Paramahansa Yogananda - Devotees India

Sunday Satsanga by Swami Vishwananda: 27th January 2013 - Dakhshineswer Ashram

June 11th, 2013 by Yogodans

Swamiji began with a prayer: “Heavenly Father, Mother, Friend, Beloved God, Bhagawan Krishna, Jesus Christ, Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar , beloved Gurudev Paramahansa Yogananda , saints of all religions, we humbly bow to you all. Bless my spiritual efforts that I may find your peace, your joy, your divine love become part of my life. Bless my spiritual efforts that I learn to set aside all worldly ambitions and place you my Divine beloved as my one ambition, to know you and follow you….Aum Shanti Shanti Shanti.

Br. Soujanyananda from SRF sang the soul -stirring chant -Hare Rama Hare Krishna.

Swamiji introduced himself: Good-morning, I’m Swami Vishwananda from Guruji’s SRF Headquarters – USA, along with Br. Soujanyananda . We’re here for this satsanga, thereafter we proceed to Ranchi ashram. It is always a joy to sit by the holy Ganges, close to nature and away from the city. Swami Suddhananda and others take such good care of the ashram.

You may be expecting me to say something profound, to give you some magic kernel of truth that will instantaneously change your life, but I’m going to talk about mobiles! Anyone without a mobile? Can I live without my mobile? No! When I was in India in the 70’s and 80’s, to talk to Daya Mata, I had to contact the operator. I waited…sometimes for hours; finally, when I got connected, there so much static, you had to shout…and just as you started communicating, the line got cut. So –welcome, the mobile! By just a touch, almost instantaneously you can contact anyone.

Just in a few decades, there has been a great advancement in technology in all fields- Electronics, Engineering, Space etc. Why this sudden change? Is it because of the application and use of subtle energy? I hope most of you have read The Holy Science by Sri Yukteswar Giri. Mankind has moved from Kali Yuga to Dwapara Yuga. The manifestation of evolving consciousness that comes from God helps in every field- medicine, space, transport etc. It is just the beginning of this subtle energy. Is the world any better as a result of this subtle energy? In the world, we find rampant crime, increase in divorce rate (even in India).

Why this imbalance in the use of this subtle energy? We have the answer as we have been drawn to a line of true Gurus. In this ascending Dwapara Yuga, the evolution of souls must focus on the body, mind and the soul. The focal points of Guruji’s teachings are developing the divine potential and balance in our lives. If we look objectively, all progress is external - no focus on internal discovery. There is this expression of subtle energy; where is it coming from? It comes from our own understanding within. Guruji brought to us, the science of Kriya Yoga: its subtle energy brings peace, joy, understanding, patience and wisdom. The vibrations that emanate from the Aum vibration enter through the medulla. There is a growing awareness of the subtle energy within the spine. Kriya Yoga, magnetizes the spine, we learn to withdraw energy up into the higher centers called chakras; the subtle energy of joy and peace manifest ultimately our true nature. Without this balance we find increase in crime, drugs, divorce etc.

Just as we have to tune in to the correct channel (of a radio) to hear music, so also God is always waiting to guide us, but we are unable to hear Him because our fine tune is always full of static. How can we tune in to God? By meditation. How many of you have had a peaceful morning meditation, after which someone confronts you? This energy is not so subtle. The vibrations of anger, fear, misunderstanding, impatience impact our lives. If you are in a room full of people, and a very calm person walks in. You can feel the vibration change, it becomes more peaceful. There is a constant interaction of energy and we can meditate and be conscious of the vibrations. Sometimes the negative vibrations come, not from others but from us.

How to manifest divinity in our day to day activities? How can I develop greater love for God? Daya Mataji says- Love is the higher vibration, the subtle spiritual energy. We all want to experience the zeal, the yearning for Him that subtly (spiritually) fills the heart. This sublime state of consciousness is more than just devotion. We have to cultivate the nurturing of true devotion, the awakening of which lies in the willingness to persevere in performing those actions that are pleasing to Him, and not necessarily pleasing to us. God gave man free will. Free will means that at any moment in our lives we have a choice. Can you redo an action done before? Can you really know what you will be thinking after five minutes? Free will is in the moment. The scriptures do not say that God is ‘Omni-past’ or ‘Omni-future’. Divine consciousness manifest in the moments of our lives.

For instance, after a deep peaceful meditation, someone (with a negative vibration) comes to you. How do you react? You have a choice- either you strike back or you manifest peace, calmness and understanding. Do you see the difference in the manifestations of subtle spiritual energy? To persevere in performing those actions once or twice is not enough, perseverance means: moment after moment, day after day, year after year.

In The Holy Science, Sri Yukteswerji says- only with the purification of the heart, we can tune in with the higher vibration of Aum. One of the keys to the purification of the heart is moral courage. Yama and Niyama, the first 2 steps in Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga (eight-fold path of Yoga) are the Do’s and Don’ts… so that we cleanse our hearts and bring the higher vibrations into our consciousness. If we react to negativity and restlessness in our lives, our consciousness becomes restless, so, at the end of the day, at the time of meditation, we have to first fight the negativity collected throughout the day. But if you fill every moment with love, peace etc., where is your consciousness? If you don’t build upon the higher vibrations during the day, your meditations will not bear fruit.

In one sense the spiritual path is very basic. God and Guru are aware of our consciousness.

1) Many years ago, when I was in Dwarahat ashram (in the Himalayas), Swami Sharananada sent me to Haldwani, to do some shopping for the ashram. While returning to Dwarahat, I got into a very crowded bus; only one corner seat in the last row was vacant. I asked the man sitting near the aisle, to let me pass, but he was too engrossed in his book. Ultimately I had to push him to get to my seat. I was really surprised, when I saw that the man was reading Autobiography of a Yogi! I saw that Guruji was playing with me to see whether I would get frustrated! I learnt a lesson.

2) One of our sanyasinis, before joining SRF went to a library. Suddenly one book from the top shelf fell on her head! It was the AY!

God is with us: it is important to remember this. Ultimately we have to try and seek Him in the moments when we are confronted with negativity. Each moment is the next step in our spiritual unfoldment. Think about that. Why? In that moment God gave us free will- we can either react in a negative manner or choose to manifest a higher vibration of love etc. Guruji says – even the channel is blessed. The higher vibration is flowing through us. Where is God? God is with us. Referring to Daya Mata’s quote-persevering in performing those actions that are pleasing to Him- these actions are higher or divine actions, which help us to become one with the joy and bliss of the soul. Devotion and commitment unfailingly draws the Divine response, helps us to overcome inertia and spiritual dryness, fulfills our hearts’ deepest craving and teaches us to love God unconditionally.

Guruji- “all you have to remember in this life is to do the best you can every moment, every day of your life. God wants continuity of effort from you. Remember in the midst of all activities God is ever with you.”

Jai Guru. ‘Jai Guru’ means- ‘victory over the lower self’. We have been drawn to the feet of a true Guru. Guruji’s promise is not an empty promise. We can experience God in this lifetime. The very purpose of life is to know God and Guruji will guide us back to Him.

Jai Guru. Close your eyes and meditate. Let us fill our hearts with a deep sense of gratitude- we have been drawn not just to one Guru, but a line of Gurus, to understand that the world at large is not such a perfect and joyous place.

dakshineshwar-ashram-022

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Jharkhand Government Honours YSS

June 6th, 2013 by Yogodans

You will be happy to know that Jharkhand Government has honoured our beloved Guruji and his institution by showing the tableau dedicated to YSS on the occasion of Republic Day – January 26, 2013 in Ranchi. (Similar to the tableaux (jhankis) shown at Rajpath, Delhi).

jharkhand-govt-honours-yss

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Celebrations of Abirbhav of Swami Sri Yukteswarji at Garpar Kendra

June 3rd, 2013 by Nishita Garg

On the 10^th of May we celebrate Swami Sri Yukteswarji’s Abirbhav Diwas (birthday). Since Yukteswarji is the Guru of our beloved Guru Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, and our Paramguru, all we devotees hold him in great reverence. This year in Kolkata, the celebrations were held simultaneously at three places…Dakhineshwar Ashram, Serampore Mandir and at Garpar Kendra.

Preparations for commemorations at Garpar Kendra started well in advance, and the spirit of celebrations permeated the consciousness of all devotees. A team of devotees started work from 9 am in the morning, joyfully decorating the altar and getting the venue ready for the evening function. While serving devotedly, all of us eagerly looked forward to the melodious chants and blissful meditation scheduled for the evening.

Devotees started arriving from 3.30 pm onwards and the function began at 4.30 pm.

Br Dhairyanandaji started by conducting the Energizing Exercises followed by chants sung with deep devotion and we all felt as though the Divine Love was flowing through the chant into our hearts. Brahmachariji read out passages from the Holy Science and The Autobiography of a Yogi pertaining to how Mahavtar Babaji directed our Paramguru Yukteswarji to write the Holy Science. This was followed by a period of meditation with the words of the divine cosmic chants still echoing in our hearts. It was a celestial experience.

A kirtan session followed the meditation and Br Dhairyanandaji sang bhajans with utmost devoutness. A few passages read out by him from the Autobiography of a Yogi from the chapter, ‘Years in my Master’s Hermitage’, dealing mostly with Yukteswarji’s training of his disciple, our own Guru Paramahansa Yogananda, reminded us again of the wisdom in all the sayings of the Jnavatar. Such gems in just a single sentence! It would be so much better if only all of us could remember these pearls of wisdom and apply them in our daily lives!

The meditation and chanting sessions ended with pushpanjali offered to our Paramguru with total reverence by all devotees. This was followed by Prayers for others and Prasad distribution. It was wonderful observing the children from the neighboring locality joining in to partake the Prasad devotedly distributed by Br Dhairyanandaji.

The program came to an end at 7.30 pm, the devotees headed back home carrying with them the joy and bliss of meditation and mentally singing the melodious divinely charged words of the cosmic chants.

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Monthly Retreat at Igatpuri - June 21 to June 23, 2013

May 30th, 2013 by Yogodans

Dear Divine Atman,
Namaskar!

We are happy to invite you to our monthly conducted retreat in the month of June. We will be focusing on “Developing Dynamic Will” as our main subject during the June retreat.

Day, date and time: 4p.m. on Friday, June 21 to 2p.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2013.

Accommodation: Single occupancy

Eligibility: Open only to Yogoda Lesson students

Program schedule: Group practice of Energization exercises, group meditations every morning and evening, mid day satsangs, viewing or listening to recorded satsangs of senior monastics of YSS/SRF, chanting. A copy of the program schedule will be provided to all retreatants upon arrival. All our classes will be conducted in Hindi and English.

Registration Procedure: You may register via email or phone (daily, except Mondays, 9a.m. -5p.m.) (0)9823459145 or (0)9226618554.

Kindly give the following details to help us register you:

Full Name:

YL Registration No:

Age: Gender:

Contact No:

Date and time of arrival:

Date and time of departure:

The lodging and boarding facility provided by the Sadhanalaya is available only on donation basis. We appeal to all those using this facility to donate generously and help us to run and sustain the Sadhanalaya. Your donation is the only source of income for the Sadhanalaya.

Our divine Gurudeva has counselled:

“If you repeatedly call on Him with ever deeper concentration, He will answer your prayer. A joy and peace will strike your heart. When that comes, you know that you are communing with God.”
Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Divine love and best wishes,
Yours in divine fellowship,

for YSDK-Igatpuri,
Retreat Coordinator



YSS Dhyan Kendra, Igatpuri

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Kumbha Mela - 2013

May 27th, 2013 by Yogodans

Kumbh means pot or pitcher. Mela means festival or fair. Hence, the Kumbh Mela means festival of the pot. It specifically relates to the pot of nectar in Hindu mythology. Legend has it that the gods once lost their strength. In order to regain it, they agreed with the demons to churn the primordial ocean of milk for amrit (the nectar of immortality). This was to be shared equally between them.	Kumbh Mela
However, a fight broke out, which went on for 12 human years. During the battle, the celestial bird, Garuda, flew away with the Kumbh that held the nectar. Drops of nectar are believed to have fallen in the places that the Kumbh Mela is now held — Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain.


From Autobiography of a Yogi
Sri Sri Paramhansa Yogananda	The religious fairs held in India from time immemorial are known as Kumbha Melas; they have kept spiritual goals in constant sight of the multitude. Devout Hindus gather by millions every twelve years to meet thousands of sadhus, yogis, swamis, and ascetics of all kinds. Many are hermits who never leave their secluded haunts except to attend the melas and there bestow blessings on worldly men and women. “I was not a swami at the time I met Babaji,” Sri Yukteswar went on. “But I had already received Kriya initiation from Lahiri Mahasaya. He encouraged me to attend the mela that was convening in January, 1894, in Allahabad. It was my first experience of a kumbha; I felt slightly dazed by the clamor and surge of the crowd. I gazed around searchingly, but saw no illumined face of a master. Passing a bridge on the bank of the Ganges, I noticed an acquaintance standing nearby, his begging bowl extended.
“‘Oh, this fair is nothing but a chaos of noise and beggars,’ I thought in disillusionment. ‘I wonder if Western scientists, patiently enlarging the realms of knowledge for the practical good of mankind, are not more pleasing to God than these idlers who profess religion but concentrate on alms.’ “My smoldering reflections on social reform were interrupted by the voice of a tall sannyasi who halted before me. “‘Sir,’ he said, ‘A saint is calling you.’ “‘Who is he?’ “‘Come and see for yourself.’ “Hesitantly following this laconic advice, I soon found myself near a tree whose branches were sheltering a guru with an attractive group of disciples. The master, a bright unusual figure, with sparkling dark eyes, rose at my approach and embraced me. “‘Welcome, Swamiji,’ he said affectionately. “‘Sir,’ I replied emphatically, ‘I am not a swami.’ “‘Those on whom I am divinely directed to bestow the title of swami never cast it off.’ The saint addressed me simply, but deep conviction of truth rang in his words; I was instantly engulfed in a wave of spiritual blessing. Smiling at my sudden elevation into the ancient monastic order, I bowed at the feet of the obviously great and angelic being in human form who had thus honored me. “Babaji — for it was indeed he — motioned me to a seat near him under the tree. He was strong and young, and looked like Lahiri Mahasaya; yet the resemblance did not strike me, even though I had often heard of the extraordinary similarities in the appearance of the two masters. Babaji possesses a power by which he can prevent any specific thought from arising in a person’s mind. Evidently the great guru wished me to be perfectly natural in his presence, not overawed by knowledge of his identity. “‘What do you think of the Kumbha Mela?’ “‘I was greatly disappointed, sir,’ I said, but added hastily, ‘up until the time I met you. Somehow saints and this commotion don’t seem to belong together.’ “‘Child,’ the master said, though apparently I was nearly twice his own age, ‘for the faults of the many, judge not the whole. Everything on earth is of mixed character, like a mingling of sand and sugar. Be like the wise ant that seizes only the sugar, and leaves the sand untouched. Though many sadhus here still wander in delusion, yet the mela is blessed by a few men of God-realization.’ “In view of my own meeting with this exalted master, I quickly agreed with him.
**********
“The scene was a Kumbha Mela at Allahabad,” Lahiri Mahasaya told his disciples. “I had gone there during a short vacation from my office duties. As I wandered amidst the throng of monks and sadhus that had come from great distances to attend the holy festival, I noticed an ash-smeared ascetic who was holding a begging bowl. The thought arose in my mind that the man was hypocritical, wearing the outward symbols of renunciation without a corresponding inward grace. “No sooner had I passed the ascetic than my astounded eye fell on Babaji. He was kneeling in front of a matted-haired anchorite. “‘Guruji!’ I hastened to his side. ‘Sir, what are you doing here?’ “‘I am washing the feet of this renunciant, and then I shall clean his cooking utensils.’ Babaji smiled at me like a little child; I knew he was intimating that he wanted me to criticize no one, but to see the Lord as residing equally in all body-temples, whether of superior or inferior men. “The great guru added, ‘By serving wise and ignorant sadhus, I am learning the greatest of virtues, pleasing to God above all others — humility.’”


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Russian woman to lead Juna akhada
Source:http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/UttarPradesh/Russian-woman-to-lead-Juna-akhada/Article1-990249.aspx Smriti Malaviya, Hindustan Times Allahabad, January 15, 2013 First Published: 23:37 IST(15/1/2013) Last Updated: 23:42 IST(15/1/2013) From fashion to renunciation and leading the powerful Juna akhada, Swami Anandlila Giri has come a long way. It was a quantum leap geographically too. Olga, as she was formerly known, was a top fashion designer in Russia. “But after taking sanyas dharm, we no longer remember our past,” the sanyasin explained with the help of her English translator Elia. The “call” came around 13 years ago, on the inspiration of her guru and the first Russian Mahamandaleshwar of Shri Dasanaam Juna Akhada — Vishnudevanandji Maharaj. And now, Anandlila Giri would be ordained the Mahamandaleshwar of Juna akhada at the Kumbh mela before the second shahi snan on mauni amavasya. It would be a history of sorts – since she would be the first Russian woman Mahamandaleshwar of the akhada. And she considers it a great honor. “I will try to spread the light of sanatan dharm in different parts of the world,” she said. Aussie set to lead another akhada He loved Keats and Wordsworth and was to be a physiotherapist Down Under. But fate had something else in store for young Jason. Twelve years after his initiation into sannyas, 42-year-old Swami Jasraj Puri is back at Kumbh, where had donned saffron. But this time, he would be the first foreign-born Mahamandaleshwar of Shri Panchyati Mahanirwani Akhara. A son of two teachers from Sydney, he says he always had a spiritual bent.

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Pilgrimage to Kumbh Mela, 2013

May 20th, 2013 by Yogodans

By God and Guruji’s grace, I could attend the Kumbh Mela from 10th Jan to 15th Jan. It was truly a great experience. It was an ocean of tents / camps set up by various ashrams/ saints/ swamis/renunciants etc. etc. I could visit only a few of the camps. It may take two to three months if we really want to visit most of the camps! On 10th Jan, 2013, Swami Smaranandaji inaugurated the YSS camp. During his speech, he stressed the importance of having the desire to experiencing Babaji rather than trying to see only in person. He said that all our Gurus’ presence can be felt easily in the Mela.
	YSS Camp Entrance (Interestingly our camp and SRK mission camps were facing each other - on both sides of the road)


14th Jan, was a special bathing day (Makar Sankranti . Devotees from YSS camp set out at around 5.30 AM; we reached the previously plannned location by around 6.30AM


Procession of sadhus	Procession by YSS


At the end of the procession, when we were approaching the YSS camp, a devotee suddenly appeared with a big counch shell and started dancing and blowing the shell very beautifully. His smile was divine.	Bhandara (free food distribution) arranged by YSS (SRK mission camp can be seen on the right side of this photo, on the left is our camp)


YSS Book Stall	On the way to SANGAM in a boat (Sangam is the confluence of Ganga , Yamuna and the unseen Saraswati river)

Many raise their concerns when they see some Indians (especially young generation) going behind name / fame / money / more and more comforts in life. Is India blindly following only the material side of life(which the western countries are specialized in) at the same time loosing it’s spiritual strength? After visiting the Kumbh Mela, those thoughts can be taken out of our mind. Here we see the true representation of spiritual India. It’s great experiments in the science of God Realization are visible in it’s varied paths. From all the states of India, from the Himalayan ranges, from their secret caves etc…;how lovingly these great ones come down to the general mass during Kumbh Melas and show the world the various possibilities of achieving the true goal of life.May India continue to take lead and guide all in the path of Self Realization. Jai Guru

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2 Responses to “Pilgrimage to Kumbh Mela, 2013”

Hemy Kapur says:

May 25, 2013 at 7:41 pm

Thank you Yogodans.
For those of us who missed the Kumbh experience, you have brought it to us.
Shilpa Natarajan says:

May 21, 2013 at 2:23 pm

Thank you very much for sharing the beautiful photos.

Jai Guru!

Quote of the day - Discrimination

May 20th, 2013 by Yogodans

When man becomes a little enlightened he compares his experiences relating to the material creation, gathered in the wakeful state, with his experiences in dream; and, understanding the latter to be merely ideas, begins to entertain doubts as to the substantial existence of the former. His heart then becomes propelled to know the real nature of the universe and, struggling to clear his doubts, he seeks for evidence to determine what is truth. In this state man is called Kshattriya, or one of the military classes; and to struggle in the manner aforesaid becomes his natural duty, by whose performance he may get an insight into the nature of creation and attain the real knowledge of it.

- Sri Sri Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri

“The Holy Science”

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Quote of the day - Discrimination

May 19th, 2013 by Yogodans

Always keep your discrimination alive. Avoid those things that will not benefit you. And never pass your time in idleness.

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda

Lecture

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Quote of the day - Discrimination

May 18th, 2013 by Yogodans

Don’t mentally review any problem constantly. Let it rest at times and it may work itself out; but see that you do not rest so long that your discrimination is lost. Rather, use these rest periods to go deep within the calm regions of your inner Self.

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
“The Law of Success”

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Quote of the day - Discrimination

May 17th, 2013 by Yogodans

Loyalty to a spiritual custom without sincerity and conviction is hypocrisy. Loyalty to the spirit of a custom even without clinging to a form is wisdom. But loyalty neither to spiritual custom, nor principle, nor teacher is spiritual degeneration. Stand by God and His servant, and you will see His hand working through all things.

- Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
“Yogoda Satsanga Magazine”

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