Synchronicity. Pure
and total. That’s what my travel to Nijmegen is. I requested Wim, AVI
coordinator of The Netherlands for support for my program in Amsterdam. Wim is
a true Aurovilian who does not live in Auroville but contributed so much in the
progress of Auroville. Wim suggested
that I visit Nijmegen and Johan will
help me. I met Johan in Auroville in early 2013 and I was impressed with his
hands-on technical capabilities in many fields. The rest just happened with so
much ease and grace that there is no other way to describe it other than
synchronicity. Johan responded positively and just one week before my arrival I
requested whether I can offer a Pranayama workshop. Johan just made it happen.
In fact, Johan occurs to me as an embodiment of “Just do it”. He owns the most
number of tools I have ever seen with and has so much material and tools that
he had to hire a shack to keep them. He is currently installing solar power
panels for exporting to the grid and is involved in every community activity
you can think of. 
Nijmen is a not a big town. But, it is beautiful. So
beautiful, green and lovely. Johan and Gonnie live in a community that is very
charming and I stayed in the common guest room. They took me out for dinner by
walk and the 30 minute walk was very enjoyable. I loved every bit of the town
we walked through. On our way back, we sauntered through the park and it was
gorgeous, with a golden sun setting on the western horizon, the sky lit up with
psychedelic hues of red, blue, orange and many colours that I can’t name, the
shimmering Wal river reflecting the beautiful sky and altering the reflection
in an intriguing way, the cool breeze….
After a lovely and sumptuous breakfast put together by
Gonnie, Johan took me for a ride to another community that is linked by their shared
L3 ring network (he took the day off to show me around)There, I met Paul,
another very interesting person. Paul so kindly took time out to take me around
and show me the infrastructure as well give me a feel for the social aspects of
their community. Then Johan drove me over the 7 hills to another community
housed a beautiful castle like old building that also shares the L3 ring, and
for a walk along the river followed by a great lunch in a cute, old restaurant
close to the river. We got back in time for the Pranayama workshop. Thanks to
the efforts put in by Johan, we had a nice gathering. I was pleasantly
surprised yet another time by the participation of people in Germany and
Holland. I enjoyed the session so much and looked forward to the next session.
The day dawned bright and gorgeous. I took a lazy walk to the town and ambled
along the beautiful streets, parks, market square and the Cathedral, basking in
the warm sunshine. By about 1PM the sun became quite warm, almost like the
winter sun of Auroville. I was so happy that Wim cycled across the German
border and we had yet another fabulous Pranayama session. Gonnie and Johan made
this very unique by inviting people for a simple but very nutritious and
enjoyable dinner after the session. The meal consisted of honey dew melon,
peanut, leek and vegetable soup followed by apricot and yogurt dessert. Johan
and Gonnie are very active in their community and they know everybody and
speared lot of goodwill with the tome and attention they give to community
consciousness, work and initiatives.
On the day of my departure, Gonnie drove me to the train station
and literally put me in the train to Schipol.
What can I say about
such a delightful experience? Johan is aspiring to live in Auroville. I look forward to their visit in Jan 2014 and
wish that they would live in Auroville. They would be valuable additions to the
International City of Human Unity. Because Johan is a bundle of energy with hands-on-skills
skills in electronics, communications, electrical systems, solar power, mechanical
engineering, wood work…… and Gonnie is a healer. My conviction that Unity is happening was
deepened here, thanks to the inspiring communities I visited and meeting Gonnie
and Johan here. I am fortunate to meet this wonderful couple and receive so
much of their love and caring attention they gave so generously. I feel so
happy, grateful and blessed.
It would be fun-tastic to come here again.
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