores in India as well as on this website.





Born free
Review of 'A Dewdrop In The Ocean' by Ashish Virmani, DNA, Mumbai, July 8, 2009

PJ FRANCIS, the author of A Dewdrop In The Ocean, sets out to further the legacy of modern existential wisdom

Author PJ Francis believes that spiritual shifts within our lives arise either slowly through gradual transformations over time or through 'spiritual emergencies'. "We wake up when we are hit hard by some experience or come to a spiritual realisation over the course of living our lives. Being spiritually awakened is not in our hands but can happen even if you're not actively seeking it," says Francis.

The author of A Dewdrop in the Ocean a book that deals with the issue of personal awakening believes that spiritually awakened souls in the modern world choose to live in the material world. "Instead of retreating to mountain tops or monasteries they (the spiritually awakened) return to the market place, to daily life in the world of work, relationships and material realities," reads the foreword to his book.

This is something Francis intrinsically believes in having been substantially influenced by the late Anthony De Mello, founder of the Sadhana Institute which deals with spreading holistic spiritual living for everyone. While the Sadhana Institute was organised in Jesuit tradition, it stepped outside the bounds of structured religion by dealing with psychotherapy and Hindu tradition as well. "I am equally influenced by the teachings of Buddha as I am with Jesus," says the writer, whose latest book features modern wisdom from Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Christian and Sufi religious traditions.

The book is told in the form of parables between a sage and a seeker. The author sees the sage as a seer, someone who can see and help others see and who is not exclusive to any one particular religious tradition. In Francis' own life, that mentor was Anthony De Mello whom he had the good fortune to meet both in the 70s and 80s. "Anthony De Mello had freed himself of the demanding strictures of pure organised religion," says Francis. And that is a path that the author has carried forward in his first book.

DNA, Mumbai, July 8, 2009



Disciples pay homage to Ramesh on Guru Pournima
Though frail, Advaita Master Ramesh Balsekar takes powerful satsang

Advaita Master Ramesh Balsekar is 92 and recovering from illness. He has become frail and finds it tiring to speak for long stretches. But on Guru Pournima day, July 7, when his disciples gathered from all over the world to pay him homage and give him their love, the Master mingled with them and gave an insightful satsang. The atmosphere was charged and disciples felt waves of energy sweeping them especially when the Master maintained silence. It was a memorable occasion for all those who were present.





Sharada Balsekar passes away
Advaita Master Ramesh Balsekar's wife was known for her benevolence and pragmatic wisdom

Smt. Sharada Balsekar, wife of well-known Advaita Master Ramesh Balsekar, passed away at 3am on June 23, 2009 at their home in Mumbai. She was 89. Rameshji’s visitors and disciples from the world over knew Sharadaji as a wise and benevolent but low profile figure. Zen Publications will miss her absence sorely.





Zen to distribute Swami Adhyatmananda’s Yoga books
Ancient wisdom of balanced living from a well-known Yogi

Zen Publications will now be distributing three profound and interesting Yoga titles from Swami Adhyatmananda, who comes from the rich lineage of Swami Sivanandaji and Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj. Swami Adhyatmananda is known the world over as much for his deep insight into Yoga as for his remarkable training skills. In true Yogic tradition Swamiji is bestowed with exceptional physical and mental agility. Rooted in equanimity, he is ever smiling, ever helpful. He is indefatigable and can work for hours on end, joyously and efficiently. He is truly the living embodiment of the ancient knowledge he imparts for improving physical, emotional and mental well-being. These titles have been published by Gurjar Publications, Ahmedabad.





Awareness Arc entrusts its books to Zen Publications for distribution
Keeping alive Tony De Mello's spiritual legacy

Awareness Arc, a Dublin-based organisation set up to carry forward the legacy of the well-known Spiritual Master Antony (Tony) De Mello, has entrusted the distribution of its books in India to Zen Publications. The first title to be offered is A Dewdrop In The Ocean by Francis J. Padinjarekara, his former colleague at Sadhana Foundation. A Dewdrop in The Ocean is an inspiring collection of short teaching stories, in line with the tradition of Tony’s writings.

Left: Francis J. Padinjarekara, author of A Dewdrop In The Ocean



Zen Publications launches its first language book in Marathi
Translation of best selling book Who Cares?!

Zen Publications recently launched its first language book in Mumbai. The book titled ‘Koun Parvah Karto?!’ is a Marathi language translation of Ramesh Balsekar’s best selling book ‘Who Cares?!’. The book has been translated by Hemant Nadkarni, an ardent spiritual seeker with deep understanding.





The vital skill of Facing The Media
The Hindu, October 14, 2008

The world has seen tremendous changes in all spheres. The media has also seen tremendous growth over the past few years. Media cells are required by all companies to ensure that correct information about their stock options, earnings results etc. The industry leaders must be confident, while appearing on print, or TV. Body language is also a key,” says Ravi Shyam, co-author of the book, “Facing the Media” and Chief Executive Officer of Media Training Worldwide, a New York based firm that trains professionals and industry captains on tactics and nuances of dealing with the media.

Ravi Shyam, Director of Media Training Worldwide - India Division has more than 25 years experience in the various market segments which include banking, finance, pharmaceuticals, textiles, retailing and more. He has accumulated a great deal of experience in honing perspectives in the areas of corporate imaging to brand equity building.

“I conduct workshops across the country that deals with the issues that industry captains must deal with before talking to the media. I often hear stories from top industry officials about how certain reporters misquote or twist facts to make them look bad or their quotes negative. Media training is aimed at ensuring that such slips do not occur,” he says.

“Industry captains need to understand that the manner in which the media functions in the days of breaking news and updates. Quick information is the key that they are looking for.” He adds, “Most industrialists do not follow or understand the concept of a news pyramid. They often start an interview by talking about the grand history of the company, its growth path etc. The important news item is ignored and placed in the end.”

“When the report is eventually filed, the story is completely turned upside down. The news item comes on top, while the rest of the information such as the history of the company is ignored. This book is part of the exercise to make them understand the manner in which the media distributes information.”

He concludes, “The fact remains that we live in a world where competition is the key to success in all fields. Innovation and great body language is a must when talking to reporters. In some cases, a small sign of stress or tense behaviour has the potential to ruin the future of any company.”

The book has been published by Turtle Books, an imprint of Zen Publications. It is available in leading bookstores across the country and costs Rs. 250. - Nikhil Varma

Left: Ravi Shyam, co-author of Facing The Media



Zen Publications launches Turtle Books
Facing The Media by Ravi Shyam & TJ Walker

Zen Publications, known the world over for its books on Spirituality, Mysticism and Philosophy, recently launched a new imprint, Turtle Books specifically for non-spiritual titles. The first offering from Turtle Books is 'Facing the Media - The Complete Guide To Image, Message and Sound Bites'. The book has been co-authored by Ravi Shyam & TJ Walker, from Media Training Worldwide, who have trained hundreds of CEOs in India and the US in the art of facing the media. "Turtle Books will be an independent division which will handpick and publish exciting titles in both fiction and non-fiction categories from established as well as debutant authors," announced Yogesh Sharma, publisher of Zen Publications. Zen currently distributes nearly 100 titles covering New Age categories within India and abroad.





Mauritius Mystic Swami Paramananda entrusts book distribution to Zen
Fourteen titles covering a wide range of subjects

SGS, the spiritual foundation of well-known mystic Swami Paramananda from Mauritius, has appointed Zen Publications as distributor of their books. Swami Paramananda, who has a large following, writes with exceptional lucidity on wide ranging subjects including Ancient Wisdom, the meaning and significance of spiritual symbolisms in various traditions, the path to the Truth, meditation practices and investigation of the nature of Self. He has authored over 14 books most of which have gone in for multiple reprints.

Left: Swami Paramananda



Moksha gets rave reviews in Mauritius
L'Express, August 28, 2008

Shakuntala says there are clear indicators that our global economy is on a downward trend.

Human and social values have been flushed down the drain of individualism and capitalism while politics has turned into a mafia gang, religion into a divisive force, and poverty into a social scourge. All this affects an increasing number of people, says Shakuntala Hawoldar, writer.

She says these are clear indicators that our global economy is on a downward roller coaster ride to disaster. A return to the essential values of life is the only chance for survival. Shakuntala launched her 12th book, MOKSHA, this week. It answers the innumerable questions that have popped up during her visits to other countries and have been the fuel of her inspiration. She says the anguish and feeling of helplessness of so many Mauritians when confronted to poverty, social injustice, corruption, religious frauds, reproduced around the world, show the social, individual, religious and political global decay. “At the very root of this situation, is the erosion of human and social values; the loss of all social and family safeguards and models. It seems life has come down to make-believe. It is now all about appearance. Leaders have deceived and disappointed us so much that corruption and fraud have become part of everyday life, nearly a new lifestyle,” the writer says. “Moksha decries the general feelings of anger, frustration, sadness and revolt, burning inside so many citizens worldwide. There is a credibility gap that has been created by the leaders' actions. So many forsaken citizens, unrespected promises and lies are taking the world to self-annihilation,” she says. The writer points out that politics is no business but is about service. “Corruption and fraud at all levels are so entrenched in the Earth's motions that we absolutely need to review the whole world paradigm and value system. The world needs peace. All citizens aspire towards living in a safe environment and there is no other solution than for world leaders to decide together. A solution can be found to the problems of agriculture, industrialisation, terrorism, economy and politics, provided all think together. Politics has become a mafia gang and, to change this trend, the citizens need to vote for those politicians who have the sincerity, and true desire to work for their country,” she says.

Hawoldar stresses the importance of a value and paradigm shift. “We need a change of perception of the world and of what surrounds us. We should encourage the concept of 'One world, One humanity.”

“The world is heading towards a dead end and we should think of the earth that we will leave for the future generations. Values are the building blocks of society and we need to go back to the values we once cherished and fought for, such as sincerity, truth, transparency and authenticity in our businesses and in our family lives. Families are broken because of the plague of lies and unhappiness has become the daily bread of so many,” she says.

This desire for a better world and for freedom is what has motivated Hawoldar in the choice of her book’s title 'Moksha'. “Moksha is the name of my granddaughter but it also means 'self-liberation'. Liberation from the decay that surrounds us on earth.” Stressing the importance of a new education, Shakuntala explains that this revolution must also take place in the educational sector.






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