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OM

Spiritual messages - 1

Giving ....................

Rivers do not drink their own water, nor do trees eat their own fruit, nor do rain clouds eat the grains reared by them. The wealth of the noble is used solely for the benefit of others.

Even after accepting that giving is good and that one must learn to give, several questions need to be answered.

when should one give?

Yudhishtira asks a beggar seeking alms to come the next day. On this , Bhima rejoices , that Yudhishtira his brother , has conquered death!

or he is sure that he will be around tomorrow to give.

Yudhisthira gets the message.

One does not know really whether one will be there tomorrow to give!

The time to give therefore is NOW.

'how much to give?

One recalls the famous incident from history. Rana Pratap was reeling after defeat from the Moghals. He had lost his army , he had lost his wealth , and most important he had lost hope , his will to fight. At that time in his darkest hour, his erstwhile minister Bhamasha came seeking him and placed his entire fortune at the disposal of Rana Pratap. With this, Rana Pratap raised an army and lived to fight another day.

The answer to this question how much to give is

' Give as much as you can !

'what to give'?

It is not only money that can be given. It could be a flower or even a smile.

It is not how much one gives but how one gives that really matters. When you give a smile to a stranger that may be the only good thing received by him in days and weeks!

'You can give anything but you must give with your heart' !

'whom to give'?

Many times we avoid giving by finding fault with the person who is seeking. However, being judgmental and rejecting a person on the presumption that he may not be the most deserving is not justified.

' Give without being judgmental' !

'How to give' ?

Coming to the manner of giving , one has to ensure that the receiver does not feel humiliated , nor the giver feels proud by giving.

'Let not your left hand know what your right hand gives?

Charity without publicity and fanfare , is the highest form of charity.

While giving let not the recipient feel small or humiliated. After all what we give never really belonged to us. We come to this world with nothing and will go with nothing. The thing gifted was only with us for a temporary period. Why then take pride in giving away something which really did not belong to us? Give with grace and with a feeling of gratitude.

'Give quietly' !

What should one feel after giving ?

We all know the story of Eklavya. When Dronacharya asked him for his right thumb as 'Guru Dakshina'. He unhesitatingly cut off the thumb and gave it to Dronacharya. There is a little known sequel to this story. Eklavya was asked whether he ever regretted the act of giving away his thumb when he was dying. His reply was 'Yes! I regretted this only once in my life. It was when Pandavas were coming in to kill Dronacharya who was broken hearted on the false news of death of his son Ashwathama and had stopped fighting. It was then that I regretted the loss of my thumb. If the thumb was there , no one could have dared hurt my Guru?

The message to us is clear.

Give and never regret giving !

' How much should we provide for our heirs?

Ask yourself , 'Are we taking away from them the 'gift of work?- a source of happiness!' The answer is given by Warren Buffett, the investment Guru:

'Leave Your Kids Enough To Do Anything , But Not Enough To Do Nothing !

I would conclude by saying: let us learn the Art of Giving , and quoting Sant Kabir:

'When the wealth in the house increases , When water fills a boat , Throw them out with both hands'.

News - on Jul 3, 2010

Om Namah Sivaya - sadar pranams

Hope all of you are well.

All goes well with me in the Arsha vidya Gurukulam ( www.arshavidya.in ) where the Bhagavad Gita course given by Poojya Swami Dayanandaji has entered in its 3rd and last month. The course is wonderful. Next month they start a 3 year residential course on Vedanta.

So far not much is happening regarding the new ashram - Sivananda Yoga Vidya Peetham - set up. There are people looking for a proper place for the ashram.

I am looking into a little travelling which I want to do to the West. In Aug - Oct, I wish to tour in Europe, UK, USA and Canada. I am corresponding with known people about a worthwhile programs in these places. There is an invitation to visit Brazil also.

Once I come out of the course I am attending, on Jul 15th, the things will get in shape and the travel programme will be more clear.

Please see this blog on the 3rd or 4th week of this month for a more concrete travel details and for the update on ashram set up.

Thank you very much for all your support and wishes.

Om

Healing prayer for the Gulf of Mexico

Blessed Self

om namah sivaya

I am passing this request to people who I believe might be willing to participate in this prayer, to set an intention of love and healing that is so large, so overwhelming that we can perform a miracle in the Gulf of Mexico.

We are not powerless. We are powerful. Our united energy, speaking this prayer daily...multiple times daily....can shift the balance of destruction that is happening.

Please join me in oft repeating this healing prayer of Dr. Emoto's. And feel free to copy and paste this to send it around the planet. Let's take charge, and do our own clean up!

I send the energy of love and gratitude to the water and all the living creatures in the Gulf of Mexico and its surroundings. To the whales, dolphins, pelicans, fish, shellfish, planktons, corals, algae, and all living creatures . . .

I am sorry.

Please forgive me.

Thank you.

I love you.

Swamiji enjoying life @ Swami Dayananda Ashram

om namah sivaya

Hope you are all well and WOOOONDERFUUUULL !!!

I am doing fine in the Swami Dayananda Ashram in Tamil Nadu ( http://arshavidya.org )

The Bhagavad Gita course is wonderful.

The course is very good taught by one of the great masters on the subject.

All goes well.

The new ashram to be established is named as : Sivananda Yoga Vidya Peetham. Not sure where it will be yet. We have the web site coming up - sivanandapeetham.org ( Peetham = seat , Vidya = knowledge )

All things will be clear and well defined only after this course which I am undergoing.

Om Om Om to all the dear Yogis

Please keep in touch

Om

Swami Govindananda's resignation from Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Organisation

Blessed Self Om Namah Sivaya Hope you are well. As you might know by now, I have resigned from Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Organisation on Mar 31st. In a meeting with the ashram authorities at Neyyar Dam ashram on Mar 31, 2010, based on many reasons, the team of the Organisation authorities have taken the decision of taking me away from the ashram branch in Madurai ( where I was managing for 5 years from the beginning of that ashram ) and giving me a choice between (1) being staff in Canada and (2) leaving the organisation, from which I have declined the first choice due to health reasons and the 2nd choice given was accepted by me. I have left the ashram in Madurai on Apr 3rd. The transfer of ashram responsibility went smoothly and I had taken my personal belongings with me when I left. Now I am in Swami Dayananda Asharm in Anaikkatti, Tamil Nadu ( http://arshavidya.org/ ) with another 150 students, undergoing a 3 month long course on Bhagavad Gita under Swami Dayanandaji himself. The course is already one week into it. This is a very good experience. I am well looked after and all the necessary comforts are here. Many people whom I know have immediately asked what is my next plan. Many people suggested me to start a new ashram. Many people have promised to give financial help, even to give land for starting an ashram. Most probably I may make another ashram set up to share again our Guru's message. The final decision is yet to be made. In August - September this year I have some invitations to visit UK and USA. I may travel in those months. I may visit other places also depending on the need / demand. Please see my blog : http://swamigovindananda.blogspot.com/ for the update. This blog of mine will be updated soon. Also through Facebook I have contact with people Please note the change of my email address, new one : govindanandaswami@gmail.com Please keep in touch. May Gurudev's Blessings be upon us all always. At HIS FEET Swami Govindananda

Sivananda daily reading for 15th January - Self-reliance

SELF-RELIANCE

Pure reason urges a man to do what is the best. The asuric (lower) nature of man fights and struggles against the higher nature of the man. The impulses of a man who has not undergone the ethical disciplines run counter to his reason. All advice, all rebuke and exhortation, all admonition found in the scriptures of the world testify that the irrational part is not amenable to reason.

The basis of good manners is self-reliance. For this reason, the great founders and eminent teachers of all religions have repeatedly proclaimed the need for recognising the Godhead within and for self-reliance in the last resort, rather than texts, persons or customs.

Self-control is greatest in the man whose life is dominated by ideals and general principles of conduct. The final end of moral discipline is self-control. The whole nature of man must be disciplined. Each element requires its specific training. Discipline harmonises the opposing elements in him. Self-control will enable the aspirant to know the truth, to desire the good, and to win the right - and thus to realise the reality.

Discipline is the training of our faculties, through instructions and through exercise, in accordance with some settled principle of authority. You must discipline not only the intellect but also the will and the emotions.

A disciplined man controls his actions. He is no longer at the mercy of the moment. He ceases to be a slave of his impulses and senses (indriyas). Such mastery is not the result of one day's effort. It is acquired only by protracted practice and daily self-discipline. You must learn to refuse the demands and impulses of your lower nature. A self-controlled man is able to resist wrong actions, towards which a worldly man is most strongly impelled. *

Discipline yourself and grow strong. Stand unshaken. Rest in the Atman (the immortal blissful soul). Perfection is not impossible of achievement. It is within the easy reach of human endeavour. All desires are fulfilled after Self-realisation.

If you lack wisdom, ask God sincerely and he will give you wisdom. Physical health, intellectual understanding, moral integrity and spiritual wisdom lead to ultimate perfection.

Taken from: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sivanandadaily/

Sivananda daily reading for 9th January - The Peak of Perfection

THE PEAK OF PERFECTION

You can climb the peak of perfection through resolute will, intense dispassion, renunciation and rigorous Meditation. Sublime divine thought is very powerful, it is a dynamic transmuting force. Diligently seek the path of truth; tread it carefully and vigilantly, for you may slip and fall. Love is harmlessness, kindness, compassion. Nothing can tempt you if you are regular in meditation. He who is pure at heart has already found divinity. Renunciation of egoism is the direct way to the eternal.

Knowledge of the imperishable bestows perfect freedom and independence. Where egoism is, immortality is not; where immortality is, egoism is not. Concentration will give you great power. Collect the scattered rays of the mind. Lust and greed make you a spiritual bankrupt. Purity and meditation bestow on you inexhaustible divine wealth.

A yogi becomes the master-builder of the temple of truth. Pass through the gate of wisdom - you will reach the illimitable domain of eternal bliss. He who is endowed with discrimination and power and concentration climbs rapidly to the peak of illumination. Your real guru (preceptor) is your own heart - he is the indweller, the inner ruler.

Longing for final liberation is the hunger for the spiritual food of knowledge of the eternal. Mind is the mirror through which the eternal appears as the universe of names and forms. Be in the world - not of the world. This is the highest yoga. This is the eternal wisdom. The wise man is ever eager to learn, he never poses as a teacher.

This visible world is the mirror of the invisible Brahman. You are a slave of circumstances because you do not meditate regularly. You will easily get illumination in solitude. Solitude has its own charms - prepare yourself for life in seclusion. Control and preserve energy through silence, brahmacarya (celibacy) and pranayama (yoga breathing), - you will have wonderful meditation. Love that man who dislikes you - you will grow strong. Money wasted can be restored, but time wasted is lost forever. Find out your centre - that centre is perfect harmony, eternal bliss, your own immortal soul.

Taken from: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sivanandadaily/

Sivananda's Message of the Day for Sunday, December 20, 2009

Where there are kindness, humility and purity, there spirituality springs up, saintliness shines, divinity descends and perfection manifests itself.

-- Sri Swami Sivananda

* The Daily Quote can always be seen on the Sivananda "Om" page:
http://www.sivananda.org

Sivananda Gurugram: December 2009

OM NAMAH SIVAYA

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THOUGHT OF THE MONTH
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Peace dwells in Silence. Silence is Brahma, the Absolute.
- Sri Swami Sivananda

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NEWS
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Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves – 

We are glad to inform you that in the month of October Swami Mahadevanandaji visited Japan with Mani Chaitanya, for an intensive one week program, which was a great success. Now there are plans to do a TTC only for Japanese students in Thailand. The search is on for a suitable location. If any one can help in finding a place please get in touch with us.

We are glad that 2009 is been a very successful year with two other new centers: opening one in Luthuania, another in Milan, Italy. Also there were many new TTC's around the world. The momentum is picking up for the World Wide Sivannada Yoga Teachers’ Reunion at the Yoga Camp in Val Morin in summer 2010. 
Pranams to all. 


To live in perfect goodness is to dissolve in the Infinite.
- Sri Swami Sivananda

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SIVANANDA YOGA FAQ ~~~ Frequently Asked Questions
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Q1: Can prayers cure diseases when doctors fail? Is it true that more things are wrought by prayers than the world could dream of?

A: Doctors and medicines are only instruments in the hands of God. Unless God wills, none can cure, or get cured. Man should do his best, with initiative, enterprise and perseverance, but depend on God's grace for everything. To bear with suffering, and accept it as a blessing of God in disguise, is great wisdom. Prayer invokes the inner potentialities of the individual, which flow only from God, and can certainly work miracles.

Q2: What are the methods to develop unruffled serenity and mental composure under all conditions of life? Is absolute serenity possible?

A: Yes. Develop Atma Vichar Sakti. Identify not with the mind, senses and intellect or with any of the other modifications of the mind. Always be engaging yourself in the thought of the Divine. Have no thought of yourself or the surrounding world. Be absolutely indifferent to yourself, as you ought to be towards the surroundings, the various daily happenings and the worldly repercussions. Knowledge of the Self, when once attained, absolves one of all mental disruptions and psychic derangements. Where there is firm-grounded knowledge of the Self in the spiritual seeker, where there is the 
consciousness in him that "all indeed is Brahman, Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma" and that he is none other than that Supreme Brahman, and where he understands that all happenings-- good, bad or mixed-- are but passing phases on the screen of the world, there can never be any ill-balanced mental life. It is the mind that is the sole cause for bondage or Moksha. 

The mind is the substratum behind pleasure or pain, happiness or misery, success or defeat. Rise above the pairs of opposites by resorting to a Guru and his instructions. Study the lives of saints who underwent various trials and the books by realized souls. Develop the spirit of true surrender wherein you have no thought of body or bodily needs or self-protection even in the slightest degree and wherein you forget the idea of life and death altogether. Serenity is merely mental. Therefore, cultivate mental equipoise by gaining spiritual knowledge.

Think truly. Speak truly. Live truly. Act truly.
- Sri Swami Sivananda


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HATHA YOGA TIP
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SHALABHASANA – Locust Pose - Level one

Lie on your belly with your arms by the sides of your torso, palms up, forehead resting on the floor. Turn your big toes toward each other to inwardly rotate your thighs. Exhale and lift your head, upper torso, arms, and legs away from the floor. You’ll be resting on your lower ribs, belly and front pelvis. Reach strongly through your legs, first through the heels to lengthen the back legs, then through the bases of the big toes. Keep the big toes turned toward each other. Raise your arms parallel to the floor and stretch back actively through your fingertips. Imagine there’s a weight pressing down on the backs of the upper arms, and push up toward the ceiling against this resistance. Press your scapulas firmly into your back. Gaze slightly upward, being careful not to jut your chin forward and crunch the back of your neck. Keep the base of the skull lifted and the back of the neck long. Stay for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then 
release with an exhalation. Take a few breaths and repeat 1 or 2 times.

Benefits: 
• Strengthens the muscles of the spine, buttocks, backs of the arms and legs 
• Stretches the shoulders, chest, belly and thighs 
• Improves posture 
• Stimulates abdominal organs 
• Helps relieve stress 

Do as you would be done by. This is the gist of ethics. - Sri Swami Sivananda

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YOGA SANSKRIT GLOSSARY
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ANANDA – Bliss, happiness, joy

HIRANYAGARBHA - Cosmic intelligence, the Supreme Lord of the Universe; also called Brahman

Jnana Yoga is the subtle and analytical path of wisdom. Mental purity is of paramount importance for Self-realization. - Sri Swami Sivananda

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RAJA YOGA 
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From Discourse II: "Sadhana Pada - On Spiritual Disciplines"
II.37. ASTEYA-PRATISTHAYAM SARVA-RATNOPASTHANAM

'When non-stealing becomes firmly established, all wealth comes to the yogi'.

Commentary: 
The more a yogi flees from material objects, the more they seem to come to him. The purpose of this natural law is two-fold. The first is so that he may be tested and confirmed in his renunciation. The second is so that he, as a wise person, may appropriately dispense the wealth to benefit mankind.

Seek internal peace of the Eternal, which will destroy all sorrows and pains and lead to final emancipation. - Sri Swami Sivananda

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VEGETARIAN CUISINE - from 'The Yoga Cook Book'
– a collection of recipes from the Sivananda Yoga Centres
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SWEET POTATO with PINEAPPLE – This lovely dish is part of the Yogic Feast for the Winter Festival in the Sivananda Yoga Cookbook. Serves 4 -6

Ingredients: 
5 large sweet potatoes, total weight about 1.4kg (3¼lb)
25 g (1oz) butter
1 very ripe fresh pineapple, about 1 kg (2¼ lb) 
150ml (5 fl oz) orange juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp salt

Preparation: 
1. Preheat oven to 190C/375 F.
2. Scrub the sweet potatoes and bake them for 1- 1 1/2 hours until soft. 
3. Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and reduce the temperature to 
140C/275F.
4. Leave the potatoes until cool enough to handle.
5. Peel and mash them with the butter.
6. Peal & core the pineapple using a sharp knife. Cut into small pieces.
7. Combine the mashed sweet potatoes, pineapple and all the ingredients.
8. Transfer to a baking dish. 
9. Bake for about 40 minutes. 

Serve hot.

Wisdom of the Self is the ripe fruit of the beautiful flower of virtue.
- Sri Swami Sivananda

Previous recipes can be found at:
http://www.sivananda.org/teachings/diet/recipes.html


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SPIRITUAL CALENDAR
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DECEMBER 2009

02 - Full Moon
12 - Ekadasi
16 - New Moon
28 - Ekadasi
31 - Full Moon ( Swamiji's Birthday)

With the wings of love and wisdom, fly to the immortal abode of Brahman.
- Sri Swami Sivananda