Ashirvachan Magazine Vol 1 Issue 3

1. ashirvachanBUILDING COURAGE, INTELLIGENCE AND KNOWLEDGE |
INSPIRATION
THE PRAYER
OF COURAGE
COLLABORATING
FOR
CHANGE
SEVEN WAYS
TO
LOVE
THE NEW
DREAM
VOL. 1 ISSUE 3 | `50
JANUARY - MARCH 2015
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3. Panel Of Advisors
Art
Ravinder Kalsi
Education
Shabbi Luthra
Vanita Sehgal
Health
Ashok Khurana
Maria Angelica Sassone
Law
P.K. Ganguly
Media
Col. R.K. Kapoor
Shashikant Kapoor
Music
Jawahar Wattal
Preet Raj Kwatra
Spirituality
Vimla Luthra
Theater
Danish Iqbal
Welfare
J.R. Luthra
RNI Registration Number:
DELENG/2014/56076
Printed, Published,
Edited & Owned by
Shamshir Rai Luthra
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CONTACT us at
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ASHIRVACHAN Vol. 1 Issue 3 IN THIS DAIS
THE PRAYER OF COURAGE on p.4
Realize the indomitable strength that lies within you.
Healer, Activist SHAMSHIR RAI LUTHRA inspires you to be
strong from within.
COLLABORATING FOR CHANGE on p.6
“What can we do to change the administrative mindset
and build support for innovative practices of teaching and
learning in our local schools?” DR. SHABBI LUTHRA reflects.
NECTAR on p.8
JAI UTTAL, the Golden Voice Of Kirtan, defines ‘Kirtan’ as
an invaluable nectar that rejuvenates fatiguing spirits, and
explains the many shades of devotional music.
THE NEW DREAM on p.12
JANA FLEMING, Founder of Emotional Healing Systems Inc.
welcomes the dawn of collective action for social justice,
environmental sustainability, and spiritual fulfilment.
TRUE FRIENDS OF TREES on p.10
“If humanity wishes to endure, we must find a way to live
in harmony with nature, and not against it.” Eco-Warrior
TRIPAT PARMAR expresses her faith in trees and nature.
THE PERFECT ARTIST on p.14
Meet an artist of exceptional brilliance - MARINO LECCHI.
His paintings reflect mathematical accuracy, and
supreme insightfulness.
‘Ashirvachan Magazine’ is a sequel to ‘Ashirvachan Dais’ - A SHARED-KNOWLEDGE confluence
which embraces VISION Leaders, Educators, ARTISTS and Spiritualists from across the globe
Cover Photo: ©BONNIEGUSTIN PHOTOGRAPHY InThe Pic:Alexis Reber-King,Travis Reber, Nicole King and Hugo
IMPORTANT NOTICE: All rights to reproduce, and transmit the ‘contents’ are reserved.You are not permitted to use any ‘contents’
such as articles, quotes, photographs, or graphics without explicit written permission from the authors, artists, and photographers
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without prior consent, kindly inform us immediately, and we shall remove them from our future reprints.
DISCLAIMER:The views and opinions expressed inAshirvachan are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of
the publisher and editors.The publisher and editors are not responsible and liable for any comments, or advice given by the authors,
advertisers and content-contributors and will not be liable for any damages. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of
competent courts and forums in Delhi/ New Delhi only.
ASHIRVACHAN | JANUARY - MARCH 2015 p.3

4. THE PRAYER OF COURAGE
Beneath that tough façade,
probably lies a delicate,
fearful spirit. True strength
is not in strong words,
and harsh actions. It dwells
in a valiant mind, and a
secure heart.
SHAMSHIR RAI LUTHRA
inspires you to be
strong from within.
Realize the indomitable strength that lies within you
Photo:GarryKnight
INSPIRATION
p.4 ASHIRVACHAN | JANUARY - MARCH 2015

5. O Greatest Bearer Of The Spirit Of Strength,
And Endurance
Only You, Know My Sins.
Only You, Know My Lies.
Only You, Know My Truths Innate.
Only You, Know What’s Best For Me.
I Accept You Now, In My Mindfulness.
I Accept You Now, In My Reasoning.
I Accept Your Omnipotent Presence.
I Have Tried Many Ways,
In Despair I Have Tried,
In Anger I Have Tried,
In Revenge I Have Tried,
In Passion I Have Tried,
But My Ways Have Failed To Sustain.
Please Show Me Sustainable Paths,
Please Give Me Enduring Answers,
How Actions Must Be Done,
If At All, They Must Be Done.
My Mind, My Body, My Spirit
I Surrender.
My Thoughts, My Actions, My Existence
I Surrender.
To The Purest, The Most Devoted,
And The Most Knowledgeable One
I Surrender
My Impurity, My Infidelity And My Cunning.
I Know Nothing, And Nothing Belongs To Me.
They Know Nothing, And Nothing Belongs To Them.
Show Me The Way
Through Disloyalty, And Despair.
Show Me The Light
Through Darkness, And Defeat.
Illuminate My Being,
So That I May Overcome Each Adversity.
Illuminate My Presence,
So That I May Conquer Every Wrongdoer.
Grant Me Great Courage,
To Bring Hope To My People,
Grant Me Great Intelligence,
To Bring Victory To My Toil.
Grant Me Great Knowledge,
To Bring Contentment To My Spirit.
For Without My Being,
I Am No One.
For Without My World,
I Do Not Wish To Be.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
SHAMSHIR RAI LUTHRA
shares his light through
various mediums such
as writing, social
service, education, arts,
and public speaking.
His voice and
presence heals.
Photo:WilliamWarby
ASHIRVACHAN | JANUARY - MARCH 2015 p.5

6. COLLABORATING
FOR CHANGE BY
DR. SHABBI LUTHRA
What can we do to change the administrative
mindset and build support for innovative practices
of teaching and learning in our local schools?
What are the ways in which we can can contribute,
collaborate, and partner?
p.6 ASHIRVACHAN | JANUARY - MARCH 2015
Photo:Vera&Jean-Christophe
EDUCATION

7. COLLABORATING FOR CHANGE
BY DR. SHABBI LUTHRA
ALL MY BLESSINGS
BY THERESA HUMPHREY
ABOUT THE EDUCATOR
Educator, Consultant, Presenter
DR. SHABBI LUTHRA is empowering
educators, students, and parents
& building 21st century learning
environments. She is currently the
Director of Research & Development
at American School of Bombay.
ABOUT THE VISIONARY
Artist & Spiritualist THERESA
HUMPHREY is the founder of ‘Children
Celebrating Life Through Art’. She
envisages to connect children of her
communities with other communities
and cultures around the world
through this remarkable initiative.
Every moment of every breath is a blessing.
Every experience is an insight into our souls.
Every new person is a fresh chance to create a new
friendship.
Every thought has it’s opposite right beside it!
Every adversity has the ability to create a triumph.
A couple of years back I attended my first tech
conference in India. It was very well organized,
was attended by 2000 participants from all over
India and the world. The format of the conference
was interesting. There were four strands focused on
technology initiatives in the area of Governance,
Health, Agriculture, and Education. Of course the
strand that was of interest to me was Education.
The educators from Indian schools who attended this
conference were not from elite schools in India. They
represented a range of local district school models –
village schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas (a huge network
of government supported schools all over India), NGO
schools, and municipal schools (city-funded schools).
We were all eager to discuss and find answers to the
dilemmas we face in our collective altruistic endeavor
to prepare the future citizens of our world. There
were several takeaways from the conference for me.
(These could read as takeaways from any education
conference anywhere in the world today.)
Educators are facing a problem with engaging the
current generation of students in their own learning.
Local schools in India are dealing with funding issues,
lack of innovation, lack of relevant professional
development, and most importantly, lack of
leadership and vision – problems similar to what
public schools (and some independent schools) in
the US and other parts of the world are facing. There
is great deal of energy and hunger for change in
practices.
There is a lack of vision of what the change should
look like. Educators are naïve about software and
hardware vendors’ commercial motivations. This
make educators (and schools) with limited funding
vulnerable to adopting irrelevant technologies as a
panacea. I left the conference with a question — As
a school in Mumbai that is a leader in innovative
practices in the use of technology, how can we
meaningfully collaborate, partner, and/or contribute
towards a resolution of these problems in our host
country’s local schools? I am not looking for answers
in the form of fund-raisers. We’re very good at that.
Bake-sales, clothes/toys/books drives — all very
important but small and token measures. I am not
looking for answers in the form of teacher training –
teachers from elite progressive schools that believe
in transformative pedagogy and practices, training
teachers from schools where the norm is lecture-style
teaching and rote learning.
While the trainings will be mind-shifting, they would lack
the ‘stickiness’ necessary for the trainings to translate into
real change in the classroom. That ‘stickiness’ comes from
administrative support in the form of leadership and vision.
While I believe in mind over matter, I also believe in
Grace which is to say, sometimes adversity is put there in
front of us to teach us something grand and the more we
shy away from the lesson, the more it will present itself in
more and more dramatic ways until we GET IT! Life is full of
everything imaginable and then some! Thank you God for
all that I have and will experience in this life!
Photo:WilliamWarby
ASHIRVACHAN | JANUARY - MARCH 2015 p.7

8. SPIRITUAL
SENSE
The Golden Voice Of Kirtan, defines ‘Kirtan’ as
an invaluable nectar that rejuvenates fatiguing spirits,
and explains the many shades of devotional music
NECTARBy
JAI UTTAL
ABOUT THE ARTISTE
JAI UTTAL —
a Grammy nominated
sacred music
composer,
recording artist,
multi-instrumentalist,
and ecstatic vocalist,
combines influences
from India with
influences
from American rock
and jazz, creating a
stimulating and exotic
multi-cultural fusion that
is truly world spirit music.p.8 ASHIRVACHAN | JANUARY - MARCH 2015
Photo:JefferyNewbury

9. NECTAR
BY JAI UTTAL
IN THE BHAV
BY SRUTI RAM PALMER
Kirtan is the calling, the crying, and the reaching across
infinite space -- digging into the heart’s deepest well to
touch and be touched by the Divine Presence.
Kirtan is singing over and over the many names of
God and the Goddess, the multi-colored rainbow
manifestations of the One. It is said that there is no
difference between the name and that which is being
named, and as the words roll off our lips in song, the
Infinite is invoked, invited, made manifest in our hearts.
Kirtan is part of an ancient form of Yoga known as
Bhakti, or the Yoga of Devotion. But in Bhakti we
redefine “devotion”, we expand the meaning to
include every shade of color in the palette of human
emotion, turned towards God through song, dance,
and worship. These chants have been sung for
millenniums by sages, sinners, devotees, and the great
primordial yogi alchemists of old. And as we sing, we
immerse ourselves in an endless river of prayer that
has been flowing since the birth of the first human
beings, longing to know their creator.
Being in the Bhav is a truly mystical experience for
each one of us to enjoy. It is uniquely individual for
every person for it relates to our personal relationship
with our maker.
No two people are in the same place spiritually and
the Supreme Lord responds to each of us differently,
according to where we have evolved and our
individual karma’s. We all qualify and are eligible
however diverse our situations in life may be.
The common denominator within the Bhav is a feeling
of bliss and sometimes euphoria and a sense of
fearlessness. In the moment, these feelings are clearly
caused by a lack of concern for circumstances of
the mundane world. In other words this ‘Bhav energy’
transports our consciousness to something greater
and knowledge of a plane of existence where we are
safe and nourished spiritually.
We leave our minds and unite in our hearts. We feel
Gods presence within us, and in the Kirtan experience
we are aware that the Kirtan collective is also united
in our bliss. These ancient words have be chanted
for thousands of years and science has proven, that
sound travels for infinity.
We become a member of that enormous collective,
and realize the power contained within that
fellowship.
This sharing of love and devotion to the supreme
radiates out like concentric circles formed in a pond
when a stone is thrown into it. We become the center
of love and goodness and ultimately become a
vehicle of compassion and a light on the path. For
what greater service is it than to help each other find
the path back to the eternal connection to God.
Photo:LuisArgerich
These ancient words have been chanted for
thousands of years and science has proven,
that sound travels for infinity.
- Sruti Ram Palmer
ABOUT THE ARTISTE
Co-founder of SRI Kirtan, and
with 40 years of kirtan leading
experience aside from his
background in Gregorian chant,
opera and doo-wop, SRUTI RAM
PALMER is sharing his divinity
through bhajan, and kirtan
events across the western world.
ASHIRVACHAN | JANUARY - MARCH 2015 p.9

10. p.10 ASHIRVACHAN | JANUARY - MARCH 2015
“I serve trees. I am a lover of
trees. I grow them, nurture
them, and take care of them.”
“If human society wishes to
endure,we must find a way to
live in harmony with nature, and
not against it. For this, we need
to change the mindset of people
who have taken our natural
resources for granted.”
LATE DR. M.L. DEWAN
FROM INDIA, WAS A SOIL
SCIENTIST AND A WATERSHED
MANAGEMENT EXPERT,
WHO STARTED HIS WORK
ON CONSERVATION IN THE
DAMODAR VALLEY IN 1949.
HE DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO THE
RESTORATION AND PROTECTION
OF THE MAJESTIC HIMALAYAS. IN
HIS LIFETIME, HE PLANTED AS WELL
AS ARRANGED PLANTATIONS OF
OVER 1,00,000 TREES.
TRIPAT TUTEJA PARMAR
IS THE FOUNDER DIRECTOR OF
DEEKSHA, INDIA. SHE IS WORKING
TOWARDS SENSITIZING THE
MASSES, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN,
ON ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
AND CARE. SHE ALSO
SELF-PUBLISHES A QUARTERLY
ENVIRONMENT MAGAZINE TITLED
‘DEEKSHA’
MISSIONARY
ZEAL
TRUE FRIENDS
OF TREES
Photo: William Warby

11. ASHIRVACHAN | JANUARY - MARCH 2015 p.11
“In Narnaul, as you walk around nearby villages,
exploring Historical Monuments, trekking to Dhosi Hills,
and Dharsoon-Waale Hamza Peer Baba, in Dharsoon
Village, you will sense sacred energies that have
been present here, since time immemorial.
In Vedic periods, Spiritual Saints and Masters such as
Chyavana Rishi (Author of Book ‘Charak Samhita’
and Inventor of ‘Chyavanprash’) and his father Bhrigu
Rishi (Author of Astrology Book ‘Bhrigu Samhita’) have
meditated here.
Sufi Saint Peer Turkman also meditated here.
Narnaul is replete with historical monuments like
Ibrahim Shah Suri’s Tomb, Shah Wilayat Khan’s Tomb,
Pabianwali Mosque, Takhat Waali Baoli, Jal Mahal,
Shah Quli Khan’s Tomb, Hargopal’s Tomb, Jamal
Khan’s Tomb, Tripolia Gateway, Nagpuriyon ki Baoli,
Janak Sarovar, and Sarai Bal Mukund Das, also known
as Birbal ka Chhatta (Birbal used to visit here!).
Latif, a noted scholar who stayed here during the
seventeenth century, compares the city with heaven
itself. Shah Quli Khan also built a beautiful garden
near the palace. Latif compares this garden with
‘Bagh-e-Aram’ – Garden Of Paradise.”
SPIRITUAL PORTALS
OF NARNAUL
28°.04’N 76°.11’E
Photos Source: Anne Weth & Samrat Narula
SAMRAT NARULA
IS THE FOUNDER OWNER OF
VILLAGE RESORT, NARNAUL,
INDIA, WHICH OFFERS UNIQUE
SPIRITUAL RETREATS AND TOURS
IN NARNAUL. HE IS ACTIVELY
INVOLVED IN PRESERVING AND
PROMOTING THE ECOLOGICAL
AND CULTURAL HERITAGES OF
NARNAUL.

12. p.12 ASHIRVACHAN | JANUARY - MARCH 2015
ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL HEALER
Founder and Owner of Emotional
Healing Systems, Inc. JANA FLEMING’s
mission is to inspire people with her
life’s story of overcoming a childhood
of abuse, neglect, and poverty.
THE NEW DREAM
BY JANA FLEMING
The Old Dream is dying. It’s demise becomes inevitable as we discover the devastation we’ve
caused to our own planet home, as we count the rising cost of our inhumanity to each other
and as we see how our current way of living fails to deliver lasting happiness. All of these are the
inevitable conclusions of an old dream rooted in acquisition, consumption and putting personal
gain above communal good.
The New Dream is emerging! It’s community, collaboration; it’s life-enhancing and earth-honouring;
it’s together and for our grand-children, rather than Supersize me Now! So we’re seeing the largest
social movement of all time, millions of people and organisations working for Environmental
Sustainability, Social Justice and Spiritual Fulfilment, three facets of a new dream for Humanity and
Planet Earth.
Photo:BarrySolow

13. ASHIRVACHAN | JANUARY - MARCH 2015 p.13
ABOUT THE CREATIVE CRUSADER
Inventor, Design Engineer, Social
Crusader MICHAEL GOEBEL
shares a beautiful piece of
advice for those whose hearts
are open to change.
THINK ONLY LOVE
BY MICHAEL GOEBEL
Probably, the ultimate ‘mastery of life’ depends solely on your ability to be ‘one-pointed’ - that is,
to constantly retain Love as your focus of consciousness. When you do this, you are signaling to the
universe, the very thing which it is most capable of resonating with.
The mind is a perpetual source of confusion and will lead you astray, whereas your heart is a much
more reliable indicator of what is truly loving. “Think with the heart and Love with the mind” is a
very powerful method of sorting out the plethora of confusing and misleading thoughts that you
may find yourself presented with from time to time. Often you will find yourself in a negative space.
Examine the series of thoughts that led you to this place and you will find that it was a ‘lack of
love’ that had brought you there. By cleansing your mind of these ‘non-loving’ thoughts, you will
effectively de-rail these ‘negative thought-trains’ and avoid finding yourself in an unhappy and
disempowered state.
Photo:GarryKnight

14. p.14 ASHIRVACHAN | JANUARY - MARCH 2015
ABOUT THE ARTISTE
MARINO LECCHI, from Italy, is a truly global artist.
His works of art are exceptional,
and remarkably aesthetic.
ART
OF MY
HEART
Images: © Marino Lecchi
THE PERFECT ARTIST
Marino Lecchi, seems to understand the deepest mysteries of the cosmos. His paintings
reflect mathematical accuracy, and supreme insightfulness.
Geometry, Space and Harmony blend in unique proportions to form timeless masterpieces.
Maestro Marino paints with warm colors and fine strokes, reflecting a high level of
sensitivity and self-disciple.
In touch with the times, Marino Lecchi masterpieces reflect perfect harmony and beauty
that is omnipresent in the depths of the human consciousness, as well as the universe without.
Each of his paintings are perfect in themselves. Objective silhouettes as well as human
forms are identifiable, as well as shapes and colors etch a permanent, and instant
recall of Marino Lecchi’s unique style and creative expression.

15. TAlking Rich Studios is a creative workstation
that creates online content, audio-visual MEDIA,
and invents learning systems and training sessions,
for CONGLOMERATES, WELFARE organiZations, and
SCHOLASTIC institutIONS.
Amazing, enriching and
extremely motivating presence.
1000 people were inspired to
'Become What They Believe!'
SHILPA AJWANI, SALES LEADER,
INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER
Thank you for instilling faith
in each of our presenters, for
giving them focus, and helping
them realize their true potential!
SONNY SHRESTHA, RADIO
STATION CO-FOUNDER, NEPAL
TALKING RICH STUDIOS
P.O.BOX 4217, GREATER KAILASH 2, NEW DELHI 110048, INDIA

16. RNI Registration Number:
DELENG/2014/56076
Photo:TonyFischer