“Come with me tomorrow” she suggests while she is taking the wonderful smelling apple cake out of the oven, “it is really fun.” I am sceptical. Going to a Guru is only something for esoterics or hippies, not for young people like me who are standing in the middle of life. Although, the good mood my mother is in since she is going to Madhukar is really infecting. Finally no grouchiness anymore, instead delicious cake. Obviously there must be something about this man! Maybe I really should form my own view on it, I am thinking while I put with relish the first still warm piece of cake in my mouth. For nowadays prejudices can win no flowerpot anymore. Meanwhile they are out of date, more than Gurus ever can be. And since I have nothing better to do I agree without further ado to accompany my mother the next day to an evening meeting in Stuttgart.

When we arrive the room is already almost crowed. Surprised I notice that actually the audience looks totally normal. No foulards dance in fluttering skirts, no Birkenstock slippers and no (or little) hemp backpacks with colorful Indian symbols sewed on them. Contrary to my expectations it is no meeting of ecos and 68er freaks. Many guests are even very chic. I am just about starting to insecurely pick on my faded Benetton cloth trousers – I did not want to unnecessarily attract attention here – when a sweet scent passes by and totally holds my attention. White lilies! My favorite flowers! Big bouquets adorn both sides of the bright sofa decorated with an orange colored cushion, set up on the upper end of the room. In front of it in semicircular arrangement some of the guests are sitting on cushions. The ambience has style, I like that! While my mother sits down on a cushion in the front I take a seat on one of the chairs in the back and I am very anxious to see what happens. It is silent. The atmosphere is almost devotional. Candles are burning on little tables next to the empty sofa that some are staring at as if they were in trance. Others are sitting relaxed, smiling, with closed eyes, or concentrated in meditation posture. Well, the whole thing really is a little bit bizarre. Slowly I get impatient. Then finally Madhukar enters the room. His appearance immediately catches everybody’s eyes. Rightly, I think. He is very attractive, looks young, dressed very stylish, and so he is totally contradicting the dusty picture I had until then from a spiritual master. The people on the cushions bow low to him and others blissfully fold their hands. Confused by this unexpected gesture I am about to jump up and hectically flee from this. Quickly out of here before it is too late! But it is already too late, and unwillingly I stay on my seat. It will not last too long, I calm down myself. After a phase of silence in which my thoughts fall over backwards and which seems to me like it would last forever, Madhukar sings the “Om” and everybody join in. The long deep sound vibrates through the room and has a pleasantly soothing effect. The Master smiles and looks around. “Welcome. How can I serve you?”

The following hours fly by. People come in front with questions and I often have the feeling that exactly my themes are hit. Concentrated as seldom I soak up each single word. It is fascinating how clear and lovingly Madhukar seems to unsnarl all mental entanglements. In the beginning live situations often are described as being problematical and then they suddenly become so easy that a lot of times the askers burst out laughing, loudly and relieved. And along with them the entire audience. The atmosphere in the room is getting more and more light hearted. The tenseness I felt in the beginning turns into a general cheeriness. I feel free, unworried, full of new energy. What happened? Music is playing. Exhilarated I jump up and start to dance. Partly absorbed in themselves, partly wildly jumping around, young and elderly move frolicsomely to the sounds. A feeling of deep happiness flows through me when I realize the beauty of each one of them, and I feel that everything is good exactly as it is. I look over to Madhukar who is still sitting on his sofa. Unexpectedly our eyes meet. His shining blue eyes magically attract me, I fall into them and suddenly I swim in an ocean of love and peace. This look goes through me – directly into the heart.

After the event, for having a nice ending of the evening we go to a little scenic bar close by to drink a cocktail. Our good mood seems to attract attention, anyway, the barkeeper wants to make a photo from us for his homepage. Of course he may do that.

When I look at the picture I almost do not recognize myself: sparkling eyes and a mysterious smile are shining out of the photograph. Is that I? Wow! Totally mystic. True beauty really seems to come from inside. I do not exactly know what happened this evening, but one thing is for sure: I will come again.