================== Mayor of Kauai, the Honorable Maryanne Kusaka:

Aloha, dear friends.

We were all prepared for this day. And yet, we were not prepared.

How could we possibly think that we could prepare for the loss of such a courageous man? The loss of such a dear and devoted friend?

Gurudeva touched each of our lives in a very special way. He touched the lives of millions of people the world over.

Gurudeva was a shining example of goodness in a world sorely in need of one. He was a wise mentor to many. He was a kind and attentive father to Kauai's children..and families of all faiths. His profound leadership inspired intense love and loyalty in his followers.

Although Gurudeva is no longer physically with usƒwe will feel his presence in our lives always. He will be ever hovering in our collective soul Ü a white dove Ü a vision of beauty and purity. He will continue to show himself in all that is goodƒas we who loved him follow in his radiant light.

How blessed we are to have had Gurudeva in our lives. We do not fully realize the greatness of Gurudeva. Perhaps we were too close to himƒso privileged were we to have him walk in our midst. How could we fully appreciate what he meant to millions of people around the world?

Every man wishes to leave a legacy. Gurudeva's legacy will be forever with usƒas his temple becomes a reality in the valley he called home. For generations to comeƒGurudeva's light will shine from the templeƒuniting his followers and those who loved him the world over.

And so let us remember the teachings of a great man. Let us imagine a world living in concert with his vision. Most of all, let us give life to the lessons Gurudeva taught us.

In that wayƒwe can think of his passing, not as a loss, but as a gift. A gift to his beloved Kauaiƒa gift to the world.

Somehow, I think he would want us to do that.

Aloha.

Sisters Hema and Alka Patel pilgrimaged to Kauai last week to attend the Jayanti (birthday) celebration of Gurudeva at our Kadavul Hindu Temple. They have known Gurudeva since very young and used to attend our old temple in San Francisco. They met Gurudeva with their parents for the last time at the Embassy Suites hotel in San Francisco, when Gurudeva passed through last August on his way back from the Europe Innersearch. In this photo they are personally "connecting" for the first time with Bodhinatha, Gurudeva's successor. They asked Bodhinatha for guidance in their religious routines and also expressed their wish to move forward on the spiritual path by studying in Himalayan Academy. They enjoy reading the daily Master Course lesson on e-mail.

Title: Parents are the First Guru Category: Family Duration: 11 min., 48 seconds Date Given: January 4, 2002 Date Posted: January_9_2002 Given by: Bodhinatha

CyberTalk: Parents are the first gurus. This will be my message to parents in Mauritius, Malaysia and Singapore when I visit them this September. Everything starts in the home. To change behavior in the world, we need to first change it in the home. Children taught that violence is acceptable and a way to solve problems. Swamis and spiritual teachers in unusual position of being the second guru. Swais often spend years helping individuals undo what their first gurus, their parents, did before progress can be made if they didn't do a good job. Many people have terrible self-esteem because of their parent saying things like "How can you be so stupid?" This can be fixed.

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