Standing on the verandah of the Satsanga Hall at Dkshineswar ashram and looking out at the mighty Hooghly, one does not see a river with powerful currents - one only sees a transformed sheet of still water.

Such also is the state of the devotee on participating in a Retreat – which many of us were blessed to do from the evening of Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th September.

“Let Go, Let God”
And in the glorious deep silence, how true were all the perceptions that the Guide for Retreatants promised.
Made possible by the loving care, the mothering, given by the Sanyasis of our beloved Gurudeva Paramhansa Yoganandaji’s Yogoda Satsanga Society of India ashram, and our Guru Bhais who serve there.

Blessed indeed we were to receive the inspiring guidance from Sw. Shantanandaji,  Sw. Amaranandaji,  Br. Nigamanandaji,  Br. Gokulanandaji .
The reviews of the 4 pillars of our sadhana –Energization Exercises, Hong Sau, Om and Kriya brought out points hitherto not comprehended – a deeper understanding.

Thrill to hear Guruji ‘s voice recite “God.God.God”
To hear Sri Daya Mataji share her experiences

Opportunities for individual and group meditations in the holy premises.
Opportunities for reading selections from Autobiography of a Yogi and Guruji’s writings amidst the holy vibrations.
Oh! such opportunities to Practice the Presence.

May many other brothers and sisters be so blessed.

(An interview with Swami Ramanandaji at Encinitas)

Tucked neatly off of Hwy. 101 somewhat hidden behind towering palm trees and eye catching domed spires lies a garden paradise clinging to the cliffs over Swamis Beach. The meditation garden is a place where anyone can retreat into nature and find peace. It is a part of the Self-Realization Fellowship Ashram Center in Encinitas, which was established by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1937. It is here that he wrote “The Autobiography of a Yogi,” his classic work that first brought the word “yoga” to the West and was selected one of the 100 Best Spiritual Books of the Century. The Self-Realization Fellowship temple is also on the grounds, where you can learn more about the spiritual organization.

The garden is generally open on Sundays, 2-5 p.m., except in inclement weather. The meditation gardens, which include a small waterfall and koi pond, are open to the public 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Sundays.

It is a unique feature of India to honor the highest of all relationship – ‘Guru Disciple relation’. No wonder that our Guru Sri Sri Paramhansa Yogananda could not have found any other way to begin the ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ than by expressing his obeisance to His Guru!

While the west celebrates Mother’s day, father’s day, Friendship day etc.as a mark of importance towards that particular relationship, in India Guru Purnima is celebrated to pay one’s highest tribute to the Guru.

This Guru Purnima brought special blessing by an incessant drizzle since early morning. Those of us who reached the Dakshnineswar Ashram by our cars were very sure of a thin turnout of devotees who were to brave their way through the weather not so friendly to the travelers by public transport.  We usherers mused that we would be quite ‘jobless’ as there may not be much crowd to manage. But to our surprise, as the time for Satsanga approached near, a steady stream of devotees started to pour in!  The seating areas were full to capacity!!

Swami Amaranandaji conducted the ceremony with  chantings. His soul stirring talk and his melodious voice invoked deep reverence for the Guru.  It was evedent from the spellbound attention of the devotees. The entire Ashram was enwraped in an aura of Gurudeva’s blessing laden presence !

Those working people, the housewives, the ones staying very far from the Ashram, the physically unwell devotees, through their silent presence spoke volumes about their devotion towards the Guru. Though their circumstances did not permit them to visit the Ashram regularly, the Guru held uppermost position in their hearts, in their lives!

Satsanga was followed by Prasad distribution to all present which was a sumptuous lunch thoroughly enjoyed by all devotees.

The love that radiated through all faces truly brought to pass our Gurudeva’s last message, ‘Only love can take my place!!’

Jai Guru!

The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage Vyasa. All Hindus are indebted to this ancient saint who edited the four Vedas, wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata. Vyasa even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the Guru of Gurus.

The spiritual Gurus are revered on this day by remembering their life and teachings.
Seekers try to get as much opportunity to do Satseva of the Guru as possible during this period. As the Guru principle is 1000 times more active during this period, when compared to any other day during this year, the satseva done on Guru Poornima fetches substantial grace of the Guru for their spiritual progress. (Ref : Sanatan Prabhat)

The relationship between the Guru and the Disciple is considered very sacred. This relationship is purely spiritual in nature and is independent of age of the two. It is based on maturity of Gyan (Spiritual Knowledge) and Sadhna (Spiritual Practice). The only awareness that a Disciple should foster is, ‘I should be uplifted spiritually’. The Guru too harbours only one thought, ‘May this Disciple be uplifted’. Relationships other than Guru-Disciple are bound by worldly restrictions wherein the ego constantly manifests itself while Gyan and other Sadhna have no value. Since these worldly relationships presuppose ego for their sustenance, such relationships are albeit false on the spiritual level. (Ref : Sanatan Prabhat)

Saint Kabir said, “Sari dharti kagad karoon, lakhen sab banari.
Saat samand ko masi karoon, par guru gun likha na jai.”

( If I were to use all the land of this earth as paper, all the waters of the ocean as ink,

all the woods of forest as pen, I will still be at a loss to write the glory of my Guru. )

Surely, he was referring to our Param Guru, Mahavtar Babaji!
And also what a befitting tribute to our Guru, Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda !!

Guruji said, “I seek no power, I seek nothing – for I have given all desires to Divine Mother.” Our beloved Sri Daya Mataji emulates these principles in her life. She too has sought no power to glorify herself. Although one with Divine Mother, she is carrying out Guruji’s Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda ji’s work so humbly. No where- at no time she has extolled herself or claimed self glory in the organization. Following her example, our all other sanyasis and sanyasinis too carry out Guruji’s work without a taint of ego. How they have kept the river of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India \ Self Realization Fellowship teachings so pure amid the times of so much pollution of ego! We proudly drink of this water and get taste of the sweet nectar coming straight from heaven. There is not one germ of contamination of manipulating divine Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramhansa Yogananda ji’s teachings.

How on this earth will we devotees find enough material to express our united gratitude? We will need yet another earth with all its land, water and forests but will still find them short!!

We are guilty of remaining indifferent of our desire for God through many incarnations, but no more – for now we are Guruji’s family – our beloved Ma’s family. On this sacred occasion of Guru Purnima, we renew our determination to contribute to the best of our ability to keep the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India \ Self Realization Fellowship river pure.

It was a blessing to be introduced to this site. I logged on and immediately was transported into another realm feeling uplifted instantly. The articles, poems and pictures all conveyed deep love of the disciples for their Guru. For someone like myself it’s a great blessing as I am not regular in my visits to Dakshineswar Ashram. It feels like that all the Ashrams are brought home to me.

On reading the Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda ji, I became a lesson member and sought to read all the books thereafter. This site has rekindled my desire to delve deeper into Gurudeva’s teachings and seek the true spiritual path.

Paramahansa Yogananda ji’s presence is so tangible and I have had my small experiences that I would like to share with fellow devotees. Whenever I have donated money to the Ashram in a small way.. …some path in my life has opened up and money has come from unexpected sources. Needless to say I have never ever donated with that intention. Its just that a desire has arisen deep within to donate and have done so without a thought of personal gain. Gurudeva’s blessings come unasked, unsought.

In divine Love and Friendship.

Anjali Burman

Jai Guru!

Greetings and Love to all !!

I went to the YSS Ranchi Ashram recently with my small family, and we had a wonderful time there. Guruji was pouring out His blessings to us. So much Joy and Peace!
After five days we did not want to go back, but alas! the world will not let us have our way. My work and my son’s school (still on) forced us  to leave Ranchi. I took many photos please view under photo album category or by clicking on the link below.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=117360&id=76310801292.

More later.

Ranchi Ashram — Heaven on Earth !!!

Dinesh Kapur
Kolkata

Since I have become an SRF devotee, I have noticed that my life seems bursting with little gifts. Sometimes they are so delicate that one could easily overlook them but regular meditation sensitizes one.

For instance, the other day I was inwardly mourning the disappearance of some garden birds as I began my daily energization exercises. Almost as the thought arose, a beautiful thrush (one of the birds I mourned) flew down to a cherry tree branch just in front of me, and perched there for a blessed moment. Thank you Guruji.

Last week I suddenly thought I should get my car tyres checked, something I never usually do. The garage mechanic told me that one of the rear tyres was shredded and could have blown at any moment. Thank you blessed Guruji once again. And again. And again.

It really isn’t necessary to ask for great miraculous ‘proof’ of God and Guru’s constant love and care. If you sharpen your awareness you will see their blessed presence all around you - and within you.

May God and Guru bless all who read this.